The Lowcountry is made for those who fish on foot. Winding creeks, flooded Spartina flats, and long oyster-studded banks give wade anglers unmatched access to redfish, seatrout, and flounder—if you know how to move light and move smart.
This is saltwater fly fishing at its most immersive. The tide slowly weaving through your legs. The wind in your cast. No skiff, kayak, or bulk—just you, the fish, and the water in between.
Here’s what you really need to fish the Lowcountry on foot—and nothing you don’t.
A Slim Selection of Flies That Do It All
When walking miles of marsh in search of tailing reds or creek cruisers, you don’t really need to carry 40+ flies (although it's better in some cases to have them just in case). Ideally, all you really want 3-5 reliable flies that work.
Here are our go-to patterns for wading the Lowcountry:
- Kwan or Redfish Crack – weedless, pushes water, works almost year-round
- EP Shrimp – for clear water and spooky fish
- Black Clouser – low light, tidal creeks
- Gurgler – on flood tides and warm days for topwater eats
- Simple baitfish (white/chartreuse) – for flounder and seatrout ambush zones
Atollas Tip: If you must have a wide array of flies with you out there, store them in our 2GO Fly Box—a tough, compact, box that fits in your sling or waist pack. It’s the ideal solution for anglers who don’t overpack but still overprepare.
On-the-Go Access: The Fly Caddy Advantage
Every minute spent digging through your pack to get your box for a fly change is one less minute spent focusing on that tailing red. That’s why wading anglers need immediate fly access at the ready.
Our Fly Caddy was built specially for wade fishing. It clips right to your wading belt, pocket, hat, or pack. It has one job and does it well: Keeping your go-to flies at the ready for when you need to make that last-minute fly change. In the flats of the Lowcountry, every second counts.
Stay Light. Stay Minimal.
The grass flats of our Homewaters in Charleston, SC aren’t forgiving to weighed-down fly anglers. The pluff mud sucks. The oyster beds are abundant and sharp. The wind can punish you.
It is in your best interest (trust us on this) to stay as minimal and light as you can. The less gear in tow, the easier it will be to cover ground, stalk fish, and get the eat.
Here’s our recommended pack list for an average 3-hour tide window:
- 1 fly rod (7–9 wt.) with floating line and 20lb leader
- Small waist pack for extra flies and gear
- Fly Caddy loaded with 2–3 "on-deck" patterns
- Small nippers, forceps, spare leader
- Hat with dark underbrim to reduce glare - These will work
- Polarized shades - This is non-negotiable
- Wading pants - Spartina grass can irritate skin
-
2GO Fly Box with back-up flies if needed
- Optional: waterproof pouch for phone, small camera
Atollas Tip: Invest in a stripping basket. When you're wading out in the grass flats, your line is stripped out, and you see a tailing redfish - the worst thing that can happen is your excess line getting tangled up keeping you from making that money shot. A stripping basket will keep your line out of the grass and increase your casting opportunities.
Read the Water, Time the Tides
Wading success isn’t just gearing up light and right—it’s timing. The tides dictate when the fish will be where. Knowing the tides will help you find more fish which is half the battle in the Lowcountry.
Here are the best walk-and-wade windows to shoot for:
- Incoming tide: Stage at the mouth of a creek that floods into the flat
- Outgoing tide: Drains and creek mouths are the place to be for staged reds and trout
- Flood tide days: Redfish take advantage of this tide to gorge on fiddler crabs. Best opportunities for tailing reds
Atollas Tip: Whatever the targeted tide, get there early. We're talking an hour before your intended fishing window. This allows for early sightcasting opportunities as you'll be there when the fish are just starting to show. You also get a lesson in fishy behavior and can better time your next session based on what you observe during the early windows.
The Wade Out Mindset
We call it The Wade Out—not just as a mantra, but a way of fishing. We believe the best days are spent out there with minimal gear, maximum presence, and a deep respect for the water. It's where you lose yourself and find yourself in the same moment. It's what we're about.
Our gear is designed to support this style of fishing: light, minimal, intuitive. Whether you’re stalking reds in the marsh or drifting dry flies for native brook trout in the Highcountry, we want you to go farther, lighter, and more freely.
Ready to head out? Before you go, make sure to gear up. Our products are designed to take care of your flies when you’re knee-deep in the action.