INSIDE THE ULTIMATE FLY BOX
for a beginner’s first tarpon. Here’s least 80-pound fluorocarbon next to
how we do it: The fishing relies on the the fly.
bridges that connect Miami to Miami My favorite pattern was originally
Beach and the shrimp that move at designed for dredging during tournaments.
night on the tides during the right It works just as well sight casting to
time of year. During daytime the fish laid-up fish right at the surface (imagine
are scattered and tough to find. Every a light-green log more than six feet
night, when the shrimp are running, long, just under the surface) or for
the fish gather under the bridges and casting to fish acting like salmon lying
around docklights to feed. They cruise in a river. The pattern is called a
up and down the shadow edges, Tarpon Snake. It’s more than six inches
facing into the current, waiting for long and is tied on a super-strong,
their food to come with the tide. We razor-sharp, Tiemco 600SP or Owner
position the boat under the bridge Aki 4/0 hook. Although the fly is a bit
behind them or within casting distance difficult to cast, most of the time 60
Quality • Tradition
of a docklight and work small flies feet is more than enough distance.
with the current to fish that are right Fighting a big fish in Whitewater,
at the surface. the angler has the edge since there is
Please send for catalog
In winter the fish are in the 20- to no deep water nearby and little on
and dealer listing.
40-pound range, in summer a bit which a hooked fish can foul the line.
smaller, about 15 to 25 pounds. They In the rivers it’s a different story—true
P
are perfect for the same 8- or 9-weight close-quarters combat with a giant in
EERLESS REEL COMPANY
rods used for bonefish. Occasionally rivers less than 150 feet wide with
427-3 Amherst Street, they’re a bit bigger. One of my anglers, heavy mangrove shorelines. My
Suite 177
a local doctor, got one this year that anglers have lost or destroyed three fly
was more than 80 pounds on his 9- lines in one spot during the last 12
Nashua, NH 03063
weight rod; next time he’ll use a bigger months. I usually have an angler strip
Tel. & Fax 603-595-2458 rod! This is sight-fishing at close his line all the way to the boat until
quarters and the boat is used to the butt section of the leader touches
maneuver fish and angler away from the tip of the rod. Occasionally the
concrete pilings. It’s the perfect place bite is so close that the angler is in
for old fly lines, usually one size larger danger of a soaking. The first jump
than normal to facilitate short casts. from a fish hooked right at the boat
We use only one fly pattern on a 1/0 can be dangerous. More than once
hook. It’s called the Night Fly and is I’ve had to drag my angler out of the
an all-white version of the Big-Eye way of a fish that was heading into the
Tarpon pattern. boat with us. So far I’ve had nothing
My other favorite is fishing for but near misses and an occasional
giants in the back country of the crash into the side of the boat—but
Everglades in dark, coffee-colored there’s nothing like it. On our best day
waters during winter and spring. last year one river spot produced nine
Every winter Whitewater Bay is a bites in fewer than four hours with
magnet for tarpon that come rest and three fish fought to boat and released.
feed there until the water warms into The smallest was about 60 pounds,
spring. Each year experienced tarpon the biggest around 120. We had fish in
anglers come to this area to enjoy the the trees, fish in the bushes, fish under
only reliable fishery that time of year trees and around river bends.
for fish as big as they come. As spring Needless to say, most of them released
approaches the fish will move into themselves in fine fashion.
nearby rivers that drain into the Gulf, Stanley: In choosing whether to
preparing to join the spawning pole for tarpon versus staking out for
migration. The fish are hungry and them, my personal preference is poling
don t even notice a boat if the the flats. I think it adds a great deal to
approach is quiet. I don’t consider an the hunting aspect of tarpon fishing.
electric trolling motor quiet enough! When conditions are right, there are
The push pole is the only way to do it. few things I enjoy more than silently
This is not the place for light rods or slipping across a flat. You never know
small flies. Tippets are usually in the what you are going to encounter
20-pound class with a short trace of at out there.
76 FISH& FLY
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92 |
Page 93 |
Page 94 |
Page 95 |
Page 96 |
Page 97 |
Page 98