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Florida Keys Outfitters Newsletter |
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Greetings!
For just a moment on March 20th the equator aligned with the
sun. Then the vernal equinox passed and spring sprung in the Florida Keys! Daylight
periods are growing longer as the earth's axis tilts our northern hemisphere
toward the sun. The water is warming up daily bringing bonefish and permit up
on the flats to feed and tarpon are floating near the surface to absorb the
suns radiance on calm days.
A few days before the March 15-18 March Merkin Tournament offered
good permit fishing and several anglers released multiple fish on practice
days. Unfortunately a last ditch cold front made fishing tough during the
tournament with one day mostly a rain out. One week later Capt Steve Huff guided
Charlie Causey of Islamorada for permit in the Lower Keys and had a banner four
fish day with three more during the week. Jeffrey Cardenas just told me of an angler
jumping 10 tarpon on several of the prettier days.
Tailing redfish have become more prevalent on the flats near
Flamingo. Collin Ross of Miami caught this nice one on a very calm day.
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Sandy's Angling Tip of the Month
Often
a sight fishing opportunity occurs during a short and fleeting window in time
when angler/guide communication carries a sense of urgency resulting in hook
ups or hiccups! Regardless of the
results, evaluate and discuss the event with your guide after each "shot." What
made the presentation work? Did the fish see the fly? Was there any reaction?
Was the cast close enough and line tight to the fly? This will allow you to
communicate and enjoy each other's abilities and capabilities better. I
guarantee you will catch more fish!
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New Product Highlight
April brings bonefish into full focus for aficionados of the flats. Lodges from the Bahamas through Yucatan and into Belize are filling with expectant anglers. Here in the Florida Keys the Islamorada Spring All Tackle Tournament and the Keys Spring Invitational Fly Tournament will take place as will the Semi Annual Bonefish & Tarpon Trust Bonefish Census.
Here's a box of my Keys "Go To" bonefish flies! It includes "Brewer's Toads" imitating a toadfish, one of the Keys bonefish's favorite foods; Sandy's Cracked Crabs lands soft for super shallow tailers; TK Special's with lead eyes are excellent for mudding fish and assorted weights of Merkin Crabs work from shallow tailing depth down to mudders at several feet. Hook sizes #2 & #4. All have weed guards Three each of 6 patterns
Regular Price is $114.10
Buy Today and SAVE 10%
Now with a good supply of the best bonefish flies around, you can tie one on! Tie one on our custom hand tied bonefish leader that is..... These leaders are tied to turn flies over well as conditions require.
For breezy days and heavier flies the 10 footer with 12 or 16 pound fluorocarbon class tippets are ideal. Price $3.95 each!
When bonefish are spookier on calm days and lighter flies are in order you can go to the 12 footer with 8, 10 or 12 pound fluorocarbon class tippets are ideal. Price $3.95 each!
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Tournament Updates
March Merkin - Key West Florida,March 13-15, 2010. Greg Smith of Laguna Vista, TX fishing with Capt Scott Collins took first place honors with one permit. Second place was won by Mark Hoskins guided by Capt Bob Paulson. Tournament Director Jonathan Ain explained, "It was a very tough tournament as the weather was awful compounding and worsening the low water temps which were in the 60's. It is very difficult to get a Permit to eat a fly when water temps are below 70, especially when they are dropping. We also had heavy rain most of the second day and clouds on all three days. Only 2 fish were caught."
March generally offers close to ideal conditions for permit fly fishing with warm waters, good sunshine and 10 to 20 mile per hour winds. Many anglers had pretty good fishing the day before the tournament with good weather. In spite of the tough conditions, the full field of 25 teams had a great time and raised over $17,000 for the Bonefish & Tarpon Trust and the Don Hawley Foundation.
Additional information on the March Merkin Permit Tournament can be seen @ http://www.marchmerkin.com/
Greg Smith's winning smile
Islamorada Sharkfly - Despite chilly water temperatures, 10 enthusiastic teams set out on Day 1 of the 1st Annual Islamorada Shark Fly tournament based out of La Siesta Marina. A unique 2 day tournament that is a qualifying event for the 2011 FKO/IGFA Inshore Championship, Day 1 saw lots of different plans and strategies set in motion. Get the full story!
