Tail Fly Fishing Magazine - Issue 46 Mar/Apr 2020

MARCH/APRIL 2020

FLY FISHING MAGAZINE

Ted Williams is on Assignment

DISTANCE CASTING: Lesson Two WELL DONE: Lefty’s Guide MATT LABASH: Instagram is Killing Fish NEXT GENERATION ANGLERS HAMMERHEAD CRAB NO ROMANCE THE VOICE OF SALTWATER FLY FISHING

46 MAR/APR 2020

DISPLAY UNTIL

04/09/20

the next generation

T&T Ambassador, visionary Flyfishing guide and Permit aficionado Justin Rea likes nothing more than spending time on the water with his son Ryan. Handing down our knowledge and passion for the outdoors to the next generation is key to the survival and growth of flyfishing. At T&T we see a world of possibilities out there and believe the next generation should too.

whatever your saltwater endeavor, we have you covered.

Exocett Series - 7 models, 9’ 6-12 weight

Exocett SS Series - 5 models, 8 ‘ 8 ‘’ 160 -450 grain

Exocett Surf Series - 2 models, 11’2’’ 10 & 12 weight

Exocett Bluewater Series - 2 models, 8’6’’ 13 & 14/16 weight

ZONE Series - 9 models, 7’6’’-10’ 3-10 weight

Sextant Series - 7 models, 8’2’’ 6-12 weight

est

19 6 9

TH E RO D YO U WI LL E VENTUALLY OWN

www.thomasandthomas.com HANDMADE IN AMERICA

Friends of Flip Pallott know that he’s more elusive than Bigfoot. No photoshop here. Photo: Gary Gillette

Children will find the joy in every activity if you let them. A future angler, diver, and adventurer exploring the reef in Belize.

Photo: Peter McLeod

Savannah, Georgia, is a short drive from Hilton Head, South Carolina, and worth the trip if you like slow-paced country living. The old-growth trees and Spanish moss are signature of the Lowcountry. Photo: Anonymous.

This armor was forged not by a metalsmith but by millions of years of natural selection.

The gill plates will cut through 20-pound monofilament in the blink of an eye. Photo: Diego Grandi

TM

Proven. Performance.

Proven. Performance.

On the Cover: Flip Pallot Photo by Gary Gillete

Editor-in-Chief: Joseph J. Ballarini

Managing Editor: George V. Roberts

Creative Director: Michael Rea Thomas

Historians: Pete Barrett Ed Mitchell

Food Editor: Kelli Prescott

Editors-at-Large: Joseph Albanese Joe Doggett Scott Sommerlatte Mark Hatter Ryan Sparks James Spika Creative Contributors: Pete Barrett David Blinken Jake Brownscomb, PhD. Brian J. Davis Brandon Fawcett Gary Gillette Vincent Foti

Matt Labash Peter McLeod Pablo Picasso Greg Poland Kelli Prescott George Roberts Ryan Sparks

James Spica Umpqua Feather Merchants Captain Brain Vaughn Ted Williams

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, local and global destination travel, reputable commentary, and technical features from the saltwater fly fishing lifestyle. Tail Fly Fishing Magazine began as a digital publication that debuted in 2012 and has been in print since 2016.

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 are grateful for your support and we welcome photographic and written contributions.

Tail Fly Fishing Magazine is published six times annually, and your print subscription includes the digital version. Subscriptions are available on our website and by mail.

International subscriptions are also available for most countries. Please contact our general mailbox, admin@tailflyfishing.com, with any advertising, subscription, or submission questions.

Tail Fly Fishing Magazine 2300 Alton Road Miami Beach FL 33140 305-763-8285 tailflyfishing.com IN LOVING M E MO RY O F J O H N C. MEL FI

To the thousands of anglers who put their trust in our reels, and our reels in their hands [ day after day and year after year ], WE THANK YOU!

www.3-TAND.com 203.345.7000

info@3-TAND.com

To the thousands of anglers who put their trust in our reels, and our reels in their hands [ day after day and year after year ], WE THANK YOU!

www.3-TAND.com 203.345.7000

info@3-TAND.com

TM

CONTENTS

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EDITOR’S LETTER INSIDE THE BOX A selection of juicy baitfish patterns are part of the offering. See what the feather merchants at Umpqua have going on this month.

