| Florida Keys Outfitters Newsletter |
July 2009
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Greetings!
Outstanding Florida Keys fishing has carried over from early July and seems to be continuing well into August! Full moon tides last week brought good numbers of permit to the flats of Key West and Marathon. Lucian LaFonde of Islamorada fished several days in Key West and caught five on fly.
Speaking of permit it dazzles me how permit flies have evolved over the decades. In the '70's permit were occasionally caught on fly as targets of opportunity while tarpon or bonefishing. I caught my first one while wading outside Elliots Key for bonefish with a #4 "Chico Fernandez Snapping Shrimp" Through the persistence of anglers like the late Del Brown and Bill Levy the sport grew with Captains Steve Huff, Nat Ragland, Jan Isley, Harry Spear and many others willing to "go permit fishing for a week." In those early years one fish a week was cause for celebration. As the numbers of more and more capable casters, more permit savvy guides, better flies, rods and reels, a fish a day is very reasonable with good tides and weather conditions. A good example is that 16 anglers caught 27 permit in three days during the Del Brown Invitational Permit Tournament a few weeks ago. |
From top left, counterclockwise:
Del's Merkin the real breakthrough came along after Puff and MOE & McCrab because it "swam" more like a crab. Clawed looking and swimming even more like a crab. Permit Crab tan or green swims and looks just like a crab! Time to schedule full and new moon tides through September for your permit fishing!
Take advantage of a Florida Keys Outfitters Permit Fly Special: 2 each of 1 large and 1 small Del's Merkin, Clawed Crabs, Green Permit Crabs and Tan Permit Crabs. These are difficult ties with a regular price of $76.00. Save $17.00 and buy now for $59.00! (Florida deliveries add 7 ½% sales tax) |
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Yesterday in Islamorada Capt Drew Moret's charter had six tarpon hooked with several on fly. Largest was around 140 on a crab. Bonefishing has also been red hot in the Islamorada area. Lots of fishing action is available in the Keys with very little fishing pressure through September. Tournament results below speak more to the recent quality of redfishing and bonefishing.
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On July 27th The Islamorada Fishing and Conservation Trust (IFACT) and the Islamorada Fishing Club presented the eighth annual "RedGhost Stalk", an all-release world class backcountry fishing tournament. The primary objective of the tournament is to uphold the future of responsible recreational angling with focus on the highest degree of marine wildlife care and etiquette while fishing. A qualifying event for the 2010 Florida Keys Outfitters/IGFA Inshore World Championships it targets redfish and bonefish over 20 inches in length. Participating categories are for Junior Anglers (ages 9-16) and Young Adults (ages 17-30).
Collins & Sabayrac Artist Jorge Martinez, Cockerham & Raskob
Junior Division Champion, 16-year old Will Sabayrac from Palm Beach Gardens, FL, guided by Robert Collins, from Islamorada, FL, was the Grand Champion catching three redfish and two bonefish.
The young-adult Grand Champion and Fly Division Champion was Jared Raskob from Key Largo, FL, guided by Capt Mark Cockerham, an Islamorada resident. Just coming off being the grand champion of the 2009 FKO/IGFA Inshore World Championship, Raskob yet again proved his unparalleled skills as a fly angler. Raskob caught and released five redfish and six bonefish, all on fly. |
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Ready for that backup rod you have been wanting? Time to fill in a rod size you don't have? Here is your chance to save big time on our year end model change sale. We have a very limited supply of Sage Xi2 Fly Rods remaining in stock at the following savings while they last:
Model Regular Price Sale Price Save
Xi2 790-4 $695.00 $395.00 $300.00
Xi2 890-4 $695.00 $395.00 $300.00
Xi2 990-4 $700.00 $395.00 $305.00
Xi2 1090-4 $710.00 $395.00 $315.00
Xi2 1191-4 $740.00 $395.00 $345.00
Xi2 1291-4 $750.00 $395.00 $355.00
Xi2 1390-4 $750.00 $395.00 $355.00
Xi2 1480-4 $755.00 $395.00 $360.00 |
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Weather and tides looking good.... Sue & I are going bonefishing tomorrow!
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