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| The picturesque Manatee River is great for kayaking and fly fishing. |
Freshwater fishing is my catharsis.
It's a time when I can get away and spend some quality time
fly fishing for a variety of fish.
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| Light fly bent by a channel cat. |
Most of the time, I don't care what I catch. As long as
something takes a fly and bends a rod, it's OK with me.
I do have a passion for bluegill, those tasty panfish that
are in almost every body of fresh water. Few things beat a day of tossing flies
for bluegill.
The Manatee River is one of my favorite spots. The
picturesque streams meanders through Manatee County and empties into Tampa Bay. I prefer to
launch upriver at Ray's Canoe Hideaway (http://www.rayscanoehideaway.com/), a
secluded spot that puts me within an easy paddle of some superb fishing. Ray's
is open every day except Wednesday from dawn to dusk. Telephone number is
941-747-3909. The address is 1289 Hagle Park Road (off State Road 65 east of
Interstate 75).
You can rent canoes and kayaks there. If you chose to use
your own, the launch fee is $6. It's well worth it, knowing your vehicle will
be safe while you're out of the water.
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| Channel catfish taken on a nymph. |
I prefer to paddle upstream. I usually don't paddle any
farther than the Rye Bridge. It's about five miles to the Lake Manatee Dam.
That would be about a two-hour paddle for me. I'd rather spend that time
fishing.
For the Manatee River, I usually use light fly rods. My rods of choice are TFO
(Finesse Series) 1, 2 and 3 weights. Occasionally, I'll beef up to a 4 weight.
While I target bluegill most often. the river does have an
exceptional population of channel catfish which range from a pounds to more
than 20.
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| Small snook apparently like nymphs, too! |
And those catfish readily take flies.
I don't know what it is about the Manatee River, but I catch
more channel cats on fly rod there than any other body of water. I do pretty
good in Lake Manatee, too.
I catch channel cats on a couple of flies: my Myakka Minnow
and my Aunt Sara's Homely Daughter Nymph.
No matter what fly you choose, realize the cats usually
bunch up around fallen trees in the deeper sections of the river (outside
bends).
Channel catfish are exceptional fighters. They are quick and
strong. They are one of few freshwater fish in state waters that are capable of
"putting you one the reel" when you're fly fishing.
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| Bluegill are abundant in the Manatee River. |
Don't confuse channel cats with their saltwater brethren.
There's no comparison. Channel catfish are highly prized. And the fact that you
can get them on fly rod makes them even more special.
The Manatee River also has a healthy population of hand-size
bluegill. They seem to fight a little better than the ones you catch in lakes
and ponds. Perhaps it's because they have to contend with moving water and are
just a little stronger.
The Manatee River is a tidal river and you get the effects
of the tide at Ray's. For me, I prefer an outgoing tide. My favorite time to
fish is the final couple of hours before low tide. I've found that fishing
slows noticeably toward high tide.
For bluegill, I use No. 10 popping bugs, Myakka Minnows and
nymphs.
When using nymphs, I employ a strike indicator.
Occasionally, I will encounter shellcracker and speckled
perch.
There are also saltwater fish in the river. From time to
time, you'll encounter tarpon, snook, redfish, ladyfish and jack crevalle. If
it's marine species you want, then focus your efforts downriver from Ray's.
I prefer to fish the river from October through May. I stay
off the river once the rainy season begins. High water and muddy conditions
don't make for good fishing.
The best thing about the river is that traffic is light
during the week. Most of the time, you'll have the river to yourself.
That's tough to beat.
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