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51

GEAR GUIDE Try this on for size…. Wearable gear.

57

RELAX WITH GLASS Pete Barrett You don’t want a Lamborghini Aventador to go for a leisurely drive in the country. Author Pete Barrett takes a sentimental journey of the great fiberglass rods of yesterday as well as the modern glass rods of today—all of which make for a kinder, gentler game.

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PERMIT RESEARCH Jake Brownscombe, PhD, shares the details of an ongoing permit tagging and tracking program deployed by the BTT in order to understand this prized fish that we know so little about. You’ll definitely know more after reading this feature.

ON ASSIGNMENT AT THE EASTERN FUNNEL Conservationist and nature writer Ted Williams’ first feature article in TFFM runs the gamut from the state of the fisheries in the North Atlantic to the actual fishing. Some modern perspectives on conservation methods, fishery health, and fly selection.

POEM “The Company of Anglers” by Brain J. Davis ON THE PLATE Bread Alone can provide sustenance, but with a few simple toppings, it rocks. Food Editor, Kelli Prescott, shares some pizza recipes to get you started. Papa John, be afraid, be very afraid.

OLD WORLD WINE An overview of some classic Italian wines that are perfectly suited for pairing with the above pizzas. This primer will get you making choice selections without having to wear a silver cup around your neck.

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THE HAMMERHEAD CRAB

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DISTANCE CASTING: PART TWO

71

Cape Cod fly tier Vincent Foti shares an innovative crab pattern that’s, well, as simple as a hammer to tie. Add this weapon to your arsenal and it’ll be clobberin’ time.

Installment two of this five-part series shows you how to add significant distance simply by tightening your loop.

LOWCOUNTRY: PART TWO Seasonal fishing is just that … seasonal. So what season should you fish in South Carolina?

Drawing from almost 30 years of experience in the fishery, Captain Brian Vaughn presents an overview of what you can expect when visiting the Lowcountry.

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WELL DONE

81

NO ROMANCE

87 96

Greg Poland, who wore the unofficial moniker of “Lefty Kreh’s Guide in Florida,” shares the story of how he met the late angling legend and recounts select moments from their 25-plus-year friendship.

Some days on the flats read less like Fifty Shades and more like Ye Olde Puritan Handbook. Little Corn Island guide Brandon Fawcett shows you how to score when the skinny water isn’t sharing the love.

THE NEXT GENERATION Author Peter McLeod caught his first bonefish on a family trip. Now he’s paying it forward to his children, and reading his travelog will help you do the same.

THE UNDERTOW: INSTAGRAM IS KILLING FISH Hero shots might make your friends green with envy, but a great gamefish is too valuable to die under the hot lights—as author Matt Labash not-so-subtly explains.

R E T A I L E R S C A R R Y T A I L

Mossy’s Fly Shop 750 W. Diamond Blvd, Suite 114 Anchorage, AK 99515 907-770-2666 mossysflyshop.com

ORVIS Ocean Reef 1 Fishing Village Drive Key Largo FL 33037 305-367-2227 Orvis.com

River Bay Outfitters 980 Church St Baldwin, NY 11510 516-415-7748 riverbayoutfitters.com

Swan Point Landing 1723 Cherry Street Suite 4 Rockport, TX 78382 361-729-7926 swanpointlandingflyshop.net

CALIFORNIA

ORVIS Sandestin 625 Grand Boulevard Ste 101 Sandestin, FL 32550 850-650-2174 Orvis.com

NORTH CAROLINA

Tailwaters Fly Fishing Co. 1933 E. Levee St Dallas, TX 75207 888-824-5420 tailwatersflyfishing.com

Bob Marriott’s Flyfishing 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 CONNECTICUT The Compleat Angler 541 Boston Post Road Darien, CT 06820 203-655-9400 compleatangleronline.com

The Angling Company 333 Simonton St Key West, FL 33040 305-292-6306 anglingcompany.com West Wall Outfitters 787 Tamiami Trail Port Charlotte, FL 33953 941-875-9630 westwallflyshop.com GEORGIA

