Summer 2024

By Polly Dean

No matter where one lives or fishes, a trip to a saltwater destination is on the agenda for many anglers. Whether it is to escape the cold weather or to sample the tenacity of saltwater fish, fly fishermen are not exempt.

It is probably safe to say that most fly anglers learned their craft on freshwater and mostly on the bank of a farm pond feeling the pull of a feisty bream on the other end of the limber rod.

This was the case with Captain Scott Yetter. The captain was born and raised in northeastern Pennsylvania and grew up fishing the waters of the Pocono Mountains. A “self-described mid-life crisis,” led Yetter to give up the corporate grind and move to Montana, where he eventually began his new life as a fly-fishing guide.

Montana provided a great lifestyle, but along with that was a short fishing season and a long winter. Yetter decided to do what many guides did. He started wintering in Florida and splitting his guiding efforts between the two states. Ultimately, Yetter developed an addiction to the flats of Florida and became a full-time Keys fishing guide. Now he has retired from that grind as well and moved to Blue Ridge, Georgia.

Besides knowing where to find fish, the captain is equipped to “guide” anglers that are new to saltwater, and to help them to make the transition from freshwater angling to successfully landing their first fish in the brine.

The Strip Set

Applying the strip set. Photo by Polly Dean.

If there is one mistake that stood out to the captain, when taking out clients that have been freshwater fly anglers, it is remembering to “strip set” the hook. Unlike the traditional “freshwater set” where one raises the rod when a fish ingests the fly, a strip set is a long pull with the line hand to embed the hook in the fish’s mouth.

There probably isn’t an angler out there who, in making the transition to salt, hasn’t suffered from that moment of “buck fever” and yanked their rod straight up in the air the moment they felt resistance. The realization that they are met with nothing on the other end and the sight of the fish running for the hills, is an all too common one.

A bonus of the strip set, is that a missed set looks like a shrimp or crab on the run. Many fish will make another attempt at it. “Keep the rod low and pointed at the fish,” Yetter emphasized. A direct line between the end of the rod and the fly provides a greater force to get the hook into the fish’s hard mouth, than what a bent rod would provide.

Capt. Scott Yetter demonstrates keeping your rod low during the retrieve. Photo by Polly Dean.

Don’t Spook Them

Freshwater anglers know that stealth is the name of the game in many situations. The same applies to the saltwater flats, but the tactics may differ. Capt. Yetter recommends wearing blue and gray clothing, to keep from spooking fish.

“Make fewer false casts,” the captains said. “Nothing spooks a fish like a line waving over its head.” If false casts are needed to reach the target, make them to the side. Yetter also suggests making side arm casts for a softer landing of weighted flies, especially those with dumbbell eyes.

Sighting Fish

One of the most exciting aspects of fishing in saltwater is that much of it is done by sight. That requires being able to see the fish in order to better accurately place the fly. But learning to see fish may also be one of the most frustrating aspects of sight-fishing. One tip you often hear from veteran guides is to look “through the water, ” rather than at the surface. That way moving fish are easier to spot.

Seeing the fish is not always easy in saltwater. Photo by Jimmy Jacobs.

Polarized sunglasses are a must for cutting through glare and, just as important, for protecting the eyes from hooks flying through the air.

Hiring a guide is the best way to find fish and to learn where and how to look for them. Know the face of a clock – easier said than done for the younger generation. The best way for a guide to tell you the location of fish is by referencing the face of the clock with the bow of the boat being 12 o’clock. The guide is generally behind you on an elevated platform, with a better vantage-point for seeing fish. When the guide calls out a position on the clock, it helps to quickly point your rod in that direction so he can further guide your line of sight to the right or left. It is also important to identify, if possible, which direction the fish are moving to know where to place the fly.

Additionally, I find that it helps me to know the distances that a guide may be calling out. Early in the day, I will have him point out an object that is 30 feet or 50 feet away, so that I can be on the same page.

Don’t be intimidated by the transition and give saltwater fly fishing a try.

Polly Dean is an award-winning writer, photographer, angler and hunter, who makes her home in Athens. She is a member and past president of the Georgia Outdoor Writers Association. Polly is the Associate Editor of On The Fly South. She can be contacted at pollydean22@gmail.com.