By Kirk Deeter

Greetings from the striped bass-laden coast of Maine, where, having just been skunked during the morning low tide, I was left to ponder the many differences between fly fishing for trout in a river, and fly fishing for various species in the ocean. (What a difference three days makes.)

I have decided that, while we basically use the same gear--long rod, simple reel, and weighted line--to do both, that's pretty much where the similarities end.  Saltwater and freshwater fly fishing are two different sports, done with similar tools.

For example:  In freshwater/river fishing, your cast matters almost zip, nada, squadoosh... while in saltwater fly fishing, you aren't even in the game unless you can huck it 60 feet or more.  Usually more.

More examples...

In trout fishing, you must present your fly delicately... spoon feeding that insect pattern right toward the fish; In the salt, fish aren't used to their dinner attacking them... the fly has to move nervously, away from the fish.

Birds over a river... bad sign for trout fishing; birds crashing a salty flat... get your (behind) in gear and cast right there.

Hook at trout, rod tip up; hook a striper, rod tip low... you let the rod abosorb pressure when trout fishing, and you apply pressure through the line when saltwater fishing.

Trout fishing: Match the hatch as best you can.  Saltwater: Match the baitfish, kinda, sorta... if it swims through the zone, it dies.

One similarity (and Tim will love this)... you guessed it: Fish like changes!  Changes in currents, changes in depth, and changes in structure.  Look for changes, find the fish, fresh or salt.

If you believe trout fly fishing and saltwater fly fishing share about as many similarities as golf and hockey let me know hear your reasons why we're talking about two different sports...

Deeter

Comments (7)

from Koldkut wrote 2 years 45 weeks ago

If you spent any time throwing salt water style rigs here in Colorad, you'd be suprised how it would turn out. But I can't say that I've caught any fish on a 60+ foot cast in 11-mile canyon on a fly that is over 6" long. So yeah, it's different, but that skill of throwing heavy line, heavy fly never goes to waste for me when I'm on stillwater.

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from vince wrote 2 years 45 weeks ago

I was always blown away by the casting differences. In freshwater, I always hear "don't break your wrist, don't go too far back" etc. When learning to cast as a kid I used to see images of people casting in salt and think they were doing everything wrong. Can we see a video soon explaining when it's okay to cast with your arm nearly horizontal behind you?

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from Big Mike wrote 2 years 45 weeks ago

Definitely very different... but i'll disagree with you on two fronts.

1. Like Kolkkut said, casting definitely matters, especially when fishing for wild Trout. Yesterday, on the Blackfoot, I had to wade chest deep and throw about 50 ft. with a mid-air mend, just to miss a huge trout I had seen rising in an eddy across the river.
2. Birds on the water are a bad sign? In many of my favorite spots, the blue heron/cranes/mallards flying by in the evening mean the late hatch is officially on. There is even a heron on the lower bitterroot that will land within 20 ft. of flyfishermen and wait patiently for a handout, or a mishandled/injured fish to nab. I'm always obliged to give him a whitefish.

Other than those two, I agree completely. While I love both types of flyfishing, they are two different ball games.

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from upacreek333 wrote 2 years 45 weeks ago

Dude... you're definitely seeing the other side of fly fishing just a few short days after putting little dries in front of those Colorado cutties. More proof that fly fishing is a sport of multiple personalities (for people with multiple personalities?) Enjoy the "vacation."

CH

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from buckhunter wrote 2 years 45 weeks ago

If I'm fishing in salt water, I've drank too many margarita's.

If I'm fishing fresh water, I've drank too many Bud Lights.

Write that down.

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from Gil Finn wrote 2 years 45 weeks ago

You're right Deeter, they are totally different. The equipment looks alike but, that's it. Tides and current changes do trigger fish in both worlds. Margaritas are for Touristas and Bud light is a joke,right?
Gil

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from FloridaHunter1226 wrote 2 years 44 weeks ago

Never realized that fly fishing in saltwater and freshwater were so different. But all your points make sense so I guess you learn something new everyday.

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from buckhunter wrote 2 years 45 weeks ago

If I'm fishing in salt water, I've drank too many margarita's.

If I'm fishing fresh water, I've drank too many Bud Lights.

Write that down.

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from Koldkut wrote 2 years 45 weeks ago

If you spent any time throwing salt water style rigs here in Colorad, you'd be suprised how it would turn out. But I can't say that I've caught any fish on a 60+ foot cast in 11-mile canyon on a fly that is over 6" long. So yeah, it's different, but that skill of throwing heavy line, heavy fly never goes to waste for me when I'm on stillwater.

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from vince wrote 2 years 45 weeks ago

I was always blown away by the casting differences. In freshwater, I always hear "don't break your wrist, don't go too far back" etc. When learning to cast as a kid I used to see images of people casting in salt and think they were doing everything wrong. Can we see a video soon explaining when it's okay to cast with your arm nearly horizontal behind you?

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from Big Mike wrote 2 years 45 weeks ago

Definitely very different... but i'll disagree with you on two fronts.

1. Like Kolkkut said, casting definitely matters, especially when fishing for wild Trout. Yesterday, on the Blackfoot, I had to wade chest deep and throw about 50 ft. with a mid-air mend, just to miss a huge trout I had seen rising in an eddy across the river.
2. Birds on the water are a bad sign? In many of my favorite spots, the blue heron/cranes/mallards flying by in the evening mean the late hatch is officially on. There is even a heron on the lower bitterroot that will land within 20 ft. of flyfishermen and wait patiently for a handout, or a mishandled/injured fish to nab. I'm always obliged to give him a whitefish.

Other than those two, I agree completely. While I love both types of flyfishing, they are two different ball games.

+1 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

from upacreek333 wrote 2 years 45 weeks ago

Dude... you're definitely seeing the other side of fly fishing just a few short days after putting little dries in front of those Colorado cutties. More proof that fly fishing is a sport of multiple personalities (for people with multiple personalities?) Enjoy the "vacation."

CH

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from Gil Finn wrote 2 years 45 weeks ago

You're right Deeter, they are totally different. The equipment looks alike but, that's it. Tides and current changes do trigger fish in both worlds. Margaritas are for Touristas and Bud light is a joke,right?
Gil

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from FloridaHunter1226 wrote 2 years 44 weeks ago

Never realized that fly fishing in saltwater and freshwater were so different. But all your points make sense so I guess you learn something new everyday.

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All submitted comments are subject to the rules set forth in our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.