CELEBRATING 9 YEARS AS THE VOICE OF SALTWATER FLY FISHING
FLY FISHING MAGAZINE
MONEY CAST SUSTAINABLE STRIPED BASS READING THE WATER SAN PEDRO, BELIZE ASCENSION BAY ONCE A BOY TRIPLETAIL
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JULY/AUGUST 2022 JULY/AUGUST 2022 DISPLAY UNTIL AUGUST 31
TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE 1
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Big migratory tarpon showed up early this year in Ascension Bay, Mexico, just in time for El Palometero 2022. And while it’s always a thrill to catch a triple-digit Megalops atlanticus, excitement grows exponentially when it happens in the final hours of a fly fishing tournament. Photo by Trey Reid
TAIL TAIL FLY FLYFISHING FISHING MAGAZINE MAGAZINE 3
Fly fishing for permit bruises ego and shatters dreams, but sometimes magic happens. Belize was nothing short of magical during Tail Fly Fishing Magazine’s hosted trip to El Pescador on Ambergris Caye. Photo by Captain Gordy Marin
4 TAIL TAILFLY FLYFISHING FISHINGMAGAZINE MAGAZINE
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The moment of truth arrives under a dark sky on a Belizean flat. Photo by Trey Reid
TAIL TAIL FLY FLYFISHING FISHING MAGAZINE MAGAZINE 7
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TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE 9
— from the editor
Group Effort We had an amazing spring with our hosted trip to El Pescador in San Pedro, Belize, and the first El Palometero tournament in Punta Allen, Mexico. (Both events are highlighted in this issue.) The late-April trip to Belize brought together old friends and new friends for five exceptional days of fishing that included four Grand Slams and several first tarpon and permit for our anglers (and an incredible total of 19 permit for the trip). The tournament in Mexico in May was focused on improving the lives of the residents of Punta Allen. For those of you who don’t know this place, there’s no Four Seasons resort anywhere nearby. The teethrattling, hematuria-producing road from Tulum to Punta Allen is made from crushed limestone and sand and is usually found in various states of disrepair as a result of infrequent gradings. It covers about 30 miles through dense jungle and breathtaking scenery, but it requires nearly an hour and a half to traverse the distance under good road conditions. The road will never be paved because it runs through the Sian Ka’an Biosphere, a nearly 1,100-square-mile nature preserve that’s protected from development by the Mexican government and carries a UNESCO World Heritage Site designation. Sian Ka’an is Mayan for “the place where the sky is born,” and the remote, wild nature of the surrounding area means the fishery at Punta Allen is fairly safe from tourism and pollution. These conditions limit the number of visitors to the area and also the amount of products and goods that make their way to the village, so life is very simple. Our efforts, it should be noted, are aimed at improving quality of life but not altogether changing it. The tournament raised a significant amount of money for the community that will go toward current efforts to improve the town’s playground and elementary school. We’re proud to have played a small role in the tournament’s success, but it was truly a group effort by the participants who signed up, the lodges that hosted us, the restaurants that fed us, and the local guides who put us on the fish. Special thanks to Chico Fernandez and Tim Borski,
10 TAIL TAILFLY FLYFISHING FISHINGMAGAZINE MAGAZINE
who traveled to Punta Allen to lend their celebrity to the tournament, as well as Nautilus Reels, 12WT Apparel, Thomas & Thomas, Orvis, Simms, RCI Optics, Cubalaya Outfitters, EP Flies, Patagonia, Duck Camp, Tito’s Vodka, and David Danforth. We appreciate your generosity and support. Thanks also to sculptor Alberto Coppini for designing and creating the tournament trophy, and to Tiziano Rizzotto at Punta Allen Fishing Club, Moises Cordero at Casa Viejo Chac, and Daniel Marquez at Ascension Bay Lodge for their “boots on the ground” work in Mexico to make El Palometero a success. As we approach our 10-year anniversary in September, the tournament serves as a reminder of why we continue to do this. (Heaven knows it’s not for the paycheck.) It is this great saltwater fly fishing community that comes together and does good things. As we continue to grow, we hope that the success in Punta Allen will allow us to do more events in other deserving destinations that will help protect these communities and allow them to flourish (and honestly, a few more ads in this magazine wouldn’t hurt anything either). Thanks to everyone who participated. Without you, managing editor Trey Reid and I would have had to wrestle for the trophy since neither of us landed a qualifying permit. And now, summer is in full swing. The days are long, the fish are eating, and we have another solid issue for you. In addition to the aforementioned recaps of Belize and Mexico, you’ll be enlightened and entertained by James Spica’s ode to flounder on the fly, Don Thomas’ piece on inshore wading for redfish, and Aaron Wood’s touching story that traces our collective fishing addiction to its childhood roots. You’ll also find technical features on reading water and making the perfect cast—and much more. As we say with each issue, this one is better than the last.
Joseph Ballarini Editor in Chief
TM
On the Cover:
GUIDE TESTED.
GUIDE TRUSTED.
The waters around Ambergris Caye, Belize, were permit nirvana during the Tail Fly Fishing Magazine hosted trip last April. Managing editor Trey Reid admires the first of multiple permit brought to hand during the trip. Photo by Joseph Ballarini
Editor-In-Chief: Managing Editor: Acquisitions Editor: Creative Director: Food Editor: Travel Editor: West Coast Editor: Consulting Editor: Contributing Editors: Gear Editor: 60 Historians: Editors-at-Large: Copy Editor:
CELEBRATING 9 YEARS AS THE VOICE OF SALTWATER FLY FISHING
FLY FISHING MAGAZINE
MONEY CAST SUSTAINABLE STRIPED BASS READING THE WATER SAN PEDRO, BELIZE ASCENSION BAY ONCE A BOY TRIPLETAIL
JULY/AUGUST 2022 JULY/AUGUST 2022 DISPLAY UNTIL AUGUST 31
Joseph Ballarini Trey Reid George V. Roberts Jr. Scott Morrison Jennifer Matsu Peter McLeod Al Quattrocchi Chico Fernandez Andy Mill, Nicky Mill Andrew Ebert Pete Barrett, Ed Mitchell Joe Doggett, Mark B. Hatter, Tom Keer, James P. Spica Jr. Leila Beasley
Creative Contributors: Joseph Ballarini Tim Borski Jackie Bracey John Bracey Ron Clark Titano Cruz Nick Curcione Andrew Ebert Chico Fernandez
Jesse Males Captain Gordy Marin Andy Martin Jennifer Matsu Whitney Palazzi Al Quattrocchi Trey Reid George Roberts Chef Colin Sako
Jorge Salas Rob Schumske Jim Solomon James P. Spica Jr. E. Donnall Thomas Jr. Lori Thomas Aaron Wood Erin Woodward
About Tail Fly Fishing Magazine is the voice of saltwater fly fishing in a bimonthly print and digital publication. We focus on delivering high-quality content, the very best photography, destination travel, reputable commentary, and technical features from the saltwater fly fishing culture. Tail Fly Fishing Magazine began as a digital publication in 2012 and debuted as a print magazine in 2016. Combined, the digital and print versions reach readers in more than 45 countries. In many places throughout the world, fly fishing has become important to both people and the environment. As a method of fishing imbued with values of stewardship and conservation, it connects people with the marine world in significant and positive ways. We, the anglers, are the last line of defense for our outdoor spaces. Tail Fly Fishing Magazine supports the arts and creativity, conservation, and organizations that trumpet this message. We’re grateful for your support and we welcome photographic and written contributions. TFFM is published six times annually, and your print subscription includes the digital version. Subscriptions are available through our website. International subscriptions are also available for most countries. Please contact our general mailbox, admin@tailflyfishing.com, with any advertising, subscription, or submission questions.
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TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE 11
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CONTENTS 18 24
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READING THE WATER - Nick Curcione A lifetime of fishing—first on commercial tuna boats and later with a fly rod in hand—has informed Nick Curcione’s perspective on having the right perspective. There’s more to seeing fish than randomly scanning the water, and whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned pro, these tips and suggestions will help you find more fish. FLAT OUT FREAKY - James P. Spica Jr. From the pages of the weird-fish chronicles comes James Spica’s piece about flounder. Despite the strange looks he receives from other fly anglers, our intrepid scribe is steadfast in his zeal to tangle with bizarre fish, and when it comes to saltwater fly fishing, we can’t imagine it gets much weirder than prowling the banks of muddy ditches at low tide to cast for swimming doormats. ONCE A BOY - Aaron Wood Fly fishing for permit is a peculiar addiction, a “luxurious form of self-flagellation” that some might label an obsession. For many, it’s the ultimate evolution of an angling journey. But inside every dedicated permit angler resides a childlike passion that cannot be put off and must be exercised.
32
GEAR GUIDE - TFFM Staff We have the guide to the goods you need and want, including new apparel—12 WT sun gloves, Duck Camp pants, and a new jacket from Patagonia that’ll be out this fall—and accessories such as solar-powered chargers and lights. There are also reviews of the Sage R8 Core rod and a new Patagonia rod case in which to store it, as well as brews from a new philanthropic coffee company that supports conservation.
38
INSIDE THE BOX: SHRIMP VS. CRAB - Trey Reid The eternal conundrum of permit fishing is whether to throw a crab or a shrimp. We don’t promise to resolve this debate, but we’ll throw in our two cents on the subject and show you a few patterns you’ll want to have in your fly box regardless of which of these artificial crustaceans you like to tie on your leader.
12 TAIL TAILFLY FLYFISHING FISHINGMAGAZINE MAGAZINE
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TRIPLETAIL ON THE FLY - Chico Fernandez Shaped like a giant panfish and inhabiting tropical and subtropical waters around the globe, the tripletail likely isn’t the first species that comes to mind among saltwater fly anglers. But Chico Fernandez loves fishing for them, and in this piece he shares with you all you need to know about the species and how to catch them on the fly.
48
BELIZE TRIP DOESN’T DISAPPOINT - TFFM Staff During the Tail Fly Fishing Magazine hosted trip to San Pedro, Belize, the bonefish, permit, and tarpon were almost as accommodating as the staff at El Pescador Lodge and Villas. It was a steady hit parade for the TFFM crew, with numerous firsts, multiple Grand Slams, and more permit in a week than we ever thought possible.
56
ON THE PLATE: WHOLE FRIED SNAPPER - Jennifer Matsu Inspired by an overdue family get-together in Turks and Caicos, Jennifer Matsu shows us how to fry up a whole snapper, a perfect communal dish to share with family or friends while shuffling your feet in the sand after a long day of flats fishing.
60
CHERRY BOUNCE AND COCKTAIL CHERRIES - George Roberts Our acquisitions editor always has a vat of Cherry Bounce to serve guests at his Colonial home on Massachusetts’ South Shore, and he shares his take on the popular Colonial beverage that melds the flavors of your favorite rum or whiskey—George prefers black rum—and fresh cherries. He’s also found that the fruit itself makes a perfect addition to Manhattans and other cocktails that call for preserved cherries.
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PUPPY DRUM - E. Donnall Thomas Jr. Giant redfish pulled from featureless waters rightly command the attention of those in search of big fish, but if you’re looking for an experience that’s rooted in more than a bull red, look inshore and follow the lead of Don Thomas. The fish may be smaller, but the inshore scenery is more interesting, and a 6-pound redfish still puts up plenty of fight on light fly tackle. The fish are abundant, the action is fast and furious, and tailing redfish provide an inscrutable appeal.
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FLY TYING: THE HAPPY CRAB - Jesse Males This realistic crab fly can be tied in a variety of colors and used for species such as bonefish, permit, redfish, golden trevally, and triggerfish. Take your seat at the vise and make this one happen. PUNTA ALLEN, PERMIT, AND EL PALOMETERO - TFFM Staff It isn’t easy to get to Punta Allen, Mexico, but serious anglers seem to find a way to get there to experience the incredible fishing of Ascension Bay. So did the participants in the 2022 El Palometero, a permit fly fishing tournament that benefited the residents of Punta Allen by raising money for important community projects and shining a light on a special place with a vibrant fly fishing culture and way of life.
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ARE YOU READY FOR THE MONEY CAST? - Jim Solomon A master casting instructor, Jim Solomon likens casting to a trophy fish to athletic competition. In this instructional piece about making the cast when it counts the most, Solomon provides a step-by-step approach to getting the most out of your cast when it matters.
89
LAST MAN OF THE SALT - Erin Woodward First-time contributor Erin Woodward uses colorful and poignant imagery in this piece to paint a picture of salty places and people while conjuring forlorn memories that spawn aspiration.
90
SUSTAINABLE STRIPED BASS - Al Quattrocchi Our West Coast editor dishes on a sustainable striped bass farming operation off the Baja California coast that’s providing quality seafood in a way that isn’t harmful to the world’s oceans. He also shares traditional recipes for the fish from Chef Colin Sako.
Photo: Trey Reid
TAIL TAIL FLY FLY FISHING FISHING MAGAZINE MAGAZINE 1313
T&T Amassadors Justin Rea and Rob Kramarz in the Florida Keys.
