Florida Keys Outfitters
Florida Keys Outfitters Newsletter
Greetings!  

January has flown by for us at Florida Keys Outfitters with lots going on. We have had much milder weather than in 2010 with typical cold fronts followed by warm sunny periods. Offshore, depending where teams were fishing in The 11th Islamorada Sailfly, reports and scores ran from excellent to sketchy. Patch reef fishing for Yellowtail and Mangrove Snapper was really good all month and on many days big cobia were caught off rays in Hawks Channel. A week long warm calm spell brought loads of big tarpon to the backcountry of Florida Bay. Spanish mackerel and seatrout are being found in good numbers as well. I have also had several reports of unusually good bonefishing which came as a very pleasant surprise. In conjunction with the most current round of blizzards in the north, our phones have really been buzzing to book spring fishing. Lots of good guides are available.

Robert Collins (Center) with winning sail on fly and some of the "Reel McCoy's"
  
The Florida Keys Outfitters/IGFA Inshore World Championship scheduled for July 12-14 is also starting to fill. For those tournament winners who have been invited, I would urge you to register soon in order for us to provide the best possible guides for you as in past years.

We have also made some dramatic changes to our website online store this month as well. More flies, tying material, accessories and apparel are now available with free regular ground shipping on orders over $100.00!
 
Sandy's Angling Tip of the Month

When a big, strong and fast fish takes off on a long run the first tactical strategy is to close the gap between you and the fish as quickly as possible. There can be several feet of stretch in an entire fly line and leader as well as a big belly if the fish has made an arc. You can pull to the point of pain but the fish will feel little resistance 200 yards out. It is virtually impossible to "bring" an 80 or 100 pound fish to the boat, so pole or back down while retrieving line as fast as possible. Once at 40 feet or so you can apply the angles and pressure to subdue most of the big ones. Learn to apply 10 pounds of tensile pressure at 30 feet and I promise you will catch lots more of the big ones!
Florida Keys Outfitters Online Store
 

Flies

 

Winter is a great time to target backcountry redfish and snook and Seaducer's are an excellent choice. Light and easy to cast they will catch just about anything. We recommend a weedguard for casting shallow grass beds and deep pockets in mangrove shoreline. Glades Deceivers are also an excellent choice. Also be sure to check out the tying materials now online, we select only the finest grade of tying materials.

 




Simms Flats Sneaker for Little Feet!


 

On Sale Here - Were $129.95 - Now $64.95 in very limited numbers of size 6-8.


The Flats Sneaker offers a lightweight sneaker for flats wading or on the bow of a skiff boat.
  • Mid-hiker design for full foot coverage, support and protection
  • Internal puncture-resistant plate in footbed
  • Padded collar and tongue
  • Corrosion-free hardware
  • Sized to be worn with a Wet Wading Sock
  • Non-marking boat sole


 



At least two problems occur when you drop a pair of polarized glasses overboard. First, they have to be replaced and that's expensive! Second, you've still got to fish the remainder of the day and as we all know, polarized glasses are integral to success. Remedy both problems with a pair of Croakies. Available in "Original Neoprene" or "Cotton Suiters" for $8.95.

 




Relaxed collegiate fit, premium cotton twill, fabric closure with rust proof buckle with our classic Florida Keys Outfitters logo designed by watercolorist "Millard Wells"

$18.95



 Tournament Updates


 


The 2011 Florida Keys Outfitters/IGFA Inshore World Championship is scheduled for July 12-14 and angler registrations are starting to fill. For 2010 qualifying event winners who have been invited, I urge you to register soon in order for us to provide the best possible guides for you as in past years. This is lining up to be one of the greatest championships ever! For more information go to http://www.inshoreworldchampionships.com/

 

11th Annual Islamorada Sailfly Championship


Twenty teams of passionate saltwater fly-rod anglers came together from eight states across the US and Canada to compete in the Eleventh Annual Islamorada Sailfly Championship in the Florida Keys on January 12th and 13th, 2011. In chilly weather and often lumpy seas, 8 of the 20 teams in this challenging event produced 14 hook ups and 8 releases.


