Hopefully the coldest winter in 24 years has come to an end. If so, fly anglers could enjoy a great month on the water.
Grass will be showing up in the coastal ponds. The grass holds lots of food items for hungry reds. Weightless baitfish patterns that ride hook up, like Prince of Tides and the Bendback Mullet, can be tossed into grass pockets, while crab patterns such as charlies and yarn crabs can be fished on the edges.
Bass should be on the spawning beds. Flies like Magnum Woolybuggers, Bass Bullies, Sqwirm Flies and Leeches appear as threats and will be dealt with harshly. Cast the fly just past the fish, then twitch it slowly across the bed.
You must be ready to set the hook the instant you feel or see the strike. For that reason, it’s imperative you keep your rod tip at the water, not a few feet above.
The first solid bream action takes place later this month in the southern parishes, with redears being the most active. Let your Cap Spider, Fluff Butt, Cajun Tickler, or weighted Woolybugger get to the bottom, and then strip it in very slowly. The chinquapin often hit in the first several strips.
Trout enthusiasts in the northern part of the state will be making the short trip to the Little Missouri River in southwest Arkansas and the Mountain Fork in extreme southeast Oklahoma, for some of the best dry-fly action of the year. March Brown mayflies, various caddis, midges and even a few stoneflies are on menu for rainbow and brown trout. Parachute Adams, A&W Emergers and Smidges are recommended, as well as Pheasant Tails, Hares Ears and Woolybuggers for when the hatches are off.