14 TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE
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TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE 15
R E T A I L E R S C A R R Y T A I L
ALASKA Mossy’s Fly Shop 750 W. Diamond Blvd, Suite 114 Anchorage, AK 99515 907-770-2666 mossysflyshop.com CALIFORNIA Bob Marriott’s Fly Fishing Store 2700 W. Orangethorpe Ave Fullerton, CA 92833 714-525-1827 bobmarriottsflyfishingstore. com COLORADO Front Range Anglers 2344 Pearl Street Boulder, CO 80302 303-494-1375 frontrangeanglers.com Golden Fly Shop 710 Golden Ridge Rd #126 Golden, CO 80401 303-330-1291 goldenfly.shop CONNECTICUT The Compleat Angler 541 Boston Post Road Darien, CT 06820 203-655-9400 compleatangleronline.com FLORIDA 239 Flies 3431 Bonita Beach Rd SW Unit #205 Bonita Springs, FL 34134 (239) 908-3513 239flies.com
ORVIS Sandestin 625 Grand Boulevard Ste 101 Sandestin, FL 32550 850-650-2174 Orvis.com Seven Mile Fly Shop 1638 Overseas Highway Marathon, FL 33050 (305) 440-3406 sevenmileflyshop.com The Angling Company 333 Simonton St Key West, FL 33040 305-292-6306 anglingcompany.com The Tide 26 Grouper Hole Drive Boca Grande, FL 33921 941-964-2417 GEORGIA ORVIS Atlanta Buckhead Square 3255 Peachtree Rd NE Atlanta, GA 30305 404-841-0093 Orvis.com The Fish Hawk 764 Miami Cir NE #126 Atlanta, GA 30305 404-237-3473 thefishhawk.com LOUISIANA ORVIS Baton Rouge Perkins Rowe, Bldg. H 7601 Bluebonnet Blvd., Ste. 140 Baton Rouge LA 70810 225-757-7286 Orvis.com
NORTH CAROLINA OBX on the Fly 107 Sir Walter Raleigh St Manteo, NC 27954 obxonthefly.com RHODE ISLAND The Saltwater Edge 1037 Aquidneck Ave Middletown, RI 02842 866-793-6733 saltwateredge.com SOUTH CAROLINA Bay Street Outfitters 825 Bay Street Beaufort, SC 29902 843-524-5250 baystreetoutfitters.com ORVIS Charleston 535 King St. Charleston, SC 29403 (854) 999-4985 Orvis.com Southern Drawl Outfitters 1533 Fording Island Rd Hilton Head Island, SC 29926 843-705-6010 southerndrawloutfitters.com TEXAS Bayou City Angler 3641 Westheimer Rd Suite A Houston, TX 77027 832-831-3104 bayoucityangler.com
Sportsman’s Finest 12434 Bee Cave Road Austin, TX 78738 512-263-1888 sportsmansfinest.com Swan Point Landing 1723 Cherry Street Suite 4 Rockport, TX 78382 361-729-7926 swanpointlandingflyshop.net Tailwaters Fly Fishing Co. 1933 E. Levee St Dallas, TX 75207 888-824-5420 tailwatersflyfishing.com UTAH Fishwest 47 West 10600 South Sandy, UT 84070 fishwest.com 801-617-1225 WASHINGTON Peninsula Outfitters 19740 7th Ave NE, Suite 110 Poulsbo, WA 98370 360-394-1599 peninsulaoutfitters.com The Avid Angler 17171 Bothell Way NE #A272 Lake Forest Park, WA 98155 206-362-4030 avidangler.com WYOMING Lander Fly Shop 305 Main Street Lander, WY 82520 307-438-3439 landerflyshop.com
MARYLAND
Gordy & Sons Outfitters 22 Waugh Drive Houston, TX 77007 713-333-3474 gordyandsons.com
Florida Keys Outfitters 81219 Overseas Highway Islamorada, FL 33036 305-664-5432 floridakeysoutfitters.com
Alltackle 2062 Somerville Rd Annapolis, MD 21401 888-810-7283 alltackle.com
Grapevine Fly Fishing 122 N Main Street Grapevine, Texas 76051 720.453.6878 grapevineflyfishing.com
Forgotten Coast Fly Company 123 Commerce St Apalachicola, FL 32320 850-323-0266 forgottencoastflycompany. com
MASSACHUSETTS
Gruene Outfitters 1265 Industrial Drive Suite C New Braunfels, TX 78130 (830) 625-4440 grueneoutfitters.com ORVIS Austin 10000 Research Blvd - B04B Austin TX 78759 512-795-8004 Orvis.com
Bass Pro Shops—95 locations in the USA
ORVIS Houston 5727 Westheimer - Suite A Houston TX 77057 713-783-2111 Orvis.com
BAHAMAS
Mangrove Outfitters 4111 Tamiami Trail E Naples, FL 34112 239-793-3370 mangroveoutfitters.com Ole Florida Fly Shop 6353 N. Federal Hwy Boca Raton, FL 33487 561-995-1929 olefloridaflyshop.com Orlando Outfitters 2814 Corrine Dr Orlando, FL 32803 407-896-8220 orlandooutfitters.com ORVIS Ocean Reef 1 Fishing Village Drive Key Largo FL 33037 305-367-2227 Orvis.com
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The Bear’s Den 34 Robert W. Boyden Rd Taunton, MA 02780 508-977-0700 bearsden.com Kismet Outfitters 204 UPPER MAIN STREET Edgartown, MA 02539 860-944-5225 kismetoutfitters.com MONTANA Frontier Anglers 680 N. Montana St Dillion, MT 59725 406-683-5276 frontieranglers.com NEW YORK River Bay Outfitters 980 Church St Baldwin, NY 11510 516-415-7748 riverbayoutfitters.com
ORVIS Plano Preston Towne Crossing 2412 Preston Road Suite 200 Plano, TX 75093 972-596-7529 Orvis.com ORVIS San Antonio 7427 San Pedro Ave. Suite 104 San Antonio, TX 78216 210-812-3017 Orvis.com
RETAIL CHAINS: Barnes & Noble—630 retail locations in the USA Books-A-Million—260 stores in 32 states
Dick’s Sporting Goods (select locations)—over 700 stores in the USA Field & Stream Stores—35 locations in the USA Indigo Books—over 200 stores under various banners
Blackfly Lodge Schooner Bay Abaco, Bahamas 904-997-2220 blackflylodge.com CANADA Drift Outfitters & Fly Shop 199 Queen St. East Toronto Ontario M5A-1S2 647-347-7370 Driftoutfitters.com Fish Tales Fly Shop Ltd. #626, 12100 Macleod Trail SE Calgary AB T2J 7G9 Canada 866-640-1273 fishtalesflyshop.com
ON TODAY'S FISHING
MENU INSHORE NEARSHORE OFFSHORE TARPON REDFISH TROUT PERMIT SNOOK DRUM
TRIPLETAIL STRIPERS GROUPER ALBIES SHARKS SNAPPER
MAHI YELLOWFIN BLUEFIN AMBERJACK SAILFISH BLACKFIN
LET IT EAT EASTCAPEBOATS.COM
TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE 17
by Nick Curcione
dreaded every time I had to climb and
action far off on the horizon. The
spend time in that tuna boat’s rocking
viewing advantage afforded by the
Much like hunting, fishing relies
tower. The headaches that resulted
elevated position of the tower was
heavily on visual input, a fact that was
from an hour or two of scanning an
supposed to make that unlikely, but
driven home to me many years ago
unsteady horizon were an added
it did happen occasionally when the
when I began to spend considerable
discomfort. Complaints about this
spotter let his attention lapse.
time offshore fishing in Southern
task were either ignored or laughed
California and Baja. As part of a
at. Instead, you were reminded that
Staying visually alert is good advice
crew on the commercial tuna boats,
your sole responsibility up in the tower
anytime and anywhere you fish, but
everyone was required to pull lookout
was to remain visually alert. This was
it’s a bit more complicated than it
duty on the boat’s tuna tower.
neatly summed up in the directive the
sounds. Similar to hunting game on
hardened skipper constantly yelled at
land, the trick is to know what to look
This was something I disliked
me when it was my time in the tower:
for and how to look. In the fishing
immensely. I have a fear of heights
“Keep your eyeballs on.”
world, it’s part of a process referred
stemming from childhood when I was
to as “reading the water,” and it
stuck at the top of a Ferris wheel for
And pity the poor lookout if someone
involves learning to recognize and
what seemed like an eternity. So I
on deck was the first to spot potential
interpret the signs nature presents
Reading 18 TAIL TAIL FLY FLYFISHING FISHING MAGAZINE MAGAZINE
us. It is most exciting when you can
safety, even if you don’t need them
an amber shade would be a better
actually see the fish, of course, but
to improve your vision. Fly fishers
choice. If you have to limit yourself
unfortunately that isn’t always the
seem particularly prone to eye injuries
to one pair, try to select a color that
case. You have to be attuned to less
resulting from imperfect casts, so
is best suited to the type of fishing
dramatic signs that indicate fish
you should always include eyewear as
you do most. (Regardless of the tint,
are likely to be in the area. As any
part of your tackle.
wearing a hat with a dark under-
accomplished guide knows, to be good
brim will improve your vision.) Since
at it you have to spend considerable
And because you’re working in a
polarization doesn’t provide optimum
time on the water.
water-based environment, polarized
visibility at every angle, a useful trick
glasses are a must. They cut through
when you’re having difficulty picking
Historically, anglers and hunters had
surface glare and make it possible
out a particular object or form is to
to rely solely on their eyeballs. Today
to more clearly distinguish objects
tilt your head slightly to one side. This
there are all kinds of eyewear and
in the water. Bear in mind, however,
helps alter the polarization and can
vision-enhancement devices that
that varying water conditions will
provide a clearer picture of what you
enable us to see even in the dark of
require different shades or tints. For
are looking at.
night. It’s always prudent to wear
example, a gray tint may work well
glasses when fishing—for the sake of
offshore, but for shallow-water flats
the
Regardless of your visual acuity, a
Water TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE 19
scattered or haphazard approach to
approximately 30-foot intervals, start
feet from where I was wading, I
scanning a body of water is not the
looking farther and farther out to just
thought I caught a glimpse of a
best way to proceed. Although few
about the limit of your vision. Once
reflection on the surface. I wasn’t
anglers do so, a more productive way
you reach this point, start the process
sure if it was sunlight reflected off
to look for fish (or the signs thereof) is
all over again.
of a mangrove leaf, or better yet, the
to adopt a strategy used by search-
tail of a bonefish busily rummaging
and-rescue operations and scan the
This method served me well a while
the bottom for food sources. The
water in a methodical pattern: Begin
back on a bonefishing trip in Hawaii.
sun was intermittently obscured
your search close to your position. At
In the distance, approximately 60
by rapidly moving clouds, so it was difficult to get a fix on the object being highlighted. I began carefully scanning the surface in front of me, gradually increasing the distance, and finally spotted the object in a brief burst of sunlight. The reflection showed movement, which rules out mangrove leaves unless there’s a distinct breeze blowing. There wasn’t, and one of the locals I was fishing with confirmed what I was hoping: The object out there was indeed a feeding bonefish. Now all I had to do was get into position to make the proper presentation with my fly. If you are in shallow water and can clearly see the bottom, that should be your focus. Whether it’s permit in the Florida Keys, bonefish in the Bahamas, or Northeast stripers on the
20 TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE
flats, most gamefish are constantly
inclined to track it very far. Too close
present significant wave action—the
swimming; any movement above
or in the wrong direction, and the fish
type that would actually attract
the bottom can usually be readily
will usually spook. Seldom do you get
surfers. This consideration eliminates
detected. If the depth is only a couple
a second shot.
coastlines like those along South
of feet, you’ll also want to be alert
Florida’s Gulf Coast, where the
for surface signs like small wakes and
Sight fishing the surf presents its
conditions are often as placid as you
fins protruding from the water. As in
own unique set of challenges. Similar
find on lakefronts, and sight fishing
the Hawaii experience above, these
to flowing streams and rivers, there
for species like snook is comparatively
visual cues provide some of the most
are currents to contend with—but in
easy from a visual standpoint. Even
exciting moments in shallow-water
the surf this water movement is also
novices generally have little difficulty
fishing, but you have to be on your
augmented by tides, making it the
detecting fish like snook, jacks,
game and learn to deliver the fly
most dynamic environment of all. In
pompano, and sharks that cruise the
quickly and accurately. Fish seldom
common parlance, the word “surf” is
shoreline.
remain stationary for long. And the
a generic term used to denote any
presentation can’t be haphazard: Too
stretch of beachfront facing open
Wave action, however, makes sight
far away from the target, and the fish
water. Here, I’m restricting the term
fishing more challenging. Occasionally,
may not even spot it or may not be
to refer to water conditions that
shore-bound anglers may experience
TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE 21
shadows on the bottom that you would swear were cruising corbina. (In this situation, present the fly even if you’re not completely sure of what you’re throwing to; more often than not, you’re casting at a figment of your visual imagination, but sometimes.…) In relatively short order, strong tidal wave action also can change a crystal clear bottom into a murky mess, with stirred up sand particles that obliterate any hope of spotting fish. Despite all this, waves can be a great help in fishing a coastline. Learning to read the pattern of wave action will tell you a great deal about the conformation of the bottom that you can’t actually see. Tremendous variation exists; most beach dramatic scenes like diving birds
like these, but when a wave rolls in
bottoms are riddled with all sorts of
and breaking fish, but more often
with the accompanying foam on the
depressions like holes and troughs.
the signs of potential fish action are
surface, suddenly you’ve lost sight
Bait such as crabs and small fish tend
much more subtle. A prime example
of everything. By the time the water
to be swept into these depressions,
is tracking the movement of corbina
clears, the fish have typically swum
and that’s where you’re most likely
off Southern California beaches.
away and you have to start searching
to find larger predatory gamefish.
This highly prized surf species often
again.
The way to recognize these bottom
swims the shoreline literally inches
depressions is to observe how waves
from the dry sand. They’re usually
Patches of surface foam can also
roll into shore: Waves tend to break
easy enough to spot in conditions
make things more difficult by casting
over shallow-water areas, whereas
22 TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE
they tend to roll over deeper sections
importance. Any type of unusual
They literally attacked everything
of the bottom. Once you become
surface disturbance can be a tip-
you threw at them. This was all as a
adept at this, you’ll find yourself
off that fish may be in the area.
result of large pods of small baitfish
spending more time fishing high-
For example, baitfish may reveal
congregated under the carcass; the
percentage productive water.
themselves by means of small
dorado came in droves for the feast.
wavelets or ripples on the surface,
This lasted for weeks until sharks and
In deeper water in which you can’t see
often referred to as “nervous
sea birds decimated the few ragged
the bottom, most of your searching
water.” Color changes can indicate
remains.
efforts will be directed at the surface.
temperature breaks, and fish like
Aside from the fish themselves,
tuna are known to congregate near
To the untrained eye, one stretch of
perhaps the most telltale sign to
the edges where these changes occur.
water may look pretty much the same
watch for is the presence of sea birds:
Any type of floating surface structure
as any other. With a little practice,
frigates, terns, jaegers, seagulls, and
is worth looking at because in open
however, you’ll begin to see subtle
pelicans. One of the laws of nature is
expanses of water it often serves
differences and find more fish. You’ll
that life form follows life form; birds
as a haven for a variety of baitfish
also begin to experience a significant
foraging and diving on the surface
that attract larger predators. I’ve
improvement in your ratio of hookups
are typically feeding on bait. And
experienced some incredible offshore
to time spent on the water. As the
wherever you find concentrations of
action on species like yellowtail and
old saying advises, “Seek and ye shall
bait, inevitably there are schools of
dorado that were congregating under
find.”
larger predatory gamefish ready to
kelp patches not much larger than a
dine on them. If you are fortunate
doormat.
enough to experience it, you’ll agree
Nick Curcione is a writer, instructor, lecturer, and tackle consultant
that the sight of large pods of baitfish
Some of the most incredible action
with more than 40 years of angling
being pursued by the birds above and
I ever experienced with dorado took
experience. He has written several
the fish below is an event that can
place out of Loreto in Baja California.
books, including the Orvis Guide to
blow your emotional circuits.
