- The only known adult Orca in the world
- IGFA event April 14th and 15th.. Jose Wejebe event
- Fishing TV show Spanish Fly host Jose Wejebe Killed in a plane cash in Everglades City, Florida April 6th 2012
- Only in Florida
- CCA Florida – Tampa Chapter Announces Twenty-Seventh Banquet, April 22, 2012
- Fly like a bird
- Biscayne Bay Estuary deep dredge threat
- A fish named “Ball Cutters”, yes it is exactly what you think!
- Rod Naming contest, Win 1 piece 12 wt Fly rods or Spinning rods, Deadline March 26th 2012
- Ladies Only fishing tournament in Sunny Florida, March 23rd 2012, Chix n Stix
Cortland Sterling Mid Arbor Fly reels, Cortland pe+ Crystal Fly line
I got in the mail Friday the Cortland Sterling Mid Arbor Fly reel. This is a very nice looking reel that retails for about $150.00. I wanted to check out a reel that was fairly inexpensive and look nice. Sure you can pick up a $20.00 plastic fly reel at your local sports authority. If you can get something that last and look good why not spend a little more. You don’t have to spend $500+ for the higher end dollar gear because after all it just holds the fly line right? 
I’m also checking out the the Cortland pe+ Crystal Fly line. It’s a clear fly line. I can only assume it is for stealth purposes.
Mind you, when I do write about these products I am no Lefty Kreh. I have not owned or used all the fly gear ever built, nor do I know the history of every fly fishing company that has ever been in existence like many of the fly fishing experts on the internet. There is lots and lots of internet experts out there so take my review for what it is. I’m just some guy learning how to fly fish.
Flamingo Fish Killl 2010, Everglades fish kill, Flamingo Palolo worm hatch
Jan 24th 2010
I just back from fishing Flamingo, Florida aka Everglades National Park. I got good news and I got bad news. Bad news is the fish kill is very very serious and unfortunately 9 out 10 of the game fish that were killed were snook. I went out there with Honson and his friend Luigi(yes like in the Mario brothers). It’s been a couple weeks since the freeze so we wanted to see what has come back. We only took fly rods to see if we can get into some sight fishing.
The conditions were slick calm that morning and we could see for miles, except for one thing. Super fog! We took our time running around the gulf side of the Everglades. Once the fog lifted we saw lots of death drifting in the glass calm waters. We would pass by anything large we saw on the water. I am sorry to say most of the large fish we ran by were breeder snooks that never made it through the freeze. A very very sad sight when you see hundreds of dead fish floating knowing most of them were breeder size snooks.
While stopping at one carcass we did see lots of life compared to one week ago. One surprise was a bunch of Palolo worms. These were the same type of worms that are found in the keys during the summer months. The Tarpon just love them. There were small bait fish slurping these little guys up all around us. This was breath taking to see. Life starting to come back once again. Hopefully tarpon would follow soon.
We poled the flats in some of the creeks and saw only a couple reds. On the way out we did bump into Honson’s friend Brian. Brian was using jigs with shrimp and saw some reds and snook earlier in the day. He did manage one redfish before they spooked off. We followed Brian back into the creeks and he caught a few snappers and groupers in the deeper holes. During the run we did see a few dead Goliath groupers that did not fare well in the cold.
Although it sound like no one should ever fish again, all is not lost however. There were plenty of reds and trout being caught that day. The water temperature was rising and the bait were showing back up on the flats. The fishing can only get better I believe. The only species I’m really worried about are the snooks. There were just way too many breeders dead. Not even seeing one alive all day is never good. I did not see any dead redfish and compared to the snook the Tarpon did fine considering. When we got back to the ramp later that day the researcher told us no one has caught a snook all day.
I will be checking out Chokoloskee later in the week. I am afraid I will be seeing the same thing. Hopefully, it should be warm enough for the fish that did make to safe haven offshore, to find their way back once again.
Photo notes: Dull and dreary day filled with images of dead fish. As you can see my images reflect that. The edits are very monochromatic on purpose. My camera still have color.
This was the scene at the boat ramp at flamingo, hundreds of dead baby tarpon and snooks. Sadly this was all too familiar. The smell was rancid.
I’m Finally getting over “Fishbernation”
Brrrr! is all I could say the last 2 months, but now that it has warmed up a bit I flipped the kayak on the truck and off to meet the HCKAClub for our monthly gathering. There were roughly 40 of us that made this months event. It only gets bigger!!
