Summer Drum fishing around Morehead City, Beaufort and Cape Lookout has been absolutely fantastic! We are seeing incredible numbers of fish on oyster bars, flats and sloughs. This summer and fall will be an excellent chance for anglers to sight cast 18-30” Red Drum. Many of these fish are cruising in a foot or two of clear water and can be actively seen eating the fly or lure! We’ve got all of the fly and light tackle gear needed to land these strong fish. Come join us on a guide trip for some great fishing!
Fly Fishing for Red Drum via Kayak
Here is a link to my article in Flymen Fishing Company’s Blog on Fly Fishing for Reds via Kayak
Enjoy!
Podcast with The Articulate Fly
Thanks to Marvin Cash of The Articulate Fly for our interview, discussing fly fishing for Redfish, Bass and more!
You can listen below:
Late Summer Fishing Report - Reds are here!
Summer is drawing to a close and with it the fishing is heating up. Redfish from 12”-25” have moved into our waters in the Bay and can be caught on both fly or spin gear. We are able to sight cast these fish so long as the weather conditions permit. Others are being caught in our usual fishing spots around docks.
Speckled Trout, and some very nice ones at that, are being caught as well! These fish will hit a topwater in low morning light or on overcast days and slam a Clouser that is stripped under the dock shade.
We are also catching our usual share of schoolie stripers as the steamy water begins to cool. Fishing for all three species should continue well in mid October. Contact us to get out on our Hewes Redfisher and have a great day of fishing on the Bay!
Save Bristol Bay. Stop Pebble Mine.
The Army Corps of Engineers recently released a very incomplete EIS about the proposed Pebble Mine Site in Bristol Bay, Alaska. It’s flat out incomplete. This project is a huge threat to the last great salmon population in the world, 14,000 Alaskans’ jobs and a $1.5 billion dollar industry. As well as some incredibly epic fly fishing and outdoors experiences available there.
Here’s more information on the situation:
https://www.nrdc.org/experts/joel-reynolds/pebble-mine-one-step-forward-two-steps-back
What can you do to help? Sign the petition below:
http://www.savebristolbay.org/
Or this one:
https://stoppebbleminenow.org/take-action/
Redfish on the Bay!
For the fly fisherman looking for one of the most exciting fish there is to chase, this summer gives us a true opportunity within a short drive of Central Virginia. Every three to four years the Chesapeake Bay gets inundated with a large population of “slot” size Redfish, and this is the summer they are in! Many of these fish range from 15 to 25 inches and are the perfect fly rod size. Redfish, also called Drum or Spottails, cruise grass flats looking for crabs, shrimp or baitfish. We know several areas that they typically like to hang out and we can often sight cast to these fish! Accuracy and fly placement are key to catching these fish and even the most seasoned anglers’s legs can turn to jello at the sight of a redfish floating across a grass flat. Once hooked, they will pull hard, tearing off of a flat in search of safety and pulling backing through the rod guides. There is no fish as exciting as them in Virginia.
Redfish can also be caught around the typical dock and piling structure that we fish for striped bass. Spotted sea trout are also in thick numbers in the Bay this season. If you have never fly fished saltwater before, this summer is a fantastic time to learn! Contact us for more details!
Casting Instruction - 10% off through April
I cannot think of a better time than now to learn to fly cast. With many folks having more free time than ever due to the pandemic and warm fresh spring air upon us all, getting outside is a premium for mental health. Why not use this time to learn to fly cast?
We’re still offering lessons and keeping social distancing of six feet. If we get too close during the lesson, there’s a 9 foot fly rod to keep the separation.
Through April, we are offering 10% off all fly casting lessons! All equipment is included. Lessons are conducted at Byrd Park in Richmond.
Here’s an article and video to help get you started:
Shad Fishing!
Shad are running in the James and Mattaponi Rivers. Come join in on the action! We have trip dates available…
How to tie the Redfish Wiggler
Here is a link to a video my friend Ken Tanaka at Wish 4 Fish did on how I tie my version of the Redfish Wiggler. This is my go-to guide pattern for reds from Virginia to Florida. I also fish it in Louisiana.
CV-19 Update and upcoming fishing outlook.
As we are all aware, the pandemic of COVID-19 is being felt around the nation and world. I feel for those affected directly and indirectly by this crazy health issue.
With regard to recent events, I am continuing to guide and provide casting and fly tying instruction. The past three weeks I have spent practicing social distancing and regular hand washing.
I feel there is no better place to be than on the front of a boat in a natural setting during times like this. Fishing helps one to de-stress and relax. Practicing social distancing in the natural environment is easy as well. We will have hand cleaning supplies on the boat and at casting lessons and will keep acceptable distance.
If there was ever a time that you wanted to learn to fly cast, fly fish or tie flies, this is a fantastic opportunity.
Currently, the Shad fishing is turning on in the Mattaponi River. We are finding some very large fish! Striped Bass are soon to follow. Pickerel and Largemouth Bass fishing is available in the gorgeous Chickahominy Reservoir. Both trips are a 40 minute drive from Richmond.
Looking ahead, this summer will be fantastic for Redfish in the Chesapeake Bay from June through October. We will also be doing our most popular trip from last year, sight casting to large Bowfin all summer long as well.
Stay safe and I look forward to having you out on the water!
-Capt. Chris
