Florida Keys Outfitters
Florida Keys Outfitters Newsletter
Greetings!  

Florida Keys Tarpon fishing burst into spring like a fairytale in early February and remained a fly fisher's fantasy through the second week of May. Then for two and a half weeks it's like we lost our glass slippers, snipped Rapunzel's hair and met the big bad wolf all at once! Strong breezes, frequent clouds and spotty tarpon concentrations have made for very tough fishing. In spite of difficult fishing, after day 3 of the 5 day all release Don Hawley Tarpon Tournament 20 of 25 teams have released tarpon and leaders Greg Smith fishing with Capt Scott Collins have released 5 tarpon. A day and a half to go and anything can happen!

 

Put on the heat!

Bow to the king!


Redfishing has been good on days with good sunlight and permit fishing is also very good especially in the wind for strong casters. Seems like the wind increases turbidity and makes permit a little more aggressive.

 

 

Sam Reich's first redfish on fly wasn't a whopper, but it won't be his last!


Weather outlook calls for another tough week before a break. I will stick my neck out and say we are going to finish up June with some more excellent tarpon fishing. We do have some really good guides available during the second half of June and through July. Best bet is to call us @ (305) 664-5423 or book a trip online.

 

 

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

Read the push! When light is poor the only clue to find the fish may be the push of displaced water. Try to gauge speed and direction and try to visualize. The wake is usually far behind the fish's face, so long leads are needed. Learning to read the push is a difficult skill that develops with practice and time on the water. When you have it mastered, you will catch more fish!
Great Gifts for Father's Day  

 

New Book, "The Right Angle"

 

My fishing buddy and pal has done it once again with his rollicking stories and twists which only "Bubba" can weave! 

"Erma Bombeck meets Ernest Hemingway." That's how a friend described his impressions of Bob Rich's stories. You may find yourself agreeing as you read these entertaining tales about the adventures of an avid sportsman and entrepreneur told with the light touch of a humorist.

 

Bob Rich has always been a gamer, from his first hockey games as a kid on the ice rinks of Buffalo through his adult life on the high seas in pursuit of record sport fish. Games have defined him in business, sports, and life. In this collection of colorful short vignettes from his life, Bob recounts some of the major highlights of his sporting life and his career.

The combination of vivid characters, intriguing storylines, and Bob's easy, flowing conversational style of writing make The Right Angle an appealing and enjoyable read. Buy your copy now for $27.00.

 

Hardy Sintrix Proaxis Rods

 

The Proaxis ranges of 1 and 4 piece fly rods have been designed and developed by the Hardy development team led by five time Gold Cup Tarpon Champion Andy Mill. They have pushed Hardy's new Sintrix technology to the absolute limit. These fast-action rods are loaded with cutting edge features like lightweight saltwater-safe hardware, titanium recoil guides and, of course, Hardy's revolutionary Sintrix material. Proaxis rods are lighter, stronger, more impact resistant and capable of withstanding much higher loads than standard graphite fly rods. Range from 9' seven weight - 9' 12 weight.

 

 

Aquabox - New!

 

This is one really nifty item providing waterproof protection for your iPhone, Blackberry or other touch screen smart phone device. Take photos underwater. Dial and converse or send & receive emails. A guide recently had it on the console while running and it went overboard...... came about and picked it up fine! Comes with float & lanyard & can buy now in yellow for $39.95.

  Tournament Updates

 

Outback Golden Fly Tarpon Tournament 

Texas fly angler Greg Smith fishing with Captain Rob Fordyce prevailed over 27 teams in the 17th Outback Golden Fly Tarpon Tournament in Islamorada, Florida Keys.

Smith and his guide, Captain Rob Fordyce of Homestead, FL, took an early lead on day one, with 2 weight fish and one release. They held the lead on day two catching another weight fish and 5 releases, finishing off with two more weight fish, "strapping out" in three days. A tarpon must be a minimum of 70 pounds to qualify for a weight fish and 48 inches to qualify for a release. The girth is measured with a strap around the largest part of the tarpon. Each angler is allowed to "strap" 5 fish during the tournament, release fish only count when a weight fish has been caught. This is the second time Captain Rob Fordyce has won the Golden Fly, he has also been guide to the Grand Champion in the Hawley, the Gold Cup and the Ladies Tarpon Tournament.

First Runner-up was Paul Nute of Islamorada, guided by Captain Bou Boss. Second runner-up was Roger Fernandez, of Pinecrest, FL, guided by Captain Eric Herstedt. Steve Ward, of Coppell, Texas fishing with Captain Randy Towe caught and released a 155 pound tarpon to win the Billy Pate Memorial Largest Tarpon award and Senior Grand Champion was Tony Nobregas of Islamorada fishing with Captain Rick Murphy of Homestead, FL.

Total tarpon releases were 31 and total weight fish were 11 over the three days of the tournament. The Outback Golden Fly Tarpon Tournament provides scholarships to students from the FL Keys. The dates for next year are May 21 -23, 2012, for more information 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

 

Del Brown Invitational Permit Tournament: July 17-20
Anglers target permit and recall late angling legend Del Brown Sunday through Wednesday, July 17-20. The Del Brown Invitational Permit Tournament honors the inventor of the Del Brown Permit Fly whose passion for the wily sport-fish led him to catch more than 500 permit during his lifetime.

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. 

 

Florida Keys Fly Fishing School  

 

The Florida Keys Fly Fishing School is now in our 23rd 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. 

Ted Jurascik lends his knowledge and expertise teaching fly fishing student Sabrina while Cynthia practices her casting during one of the many hands-on practice sessions throughout the weekend. 

 

Mastering the Double Haul @ The Florida Keys Fly Fishing School

 

 

Class act of May 2011

 

Next session is the fall weekend of October 28th - 30th and space is available.

 

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
Nice Bonefish!

Congratulations to Doug Hedges of Weston, FL for submitting May's Photo of the Month. Doug will receive a $50.00 gift certificate from Florida Keys Outfitters. Great day! Great Photo! Happy Time!

 

Give us your best shot for June'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.

 

June 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,