May 2021
This was a month of flexibility on Kit Lake, my home water, in central Florida’s largemouth bass country. Florida’s spring heat, not yet the oppressive summer type, increased, and the rain is still sporadic. So, our fish chose to live in two areas each day.
And being willing and able to change tactics and tackle became a key skill. We (tried) to switch from a late wakeup, casual start time, to an on the water at dawn (about 6:05,) and off the water by noon schedule. In the mornings, the fish could be found in cool shallow areas. Top water flies, or standard sinking flies presented at high speeds worked on these excited fish. But before late morning, the day’s heat warmed those waters, and the fish moved into deeper areas. Anglers who stuck it out through this first change of weather knew it was time to move a little ways off shore and change to heavier sinking flies. Then back again to the shallows with topwater flies as the sun neared the horizon.
Our ability to change plans is important in daily activities as well as on the water. Some have other activities to choose from, some have other activities thrust upon them. Either way, we need to work with what we’ve been given. The fish will refuse flies they don’t want. It’s our role to adapt.
