8/12-8/13 Late weekend report

Had some friends visiting this weekend, so wanted to get them on some fish. Got up Saturday morning and made it to the boat ramp just as the rain started. After seeing a tail from the ramp before even launching the boat, we decided to not let the rain deter us - despite the looming black clouds appearing to be headed our way. I started poling the flat and we were seeing a good number of tails amidst the rain drops on the flooded grass flat. Most fish would show themselves for a second or two and then disappear when we were in casting range. The water was too murky to see the fish unless its tail or fins were above the surface, or if it was making obvious pushes or boils in the water. Clouds came in and the wind picked up and created rolling waves on the flat, but we were still seeing fish so we stayed on. Ended up staying out for a good 3-4 hours before the tide started to drop and it was time to get back to the ramp. Didn't get any fish to the boat, but it was nice seeing so many tails and having the entire flat to ourselves.

Sunday, got up at daybreak and ran out into the harbor to a mud flat within spitting distance of where the Civil War began over a hundred years ago. Although the temperature was surpisingly cool, the wind was already kicking 25+ before the sun cleared the horizon. So we kicked around a little shell bank hoping it would be a little more pretected. Water was again murky, and we poled over a couple of fish in 6" of water that we had no idea were even there. Saw some fish waking in the skinny water of low tide, pushing a trail of popping shrimp ahead of them, but no decent shots. Eventually we ran back into some more protected water and waited on the tide to get into the grass, entertained by a few dolphin corraling and working some schools of menhaden and mullet into a tasty breakfast. Once the tide rose, we poled the edge of a grass flat and saw 10-15 reds with their tails and backs out of the water, but again were shut down. We did, however get out and wade to many of those fish, and as my friend stalked them with the fly rod, I captured some decent tailing footage with the video camera. I hope to post some of that footage on the site soon.

I've been trying to shift gears back to freshwater mode this week, as I will be traveling to Montana for 6 days starting August 19th. I look forward to fishing some lighter rods and big hoppers along the banks of some of the Yellowstone area's most pristine rivers and creeks - and hope to have a good report and some pictures to share upon my return.