A whale carcass floated offshore, and
Saltwater Fly Fishing, The Saltwater
although the stench was terrible when
Edge: Tips and Tactics for Saltwater
Other signs may be less dramatic,
you were within casting distance,
Fly Fishing, and Baja on the Fly.
but do not underestimate their
the dorado fishing was red hot.
TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE 23
FLAT OUT
FREAKY Low Country Flounder on the Fly
24 TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE
by James P. Spica Jr.
“thumb” a winter flounder to land it. I do not recommend putting your
I truly, deeply love weird fish. Lifting
fingers anywhere near the mouth of a
an oddity from the deep induces a
summer flounder, or fluke. Though a
smile and adds a certain spice to a
fluke’s teeth aren’t razor sharp, they
fishing trip. What is that? And, more
are impressive in size and number and
to the point, Why does it look like
are conical—similar to those of the
that?
Atlantic bonito. The summer flounder’s jaw is also markedly more solid and
In redfish country—Low Country—I
strong than that of a winter flounder.
can get some pretty strange looks from other anglers who are looking for
(I’ve heard that West Coast halibut
tails on the flats (adding to the slew
are similarly catchable in the shallows
of strange looks I get from pelicans
during certain times of year and
and manatees). To those accustomed
behave like our Atlantic flounders, but
to 9-foot 8-weights, floating lines,
I’ll have to defer to the West Coast
and weedless crab flies, my 8-foot
experts on that one.)
9-weight, sink-tip line, and heavy, all-black Clouser Minnows with rattles
Flounder love structure. Just because
look odd. That’s the worst possible rig
they’re flat fish doesn’t mean they
for spartina grass!
gravitate to flat, sandy bottoms. They also love current, like most other
Indeed it is: I’m headed for the mud-
fish, and are dominators of the seam:
banked creeks, and I’m hunting for
Where you find structure and a tidal
doormats.
current seam, you will find flounder, lying in wait for so much unsuspecting
Flounder are a supremely weird fish,
prey. Creek mouths, too, are preferred
from their looks to their habits. They
habitat for flounder. Like many other
are an oddity that can be lifted from
fish and many humans, they like their
relatively shallow waters, as compared
food brought directly to them. The
with strange fish of reefs and wrecks.
creek mouth in a saltwater marsh is
Despite the harder fight, coppery
a buffet of crabs, shrimp, and forage
glamour, and sight-fishing-conducive
fish, so flounder have their pick of
behaviors of the red drum and the
tasty delights without having to move
reliability and ubiquity of sea trout,
far. My favorite spots for flounder in
as soon as the outgoing tide starts,
the Low Country are where tidal creeks
I feel the desire to go after the ugly
flow out of marshes through or near
duckling.
rock or concrete structure, so a culvert pipe directing tidal traffic is a surefire
On the Atlantic coast, we have two
spot for a hungry flounder.
main types of flounder: the “winter” and the “summer.” The seasonal
Of course, their design has “ambush”
common names aren’t especially on
written all over it: They’re supremely
point because both can be caught
camouflaged against most bottoms,
pretty much year-round. The winter
whether mud, cobble, or sand. In fact,
flounder has a mouth more like a
their camouflage is another element
bass: It can widen into a bucket
of their aesthetic that I admire. While
shape and lacks teeth, so you can
redfish and sea trout sport a few spots
TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE 25
and their colors are more coppery and
suit: completely undetectable,
fighting a flounder, the second stage
silvery (and even pale blue) from the
completely deadly.
is the view-and-flip. Once they see me,
crustaceans in their diet, the pattern
they turn and take off running—funny
on a flounder’s back is, with a little
Despite its camo and sneaky hugging
that women sometimes do the same
imagination, more akin to the haloed
of the bottom, it never ceases to
thing—but only after a masterfully
spots on a brook trout’s flank. The
amaze me how far a flounder will
nimble switch of direction like an
range of hues in their camouflage is
move to eat a fly. Their ambush
Olympic swimmer reaching the wall
worthy of at least passing admiration.
doesn’t rely on a certain proximity,
and turning for another lap. Then the
but rather upon the violent element
fight begins in earnest, characterized
of surprise. If they think they’re
by strong surges of bull-dogging at
unsuspected, they’ll rocket up from
a distance once the initial short run
the bottom several feet to nab a meal.
is over. After you’ve gotten it to the
Flounder are the sniper in the ghillie
boat or the bank, a flounder will often Adding to the weirdness of these flat
give a couple more turns and dashes
fish is the consistently bizarre way
before it’s quite exhausted. Then it’s
they fight when hooked. My spirits
time to retrieve the hook—frequently
lift when I know I have one on—and
mangled and occasionally bent—and
I know because the first thing the
send the fish on its way again.
fish does is charge toward me to see what has inconvenienced it. Its first
The simplicity of targeting flounder
instinct is curiosity—or perhaps rage—
also appeals to me. One needs only a
or more likely a mixture of both. If,
sinking line, a short rod (for the lifting
after coming tight, the line jackknifes
of a sunken mat), and a box featuring
toward me, then the prospect of
just two patterns: a black Clouser and
admiring (and occasionally eating)
a white Clouser. That’s the extent of
pure oddity is nearly assured.
it. (I will say, however, that a flounder is usually willing to eat anything dumb
If the approach is the first stage of
26 TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE
enough to pass it by.) My black and
End of sermon. Back to the ode. When I’m done for the day, my rod, kayak, and paddle (and usually pants and shirt, as well) are caked with partially-dried pluff mud as I slide back into the launch. I have a foam fly-drying strip covered with mangled and shredded Clouser minnows. I am probably dehydrated. But I’ve danced with weirdness. I’ve admired oddity. white Clouser Minnows are most often
from. Humans benefit from seeing
I’ll be ready again after I shower,
made of Super Hair, a stiff, kinked,
the start-to-finish of their meals, and
down a stiff drink, and tie a few
and partially translucent synthetic
taking an active part in that process
replacement flies.
hair that comes in a hank. Super Hair
is fulfilling, pride-inducing, and often
allows for a very sparse fly—a little
sobering.
goes a long way—but most important, it’s one of the most durable materials out there. Fluke—southern flounder— have some impressive teeth, and since your fly should have some weight and will likely be tapping oyster shells and rocks, fly durability is at a premium. And the taste! Oh, the taste. Flounder, like other flat fish such as halibut and sole, are light-flavored, flaky, and robust. Flounder is my number one favorite fish for ceviché: delicate enough not to overpower but flavorful enough to shine in the company of lime juice, onion, tomato, and cilantro. In this fly fishing culture of catchand-release—without question a good thing overall—one can sometimes forget the benefits of occasionally keeping a fish. As I see it (and many may disagree with me), keeping a fish to eat every once in a while promotes two distinct positives: First, it encourages a conservation mindset in the one who takes keeper regulations seriously; you become a small part of a fisheries management plan and more intimately familiar with what it means to legally kill a fish. Second, it’s always good to know where one’s food comes
TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE 27
Once A Boy
28 TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE
by Aaron Wood
of sargassum aside to clear a path, I
while renowned for its permit fishing,
climbed atop the bow.
guiding for them requires a resolute
The boy carried a spinning rod in
desire and mental fortitude that
tow as he had each morning, his
“Good morning, my friend,” Marlon
goes well beyond making a living.
gaze set about the water. He was
said, as much to the dog as me.
To succeed, the guide has to need
seven or eight, a saggy tank-top
the process as much as the angler:
revealing an especially lanky frame.
In heavy beach chop, we turned
They guide a fellow addict, a fellow
He trudged sleepily down the beach,
toward the horizon and then north
gambler, a kindred soul with wanton
his toes kicking up puffs of sand, his
for our third and final day in pursuit
dreams of taking the whole damn pot
eyes drawn oceanward, studying,
of permit.
as opposed to just a portion. From
perceiving what opportunities lay beneath.
the moment our first day began, For the angler, permit addiction
Marlon and I got along just fine.
is largely a drug of privilege, paid He disappeared around the far end of
for in vacation days and savings
We jumped from one flat to the
the bay, headed for the local pier. A
accounts. But for Marlon, and other
next for hours, occasionally spotting
chihuahua-something, a creamsicle
permit guides, they have paid for
of a dog, all doused in sand by 6
their passion in sweat equity and in
a.m., remained at my side. Your ride
a currency far more valuable than
will be here soon, her demeanor
money: time. In a fishery like Belize,
suggested, and I knew it to be true. A panga soon droned toward us and landed on the beach. Kicking a mat
TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE 29
permit cruising along the blue
a possible afternoon squall dampen
conclusion. I wish I could apologize
water at the edges. As it met the
his enthusiasm, or did it stir his
for this affliction, this fishing disease,
flat it turned turquoise, brown, and
curiosity about the bite before a drop
but to do so would be a waste of your
finally tan, a peculiar spectrum,
in barometric pressure? Did he check
breath and mine.
shallow enough to wade until
his rigging, double-check his hooks
ending at a precipice. Despite this,
for rust or for knots in his leader?
A tail cresting the water snapped
I felt invigorated with each new
Did he grease the reel, work the drag
my mind back to attention. As I
opportunity, as if chances were not
clockwise and then back, and set it
pitched the fly from my hand to cast,
so much a want but an expectation
so purposefully as if setting a pocket
Marlon coolly said, “Permanent, not
given enough time. Every setting
watch to announce the beginning of
a permit,” and I realized it was only a
felt the idyllic location to produce a
time itself?
sea fan waving us by.
Marlon and me, permit are a scourge
I hope not. I hope he slept so deep
I expected Marlon to tell me to reel
that care little for promise, hope, or
and true that his mother shook him,
up for the day when instead he told
money spent.
snarling, “Your breakfast is cold.” I
me to put on my boots. I sloppily
would delight in knowing he would
collected 50 feet of fly line like a
My mind eventually wandered to the
rather sleep, that his mother and
cowboy preparing to wrangle a heifer
boy. I wondered how the fishing was
father told him to occupy his time
and crashed over the edge of the
treating him back on the mainland.
elsewhere or take up a chore, forcing
panga. A soup of waving tails was a
If the pier goers treated him with
him to grab the dusty rod in the
hundred yards away, heading directly
mutual respect, despite his age. If
corner. But no, it never worked this
for us. We sloshed our way to the side
he was unable to sleep last night,
way. His hooks were true and the drag
of their line and I nervously waited
wondering what the next day
precise, for his gaze about the water
for Marlon to give me the green light
promised. Did the uptick in wind and
told me all I needed to reach such a
to cast.
fish to hand, but unfortunately for
30 TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE
Calmly he said, “Okay.”
I drowned my disappointment in
to cast at a moment’s notice.
the hush of the waves with the sun I placed the fly perfectly, a rarity on
setting behind me, my trip nearing
The sight of him was a welcome
the best of days. “Tick…tick…tick…”
its end. I considered grabbing a rod
consolation for three days of hard
Marlon whispered, his hand clutching
and blind casting in the surf, aware
fishing. He was a reminder of the
my shoulder. With the slightest of
that sometimes dumb luck is a better
fire that burns within us, of the
strips, I watched a permit nose up
asset than skill. Instead I surrendered
persistence it demands. Whether
on the fly, one-eighty, and regain
to the words of the ocean, for
permit, tarpon, brook trout, or bluegill,
its composure before returning to
portions of its wisdom are only
it makes little difference. I could not
the school. They passed a few yards
granted to those who opt to stop
help but feel a tinge of envy, as I was
from us, and I sent a desperate
and listen. I peered down the beach
that boy, now older, with fewer years
cast toward them before they
where two dogs were romping in the
ahead of me. I wished I could stop
disappeared.
sand, competing for the attention of
him, impart some cliché unto him.
the boy walking beside them. He did
But as he aged his passion would
“That. Was. Fucking. It,” Marlon
not indulge the dogs, only stopping
persist, conjuring dreams from behind
said, and after three days of similar
momentarily to again study the
his eyelids, driving him from bed at
circumstances, I couldn’t help but feel
ocean.
first light. It would accompany him
the entire process was a luxurious form of self-flagellation.
from good times to bad, remaining As he passed me he did not say hello,
steadfast as friends and family
as he was accustomed to watching
departed. It would drive him mad
“Aaron … need to get back before
foreigners come and go, and
with desire when not exercised, as
dark,” and with that we returned to
tomorrow I would be gone. He carried
obsession only knows itself, and in our
the panga for the ride home.
his rod, a plastic jerk bait dangling
case, only knows water.
