Can You Fly Fish Standing in a Forest?

I returned today, to yesterday's scene of crappie and bluegill madness. But today, with an awesome new toy-the Redington Classic Trout 3 WT fly rod at 7 1/2 ft, and the Redington Zero "no drag system" fly reel. Both designed for old guys like me, that are beginning to lighten their load. This outfit weighs...nothing!

I wanted to start in a fairly open area that the bluegill were on fire, yesterday. But I suspected the big weather change the last 12 hours may have cooled them off. (It did, I would find later.) So I started where the crappie kept things interesting, yesterday. Problem-not only do they have a knack for posting up in some difficult water, they also post up in some difficult to negotiate land spots. I'd already anticipated some forest fly rodding, so brought the short 3WT not usually used for lake fishing. So how do you cast a fly with trees overhead, both sides of you, and sometimes even in front of you?! Shooting. Not the "line shooting" that you'll learn fairly early with fly fishing lessons. Simply, "shooting". Following is a picture where "shooting" is more prevalent-dock shooting for crappie from a boat.

The fisherman's left hand is holding the jig head (or fly head if fly fishing-I used a fly jig so...best of both worlds). Requires some thought and finesse because you're fixing to shoot that jig AND HOOK out of your hand. Immediate propulsion that can bury a hook in flesh, if not thought out. (Practice is advised but I never practiced with a hookless jig or fly.) Note the fisherman pulling the jig and line back to form a bow in the rod. Look familiar? Like a bow and arrow? That's what it is. A good dock shooter can send a jig 50 feet just inches over the water, and under the platform of a dock to reach crappie chillin' in the shade toward the center of a dock. A good fly fisherman can send a fly (or fly jig/small streamer) at least 30 feet...inches over the water and under the tree branches. Or through a small opening in bushes in front of him. (Catch the fish-then figure out how you're going to land it.)

This lake is known for a ton of small crappie, with a big one about every ten caught. Pictured is what's expected. Not what's desired.

But fly rods make any fish caught, a hoot. A moderate action 3WT fly rod makes every fish caught a delicate, finesse, sometimes anxious situation. And today was "epic". Exactly four hours fly fishing. Three and a half hours in a jungle. About a half hour was a crappie every cast (shoot). Total fish breakdown for four hours: 104-11 were bluegill, 1 bass, leaving a crappie total of 92.