Saltwater fly fishing uses the weight of the line, not the lure, to cast a tiny, near-weightless fly. On Egypt's sand and coral flats it is a thrilling, technical way to sight-cast to Bluefin Trevally, Triggerfish, Bonefish-style feeders and small GT. It rewards stealth, accuracy and patience.
How it works
A weighted fly line is false-cast to build line speed and then laid out to deliver a light fly to a visible fish. The fly is stripped back by hand to imitate a fleeing shrimp, crab or baitfish.
Step by step
1Walk or pole the flats slowly and scan for tailing or cruising fish
2Strip enough line off the reel and keep it tangle-free at your feet
3False-cast to build line speed, then present the fly ahead of the fish, not on top of it
4Let the fly sink to the fish's level, then strip it with short, sharp pulls
5Set with a firm strip-strike — pull the line, do not lift the rod
6Clear the loose line cleanly onto the reel and fight the fish off the drag
Recommended gear
rod
8–10 weight saltwater fly rod, 9 ft, fast action
reel
Large-arbor saltwater fly reel with a strong sealed drag and 150 m+ backing
line
Weight-forward floating or intermediate fly line, matched to the rod weight
leader
Tapered leader 9–12 ft to 12–20 lb fluorocarbon tippet
lures
Flies — Clouser minnows, shrimp and crab patterns, small baitfish streamers
Best conditions
Calm, clear, sunny mornings on shallow sand and coral flats. Light wind. Rising tide pushing fish onto the flats.
