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Florida Keys Outfitters Newsletter |
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Greetings!
What a fantastic February in the Florida Keys! Cold fronts that produced record snow and cold across the rest of the US, Canada and Europe just plain fizzled out before reaching the Keys this year. Instead we had many back to back windless days and record highs. As a result fishing on the flats was absolutely bonkers! Schools of permit swarmed the flats in some areas of the lower Keys offering as many as 20 or 30 shots a day. Calmer days allowed skiffs to take advantage of the gazillions of Spanish mackerel in the Gulf. Islamorada angler Jack Salisbury said he had one tide with bonefishing beyond belief just a few minutes from his home. Scads of guides and anglers found really good bonefishing up and down the ocean side flats from Keys Biscayne though Marathon. Islamorada's legendary "Downtown" flats yielded over half a dozen bones that forgot 12 pounds including a whopping 13.5lb fish of a lifetime caught by Tom McGraw of Troy, MI while guided by Capt. Mark Gilman.
Gilman, McGraw and a 13.5lb "Downtowner"
If all that isn't enough to whet your angling appetite add the fact that tarpon fishing was CRAZY during all of February! Lots of big fish floated the Gulf side lakes from the Marquesas to Cape Sable and in Whitewater Bay. On some days tarpon were taking well presented flies and other days they would slink away, but the awe of casting to these leviathans of the flats still makes my knees shake! To close out a great month on the last day, Capt Craig Brewer guided Mindy Rich and me to catch a pair of real jumbos. 
February floppage at Islamorada!
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Sandy's Angling Tip of the Month
March offers some of the best permit fishing of the year in the Florida Keys. Ideal conditions for permit fishing include strong new moon or full moon tides, clear bright skies and of course the dreaded "W" word! Yes, ideal conditions would include winds between 12 and 18 miles an hour and March usually provides plenty of wind on the flats. This combination of conditions places several factors to your advantage. First, strong tides generally push more permit higher up on the flats and bright sun lets you see them farther away. Water turbidity caused by wind dampens boat noise allowing for a closer approach. When all of these factors come together, I find the most success by dropping the fly right in the permits pretty face! They will often aggressively and impulsively eat the fly on the sink or sometimes even spin around to a crab pattern that landed on their tail. Try this tactic and I bet you'll catch more permit! |
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Florida Keys Outfitters Online Store
Permit Flies
Permit flies have come a long, long way over the decades as we've learned more about how to catch Sir Trachinotus Falcatus. During the 1970's, Florida Keys permit fly fishing pioneers like Del Brown, Steve Huff, Jan Isley, Nat Ragland, Harry Spear and Bill Levy had limited tying material, eye and hook options. They overcame those obstacles with a lot of desire, persistence and patience. Not catching a permit in three or four days of fishing was common. Catching one or two was a notable accomplishment and a couple in one day was cause for awe. With today's passionately knowledgeable permit fishing guides, advanced techniques and effective flies; under good conditions armed with a strong cast, catching a flyrod permit or two in a day is not uncommon. You can fish with confidence using our custom permit flies. If you'd like to tie your own, check out the tying materials now online, we select only the finest grade.
Leaders for Permit Florida Keys Outfitters Custom Leaders will help turn your fly over to deliver the best possible presentation. This all means more hook ups and fewer break-offs for you! Our leaders are tied in my shop according to proven formulas by salt water anglers. Knots are slim and tight. Materials are the best available. Bonefish & permit leaders are 10 or 12 feet long including a fluorocarbon class tippet.
Mangrove Neoprene Tackle Bag A little organization goes a long way when you need to find your tippet or camera in a hurry. It's nice to know your wallet and car keys are dry as well. The Mangrove Neoprene Tackle Bag is just the thing to fit the bill! Easily fits under an airline seat and has an elastic web system to keep your rain jacket handy just in case. 15"x 12" x 11" at $130.00 
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 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/
March Merkin, 14th-17th to offer Extra Points for Tagging
The March Merkin Permit Tournament kicks off March 14 and, for the first time, entrants will be given 25 extra points for any fish they are photographed with, tagging and collecting basic information, such as size, said Jon Ain, a tournament organizer. A second photograph of the tagged fish also will be required, to show that it was done properly.
Tournament News
The Islamorada SharkFly is coming soon..... dun, dun, dunt dunt.. dun, dun, dunt, dunt! Fly fishing on Wednesday & Thursday, March 23 & 24 Entry fee is $325.00. Anglers using 20# class tippet fish go for catch and release of big sharks on the fly. IGFA rules apply. Lemons, blacktips, hammers, spinners & bulls..... Who knows what's gonna swim up behind your boat! Lots of fun and a big yank. For more information contact Capt Mark Johnson @ (305) 393-0900 or tailspincharters@hotmail.com 
Lemon on the Flats..... a Sharkfly opportunity!
Backcountry Fly Championship Results 
Mike Criscola, Chairman, John Dobson, Capt. Drew Kleine, Charlotte Ambrogio  John Dobson of Manhattan, MT with his 29 ½ inch snook
World class anglers competed February 25 & 26 in Islamorada for snook and redfish on fly. First time tournament participant John Dobson from Manhattan, Montana guided by Captain Drew Kleine, guiding in his first tournament, were victorious with 92.25 points. This team also caught the largest snook, 29.5 inches. Runner-up angler was Chris Maroney of Stuart, FL guided by Captain Mick Hutchinsson with 70 points. Anglers enjoyed terrific conditions to catch and release 22 redfish & 10 snook. Points are awarded one point per inch of fish, allowing 1 snook and one redfish per day. Interestingly, the field caught and released more than double the number of snook this year than last year despite fewer anglers, but an equal number of redfish were caught. This was the fifth year of this Islamorada event hosted at the Lorelei and Uncle's Restaurant. The dates for next year will be February 24 & 25, 2012. Contact Charlotte Ambrogio for more information on next year's event.
View a complete listing of the 2011 qualifying events for the Florida Keys Outfitters/IGFA Inshore World Championships.
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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.
Mastering the Double Haul @ The Florida Keys Fly
Fishing School
Next session is the weekend of April 2nd and 3rd. and a few spaces are available. On hand will be Jerry Siem, Sage Rod Company's Chief Rod Designer, Diana Rudolph, World Record Holder, writer and TV show host and me... 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.
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Monthly Photo Contest
Congratulations to Mindy Rich of Islamorada for submitting February's Photo of the Month. This shot gives a close up look at our Tarpon Tapas Fly in action! Mindy will receive a $100.00 gift certificate from Florida Keys Outfitters. Great day! Great Photo! Happy Time!
Give us your best shot for March'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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| It's already March 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,
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