We were casting smaller-size No. 2 Clouser Minnows in blue-and-white or chartreuse-and-white patterns, both of which are usually killers for seatrout. The shallow depth of water over the sand and grass bottom we were targeting dictated the smaller-size flies. Even those sizes required a weedguard to keep them from fouling in the skinny water.

The action proved steady, but sporadic -- and at first, a bit disappointing. We would wade for perhaps 50 yards with no action, then find ourselves amid a school of active trout that attacked our flies.

But those fish soon proved to be some of the smallest trout I'd ever caught. Most were around 9 or 10 inches, but some were only 6 inches long!

Eventually, we found that wading farther offshore, into water nearly waist-deep, put us on the larger trout.

For this part of the lagoon, this situation was actually pretty odd. When feeding, the larger trout often come right up into water as shallow as 18 inches if that's where the bait is hanging out. And never before here had I gotten into schools of such small trout.

This day, the specks in the 15- to 17-inch range were deeper, regardless of why it was happening. We were even able to switch to larger flies on the deeper flat.

As for wading, along most of this part of the lagoon, the bottom is hard sand interspersed with some areas of broken shell. All in all, it makes for good footing, but inevitably you can expect to hit areas of softer bottom that may mire you up to the ankles or deeper. Generally, those are small and isolated.

THE AREA
The conditions and angling action for seatrout that we encountered are not unique to this portion of the northern end of the Indian River Lagoon. Similar situations can be found along the western shore as far south as the community of Mims, just north of Titusville. Through there, however, the access to shore is rather spotty.

On the eastern side of the lagoon in the NWR, the setting is more remote, but access to fishing is actually better. A number of dirt spur roads off old State Route 3 lead to or near the water on this side, all the way down to the Haulover Canal.

Also, levee roads separating the lagoon from more mosquito canals parallel most of the actual shoreline. Though the bulk of these are closed to vehicles, they provide excellent foot access.

While walking these paths, just be aware that you're not the only predator here. The brackish water in the canals is home to a population of alligators, which you may sometimes find sunning themselves in the roads and blocking your way.

Obviously, it's a good idea to give them a wide berth!