Florida Keys Outfitters
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Greetings!  

As December rolls in I enjoy seeing that many of our friends are taking advantage of the diverse saltwater fly fishing opportunities fall brings each year. Whether just a couple minutes riding in a skiff or a couple hours flying on a plane there's lots of great action. Here's just some of what a few are up too:
Tracy Baker of Miami enjoyed some hot sailfishing in GuatemalaSouth Florida Artist Jorge Martinez took in some excellent Louisiana redfishing


Islamorada's Paul Nute landed a very large bonefish right in the back yard

Baker Bishop of Sullivan Island SC demonstrates bowing to a sky rocket of a tarpon before releasing it in the backcountry of Florida Bay

November brought reports of some really great tarpon fishing, permit fishing and much improved bonefishing in the Keys. Redfish were thick and many guides and anglers saw an encouraging comeback of big snook on the flats.

Good numbers of sailfish fish have already arrived in the Keys and our Islamorada Invitational Sailfly Championship roster is filled a month before the kickoff. Hope to be seeing lots of sails on the fly!

Tom Moore bows the flyrod to a sail aboard Cloud 9 during the 2010 tournament
Sandy's Angling Tip of the Month

Fly line management - during the winter months, wind is inevitable! To help manage the loose fly line on the deck of a skiff, once you've properly stacked your line, take a handful of fly line and stuff it into your pants pocket, this will keep your line separated and prevent twisting. During your cast the line will slip unnoticed right from your pocket.
2010's Top 6 Holiday picks from the gang at Florida Keys Outfitters

Fly Fishing School Tuition

Would your husband, wife, or significant other enjoy a weekend at the Florida Keys Fly Fishing School? Consider a gift of tuition. Check out our 2011 schedule and tell us on the order form who the gift is for and we will apply it to any scheduled 2011 session.


G. Loomis NRX Fly Rods

As anglers expect from G.Loomis, the best components - from reel seats, grips and guides - were selected specifically for the NRX fly rod series. These NRX rods are the best at every level in terms of graphite, resins and components, providing anglers with the most dynamic, lightweight and sensitive rods made.




Tibor Signature Series Reel
Patagonia Sun Masks


The Tibor Signature Series break-through sealed drag system is waterproof, self-maintaining and features the smoothest and strongest drag in the industry.Because sun protection only works if you wear it.


Florida Keys Outfitters Fishing Team or Green Turtle Inn Tervis Tumblers!





Sandy's "Go To" Bonefish Box

Brewer's Toad" imitates one of our Keys bonefish's favorite foods, the toad fish; Sandy's Cracked Crab 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.




Tournament Updates

2010 RedBone Celebrity Tournament, Islamorada, November 5-7, 2010
36 boats targeted Redfish and Bonefish the weekend of November 5-7 at the 2010 RedBone Classic. The RedBone is an all-release tournament, all fish must be at least 18 inches in length to qualify as a legal release and there are 3 divisions; bait, spin/plug/ and fly tackle. This year there were 13 bonefish releases and 32 redfish releases. Celebrity Grand Champion honors went to Mark Cooper of Aurora CO and guide to Celebrity Grand Champion was Capt. Mike Hutchinson. Review all results.


2010 Redbone Celebrity Grand Champion Angler - Mark Cooper


View a complete listing of the 2011 qualifying events for the Florida Keys Outfitters/IGFA Inshore World Championships.

For more tournament information see www.inshoreworldchampionships.com.
Florida Keys Fly Fishing School
 
Florida Keys Fly Fishing School

The next session of the Florida Keys Fly Fishing School is the weekend of February 18-20, 2011. Learn saltwater fly fishing from expert instructors and acquire the skills, knowledge and confidence that would take months or years of trial and error to accumulate. For more information call (305) 664-5423 or email.

Catch and Release Status for Bonefish?

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) has scheduled two public workshops to hear what people think about possible rule changes that would make bonefish a catch-and-release-only fishery. The workshop discussions will also include consideration of bonefish possession exceptions for record purposes and tournaments, and creation of a registration program for tournaments where bonefish could be temporarily possessed and transported for weigh-in purposes. For workshop dates and times click here.
Monthly Photo Contest
 
Congratulations to Collin Ross of Aventura for submitting November's Photo of the Month. The shot is of two close-up pretty faces, Miami's Capt Joe Gonzalez and a Florida Bay redfish. Collin will receive a $100.00 gift certificate from Florida Keys Outfitters. Great fish! Great Photo! Happy Time!

Give us your best shot for November'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.
 
I'm off to Everglades City for a few days of fishing with Steve Huff and hope to have some good fish tales for next month. The gang at Florida Keys Outfitters wishes you all a happy holiday season. If we can help in any way please call or visit our online store for your angling and holiday needs.

Tight Loops,