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faster the current, the deeper the water and the sink-rate of the fly line will all determine how far up-current to cast and how long to wait before beginning the retrieve. It is a good idea to count out the seconds and see whether 3 seconds or 30 seems to bring the most strikes.

Most flycasters use a two-handed retrieve. They stick the rod-handle under their arm then retrieve the line using both hands into their stripping basket. A somewhat steady, pulsing retrieve of about 6 to 12 inches tends to work well, but don't be afraid to mix up the speed or cadence of your retrieve. Just remember you're trying to mimic the irregular, darting motion of the baitfish you're fly is imitating.

When using the two-handed retrieve, most fly-fishers will use the "strip-strike" method to set the hook. When you feel the tug of the fish, sharply yank the line to set the hook, then clear your line, either on the run, or by cranking it back onto the reel and fight the fish using the leverage of the rod and the drag on your reel. And remember, no "high-sticking."

Keep the rod tip up, but not past 10 o'clock. Raising the rod to 12 o'clock or beyond is asking to break that expensive rod. A fly rod's fish-fighting strength is in the lower sections, so let the rod bend deeply and let the flexible tip protect your tippet by acting as a shock absorber. A great method of fighting big fish on the fly is to turn the rod sideways to your body away from the direction of pull. You are then exerting maximum pressure on the fish, while protecting your investment. When the fish changes direction, flip the rod over to the other side, while maintaining constant pressure on the fish, forcing it to pull against both the drag and the rod. This technique will allow you to subdue surprisingly large fish, very quickly.

When you get the fish in close, depending on its size, you can back up onto the beach and slide the fish up onto the sand, then simply unhook the fish and let it go to make more stripers and fight another day. If the fish is smaller, you can just guide it in to you, grab the fish by its lower jaw and release it. The good news with fly-fishing for stripers, is even without using circle hooks, they are almost always hooked in the jaw, making it an ideal catch-and-release fishery. Just remember, if the fish is truly whipped, revive it by pushing it back and forth through the water to pump water, and oxygen, over its gills. When the fish is sufficiently revived, it will lunge from your hands.

Fly-fishing for Striped Bass is perhaps the most "intimate" form of fishing for these magnificent animals. The flow of the current around your legs, the line in your fingers, the subtle tap-tap of the strike allows the fly-fisher to commune with the fish, and has proven to me to be far more productive than "slingin' meat." I may not always catch the biggest fish on the beach, but I generally catch a lot more fish than the people using other techniques.

If, for you, like me, fishing isn't totally about catching big fish, but rather an opportunity to go out and enjoy time with family and friends, and to soak up nature's beauty, then fly-fishing for stripers may become your favorite way to fish for these powerhouses.

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Learn more about this author, Robert Strayton.
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