Hi Steve,

I have a small vacation home in Sebastian, FL now that is about 2 hours from
you.

You might put a WF9F 3M Mastery Bass line on you 8 weight rod and then put
on a Rio 7 1/2' 2x leader . This should help your 'bass bug/popper' casting
some.

For small poppers you could put a WF7F Bass line on you 6 weight rod.

Seems like the winter months is the big bass time in Florida?

--
Bill Kiene

Kiene's Fly Shop
Sacramento, CA, USA

Web site: www.kiene.com


"Steve Nyhan" wrote in message
link.net...

I should have better introduced myself in the original post, thanks for
the responses so far, keep them coming

I have fished all over the world during my military career and really
found a passion for fly fishing. I believe a fly rodder can out fish a
bait caster in shallow water anytime. I believe we just have to learn
how and for me that's the fun and challenge. First of all let me tell
you that I live in Florida on Lake Istopokga, a great bass lake and
about 45 minutes from Lake Okeechobee. I have hundreds of smaller bodies
of water within minutes. I do not have a boat so I have been focusing
on the smaller bodies of water and canals. I use a 6 and 8 wt set-up
and poppers seem to be my mainstay. I use clousers and deceivers but
algae really fouls up wet flies.

I think the biggest problem is culture shock, coming from pristine
creeks and the tiniest of flies and leaders to these huge monstrosities
is almost like learning to fly fish again. I have learned that there is
very little written on fly fishing for Bass and what is, seems to be
basic and mainly focus at small mouth in gin clear streams. The books
written seem to be trout fishing technique thats super-sized, but I have
learned that largemouth fishing in still water it really is a different
style of fishing. The weeds algae and in many cases along the shores
competing with big old oak trees. My biggest problem is casting. The
wind can be a real bother when I am throwing a # 4 popper. With a back
wind the popper sails but when it is in my face I get no distance.

I like to fish for Bass, big bass are not a must but would be nice. I
land 1 - 3 lbs as normal I haven't weighed any but a 3 1/2 is probably
the largest I have landed. I don't mind bluegill or crappie either but
algae keeps me throwing poppers and for bluegill it's O.K. but crappie
don't hit them.

I have no local fly shops and the closest is about an hour drive. We
have no fly clubs and the local bass club does not allow fly rods in
tournaments. It's just a whole different animal fly fishing in central
Florida compared an outfitter on every corner and clubs sponsoring
clinics every weekend in Montana and Utah. The coast offers
opportunities but it is hard to find time to regularly visit.

Suggestions on equipment, casting and fly suggestions would be a great
start.