Same ol' Problem..... Cold Fronts and Christmas Fisherman
We'll get them out Casting for Cuda's and Jigging for Sea Trout, Pompano and Jacks , it's all fun.
Most years you can plan on the weather to be brisk Christmas week but many of the people arriving from Chicago , Cleveland , Pittsburg are just glad to not be shoveling sidewalks for the holidays.
So from the sunny but breezy Florida Keys HAPPY HOLIDAYS .....Barracuda 35 feet @ 3 oclock!
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Saturday, November 15, 2008
OK SO That's Not a Ohio Steelhead Your Right!
YES I DID get a nice Steelhead on the Grand and lost another and your right that's British Columbia and a bigger fish I caught on the Copper River.
Didn't have a camera last week when I hooked a good fish of about 26+ inches and maybe 10-11 lbs.
He gave me a good tussel on a economy model Pflueger IM8 Fly Rod more like a 6-7 than the 8wt marked on the blank but a super little rod and a reel drag clicker that sounded like the stray cat that decided to sleep in the fan shroud of my old Chevy PU one cold front nite.
I hit the key at 6am the next morning and CRRRRRYYYYEEEEEEE...
Anyway there was a lot of complaining from that reel as my first Grand River Steelhead smoked down stream, I was giggling with the addrenaline rush that only a good fish can give when you have been in the river for 3 days without a sniff and the last thing you expect is a top water take!
I was rewarded again the next day with another...briefly.
Eric Evans and I plan on an annual October trip to the Grand dragging our pal Cappy "Top Water Todd Bowen" with us.
That will be our last northern her'raw for the year before we head south to the Key West Flats that have given us great lives.
Didn't have a camera last week when I hooked a good fish of about 26+ inches and maybe 10-11 lbs.
He gave me a good tussel on a economy model Pflueger IM8 Fly Rod more like a 6-7 than the 8wt marked on the blank but a super little rod and a reel drag clicker that sounded like the stray cat that decided to sleep in the fan shroud of my old Chevy PU one cold front nite.
I hit the key at 6am the next morning and CRRRRRYYYYEEEEEEE...
Anyway there was a lot of complaining from that reel as my first Grand River Steelhead smoked down stream, I was giggling with the addrenaline rush that only a good fish can give when you have been in the river for 3 days without a sniff and the last thing you expect is a top water take!
I was rewarded again the next day with another...briefly.
Eric Evans and I plan on an annual October trip to the Grand dragging our pal Cappy "Top Water Todd Bowen" with us.
That will be our last northern her'raw for the year before we head south to the Key West Flats that have given us great lives.
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Summer Vacation Moto Style
Another motorcycle ride snaking east and west as I head north through Georgia into North Carolina and the Blue Ridge Parkway one again.
Planning my assault on Ohio to correspond with the Vintage motorcycle races at Mid-Ohio track at Lexington.
Wundering the flea market with its old motorcycle parts to complete bike's is always a time machine trip, remembering my first Indian Scout Bobber/chopped and painted with a brush, farting, coughing, push to start heap.
The BSA's Norton's Vincent's and the grey beards that continue to love them.
The next week I'm back for the Honda Super Bike Classic and a flash forward to today's fire breathing just sub of 200 MPH motorcycles.
Tomorrow I'll be in the Grand River of Northeastern Ohio to launch flies
at the Steelhead of Lake Erie with my pal Eric Evans.
The cold rain and snow flurries of the past week will have pushed some Steelies into the river and although this old Florida Keys Coconut is a bit out of his element it wont be the first time I popped up on a Steelhead stream.
For years September and October found me on the rivers of British Columbia wacking away for hours, force feeding Leach Pattern Flies to the Big Steelhead that come out of the Pacific to spawn in the mountains every fall.
Eric and I do not expect 20 lb monsters that are common in B.C. but 8-12 pounders are not out of the question..... we'll be tickled to capture any Steelhead.
Report to follow in a few days....
Planning my assault on Ohio to correspond with the Vintage motorcycle races at Mid-Ohio track at Lexington.
Wundering the flea market with its old motorcycle parts to complete bike's is always a time machine trip, remembering my first Indian Scout Bobber/chopped and painted with a brush, farting, coughing, push to start heap.
The BSA's Norton's Vincent's and the grey beards that continue to love them.
The next week I'm back for the Honda Super Bike Classic and a flash forward to today's fire breathing just sub of 200 MPH motorcycles.
Tomorrow I'll be in the Grand River of Northeastern Ohio to launch flies
at the Steelhead of Lake Erie with my pal Eric Evans.
The cold rain and snow flurries of the past week will have pushed some Steelies into the river and although this old Florida Keys Coconut is a bit out of his element it wont be the first time I popped up on a Steelhead stream.
For years September and October found me on the rivers of British Columbia wacking away for hours, force feeding Leach Pattern Flies to the Big Steelhead that come out of the Pacific to spawn in the mountains every fall.
Eric and I do not expect 20 lb monsters that are common in B.C. but 8-12 pounders are not out of the question..... we'll be tickled to capture any Steelhead.
Report to follow in a few days....
