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Captains corner: Good time to teach fly-fishing to kids

 
Pat Damico
Pat Damico
Published Feb. 15, 2013

Close to home: Conditions are perfect for family fun with a flyrod. Most of the small freshwater lakes and ponds around developments and golf courses have panfish and bass.

Equipment: A 3- to 5-weight flyrod with a floating weight-forward line and a 6-foot leader tapered to 6-pound test will launch small flies (size 6-10) that imitate bugs, beetles, crickets, hoppers and minnows. White, black and chartreuse are good colors.

Technique: Docks, bridges, lily pads, weed beds, overhanging trees and stumps offer structure that harbors food for game fish. Cast around these spots and work both floating and submerged offerings. Flies should be worked slowly, and any hesitation felt should be met with a hook set.

Fly fisherman Pat Damico charters lower Tampa Bay and can be reached at captpat.com and (7270 504-8649.