Fly Fishing Central Florida

Line Management for Fly Fishing on Lakes, Ponds, and Salt water.

by Chris O'Byrme, FFF certified Fly Casting Instructor

FLY FISHING FROM THE SHORELINE is a wonderful way to experience the outdoors.  When we seek out opportunities to fish without a boat, we improve our casting and catching skills, we meet new species of fish, and last but not least, we escape the flickering box. 

FLY CASTING REQUIRES that some extra line be temporarily stored at our feet.  When this line lies on a clean boat deck this is not a problem, but when this line is on the ground we face a variety of challenges.  Here are a few ways to care for your fly line, in the hopes that your fishing experience is improved.

THE FILTH THAT ACCUMULATES ON FLY LINE hurts the line’s ability to move through the guides and float.  Fly fishing in central Florida,  means fly line fouled with tannins.  This thick, brown film and the grime peculiar to your waters can be easily cleaned away with Orvis Fly Line Cleaning Pads.  Once the line is cleaned, Orvis Super Slick Line Dressing provides an environmentally friendly, lubricating film that helps the fly line scream through the guides.  There is another problem that develops in fly line that is particularly troublesome when fishing from the bank of a pond or lake, “memory.” 

FLY LINE “MEMORY” is the name for the coils which develop on a fly line when it has spent too much time on the reel.  (This is a symptom of a terribly unfortunate state of affairs.)  Memory; makes it harder for the line to shoot through the guides, makes line more likely to tangle in vegetation, and makes line become knotted.  We can stretch the memory out our fly line by simply pulling on the line (gently) between outstretched hands, while we have the line stripped off the reel to clean it.  If I am with a fishing partner and have enough space, we stretch the line in one piece, between ourselves.  Preparing fly line in these ways is a simple chore, and each time I cast a freshly cleaned, lubricated and stretched fly line, I am glad I went to the trouble. 

 FLY FISHING FROM A BOAT, the excess fly line is with us when we move.  But, walking a bank, this line is always a challenge.  I like to use the “Cutting the Pizza” tactic, taught at Andy Thornal Fly Fishing Schools.  When I have thoroughly covered one area I move on to the next.  By looping the excess line and holding it in my little finger against the rod’s grip, and holding the fly pinched between thumb and index finger, I can casually walk as far as necessary.  (Hold the hook so that it will not catch you if it is unexpectedly jerked from your fingers.)  I even have my other hand free.  But there is an even better solution.

STRIPPING BASKETS are the fly fisher’s tool that manages this excess line for us.  I love myOrvis Durable Stripping Basket.  It fits comfortably, while the rigid cones keep the line from tangling better than any other basket I’ve tested.  I use mine while wading a beach and even in some boats with a jumbled deck.

FLY LINE is at the heart of our sport.  Take care of yours and it will reward you with many great hours a-field.

Comments are encouraged and appreciated!

Fly Fishing Leaders | X vs. Lb Similar but different

There are two methods to label and describe knotless fly fishing leaders.  Some of the leaders are labeled in Lb test, and some are labeled by an algebraic X.   All of the leaders are tapered.  So why are there two methods.  Why make it so complicated? The answer reminds me of the old beer commercial with a bunch of guys arguing: “Tastes great - Less filling.” The leaders labeled  “Lb” are for anglers most concerned about strength.   The leaders labeled with ”X” have an emphasis on the diameter of the leader, and making the fly drift naturally.  Breaking down the specifics is easy by using a couple of examples.

We can argue over the labelling, but using two systems simplifies the subject for newer anglers.  More sophisticated fly fishermen will want more information, and it is there, regardless of the label method.

Browse Leaders and Tippets

Great Taste: Leaders labeled in Lb are traditionally used for Saltwater and Bass fishing.  The strength of the tippet is the weakest link in the entire system.  If you are pursuing 5 pound bonefish on a sunny Bohemian flat, you better have twice the Lb designation in your leader, because of coral, and the speed that the fish run, and 100 yds of backing in the water.  You might need a 12 lb leader just to turn over a Clouser into a stiff breeze.  And the flies are bigger and heavier for saltwater and bass fishing.  So the Lb does indicate stiffness, but our primary concern is strength for fighting the fish.

