May 20, 2012 - May 26, 2012 Fishing Report

WHAT GUESTS WERE CATCHING:

BONES: Scott came here to do one thing: “Land bonefish.” When he landed his first bonefish with Captain Raton, heaven could hear him. He is a professional tier and his fly boxes are a thing of beauty. We had Scott at our fly tying bench everyday watching him do his magic tying bonefish and, yes, now permit, patterns. He saw a permit and now…”I have to come back and that will be the only thing I focus on! Dickey said, “Ahh, I’m not serious, I’m just here to have fun. I don’t think I’ll be catching any bonefish – that’s too fancy for me.” Dickey has landed several bonefish on fly and looks like he has thing this thing figured out!
PERMIT: Good moon for permit, but tough light! We had a few “eats” but none landed this week. And the fly used was a rubber legged Gotcha, size 4. Isa saw an 8lb permit swimming around the dock at about 4 am….sometimes good things are right at your front door.
TARPON: In spite of the weather we have had some nice tarpon fishing. Lee and Cesar have known each other for years and they both landed their first tarpon this trip on fly. Good thing because they showed up with some really fancy stuff and they got to use it! Thanks to Scott for tying the boys a few flies on size 4/0 (cuz that’s all we had) circle hooks. That was the ticket. John also landed a tarpon on fly with Captain Cesar. John likes to use his spey rod for tarpon fishing and he has landed a lot of tarpon this way. It was fun to bring out the long rods this week and play out on the casting platform. Tim and Sandy ripped it up with Captain Luis. They came here to go after tarpon and each day they hooked up! Tim on fly and Sandy on spin, they averaged 2 hook up a day with fish over 100 lbs, one fish Tim had was around 120 – Luis said. They didn’t land one this time, but they will soon, I’m sure. Tim has that possessed look in his eye, and Sandy is apologizing for his behavior when he misses fish. And then there is Page’s story. He and Captain Erlindo spent a week chasing tarpon. Page extended his trip two days because, “ I have to figure this thing out. I want that fish.” Life back home was not prepared for tarpon addiction, but in the end it all worked out. I went out to the dock at 4:30 pm. Erlindo looked up at me and said, “140 pounder man…the fish was huge!” Guides tend to exaggerate but not Erlindo. He’s seen it all, so he doesn’t have to. Page fought this giant fish for close to an hour with a 10wt outfit! They had the fly line in twice….Happy birthday Paige!
SNOOK: Snook were not targeted.

FLIES THAT WORKED

For Bones: some with weed guards…but Gotchas, Christmas Island Special, Small crabs, in size 8 and 6.
Permit: Our “rice and beans” = Christmas Island Specials, size 4 and 6. Also, tan crab patterns in 6.
Tarpon: Brown cockroach pattern with some EP fibers to spice things up. Size 3/0. Black death, and then tan toads, white, white and chartreuse bunny’s – size 1/0 – 3/0. The guides prefer flies on circle hooks for better landing success.

GUIDES OF THE WEEK

Captain Sinoe consistently had his anglers in tarpon all week. Way to go Sinoe!

REPORT SUMMARY:

I heard Judy say the other day, “We are having an early summer and that’s all there is to it.” OK. I agree. As long as we have short periods of rain, I’m OK. But shut out days are tough. We did have one of those, but everyone was a super good sport. And when the weather cleared, some headed up the beach to chase tailing bones, and then some went in the lagoon and found adventure standing in the canoe and casting to schools of bones as they passed by. We have experienced anglers and novices here this week. Everyone is here to up their fly fishing game chasing these amazing fish on the flats. We had Scott tying at the bench and I learned a ton from him, thanks Scott! We had some incredible photography – soon to be posted on facebook. And a really wonderful thing is something that is so entrenched in the roots of fly fishing – sharing. Sharing knowledge, showing casts and flies, and giving each other support. Thanks everyone for a fun week and reminding me about new beginnings.

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