|
Chuck Scates the coast buster
If you want the skinny on shallow-water fishing in Texas, just ask Chuck Scates. Scates has been prowling the flats around Rockport for 24 years. He was one of the first fly-fishing guides in Texas – maybe the first. Scates will be doing seminars at Cabela's Fort Worth on Sept. 9-10. One thing he's learned after thousands of days on the water: A short, accurate cast beats a long cast that's not so accurate. "Redfish feed with their tails up and their heads down," Scates said. "We get very close to a lot of fish. The key is to put that fly right in front of the fish's nose. I tell customers to hit them in the head. If the fly isn't right next to the fish's face, you probably won't catch that fish." Scates' clients have a lot of days when they cast to 30 or more schools in water that's a foot deep or less.
Fly fishing smallies in the fading summer
It's unbelievable how some years are dominated by certain types of fishing. Some years the surf is hot for stripers or blues. Some years trout fishing is hot in the streams. This year the hottest fishery going in freshwater is the smallmouth fishing in the rivers and streams throughout New Jersey. While most fly fishermen consider fishing for trout the ultimate sport, one day with a good dose of bronzeback with a buggy whip just might make them think twice. If I had to pick one fish that was my all-time favorite to catch, Ol' Mr. Bronzeback would be at the top of the list. Pound-for-pound, inch-for-inch, there is no better fighting fish to be found in the sweet water. While smallies are found both in the still waters of a lake or reservoir, they especially are feisty when they are found in the current environment of a river or large stream.
Area lake/fishing report
New Melones Lake is currently holding 2.16 million acre-feet of water, at 89 percent capacity, at 1,067 feet above sea level and 21 feet from capacity. Surface water temperature is approximately 78-84 degrees. Water is stained, with mud lines forming on main lake points, with high-water ramps.
Trout is excellent for both trollers and for those fishing at night under lights. New Melones is kicking out plenty of big, fat, healthy trout. Most trout have been picked up at around 40 to 80 feet deep, in the main lake near the spillway/dam/Rose Island area, or in the mouths of major creek arms, such as Angels or Carson Creek. John Darroch trolled a shad-patterned Excel spoon 40 feet deep to catch a pretty 2.4-pound brown trout near Glory Hole Point. Michi Marshall landed a 4.6-pound rainbow while trolling a silver Apex.
|
|
|
|
|
Bookmark
(Ctrl + D) |
|