from a few feet of line, allowing him
TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE 31
GEAR GUIDE GUY HARVEY RINGS BY GROOVE LIFE
Wearing a metal wedding band on the job is often a safety hazard—particularly around machinery, electricity, or caustic chemicals. For sanitary reasons, foodservice workers should refrain from wearing metal rings on the job, as they can provide hiding places for bacteria and the potential to spread food-borne illness. Groove Life manufactures several lines of silicone rings that eliminate the dangers of wedding bands in the workplace, including a collection of four handsome designs by world-renowned marine artist Guy Harvey: Tropical Turtle, Slammed, Mahi Skin, and Blue Marlin. These medical-grade silicone bands feature breathable grooves on the inside, keeping your ring finger dry and comfortable. The company offers discounts for military, healthcare workers, and first responders. An impressive 94-year warranty covers for lost rings as well. $39.95 (groovelife.com)
ALL-WATERS COFFEE
Coffee is critical to many of our fly fishing adventures–if you’ve ever been around our editorial staff before they’ve had a cup, you’ll understand–so we were delighted to stumble across All-Waters Coffee Co. It’s damn good coffee, and better yet, the company donates 3 percent of every bag of coffee sold to conservation groups such as Bonefish and Tarpon Trust, Save Bristol Bay, and Wild Steelheaders United. A guide buddy recently returned from a Laguna Madre fly fishing trip with one of All-Waters’ owners and put a two-pound bag of the Bristol Bay Bold in our hands. With a growing number of new coffees being marketed to outdoors enthusiasts, we weren’t sure what to expect. But we found the brew to be strong and tasty, with hints of dark chocolate and nutty undertones. The company’s other offerings include the medium roast Captains Brew Blend, the medium-dark roast Wild Run Blend, and the light roast Mayfly Blend (proceeds from this version benefit The Mayfly Project, which works to change the lives of children in foster care through fly fishing and mentorship programs). All-Waters Coffee Co. also offers a subscription service that delivers their coffees straight to customers’ doors at desired intervals from weekly to monthly. $15-$35 allwaterscoffeeco.com
32 TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE
PATAGONIA SWIFT CURRENT JACKET Patagonia touts the new Swiftcurrent jacket as a rugged, waterproof/breathable technical shell outfitted with fishingspecific details and built for steadfast performance and advanced storm protection– tested to withstand the harshest weather conditions. We agree. While not specifically identified as rain gear, the Swiftcurrent has kept us dry and comfortable on skiffs running full tilt through tropical downpours. Conveniently located pockets both inside and out and adjustable velcro straps to keep out the wind and water– and it’s made from recycled fish nets. The Swiftcurrent will be available in the fall of 2022, and it’s definitely worth the investment. $399 patagonia.com
TAIL TAIL FLY FLYFISHING FISHING MAGAZINE MAGAZINE 33
GEAR GUIDE
REVEL GEAR DAY TRIPPER SOLAR PACK We’ve all been there: On the water with a dead cell phone or camera. And Murphy’s Law dictates, of course, that those are invariably the times you land the one you’ve been waiting for. But with no picture, it might as well never have happened, right? The Day Tripper Solar Pack solves that problem. It’s a battery pack that can be charged in civilization with a micro USB cord or in the wild via a built-in mini solar panel. Sealed in a shock- and moisture-proof housing, the 8,000-mAh battery charges cell phones, handheld GPS devices, portable speakers, head lamps, cameras, and more. Simply plug your devices into one of the two USB outputs and power up from the sun’s rays (even two devices simultaneously). Operational at up to 113 degrees Fahrenheit, you can hang the Day Tripper from the included carabiner clip on your backpack or on your boat console and keep it charged all day. It even has a 1,000-lumen LED grid light that will blow your headlight or flashlight away. $49.99 (revelgear.com) 34 TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE
DUCK CAMP DRIFTER PANT The Drifter is Duck Camp’s signature fishing pant. Made from a two-way stretch nylon fabric with UPF 40+ sun protection, these pants are light enough to keep you cool on the flats but substantial enough to not feel like your pajama bottoms. The moisture-wicking material dries quickly when wet. They sport a variety of zippered pockets as well as a couple of pockets that have cool magnetized snap closures rather than traditional buttons. The articulated knees and gusset crotch provide more room in those important places. Available in three colors and two fits: regular fit for a slimmer athletic cut, and a relaxed fit for, well, you know, those of us who need a more forgiving cut. If you’re looking for a solid-performing pant for both wading and boatfishing applications, we’re sure you’ll find it in the Drifter. $89 (duckcamp.com)
SAGE R8 CORE The R8 Core represents the first release of a high-end, medium-fast action, multi-purpose fly rod in more than five years. Designed to replace the ubiquitous and beloved Sage X, the R8 Core has been at the center of an intense buzz and excitement. While rumors swirled around the development of the R8, Sage says the aim was to produce a rod with maximum versatility using
new revolutionary material technology, including new graphite consisting of high-density fibers with improved sintering. The result combines feel and responsiveness in a smooth, efficient, easy-casting fly rod that will adapt to a variety of casting styles and fishing techniques. We took the 9-foot 9-weight to fish the El Palometero tournament in Ascension Bay, Mexico, and put it through its paces chasing permit on the flats. We paired it with the Scientific Angler Amplitude Grand Slam fly line. Overall, the R8 was a pleasure to fish with. It loads quickly and allows precision at short casts inside 40 feet. With longer casts, we found it takes a bit longer to load than the traditional fast-action, saltwater-specific favorites, but the reward is unparalleled feel with plenty of power. After a few casts with it, our boat partner shelved his favorite “go-to” 9-weight, marveling at the R8 Core’s capabilities. The R8 Core is indeed a freshwater/saltwater crossover, and an R8 Core Salt series is an expected future addition to the lineup. But don’t discount the upper end of the Sage R8 Core current releases to perform well in a variety of saltwater applications. $1,050 (farbank.com)
12WT SUNWT GLOVE 2.0 12WT Fishing Apparel always combines Teflon-tough resistance to the elements with ultra comfort and performance. The SUNwt Glove 2.0 is certainly no exception. Utilizing lightweight stretch polyester fabric boasting 30+ UPF sun protection, the glove design is as light and unobtrusive as anything we have encountered. Let’s face it: Fishing gloves can be downright uncomfortable, especially in direct rays of the equatorial regions where your hands need sun protection the most. We recently fished these gloves in Ascension Bay, Mexico, and found them surprisingly easy to wear and use. Each finger has a small elastic band at the tip producing a snug fit that eliminates snags or catches. The fit seems almost tight when first donned, but the gloves quickly stretch out and relax to the right feel. Comfortable for all-day use, quick drying, and breathable, the SUNwt Glove 2.0 doesn’t compromise dexterity or function in the slightest. Bravo, 12WT! $29 (12wt.com)
TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE 35
GEAR GUIDE MPOWERD LUCI LIGHTS Luci Lights have been around for a decade, but the product lineup keeps getting better–and the company behind these inexpensive but powerful personal lanterns continues to make a difference in the fields of sustainability and social impact. Mpowerd offers a range of products, but the small, inflatable solar-powered lanterns that launched them into the market remain the core of their lineup. The Luci Original features a pair of small solar panels on the top of the 5-inch diameter lantern that can be fully charged in seven hours. The lights, which weigh 4.4 ounces, can run up to 24 hours on a single charge, illuminating the darkness with 65 lumens. Other models feature USB charging ports, string lights, and even a Bluetooth speaker. The Luci Base Light has a USB charging port and shines at up to 360 lumens. We’ve used the Luci Color Essence lights for several years; they’re invaluable for backcountry camping and fishing and have traveled around the world with us on far-flung fly fishing adventures in remote outposts with off-grid electrical situations. Best of all, Mpowerd, the company behind these innovative lights, works with hundreds of NGOs and nonprofit organizations to put their solar-powered lights in the hands of remote communities around the world, where access to affordable, solar lighting truly can change lives. Mpowered also has a program to distribute products for disaster relief and humanitarian aid around the globe. $19.95-$74.99 mpowerd.com PATAGONIA BLACK HOLE ROD CASE The flexibility of the interior spaces may be the defining feature of this case. The design isn’t rigid, so all of the interior spaces can be customized to fit your gear. It’s a soft case, so it doesn’t afford the protection of a rigid molded frame, but it has accommodated just about everything we’ve needed on a slate of recent trips. It’s perfect for travel, but it’s also great to store and keep your gear ready to go in the car or garage. $249 patagonia.com
36 TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE
TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE 37
) G N I (R by Trey Reid
38 TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE
Fly fishing for permit is hard enough without being conflicted about what kind of fly to throw, and yet that’s how it starts—deciding which kind of fuzzy bug to attach to your leader. Your decision will be influenced by water depth, type of bottom, wind, current, and other variables. But all things being equal—and reducing the equation to its simplest form—it usually comes down to a dichotomous choice: shrimp or crab? TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE 39
There are no absolutes in fly fishing for permit, but certain situations and circumstances may favor one crustacean over the other. I’m a crab guy. Let’s just get that out
crustacean over the other. As a
or with cruising fish, the shrimp
of the way. We’re all influenced by
general rule, the crab has the edge on
has the edge over the crab in these
our own unique experience, and my
the shrimp when permit are feeding
situations.
experience with crab flies and permit
slowly in shallow water and working
has been favorable. I’m happy to
over the same general area. The slow
Wind conditions and current may
throw a shrimp at them if the crab
stripping motion employed with a
also factor into the choice, especially
isn’t working, but I’m usually going
crab keeps the fly in the zone longer
when fishing from a boat. In
to start with a crab unless a guide or
and gives the fish time to find it and
most situations an angler will be
local knowledge suggests otherwise.
eat it.
approaching a target with the wind
Others’ experience will tilt the
at his or her back, and with stronger
balance in favor of the shrimp, and
Conversely, when most shots are
winds or currents, the forward
they’ll just as fervently commit to it.
at cruising fish or you’re in deeper
motion of the boat will put slack into
water, a shrimp may be the better
the line you just cast. With a shrimp
The point is that favorable experience
choice. The biggest knock on crabs
fly, the faster retrieve allows us to
breeds confidence, and having
from my shrimp-loving friends is
pick up the slack faster and reduces
confidence in your fly is tantamount
that the crab’s natural swimming
the chances of missing an eat.
to success. So use what you like.
action is too slow and that a real crab often evades predation by being still
Fly fishing for permit confounds
But be flexible. While confidence
on the bottom rather than fleeing.
certainty, so there’s little use trying
is important, don’t let it blind you.
“You can’t give it enough action,”
to convince you that a permit will
Refusals or indifference should tell
they say. With a shrimp, the shorter
favor a crab fly or a shrimp fly in any
you it’s time to try something else.
and more rapid stripping action
given angling situation. Who knows
imparts more motion and hopefully
why they do what they do? The best
There are no absolutes in fly fishing
attracts attention and sparks a fish’s
we can do is let experience guide our
for permit, but certain situations
predatory instincts. With more space
choices. And carry a box full of both
and circumstances may favor one
and distance in play in deeper water
patterns.
40 TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE
PHOTOGRAPHY: MATT HARRIS
“DROP IN ON MILL HOUSE PODCAST AND CATCH HISTORY IN THE MAKING.” - FLIP PALLOT -
WATCH LISTEN AND LEARN AT MILLHOUSEPODCAST.COM / @MILLHOUSEPODCAST TAIL TAIL FLY FLYFISHING FISHING MAGAZINE MAGAZINE 41
by Chico Fernandez
approach, at home. So we had to run
and then appeared again by the
upwind, estimate drift direction, shut
floating driftwood.
A few years back, while running our
the engine off, and start drifting. As
skiff across a basin headed for the
it turned out, we came within easy
Still optimistic about our chances to
next redfish flat, we came upon a
casting range. My friend had rigged a
hook it, I put my rod down on the rear
large tripletail floating, as they often
Clouser, and I had a permit crab. From
deck, waited until we had drifted far
do, just under the surface by a piece
the bow my friend made a good cast,
from the fish, cranked up the engine,
of driftwood.
and the fish immediately followed the
and went around to try another drift.
Clouser. It looked as if the tripletail We had left the trolling motor, which
was going to take it, but it didn’t. The
As we got closer on the second drift,
makes for such an easy and quiet
fish disappeared for a few seconds,
it was obvious that the rear of the
42 TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE
skiff was going to be a better place to make a good presentation. Being careful not to rock the boat, my friend walked on the gunwale to the back
the rod I realized I had a fish on, and
of high jumps, excellent table fare, and
of the skiff. The skiff was becoming
he was sounding fast. But a direct-
very unpredictable. I love fly fishing for
very close to the structure and the
drive fly reel will not yield line while an
them.
fish—too close really. It was going to
angler is holding the spool and handle.
be a short cast. The tripletail looked a
He broke me off instantly.
bit nervous but did not leave. Again, though, he would not take the Clouser.
Because it has a worldwide distribution, the tripletail goes by
Unbeknownst to me, my beautiful No.
many other common names. On
2 Merkin crab with red-banded rubber
our side of the world it also goes
Finally, as the skiff started to drift
legs had been dangling in the water,
by bouyfish, sleepfish, and black
away from the structure, my friend
close to the transom, almost against
perch. In Cuba, it’s biajaca de mar.
made one last cast, and it was a
the engine, where it came to rest when
In other Spanish speaking countries,
good one. The tripletail showed
I put down my fly rod in a rush a few
dormilona, meaning sleepy one, or
some interest and started to follow
minutes earlier. The tripletail raced
viuda dormilona, meaning sleepy
the Clouser with some signs of
past my friend’s Clouser to eat it, nearly
widow. In Japan it’s called matsudai.
aggressiveness. I was sure we would
making off with my fly rod, too.
get the fish this time.
Shaped a bit like a giant freshwater Behind my back, from the bow
panfish, it has a flat, deep body and
The tripletail followed the fly closer
now, my friend spoke with mocking
very small scales. Its dorsal and anal
and closer to the boat. The fish
authority: “A spectacular jump,” he
fins are long and soft, extending back
increased speed, bypassed the Clouser,
admitted, “but you got to let him run,
to the caudal fin, or tail, giving the
rushed toward the transom, and made
Chico.”
illusion of three tails, hence its name.
a big explosion against the engine as he fed on something. I could not
The tripletail, Lobotes surinamensis,
imagine what the fish saw against
is widely distributed, inhabiting
the engine to eat, but I did see my fly
tropical and subtropical waters across
rod catapult over the rear deck. For a
the globe—from Massachusetts to
unlikely fish I’d ever
moment it seemed to be suspended
Argentina in the western Atlantic,
in the air, then started to fall in the
from the Mediterranean Sea to
guess could jump, but
water, tip first—a perfect dive.
southern Africa in the eastern
I’ve had tripletail jump
Atlantic; they’re also found in the
more than 3 feet out
To me, it is the most
I took a long step, jumped, and landed
Indian Ocean, as well as the western
a belly flop on the back cushion, barely
Pacific, and from Costa Rica to Peru in
of the water. It’s just
grabbing the fly reel, which is all I
the eastern Pacific.
spectacular.
could reach, just before the outfit disappeared in the water. As I lifted
It’s a great gamefish: strong, capable
TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE 43
Juveniles are often mottled yellow
salinity. Adults can be found in bays,
Captain Alex Zapata, with whom I’ve
and dark brown, and sometimes all
estuaries, the lower part of rivers,
fished quite a bit, tells me he’ll see
yellow, often when trying to resemble
passes, and inlets, as well as reefs
them in the southern flats of the
a floating object. Adults are usually
and under patches of seaweed in blue
Everglades in under 10 inches of water
darker, often dark brown or greenish
water. They can be under or around
in spring and summer. That makes for
yellow with a dull silver underside.
any floating object or debris. They’re
very exciting sight casting.
Some even display a bit of gray. I’ve
also found around shipwrecks, pilings,
seen them floating in off-color water,
jetties, buoys, and more.
where they had a fairly light color,
Besides fishing for them on crab-trap buoys, Captain Rob Muñoz also likes
which made them easier to see in
The tripletail is more often a solitary
to fish for them right after the traps
muddy waters. I’ve seen them in many
fish, but sometimes they can be
are pulled out around May 1. “I find
different color variations. To me, they
found in pairs or small schools. While
when the traps are gone, they don’t
are the Calico Fish. The differences in
fishing the flats in the Everglades
leave,” he says. “Instead, they seem to
appearance are related to the tripletail
for snook and redfish, I’ll sometimes
mill around for a while. And I see them
trying to match the environment;
find areas with tripletails all over, in
floating in deeper water, or way in the shallow flats.” On one of those days Muñoz talks about, we fished with my son Stephen, and they were all over that flat. I remember several double hookups. One was invited to dinner that evening.
