Who's Fly-fishing from the bank around here?

I've seen a few of you from the Kayak but is anyone FF from the bank? I ask because I would like to do some more FF this year and I'm still a beginner wanting to get better.

I do it, and here is some advice.

Start someplace where it's easy to cast like a pond. Learn to roll cast before going to creeks.

Trees, branches, bushes, leaves ect are notorious for catching your flies.

Beadheads and wolly buggers are good flies and will get you a variety of fish. Poppers lot of fun too. (Cicada, hopper, bee pattern)

I like a 3wt or 4wt rod between 7-8ft long. When you hook into a 4lb largemouth, and u will at some point doing this, well all i can say is good luck!

Use light line. Been places where they won't touch 8lb line, but 4lb gets hit every cast once you change your leader.

my $.02 Hope it helps and good luck!

I do

I do most of my fly fishing from the bank. It's actually easier in many cases because you are standing up.

It's not much different, but there are a few things to keep in mind...

Learn how to roll cast. Many times when I'm fishing a creek or small pond the banks can be very overgrown. To the point where a back cast would be impossible. To further break it down into another category...rod choice. Most will say for overgrown areas you want a short rod (7' or less). I guess because less room. I actually prefer a longer rod. To me I can get much more leverage doing a roll cast with a longer rod (7'+) than with a short one. A foot or two on rod length does not make that big of a difference when you can actually back cast in a tight area, but it makes a huge difference for a roll cast.

Watch for line grabbing debris on the edge of the water your fishing. Those uncut weeds that usually line the first foot or two of dry bank can and will suck you line into it. Just make sure you keep your slack line by your feet and extend the tip beyond the shore debris (if you can) to minimize getting tangled in weeds. I have also learned to just roll up the slack line as I'm bringing in the fly around my fingers. This keeps the slack line off the ground entirely.

Another reason for a long rod is landing the fish. Again many times there will be weeds on the bank or thick moss around the edges. Most fish I catch I am able to pretty much just pick them up out of the water with my rod and swing them to the bank, avoiding most of the shoreline moss.

When fishing public parks and areas, always be conscience of what is behind you!!! I can’t count how many times I have kids (or adults for that matter) literally walk up right behind me…”How’s the fishing?” or “Caught anything?” only to realize they were one back cast away from getting a hook in their head!! I have had families walk up behind me and I hear the mother say “Lets watch and see if he catches anything”…and they are 5 feet behind me! I usually just turn and look at them at tell them because how a fly rod is cast, it would be best it they did not stand so close. I do a couple of small dry cast to show them…and then they usually get the hint and give me room.

Travel light as possible. On the bank, walking is the only way to cover some ground. To me, if I can’t fit it in my pockets, I don’t need it!

The flies as always are what you like the best. I use mainly bead head nymphs and wooly buggers. They can be worked in deep and shallow water. Many small ponds may get overgrown with surface moss, the best bet there is to try to throw poppers in the open water or drop a weighted fly into the openings, depending on how close the moss is to the surface even in the open areas.

Fly fishing the bank is one of the most enjoyable and versatile fishing styles I know of. No boat, gear (paddles, life vest ect.), or loading and unloading time. Just grab your rod (which I keep in my truck 24/7), something for hook removal and a few other small odds and ends and your fishing. You can spend hours at a time enjoying bank fishing, or just stop and fish for 30 minutes and continue about your way.

Dfitz: Thanks for the I'll be needing a dollars worth soon I fear. Would the Sage Bluegill be overkill @ 6Wt? I don't want to break a rod on an accidental fish. Plus it looks cool and says bluegill even though I know it's 230 grain. I think I'm trying to justify it

Roofish: What are you using for equipment? Every time I see your feet on TFF you are in a kayak

Well I use 5 wts predominately & yes My love for my WS Ride remains, however since I have 2 blownout knees & am wearing braces on both legs, my kayak has not seen any action, since Mar 1st to be exact....which really bums me out.

I'm not 1 to brag, but I know how to catch fish & am very limited from the bank, like anyone else, if you've never fished but from the bank you don't know what your missing.

Another words I have been fishing from the bank since Mar 1st & miss my kayak dearly, I hope someday to get back in it, these fish I caught from the bank for this contest is only the tip of the iceberg, compared to what I could do from my kayak. I have learned alot about fishing all my life (51) & especially since I got my kayak in 2008, I know how to find fish & I know how to catch them...however the kayak GREATLY improves the size & quality of the fish caught, if you have the right knowledge, tactics & technique & know how, when & where to apply it all

Yes sir, pretty much the only way I fish for bluegills. I like a 3wt and use mostly beadhead nymphs with rubber legs added..sometimes use poppers...and sometimes use both as a popper/dropper.

pm sent! I started with poppers and now make my own ugly bugs. These Texas fish seem not to care to much on what the fly looks like as long as it looks edible.
I have a $11 reel and an $40 rod (okuma) from academy 5 wt. I love my set up, use it for specks just as easy as I use it on the fresh water fish. My suggestion would be to use a good weight foreward floating line. Makes all the difference in the world as far as casting goes

Thanks for all the information : It will all come in handy soon.

I stopped by Living Waters yesterday. I'll likely take up some of their fly tying classes. I don't think I'll be getting a rod or reel from there but they are a good local source for materials when I start tying.

I gave FF and FT a go in the past but it was more like a taste than drinking the whole bottle.