Who would have ever thought

[gottaflylee]

that this fly would catch Red Drum!



Sorry about the poor picture.

The day started out with winds 7 knots out of the NE and a falling tide and a sunrise that would make sailors shake in their boots.




The day before I found about 4 schools of Red Drum in a stretch of the ICW on a falling tide with a client and we fished them for 2 hours and was never able to get a fly to them nor did we catch them in the blind.
Was talking to another guide buddy of mine and found out we both had the next day off and you know what kind of trouble guides can get in on their days off so away we go. Meet Seth @ 6:15 AM and he says that something has come up and he has to be back to the dock at 7:45 AM and away we go. Pull on to the flat and see them wakeing, tailing and fish with their backs out of the water. The whole school was in 6 to 3 " of water. Oh BTW have you heard, "Red Drum don't tail in North Carolina."
We ease the skiff up to them and start fishing, casting to first this fish and that. They would follow the fly and sort bite it. After the third or forth short bite we trimmed the tail and here is the result.







After releasing this fish Seth was on the bow and it was his turn with 10 minutes to go before we had to head back to the dock. It was on and we were 10 minutes late on getting back but it was so worth it.
It always amazes me that Drum will get in such shallow water and feed but you gotta love it. Red Drum fishing has been like this most of the summer and now with the kids going back to school and the boat traffic slowing down it will only get better!

[Dave Sikorski]

Great pics and report.

I'm yet to catch one of those puppies on the fly or at all. Definitely on the list.

They've been catching some monster drum in the middle chesapeake this year amongst schools of small rock, blues, and spanish. Maybe it's my chance.

Thanks for sharing.

-D

[CapeMayRay]

Nice report, way to hang in there and doctor the fly to get the bite. Have never caught any red drum on the fly. Looks like a great fish to have some fun with. Great pictures too.

[gottaflylee]

You guys don't know what your missing. You two get your butts down and we'll go get each of you a Red Drum on fly!

[Dave Sikorski]

I know I've asked this question somewhere around here before and probably got an answer, but when do they start leaving?

I don't think I'll make it this year but we're talking about moving the family OBX vacation to the SOBX for next year.

-D

[brandon558]

Awesome report there Lee. Let me know when your not busy...ide love to give it a shot on the fly rod

[gottaflylee]

Dave, Were lucky, I've got them around all year if the weather allows me to fish. I guess if I had to pick a time early spring ( March ) till June, then early fall on till mid December is my favorite times. Summer is very good in the early morning and then the boat traffic gets to bad. Brandon, Looks like I may have some time the end of this week. Do you know how to cast the long pole?

[brandon558]

Well ive done it before. Done alot of trout fishing in Canada and colorado..it has been awhile though. Might catch on to it quick..or might not

[Dave Sikorski]

I'll be in touch when I see a chance to make it down.

-D

[flies only]

never got one either hope to change that. gonna be down south in harkers this nov, lee do i have a chance to get them in the back sound