Thursday, June 19, 2008
Key West Tarpon War 2008
PHEW!
Lost in the fog of Tarpon War.... fishing all but three of the last 60 days.
But another Tarpon migration run and a chance to fish with old buddies and some new ones too.
Jim Cloud celebrated his 77th birthday with a 90 lber on Flyrod and as he said "buys another year of life and I'll be back for 2009"....me too Jim.
Peter Mullet was here for his week and after a few "Trout Lifts" and other assorted screw up managed to capture several nice Tarpon on Fly.
Peter and I always laugh alot.
Eric Evans another best pal, he and Jim Cloud have fished with me through several marriage's and sets of teeth........anyway Eric was here with his son Thadd and we scared a few Tarpon half to death, drank some Rhumb.
Adam Marton just left after a week of jumpen off some Tarpon and punishing the Chartruse Bunny Flies.
Mark Miller and Jack Gluckman are a couple of new friends that had success with Tarpon on fly and will be back next year.
We have had some ups and down with the fishing in May/June but it's been really good generally.
On this day off I will rest and do a little cooking.....well unless the wind backs down, then I take a ride and jump a Poon!
Lost in the fog of Tarpon War.... fishing all but three of the last 60 days.
But another Tarpon migration run and a chance to fish with old buddies and some new ones too.
Jim Cloud celebrated his 77th birthday with a 90 lber on Flyrod and as he said "buys another year of life and I'll be back for 2009"....me too Jim.
Peter Mullet was here for his week and after a few "Trout Lifts" and other assorted screw up managed to capture several nice Tarpon on Fly.
Peter and I always laugh alot.
Eric Evans another best pal, he and Jim Cloud have fished with me through several marriage's and sets of teeth........anyway Eric was here with his son Thadd and we scared a few Tarpon half to death, drank some Rhumb.
Adam Marton just left after a week of jumpen off some Tarpon and punishing the Chartruse Bunny Flies.
Mark Miller and Jack Gluckman are a couple of new friends that had success with Tarpon on fly and will be back next year.
We have had some ups and down with the fishing in May/June but it's been really good generally.
On this day off I will rest and do a little cooking.....well unless the wind backs down, then I take a ride and jump a Poon!
Monday, April 21, 2008
WHOOAH! They are Back, dem Poons.
Yesterday morning started with a few rolling Tarpon and Permit Tails poking up in the flat calm.
Turned out to be too calm, we had 3 crabs stolen, 2 by Tarpon 1 by a Permit.
These guy's can be tuff when the water is so clear and flat calm, truth is a fly-rodder has a better chance under those conditions.
I was short a Fly-Rodder.
This A.M. was not a lot better, dozens of Tarpon and Permit milling around as if waiting for the train to Pittsburgh.
We did hook a Tarpon and for a few moments we were brilliant, then we forgot to bow and he jumped off.
A while later another miss-Q and no hookup.
Hard to feel to badly when its so beautiful and your surrounded with Tarpon and Permit.
We should be seeing the migratory Tarpon in a week or so, with this kind of weather.
Turned out to be too calm, we had 3 crabs stolen, 2 by Tarpon 1 by a Permit.
These guy's can be tuff when the water is so clear and flat calm, truth is a fly-rodder has a better chance under those conditions.
I was short a Fly-Rodder.
This A.M. was not a lot better, dozens of Tarpon and Permit milling around as if waiting for the train to Pittsburgh.
We did hook a Tarpon and for a few moments we were brilliant, then we forgot to bow and he jumped off.
A while later another miss-Q and no hookup.
Hard to feel to badly when its so beautiful and your surrounded with Tarpon and Permit.
We should be seeing the migratory Tarpon in a week or so, with this kind of weather.
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Tarpon Fishing Key West Some More
Today's Cold Front gives me a break long enough to sit down and pop out a few lines.
Later I'll go to the gym and zip around town on the motorcycle, wearing pants and jacket.
We were happy jumping Tarpon and snagging a few Permit this past few weeks and then another really chilly front knock up down a notch.
62 degrees is not Tarpon weather and last night lows will return to mid 70's later today.
Many Tarpon are in a holding pattern just offshore and we'll start to see them by the end of the week.
Bags of Tarpon Flies and Boxes of Tarpon Plugs have been arriving this week.... munition's for the planned 3 month offensive.
Night time fly-fishing for Tarpon has been a ball when conditions permitted, sometimes we were home by 8:30 after landing a couple in 3ft of water.
Spot light's providing a silvery explosion next to the skiff.
I love Tarpon.... every one I even saw.
Later I'll go to the gym and zip around town on the motorcycle, wearing pants and jacket.
We were happy jumping Tarpon and snagging a few Permit this past few weeks and then another really chilly front knock up down a notch.
62 degrees is not Tarpon weather and last night lows will return to mid 70's later today.
Many Tarpon are in a holding pattern just offshore and we'll start to see them by the end of the week.
Bags of Tarpon Flies and Boxes of Tarpon Plugs have been arriving this week.... munition's for the planned 3 month offensive.
Night time fly-fishing for Tarpon has been a ball when conditions permitted, sometimes we were home by 8:30 after landing a couple in 3ft of water.
