We asked the experts at Sportfish for their top tips on saltwater fly fishing. Whether you are an experienced ‘SWFFer’ or a complete novice, this expert advice will help prepare you for the wonderful world of catching sea fish on the fly
Saltwater fly fishing has been an addiction since my first visit to Belize in the 1990s and it’s a passion that has very nearly eclipsed my freshwater fishing activities,” says Peter McLeod, from fly fishing travel speecialists Aardvark McLeod.
“It seems I’m not the only one – saltwater fly fishing has been the growing area of our sport over the last 25 years. Skills learnt fishing around our own coastline translate well and with saltwater fly fishing overseas and at home becoming ever more accessible there’s never been a better time to ‘give it a go’.”
SWFFing, as it’s know, presents an exciting and challenging experience for anglers; it combines the thrill of fly fishing with the diversity and power of a multitude of species. Most saltwater species are going to fight much harder than anything you have encountered in freshwater. For example, a salmon or trout at full speed will swim at 5-6mph whereas a bonefish on a flat could be doing 30mph and strip 150 yards of line off your reel in the first run! It is also a highly visual form of fishing, and you are normally targeting individual fish. Whether you’re a seasoned angler or a newcomer to this exhilarating sport, we hope these top tips for saltwater fly fishing will help maximise your chances of success.