LOOKING FOR TRIPLETAILS The classic conditions are running the skiff on a calm day in summer to inspect every buoy, trap float, floating object, and marker piling. An electrical engine is ideal for tripletail fishing, but I’m seldom in a skiff that has one. So it’s about calculating an accurate drift that it’s a camouflage from predators and
singles or small groups. And they are
comes within a good casting distance:
prey. And they do such a good job that
usually hungry. It’s not unusual to get
not too far, yet not so close that they
they are often mistaken for floating
a double hook-up. But even in the best
will spook.
leaves or other debris.
areas to fish for them, they are rarely
They can grow big, too, more than
very abundant. They are not found in
If you can, run on the side that gives
large schools.
you the best sun angle to spot them.
three feet long. The IGFA all-tackle
This little detail can make a big
record is 42 pounds, 5 ounces, taken
They are opportunistic eaters, feeding
difference. And while they are often
in South Africa in 1989.
on a variety of prey, including fish,
right against the floating object or
shrimp, and crabs.
very close to it, other times they may
Their habitat is quite diverse, ranging from brackish inshore waters all the
TRIPLETAIL TIMING
way to the ocean. And they seem
While you can catch them year round,
quite indifferent to a wide range in
you see more during warmer months.
44 TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE
be several feet away from it. Look closely. If you see a fish but it goes down,
don’t give up. Wait a few minutes,
He is relentless when there is a
then turn around and set yourself up
chance to catch one, even on windy
for another drift. Given time, they
days.
quite often will come up again, and
BLUEWATER TRIPLETAILS Another place you may not have thought about fishing for them is in blue water under patches of seaweed
you’ll get another shot. But chances
“So yes, calm days are much
or any floating object, the same places
are the fish is going to be a bit
better, but windy days have some
you would look for dolphin. It’s not
suspicious, so try to position the boat
advantages,” Muñoz says. “For one,
unusual to see both species in the
for a slightly longer cast. And try real
the tripletails often look lighter, kind
same area.
hard for a good first cast—good luck
of golden-colored on the often muddy
on that one.
windy days, and that makes them
But in the clear ocean water, you’ll
more visible. And believe me, even in
spook them if you get too close. And
Zapata and Captain Paul Tejera both
the wind, they can be there, and they
it’s even worse if you are fishing out of
prefer fishing them on a rising tide.
feed well. Just set yourself up for a
a big sport fisher. So you have to spot
good drift, with the engine idling, and
them at a longer distance. If you don’t
you can still catch them.”
see them, but the patch of seaweed
“I look closely around the channel markers, mostly behind, and often several feet behind,” Zapata says.
or floating structure looks good to “Also, while I know that poling in the
you, try a few long blind casts. The fly
deeper water is harder, especially on
lands much quieter than the heavy
“With the incoming tide, some of the
windy days, if you can pole, it can be
lures that spin fishermen usually
tripletail that were in the channel will
of great advantage. For one, you can
throw at them. You may be surprised
drift in the flat to feed,” Tejera says. “I
make a better, more quiet approach,
when a big tripletail comes out from
like those conditions. Also, calm days
and you’ll spook less fish, get more
under cover and takes your fly.
are ideal because it’s better visibility
hook-ups. But I also find that since
and I can cover lots of ground in a
you are making very little noise, often
Just make sure they don’t see the
short time, often on my way to a
other tripletail that are around will
boat or become aware of it. If so,
tarpon flat. I leave the engine idling.
pop up, and you’ll end up hooking
even if they stay under the debris,
As long as it’s just idling, it doesn’t
fish you wouldn’t have seen with
they probably will not take your fly.
seem to bother the tripletail.”
the engine running or even idling.
And the more you cast to them, the
Remember, where there is one, there
less chance you’ll have. When that
are probably others around.”
happens, it’s usually best to move on
I have fished with Muñoz for many years, and he is a big fan of tripletails.
to another patch of debris.
TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE 45
Any reel that balances your outfit will have more than enough backing for the job. For the closer casts of structure fishing, a 9-foot leader will suffice. Under most conditions in the flats, I like a slightly longer leader, usually 10 or 11 feet. But if you are fishing in less than a foot of water, it’s flat
SIGHTCASTING IN THE FLATS
HANDLE WITH CARE
Fishing for tripletails on floating
When you bring one to the boat, I
combination of these conditions—then
structure is fun and exciting. And
think it’s best to use a net, and if you
I go to 12 feet of leader and use my
granted, it is sight casting. But
are not going to keep the fish for
6-weight. Or at most a 7-weight. It will
casting to them in inches of water is
dinner, keep it in the water while you
make the difference between hooking
a very different experience, and it’s by
get ready to take a photo or remove
fish or spooking fish.
far my favorite. And because it’s an
the hook. If not, you’ll have to handle
open-water fight, with no structure
them by hand. Either way, handle
With the 8- and 9-weight, I use
for the fish to tangle my line or cut
with care. They have sharp teeth, very
16-pound tippet, and with the 6- and
me off during the fight, I can fish
sharp gill flaps by the area around
7-weight I’ll go to 12-pound tippet.
them with my favorite 6-weight. And I
the cheeks, and sharp spines. They
And to overcome any abrasion from
just love that.
can really cut you. I know this from
the teeth or gill plates of the tripletail,
experience.
or the abrasion of a snook that may
First, this is a different challenge. If
calm, or if the water is gin-clear—or a
be around the flats, I’ll use bite tippet
they are in just inches of water, you’ll
TRIPLETAIL TACKLE
have to make a good, accurate long
In the open water of a flat, I prefer
maybe 25 pounds if I’m having
cast. Longer leaders are advisable.
a lighter rod, usually a 7- or even a
problems getting hits because of very
Lighter lines spook fewer fish. And
6-weight. But an 8-weight also works.
clear water, but I’d rather use 30.
while the fish may take the fly right
On structure, however, where you
away, it may follow it for a while
may want to pull hard to get them
SINKING OR SUSPENDING?
before taking it, often close to the
out in the open for a safer fight, then
After years of experience with
boat. Then, especially with a light
perhaps an 8-weight or a 9-weight
tripletail in many parts of their range
fly rod and corresponding lighter
may be a wiser choice.
and with top anglers and guides, I find
tippets—please, don’t tell me you are using 9 feet of 40-pound mono; I don’t consider that fly fishing—the fish can make a very long run, well into your backing, and this is exciting. Not enough? A tripletail will often jump, occasionally several times. To me, it is the most unlikely fish I’d ever guess could jump, but I’ve had tripletail jump more than 3 feet out of the water. It’s just spectacular. If you have never fished for them in inches of water, you’re in for a treat.
46 TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE
of 30-pound mono or fluorocarbon—
there are still two schools of thought
cast up current, let the current
If I choose to try a weighted fly, it is
on tripletail flies. It’s partly about
bring the fly to him, as it would do
generally in very clear water, where
personal preference but also about
naturally. Then use a slow strip,
I feel a tripletail is less likely to lose
the area you’re fishing and how you’re
often using tiny bumps. Not too fast.
sight of the fly as it goes down.
fishing for them.
Don’t make it too hard for him to catch up to the fly. If it’s a surface
A few years ago, my old friend Captain
One school of thought prefers a
fly, like a small popper, use very small
Frank Catino mentioned to me the
weighted fly that drops in front of the
pops. Often that little noise does the
idea of using a weighted fly and a
fish and dives, so the fish dives behind
trick and he takes it. But whatever
fast-sinking line for times when a
it and takes it. They are usually using
you do, don’t let him see the boat. If
structure well known for holding
Clousers, weighted shrimp, and crab
he is following the fly for a long time
tripletail is not showing any fish.
patterns.
and is getting too close to the boat,
“Usually, the fish are still there, they
pick up the fly, so he does not see
are just deep, probably in high stages
The other school uses suspended flies,
the boat. Then when he gets back to
of the tide, or during flow tide with no
unweighted or very lightly weighted,
his station, try again.”
current,” he said. “Then a sinking line with a weighted fly will go down a few
even poppers and Muddler-type streamers. The theory is that it gives
When I cast to a tripletail, and many
the fish more time to make up its
other species as well, I like to try and
mind. Besides, it’s very exciting to
place the fly just outside the fish’s
Using a heavily weighted Clouser
see a fish take the fly. I’ve caught a
area of awareness, then strip the fly
or shrimp pattern like the famous
couple on poppers and the foam Hot
until the fish sees it. And I find my
Spawning Shrimp, and a 300- or
Lips pattern, and I’ll tell you it is quite
strip for tripletail is usually slow.
350-grain head, I’ve cast on those structures, and occasionally, but not
an experience to see them—and hear them—slurp a surface fly.
feet to where they may be holding.”
If the fish refuses the fly, after the
often, hooked tripletail. But be careful;
second or third try, I change flies.
I’ve also hooked the structure.
“Especially in muddy water, a fly
And I try to make a significant
that you can see, one that stays on
change. So from big to small,
In blue water, I use a fish or a shrimp
the surface, is best, because with a
from black to chartreuse, from
pattern—no crab patterns because
weighted shrimp or Clouser, the fly
crab pattern to fish pattern, or a
I want to be able to move the fly at
goes down,” Muñoz says. “If the fish
combination of several significant
medium speed if I feel I need to, and
does not eat it right away, the fly
changes. I also like to have two rods
that is not natural for a crab. At least
disappears, and the fish disappears.
rigged with different flies, so the
that’s what I think. I don’t know what
You are done.”
first change doesn’t require any
a tripletail thinks.
rigging. The time saved often makes “I’m often fishing for tarpon when we
the difference between a hook-up
HUNGRY?
bump into a tripletail, and I’ve found
or not.
I don’t mind telling you that of all the fish in the Everglades, the tripletail
that a typical tarpon rabbit strip fly in black or chartreuse works great
Most of the time, my favorite flies
if my favorite to eat. I prefer one
for them,” Tejera says. “If looking
are suspended. I love to see the fish
even to a large mangrove snapper. Its
for them, and especially if visibility
take the fly. A small popper can be
white meat can be cooked in many
is poor, a big shrimp pattern, even a
very exciting, but make sure you
ways; you can’t go wrong. Cuban red
crab pattern, works great for me.”
don’t pop it too loud or the fish will
beans with white rice and ripe fried
be gone. That is one reason I like
plantains is to die for. Just be aware
“I like a small fly, tied on a No. 2 hook,
Captain Steve Huff’s Hot Lips. It pops
that they are tough to fillet. I usually
that stays suspended or sinks slowly,
ever so gently. You can’t make it pop
have to sharpen the knife several
especially in inches of water,” Zapata
too loudly. It is one of my favorite
times. But it’s worth it.
says. “If the fish is in structure, I’ll
surface fly patterns.
TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE 47
Belize Trip Doesn’t Disappoint by TFFM Staff
Whether seeing familiar faces or greeting new ones, it’s a pleasure to spend time with our subscribers. It’s even better when the fly fishing is as hot as it was April 24-30 for Tail Fly Fishing Magazine’s second annual hosted trip to El Pescador Lodge and Villas on Ambergris Caye, Belize.
48 TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE
TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE 49
Our group consisted of fly anglers with varying levels of experience—from first-timers to anglers with decades on the water—as well as two non-angling spouses. The weather was mostly cooperative, and the bonefish, permit, and tarpon were almost as accommodating as El Pescador’s friendly and attentive staff. It was a fly fishing hit parade for many in the group, including numerous firsts: John Wendt from South Carolina caught his first permit, Reed Nolte from Connecticut caught his first bonefish, and Freddy Miraballes from Connecticut, who hadn’t fly fished prior to this trip, caught his first tarpon and bonefish.
50 TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE
John Bracey from Arkansas caught his first tarpon and first permit, and our managing editor, Trey Reid, caught his first tarpon. They fished together most of the week and it only got better, with both getting Grand Slams on Day Three and Reid getting a second Grand Slam on Day Four. They stayed on the permit and ended the trip with a nine-permit day; Reid caught eight permit on the week and Bracey had seven. They agreed that their success was less a result of angling skill and more the result of a ferocious guide, alignment of celestial bodies, and blind luck. Ron Clark from Florida also had a pair of Grand Slams, the first being of his own invention and not recognized outside of this journal. Clark completed the “RC Slam,” consisting of African pompano, bonefish, and barracuda, on the first day, and then notched his first actual Grand Slam during our last day on the water.
TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE 51
Riding a seemingly endless stream of Belikin, Green Carribean cocktails, and chicken wings, we learned about Myron Garfinkle’s love of surfing and flying, Jan Bruch’s passion for nature, and Hilton Bruch’s ongoing skiff-building project, a process we’ve pleaded for him to share with TFFM readers in the future. Jackie Bracey and Kasey Reid, John’s and Trey’s respective non-fishing spouses, availed themselves of El Pescador’s incredible amenities, including onsite massage, and also ventured out for yoga and a harrowing but highly humorous spin around San Pedro in a golf cart.
52 TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE
TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE 53
54 TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE
Joe Ballarini, our founder, publisher, and editor-in-chief, was the electrified whirling dervish of energy that he always is, telling stories and incessantly tying flies, working on the magazine on his computer at ridiculous hours of the night, and even plying the waters off the end of the El Pescador dock for tarpon before bedtime. It was a great week of fishing, but sharing it with friends who are starting to feel like family made it even better.
TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE 55
ON THE
PLATE Text and recipes by Jennifer Matsu Photos by Rob Schumske
56 TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE
Snapper
Whole Fried
TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE 57
I recently traveled to Turks and Caicos for a
Our guide, Edison, has a long family history of
family vacation in which multiple generations
fly fishing. His grandfather was the first licensed
came together for the first time in years
fly fishing guide on the island. He took us on an
because of the pandemic. It was my first visit
hour-and-a-half run. Going 65 mph across the
to the small British territory that lies southeast
flats, it was like we were flying across the edge
of the Bahamas and north of Haiti and the
of the Earth. When we arrived at our destination
Dominican Republic. In addition to hanging out
in Middle Caicos, we were immediately on fish.
with family, I snuck away with my cousin to fly
My past experiences with bonefish were typical—
fish for bonefish, a trip that we celebrated with
speedy and spooky fish. But these bones were
a dinner of whole fried snapper. Upon returning
different, moving calmly and slowly, much like my
home, I recreated the dish, and I’m sharing it
home-team redfish in Galveston Bay. These fish
below for your dining pleasure.
weren’t fearful, and they appeared completely unbothered. What an absolute privilege to see
A barrier reef shields Grace Bay and protects
fish that weren’t pressured. I watched them
the beach, leaving the sea calm and peaceful
methodically hunt down flies and pounce before
and resulting in pristine water. We spent days
taking their typical long and fast initial run.
snorkeling and floating in the ocean. But it was fly fishing that really excited me. My secret
We didn’t see another boat the entire day—peace
hope was that I would fall deeply in love with
for us and peace for the fish. That evening, we
bonefish—after all, bonefish can take you to
sat down for dinner with our toes in the sand and
some of the prettiest water on the planet—but I
enjoyed a simple whole fried snapper—a perfect
just don’t yet yearn for them like I do permit or
dish for sharing.
tarpon. I’ve courted bonefish in Mexico and the Bahamas and looked forward to my first date with a Caicos bone.
58 TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE
Whole Fried Snapper Ingredients
Directions
2 quarts of cooking oil (peanut oil or
of both sides of each fish and place fish into a glass dish. In a
other high-smoke-point oil)
small bowl, combine the last 10 ingredients to make a paste,
1 whole jalapeño
and rub paste into fish. Let fish marinate for 30 minutes at
¼ tsp adobo chile powder
room temperature or up to 2 hours refrigerated. Add cooking
¼ tsp coriander
oil to a height of approximately 2 inches to a large stock pot
¼ tsp cumin
or Dutch oven. Heat oil to 350 degrees (use a thermometer for
¼ tsp turmeric
best results). Dry fish with paper towels and gently lower one
¼ tsp dried oregano
fish into the hot oil for about 7 minutes, turning over halfway
¼ tsp paprika
through cooking and watching that it doesn’t overly brown.
1 tsp salt
Remove fish to paper towel lined sheet pan.
Two whole red snappers, cleaned
With a sharp knife, make 3 or 4 diagonal slits into the flesh
2 garlic cloves, minced 1 tbsp olive oil
Repeat with second fish. Roast jalapeño in a lightly oiled
1 lime, juiced
cast iron skillet, turning to char all sides. Plate fish with lime wedges and charred jalapeño. Serve with avocado slices, cilantro, and warm tortillas.
TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE 59
Cherry Bounce and Cocktail Cherries by George Roberts
Cherry Bounce is a Colonial recipe that predates the United States (Martha Washington had her own recipe). In New England’s days of old, hard alcohol was used to preserve fruit. Nothing went to waste in those days, so of course the alcohol was consumed as well. I first decided to make Cherry Bounce as a novelty. My wife and I had purchased a home on Massachusetts’ South Shore that also predates the United States, a Dutch Colonial built in 1765. I’m not partial to sweet drinks myself, but I thought it would be interesting to serve guests a drink appropriate to the period. The result was something along the lines of a cherry cordial or schnapps. I was surprised at how many of our guests actually liked it. The first Cherry Bounce was made with native cherries, many of which are sour even when 60 TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE
ripe, so sugar was added to the mixture to soften the tartness. Contemporary recipes call for white sugar, but I use turbinado sugar, a partially refined brown sugar that retains some of its original molasses and has a subtle caramel flavor. I think turbinado is closer to what was probably available to the average household in Colonial times. I make my Cherry Bounce with rum, which was a staple in Colonial New England, but you can also use American whiskey— bourbon or rye, or whatever your neighbor might distill in his basement. Depending on what recipe you read, a variety of spices are added to the mix—cinnamon, mace, clove, etc.—but from experience I can tell you that if you’re heavy-handed with the spice, it can overwhelm the taste. I’ve
found that using a good spiced rum will suffice. I like Sailor Jerry, and Captain Morgan will do, but I’ve become exceptionally fond of Kraken, a fairly inexpensive black rum that, at 94 proof, has something of a bite. Allowed to meld with ripe cherries over a number of months—or years—the flavor will mellow to the point that you might comment, as have a number of those who have tasted it, that Cherry Bounce would be perfect drizzled over vanilla ice cream. In New England, cherries tend to make their first appearance in supermarkets around July. I typically let the mixture sit for at least three months before I sample. I traditionally take my first taste of a new batch on October 31. When a group of trick-or-treaters comes to the door, there’s candy for the kids and a special treat for the adults.
Cherry Bounce Ingredients 2 lbs fresh ripe cherries, washed, stems removed 750 ml spiced rum 1 cup turbinado sugar
Directions Remove the stems from the cherries—leave the pits in—and wash them in a colander. You can use a number of vessels to steep the cherries in the rum, but for simplicity I prefer a large glass jar with a spigot to directly dispense the final product. Add the cherries, rum, and sugar. Make sure the cherries are completely covered by the rum. Stir the mixture once daily until the sugar is entirely dissolved. It pays to use a vessel with a tight-fitting lid—fruit flies love this stuff. As cherry juices meld with the rum over time, the redness of the liquid will deepen. Use the above proportions to make larger batches to fill larger glass jars.
Cocktail Cherries
Despite my early years as a bartender, I never developed a taste for cocktails, preferring to drink my liquor neat. Only quite recently have I developed a taste for the bourbon Manhattan, which is, according to Gary Regan, author of The Joy of Mixology: “Quite simply, when properly constructed … the finest cocktail on the face of the earth.” No argument here. The customary garnish for the Manhattan is a cherry and, according to some sources, an orange peel (I prefer my peel with a bit of the pulp left intact). The long-accepted American cocktail cherry garnish—the maraschino cherry—is artificially colored with red dye, packed in high-fructose corn syrup, and looks to me more appropriate atop an ice cream sundae. Luxardo cherries, produced in Italy, are a decided step up, but at over $20 for a 14-ounce jar, they’re absurdly expensive in the opinion of this frugal New Englander. Sticking a bamboo skewer into my jar of Cherry Bounce was a no-brainer. Completely covered in rum, the cherries stay firm and will keep indefinitely without refrigeration. I pack cherries dedicated for cocktails into Ball mason jars. There’s no real need to add sugar to cocktail cherries, but a couple of tablespoons of turbinado will bring the juice one step closer to a simple syrup, which you can then use to flavor cocktails. Or you can simply drink it (we never waste food on the farm). Needless to say, a jar of handcrafted cocktail cherries makes a great gift for any home bartender. TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE 61
PUPPY
DRUM Inshore redfish may not be the biggest, but they reward anglers in other ways.
62 TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE
E. Donnall Thomas Jr. Photos by E. Donnall Thomas Jr. and Lori Thomas
horizon and its intensity will have to
flats has left me lacking confidence in
grow before I will be able to see fish
even my most basic saltwater fly rod
below the waterline, but no matter.
technique, so I strip off several piled
Right now I’m looking for nothing
coils of line and shoot off a cast aimed
The Laguna Madre’s polished surface
but their tails, and conditions could
at nothing. Less than perfect, but it
seems otherworldly as it melts
not be better suited to spotting
will do. I hope.
seamlessly into a cloudless sky with
them.
nary a ripple to mar the illusion of
Now I can make out two human
one vast mirror. A lone gull gliding
The warm salt water brushing
figures far ahead in the distance,
high above the water in search of
against my calves as I wade feels
suspended and ghostly in the invisible
breakfast provides the only sign of
like a welcome embrace from an old
seam between water and sky. Absent
life. Somewhere beyond the low line of
girlfriend. The long Montana winter
any sound of outboard motors, they
sand and scrub behind me, a muted
behind us suddenly feels too distant
can only be my wife, Lori, and our old
orange sun is rising from the Gulf
to be measured in miles or days of
friend and host, Dick Negley. Before I
of Mexico. Both its height above the
travel. An overlong absence from the
can confirm this assumption, I notice
TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE 63
The seductive sight of a redfish’s spotted tail glistening in the sun somehow becomes more than the sum of its parts. When it reappears moments later,
My tentative pace could have let the
the lack of defined background makes
fish move on and vanish for good, but
it impossible to determine if it has
beginner’s luck must be on my side.
an anomalous spot of something on
moved from its original location.
the water’s surface an indeterminate
However, I can now make out subtle
Finally confirmed as a redfish, the
distance away toward the mainland.
concentric ripples surrounding it and
tail is glowing orange in the sunlight
It looks like nothing in particular—a
realize that I have just spotted my
by the time I reach casting distance.
leaf, perhaps, or a feather. Then I
first redfish.
Experience with bonefish has taught
remember Dick’s parting advice as
me the importance of determining a
I climbed over his skiff’s gunwale:
Accustomed to spooky bonefish as my
tailing fish’s orientation and direction
“If you see anything on the surface,
primary quarry on the flats, I approach
of travel before casting. After
assume it’s a redfish tail until proven
slowly and cautiously—more so than
calculating what turns out to be a
otherwise.”
necessary, as I will learn over the
correct firing solution, I manage a
course of this morning and many more
good (but not great) cast that leaves
Fair enough. Although remaining
to come. I do not yet know that even
my shrimp imitation several feet in
skeptical, I begin to edge slowly
in dead calm conditions of wind and
front of the fish’s presumptive nose. I
toward this definite but unidentifiable
water, redfish will often tolerate more
twitch the line, the tail vanishes, and
something only to watch it vanish.
disturbance than other flats species.
then nothing happens.
64 TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE
Despite concern that the bead-eyed
I acknowledge that it is impossible for
Lots of recent discussion of the
fly’s water entry may have been noisy
an angler living in Montana and Alaska
species within the fly fishing
enough to put the fish down in such
to become an authority on any subject
community has focused on large,
calm conditions, I continue to strip
involving warm salt water, this time
mature redfish offshore. After seeing
slowly. Then my line hand comes
interval has led to experiences worth
the photos and video clips and talking
up against something solid, more
relating. I hope.
to friends who have pursued these
akin to the bottom than a striking
beasts, I understand why: It’s hard to
fish. Years of steelhead fishing, in which encounters between fly and streambed occur regularly, have taught me a simple axiom: When in doubt, assume the best and strike! Then line starts peeling through my hand in slow but powerful surges as my first redfish leaves me behind. Because the details remain so vivid in my memory, the present tense seemed appropriate to my description of this event. But all that took place many years and many redfish ago, and I know a bit more now than I did then. While
TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE 65
deny the appeal of big fish, especially
and other species from skiffs, canoes,
I was. The Laguna Madre contains
when taken on the surface. Offshore
and various inflatable craft—but other
limitless flats as amenable to wading
redfish are on my bucket list.
factors being equal, I’d rather set out
as my favorite bonefish habitat.
on my own two legs. But I have always found shallow water
In contrast to the sea trout with
and tidal shorelines more interesting
When redfish are the quarry, there’s
whom they share those waters (which
than open water. Years ago, during
no better place than the Laguna
rank among the largest of their
my introduction to flats fishing for
Madre, the long strip of shallow,
species anywhere), inshore redfish are
bones and the company they keep,
protected inshore water lying between
mostly immature and small, at least
I became addicted to wade fishing,
the Texas mainland and its Gulf
in comparison to those that have
which reminded me pleasantly of
Coast barrier islands. At first glance,
migrated into deeper water. While a
hunting big game with a bow. Nothing
I assumed that the bottom would
6-pound red is plenty of fish on light
wrong with a skiff, mind you, other
be too soft to make wade fishing
tackle, they compensate for their
than the impossibility of taking one
feasible, but I was delighted when
“puppy drum” status in other ways.
along with you to distant locations,
Dick, an old friend from Texas I knew
They are abundant, and action can be
which leaves you dependent on others.
from wingshooting adventures on his
fast and furious in the right place on
I’ve had lots of fun fishing for redfish
turf and mine, showed me how wrong
the right tide. Should you be inclined to keep one for dinner, they make better table fare than their larger kin. Variety is always possible in the form of sea trout, sheepshead, or occasional large black drum. Shallow water and light bottoms provide excellent conditions for sight fishing even if the fish aren’t tailing. But when they are, as is often the case at first light, fly fishing for redfish becomes an apex flats-fishing experience. The seductive sight of a redfish’s spotted tail glistening in the sun somehow becomes more than the sum of its parts. Tailing redfish
66 TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE
remind me of bugling elk in that
I had pursued one such telltale gull
off in that direction. Fortunately,
hunting either one becomes vastly
away from the anchored skiff when I
daughter Nicole was alert enough to
more exciting than it would be if the
noticed a honeybee circling my head.
recognize that something was very
quarry weren’t doing what it’s doing.
I found this unusual because I was
wrong, and she directed the skiff
Anglers familiar with tailing bonefish
hundreds of yards from the nearest
toward me. By the time I flopped
will understand this inscrutable appeal.
dry land and had seldom seen bees
over its gunwale, I had sustained well
this far out over open water. In short
over a hundred stings. If I had been
Salt water is never completely free
order, the solitary bee became 10 bees,
allergic to bee venom, I would have
of hazards, which in these waters
which soon became a swarm.
been dead. Who says fish can’t be a
usually comes in the form of southern
dangerous game?
stingrays, the species that accounts
That’s when a warning light belatedly
for the vast majority of emergency
flashed in my head as I remembered
Birds can be helpful in other ways
room visits to remove an embedded
the Africanized “killer bees” that had
on redfish flats, especially when
barb. It was another form of wildlife
recently invaded South Texas. As if
clouds and wind make it difficult or
that nearly killed me, however, on one
on cue, one bee lit on my thumb and
impossible to see fish. On one such
otherwise enjoyable day of fishing the
stung me, evidently issuing an attack
occasion, visibility had deteriorated
Laguna Madre.
order to its companions. I immediately
so badly that we had started to head
had bees all over me, including my
back to the wharf when Lori spotted
By that time, I had learned that a
eyes, nose, and ears. The water was
a vortex of birds circling wildly over
solitary gull picking at food while
too shallow for total submersion. I
the water. To avoid spooking them,
swimming in a straight line is almost
took a bearing on the skiff, closed my
we stopped the skiff well short of
always on top of a feeding redfish.
eyes as tightly as possible, and took
the activity and began our approach
TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE 67
on foot. Each of us received an
much. On one canoe expedition into
wallowing hog than anything possible
instantaneous strike when our flies hit
the Everglades, snook, tarpon, and
to catch on a fly. “That’s a redfish,”
the edge of the nervous water. When
trout left me just one redfish short of
Russell assured me. “They’ll be chasing
my weighted crab pattern produced
the Backcountry Slam, but damned
little crabs right up the grass. Cast at
a redfish and Lori’s lighter bonefish
if I could catch one despite blowing
the sound, and if you get this in the
fly came home in a sea trout’s jaw,
several reasonable shots.
right place, you’ll hook a fish.”
were feeding at different levels in the
The bottom conditions in most of
The fly he handed me didn’t look all
water column. Trading rods back and
these locations required fishing from
that much like a crab, but it did sport
forth, we each successfully targeted
a boat. While I enjoyed the variety of
an industrial-strength weed guard.
whichever fish we felt like catching
habitat, I did miss the easy wading
When Russell assured me that the
until the party finally broke up.
back on the South Texas shoreline.
fish would not be spooky and that we
we realized that the two species
However, one excursion in northern
could approach them at will, I finished
At some point in a piece like this, a
Florida introduced me to some of the
rigging up and set off into the foliage
discussion of fly patterns has become
most unusual wade fishing I have
toward the nearest sound of splashing
all but obligatory. The good news
encountered anywhere.
water while Lori and Russell headed
is simple, at least for those whose
in the other direction. Twenty yards
idea of a perfect fishing trip doesn’t
After meeting Russell Tharin through
from the commotion, I got off a
involve matching an insect hatch
mutual friends in the bowhunting
decent cast that left loops of fly line
on a spring creek: It doesn’t matter.
community, I quickly recognized him
festooned across the waist-high grass.
