Flies of Naples

[MRC]

I am an avid fly fisherman and fly tier in the New England region. My father is living in the Naples area and he has requested the use of a backup outfit-a #10 diamond back and a lampson reel. I would like to get information egarding the type of flies, size hooks etc that are generally used in the area. Not being familiar with the fishing habitat and not having done much homework I do not even know the predominant species found in the area.I have directed him to find a reputable fly shop to visit and purchase a fly line. Hopefully there is one in the Naples area. Any assistance would be appreciated.
Thanks
MRC

[Quicksilver]

Mangrove Outfitters in Naples is the fly shop. Common species from shore are snook, redfish, ladyfish, and jacks. Good patterns might be E.P. or Polarfibre flies on a #2 hook in white, olive and white, or brown and white. The fly line would be a SA Tarpon floater or something similar.

[lemaymiami]

Here's another suggestion for your father in Naples. There's a very good weekly show on TV that's generated there. Have him watch (and if possible videotape) every week's show. It's called Everglades Angler and is done by Curtis Grant. Almost every episode has a fly-tying session highlighting a particular pattern. The show is good enough that I make a point of watching it to get new ideas. That's a pretty fair endorsement since I've been a commercial tyer now since the late 70's.... The show is very well done and the fly-tying segments are easily understood.

Along with a floating line for that #10 rod you might want to consider an 8wt. outfit if you have the opportunity. An 8wt. is perfect for sneaking up on fish that are in "skinny water". AS far as lines go my first choice would be the Scientific Anglers mastery saltwater taper floater in the new horizon color (very pale light blue gray). The big difference down here is the extreme hot weather conditions that we deal with. Lines that are perfectly satisfactory up north are miserable limp tangles in the heat.

[backwater]

Hello,

I think I help you out here. I'm from Naples and have fly fished the area extensively. I agree that the Everglades Angler is a good starting point. Most people target snook, tarpon, and redfish. There are also jacks and trout, but I think probably snook would be the primary target. They're a lot of fun to catch and, depending on the size, can be quite a handful on a fly. I would also suggest using one of the many fine guides in the area, I have recently moved from the area but I return about 6 times a year to visit family and do some fishing. I just fished with Capt. Steve Westervelt on my last trip, over July 4th and caught a bunch of small snook, hooked a small tarpon, and caught a small barracuda, all on a white Deceiver tied on about a 1/0 hook. I would recommend calling Steve, he's in the book, I've also fished with a few others as well. There are quite a few good guides around, but Steve has been at it longer than most. That's probably the quickest way for a novice to learn the sport and learn about the area. I would say that Deceiver patterns in red, white, and yellow combinations would be good choices, I've had luck with Seducers and Bendbacks also. I've found over the years that snook and juvenile tarpon are not that picky about fly choice. If they're nearby they'll probably strike. I think that a 10 might be a little bit too much to use. You could get away with it but, I would suggest an 8 or 9 instead. The 10 is fine for larger tarpon, but I wouldn't want to throw that all day for snook. Most of the snook you catch seem to be less than about 5lbs. Although, you could also tangle with a 10lb fish, that will be a real handfull to land as it will swim straight for the mangroves. Now, they can get even bigger 20lbs. + but I wouldn't go after snook with more than a 9wt., just too much casting is needed.

Hope that helps out,
Thomas Smith