March 10, 2013 - March 16, 2013 Fishing Report

WHAT GUESTS WERE CATCHING:

BONES: It’s just cracking me up! It is now becoming a regular thing for children, kids ages 3 – 10, showing up with their iPhones to prove and show me that they have landed bonefish off the dock….because, they really, really want that bonefish pin awarded the last night! James and McLean cleaned up last night! Way to go guys. You represented the dock fishing well. Out on the big water – we had a lot of firsts! Gina practiced her casting all week, and on the last day out with her husband Larry – she landed 10 bonefish on fly! Father and son, Dave and David landed a ton of bonefish on fly as well. 10 y/o David was one of our heroes this week on the casting deck. Father and son, Todd and Garrett landed some really big bones. Garret is another absolutely possessed young man. I wish he would leave his fly boxes here! Dennis and his two sons James and John also landed their first bonefish on fly. I think the biggest bone was Marc’s 22 incher! The whole group landed bonefish this week – all different styles – and all fun.

PERMIT:Our beloved guests Dick and Ed returned this year to catch permit on fly. They did it on the first day with Captain Gilberto! They each landed a nice permit…Dick’s was really close to 20lbs – which is huge. Pictures to come! And one our young guys….Steele – landed a permit on spin. The new moon was good to us.

TARPON: I was so happy when Marc, Jeff and Captain Kechu hit the dock with news that Marc landed a tarpon! We had some really tough weather, and these guys pulled it out of the hat with a nice 15 lb lagoon tarpon on fly. Not so easy to land I might add. And then we all were ecstatic when our Birthday Princess, Simons Welter, landed a really nice 25 lb tarpon the last day out with Captain Emir. It was not only the last day, it was the last fly ( for a variety of reasons) and damn near the last cast of the day. A long cast and she pulled it off! My buddy Crosby (Hardy) and his friend Mike (True Flies) dedicated their three days to tarpon fishing which was hard core. The tarpon were scarce through the cold front – but these guys are pros. They came back each day smiling. They know they will have their turn soon.

OTHER SPECIES: Marc and Jeff landed 14 different species this week on fly! Moon fish, you name it. And Garrett – we love you for landing Mr. Snook! We have had shots at snook with this cooler weather, but they have been tough on fly. Not for Garrett. A nice 12 lb snook on fly – and fed us all with a great appetizer! Snook are not catch and release and they are very good eating.

FLIES THAT WORKED

Bonefish: Gotcha, Crazy Charlie’s in tan or white, just about anything would work – mostly size 8 and 6, some with weedguards.
Permit: Our standard never gives up: Orange Christmas Island Special in size 4 or 6, Avalon in size 4, and Gotcha’s in size 4 or 6. Some crabs in 6, tan. Mantis shrimp, tan and bead chain eyes – it works. And try for tough fish a small 6 or even 8 glass minnow pattern.
Tarpon: Chartreuse toad, slow easy twitchy retrieve – depends on what the fish is doing. Watch and listen. On Savannah we are using 40 and 50 lb shock. Let the fly settle, then move it. White, tan, pink – bunnies and toads. . Really fun tarpon fishing in skinny water right now! Favorite color – white.

GUIDE OF THE WEEK

Captain Gilberto for getting Dick and Ed into double permit!

REPORT SUMMARY:

As usual, it’s tough to say good bye. We had a great time this week. Marc was one of the best group leaders I have ever worked with! Thank you Marc. I was talking with Crosby and Mike before they left about what inspires me these days. We were all inspired by the young people this week. Master David has his bucket list, and at ten, he was “on point” the entire week. His father Dave follows him around – providing his son with the best of fly fishing. David doesn’t take this for granted – just making it happen. The dock kids – throwing shrimp – landing whatever, even a permit! Brothers, sons and daughters – all showed great sportsmanship this week. And then, for me, it was special to meet Simons. Simons is a guide from Spartanburg, SC. She has a great attitude and flat out loves her fly fishing. Her husband Hank told me he is her agent. We’re going to see more of Simons – the gal rocks. A very special Thank you! to Mike Lintz from True Flies. Mike shared some incredible swag with our guide team. They looked so handsome wearing their new True Flies pants! And it wasn’t just the new flats pants – add to list - visors, shorts, shirts…. Really very generous, Thank you Mike. And thanks everyone for a really fun week.

If you have any questions or would like more information, please email us at [email protected]. Happy fishing!