I have to say that it was not the greatest outing for catching quality fish, but for the most part many of the kayak anglers caught plenty of trout with a few going over slot. I believe their were 2 or 3 redfish caught, plenty of ladyfish too ( that were very lethargic). As usual, the weatherman got it WRONG. winds felt as if they were 10 to 20knots from the east, but we managed anyways.
This was a great time to be had by all. What an awesome way to spend with folks that share the same passion. I can never stress the importance of joining a club that shares the same passion you do.
After the fishing we all met for s feast and let me tell you the HardCore kayak Anglers Club does it right!!
Forgive my lack of absence, but I will be posting more soon now that my blood is starting to thin out a bit
Here are some photos taken by many of us:
Now for the FEAST!! Nothing like sharing fish stories while we eat. Good Family Fun.
Some interesting finding while on the water:
I think we paddled to the wrong island.
first time out since the fish kill
Wow! What a sad site. Wednesday was the first time I have been out on the water since the fish kill. Before I went out I visited a local bait shop to pick up a couple frozen lady fish and some chum bags just in case I couldn’t find any bait with the cast net or by using lures. I failed with the net and lures. There wasn’t a live fish anywhere on the flat I was on. The flat I was on is where I usually get bait from, and plenty of it. It was unreal. Good thing I the ladyfish. Luckily the weather was perfect on Wednesday so we strolled out to a local wreck off Sanibel. The fishing was really slow but we did get two keeper grouper and one Whiting. Even with the chum bags out which usually brings in plenty of fish, nothing was happening. Thinking about heading out tomorrow to do some recon and see what’s happening as the water slowly warms. Here is Dave and his son Trent with a couple grouper. Nothing to creative with my shots but I wanted to share them. I love when father and son or families fish together. That’s what it’s all about
Loop push pole, free mirrolure, wang anchor, Tampa fishing outfitters, las margaritas, dead snook
Jan 21st 2009
Yesterday was trying to catch up day. Nine am I had to meet up with with Jim of freemirrolure.com. Jim has a pretty cool idea that has been working well. He gives a way a free MirroLure with every shirt he sells for $17.95 not a bad deal really considering the lure cost about $6.00 at the tackle shops.(note: put in coupon code “cap mel” at the end and get a 25% discount, that’s even a better deal) We talked about a bunch of stuff and one of which is perhaps printing up a calendar or coffee table book of all the coolest images.
I then met up with Tom and Joe for lunch. Since I’ve been using the Loop Push Pole for a few weeks now and it seems to be working out pretty nicely. It’s cheaper, just a stiff as my stiffy hybrid and even a little lighter. It’s so light it tough to pole in 6′ of water(for tarpon) as the pole wants to float. I got Joe to to be part of the video projects I am putting together in 2010. Tom also wanted to be involved in the fishing and putting the wanganchor on the boat so everything went quite well.
By the way, if you live in the Tampa Bay area and like authentic Spanish food you need to stop by Las Margaritas. Located on 4031 W Hillsborough Ave Tampa, FL, the food was cheap and excellent. It’s just a little hole in the wall but the food was much better than 90% of the Spanish restaurant I’ve been to. I read some reviews on-line complaining about the service. We had good service as we went there just before the lunch rush. The bill came to $29 for 3 people with drinks. We even had one café conleche and 2 espresso. That is cheap!(me being the adventurous type ordered the ox tail)
I had some time to kill before the next meeting so I stoped by Tampa fishing outfitters. If you go their website (yes it sucks), it don’t look like it, they have the largest inventory of any tackle store in the Tampa bay Area. They have all the high end gear from Shimano, Diawa, Sebiles all the way to castanets(they are the largest in the country) crabtraps, fly gear .. just a monster of a tackle shop. If you have not been there..its like a mini basspro for saltwater fisherman. Also they had the book “Skinny” by Captain Mel with my photos on the cover. He tells me the book is doing very well and that they have sold over 100 copies in that store alone. Maybe I should have asked for a kick back.
Speaking of photos, while talking to Mr. Lee, I turned around and I see the latest Florida sportsmans on the shelf. No, it’s not the one with the girl with a brand new Gloomis hat, in the bikini holding up a one pound sheeps head. (I know, very realistic,.. NOT). Just kidding Rick D. One of my photo finally made a Florida sportsman cover. It is the photo of Jason Stock hold a redfish. The redfish is underwater and Jason is on the boat. Wooo hooo!
