Galveston Bay

[br549]

Anybody ever been flyfishing in the Galveston area? I'll be there in 2 weeks and plan to do some sight fishing for reds and specks. I'm tying clousers & seaducers for the trip. Just wondering if anyone has insights or advice.

[snagged in outlet 3]

Spoonflies. They catch Reds better than anything going. Gold ones are my favorite. I don't even bother with any other flies anymore when chasing Reds.

Snagged.

[MTM]

May I suggest that you buy a book by Chuck Skates and Phil H. Shook. "Fly Fishing the Texas Coast" IT goes by area and gives you a lot of information on all areas of the coast. It cost's $19.00 and is worth every penny. I fish the Port O'conner area as my son lives down there and I sure love to catch Red's and Trout. Lot's of flies work. I use spoons to. Just remember it is a short trip and if the wind is blowing you may need a spinning rod. I would also suggest you getting a Red Dot map of the area you are gong to fish as it will give you places to wade fish and how to get to them. Also all the tackle shops in that area. Lot's of information for very little money.

Here is a web-site for you to get information on that area. They have a fly fishing area so you can ask there. You will have to log on to make a post but it is worth the time and you will also be able to learn a lot from this site about that area. This site is out of the area you are going to. Good Luck be safe. Ron

http://2coolfishing.net/

[br549]

Thanks for the info guys. Anything more specific on "spoonflies?"

[MTM]

Here you go if you tie your own. If not I can give a place to buy them but they are not a cheap fly. Ron

http://www.flyfishlouisiana.com/Spoon_fly_1.htm

[br549]

Thanks Ron. With a week to go, I'm going to try to tie "the spoon." I'll let you know how it all comes out! Bill

[bowfin47]

When you tie a spoon fly, if it does not "flutter" with the very slightest movement...throw it away and start over!!! You have a very small window of oportuntiy for that fly to flutter in front of a red, and a slow wobbling fly may cost you that shot.

So, test any spoons out before ya' go, and make sure that they "flutter" with the sightest pull.

Some of the very best spoon flies are those tied by one of south Louisiana's best known guides, Capt. Danny Ayo. Danny's spoons are reknown for their fluttering!! Danny has instructions for tying his version of the spoon fly on his website: http://www.flyfishlouisiana.com/index.htm . I've fished with Danny many times and can guarantee you that this pattern is amazing! (So is he - Danny's a wonderful guide!!)

By the way if any of you guys have ever wanted to catch reds - that is to sight cast to large reds in shallow water, this is the year! The distruction of so much of the shrimp and menhadden fleets by last year's hurricanes has resulted in coastal waters full of bait. When this is combined with the fact that due to loss of boats, homes, jobs and etc., only a very small number of sportmen have done any fishing since the storms. As a result, the Louisiana marshes are full of large speckled trout and reds... fat reds!

Due to Katrina and Rita, many of the Louisiana Fly Fishing Guides had great losses of either property and/or bookings. As a result the FFF has placed a "Support the Guides Impacted by Katrina" section on the FFF National's web page: http://www.fedflyfishers.org/begin.php

So, if you have ever wanted to site cast to large reds in shallow waters, I'd strongly suggest that you contact Capt. Danny Ayo or one on the other excellent Louisiana guides and then come on down. The Fishin's Great!!!

Good luck and tight lines.