Flyfishing-Topwater for Rockies

Ever try topwater for the rockcod? Dang, that was fun. This past weekend I was out on the yak with both my baitcasting and flyrod. I noticed the rock cod just splashing about on the surface. I caught a few with a ftclouser and switched to a floating head and a popper. I tossed the popper near where they were and fished it like I would a bass. Let it land. Wait. Wait some more. Wait just a little longer....if you can handle it. Twitch. WHAM! Sometimes I would just do slight twitches like a wounded baitfish moving across the water. Anywhere along the kelp was sweet.  

They were slamming that popper like no ones business.  I don't, however, think their eyes are suited to topwater. They totally missed it a lot of the time. Some would leap clear out of the water trying to smash it. I would watch them leap about 1" to the left or right of it. It had me laughing. What a blast.

So, in short, don't forget your floating heads!!! It was a great time.
Have Fun,
Marc

Sounds like a great time-Where were you fishing? I have spent the last 25+years chasing trout with a fly rod,and have done a little saltwater flyrodding on vacation in the warmer locations south of the U.S.   I am really new to the sport;only kayaked in lakes mostly.  Still getting all my gear together-looking for a cheap farmer john, drift sock, etc.  Plan on staring out in Half moon bay. Closest spot I know to my house in Danville.  Seems safe enough there with the jetty and breakwater there.  I'll be going out mid week in a couple of weeks.  Wish me luck!

Jody

I tie a big # 4 heavily weighted all white wooly bugger with bead eyes and use a shooting head to get it down quick.
About 5 seconds after it hits the water I start stripping it in and WHAM!!!
Fish all day!
One word of advice, pinch the barb. I had a gust of wind come up just as I was hauling my line out and the the fly hit me in the back of the neck. Damned near KO'd me. I thought for sure it impaled me, until my rod bent with another fish. The fly bounced off me and landed in the water. I got lucky. I would recommend pinching the barb down so if you do get nailed in the back it will come out easily.
Tote

notuna-- don't forget the stripers here in the bay.  We're about 2 weeks away from the insanity of fall stripers.  All the marin bay launches should be loaded with fish-San quentin, Cortemadera creek,  homedepot, marin islands,  the brickyard-- I'm frothing at the mouth in anticipation