July 2024
It was a month of waiting in the lee on Kit Lake, my home water, in central Florida's largemouth bass country. Stormy events transpired on the water and off. So Kit Lake anglers were best to remain sheltered.
On the water, summer heat rewarded anglers who got moving early. Top water action was available at first light. Anglers who had paid attention to changes in structure earlier this year, knew open areas to cast in without being hung up. Bass hit on slowly presented top water flies, and bluegill were troubled to bite unweighted nymphs. As the sun rose, fish left the shallows. Some anglers stuck around to catch them in deeper water, in the occasional liquid sunshine. But our standard winds also challenged the fishing.
Anglers who stayed on the water after the morning bite did well by staying in areas sheltered from the wind. They protected their single sinking flies (Daniel likes a mohair wooly bugger with a heavy cone head) from the buffeting, and cast to the transitions between ruffled and smooth waters. Steady searching movement around these likely areas, and trust in the process, allowed these hardworking anglers to catch some bass cruising for baitfish pods in ten feet of water or more.
Thundershowers became a daily feature of our lake. So, all anglers were vigilant. Those who prepared by watching forecasts were able to do the shelter-then-carry-on after storms. Large classic poppers made for a good ending.
But not all anglers tried to shelter-then-carry-on.
Mr. S., in the house next to the pasture, would put his boat away when the heat got too bad. By the time the day became a dark lightning show, he was watching in a cool spot with a cool drink. Sometimes he did not go back to the lake.
But he, and all anglers can't hang out in the sheltered lee forever. Next month might bring other conditions.
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