I then had to make another meeting with a local boat company near by. John builds a 16 foot tiller skiff. He tells me on the phone that he could sell the boat retail for like $6995.00 with out the motor. So I was thinking to myself, yeah but it’s probably gonna look like a john boat or a gheenoe. I show up to his wear house and I was pleasantly surprised. The boat looks like a tiller Hewes Redfisher. Very wide, roomy and stable with sharp V entry. He said that with a 50hp 2 stroke(boat will run 30mph) he can sell them for $12,900.00 boat motor and trailer. This is a deal for this boat. I know people that pay more than that for Carolina skiffs. This boat is finished and looks like it should cost 15k to17k I asked him how he could sell it so cheap, he tells me has been in the fiberglass business for 25 years and has no middle man. Needless to say I’m dying to take it for test run when I get a chance. If it’s anything close to what I suspect, John should do very very well in the “economical skiff” space. I will let you know more about the skiff once ride in it and I take a few photos of it.
Today Jan 21st more follow up work. (over cast skies and windy, good day to catch up) Things are hopping over here on Saltyshores. I will do my best to keep up.
Photos of large breeder snooks.. all died from the unprecedented freeze Florida recently had.
Some shots I got from this week… poling the empty flats as Biscayne… and the tailing redfish is from Pine Island.
Jorge Martinez, Miami based fish artist
Jan 19th 2009
One of the most famous fishing artist in South Florida and the keys is Miami based Jorge Martinez. I always see his work all over the place down there. In magazines, in the fly shops, on the walls of restaurant and tournaments posters, and of course paintings. I never knew who he was but I bumped into him at the old Biscayne Bay Flyshop a few months ago. I usually think of artist as being older, but surprisingly he was a very young man. (I know, I’m talking like an old fart).
Even though he’s of the younger generation, he’s one of those guys that don’t care much about technology, the internet, social media etc. All he really cares about is his work and fishing. By his own admittance, he is probably gets the water more than any other fish artist out there. He tells me all he knows on the internet is pretty much read his emails.
I told him if ever wanted to get his work seen outside of South Florida and the keys, he needs to at least get a simple website. Since he’s a pretty cool guy and could really use some help, I will be helping him out with some that. I’m no expert but I can do more on then answer my email.
The guy is an awesome artist but he is also a heck of fisherman as well. He got his 14lb bonefish on fly in the keys right before the deep freeze came in last week.
Here are some of his work. I would link up to his website but he don’t have one. He does have an email though: jmrtnz15@yahoo.com
Nautius Fly Reels Factory tour, How they make Nautilus Fly Reels
I’ve always heard great things about the Nautilus Fly reels from friends that are avid fly fisherman. They are consider some of the best reels available. One of the things they like about Nautilus is that they are made right here in the USA, Miami Florida to be exact. One of the guys that really loves them is Captain Joe Gonzalez. He told me that if I wanted to, he would set me up with a tour of the Nautilus factory. I was already in town today, so I made the drive over to meet Christian the gentlemen who runs the operation at the factory in North Miami.
After a short conversation about what they were about, he gave a very thorough tour of the Nautilus’s operation. If you didn’t know it already most quality reel starts off as solid piece of high grade aluminum. Then they are cut down into disc. They are then placed into the CNC machine to cut out the design. It was pretty cool to see how all the parts were transform from just a chunk of cylindrical metal to the final beautiful polished, and functional work of artwork.
These are some photos I snapped reel quick. All I had on hand was the 10mm fish eye so sorry for the lack of angles. I plan on going back and shooting some video and do an interview with Christian about how it was all done.
“Freeze N The South”
For the past couple of weeks it has been freezing here in SW Florida, which has got me landlocked for the most part, tying flies and such! We have seen record lows and one of the largest fish kills in Florida history. This dismal start to 2010 has had me itching to get out and chuck the feathers. I took a half day last Friday to get out and evaluate how bad things really were. It looks pretty catastrophic to say the least. The flats are dead – I went over 2 hours without seeing a single living game fish! I witnessed thousands of dead fish including species such as: Bull and Blacktip sharks, Cats, Jacks, Ladies, Threadfin, Moharra, Needle fish, Trout, and of course Snook. This is a sad sight to see and I hope the damage is not as bad as we think. I did however run into a couple schools of very healthy reds but with the fridgid water temps, they wanted nothing to do with my fly! I hope the warming trend will start letting the flats get back on track and let us have some good days. Hopefully by next weekend the water will warm and quality photos can be taken! Until then….
These guys were everywhere on the sand flats! I actually hooked two just stripping my line out and letting a practice cast fly! One of them took my fly – I was not happy, it was one of those 20 min flies….