This 9ft 8lb leader is intended for saltwater, bass, salmon... but note the bottom right corner has the fine print.  It shows specifications:

8 lb test
diameter of the butt is .022"
diameter of the tip is .009"

So,  a tippet that is .oo9" in diameter is also 9 Lb test.

Note that I ignored the Scientific-Mumbo-Jumbo for simplicity in this discussion.

Less Filling - The diameter of the leader tippet is most important when chasing an 8 inch brown trout in a gently flowing pool.  You are rarely concerned with the strength of the leader.  A strong (heavy) leader would make your fly look lifeless, perhaps make it drag in a strange way.  We need to make sure the tippet section is limber enough for our tiny size 16 dry fly to look natural on the surface, and most important-drift naturally.

The X designation is used to simplify purchasing leaders by diameter.  The 4X is thicker than the 5X and that is thicker than the 6X....  A little math will reveal the X designation refers to .011" minus the acutal diameter of the leader tippet.  The remainder is stripped to an integer and an X is put on the end.  (My college Calculus teach would be proud of that last sentance!)  See the fine print for this leader.  4X has a .007" diameter tippet.  (4 plus 7 equal 11)  If we had a 2X leader, the tippet would be .009" in diameter.  The higher the X factor, means a thinner leader tippet.  Thin is what we need when dealing with weary trout!

Also note the size of the butt section and the 4.2 lb test strength of the tippet.  This is an overkill in strength, perhaps use a 6X on that size 16 dry fly, it should be strong enough for the fish.   And a thinner 6X leader will have a better presentation (natural drift and thin diameter.)

Tastes Great - Less Filling: It's all the same, or is it?  I realized that the taper of the leaders might be different on these two leaders.  There might be a difference in their casting performance.  Because of the main designation, are they tapered differently?  The Lb leaders might be made stiffer.  The taper might be shorter to create this effect.  And this info is not in the fine print.  So I called Tim Dalton, product developer of Fly Line and Leader, at Orvis headquarters.  I figured there was a different taper, but I was wrong.  Tim said that If the specs on the fine print are the same, the taper is the same.  Make sure you are comparing Mirage LB to Mirage X, and not to a different material, like Super Strong.

Yes, but... Leaders that are made to a specific diameter will have a funny Lb strength (like 4.2 instead of 4,) since diameter is the point.  Also there is a difference on IGFA world record leaders (International Game fish Association.)  These are labelled in Lb,  but they are built to break at the designation.  If someone is trying for a world record for Black Bass on 12 Lb test, the rule states that the leader must break at 12 lbs or less, and it is tested by IGFA for confirmation.  The leader may actually break at 11 pounds!  The regular leaders (non-IGFA) that are labelled 12 Lb test will be at least 12 Lb, and may break at 13 Lb.  This is a subtle but important difference.

Browse Leaders and Tippets

Comments are encouraged and appreciated!

Two Weedless Patterns For Bass Fly Fishing

by Captain Craig Crumbliss,  Orvis Endorsed Fly Fishing Guide/Instructor

Fly tying is a creative process, whether designing a new pattern or tweaking an old standard to fit your specific needs.  Fly fishing for largemouth bass in central Florida presents the unique challenge of having to modify patterns to work in our often weed choked waters.  I've been working with and fishing two unique patterns this fall.  Although I can't claim the original pattern for either I have used some different hooks in effort to remain weedless yet not inhibit the action of the fly.

The Wackly Wobbler is the fly anglers version of a wacky rigged senko worm.  If you've ever fished senko worms you know they work for both smallmouth and largemouth bass in moving and still water.  This pattern is tied with Supreme Hair and Krystal Flash.  The hidden dumbell eyes give it enough weight to sink quickly and still be fished on a floating line.  The action of the 5-7 inch worm is enough to drive the bass wild.  (Most anglers will use a 7 weight or 8 weight to cast a fly of this size)

The hooks I use for this pattern is a Gamakatsu Finesse Weedless hook in size 2/0.

The Jerk Minnow is a baitfish pattern tied in the same style of an Enrico Puglisi Minnow.  Instead of using EP Fibers I use Steve Farrar's Flash Blend.  The SF Blend combines flash with fibers that are a little thicker and stiffer than EP Fibers.  The large worm hook provides weight and gives this pattern an action very similar to a soft plastic jerkbait.  My favorite colors for the Jerk Minnow are Peacock over White for a baby bass imitation, gray over white for a shad imitation, and all white.

