Sturgeon On a Fly, Part Deux?

[SilverFly]

Well the question of sturgeon on fly was just asked on WFF, and it made me curious if anyone was going to try it again this year? I'm by no means a sturgeon expert, but I have caught a few and I think it can be done "neat" (sans bait or scent).

What do you guys think about this for a game plan:

1) Like last year, estuary shallows in spring.

2) "Cheat" a bit by using one or two hookless baits on gear rigs within fly casting range of the boat. When a bite occurs, cast close to the bait and retrieve the fly slowly close to the bottom (kind of like the "bait and switch" they do for billfish).

3) Use big, soft flies that FEEL like food. Sturgeon are very "touchy/feely" and fly texture could be very important. How about a huge lead-eye bunny strip leech :shrug:?

4) If that fails, have a good supply of smelt, sandshrimp, squid strips etc... on hand to have a field day fighting shallow water sturgeon on fly gear!

5) In the event option #4 fails (or not) have a few carbonated (or even distilled) grain beverages aboard to wash down some smoked steelhead.

Now that I have a 10wt, I'm itching to try this. Anybody game, or was last year a waste of time?

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[gottafish]

I already did it 2 years ago!!! Old news, I did use scent and a heavy weighted fly on a sink tip in 11 foot of water. It wasn't that great for the amount of time I put in. IMHO

[Pete]

I think part of the idea is to do it without scent, to qualify for the open IGFA category.

[SilverFly]

Good job Gottafish! Still, I can't believe that ocean-fresh estuary sturgies in shallow water wouldn't be a hoot on fly gear, scent or no scent. It has to be more fun than with standard gear. I want to get a least one without scent just to see if it can be done.

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[Mark Vickers]

I'm in for sure.

[Cliff]

sounds like alot of fun!

[SilverFly]

It sure does Cliff. Hopefully somebody with a boat larger and more comfortable than my driftboat will be interested too! :pray:

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[Riverkeeper]

I would be careful about laws regarding chumming.

[SilverFly]

Good advice. That has occurred to me and I'll carefully review the regs if I'm lucky enough to try this. What I had in mind was people taking turns "fishing" a hookless bait rig while others fly fish. Technically I don't think that's "illegal" even though effectively it is "chumming". Given the challenge of catching sturgeon on unscented flies, I don't see it being a big deal ethically, but I welcome any input.

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