Redfish in shallow water are almost
as both a vast source of knowledge
Unable to determine that my fly had
always actively feeding on something
regarding saltwater fly fishing and
even hit the water, I made a short
and will hit almost anything presented
one of the most accomplished casters
strip with my line hand, which at least
accurately. Refusals are rare as long as
with whom I have ever fished. As
confirmed that the weed guard was
the cast hasn’t spooked the fish, and
an add-on to a spring bowhunt for
working effectively. My second twitch
I’ve caught redfish on virtually every
hogs and turkeys nearby, Lori and I
came up solidly against something
pattern in my saltwater collection,
arranged to meet him near the mouth
clearly more substantial than
including surface poppers.
of the St. Johns River during a period
spartina. Then my line was racing
of high spring tides. He explained that
away toward the river as I floundered
While most of my redfish experience
redfish would be following spawning
along in awkward pursuit.
has taken place on the Texas Gulf
crabs up into the flooded spartina
Coast, I have also successfully fished
grass, but when we stopped paddling
Despite the ensuing chaos as I paused
for them around Florida and into
and stepped out of the canoe, I still
frequently to free my line from the
southern Georgia. (Their range
couldn’t quite believe what he was
grass, I eventually caught up with
extends much farther north, but since
suggesting that we do.
the 6-pound redfish and landed it
warm weather is such an important
in open water. Lori and I then spent
part of their appeal for me, I haven’t
Fishing the spartina, it turns out,
the remaining two hours of daylight
pursued them above that latitude.)
meant just that. The growth was
stalking noises, laying fly line across
The variation in habitat found
so dense in the area he pointed me
the foliage, and catching redfish.
throughout this range has taught
toward that I couldn’t even see the
I easily could have spent an entire
me how adaptable redfish can be
water. In response to my skeptical
day thus engaged if only nature
to different environments including
look, Russell simply raised a hand in
had allowed it. Impending darkness
backcountry mangrove wilderness
a request for silence and pointed to
wasn’t the only limiting factor. We
in southern Florida, expansive flats
something deep in the sea of grass.
had arrived at the peak of the flood,
containing multiple varieties of fish
and as the tide dropped the sloshing
in the Indian River Lagoon, and oyster
“Hear that?” he asked. I did, sort
stopped as fish retreated back into
beds near Jacksonville. Sometimes the
of, although the sloshing I finally
the river. When we regrouped back
fish came easily, at other times not so
identified sounded more like a
at the canoe, Russell explained that
68 TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE
there are only a few times during the
wasn’t the only time I relied on my
The strike came with such surprising
tide cycle when the water rises high
ears to help me get flies in front of
speed that I nearly missed it. Larger
enough to bring the fish that far up
them.
than the usual puppy drum, the
into the grass.
double-digit fish did just what I needed One lazy summer day, Lori and I were
it to do when it ran straight back down
I felt profoundly lucky to have been
fishing the edge of a channel running
the drain, under the skiff, and out into
there for one of them.
through a large system of tide flats
the open channel, where it proved
near the Florida/Georgia line. Since
easy to land. After releasing it, we
While sight casting is a well-
the bottom was too soft and muddy
continued along the bank and stopped
established technique for taking a
to wade, we were drifting with the
to listen and cast up three more
variety of saltwater gamefish, my
tide in a friend’s skiff. Water visibility
drains, each of which produced a nice
experience with “sound casting” has
was poor, and the current was too
fish. If I hadn’t heard that first one
been limited to reds. That wild and
deep for tailing fish. Consequently, we
wallowing like a hippo, the afternoon
crazy evening in the spartina grass
were limited to casting at structure
likely would have been a bust.
along the channel’s grassy bank, hoping to spot a wake or get lucky like
One of these days, I’m going to get
the proverbial blind hog and stumble
organized, head to Louisiana, engage
across an acorn.
one of the guides whom friends have recommended, go offshore, and try
As we passed the mouth of a narrow
to catch big redfish. To deny the
tidal drain, I heard a familiar sound
appeal of such a game plan would be
arising from somewhere out of sight
churlish. In the meantime, however, I’ll
near the drain’s first bend upstream.
return to friends in Florida and Texas,
The passage was too narrow to admit
do some wading, and hope to find
the skiff, and when Lori bailed out
redfish tailing, sloshing, or otherwise
in a game attempt to wade, she
revealing their presence. They may
foundered so deeply that I had to lean
indeed be “puppies,” but I love the
over the gunwale and pull to extract
inshore waters they inhabit and
her. Out of better options, I sent a
can’t think of a more inviting calling
long cast up the drain to the bend and
card than the sight of a redfish tail
hoped for the best.
glistening in the sun.
TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE 69
70 TAIL FLY FISHING FISHING MAGAZINE MAGAZINE
By Jesse Males
The Happy Crab is a great realistic crab fly that can be tied in a variety of color combinations and used to target a variety of species like redfish, bonefish, permit, golden trevally, and triggerfish. In this tutorial we will tie it in a color pattern commonly fished over sand for bonefish.
Materials:
White thread 210 Denier Gamakatsu SL11-3H #4 Orange Arctic fox tail hair Pearl Krystal Flash Black or Orange epoxy eyes Medium pearl Cactus Chenille EP Claws EP Foxy Brushes blue/black and tan Blue and white Crazy Legs
TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE 71
72 TAIL FLY FISHING FISHING MAGAZINE MAGAZINE
Step 1: Lay down a solid thread base. Step 2: Secure lead eyes to the top of the hook shank. The size of the lead eyes will vary depending on the water depth you plan to fish. For fish that prefer the fly to be directly on the bottom, it’s best to err on the heavy side. Step 3: Tie in a pinch of orange Arctic fox tail hair. Step 4: Trim the Arctic fox hair so that just a small hot spot remains. Step 5: Tie in two short strands of Pearl Krystal Flash. Step 6: Secure a black epoxy eye to each side of the hot spot. Step 7: Tie in one end of medium pearl Cactus Chenille. Step 8: Palmer the Cactus Chenille around the hook shank so that you create a ball of chenille right at the base of the fly, and then tie it off and trim. This typically takes 3 to 4 wraps. Step 9: Tie in one EP Claw to one side of the hook shank. Step 10: Tie in another EP Claw to the opposite side of the shank. Step 11: Secure the end of a 1.5-inch wide sand-colored Foxy Brush to the fly. Step 12: Palmer the Foxy Brush around the hook shank 4 to 5 times and tie it off. You want to make sure not to use too much of this material, as air will get trapped in it and prevent the fly from sinking; you want just enough to build the body and no more. Step 13: Secure the end of a 1.5-inch wide blue/black-colored Foxy Brush to the fly. Step 14: Palmer the Foxy Brush around the hook shank 4 to 5 times and secure it between the lead eyes and the hook eye.
TAIL TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE 73
Step 15: Trim the excess Foxy Brush and build up the head of the fly. Step 16: Trim the bottom of the fly flat. Step 17: Trim the top of the fly flat, and slightly trim the sides tapering backward. Step 18: Tie in two legs on one side of the fly, securing them between the lead eyes and the hook eye. Step 19: Fold the other two legs over and secure them on the opposite side of the fly. Step 20: Trim the rubber legs to the desired length. (I prefer them short for this fly.) Step 21: Cover the thread with UV Gel and cure it. Check out @backwaterflyfishing on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube for more great fly tying and fly fishing media. 74 TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE
Benny Blanco, renowned conservationist, guide, & Orvis ambassador, with his hands on the manual transmission of his client's destiny. Everglades National Park, FL.
HOW TO ECLIPSE THE SUN WITH A UPF RATING OF 50+ EVEN WHEN WET, PRO SUN SYSTEMS BLOCK 98% OF HARMFUL RAYS 100% OF THE TIME In real-world flats scenarios, you're just as likely to be in the water as you are standing on a poling platform well above it, so we've built the PRO Sun Systems with the industry's highest UPF 50+ rating to protect against constant sunburn even when wet. On the flats and in the skiff, damp gear also chafes and chafed skin ruins days, so our quick-dry PRO Sun Systems lift moisture out and away from your skin.
Premium gear systems designed around legendary technologies. Learn more at orvis.com/pro
TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE 75
Punta Allen, Permit, and El Palometero by TFFM Staff
ostensibly to bounce over the
remote fishing village with a vigorous
potholes, habitually swerving and
fly fishing culture.
Punta Allen, Mexico, the gateway to
dodging, their passengers jerking
Ascension Bay, lies at the end of a
and bobbing like rag dolls in the
And for participants in the 2022 El
ragged unpaved road. Riddled with
hands of hyperactive children.
Palometero tournament, there was the added reward of giving back to
potholes and often impassable for days after foul weather, the road
The best bet might be hitching a
the community and people who make
alternately runs along the Caribbean
ride on a panga through the lagoon
it possible for anglers from around
coast and through dense jungle
system and bay on the leeward side
the globe to pursue their fly fishing
on the eastern edge of the Sian
of the long, narrow peninsula.
dreams on Ascension Bay.
protected natural area and UNESCO
But just as water always finds its
The tournament took place May
World Heritage site. The drive south
way to the lowest point, serious fly
12-14 on Ascension Bay out of Punta
from Tulum typically takes about two
anglers find their way to Punta Allen
Allen, the “Permit Capital of the
hours, but if you’ve rented a car from
to fish Ascension Bay.
World,” where Italian sculptor Alberto
Ka’an Biosphere, a 1.3 million-acre
Coppini’s stainless steel permit
one of the Cancun agencies, don’t even think about telling them you’re
Many rewards lie at the end of this
statue serves as a shining beacon
driving their car there.
particular journey. Innumerable
to permit addicts that’s as bright as
miles of pristine flats and mangrove
the Punta Allen lighthouse. The 2022
A taxi or shuttle might be worse.
shorelines. Some of the planet’s
El Palometero brought together 28
Drivers employ a strategy of driving
most prolific waters for bonefish,
anglers from around the world to raise
faster than conditions call for,
permit, tarpon, and snook. A small,
money for the town while fly fishing
76 TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE
TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE 77
for prizes and bragging rights. The
behind a common goal of showcasing
purpose was supporting Punta Allen’s
their community to visiting fly
residents through infrastructure
anglers, creating awareness of the
projects, including a new community
town’s needs, and raising funds for
children’s playground and a covered
infrastructure improvements that
pavilion for town events.
will benefit local residents.
Walt Durkin of Tampa, Florida,
Joseph Ballarini, editor-in-chief and
president of the Tampa Bay Fly Fishing
publisher of Tail Fly Fishing Magazine,
Club, was crowned El Palometero
got behind the event and provided
champion after catching five permit
international exposure and connections
over three days. He took home a
to many industry resources, spawning
bronze trophy sculpted by Coppini,
support in the form of both financial
custom fly fishing gear, and the
and logistical assets.
coveted white satin lucha libre cape. Walt’s guide won a new Stiffy push pole
Many members of Punta Allen’s fly
and sunglasses from RCI Optics.
fishing community worked together to contribute aid and counsel to El
“My guide, Alex, found us a lot of fish,
Palometero. Victor Barrera of Victor’s
and that was our key,” said Durkin,
Fly Fishing Club (victorsflyfishingclub.
who plans to return next year to
com) assisted with boats and guides.
defend his title. “He was also good at
Rubi León and Moises Cordero of
sighting fish and giving me direction.
Casa Viejo Chac (casaviejochac.
We worked well as a team, which was
com) supplied lodging and guides
also important. I thought I had as
as well as two banquets at their
good a chance as everyone else and
family’s beachfront restaurant.
just got lucky.”
Tiziano Rizzotto and Pascale LeBlanc of the Punta Allen Fishing Club
Derived from palometa, the Spanish
(puntaallenfishingclub.com), fixtures
word for permit, a palometero is
in Punta Allen for decades, provided
someone dedicated to catching permit.
lodging and guides; Rizzotto also
It’s a title often applied to guides
kept the tournament organized by
who’ve shown deep understanding of
coordinating logistics among guides,
the species and dedicated themselves
boats, lodges, and participants.
to pursuing permit while sharing their
Daniel Marquez of Ascension Bay
experience, culture, and way of life with
Lodge (ascensionbaylodge.com), a
visiting anglers.
Texas native who’s lived in Punta Allen for eight years, provided
El Palometero has raised about
lodging and guides and assisted with
$20,000 for the community. The
complicated logistics.
501(c)(3) nonprofit organization is
78 TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE
dedicated to empowering remote
El Palometero also benefited from
fishing communities around the
the support and physical presence of
world to host their own fundraising
fly fishing industry luminaries Chico
events to improve quality of life. The
Fernandez, IGFA Hall of Famer and
2022 El Palometero also united Punta
saltwater fly fishing pioneer, and Tim
Allen’s fly fishing lodges, restaurants,
Borski, a celebrated fly designer and
guides, and community leaders
artist. Fernandez shared stories with
tournament participants every night,
also donated their time and artistic
founded by Rizzotto, LeBlanc, and
regaling the room with tales from
talents to support the cause.