Madison River Fly Fishing Outfitters 20910 Torrence Chapel Rd D5 Cornelius, NC 28031 704-896-3660 carolinaflyfishing.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

FLORIDA

Cohutta Fishing Company 39 S. Public Square Cartersville, GA 30120 770-606-1100 cohuttafishingco.com

239 Flies 3431 Bonita Beach Rd SW Unit #205 Bonita Springs, FL 34134 (239) 908-3513 239flies.com

ORVIS Atlanta Buckhead Square 3255 Peachtree Rd NE Atlanta GA 30305 404-841-0093 Orvis.com

Black Fly Outfitters 11702 Beach Blvd, #109 Jacksonville, FL 32246 904-997-2220 blackflyoutfitters.com

The Fish Hawk 764 Miami Cir NE #126 Atlanta, GA 30305 404-237-3473 thefishhawk.com

Bayou City Angler 3641 Westheimer Rd Suite A Houston TX 77027 832-831-3104 bayoucityangler.com

Forgotten Coast Fly Company 123 Commerce Street Apalachicola, FL 32320 850-653-1024 forgottencoastflycompany.com

LOUISIANA

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 Flounder Creek Outfitters 515 Garden Street Titusville, FL 32796 321-567-2931 facebook.com/ floundercreekoutfitters/ 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

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NEW YORK

ALASKA

TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE

ORVIS Baton Rouge Perkins Rowe, Bldg. H 7601 Bluebonnet Blvd., Ste. 140 Baton Rouge LA 70810 225-757-7286 Orvis.com MARYLAND Alltackle 2062 Somerville Rd Annapolis, MD 21401 888-810-7283 alltackle.com MASSACHUSETTS The Bear’s Den 34 Robert W. Boyden Rd Taunton, MA 02780 508-977-0700 bearsden.com MONTANA Frontier Anglers 680 N. Montana St Dillion, MT 59725 406-683-5276 frontieranglers.com

Southern Drawl Outfitters 1533 Fording Island Rd Hilton Head Island, SC 29926 843-705-6010 southerndrawloutfitters.com TEXAS

ORVIS Austin 10000 Research Blvd - B04B Austin TX 78759 512-795-8004 Orvis.com ORVIS Houston 5727 Westheimer - Suite A Houston TX 77057 713-783-2111 Orvis.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 Sportsman’s Finest 12434 Bee Cave Road Austin, TX 78738 512-263-1888 sportsmansfinest.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 Emerald Water Anglers 4502 42nd Ave SW Seattle, WA 98116 206-708-7250 emeraldwateranglers.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 Retail Chains: Barnes & Noble—630 retail locations in the USA Books-A-Million—260 stores in 32 states Bass Pro Shops—95 locations in the USA Dick’s Sporting Goods (select locations)—over 700 stores in the USA Field & Stream Stores—35 locations in the USA CANADA Fish Tales Fly Shop Ltd. #626, 12100 Macleod Trail SE Calgary AB T2J 7G9 Canada 866-640-1273 fishtalesflyshop.com Retail Chains: Indigo Books—over 200 stores under various banners

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If you have a box of flies you’re particularly proud of, send it to us (or a few high-resolution photos) with a description of each fly and we’ll consider it for the Inside the Box feature.

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TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE

The Inside the Box selection from Umqua is a hand-picked collection of baitfish patterns suitable for many species, such striped bass, mahi-mahi, roosterfish, tarpon, peacock bass, and snook. We frequently mention using small, scantily tied flies for a variety of situations and species, but there are times when you’ll need a big fly that pushes water. This particular selection was for a visit to Costa Rica, but we’ve also used these patterns successfully in Florida and Mexico. The Gummy Minnows have also been used for bonefish in Los Roques, Turks and Caicos, and Belize with great success. You can tie them up yourself, but If you don’t have time to tie some up before your trip, you can search for them by name at Umqua.com.

