Here in South Florida , the fishing has been good when the weather is warm . The warm weather during the holidays led to great fishing . Bonefishing in Biscayne Bay has been excellent , both on the outside flats of Elliot Key and the interior flats , east and west side . Most of the fish have been caught on falling tides , using shrimp or shrimp flies . Flamingo has produced some good redfish catches , a few nice snook , and occasionally some tarpon in Whitewater Bay when it's been calm . Unfortunately , the cooler , windier weather since the New Year has put a bit of a slowdown on the fishing , but should improve with warmer weather . The nightime tarpon fishing should crank up with the impending shrimp run . This is great fun for medium sized tarpon and any shrimp fly or DOA shrimp will work , or obviously the real thing .

Here in South Florida it is transition time . Those who have flexibility in their schedules really win out this time of year . With fronts coming through with particularly unusual frequency , those who can take days off in between ( always during the week ) can best take advantage of nicer conditions . Bonefish on Biscayne Bay are beginning to school up , mostly on the oceanside flats . Find them , and you can be a hero . The cooler weather has pretty much shut down the permit action . Flamingo is really starting to turn on , with snook and redfish action quite good , and tarpon starting to show up in Whitewater Bay . With the cooler weather , the backcountry is also easier to fish , with the abscence of mosquitos to torment you . On the freshwater scene , the peacock bass will start getting a bit tougher , as they prefer warmer temps . But they are still around , you just have to fish a bit harder , and usually in a bit deeper water with jigs or fast sinking flies .


David Olson
The Fly Shop of Miami
(305) 669 - 5851

Obviously , with the recent weather brought to us by Ike , fishing effort has been slim . That can be a blessing though , as the fish get a break . With the current overcast and windy conditions , tailers are about the only option . But as conditions calm down , the windy , overcast days have dropped water temps just enough that fish should get active again . Capt. Joe Gonzalez has reported very good bonefishing in lower Biscayne Bay , as well as Islamorada . Lots of mudding fish , very eager to take flies . Though not the typical Islamorada bruisers , they none the less are great fun . Once the sun returns , permit fishing should pick up again on the outside flats on stronger tides , particularly around the Ragged Keys and Elliot Key .

With this weeks storm , it will take a few days for many places to get back in shape . The canals for peacock bass are high , making them more difficult . Flamingo is a bit churned up with the strong winds and runoff . So that leaves Biscayne Bay , which is fishing pretty good , if you can deal with the strong wind . The fish came out of the storm hungry , and without the normal fishing pressure on them for a few days , acted a bit careless . The south Bay has fished well for bonefish , for the few who have braved the wind , as well as a few permit . Getting good light to sightfish has been tough , but there have been plenty of tailers , and with the cooler water temps brought on by the storm , they have remained on the flats longer than normal for August . With improved weather on the horizon , things should improve .

David Olson
The Fly Shop of Miami The Fly Shop of Ft. Lauderdale
8243 S Dixie Hwy 4834 N. Federal Hwy.
Miami , FL 33143 Ft. Lauderdale , FL 33308
(305) 669-5851 (954) 772-5822
theflyshop02@bellsouth.net theflyshop01@bellsouth.net