FlyLife Australia & New Zealand — Winter 2017

FLYLIFE^61

the fly down as we might do with a
queenfish — it needs to be subtle with
the minimum splash possible.
Maybe a fly without heavy eyes will
work better, but in strong current it
may not stay on the bottom — it is
always good to experiment. You can
be a bit bolder on the retrieve with
these fish as in shallow water the fly
won’t lift, and getting their attention
is critical. I have found that a floating
line with a clear intermediate tip and
fluorocarbon leader will help keep the
fly on the bottom.
When these fish home in on a fly,
they will eat. Watch carefully for
those subtle signs, and keep contact
with your fly. The fight with a shal-
low-water tailer is first class, as they
power off across the flat.
My tip with tailers is to follow them
and wait for the right moment to
cast, making sure the fly-line will not
be anywhere near their line of sight.
Long leaders are essential.
This waiting can really mess with
your mind as the fish travels away
from you, tailing, or approaches you
directly, while you are trying to posi-
tion yourself perpendicular to its trav-
el so you can make the cast — and get
that subtle landing. I’ve had mornings
when I’ve hit fish on the head, or
spooked them with the line or rod on
the false cast, or when landing the fly,
and I am sure on more than one occa-
sion I just wasn’t holding my tongue
right. Many a rum has been sipped
while reminiscing about those fish
that didn’t eat.
Then it all comes together, and you
see those deep purple hues of a large
fish as it tilts and sucks in that fly.
You load up and feel a deep satisfac-
tion, and laugh at all those frustrating
misses that helped to make this fish so
much more worthy.

DEEP WATER FEEDERS
Deep water is a relative term and I’m
talking anything more than chest deep.
These fish are not in the vanguard of
the feeders, or are found mid-tide in
bays and along rock shelves feeding
happily. If you are in the boat on the
electric, slow down! Relax, it’s not a
speeding tuna or queeny where you
only get one shot at the fish. Move
away and watch, compose yourself,
and plan your approach.
Make sure the boat won’t be in the
line of travel of the fish, and do your
vector equation again. I find a keel-
weighted fly great in these situations,

to get it down quickly and help keep

it on the bottom. I have also at times

jumped out of the boat and into the

shallows or even onto dry land to

make the cast. These fish are not in

a rush like the others. Lay that fly in

front of them. If they don’t notice it,

wait for them to move on and then

bring your fly in — don’t rip it in — the

best way to spook a blue bastard is a

crab travelling 100 mph in mid-water.

These fish will quite often follow a

slowly moved fly all the way to the

rod tip before eating, or just as readily

suck it down as soon as it lands. Once

hooked they don’t typically scream off

like shallow-water fish; instead they

do a lot of head shaking and you will

need to apply plenty of pressure to

keep that hook in, before they surge

off into the depths.

My preferred flies for all situations

are VGDC Merkins. For deeper water

a keel weight is added, and for the

shallows I’ve been experimenting with

tungsten weights to achieve the same

sink rate with less splash. Keep a vari-

ety of colours on hand, and don’t be

afraid to change to one with more

contrast if the fish aren’t noticing your

fly, or to a more subtle colour if the

fish are flighty.

This ocean beach fish fell to a crab fly placed on its feeding path along the weed line.

FL

CASEY STOCKER

It’s always rewarding to watch them swim off, fit and strong.