The Islamorada Sharkfly Anglers & Guides
Redbone Bahamas Series Baker's Bay Classic - April 9, 2010, Gary Ellis (305)-664-2002
Keys Spring Invitational Bonefish Fly - April 14-16, 2010, Bert Scherb, (888)-922-9920
The 2010 Spring Bonefish census is planned for Wednesday, April 21, 2010. Coordinated by the Bonefish & Tarpon Trust (BTT) and the University of Miami RSMAS, this is the first and only population estimate ever done on bonefish anywhere in the world. The census information is vital to evaluating year-to-year changes in the bonefish population and providing guidance that ensures a sustainable fishery!!! Fall census results have indicated a population of just over 320,000 bonefish in the Florida Keys fishery. The Spring census can calibrate Fall estimates and help determine if there is a seasonal component to the bonefish population size estimates. Of particular note, your participation in this year's census is critically important in helping to get a handle on the extent to which January's extremely cold weather may have impacted the Florida Keys bonefish population.
If you are able to participate please contact Dr. Jerry Ault at jault@rsmas.miami.edu or 305-421-4884. Once you call they will mail a census package with a datasheet. All that's needed is that you record: the zone(s) you fished; the distance poled; and, the number of bonefish seen. Simple, but very important! Census datasheets will also be available at Florida Keys Outfitters (305-664-5423) or can be downloaded at www.bonefishresearch.com
Permit Tagging Research
Above is Capt Chris McReedy with the first permit tagged in joint Costa Del Mar/BTT Tagging Study. For more information contact bonefish@mote.org
The Florida Keys Fly Fishing School's next session is scheduled for the weekend of April 30th-May 2nd, 2010. Learn saltwater fly fishing from expert instructors and acquire the skills, knowledge and confidence that would take months or years of trial and error accumulate. Scheduled Instructors will be Chico Fernandez, Capt. Steve Huff and Sandy Moret. For more information call (305) 664-5423, email or visit Florida Keys Outfitters Fly Fishing School.
View a complete listing of this year's qualifying events for the Florida Keys Outfitters/IGFA Inshore World Championships. The Inshore World Championships will be held in Islamorada on July 13, 14 & 15, 2010. It is a multispecies tournament with outstanding guides and anglers during prime fishing time. Check out the anglers to see who's going to be competing. ESPN Outdoors Saltwater Series will be on hand to film the event!
The 2009 Florida Keys Outfitters/IGFA Inshore World Championship is scheduled to air on ESPN Outdoors Saltwater Series Sunday morning, April 11th at 8:00AM!
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Florida Keys News
State Considers Permit RegulationsThe Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) has embarked on a review of the permit fishery and is considering tighter regulations on catching the sought-after game fish. One rule the agency is pursuing would extend bag limits and other regulations into adjoining federal waters, where now there are no rules for permit. Tarpon Session Features 70's FilmGuy de la Valdene co-directed the documentary "Tarpon!" featuring three notable writers fly-fishing for tarpon in the early 1970s. The film also features footage of Key West in the 1970s, and interviews with legendary Florida Keys fishing guides. Continue reading...
 You can find "Tarpon!" the
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Monthly Photo Contest
Congratulations to Jamie Wilkinson of Lake Buena Vista, Florida for winning March's Photo of the Month. Jamie will receive a $100.00 gift card from Florida Keys Outfitters.
Give us your best shot for April's photo of the month! Entries must be received via email, no later than 6:00pm EST the last day of the month. Please include full name and mailing address. Photos must be at least 300 dpi with minimum dimension of 3" x 5" (900 x 1500) and a maximum dimension of 8" x 10" (2400 x 3000) and submitted in JPG format.
The staff of Florida Keys Outfitters will review all entries and determine the monthly winner. Consideration will be given to originality, composition and image quality. Their decision shall be final. Photos submitted will become the property of Florida Keys Outfitters and used at its discretion. Winners receive a $100.00 gift card from Florida Keys Outfitters.
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We're anticipating plenty of great fishing opportunities in 2010. I hope you can take advantage of them in the coming year. Please call the shop or visit our online store for anything you need. Hope to see you on the water soon. Tight Loops, 
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