Potential Stupid Question

[dwilliamsceg]

I have recently gotten back into Fly Fishing. I grew up doing it in freshwater and now have picked it back up focusing on saltwater.

I ordered several deep dive clousers from riverbum and they work well in Sarah Creek, York River, etc. My question is, is it acceptable to use a small trip of squid or fluke belly trailer on these sinking flies? I know it would increase strikes. Would this be considered bad form for a fly fisherman? I do not mean will it work, as I know it will. I mean is using any live baiting accepted in the fly fishing community? This may be a really dumb question but I thought I would post it.

Thanks.

D.

[fishfearme]

Who cares. If somebody waddles up to me when I am flyfishing to comment on the true meaning of flyfishing, then they should retire their epoxy flies, floro leaders, and fast action sticks. Salt is a lot different then a PA spring creek. I say have fun and congrats on getting out to the water. I would venture a guess most "purists" started with a minnow/worm on the end of their hook swinging it down current on a put and take stream anyways. I choose the long rod first, but there a more times then not when conventional tackle would do me better, but I choose the long way instead. The main thing is to enjoy it. There is nothing pure or traditional about salt water flyfishing. there are plenty of times when guides do the hookless teaser and then the client throws the fly feet from the boat. Same with chum slicks,etc. Get out as much as you can.


Fishfearme

[oysterbreath]

The way i look at it is whatever pleases you, it is considered bait fishing not fly fishing and if you catch a world record it will not count. I know a few guys who use fish bites on thier flys and it improves thier catch, but i like tying my own flys and find it more rewarding to catch with out using bait. I bait fish too but not with a fly rod, alot of time weather keeps me from fly fishing the salt but it has to be really nasty not to be able to bait fish with conventional tackle.

[Bounty Htr]

Many people would considered that a no no. I am by no means a purist, but I dont think I would use cut bait on a fly. On some forums you would get slammed for even thinking about that. It will be interesting to see what happens here.

Part of the allure of fly fishing is trying to get the fish to bite a artifical fly. Some people will put sent like smelly jelly on the fly and leader, others would be appalled at the mention of that.

As you get farther into this sport you may get into tying. That is when the fun begins. Look at the fly with the cut bait on it, then try to figure out how to tie a fly that looks like that. Tie one or 2 and try em out. if the work great, if not back to the vise and try again. After a few trys you will hit on something that works. That a really awesome feeling to know you fooled a nice fish with an artificial that came from your mind.

Good luck and have fun.

[oysterbreath]

Hey D
You did good ordering clousers my #1 goto confidence bait is a size 2 all bucktail white clouser with small lead eyes and a little bit of pearl crystal flash around 2 1/2 to 3" long, it seems to work good for me in the beach area. i have probally caught 20+ species of fish on it, pink over white would be #2, olive over white #3 good luck and enjoy

[Salmo trutta]

If it gives you more confidence, then go for it. It's all about personal preference. Try this, instead of using squid which is kind of heavy and makes casting more difficult, try using a small peice of gulp or fish bites. Keeps forever, easy to use.

But later on in fly fishing you might feel more of an accomplishment by catching them without the use of bait or scents. Fur and fethers just has better action than most lures or soft plastics and in the right hands can out fish just about anything.

[Capt Harry]

Bait or stink on a fly, kind of like going to a hooker. Instant gradification that leaves you feeling dirty in the end. Work on your flys and techniques, plenty of people around to help keep you from sinking to that level.
Harry, Out

[bigjim5589]

I don't use bait with a fly rod, but I have done it in the past, especially when I was younger. I like to think I've advanced to a point that if I'm fly fishing, I'll only use flies, but even that will often start an arguement, folks won't agree on what fly fishing is or is not. Frankly, I don't care about that either.

I'll occasionally fish with bait on spinning or baitcasting tackle, but most of the time fish with flies or lures, and appropriate tackle to cast them. I use what I feel like using, fresh or salt, within the limits of the law, and don't care what others think.

My answer to your post is the same as that of Fishfearme, who cares! As you can already see, opinions will vary. It should only matter to you what you decide to put on the hook, as long as it's legal. Just ask yourself if it's a problem to you, if not do what you feel like doing.

Are you fly fishing to go along with what others do, or because you want to? Are you adding the bait because you're having problems catching fish or not enough fish? You're the only one who can answer your question, everyone else's opinion don't matter a hill of beans!

It's a personal choice.

[Bill Michelinie]

When I have the urge to fly fish with a squid strip, I tie up a fly like this:

[boats]

While you can tip a fly with bait it's messy at best. Won't stay on the hook and cast like a wet sock.

Better choice is to get some of the new articifcal baits. I tie some pretty nice clousers with strips of fish bites or berkley gulp for the belly.

They are usefull as searching flys for scent feeders like Croakers or Puppy Drum. Not pure for sure but to my mind better than searching with a spinning rod. Flounders will snap them up. When you find the fish switch to flys.

For Stripers they won't fish as well as a normal bucktail Clouser

Boats