Unseen takes

[Vic T]

Dick,

Thanks for giving us this opportunity to contact you with our questions. I take your book (complete with yellow highlights) whenever I go bonefishing for reference in the evenings over a cigar and drinks. I really enjoy every minute of the trip!

I have had excellent luck on my first trips and found that I love wading and stalking bf for the tranquility-excitement of the hunt. Sometimes when the fish are very close and I am kneeling in the water to remain unseen, I can't see the fish tip or take the fly due to my low position. In these times what I have done is to keep inching the fly along in very short and slow pulls just to keep the fish's interest and to better feel the fish when it does have the fly in its mouth. Sort of a gradual tightening of the flyline, or a really slow strip-strike, to determine if I have contact and should set the hook. So far this is working pretty well, but can you give me more advice on this situation to better detect when I should set the hook?

On Friday I'll be at Long Island in the Bahamas again! Can't wait!

Thank you.

Vic T

[Marshrunner]

Vic,

You're doing pretty well already. That very slow pull-strip is a favorite of mine for wading skinny flats. When it doesn't work, try stripping the fly once or twice (tiny hops) and then stop it. Count 2 seconds and do a soft strip strike.

Have a fun trip.

Dick