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Florida Keys Outfitters Newsletter |
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Greetings!
Florida Keys Tarpon antics are leading the leap in a big way from April into May!
(Paul Nute on the line and photo by Rufus Wakeman)
Many anglers spent their third consecutive month of 2011 casting to cruising, rolling and laid up tarpon along both sides of highway US 1 and the backcountry of the Florida Keys. Then for a few days after the new moon in May the silver kings literally swarmed the Oceanside flats by tens of thousands. These tarpon are often finicky about biting, yet each year this shallow water marine phenomenon of nature must surely rival as a spectacle any fall migration of waterfowl in the skies or even approach the magnitude of what the great American plains once must have hosted to the buffalo.
If 2011's tarpon fishing keeps up at this pace we'll all feel like Ivan Strief's fishing partner by July!
Photo by Ivan Strief of Excelsior, MN
By the way we still have some really good guide availability in the second half of June and through July for those who have a chance to get to the Keys. Best bet is to call (305) 664-5423 or book on line @ http://www.floridakeysoutfitters.com/Guided-Fishing.html
While tarpon put on the glitz, bonefishing has also perked up a bit. Capt Drew Kleine found quite a few bonefish opportunities one day last week for me and Mindy Rich. This one jumped on the fly like a hungry hound!
Photo by Mindy Rich
I am always happy to catch a bonefish of any size, but sometimes a real jumbo comes along! If anyone has a black belt in bonefishing it would be Mitch Howell and he really flipped over this day!
Mitch said "I was fishing with my friend Chris Gutierrez in "Downtown Islamorada" on Good Friday. I poled him to the first bone which was tailing high up on the flat and he cast a shrimp on 10lb. spin, hooked and landed that fish after twenty minute fight. It was the largest bonefish I have ever actually measured (33" to the fork and 20" in the girth). Believe it or not after landing that fish Chris poled me back up on the flat and we spotted another big one tailing. I didn't have a fly rod in the boat so I cast another shrimp to it then hooked and landed it. I couldn't believe it but it had exactly the same measurements. Mike Larkin of the University of Miami said based on the length and girth those fish weighed over 16 lbs!!!!!!!!!!!!! If I'd have caught that fish on fly I would have retired from bone fishing!!! Mitch, I believe everything about that story but the last line.... Don't see you ever retiring from bonefishing!
Mitch Howell releases a Downtown Islamorada 33" X 20" in photo by Chris Gutierrez
On a more melancholy note, angling legend Billy Pate passed away in April 18 at the age of 80. Billy loved the competition and camaraderie of tarpon tournaments, the quest for world records and he was a lion in the never ending fight to protect our natural resources. When on rare occasion I finished ahead of Billy in a tournament he was always first on the dock with warm congratulations, a wide grin and hearty hand shake. When he won as he did so often, he always gave his guide and lots of luck all the credit. Billy will be featured at The Islamorada Fishing Film Festival beginning at 6:30 p.m., Sunday, May 22, at Founders Park (mile marker 87 bayside). This inaugural event will be dedicated to Billy Pate Jr. and the event is a fundraiser for the United Way of the Florida Keys, a nonprofit organization that focuses on health and human services for area residents. Tickets can be purchased at the gate for $15.
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! |
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Sandy's Angling Tip of the Month
Be aggressive with your first fly presentation to laid up tarpon, tailing bonefish and permit. The first shot usually has the most chance of success but occasionally I find myself, and many other anglers being overly cautious and winding up with the fly outside of the fish's feeding window yet inside of his range of vision. If this occurs and the fish becomes aware of the fly you now need to pull out and make another cast to a fish that has become hip to you. I like to seek the fine line between too close which risks spooking the fish and too far away which fish ignore. Find that thin line and you'll catch more fish! |
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Florida Keys Outfitters Online Store
Reading Material
I find "Tarpon on Fly" by Rob Fordyce and Don Larmouth as well as "High Rollers" by Bill Bishop to be two of the most insightful and helpful books available on the subject of tarpon fishing. They are straight to the point with excellent visuals. These anglers know their stuff and make it easy to understand. Both easy reads are available online and in the store, of course.
More to read soon
Angler and author, Bob Rich's 4th book, "THE RIGHT ANGLE, Tales of a Sporting Life" will be available on June 1st. It's about fishing and 'much, much more'. The sports increase and so do the smiles and reflections of a life enriched by competitive sports. Fishing in deep and shallow waters, stories of pro football, hockey and baseball from an insider are all here. The book from a master storyteller and 'Brother of the Angle' is a delight. More info and buy here next month.
