Thread: Fly Fishing

Originally Posted by phillipda

I started fly fishing over 13 years ago. Was my sole fishing method for at least 4 years. Have not fly fished now for about 9 years. Started flyfishing again a couple weeks back. Today was my 2nd outing. Didn't catch anything a couple weeks back, but caught a flathead today.

My flyfishing rod is a G Loomis F1088/9 Mega. I currently am using a South Pacific Estuary Environs WF-8 sinking tip. I use to use a Lefty Kreh WF-8-F line and a Airflo 7000Ts III-Sense WF-9-i.

Well, I have'nt been able to get out and try as yet, busy with work and such, but I am wondering, how exactly do you get "flathead" on fly? How long is your tip that sinks, and what depth of water are you in? Trout I understand, their in shallow rivers etc, the concept makes perfect sense, but flaties are usually deep that im aware of,,(??) I know they do frequent shallow water sometimes, I've seen them, but not often.

Originally Posted by Chops

Well, I have'nt been able to get out and try as yet, busy with work and such, but I am wondering, how exactly do you get "flathead" on fly? How long is your tip that sinks, and what depth of water are you in? Trout I understand, their in shallow rivers etc, the concept makes perfect sense, but flaties are usually deep that im aware of,,(??) I know they do frequent shallow water sometimes, I've seen them, but not often.

Hi, Back when I was fly fishing 10 years ago I used to mainly catch flathead, in very shallow waters. The flathead up this way sit out in the shallows burying them selves until a prey goes pass.

I regularly catch flathead on live bait in water only about 2 to 4 foot deep. Big buggers to.

Flatties will take a Fly 'easily' in shallow water especially on the sand flats in bays either side of the tide change in salt water
I use an eight weight fly rod with a 9 weight sinking line and a fairly short leader at around 6 ft .
You can get good sized Bream with the same gear around the Oyster Leases
But you have to get out and give it a go and experiment in your own fishing area to see what works the best for yourself and your gear .
Cheers .

Kev,
What tips do you have for fly casting in strong winds (thinking Top End/Cape York in particular).

Good double haul technique and keeping the line low come to mind - any others that should be applied.

Also any tips to help master the double haul.

Originally Posted by Bush65

Also any tips to help master the double haul.

This site has a good animation:
double haul fly casting instruction


I am keen to get back into flyfishing. I have a good freshwater setup, but would be grateful for tips/opinions on the best (general) saltwater setup for WA.

Originally Posted by Bush65

Kev,
What tips do you have for fly casting in strong winds (thinking Top End/Cape York in particular).

Good double haul technique and keeping the line low come to mind - any others that should be applied.

Also any tips to help master the double haul.

Fly casting in windy conditions is very tricky and I try and avoid it by changing to spin or bait fishing in the same water .
If its windy and your still keen to fly fish - go for a heavier weighted rod and line set up with a 'Weight forward' fly line and reduce your leader length to avoid tangles in the leader .
Also consider positioning yourself with the wind at your back and the wind increasing speed on the line with your forward ( presentation) casts .
Single and double hauling helps with distance and windy situations .
Mastering the Double Hall is just a mater of practice and its mainly a coordination problem for most novice fly anglers .
I rarely use hauling unless I need distance on a cast at the side of a freshwater lake .