After yesterday's post I received an email from a reader asking, "Can you really fish in that?". Well, the answer is yes. Is it easy? No. Is it for anyone? No. Can you catch in it? Yes. But there's some things you should figure out before you go otherwise it will be more for the fun of it than actually having a chance at catching.
Some say the best time to fish is before and after big weather. When the barometer starts to drop the fish get all tuned up. If there's bait around it gets all disoriented and caught up in the wave action near the beach. In the good old days, beach clams would get churned up and broken releasing the soft meals into the water. Beach replenishment has just about killed all of that. Just go down after a storm and see how many clam shells you find these days.
The hight of the weather event might not be the best times, especially for the fly rodder. The water tends to be too off color and the winds may exceed safe and effective casting. While your buddy standing next to you may be killing them with the bucktails or heavy plugs you'll be limited to say a 20 foot cast in and around the groins. But that's where the getting can some times be good.
Before the weather the water is usually clean and green which what I found the other day. Today, I am assuming, not so much. That's not to say protected areas in the rivers and bays can't produce, although there is a lot of water around with the tidal surges. Remember safety first. Some say abandon the waders for calf high boots with bibs. That way if you get caught in the water you won't head straight for the bottom. Spikes or studs will help with the footing. And eyewear should be considered as those flies find eyes and ears as they whizz past you on a failed cast. Bring wet weather gear and have extra clothes in the truck. And as far as casting, watch who's around you as that tight loop you think is behind you is 30 feet to the left or right, prime to catch a spin guy in the back, or front.
There's a difference between fishing white water, which the bass and fly rodder's love, and big weather. Times are tides and are effected by the winds and moon phases. New and full moons bring the highest of highs and the lowest of lows. So usually at some point in the tide it'll be safe and should still hold water. The winds can come from the south or the north. Below during a strong south I turned around to keep the fly and fly line out of the back of my skull. That's an 11 wt with a 350 gr. line, not only to cut the waves but the wind as well.
Fishing along an uninterrupted beach can be the most difficult but the bass move along the structure, if there's any, and the crashing wave action stuns the bait, that's of the swimming, scurrying, and burrowing types. When all else fails don't forget to throw out a mole crab fly as they are easily churned free on the beach scarps with the relentless wave pounding.
Moving to the groins. This can be great but you need to know your limitations, and most importantly the tides. You're not a spin fishermen so try and pretend to be one. Know where and when you can fish effectively, even if that's a 15 foot radius from where you're standing.
Above, that's Chris Roslan, throwing flies into a south side pocket during a NE wind. There's plenty of water there to hold a fish. Never turn your back to incoming waves, especially on the incoming, and remember there's those sneak-up-on-you rouge ones that'll chop your ankles out.
I remember taking the above picture of my buddy Rich. Somehow he didn't get cut out by the waves crashing at his feet. It's funny, he's a very, very part time fly fisherman, but made it several times into Popovic's Fleye Design, the above the opening image for Part II, The Patterns, on page 69. So be hyper-aware, that's all. Fishing the south side, if you're right handed, keeps the fly and line off your casting shoulder.
And as I searched for images to accompany this post I found a gem for the old salts that visit here. Name that spot before you read further. It was a favorite of mine and the Phillip's Ave. Gang, that's Roosevelt in the foreground and Whitehall in the distance. My back is pretty much touching the Pump House. If you go then you know what it looks like today. Disgusting.
There can be good fish to be had if you venture out from the comfort of the couch, or your Mother's basement. One thing to add about fishing the groins, know here you are if you happen to hook into a doozy. Consider walking it back to the beach for an easier and safe landing.
You'll also, maybe, be able to safely release it without giving it the "Toss For Life" back into the drink. That's Richie again, and yes that image was on page 223, the opening for Part III, Evolution of Fleye Design- Influences and Advances. Not bad for a spin guy.