Articles

Mousing Hallows

by Steve Zakur - Friday, Oct 31st, 2014

Frank let the oars hang loose in the locks as the current pulled the boat towards the takeout. The day had started early but fall days also end early and Frank was looking forward to a cold beer, reheated pizza and fast forwarding through commercials on the DVR.

As the bow of the boat grated against the bank Frank hopped out and steadied the craft. While Frank's attention was focused on ensuring that neither of the sports went swimming he couldn't help glancing up the road to the empty space where his truck should have been parked. Had Seth left him stranded?

Not wanting to trouble the anglers, Frank chatted them up about the better fish of the day hoping that while he was stowing the gear Seth would roll in. After fifteen minutes of stalling he finally let the sports in on the problem hoping it won't affect his tip.

Why are Barracuda So Under-Targeted on the Flats?

Why doesn't the feisty, powerful and often wily cuda make more anglers' bucket lists?

by Chad Shmukler - Thursday, Oct 30th, 2014

Barracuda (photo: Chad Shmukler).

As I stood on the bow of a Palometa Club panga which bobbed heartily in the chop running across Mexico's Ascension Bay, stiff 9 weight doubled over and my arm aching from battling the barracuda that was leashed to the end of my line, I thought mostly about landing the monster that had been thrashing about at the end of the line threatening to unbutton the jam knot on the wire leader that held on my fly. We'd been at it for almost 20 minutes and the barracuda showed no signs of tiring. Having not gotten a great look at the fish before it emerged from the depths to attack the gaudy fly I had been stripping through the water at the fastest pace I could manage, I was eager to see the beast. Surely it had to be 20 pounds. Possibly 30.

Truth be told, I had missed the cuda was battling. It came upon the boat quickly, and by the time we fumbled the appropriate rod out its holder, the fish had passed. As I started to slide the rod back into its holder, my guide Antonio shouted, hurrying me to get a cast launched and the fly into the water. So I turned and raised the rod, ready to fire a cast at the no-longer-visible fish's tail, or at least where I presumed it would be. "No, no! That way!" He pointed at 10 o' clock off the bow, which was virtually in the opposite direction the fish was headed. A jovial exchange of profanities ensued and, after the target was confirmed, I launched the best cast I could in what seemingly anyone would consider the absolute wrong direction. "Now strip! As fast as you can. No! Faster!".

Seconds later, shouts of "It's coming! It's coming." emerged from both Antonio and my boat mate, Chris. My eyes searched for my fly in the water and as they located it, the barracuda -- which had performed almost a 180 degree turn and dove beneath the panga on its way to attack -- torpedoed from below at an almost incomprehensible speed and exploded from the surface with the fly in its mouth.

Florida Voters Poised to Give Huge Boost to Everglades Restoration

by Chris Hunt - Tuesday, Oct 28th, 2014

One of America’s most iconic — but troubled — fishing destinations might be getting a helping hand from the voters of Florida on Nov. 4.

If the Land and Water Conservation Amendment is approved by Sunshine State voters, a full third of state fees collected from real estate transactions will go into a conservation fund that could be used to purchase or preserve important lands and waters that are vital to the health of the sport fishery in Florida.

According to Everglades Foundation CEO Eric Eikenberg, some of the money could be used to purchase thousands of acres of land directly below or adjacent to Lake Okeechoboee, allowing for water to be reintroduced into the Everglades rather than channeled into the Caloosahatchee and Indian rivers. If the amendment passes, it could create a $20 billion revenue stream over the next 20 years that can be used solely for conservation purposes in Florida.

Fly Fishing for Everglades Snook

by Captain Owen Plair - Monday, Oct 27th, 2014

The Everglades National Park, put simply, is one of the best and most incredible all around saltwater fisheries here in the United States. The Everglades provide the opportunity to target a myriad of species on the fly including tarpon, redfish, snook, jacks, snapper, grouper, and many more.

One of my favorite things about the everglades is the ever-changing nature of the fishing, as tides, weather, time of year and location play their roles. One day you could be jumping 100+ pound tarpon, then run 25 minutes to sight cast to snook, or chase redfish. You can literally do it all in the Everglades which is why it has become one of my favorite destinations to fish.

The Everglades offers up a massive amount of water and area ]to fish, which almost leaves you with the sense that you are fishing water no one else has ever thrown a fly into. As you weave in and out of the mangroves running deep into to the glades, it is easy to feel lost, which for me is one of the best sensations while fishing a new locale. Fully relying on the knowledge of your guide and knowing you are exploring an area that only a select few have ever fished is exhilarating. And, as cell phone service transitions from weak to non-existent and any mark of mankind is left far behind, it gets that much better.

Final 2014 Photo Contest Reminder: 1 Week Left

by Ben Kryzinski - Friday, Oct 24th, 2014

Each year, come October, we start beating the photo contest drums pretty loudly. The reason is simple: each year we offer a list of prizes comprised some of the best fly fishing gear our there -- and this year is our biggest year yet by far -- and we want to make sure we reach as many readers as possible to insure that everyone gets a crack at it. And, there's more in it for us that just getting to give away some truly killer gear. In the process of doing so each year, we get to assemble a great collection of fly fishing photographs for everyone to ogle for years to come.

Only one week remains to enter your best fly fishing photographs in our 2014 photo contest for a chance at over $3,000 in prizes from Orvis, Smith Optics, Cheeky Fly Fishing and Scientific Anglers. If you haven't entered yet, or haven't entered your limit of 5 photographs, head to the official contest page to do so.