Welcome
to Matlacha, FL! With a wide variety of fly fishing environments,
Matlacha Pass is the ideal place for the beginner and expert
alike to experience the full gamut of saltwater fly fishing
scenarios. Below is a quick fly fishing how-to guide to
the area. If you are interested in learning more about Matlacha,
I invite you to read my article "Hideaway
in Matlacha", which originally appeared in Saltwater
fly fishing in 2003. What follows is the sidebar from that
article with some updated information.
Beating
the Bushes - Probably the most productive fly fishing
you can do in the pass is to cast into the mangroves. A
lot of people make the mistake of stripping their fly far
from the mangroves before they pick up for the next cast.
This leads to a lot of unnecessary false casting and less
time with your fly in the strike zone. Get more game time
by stripping only a foot or two from the bushes, make one
back cast, and then present your fly to the next pocket
in the mangroves. Technique is everything. Tight loops,
a relaxed casting stroke, and stopping the rod in the direction
of the target are the secrets of getting your fly deep into
the nooks and crannies of the trees.
When
your fly does land in the branches (and it will) it is important
not to lift the tip of the rod. Simply strip your fly just
as you would if you were fishing. More often than not it
will slide across the branches, fall into the water, and
still be a fishable cast. If this doesn't work and you still
get stuck, point the rod tip at the fly, take up all the
slack and pull back smoothly. If you use the stout leader
prescribed above, you will usually get your fly back along
with some of branch. This is 4x4 fly fishing and a few days
of throwing a clouser up under bushes and into voids in
the root systems will take your casting accuracy to a level
you never thought possible.
Flies
and Leaders - Because of the wide range of fly fishing
possibilities in Matlacha Pass, it is good to carry with
you a varied selection of flies and tackle. Plan on covering
all levels of the water column, and keep in mind that in
heavy current, getting a fly down deep means more weight.
Current is the key to fishing the pass, and the best fishing
spots are not a matter of where, but when. Look for water
moving across grass flats, and tidal flow around mangrove
islands and in creeks. Clousers, seaducers and poppers are
good flies to start with, but you can't go wrong with anything
that somewhat resembles a shrimp, crab, or baitfish. Broad-profiled
flies in black, white, and chartreuse work well when the
water's dark, but when the water gets clear and the fish
get spooky, go to smaller, natura- colored flies. Local
favorites include the Rattlesnake
Fly, the Baboon
Crab Fly, and the Soluble
Minnow for fly fishing the snook lights at night. Weed
guards are a good idea when fishing the mangroves, especially
if you're a bit squeamish about casting into the bushes.
My leader system is simple enough - 4' of 50# mono, 2' of
40# mono, and 18" of 30' fluorocarbon. This beefy leader
will allow you to pull snook, reds, and snagged flies from
the mangrove easily. When you move onto the flats for reds
and seatrout, simply add an 18" piece of 20# fluorocarbon
tippet.
Rods
- Matlacha Pass is very well protected from wind so heavy
tackle isn't imperative. For snook fishing, a 9-weight wrenches
most fish away from the trees, but an 8-weight helps make
those sight casts more delicate. In the warmer months, small
and middle-sized tarpon show up as well as cobia and sharks,
so bring a 10 weight and appropriate shock tippet.
Kayak
Fishing - This is definitely one of the best and fun
ways to fish Matlacha Pass. However, if you are a beginning
fly caster, you may be very frustrated trying to cast while
sitting down in a kayak. Lessons or practice before you
make vacation plans is definitely a good idea.
As
far as choosing a suitable kayak for fly fishing Matlacha
Pass, you will do best with a medium sized kayak that will
allow you to both cover water and maneuver the tight mangrove
creeks. A yak that is in the 13' to 14' range outfitted
with a foot operated rudder is perfect. My fleet of Ocean
Kayak Prowler 13 kayaks have the speed, maneuverability,
and fishability to excel in any situation you could run
into while kayak fishing the pass. Each one is outfitted
with a rudder which not only allows you to drift in control
with your hands free for fly fishing, but also helps you
make tight turns in the backcountry. Many people ask to
bring along their pedal-powered kayak on my guide trips.
Pedal-powered
kayaks may be suitable in the open water, but if you want
to target redfish and snook, you will find that the water
is much too shallow for the pedal drive, not to mention
that the hand-operated rudder will provide endless frustration.
This is why I don't allow them.
Another
key issue to think about is rod holders. Milk crates outfitted
with verticle rod holders and the recessed style of rod
holders found in "angler edition" yaks are completely
useless in the mangrove creeks. Rod holders that carry your
rods horizontally allow you to make your way through tight
mangrove mazes. Also, having a boat that will allow you
to carry spare fly rods inside keeps the deck uncluttered
and your equipment safe.
Access
on foot - Because Matlacha Pass is so densely lined
with mangroves, there is very little access for the non-boater.
A small boat, canoe, or kayak is the best way to explore
and fish the pass, but if you are shore-bound, your best
bet is a small park at Tropical Homesites Landing. From
here you can wade a hard-bottom grass flat and have sight-fishing
opportunities for redfish, snook, jacks, and many of the
other species that reside in the pass. To get there from
Matlacha, head west on to Pine Island, take a left on Stringfellow
Road and go 6 1/4 miles until you see the Tropical Homesites
sign on the left. The park is at the end of the road.
Who
said a fly fishing lodge has to be expensive and remote?
The Sun and The Moon Inn in Matlacha, Florida has
it all! Spacious, affordable rooms, incredible views, pool,
hot tub, boat dock, snook light, and a friendly, laid-back
atmosphere. Overlooking some of the best backcountry fishing
in the state of Florida, The Sun and The Moon is also within
walking distance to many waterfront bars and restaurants.
There is even a fly shop and canoe/kayak rental right next
door! Find the fly fishing paradise that everyone else has
overlooked - The Sun and The Moon Inn in Matlacha, FL.
For more information on rates and availability
call (239) 283-3192
or visit www.sunandmoon.net
