Fly Fishing Central Florida

Central Florida Freshwater Fly Fishing Report 7-10-2012

It's the middle of summer and if you can get out on the water very early or just before sunset you can still experience some great freshwater fly fishing.  It's often referred to as the "golden hour", that brief time before sunset when the wind calms down, birds are returning to their roost, and the fish that have been trying to rest in the cooler water move up to feed.

I've had several excellent evenings on some of the smaller lakes and ponds between Winter Haven and Lake Wales.  Starting around 7pm I've been fishing the western side shady spots and then moving around the lake as the sun gets lower and temperatures start to cool.  Any smaller topwater pattern has been enough to convince the panfish and smaller bass to bite.  White foam spiders, yellow Sprogs, and chartreuse Boogle Bugs have all been working well.  If the fish don't seem as active you'll want to try some subsurface patterns.  A large Hare's Ear nymph trailed with a red San Juan worm has been an excellent combination when searching deeper water, with the San Juan worm hooking quite a few bass along with the bluegill and sunfish.

I hope you can find the time to get out on the water over the next week.

Comments are encouraged and appreciated!