The hook used for the Jerk Minnow is D.O.A. Long Neck hook made by Eagle Claw.  The neck is a little longer than a typical worm hook and gives a little more space to tie on.  The hooks only come in two sizes 3.5/0 and 5/0 and I use both of them.

Book a Bass Fly Fishing Trip with Capt Craig Crumbliss Click Here

Comments are encouraged and appreciated!

Fly Fishing Lake Wales | Dinner Lake at Lake Wales Ridge State Forest

by Captain Craig Crumbliss,  Orvis Endorsed Fly Fishing Guide/Instructor

This small pond located several miles east of Lake Wales is out of the way, secluded, and walk-in only.  Although I'd only take about 10 minutes to walk around the entire pond there are plenty of fish that are willing to take a fly.  Nestled in part of the Lake Wales State Forest Dinner Lake provides solitude and nature at it's finest.  In my last trip to Dinner Lake the mist was still rising off the pond and I spooked several deer that had come down to the waters edge to drink.  It's about a 1/4 mile walk from the parking along the side of the road to the pond.  The walking path continues around the pond with a small firepit and picnic tables on the far side underneath an oak hammock.

A great place to spend a couple hours or afternoon the crystal clear waters of the lake are home to largemouth bass and a variety of panfish.  On my recent trip to Dinner Lake I caught half a dozen bass up to 2lbs in about 45 minutes.  As with most of our local lakes smaller Boogle Bugs and the foam Sprog will take plenty of fish on the surface. 

Fishing a smaller clouser minnow or wooly bugger will work equally well for subsurface action.  With the clear water you can actually sight fish and target specific fish with your fly.

There are sections on the north and south side of the pond where an angler could cast effectively from the shoreline without getting their feet wet but to cover the entire pond a little wading will be needed. 

Watch your step while walking through this classic Florida Pine Scrub habitat as you are truly in the wilderness and snakes can be present.

A stripping basket is essential with most shoreline fishing.

Keep your fly selection simple since the un-pressured fish in Dinner Lake seldom see flies.

 From Lake Wales, head East on Highway 60.  Turn right on Walk-in-Water Rd and drive for 1.8 miles.  The small parking area will be under the sign shown in the picture.  Walk down the trail for about 1/4 miles to the pond.

 Interactive Google map below.

Comments are encouraged and appreciated!

Fly Fishing Auburndale | Lake Marianna Pond

article and photos by Chris O'Byrne

LAKE MARIANNA POND

711 Marianna Road, Auburndale, FL

FLY FISHING LAKES AND PONDS of Central Florida has plenty of surprises from the flowing water of Little Econ River in Orlando to Twin Lakes Park, walking distance to I-75 in Sarasota.  I was initially unbelieving that Lake Marianna in Auburndale, over 500 acres, might host fly fish from the bank, but thanks to a multi-agency storm water mitigation effort we have Lake Marianna Pond Park.  This 10 acre site is a converted cattle pasture minutes from Highway 92 and the charm of Auburndale’s downtown. 

An ancient, low slung oak tree combined with scattered benches provide spots to rest and recon the water.  Keep these points in mind;

• There are some White Water Lilies.  Use a fly with a weed guard and gently strip it over the vegetation.
• There are channels, peninsulas and bays.  Cast around each ‘change’ feature.
• The pond is surrounded by trees, when wind keeps you from saltwater or lake fishing, give this park a try.
• The water is rather deep straight off the bank.  If top water does not work, try a weighted fly.

ANY FLY ROD FROM A FOUR WEIGHT TO AN EIGHT WEIGHT WILL WORK here; there is a variety of habitat.  My personal favorite would be our Orvis Access 9 foot, 6 weight rod.  Try a Grim Reaper counted down and jigged slowly or a Deep South Popper over the vegetation.

Notice the fauna of the area.  When I was there a large Cooper ’s hawk soared smoothly through the trees, hungrily chasing some prey, Purple Gallinules argued noisily, not disturbing the hushed Great Blue Heron at work.  Lake Marianna Pond Park.

Interactive map below:

Comments are encouraged and appreciated!

