Hi, Jeff.....
A 10 wt. system would have made that into-the-wind with a heavy fly
cast a bit easier, to be sure. However, by using the techniques
described in my answers, we were able to get that fly out just fine with the
9 wt. outfit on the 1st day. On the second day the wind and rain were
even worse. I switched to an 8 wt. outfit to enjoy catching some of
the snappers (juvenile bluefish). These fish weighed only about 1 lb.
or less.....so the 10 wt. would have been ok for the conditions, but
overkill for the smaller fish.
Using these techniques including the heavy fly (in case of a striper
hookup) we could still make those casts just fine with the 8 wt.
outfit.
The density compensated sinker......even a class III line is MUCH more
difficult to handle under these circumstances.....and a class IV, almost
impossible, even though the latter would have allowed the use of a lighter
fly.
For better than 90% of these salt water conditions, we DO use
intermediate lines as a really workable compromise. This line even
allows for the sudden switch to a surface popper or slider without changing
lines, for when the fish start crashing on top.
Even when I set out to fish primarily with a popper, I elect to use an
intermediate....not a floating line. The floater will often pop the
fly right out of the water as you work it....it, also, will not be as good
for popping a train of attractive bubbles just under the surface film.....in
all, I get fewer hookups with the floater. Also, the intermediate line
has less diameter and bulk because it's more dense than a floater of the
same wt. This also helps shoot your loop out into the wind. I
wouldn't use a full sink line, because it quickly takes your fly down to
kingdom come.....so it just doesn't pop after the first couple of
strips.
I'll often use the intermediate line for small tarpon in water only 12"
to 18" deep on the flats. Then I'm also ready to fish more deeply at
the edge of channels without changing lines or outfits. The trick,
here, is to make your cast and stop it before the fly lands using a triple
haul (check haul).......and literally start your retrieve AS your fly hits
the water. That way, your intermediate line "becomes a floater".
Another advantage of the Intermediate line, is that you can allow it to
sink JUST enough to get it below scattered floating weeds before
retrieving.
Lastly, you can buy intermediate lines with clear coating, or clear
tip. I've never run across density compensated sinkers which are
clear.
One more reason for avoiding that density compensated sinker, was that
there were fierce back currents near the sand bar. To avoid a belly in
the retrieved line due to this current, it was easy to make repeated
on-the-water mends. I doubt I could have done that with the heavier
line. Minimizing that current belly, made the strip-strike more
effective.
Though I tried, I couldn't make decent in-the-air mends when using that
thrust cast into the wind. There is so much loop speed that it
straightens out the mend every time.
As Tom White teaches so well, there are many factors which go into your
choice of line in fresh water or the salt:-
1. The casting conditions, including distance and wind.
2. Depth of water to be fished.
3. Depth that the fish are feeding.
4. Surface weeds or deep kelp weeds.
5. Size of the quarry.
6. Size of the prey upon which the fish are feeding.
7. Size and weight of the fly.
8, Length and design of the leader needed.
9. Strength and casting ability of the angler. (A 13 wt. outfit
might be fine for the fish and the casting conditions.......but impossible
for some anglers to handle.)
10. The fighting attributes of the fish.
11. The temperature of the water (and the air)
12. The ferocity of the sun's rays. (Tropic lines have sun
screens added to the coating, and are stiffer.)
13. The need to change lines or heads frequently. (As in fishing for
Salmon and Steelhead in Alaskan rivers with different river depths and
current velocities, etc.)
14. Weather you wish to GET the fly down deep, or KEEP it down deep
for your fly to have a long sojourn in the strike zone. (For the
former, a sink tip.....for the latter, a full sink density compensated, with
class designation appropriate to the depth and current velocity.)
14. I guess we should add, ANGLER PREFERENCE.....the, " Je ne
sais quoi". (One angler finding his choice more suited to his fishing
style than that of another.)
Good stuff to keep us thinking !!!!!!!!
Gordy
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Tuesday, October 11, 2005 10:13
PM
Subject: Re: Mini quiz
Hi Gordy,
Having the
opportunity, and the option, would you have preferred a 10 wt. in
this situation instead of your nine? I get a lot of different
opinions from different anglers on which line weight tackle to use for
unprotected waters. Also for most unprotected inshore
situations most get 90% of it done w/an intermediate line. Every so
often for some situations a compensated sinker. An now and then
a floater. What are your thoughts on this.
Jeff
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Tuesday, October 11, 2005
6:00 PM
Subject: Mini quiz
Group....
I sent you what I felt were the best answers......shows that there
are many ways of "skinning the cat" in solving fly casting
problems.
One method which would have worked, is to walk way back......65-70
feet on the sand bar, then place the fly there on the sand. Walk
back to the casting position with the rod pointed way back toward the
fly.....and a straight line between the rod tip and the Clouser. A
good forward stroke will now do the job especially if it's done with a
really tight loop in to the wind. Problem is that the set up takes
a lot too long!
Gordy