I have not been fishing much lately due to the strange winter we have had this year. We had a record cold front that chilled us for 12 days straight with temperatures in the 30’s and even 20’s. That is not normal. I am sure by now that you have read articles documenting the kill of saltwater species snook, seatrout and even Keys bonefish.
I received an email from a local fly shop inviting me to attend a Tarpon presentation yesterday. I love fishing for Tarpon. The reason that I attended was again a poor weather forecast for the day with winds at 15 plus mph and temperature in the 50’s. It was either stay home and ties flies or receives first hand knowledge from the Keys & coffee & donuts.
I had never meet captain Drew before and soon found that he was very personable and did not mind sharing his knowledge. He mentioned that an angler could somewhat read the motivation of fish by their color. I had never heard this. Black & brown backs are good, blue or lighter colors was not as good and if cast at and a refusal occurred…move on to the next fish. Presentation of casts to laid up fish and to sliders (moving fish) was covered with power point and briefly outside.
Drew emphasized the importance of casting accuracy & lead. He mentioned that the speed of the fish’s movement, position in the water column and size & sink rate of the fly all came into play. Try casting to different fish within a school or daisy chain of fish if your previous presentations did not work. If you make a good cast at a daisy chain and a fish ignores it…leaving it for the next fish can be a strategy.
It was a great class. If you are going to the Keys… you might give him a call. I plan on a trip there this year. I find that you can never know enough about the Silver King. Hope you will get out and fish soon or at least do some lawn casting.