Babson Park Fly Fishing | Crooked Lake Prairie Park

article and photos by Tod Zechiel

Crooked Lake Prairie Park

You have to  hike to get to the water:

This county owned park is located on the east central side of Crooked Lake. The park is 525 acres in size with approximately 2.7 miles of shoreline to fish.  There is a network of trails that run in the interior of the park.  Access to fishing requires at least a 1/3 mile hike and up to a mile, depending on where you want to fish and what trail you take.  Departing from the path to the lake generally requires hiking through dog fennel and cordgrass.  Getting your feet wet is unavoidable, so it is best to dress for wading.  The water is classic tannic in color with visibility being about 2 ½ feet.  The lake bottom is firm sand with some limited low growing vegetation.  The water has many submerged trees, so wade slowly and carefully.  The lake has open water with clumps of grasses and rushes.

Technically Challenging-Fly Fishing for Bass:

Fly fishing here is technically challenging, rewarding only the most determined anglers. The Lake Wales Ridge is due east of the lake and I cannot help but to think it creates a thermal updraft causing a west wind in the afternoon through the early evening, hence you are casting against the wind much of the time.  Fishing subsurface is difficult due to all the submerged trees, so top water is often times the best method.  When you do hook fish, it is best to land it fairly quickly to avoid it getting tangled up in the submerged trees.  With all this complexity, why would this area attract a fly fisher?  Most of the times that I go, I hook one or two behemoth bass (okay, behemoth to me is three pounds or over).  Everyone I’ve hooked has gotten away.  It is a challenge of letting the fish run with the line while keeping it out of the submerged trees.  This park is recommended if you like hiking, walking through xeric ecosystems, viewing wildlife, and like to talk about “the one that got away”.  It also is one of the few places where two or three fly fishers could go together and fish while wading – there is plenty of room.

Directions: From Babson Park, travel south on Alternative Highway 17 for approximately 2.0 miles. Look for the sign reading “Crooked Lake Prairie” and turn west on Cody Villa Road.  Travel west on Cody Villa Road for approximately 1.3 miles until reaching the parking lot.  Sign in at the kiosk and begin your hike. 

Fly fishing at Crooked Lake Prairie Park

• Technically difficult fly fishing
• Top water weedless bass flies because of submerged vegetation
• Be prepared for wading and be conscientious of gators as in any Florida lake
• Six to Eight Weight Fly Rod for heavier flies and tippet
• Be prepared for a short hike
• Beautiful Florida scrub landscape along the ‘ridge.’   Bring a camera!

Interactive Google Map Below:
View Central Florida Fresh Water Fly Fishing in a larger map

Comments are encouraged and appreciated!

Fly Fishing Haines City | Lake Elsie

by Captain Craig Crumbliss,  Orvis Endorsed Fly Fishing Guide/Instructor

Lake Elsie

Lake Elsie is located just south of Highway 17/92 in the heart of Haines City.  Perfect for the shorebound angler because nearly the entire shoreline can be walked around and fished.  Lake Elsie is mostly a grassy shoreline with some lily pads in a couple places.  On the north end of the small lake is a stretch of reeds and bullrushes that limit your fishing on that side but for the most part the lake is wide open.

On my early morning trip there last week there was quite a bit of surface activity so poppers and foam spiders will work well in the early or later part of the day.  During the warmer part of the day you should stick to subsurface flies.  Because of the great aquatic vegetation in the lake you'll want to fish a smaller nymph such as a Hares Ear trailed with a large damsel fly nymph imitation.  Lake Elsie holds a healthy population of panfish and plenty of largemouth bass.

As with many of our local lakes the grass is mowed to the waterline but there are a couple feet of grass and weeds in the water before you get to fishable water so knee high boots or hip waders will allow you to get past the edge of the shore to productive water.

Finding Lake Elsie is very easy.  From Highway 27 in Haines City head East on Highway 17/92.  The small parking lot for the lake/park will be on your right just past the McDonalds and car dealership.

Interactive map below:

Comments are encouraged and appreciated!

