Page 75 - South Mississippi Living - July, 2021

“We are one of the oldest and most active fly-fishing clubs on the Gulf Coast. Our members range from novices to masters, fly-fishing guides and certified casting instructors. Many have fly fished throughout the region, country and world. It’s a great organization with a wealth of knowledge.”
Throughout the year, the club participates in various events to promote fly fishing and conservation. Some events include banquets, charitable efforts, in-state and out-of-state fishing trips, children’s camps, fly fishing seminars, fish fries and other activities.
“I joined because I had some fly-fishing customers and I didn’t know anything about fly fishing,” Hancock states. “Now, I tie flies and sell them. When I charter fly fishing groups, it’s all about catch and release.”
Hancock regularly takes people fly fishing for various species in Mississippi Sound and the estuaries along the Gulf Coast. He now holds several casting award certifications, thanks to his participation in the club.
“Our barrier islands offer some really good fishing,” he says. “The water is clean and we have numerous
species to catch. We have tarpon in the area. Pompano and cobia come through. We catch a lot of tripletail, redfish and speckled trout.”
Currently, the club’s second annual Jack Rodeo runs through October 1, 2021. Many people hold jack crevalle in disdain because of their reputation as poor food fish, but nobody questions their fighting abilities. Few fish garnered a more fierce reputation for lightning runs, explosive strikes and tackle-busting power.
“About a year ago, we were catching jacks on flies and I had an idea to put on a rodeo,” Hancock recalls. “The club also holds rodeos on redfish and speckled trout. Catching a jack crevalle on a fly rod is about as close to big game fishing as people can get without riding hours in a boat to get to blue water. Big jacks start showing up in numbers in early June. July and August are crazy with them crushing bait all along the beaches and the islands.”
For more information on the Historic Ocean Springs Saltwater Fly Fishing Club, see the club page on Facebook or call Hancock at 601.807.5811.
SOUTH MISSISSIPPI Living | www.smliving.net July 2021 | 75
ABOVE LEFT AND MIDDLE: Anglers fishing the Mississippi coast commonly catch large redfish. ABOVE RIGHT: One of the hardest fishing fish in the Gulf of Mexico, a jack crevalle offers excellent sport for anglers using light fly tackle.