Having some time to kill I headed over to the World Wide Sportsman for a look around the big store, and had lunch at the Fish Company outside. There was a big square pool area full of tarpon, and after lunch they got fed too - amazing stuff. Then it was time for Robbie's Dock to go and see more tarpon being fed. Robbie's is an institution and a must visit, $1 gets you in and then I started taking pictures of people hand feeding the tarpon. Here are some shots:
Brian picked me up at the motel the next morning and we launched from the marina just down the road. A quick run saw us out the front on a clear sandy bottomed spot as it was expected to be overcast. While rigging up the tarpon kept swimming past under the boat, and this constant stream of fish on the ocean side was to be the case for the next 4 days. By mid morning I had cast to dozens of fish but they all showed no interest, but the sight of 100lb fish cruising along was almost enough in itself. The sky cleared up a bit and we moved to a slightly weedier spot, and shortly afterwards I had my first eat. How these fish survive baffles me, as the amount of chaos created to eat a tiny fly just can't be right, the energy balance is all wrong. But the fish leapt and cartwheeled and after about 30 minutes I had the leader inside the tip, and my first Keys tarpon was captured. Shortly afterwards while trying to leader it the hook pulled free. It was estimated at around 80lbs and great fun on the 10 weight, even though I did feel a tad undergunned. Another eat shortly after but no hookup.After lunch we moved to another spot called the Yellow Brick Road where the flow of tarpon was unbelievable. They stuck out so well that one had plenty of time to get ready, but pretty much all the time there would be no interest from the fish. Mid afternoon I got another eat, and in 15 seconds it was all over, holes in the water everywhere and hook pulled!!! Another eat later on and day 1 saw me with 4 eats, 2 jumped and 1 landed. Amazingly the fly that did the damage was a small (1/0) palolo worm imitation !
Day 2 saw us oceanside again, it wasn't quite as breezy as the day before and even though we saw huge numbers of fish they just weren't interested - stats for day 2 were 1-1-0, I hooked a cracking fish but had way too much drag and ended up with a straightened hook!!!
Day 3 and oceanside again, we tried a few spots but ended up at the Yellow Brick Road. The poon were streaming along steady, mainly heading south, and mid morning it all finally came together, I managed to get the fly in front of a giant toad that gently sipped the worm and it was on. She jumped and jumped and then decided it was time to go to Cuba. I have never pulled so hard on a fish for so long with a fly rod, but after 1 hour she was alongside and Brian managed to grab hold of her for the 1st time. 2 more breaks for freedom and after the third lip grab the bite tippet finally wore through. Brian estimated her at greater than 120lbs and she truly was huge. And to top it off for the whole fight she was shadowed by 2 smaller fish, probably males that must have tried to make the most of the opportunity. What a fight, what a fish ! Another hookup and bustoff later saw the day end with a 4-2-1 and a huge smile on my face. The sun was out so I snapped a few shots on the way back:
Day 4 saw us head over to Flamingo in the morning, but the wind made life difficult so we ended up oceanside and the fish weren't quite in the mood, with the day yielding another 1-1-0
Day 5 was forecast light winds so we blasted over to Flamingo. We fished a channel out the front of Flamingo where we saw 2 fish roll, I hooked and lost the 1st and shortly afterwards hooked and landed the 2nd, a lovely 40lber. Then we headed off to a larger inland lake where we started to find large laid up fish in the shallow murky water. These fish just sit there, immobile and barely visible. Flies were larger black and purple zonker affairs on 2/0 hooks, and if the fly landed on the poons nose the take was instant. First fish garbaged the fly and tore off so fast I didn't stand a chance, the line wrapped around the reel and in less than 5 seconds it was all over. Estimated at over 130lbs it was the largest I hooked. Next we found a slightly smaller fish, I got an instant eat but the fly came out, so I recast and it ate again. This time it stayed connected and after 45 minutes with the 10 weight a 110lber was boatside. Again the 80lb bite let go so no pic, but etched in my memory. The tide went slack so we headed off to fish for redfish. I caught a few on the 6 weight which was great fun.
Then we started seeing lots of sharks on the flat, so after catching and cutting up a few ladyfish it was shark time. I managed to land a few lemon sharks:
We then tried a few clearer flats where the fish were an amazing jet black. A few found but no eats, and it was time to head back to Islamorada.
Final tally for day 5 was 5-2-1 and a great way to finish things off. Brian really put in a great effort, best guide I have fished with to date for sure, can't recommend him enough. I can't wait to return.And what better way to end the trip with a walk down one of the bridges to see the sun go down.
And next time I have to take a cameraman along to take shots while I fight the big ones - any volunteers?
