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Locations — 2 Comments
04
Mar 12

FYI – not everyone gets skunked in Hawaii

Yes… it happened to me on Kauai (which is a beautiful island in so many ways, just not exclusively for the fishing).  However, it went better for the writer of Alaska Rod and Fly.

Had the opportunity to spend two fabulous days on Oahu chasing bonefish with Mike Hennessy from Hawaii on the Fly.  Mike knows these bonefish.  If it wasn’t for his exceptionally keen eyes to see these fish, I would still be trying to catch one.  I would hear 12 o’clock 30ft and start casting.  The whole time I would be scanning the water looking for the fish.  The fly would land and I would hear, “long strip, long strip, let it drop, short strip, short strip, long, long, he’s got it strip it”, and bam fish on, never seeing the fish.  The only time I would see a fish, is if it was hovering over sand, or my cast would scare it and it bolted off.

Yeah… that sounds familiar, just in a different geographical context. Nice post there ARF.

 

Locations — 3 Comments
29
Feb 12

Costa Rican Bonefish

No one is going to go out and travel specifically to Costa Rica to go bonefishing.  That would be pure foolishness.  However, they are there.  Of course, they are also in Panama and have been caught off the coast of Texas, but that doesn’t mean they are there in great numbers.  I keep getting surprised about all the places bonefish turn up.  I wouldn’t be surprised to hear about bonefish being caught in Haiti or Louisiana.

Here’s a story about bonefish in Costa Rica from Costa Rica Outdoors:

Some months ago, we had a bit of controversy going here regarding bonefish, and whether we have any in Costa Rica waters. We never were able to determine whether the species, popular in Florida waters and traditionally caught on the inshore flats on a fly rod or light tackle, had actually been caught here.

So… they are there, which is good to know.

All the other stuff — 2 Comments
26
Feb 12

At the Fly Fishing Show

I went to the Fly Fishing Show in Pleasanton yesterday.  It was a good time. Brought the girlfriend along (it was a test and she passed with flying colors) and the little sidekick.  Saw old friends, saw some new gear, had some good conversations and generally enjoyed myself.  The show even kicked down a “Media” pass for me, which made me feel a tiny bit legit.

The main highlight, however, was my little girl tying a fly.  They had volunteers ready and willing and able and my little girl was FOCUSED.

Thanks for that good people at the Fly Fishing Show.

Awesome.

Gear — 6 Comments
23
Feb 12

A tale of lines

Not too often someone writes this much about lines… figured it was worth a share.

The 3M Company, the Minnesota behemoth behind Post-it Notes, Scotch Tape, and Scotchguard also owns a small division called Scientific Anglers (SA) that makes fly lines. While there are a few competitors out there, undoubtedly SA has held the reputation of making the best fly lines in the world.

Really?  The best in the world?  How do you guys feel about that?

Sometimes the “Scientific” part outdoes the “Anglers” part of the name and when that happens you end up with a product that is too good and actually does some harm. The Sharkskin line works well on paper and very well in actual use. Perhaps too well. The embossed pattern on the surface reduces friction as it flies through the guides on the fly rod. Lines shoot out further with less effort. Less contact is made with the surface of the water so picking up for a backcast is easier.

Read the full article here.

Fish Tails — 2 Comments
22
Feb 12

Kirk heading for the tropics with winter on the ground

A story from Kirk Deeter over at Fly Talk about packing up to head to Long Island while winter is still around.  Now… in CA we’ve largely skipped winter this year, so that will make it easier for me to head to the tropics in a month.

Now, I did make one mistake: If ever you’re tying up “Gotchas” to prepare for a tropical trip you’re going on by yourself, and listening to Jimmy Buffett music while drinking a Red Stripe at your kitchen table during a snowstorm–I’m going to suggest that’s probably not the best time and place to ask the Mrs. if she remembers where your passport is.

Fish Tails — 1 Comment
21
Feb 12

Kiribati guide goes after trout

It is a story you want to read… guides from Kiribati entering a fishing competition in Tasmania.

“It might be our first time catching this fish — there’s no trout and no rivers in Kiribati — but I’ve seen pictures before,” Bataeru says as he practises his casting from a small wooden boat on Tasmania’s Arthurs Lake.

“And we all have grown up fly fishing for bonefish in our coral lagoons, although this is different. The trout are a little harder to catch, they’re on the surface, and you use dry flies, so we do have a bit to learn.”

Read the article here.

Locations — 4 Comments
20
Feb 12

Islamorada

For US bonefisherman there is a certain mystic that surrounds Islamorada in the Florida Keys.  I haven’t fished it.  I haven’t fished Florida at all, actually. Part of me doesn’t feel ready and part of me is drawn to places where the catching is more likely.  I want to get there though.  I need to, really.  I just haven’t made it happen yet.

The Florida Sportsman ran an interesting article about the changing nature of Islamorada.  Worth a read.

The notion of “educated” fish has crept into the vernacular, as some species, most notably bonefish and tarpon, have grown over the years more difficult to fool with flies and lures. And yet Islamorada remains one of the world’s top destinations to catch 10-pound-plus bonefish. And the spring tarpon run offers unique access to oceanside as well as backcountry fish.

Nice shot.

Tactics — No Comments
10
Feb 12

Quick Tip from Fly Paper

Fly Paper is a new-ish blog from Scott Heywood (who runs Angling Destinations).  Worth checking out for sure.

Here, he provides a little tip about where you should, and should not be walking when strolling along a beach looking for cruising bones.

Check out the full post and find out what the tip is here.

Locations — 6 Comments
06
Feb 12

Out of the way places

There are so many places to fish… really… SO many places, but it seems the folks who book those trips tend to send anglers to the same places.  There are plenty of outfitters who book Andros and Mexico and even Christmas or the Seychelles.  While there are so many places to fish, you have to search a bit to find an outfit that will take you some place new.

One place that isn’t on everyone’s list is Guanaja Lodge… in Honduras.

Honduras doesn’t usually rise to the top when you start talking about fly fishing destinations for bonefish.  Really, I don’t think I’ve heard it come up in casual conversation with more than one or two people… and I talk about bonefish a lot (so much it tends to annoy people).

Yup… that’s from Honduras.
Conservation / Locations — 2 Comments
04
Feb 12

El Pescador holds Tournament to Benefit BTT

A tournament at El Pescador featured tagging of bones, permit and tarpon. Sounds kind of awesome. The tournament was held by El Pescador for the benefit of the Bonefish & Tarpon Trust.

[vimeo clip_id=”35775583″]

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