People often ask, Why should I wade when I can fish from the boat?  While you can see a lot of fish from a higher vantage point, the boat represents a high-profile intruder that quickly spoils your chances for success. The  fish simply see the boat before they see your fly, and then show disinterest when the fly appears! Actually, redfish are not very picky if they are unaware of your presence when they  first see your fly. Indeed, when you are able present a fly to a redfish without being seen, and are able to move the fly in such a way that the redfish sees it, and is not offended by its behavior, the redfish will almost always take your fly.  Given this truth, wading fly fishers can more easily exploit the redfish's willingness to take a fly. The following wading guidelines will assist you in doing just that.

1. See the fish before he sees you.
     In order to do this, you must wear high-quality polaroid glasses (preferably brown, copper or vermillion tinted)  and  wade soundlessly and patiently, taking time to stop and observe your surroundings very carefully. Remember,
 a. If you can hear yourself wade, so can the redfish.
 b. The fish are always on the move -- usually upwind and toward you, and so they are looking in your direction.
 c. Blending into the scene can minimize the chance you'll be noticed, so avoid wearing bright clothing and making quick movements.

2. Once you see a fish, stop until you can assess the situation.
     Our first impulse is to move toward the fish, but if he's moving toward you, you just have to wait for him. If you can see the fish, usually he can see you, too, especially if you're moving. So the default is: Stop moving and wait.

3. Get into position to intercept the fish's path.
  a. If he's still out of range, but heading in the right direction, assume a low profile and then rise to cast only as the fish moves into range.
 b. If he's out of range and moving to your "bad wind side," slide sideways left or right to get into an advantageous position for casting. If you're right handed, that means moving to the right of the fish's path. Walk like a heron with slow, silent and deliberate movements.

4. Cast only when the fish is in range of your cast.
     Most of us begin casting way too soon, and we spook the fish before he has a chance even to see the fly. On the other hand, some of us tend to wait too long, thus giving the redfish too much time to spot us. To prevent such timing errors:
 a. Practice casting before you see a fish in order to determine your longest comfortable and accurate cast.
 b. Strip out no more than this amount of line. If you have a casting basket, you can keep this amount out of your rod tip. If not, you should reel some of it back onto your reel if you cannot manage it. In most cases, youíll have time to strip off more line once youíve spotted a fish.

5. Determine Where to Cast Your Fly
 a. If a fish is  feeding with his head down, present the fly close to the fish in order for him to see it.
 If a redfish does not react to your fly, 99% of the time he has not seen it! If a redfish sees your fly, he will either take the fly or run from it because it's startled him. So if the fish doesn't show any reaction, reposition the fly closer to the fish!
 b. If the fish is cruising, you will need to intercept the moving fish with your fly. In this case, cast the fly out in front of the fish in his path. If he is approaching from downwind, simply cast the fly about two to three feet in front of him, let it sink, and then begin to strip as the fish comes into sighting range of the fly. He'll see it either as it drops into his path, or see it as it begins to move away from him. Either way, you'll most likely get a strike. A common error is to cast beyond  the fish's path, and then strip the fly across the fish's path. This is called "ambushing" the fish, and it almost always spooks the fish.

6. Strip the Fly Effectively
 a. Strip the fly steadily in short,  6" increments. Redfish do not like a fast retrieve.
 b. If the fish follows the fly, but does not take it, try varying the retrieve.
 c. Keep the rod tip pointed at the fish, and do not raise it until you actually feel the fish on! Most of us react too quickly to the sight of a redfish taking our fly, and we lift the rod tip before the fish is on.   Let your stripping action set the hook!