Flyrodding Snakeheads

Type: Tidal
Region: Southern
Location: Mattawoman Creek

My boatbuilding and flyfishing companion, Colin Crozier, and I heard that catching snakeheads on fly gear was possible and that Captain Mike Starrett of Indianhead Charters was the ticket.

The Captain�s routine begins at 3:00 in the parking lot of a ramp on Mattwoman Creek with hands full of the sweetest pork and chicken barbecue you�ll ever smear on your face. Then you stand back to watch the captain launch his custom double-walled aluminum jon-boat fitted with a Honda jet drive, a 55-lb Minn-Kota Riptide trolling motor, a carbon fiber push pole, and a dozen or so spinning rods rigged with black plastic frogs and worms. Colin and I entered the picture armed with nothing more than a couple of nine-weight fly rods, two cold beers, and open minds.

If the barbecue supper and the impressive arsenal weren�t enough to make the point, our guide�s respectful, persistent and sometimes very funny commentary and advice on our snakehead fishing style eventually produced the desired result.

We fished the creek all the way to the top, caught snakeheads and Lmbass, had a terrific time and returned happy under a silver dollar moon.

The snakehead filets were delicious.

Highly recommended!