Puglisi in 2014. That tournament
his more than 60 years of fly fishing.
brought Coppini’s permit statue to
Borski mentored an angler to his first
Every fly fishing lodge in Punta
Punta Allen in 2015 and continued
permit on fly and also caught a blue
Allen has been invited to participate
annually until 2018. After a three-
tarpon.
in El Palometero, so tournament
year hiatus, it returned this year as
organizers say next year’s event
the rebranded El Palometero.
Tail Fly Fishing Magazine set a
is on track to surpass the 2022
record that had nothing to do
El Palometero, as well as its
“Of course, the tournament wouldn’t
with fishing: Five members of the
predecessor, the Ascension Bay
have been a success without the
editorial staff were in the same
Permit Tournament, which was
participants themselves,” Ballarini
place at the same time. Ballarini was joined by managing editor Trey Reid, food editor Jennifer Matsu, gear editor Andrew Ebert, and the aforementioned Fernandez, the magazine’s consulting editor. Generous sponsors played an integral part in the tournament’s success as an event and as a fundraiser for the community: Tito’s Vodka, Thomas & Thomas, Enrico Puglisi Flies, Simms, Orvis, 12 WT, RCI Optics, Nautilus Reels, Cubalaya Outfitters, Patagonia, and Duck Camp. Artists Coppini, Borski, and David Danforth
TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE 79
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TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE 81
said. “They showed up and took part in something very special, but they also bought raffle tickets and auction items to help us achieve the goal of raising money to improve the quality of life in this special community that’s unlike any place on Earth.” Punta Allen proved its singularity from start to finish during El Palometero. As the opening party was kicking off at Restaurante Vigia Grande, a permit tailed in the surf just beyond the open windows overlooking the Caribbean. Three days of fishing concluded with another party in the town park, where scores of Punta Allen’s children smashed piñatas in the image of El Palometero himself, their smiling faces a joyful reminder of the purpose of this event. “I encourage our readers to get involved one way or another in this effort, whether that’s participating in next year’s tournament or donating to the cause in other ways,” Ballarini said. “I also hope our readers will support the companies that support our fly fishing community and El Palometero. If you see their ads in our magazine or their logos on the El Palometero shirt, then you know they’re active in our community and our outreach programs. We also hope even more of Punta Allen’s lodges will join us next year for this important and entertaining event that’s doing so many good things for the local community.” Progress updates on community projects funded through El Palometero will be published in future issues of Tail Fly Fishing Magazine and at elpalometero.com.
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TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE 83
ARE YOU READY FOR THE MONEY CA$T?
by Jim Solomon Photos by Al Quattrocchi and Jorge Salas
84 TAIL FLY FISHING FISHING MAGAZINE MAGAZINE
Staying calm and focused when a
Casting under pressure is the same
Millman. Needing a 9.4 for California
tarpon or permit is within casting
as competitive sports. As a collegiate
to secure the victory, Millman turned
distance is a tough task for most of
gymnast, I had the opportunity to
to his coach while awaiting his turn,
us. Hands and knees start shaking,
know one of the great competitive
“Don’t worry, Coach. I’ll get it.” With
breathing becomes faint, and often
gymnasts, Dan Millman, who
total focus and confidence, Millman
the cast dumps short of its intended
recovered from a shattered leg
performed a spectacular routine
target. You just missed that one
caused by a motorcycle accident
and scored a 9.4 to give the team
chance to catch a trophy, the sole
to help Cal-Berkeley win the 1968
championship to Cal.
chance to hook up to a difficult fish.
NCAA championship. With perennial
In other words, you didn’t have the
powerhouse Southern Illinois leading
physical and mental skills to make
by 1.3 points going into the final
what we call the “Money Cast.”
high bar event, it came down to
TAIL TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE 85
The example of Millman’s intense training and preparation to overcome adversity should be an inspiration
$tep 1: Educate Yourself
ability to correct them yourself when your instructor is not around. Understanding breeds confidence.
to all of us anglers for preparing
A lot of casting anxiety is created by
ourselves to mentally and physically
a lack of understanding. You really
make that one cast to a fish of a
need to learn the fundamentals
lifetime. I like to think of it as being
of the cast. Understanding stroke
“in the zone.” From the conscious
length, slack, stopping the rod, proper
mind into the subconscious, it’s a
acceleration, and rod tip path during
Many anglers do not practice much,
cast where your muscle memory
the cast are critical. Mel Krieger’s
and when they do, it usually is not
takes over and your mind is totally
book The Essence of Fly Casting is
with the right rod, line, leader, and fly
focused on the presentation. There
one of the best books I have read
required for their destination species.
is no self-doubt, no anxiety; pressure
about the fundamentals. You also can
And they usually practice only on
is on simmer. I believe the following
find a good instructor and put in the
days when there’s no wind, which is
steps are critical to placing oneself
time to learn the right techniques—
usually contrary to the environment
“in the zone.”
to understand mistakes and the
of their destination. If you are going
86 TAIL FLY FISHING FISHING MAGAZINE MAGAZINE
$tep 2: Practice the Right Way
to target permit, get a 9-weight
proper techniques for these casts.
Learn how to cast tight loops into
rod with the right fly line, a 12-foot
You don’t want to ingrain bad habits.
the wind with good line speed. Again,
leader, a weighted permit fly (do
a good instructor will help you with
not cut off the hook; make sure the
The most important cast to practice
these exercises.
hook point is bent up into the hook
is the basic pickup and laydown
shaft for safety), and always make
cast from 15 feet to 40 feet with
I also like to practice blindfolded
sure you are wearing protective eye
a change of direction. Go to a local
with a friend calling out distance
wear and a hat. Pick a windy day (15
casting pond or any calm body of
and direction of a target based on
mph or higher wind) and go to your
water to practice this cast. Learn
the clock. This form of practice is
local park. Once at the park, look for
how to pick up and lay down the cast
extreme but makes you feel the
random targets—leaves are great.
softly when there’s no wind. You need
timing and line management of the
Force yourself to “cast around the
to learn to pick up the line off of the
cast. Graig Nettles, famed Yankee
clock,” which will require you to learn
water before making the back cast
third baseman, had his coach crush
an off-shoulder cast, a Belgian cast,
versus ripping the line and spooking
line drives down the third-base line so
and a reverse cast. You will need a
fish. I like to use an underhanded
he could practice his game-winning
good instructor to teach you the
flip cast that presents the fly softly.
outstretched catch—a great example
TAIL TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE 87
Maloney likes to think of catching a fish as a “pleasant nuisance.” of extreme practice. My coach always
you are not standing on the line,
they are destined to lose. You need a
said that the big meets are won
check wind direction, make sure your
balanced self-image. Making a great
in the gym with the right kind of
hat is on tight, and the line is not
cast and being rewarded with a fine
practice.
wrapped around your reel butt. Focus
fish breaks the ice and puts you more
your mind on the environment and
into the zone.
Great athletes practice mental
anticipate what changes you may
visualization, and you should as well.
have to adapt to. And for God’s sake,
When you combine the
Spend time on your sofa visualizing
breathe! We all forget to do this.
understanding of casting
the different casts you would need to
Take a deep breath, exhale, and then
fundamentals with practicing
perform with the wind at your back,
make the cast. The nemesis of most
correctly, a solid process, and a
in your face, and against your casting
casts under pressure is rushing the
balanced self-image, you will have
shoulder. Practicing the right way
forward cast. Breathing will slow you
a much better chance of making
develops a good “casting toolbox” and
down and remind the body to relax.
that cast of a lifetime and landing
inspires confidence. Learn to love the
Musicians like to say, “Lay it on the
a trophy. But also remember that
process of practicing. You don’t want
backside. Don’t rush the beat!” This
there’s always a chance that the fish
to be up on the bow questioning
should be your game plan. Having a
of a lifetime may not be interested—
yourself because you’re unprepared.
process breeds success.
regardless of your great cast. Still,
You want to be a rote caster whose muscle memory takes the reins so that your mind is on the target—not on your inadequacies.
$tep 4: The SelfImage Game
there’s always that eternal hope that will give you another shot. Jim Solomon lives in Los Angeles.
We all blow casts. We all make
He is a certified Master Casting
mistakes. None of us is immune
Instructor through Fly Fishers
because we’re all human. But
International, an avid angler, and
it’s important to learn from our
teaches casting techniques through
mistakes. Putting too much
a program called The Fly Zone. He
emphasis on the catching, I believe,
suggests the following books: With
Pro golfers have an ingrained process.
leads to failure more often than not.
Winning in Mind by Lanny Bassham
They visualize the shot, align to the
The great casting instructor Michael
and The Essence of Fly Casting by
target, focus on the ball, waggle a
Maloney likes to think of catching a
Mel Krieger.
bit, breathe, and then swing. Casting
fish as a “pleasant nuisance.” Michael
is the same. Whatever process you
is more interested in his casting
use to prepare for the cast, make
presentation than the catching,
sure you do not deviate. The process
which results in a lot of fish landed.
$tep 3: Develop a Process for the Money Cast
forces your mind into the moment and away from anxiety. Check that
If your self-image is so wrapped up
you have the right amount of line
in the catching, chances are you will
outside of the rod tip to load the
fail. If a pro athlete is thinking only
rod, make sure coils are proper and
of winning instead of the process,
88 TAIL FLY FISHING FISHING MAGAZINE MAGAZINE
Last Man of the Salt by Erin Woodward
Mortality stains hands mahogany red, Calloused mind, tarnished soul. Death has ushered old friends to places unforeseen that I may never know. Faded photographs stare at cobweb-laced corners, encumbered from my dreams.
I long for where the mangroves sway and orchids bloom, phthalo sky and skiff-deck dew, to the place my shadow bends, foregoing salt and wave. Solace found in final cast recompense my sins alas.
Erin Woodward is an outdoor writer and poet living among the rolling hills of America’s heartland with his wife and three children. His work has appeared in Gun Dog, Project Upland, Free Range American, and Field Ethos. He can be followed on Instagram: @pursuit_nature.
TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE 89
Sustainable Striped Bass I love to fly fish for striped bass just
He also grows striped bass in clean
This amazing fish farm operation
as much as I love to eat them. They
saltwater pens over deepwater
was originally started by Ito, Eric
are great gamefish and amazing
currents off Ensenada, Mexico. The
Pedersen, and an Icelandic group of
table fare, especially when they are
warmer southern Pacific Ocean
investors in 2005 after trying to farm
prepared correctly and are in the 4- to
temperatures, ranging between
yellowtail, halibut, and white sea
6-pound range.
55 and 73 degrees, allow these
bass. When they discovered striped
fish to grow quickly. Most fish are
bass were their best choice, they
I recently made friends with Rex Ito, a
harvested at the perfect eating
began developing this enterprise in
Californian and marine biologist who
size from 4 to 6 pounds. Valued
2009. Their operation currently yields
specializes in aquaculture and has
by high-end sushi restaurants and
around 4,000 tons of bass grown in
pioneered sustainable fish-farming
fine-dining establishments, the fish
more than 60 pens.
practices, from shrimp farming in
are ice-packed and shipped fresh to
Ecuador to growing giant bluefin
customers within 24 to 48 hours of
The quality, freshness, and taste
tuna in floating fish pens off Mexico’s
ordering.
of these fish compare to nothing I
pristine waters.
90 TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE
have ever tasted. They have a clean,
Prepared by Chef Colin Sako Photography by Titano Cruz Text by Al Quattrocchi
crisp, white flesh that melts on your
operation stems from it being the
that champion sustainable seafood
tongue. Their beautiful palette comes
first sustainable farm to grow
products.
from what they are fed and how they
striped bass from eggs to maturity in
are harvested. Most wild stripers feed
saltwater pens.
on oily prey like menhaden, herring,
For these recipes, Sako cleaned, scaled, and fileted the striper into
and sardines. These farmed stripers
The striped bass featured here is the
two pieces. He prepared each filet
are fed all-natural fish proteins
exact sustainable product provided by
separately, one as sashimi and the
made from fish trimmings with no
Shima Suzuki, which is a brand of Ito’s
other in the traditional Chinese
antibiotics that come directly from
parent company, Prime Time Seafood.
steamed method. This second
British Columbia. When they are
approach is simple to do at home and
harvested, they are dispatched using
Another good friend, Chef Colin Sako,
one of my favorite ways to eat striped
the Japanese method called Ike Jime,
has prepared the stripers in two ways.
bass.
which keeps these fish fresh longer
An avid fly angler, Sako fishes all over
with no acid buildup in their flesh. Ito
the world. He and Ito consult with
says the success of this fish farming
numerous high-profile companies
TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE 91
ASIAN HOUSEWIFE STYLE STEAMED FISH INGREDIENTS 8 oz. favorite white fish, approximately 1 to 1½ inches thick 1 cup green onions, cut into 1- to 2-inch pieces 1 cup cilantro tops
Set up steamer with enough water to steam fish for 15 to 20 minutes. Season fish generously with salt and pepper. Add leftover ginger rinds, green onion bottoms, and cilantro stems into the steamer and lay fish on top. Cover steamer and turn heat on high. As soon as steam comes out of the steamer, set timer for 11 minutes. After timer goes off, remove from heat. Do not lift cover. Heat sesame oil in small pot until it reaches the smoking point and remove from heat.
½ cup fresh ginger, julienned (or use a microplane)
Quickly plate fish and cover generously with ginger,
2 cloves garlic, minced (or use a microplane)
green onions, cilantro, and garlic. Pour hot sesame
½ cup sesame oil
oil all over, add soy sauce over the top, and serve.
½ cup soy sauce sea salt to taste freshly ground black pepper to taste steamer large enough for fish 92 TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE
Notes: Be careful when drizzling hot oil, as it may spatter. Any fish may be used in this recipe. Serve with steamed rice.
SESAME AND SHISHO SASHIMI INGREDIENTS 8 oz. favorite sashimi-quality fish, sliced as thinly as possible 12 pieces fresh shiso leaves, cut chiffonade, as thinly as possible ½ cup fresh toasted sesame seeds ½ tablespoon quality sea salt 1 lemon
Slice and arrange sashimi on a platter. Grind sea salt and sesame seeds together with mortar and pestle. Sprinkle generously over sashimi. Add shiso leaves. Finish by microplaning lemon zest over sashimi. Add a mixed green salad for a nice lunch. This meal pairs well with white burgundy, champagne, or French rosé.
TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE 93
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TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE 97
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TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE 99
FLY FISHING MAGAZINE
A present for you on our 10 -year Anniversary...sweetheart. 10 issues of Tail for $50.
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