Tarpon/Big Game Quick Change Leaders in 3-Pack - $19.95
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. Quick change leaders for back country, tarpon, billfish/big game and toothy critters allow you to either blood knot the double line to butt section or tie a loop and then use loop to loop. Florida Keys Outfitters Custom Leaders will turn your fly over to deliver the best possible presentation. This all means more hook ups and fewer break-offs for you! Available in 8Kg (16#) and 10Kg (20#) with 60 to 80lb Shock.
Sunglasses To See Them and To Catch Them!
A lot of qualities in Kaenon's SR 91 lenses really fish well for me!
Slide the Kaenon Sequence Polarized Sunglasses on your face and fight back the sun's attack pilot style. These prescription-ready shades cut the glare that muddles your vision while driving and makes your head hurt after a night of heavy drinking. Kaenon's lenses are not glass, polycarbonate, or CR-39. SR-91 is an entirely new material.
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Tournament Updates
Spring Invitational Bonefish Fly
The 31st Annual Keys Spring Invitational Bonefish Fly Tournament (locally known as the "Spring Bonefly") took place April 13, 14 & 15, 2011 from headquarters at the Islamorada Fishing Club. The competition was wide open into the final day and any of the 20-angler field could have been its Grand Champion.
But Michael Sullivan of Arlington, Virginia and his guide, Captain Duane Baker, caught a 9 lb. 9 oz. and an 8 lb. 7 oz. bonefish on the last day to score, in combination with their 5 Rlease Fish, to total of 2217 points to take the Grand Champion. Sullivan and baker now enjoy the rare air of having won this prestigious event three times, first in 1995, then 2007 and now in 2011.
The Runner-up was Michael Swerdlow of Coconut Grove, Florida fishing with Captain Ted Christie. They parlayed their 12 lb. 14 oz. bonefish, the Tournament's Largest Bonefish winner, with three Release fish (fish under the 8 lb. Weight Point limit), two of them on the final day, to solidfy their Second Place finish. Swerdlow and Christie are not new to catching big bonefish. They are a current world record holder with their 15 lb. 6 oz. bonefish on fly.
The Third Place team was Mitch Howell of Plantation, Florida guided by Captain Dave Denkert. They caught 10 lb. 3 oz. fish on the last day to take the Third Place silver. That trophy fish accompanied their six releases caught on the Tournament's first day, a feat that won them the Most Releases Award, as well.
"It was a barn burner, with the catches on the final day determining the order of finish," said Bert Scherb, the Tournament's Chairman, "exciting and competitive, just the way it should be . . ."
Michael Sullivan of Arlington Virginia and guide Captain Duane Baker celebrate winning the Spring Invitational Bonefish Fly Tournament for the third time.
Outback Golden Fly Tarpon Tournament: May 23-25
The Outback Golden Fly Tarpon Tournament will be held May 23-25.
Contact: Charlotte Ambrogio 305-942-0428 Email: csasun@aol.com
Don Hawley Tarpon Tournament: June 5-10
Named for the late fly fisherman and conservationist Don Hawley, the tournament benefits the Don Hawley Foundation, assisting professional fishing guides and supporting backcountry fishery conservation. Contact: Charlotte Ambrogio 305-942-0428 Email: csasun@aol.com
Gold Cup Tarpon Tournament: June 20-24
This prestigious tournament, whose founders include baseball great and avid fly-fisherman Ted Williams, pits 25 fly-rod anglers against the tenacious silver king for four straight days of fishing. Tournament proceeds benefit children's charities in the Florida Keys.
Contact: Charlotte Ambrogio 305-942-0428 Email: csasun@aol.com
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. |
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The Florida Keys Fly Fishing School is now in our 22nd year 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.
Ashley from Colorado knows how to put 10 solid pounds of pressure to whip a big fish fast, and Sage Rod Company's master rod designer Jerry Siem not only knows how to roll graphite but also how a bonefish should react when I cast.
Mastering the Double Haul @ The Florida Keys Fly Fishing School
Class act of April 2011
Next session is the weekend of May 20th - 22nd and space is available. Sandy will be there to instruct, share knowledge and skills along with Raz Reid and Ted Juracsik, founder of both Billy Pate and Tibor Reels.
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
Look who's smiling now..... Capt. Fordyce and Mr. T!Congratulations to Dr Steve Ward of Coppell, TX for submitting April's Photo of the Month. Steve will receive a $50.00 gift certificate from Florida Keys Outfitters. Great day! Great Photo! Happy Time! Give us your best shot for May'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 $50.00 gift card from Florida Keys Outfitters.
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May is flying by with more great springtime Florida Keys fishing to come. 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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