Angling Publications - Index

Angling Publications - Magazine - Index

ALABAMA
Depending on the amount of rainfall in February,
March can be tricky on the Gulf Coast. If we’ve had
a lot of rain, the specks and reds will have moved
south. If rainfall is lower than normal, however, the
fish could still be in the Delta. Normally, the best
bet for both specks and reds is going to be Orange
Beach/Dauphin Island. If the water temperature is
below 72, fish will be in deeper holes and come out
on flats as the water warms up. Cobia will start to
show up off of Panama City the last week of March,
and off the Alabama coast during the week or two
of April. Record numbers of fish were caught all fall
and winter in the Delta. Call Fairhope Fly Shop
(251-928-1619) for current conditions.
ALASKA
It’s tough to find good saltwater fly fishing in
March, but there’s a chance for break-out season fun
in Resurrection Bay near Seward—like walking the
beaches for Dolly Varden, or casting from kayaks
to kelp jungles for black rockfish. Dollies up to
two feet long are on the beaches at Lowell and
Tonsina points in early April, hungry for big and
small streamers, like deceivers, zonkers, and small
alevin imitators. Sink-tip lines are effective, and
fluorocarbon leaders are a decided edge. Throwing
an 8-weight, full-sink line with short, heavy leaders
and long streamers or bunny patterns at the edge
of kelp beds for 5- to 7-pound black rockfish is a
hoot. Take a small boat and edge out from Eldorado
44
Narrows or any other kelp forest. March and April
are when these rockfish get active, and they can wear
a fly fishermen out. This isn’t a world-class fishery,
but it’s a great way to break away from the winter
doldrums. Talk to the guys at the Fishin’ Hole
(907-262-2290) in Soldotna, or down in Homer at
Ulmer Drug and Hardware (907-235-8594).
ARIZONA
Tucked up in the high country of northeastern
Arizona is a wonderful trout stream. Imagine trout
to 30 inches in a stream that is less than 20 feet
wide! The X-Diamond Ranch (928-333-2286;
www.xdiamondranch.com) has a stretch of the
Little Colorado River that offers just that. The
stream has been improved to provide excellent
habitat, and catch-and-release regulations protect
these wild trout. In March these trout become very
active. The rainbows are in aggressive pre-spawn
mode, and the browns are just plain angry, and it’s
the perfect time to swing a woolly bugger. Wink
Crigler, owner of the ranch, limits access to no
more than five fly fishers per day. There are cabins
available on the ranch. Horseback rides and wildlife
watching can fill the day for non-fishers.
ARKANSAS
The White and North Fork Rivers are fishing well
this month, according the team at Ozark Anglers
#2 (501-362-3597) in Heber Springs. Since the
winter has been fairly dry, there hasn’t been much
generation and water levels have been favorable
to anglers; however, volatile weather conditions
could wash out the most promising plans. The
shop suggests anglers fish size-14 to –18 sow bugs,
pheasant tail nymphs, and midges on 6X or 7X
tippet. Late in the month, look for hatches of
March browns and caddis. Bass, crappie, and bream
action will start to pick up late in the month.
CALIFORNIA
Kelp beds in the southern part of the state are prime
in March and early April when a lot of the rest of
the state is still shivering. Sand and sea bass are the
top targets, but even bonito, a few ‘cuda, kingfish
and perch can be picked up. There’s an outside shot
at smacking a halibut in the lips with large, slow
patterns offered to incoming hallies at the mouth
of San Diego Bay. Spring offers one of the rare
opportunities for a fly fisher to get beat up by nearshore
halibut and SD bay near the Shelter Island
Pier is a good place to look. Check for details at the
Sport Chalets at Point Loma (619-224-6777) and
Camino del Rio (619-718-7070).
Up in San Francisco Bay, March through June
is when you’ll want to try to ambush striped bass
in the Delta and the mouths of Sacramento and
San Joaquin Rivers. Early arrivals—so called,
“scout fish”— are 4- to 6-pounders that are perfect
fly rod fodder. Check out San Pablo Bay and SF
JASON BORGER ILLUSTRATION