Hot and dry conditions

As we begin June, it’s been really dry and just about all S.W. Florida is experiencing drought conditions. As a result, the water on the flats along upper east side where I’ve been spending most of my time are clear. This can be opportunistic for sight fishing but it also keeps our fish on the wary side and they have been difficult to approach. I’m seeing redfish and smaller snook staging on outer island shorelines as the rising water temperature and corresponding lack of oxygen deep in the backcountry has pushed them out. I’m starting to see a few rolling tarpon and I expect this to improve as we see some more rain. This should help bring them out of places like the PGI canals, Alligator Creek and the Peace river. I took a trip up the Peace river and did see more tarpon than I’ve seen on the flats. For the most part, I’m seeing more fish when I find the mullet. For sure, redfish, snook, and trout hang with mullet schools as the mullet kick up small morsels from the bottom that make easy prey. Our gamefish don’t want to work any harder than they have too for a meal. Typically, if I don’t see any mullet I move on. With this in mind, small shrimp or crab type patterns can work well. If possible, lead the fish as the clear water makes them very skittish of the fly line.