Fly
LEGEND
ULTRA / UF908 / UF9010
One of my clients was struggling with
a minimum requirement for fly fishing for tailing redfish
in the lagoon... A fifty foot cast. He missed
several opportunities and was obviously frustrated as
each fish eventually spooked when I tightened the distance
between angler and prey by poling closer.
As a guide with redneck tendancies, I'm well aware
of the male ego so I was careful about offering assistance
with a fly-casting lesson and use of my equipment (his
sluggish offbrand 8 wieght was just not up to the task),
but felt compelled to offer the suggestion.
I explained, "You must consistantly be able to
cast half your fly-line (50 ft.) and preferably 70 feet
if you want to increase your hookup ratio. I can help
you, if you desire." I suggested with empathy.
To that, I received a tort reply from the angler and
his midwestern fishing partner: "B*ll Sh*t No one
can consistantly cast a fly seventy feet and be that
accurate too, I've fly fished for 35 years and that's
a fact."
With that said I left well enough alone and decided
that I'd wait for them ASK for assistance. After all
I have an ego too! Shortly afterward we had another
failed endeavor on a cooperative redfish, I felt the
need to take a break for a diversion because the frustration
was taking it's toll on the angler and his partner.
I interupted, "Let's take a minute and drink some
water and eat some of my wife's homemade muffins."
Which was welcomed promply after I displayed. Gina's
muffins are rarely denied.
While resting and admiring the Florida wildlife (manatees)
and weather, I pulled out my St. Croix 8 weight and
proceeded to strip off my entire flyline, organize it
on the deck of the boat and stretch it with each pull
as if maintaining or conditioning the monocore to rid
it any memory. I could feel the anglers watching me
as they chattered over the poling platform helping themselves
to the muffins.
Yanking all the flyline off the reel, I promply made
two false cast sending sixty feet or more aloft and
shot the remaining line on the deck through the guides
and pegging the end of the 100 foot monocore line, exposing
a few inches of backing at the end of the rod just the
way Chico Fernendez taught me 14 years ago.
Making a long story shorter: They had their double
haul lesson caught a redfish apiece and traded their
"other brand" flyrods for St. Croixs'.
Tip: Buy St. Croix rods |
