"C'mon man!... You don't need a $30,000 bass boat, kayak, canoe, or other watercraft to catch quality fish! All you may need is a sense of run 'n' gun adventure and your own two feet."
Not everyone can afford fancy flotation devices, besides there is still something special about fishing from shore. Some of my greatest fish catching experiences have been from dry land. I've learned a lot about stalking and catching bass on the fly by just simply wandering along the local lakes, ponds, gravel
pits, and streams around my Michigan home. As much as I love my Native Watercraft Ultimate Kayak and my float tube, some small ponds, lakes, and streams can be fished much more efficiently without one. Plus, much of these small out of the way waters receive very little fishing pressure. You may also find that many times a pair of hip boots or waders will make accessing these waters much easier too. And being that your traveling on foot you will have to pack lighter than you would if on boat. A vest, sling pack, backpack, and etc. will work great for carrying a days supply of gear. I usually like to bring two different weight rods if possible. This allows me to rig each one differently to offer quick fast food variety casts to visible fish and lots of casts to cover water to find non-visible fish.Some great strategies for the fly angler on foot pursuit are very similar to those I would use fishing from watercraft. I like to determine high percentage areas of water to cover first and hopefully begin to devise a fish catching pattern for catching them. I still like to keep moving and make lots of casts to potential fish holding areas. For me, the best shoreline areas are those with visual cover. Bass are for the most part shallow water fish and finding shallow water cover like weeds, stumps, docks, and etc. are important. Don't get so caught up in making long casts out into the open water. Concentrate on short casts parallel to the shoreline directed towards visible objects. Short casts work great when your sight casting and stalking fish along the shore. And since we are hunting for bass, a good pair of polarized glasses is a must! Most fish you encounter, are probably going to be the sight cast variety. Therefore, quietly walk and stalk the fish much like a stalking hunter does. Move softly and try to present your fly as delicately as possible! Heavy steps and sloppy casting can easily spook weary shallow water fish. Try to keep as low of a profile possible too, wear camouflage or other colors of clothing that blend into the surroundings. One simple tip to prevent the fish from seeing your movements is to keep the sun in the fishes eyes. Which means the sun will be at your back when casting.
Hooking and then landing fish from shore can be quite a challenge as well. Since most shoreline fishing locations may contain lots of heavy cover, both in and out of the water. Not only do you have to maneuver an angry fish out of, around, or through heavy cover in the water, you also may have difficult terrain and vegetation types on shore to dance around. If the fish is hooked in heavy cover it is best to get it's head up out of the cover quickly for an easier battle. If possible allow the fish to swim towards some more open water to tire it's ass out before guiding it to the bank.
A good shoreline angler in the right situation can be just as successful as one fishing from a boat. If you do your research and find some of those off the beaten path locations and apply some stealthy techniques you can have great success hugging the shore! Also, get ya' a good county map, this will help locate some hidden waters that may only be explored on the hoof. "Now go get it done!"
Watch one of the all-time "Masters of Fly Slinging" Lefty Kreh!, catching bass from farm ponds. Lot's of good simple information for the fly angler hunting from shore.
"You want more about fishing for bass on the fly?" click here... The Fly Fishing for BASS Series parts 1-8
Once again... In continuing the tradition for these Fly Fishing for Bass Posts... Bass Fishing mixed with some Country Music! "I think I've lived the scene in this video more than once!.. Who would have thought you could devote an entire song to a RED SOLO CUP!"
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