Orlando and Oviedo Fly Fishing | The Little Econ River

by Captain Craig Crumbliss,  Orvis Endorsed Fly Fishing Guide/Instructor

Orlando - Little Econ

The Little Econlockhatchee River on the east side of Orlando maybe one of my favorite pieces of water to fish in central Florida.  Perhaps it's because of the flowing tannic water so different from the lakes and ponds I usually fish or maybe the because it's relatively shallow with great aquatic vegetation that reminds me of some of the spring creeks in south central Pennsylvania.  For whatever reason this gem in Orlando is home to a varitey of panfish, bass, and catfish willing to take a fly.

My favorite way to fish the Little Econ is with a lighter 3-5 weight fly rod and casting small poppers upstream and either letting them dead drift down or slowly work them across the current.  If the fish aren't in the mood for surface action smaller nymphs and damsel fly nymphs fished around the weedbeds always work well.

 From the parking area you'll see a large triangular area where the canal section flowing from West to East meets with another branch of the river that flows north from underneath Highway 50.  Although gators and snakes are ever present around freshwater in central Florida this is one place where I will wade, usually hopping in and walking around the triangular section before working my way south on the branch that leads towards Highway 50.

There is also access to put in a canoe or kayak.  It's a short walk of

100 yards to get to the water from the parking area but a canoe or kayak will open up even more water especially in the main canal.  Fishing from the shoreline can be difficult because the banks are a couple feet above the water and usually have growth on them.

If you're looking for something different besides the usual lakes and ponds the Little Econ is a great place to spend a couple hours.

Parking is easy.  From Highway 50 you'll turn north on N Econlockhatchee Trail.  Just before you get to the bridge going over the river you'll see a pulloff to the right leading to a gravel area with a couple places to park.  If there are a couple other cars in the parking area don't be disappointed as it's a popular parking area for people looking to run or bike along the trail as well.  The picture included of the parking lot shows you exactly where to go.

Comments are encouraged and appreciated!

Fly Fishing Orlando | Turkey Lake at Bill Frederick Park

by Captain Craig Crumbliss,  Orvis Endorsed Fly Fishing Guide/Instructor

Bill Frederick Park 3401 S Hiawassee Rd, Orlando, FL

Bill Frederick Park at Turkey Lake provides a unique opportunity for the central Florida angler.  The park is located on the shore of Turkey Lake and provides some shoreline opportunities to fish mostly from the fishing pier and smaller floating dock, but the real unique opportunity is in the boat rental program.

Bill Frederick Park has a unique boat rental program.  Unlike some parks that may rent canoes or paddle boats at Bill Frederick Park they have four Bass Boats that can be rented.  The boats are well equipped for fishing with pedestal seats in the front and back and a bow mounted trolling motor.  The rentals are available Thursday-Sunday starting at 6:30am-11am when the boats must be returned.  In order to rent a boat you'll want to call and make a reservation with the park at (407)

246-4486 and they'll take a deposit for the cost of the rental which is only $23.  The park recommends calling two to three weeks in advance to be sure to get your spot.

Besides the boat rental program the park offers many other opportunities such as camping, disc golf, and a pool.

The fishing on Turkey Lake ranges from good to outstanding.  Because there are no other boat ramps on the lake the rental boats are the only way you can fish most of the lake and it remains relatively unpressured.  The shoreline opportunities are good as well.  There is a large fishing pier and smaller floating dock to fly fish from as well as a couple areas along the shoreline where the angler can get close enough to the water to fish.

Turkey Lake is part of the "Fab Five" lakes in the Fish Orlando Program.  It is managed by the FWC to be a great bass fishing lake as all Largemouth Bass are catch and release only on Turkey Lake.  Bill Frederick Park and their unique boat rental program is worth a drive from anywhere in central Florida...especially for the shorebound angler that would like the opportunity to spend some time fishing from a boat in a quality well managed lake.

Comments are encouraged and appreciated!

Fly Rod Durability Test Video at the Orvis Factory

During a recent trip to the Orvis Factory (VT,) I had the oportunity to watch a fly rod durability test.  I turned on the video camera, and here it is.  The Orvis Access fly rod is stunningly durable as you will see on this bench test.  They had to reset the test equipment because it survived the normal testing.  I hope you enjoy.

Tours and visits to the Orvis factory are free and fascinating.  Next time you are in New England, put it on your plans.  Of course, buy your gear from me!

Comments are encouraged and appreciated!