Bethany Beach, Delaware

[Dave Fulton]

Hi!

I will be in Bethany Beach, DE in August and would appreciate any tips on fly fishing opportunities. I am not very experienced at fly fishing, and all I have right now is a 6 WT.

I am open to ideas for anything that I could go after with my 6 Wt., hiring a guide for in-shore salt water, etc.

Thanks!

Dave.

[paxfish]

Dave - You might want to borrow a bigger rod - If you're near Solomon's, I've a got good (but well used) 8wt or 9wt you can use that week. Even have some serviceable lines and a reel.

Pick up a book called "Flyrodding the Coast" - good tips for identifying beach structure. You can borrow that also if you like.

[OneMoreCast]

Head towards the mouth of De bay. The bay will be much more forgiving than beach surf or the inlets. Mid summer time frame for your vacation?

[msaba]

Indian river inlet is worth checking out, although it is a little overwhelming without someone to orient you. Rehobeth bay has some shore access of rt 1, especially nice if you have a canoe or kayak--lots of croaker, flounder etc. and somewhat protected. I've used Captain Jim Childs (extremecharters.net) several times and in a morning he could put you on some fish and give you many tips on where to go. Sometimes the night fishing can awesome, even in summertime. rates are very reasonable too.

Mark

[Ken Tidy]

If you can find any croaker around when you’re down there, they will be a blast on that six weight!

[flies only]

i have stayed in bethany before. good choice first off. head to IRI for some action off the rocks . the surf is not the most productive but 3 R'S area of the state park is supposedly more productive. if you feel like back country there is plenty of that available but i have not had much success with the fly there. if you feel like heading south capt mark sampsom is avaialble for charter by the hour. i have never chartered with him but is a cca guide and i have spoke to him on several occasions and he is a first class guy.his web site is bigsharks.com hope this helps

[tarpon1]

You can check out our web site SFAOD.com. It is the site for the fly club. If you are going to be there the second wednesday of the month you are welcome to check out a meeting and we can help you out. If you send me an e-mail we can try to get you some info so you can get ready for your trip.
The IRI is a hard place to fish with such a light rod. You also need some specific lines for the different situations there. If Bublegum is fishable you can do good there.
Will help with whatever we can.
Rick Ranalli

[Dave Fulton]

I want to thank everyone that replied for their help, and Paxfish for his generous offer to lone me a rod and his copy of "Flyrodding the Coast". I also want to appologize for not responding sooner ... but you know how work can be.

Paxfish, I would jump at your offer if I were near Solomon's. Unfortunately, I live in Frederick, MD. I will see if I can track down a copy of the book.

OneMoreCast, I guess I should have been more specific about the timing of my trip. I'll be in Bethany from August, 13th, until August, 20th.

Flies Only, what is the "3 R'S area of the state park"?

Tarpon1, it appears that I will just miss your meeting. I will send you an e-mail. Currently, I only have a WF-6 floating line. What type of line do you suggest? Also, what is "Bublegum" and what type of fishing opportunities might I find there?

Looking at a map, I see Salt Pond, which appears to be connected to IRI. Also, the IRI tribs.: Indian River and White Creek, as well as Herring Creek off of Rehoboth Bay. Perhaps these might offer some opportunities for my 6 WT, assuming that I can't get my hands on something bigger.

What type rod/reel would be appropriate for the DE Bay and the inlets?

I am sorry for asking so many questions, but I have no experience with FF'g salt water or the Bethany area.

Thanks again!

Dave

[kzimmerman2]

Last summer I caught kingfish and small blues in the surf. The trick is to get there at dawn, fish a sinking line with a floating fly and pay attention. The kingfish will hit real soft. The fly didn't seem to matter, just small glass minnow imitations. A 6wt would be good for this, I was wishing for my 4wt, as the fish are fairly small. But I have caught larger fish at night, rarely. That was using bait, and It's been years since I've done that.

Hope this helps.
kurt

[Joe N]

I fished out of IRI last year. When the tide is right, there are blues in the inlet from the bridge back into the inlet. There are rock and blues breaking periodically in the back bay, not far from the bridge. Decent size to a couple of pounds. A lot of guys fish the inlet from the rocks but you would absolutely not want to take an accidental dip in the water. I fished the area from a boat and it was hit and miss but there are some big fish in the inlet.