[fishyfred]

Just returned from vacation with the family. We had a great time and it went by too fast. I fished Indian River/Rehobeth Bays with mixed results. No pictures since I was wet fishing (and I mean WET. When the waves hit a jettie SPLOOSH!) The good news first - I did land and release an 18" blue on the fly rod on a char/white clouser off the IRI jettie. I was the only one with a fly rod and after a while I had an audience of about 3 people wondering what I was doing. I am glad I was able to catch Mr. Blue in front of witnesses since all the while I was getting a lot of "should be using bait" advise.

The bad - The following day at the same spot I got skunked, but there was a baitfish boil (not quite a blitz?) about 30' farther than my best cast and I couldn't buy a nibble. Also I tried to find Cape Henlopen Flats in the dark of the night and got lost (long story there and I am too tired to write about it), but when I finally found the flats and just as I was gearing-up a major rainstorm hit. I tried to wait it out, but finally gave up and went home to sleep. However I do now know where to go so next year will be better.

Some take-aways:
1.) Intermediate sinking line = good
2.) Orvis mid-arbor V reel = very good
3.) Spiked felt boots = necessary
4.) Stripping basket = necessary
5.) Double-haul cast = gotta learn it (maybe down size flies to a #2?)
6.) Medium action 8 weight = OK, but I wish it was faster
7.) 2/0 clousers = pain when ricochets off back of head
8.) Wide brimmed boonie hat = good (see #7)
9.) Tides = confusion (need to do some more research)
10.) Can't wait to do it again

-FF