Dave Shugol of Lakewood Ranch, Fla., loves to fly fish. In fact, he’s vice president of the Mangrove Coast Fly Fishers in Sarasota. But the veteran financial advisor finds time a premium. If he can get out on the water for two hours a week, he’s lucky. And when he does break away for an extended saltwater outing, Shugol says catching often is tough.
           
There’s nothing like a freshwater outing to cure the fly-fishing woes. In fact, canals that run along Alligator Alley (Interstate 75) in south Florida will end any fly-fishing drought. The canals are loaded with a variety of freshwater species, including largemouth bass, bluegill, shellcracker, stumpknocker and speckled perch. Additionally, there are exotics such oscar and Mayan cichlids.
           
Fisheries biologists aren’t happy that the exotics made their way into Florida’s fresh waters. But the two mini-brawlers provide great fun on light fly rods.
           
For Shugol, an early June outing was just what the doctor ordered. On his first venture into The Everglades, Shugol, born and raised in Michigan, caught and released more than 40 fish. Using a 4-weight fly rod and a No. 10 chartreuse popping bug, he managed a bevy of fish during the morning. He caught bass to nearly 2 pounds, hand-sized bluegill and plenty of scrappy Mayan cichlids.
           
For the most part, a floating line and 7 ½-foot  leader is all that’s needed. Tippet should be 3X or 4X. The fish aren’t the least bit leader-shy and you’ll need to go heavier than you might think when targeting oscar and Mayan cichlids. Both species are extremely strong and will make every attempt to get into any shoreline vegetation (bulrushes, grass, rocks, fallen trees) that they can reach. They’re capable of making short, strong bursts that can break lighter tippets quite easily.
           
There are a number of ramps along Alligator Alley that will accommodate most boats, kayaks and canoes. Shugol and I fished out of Heritage Redfish 14-foot kayaks. We were able to carry all the equipment we needed, including a couple of rods, fly selections, gear bags and water.
           
We fished out of a ramp located at mile marker 41. The ramp there is a little tricky because of low water. During

the morning, we fished a stretch of canal to the east. Conditions were perfect: calm water and just a slight breeze.

When using popping bugs, the trick is to cast within six inches of your intended target, let it sit and then pop once. Most bugs come with rubber legs that will undulate while the popper is sitting. Strikes occur most of the time while the fly is not moving. If you see a fish approach the fly but not take it, you might elicit a strike with a slight pop. The small popper will take most species in the canals.
           
On a May 8 outing, four members of the Mangrove Coast Fly Fishers spent at day on the canal and combined for more than 500 fish. Preston Jones of Snead Island, Phil Waguespeck of Venice, Joe Bursel and I had a blast, experiencing some of the fastest action we’ve  ever had.
           
The canals offer fast and consistent fishing. We’ve found that sinking flies are the ticket in the afternoon. My favorite is a fly I created after an unsuccessful  outing in which I cast unproductively to breaking fish. They were feeding on inch-long minnows and I didn’t have any flies that mimicked the tiny baitfish.
           
I came up with a small baitfish pattern that was designed to imitate those minnows. On the fly’s inaugural outing on the Myakka River,  it produced plenty of bass, bluegill, stumpknocker and tilapia. The Myakka Minnow was an immediate success. And it has proven to be a winner at various saltwater and freshwater venues throughout the state. To date, the fly has produced bass, bluegill, speckled perch, shellcracker, oscar, Mayan cichlid, flier, tilapia, snook, barramundi and snook.
           
The Florida peninsula is surrounded by salt water, and species that live in that environment get most of the fishing attention. But there are plenty of freshwater lakes, rivers, canals and ponds that offer a  variety of fishing opportunities for intrepid anglers.
           
Next time you want to enjoy a productive day on the water, head for your favorite freshwater spot. Take a light fly rod, a few popping bugs and a couple of baitfish imitations and you’re in for a productive and relaxing day.