Spot light's providing a silvery explosion next to the skiff.
I love Tarpon.... every one I even saw.
Wednesday, February 06, 2008
Great Key West Flats Fishing
Our weather this winter has been a treat, we have had some cold fronts and 2 weeks ago, a doozie that brought record lows.
But so what? Many days of upper 70's and low 80's with lots of sun make for a very pleasant day on the Flats.
Yesterday started with more breeze than we would have prefered but not bad and although the Tarpon we found ignored our advances, some nice Sea Trout and huge Jacks showed up to kick butt.
Most of the day was spent Poling the Key West Flats for Barracudas and Permit, and we were rewarded with Toofie attacks!
Did not see but one Bonefish however the Permit popped in to humble my Caster ...
....about a dozen times #%^*
But so what? Many days of upper 70's and low 80's with lots of sun make for a very pleasant day on the Flats.
Yesterday started with more breeze than we would have prefered but not bad and although the Tarpon we found ignored our advances, some nice Sea Trout and huge Jacks showed up to kick butt.
Most of the day was spent Poling the Key West Flats for Barracudas and Permit, and we were rewarded with Toofie attacks!
Did not see but one Bonefish however the Permit popped in to humble my Caster ...
....about a dozen times #%^*
Sunday, January 27, 2008
Winter Break on the Flats
Just off a little break in the action.
What did I miss, great fishing of course and some tuff cool fronts also.
Flogg'en the Motorcycle up US 27 to Us 441, quick dash from Melbourne to Daytona on I95 to visit mom for a few days.
Another record run and super fun for an Ol' Moto Fag.
But your are not here for the "Motorcycle Chronicles"
This is whats happen "N"
The Permit fishing has been a blast between fronts, a few times in the last month the water temps have come up enough to push a some Tarpon into the basins.
Blue Fish, Cobia, Pompano, Big Jacks and Barracudas have filled in the, too cool days so the fun has been measured out with a few off days and days off.
We have today and the next 5-6 days ahead some very nice weather and plenty of Gurgler Flies and Poppen Plugs to deal with varmets......
What did I miss, great fishing of course and some tuff cool fronts also.
Flogg'en the Motorcycle up US 27 to Us 441, quick dash from Melbourne to Daytona on I95 to visit mom for a few days.
Another record run and super fun for an Ol' Moto Fag.
But your are not here for the "Motorcycle Chronicles"
This is whats happen "N"
The Permit fishing has been a blast between fronts, a few times in the last month the water temps have come up enough to push a some Tarpon into the basins.
Blue Fish, Cobia, Pompano, Big Jacks and Barracudas have filled in the, too cool days so the fun has been measured out with a few off days and days off.
We have today and the next 5-6 days ahead some very nice weather and plenty of Gurgler Flies and Poppen Plugs to deal with varmets......
Friday, January 04, 2008
Ice Fishing for Tarpon in Key West
Well the weather is nearly perfect for it!
A few days ago we were Tarpon fishing in the Backcountry Basin's near Key West.
Our weather had been spring like for almost two weeks and some of the Big Guys from the Gulf moved into the basin's for some chow.
As it often happens this time of year, the next cold front will run those Tarpon back to the protection of they're deeper Gulf of Mexico haunts.
This front is a doozie, blowing 30mph + and temps below freezing.
Remember air temps are measured a little differently in Key West and the Lower Florida Keys.
So we have come to believe that the water in your bird bath, will freeze over night if the temp's dip below 68 degrees.
You can spot the Key Wester's on the street, their pajama bottoms protrude from the cuffs of their blue jeans and miss matched socks, sometimes two ball caps on their heads.
The National Guard has suspended operations here, the air temperature is expected to reach 71 degrees today with prediction's of upper 70's this weekend, we should have no problem clearing out the ice in Key West Harbor.
The great news is we need these cold fronts to move the bait fish and stir up the Pompano, Cobia, Barracudas, Red Fish and Jacks so a few days from now as the basin/flats temps come up so will the Funsters...
A few days ago we were Tarpon fishing in the Backcountry Basin's near Key West.
Our weather had been spring like for almost two weeks and some of the Big Guys from the Gulf moved into the basin's for some chow.
As it often happens this time of year, the next cold front will run those Tarpon back to the protection of they're deeper Gulf of Mexico haunts.
This front is a doozie, blowing 30mph + and temps below freezing.
Remember air temps are measured a little differently in Key West and the Lower Florida Keys.
So we have come to believe that the water in your bird bath, will freeze over night if the temp's dip below 68 degrees.
You can spot the Key Wester's on the street, their pajama bottoms protrude from the cuffs of their blue jeans and miss matched socks, sometimes two ball caps on their heads.
The National Guard has suspended operations here, the air temperature is expected to reach 71 degrees today with prediction's of upper 70's this weekend, we should have no problem clearing out the ice in Key West Harbor.
The great news is we need these cold fronts to move the bait fish and stir up the Pompano, Cobia, Barracudas, Red Fish and Jacks so a few days from now as the basin/flats temps come up so will the Funsters...
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