Tips for Schooled up Redfish

We as fly anglers, are usually chomping at the bit for winter time fishing. The clean water, the big schools, the lack of boat traffic this time of year. There can be a lot to look forward to fishing in the winter, and rightfully so, but with all this excitement comes a handful of challenges. The first of which being the clean water, help us as it may, it can also make our job a little tougher. This is because they can see us just as good if not better as we can see them. To combat this challenge, stealth becomes a top priority on the flats, longer and lighter leaders, slow quite pushes, and soft landing flies. Another hurdle to overcome with winter time fishing is dead water. Its been said that in the winter, 80% of our fish live in 20% of our water, although we cant confirm those exact numbers, it certainly feels that way through out most of the winter. So when it comes to scouting in the winter there are a few things to keep in mind, starting with covering water its important to cover large portions of water because so much of it is dead. Also its important to check areas extensively because depending on how tight the school is all the fish in that area could be held up right around the next bend, even though the rest of the creek has been seemingly dead. Once you have found the school and approached them with stealth, its time to seal the deal! i am typically throwing smaller flies this time of year such as small kwans and small clousers , thats because I want to have a small non-threating approach and allow the fish to find my fly as if it was his idea. Lastly, one thing winter time fishing demands from us as anglers and stewards, is that we be mindful of over fishing one or two groups of fish. After finding a group of schooled up reds, you have the ability to harass that group of fish day in and day out but not only would you ruin everyone else winter fishing by doing so but eventually you will ruin your own. What will inevitably happen is you will show up to that spot and you’ll see the school of fish but the wont anything you have to throw at them, its a frustrating event that all costal fly anglers have either done or experienced. But with good etiquette and a little bit of thoughtfulness it can be avoided. My rule of thumb is 2-3 fish from a school no mater the size of the school, after the fish are safely released I’m on to the next school, if I don’t have a “next school” in mind the rest of m y day will be spent on searching for more spots and schools, ultimately this is what’s makes you a better angler or better guide, not going to where you already know there are fish. Hopefully this helps you put a few extra fish over the rail this winter, thanks for tuning in, and we will catch ya next time.