Fly fishing is not limited to the summer months with the right knowledge and approach; you get to enjoy your passion any time of the cod season. Though you do not always come produce the goods with a fish or even get a strike, you are still able to pursue your passion all season long. Make every opportunity into fly fishing season and hit the water.

Depending on your local climate, it is still possible to make winter a productive time for your fly fishing. Late cold nights on the rivers give you rare opportunities for some winter fishing being surface or sub-surface fly fishing. Seek out different deep pools where fish collect during the low season weather. Fish do not feed with the same regularity, so take multiple flies to try to tempt them in to any strike. Identify pools, logs, weed beds, boulders, under cut banks and any standing and submerged structure that attract Murray cod. Behaviors of cod do change in all seasons and when fly fishing opportunity arrives, you know where to go and how to fish a certain spot.

Surface fishing flies hard up against the bank in a foot or 2 of water is a blast; the strike is instance, with the cod attacking the fly as soon as it hits the water. A shot gun sound rings though your ears and the commutation of a crocodile drag a deer in to the water is how I can explain it. Murray cod lurking the water edge looking for a free feed is common.

Water tempter and weather conditions come in to play but if you’re not on the water in any condition that big one might get away or just not happen. I hope this revs you up on purchasing an outfit and flies to join very few anglers that can say “I land cod on fly”.  If you haven’t given this technique much consideration as a productive way to fish for Murray cod at any time during  the season you should rethink your thoughts and give it an honest try.

Fly fishing is it an art! There is an innate beauty in a fly cast. There is a sense of satisfaction and wellbeing that comes from standing in a river or on the river bank. A rhythmic cast of a fly line back and forth. It’s a sense of being in time with nature, in tune with the solitude of the great outdoors being a part of the whole sentry. The fly line gilding through the air, unrolling, seems weight­less as it appears to defy the law of gravity. Fly casting has a poetic nature all on its own, there is a connection here; it’s with the heart of the game.

Anglers are familiar with Spin or Bait casting equipment. In fly casting we attempt to cast an almost weightless artificial fly, made of feathers, hair and thread. To target and present that fly in a manner that will imitate a natural food source. In Fly Casting the line itself is the weight and the fly is along for the ride.

There are many parts to sport of fly fishing from the aquatic entomology to the presentation. The fly fisherman and women must know and understand the cycle of nature, the food sources we try to imitate and their life cycle. Of course tying flies is an art form all on its own. The creator brings fur and feather together in a very individualized interpretation of nature. This interpretation is to be inspected up close and approved with a strike or rejected at the very last nanosecond, this will skip a heartbeat so be careful. The artist is attempting to represent life itself be it, insect, baitfish and amphibian through colour and shape. Be careful fly tying can be very addictive especially when using you’re own creation.

The equipment fly line, rod and reel are fairly simple in form and function. From natural hand crafted bamboo to space age materials, all with their own characteristics and advantages. Fly casting equipment has become more specialized and can add real enjoyment whether it be that extremely smooth performance or simply the pride of ownership of a finely crafted instrument.

Casting of course as I said above has its own rewards not only in the artistic but also the practical.  Understanding the concept of the mechanics is the first and essential step in mastering the art of fly casting. The laws of physics and their application to a flexible lever (rod) being moved through a casting stroke to a point that aims the line precisely at the target, landing exactly as intended is challenging and exciting. I have spent just over 8 years learning and yet there is always more to learn. Every step of the way has been enjoyable just pure fun and accomplishment. It’s not hard anyone can do it. It just takes a little practice. The only difference between a good fly caster and a Master is practice!

Springtime means some of the best Golden perch fishing of the year, but it also offers its’ own set of challenges.  The warming water temps mean the yellow belly are more active and moving shallow, but they are also very sensitive to any drop in air and water temps caused by Springtime cold fronts. These fronts may only result in a slight drop in air and water temps, but they can completely shut down the bite.