a fine selection of california surf flies
Al Q with a nice fat surf corbina.
Fly Fishing the surf can be one of the most difficult ways to fish, period! I really enjoy being able to help people transition into the surf fly fishing game. I believe that if you learn the correct methods of fly fishing the surf, you can do it anywhere in the world and not be frustrated. I have close to forty years fishing the beach.
To inquire about taking a surf fly fishing class or a private fly tying lesson please email Al Q at:
alq@tornadodesign.la Most surf outings will have to be arranged for the early am on the weekends, (2 hr. 0r 3 hr. packages available) , 2 hr. private fly tying classes can be arranged at night during the week or on the weekends.
Al Q is also available for fly fishing club slide presentations: Intro to Surf Fly Fishing, Sight fishing for Corbina, or Inshore Calico Bass fishing. He is also available for club fly tying presentations.
Hi Al,
Great web page, enjoy reading it all, can you please tell me what wt rod, how long should the leaders be, what type. do use any tippet what type also, I live down near RAT BEACH, do u think I should try my hand for beaners here,or come up to your neck of the surf. appreciate all your help.
thanks Andy.
Andy:
I use a 7 to 9 foot leader. You can taper it if you like.
I usually use 12 lb tippet. These fish in the surf are not leader shy. I fish a 7 weight, 9 footer. You can use a 5 or 6 wt in the summer when the wind is down and the surf is calm. Rat Beach has had a fair amount of fish a month ago, I haven’t been there recently but I do have some buddies still catching fish there.
Get our there and snoop around, if you don’t see any fish, look else where, that’s what I do till I find fish. Hope this helps! Good luck!
Al, I have to pick your brain a bit ok, I take it u are using straight mono? I have some maxima chameleon is that ok for leader stuff and do u have the lbs, for the length of the leader for tapering both types of material.
We all know u like art, maybe u can draw a sketch,how cool.
thank’s. Andy
i use seaguar florocarbon because it is abrasive resistant,(a consideration when you are pulling flies through sand) maxima is good line,should be fine, just check your leader for abrasion from time to time. these fish are not leader shy in the surf. tapering is simple and will help turn the fly over, i use 20#(4.5 foot) to 12# (2.5 to 3.5 feet) or 20#(4foot) to 12# (3 feet) to 8#(2 feet) i prefer to use improved blood knots (stronger) but if you wish to use triple surgeons knots they are quicker to tie and work fine. good luck!
Thanks Al,
that really clarify’s leaders for me, can I use it for other types of fishing in the surf & do u use shooting heads at any time.
Andy
yes, i make my own shooting heads or use outbound t-11 or t-8 intergrated heads off the beach.
MR. AL Q.—–WANTED DESPERATELY TO HIT THE MINUS TIDE LAST WEEK BUT GOT SIDE-TRACKED BY A REFINANCE. AM GOING THIS WEEK HOWEVER. I KNOW I MISSED A GREAT OPPORTUNITY. BUT I STILL HAVE HIGH HOPES OF THIS YEAR BEING MY FIRST BEAN! THANKS AGAIN FOR YOUR INPUT.
YOUR FRIEND——RICK
rick:
the fish have seemed to be off to school and have left the beach…i will give it one more shot this friday…
Hi Al,
I’m the guy who caught the largest fish (a 22.5 in halibut) at the One Surf Fly event yesterday. I apologize for forgetting to get your card before I left Marriott’s. (I was distracted by all the cool gear!)
I’d like to chat sometime about other surf fishing opportunities in SoCal. Also, I have a photo of me with the fish I can send you if you’d like it for your web site.
Best,
David