At 8:25 on Wednesday morning Mike Rempe of Windsor, CO hooked the first sailfish of the day aboard Miami Captain Ray Rosher's Miss Britt. After 12 minutes they maneuvered close enough to bring the nail knot inside the tip top earning 50 points but shortly after, the tippet parted, denying them the 150 points for billing and removing the fly. At 9:00 am master angler and multiple IGFA World Champion, Robert Collins hooked his first ever Atlantic Sailfish on fly aboard The Reel McCoy with Captain George McElveen and team mate, Mark Gilman all of Islamorada. After a grueling hour and twenty six minutes, the fish was billed and the fly removed for 150 points and the lead. Two more fish were caught for score on Wednesday.


Thursday morning brought 25 mile an hour winds, 56 degrees and very choppy seas, conditions known as "Sailfish Weather" in the Keys, however the numbers of aggressive fish anticipated did not materialize. Some teams had over a dozen shots but others had slim pickings for the day. Six more fish were billed but no team caught two, and The Reel McCoy with Captain George McElven, Robert Collins and Mark Gilman took Grand Champion honors with the first fish caught.


Second Place went to Al McLeod and Ben Ekblom aboard "Yo Ho Ho" with Captain Charlie Scoble. For the second year in a row, third place honors went to Captain Billy Bishop of Islamorada with father & son team John David Eaton and John Eaton of Canada aboard "Sally Margaret."


Atlantic Sailfish are rarely fished for with fly rod in the US and our event attracts some very devoted and hard core fly fishers with a tremendous amount of talent. In our first year, 14 teams competed catching zero fish and a 14 way tie for first place was declared. The event has gained in popularity ever since. I believe this may be the most difficult fishing tournament in the Florida Keys. Because the fishery is primarily live bait oriented and transferring a teased sailfish to a feathered fly is very difficult


The invitational tournament is an all release team event using 16 pound class (8 kg) tippet supplied by the tournament. Each team is allowed two anglers who may cast, hook and fight the fish and anyone on board can tease the fish with live or dead hookless teasers making the "bait and switch." A release is accomplished when the connection of fly line to leader is brought into the tip top of the fly rod. If that occurs in more than 60 seconds after hook up then 50 points are earned. Leaders must be less than 12 feet in length. If the fish is billed and the fly retrieved the catch then counts for 150 points


The Islamorada Sailfly Championship is sponsored by Florida Keys Outfitters, Rich Products Corporation, The Green Turtle Inn, Craig Reagor of Riverwood Art Farms and Kaiyo's Restaurant. 


 Best Photo of the Tournament by Capt Raul Montoro shows

Esteban Neely and Mark Houghtailing aboard "Magic Fingers"

 
Islamorada Sailfly Champions Robert Collins, Mark Gilman,
Capt George McElveen and the Reel McCoy's

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
 
The Florida Keys Fly Fishing School is entering it's 22nd season of classes. For those who have not attended, the school maintains a unique blend of focus while not losing sight of the fact that fly fishing is all about having a good time. From beginners to seasoned anglers there is something for everyone.

I am proud that one of the schools greatest attributes is the outstanding group of instructors that take the time to personally connect with each student and offer their own unique flavor of world class instruction and encouragement. Their passion for the sport is evident and we're fortunate to have each of them.


 

2010 Florida Keys Fly Fishing School Graduate Ilana Reich with

a nice bonefish from the Marls of Abaco

If you've never attended a session of the Florida Keys Fly Fishing School, please make plans to do so today. We look forward to seeing you there. For more information call (305) 664-5423 or email. A complete listing of 2011 school sessions is available.
Monthly Photo Contest
 
Congratulations to Collin Ross of Aventura for submitting January's Photo of the Month. A Florida Keys winter bonefish! Collin will receive a $100.00 gift certificate from Florida Keys Outfitters. Great fish! Great Photo! Happy Time!

Give us your best shot for February'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.
 
It's already February and that means that great springtime Florida Keys fishing is just around the corner. We look forward to seeing you here soon. If we can help in any way please call or visit our online store for your angling needs.


Tight Loops,