Mushmouth Yellow/White Hud’s Bushwacker Blue/White Finger Mullet Sea Foam Murdich Minnow Chartreuse/White Murdich Mini Minnow Copper Clouser Minnow Chartreuse/White Clouser Minnow Olive/White Midnight Minnow Gummy Minnow Pearl

Fly provisions by our friends at:

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Filson Feather Cloth Shirt A good technical fishing shirt is much more than a fashion statement: It’s a valuable fishing tool. The Filson Feather Cloth Shirt is made from 100 percent ultra-lightweight 3-oz. breathable cotton (one of the best fabrics for hot weather), prewashed to reduce shrinking. The tight weave adds strength and serves as a windbreaker, and the shirt dries fast. Button-front closure and adjustable button-closure cuffs. Two flap chest pockets hold fly box, tippet spools, scissors, etc. The pleated back allows your shoulders to move easily (think casting). Subdued colors (smoke blue, light olive, and desert tan) won’t spook fish—unlike a sloppy presentation. The ultimate test of a good technical fishing shirt is is that you can hand wash it in the sink of a Third World bathroom and it will still look fresh. Wash the Feather Cloth and hang it to dry—no pressing necessary. Unlike gaudier fishing shirts, you won’t mind wearing this one into a nice restaurant. The Filson Feather Cloth Shirt comes in a short-sleeve version as well. (filson.com) $88

GEAR G Cabana Shirts by Rum Reggae

Not all the clothing you pack for a trip can be technical and fishfocused. You’ll also need something for dining and cocktailing. Rum Reggae is a limited-batch batik textile company with a factory on the island of Java, where local artisans have been making wearable art since before recorded history. These cabana shirts are 100 percent woven cotton, finely tailored and super-comfortable. Many of the designs incorporate ocean flora and fauna. The company also sells like-designed women’s clothing, including dresses, skirts, and kimonos. (rumreggaeclothing.com) $56

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TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE

Orvis PRO Half-Zip Fleece Fish still have to eat in cold weather, and we’re out after them, albeit in proper clothing. A warm midlayer should be the centerpiece of any layering system. It needs to check a lot of boxes: pockets for keys and phone; provides warmth but is lightweight and breathable; provides light weatherproofing against rain on a warmer-than-usual day when the shell is shrugged off. It needs to keep you warm on the water but not boil you in the bar afterwards.

Orvis’ PRO Fleece checks all of those boxes and then some. It’s got a DWR finish that will keep most precipitation out, a roomy pocket (phones keep getting bigger, and so pockets must follow), the softest interior you could ask for, and it breathes thanks to bodymapped insulation. And then there’s our favorite feature: It’s a halfzip rather than a quarter-zip, which makes putting it on or taking it off much less of a struggle. (orvis.com)

GUIDE $119

Vaer Watches

Men’s watches—certainly outdoor ones—tend toward thick, heavy, complicated; just generally chunky (and often expensive). If that’s not your style, you’ll be excited to learn about Vaer. Relatively new to the scene, this company’s goal is to make the perfect $150 watch—a watch where American craftsmanship, ruggedness, simplicity of style and of repair, and ocean-readiness come together.

They’ve succeeded. James has one and his has been dunked in salt and fresh water, occasionally brushed with bird blood, and still looks good enough to wear to dinner. These watches are waterproof to 10 ATM. Replete with strap options. (vaerwatches.com) From $129

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Tacky Fly Dock The best simple solutions are not only striking in their simplicity but are considered minutely in every conceivable facet by people who will actually use the product. Tacky accessories are clearly developed by anglers. The Fly Dock is the simplest and smallest of all the Tacky (freshly acquired by Fishpond USA) lineup and despite its diminutive stature and freshwater-forward marketing, the Fly Dock is a saltwater angler’s dream fly patch. We’d argue that saltwater anglers need a fly patch more than freshwater anglers, as our battle with corrosion is fought on a razor’s edge. You don’t have to have fished for long to know that not all fly patches are created equal—in terms of fly retention, durability, longevity, and adherence. The Fly Dock exceeds all expectations. (fishpondusa.com)

GEAR G $7.95

Patagonia River Salt Jacket

The Patagonia River Salt Jacket is a rugged four-layer polyester shell (55% recycled materials) that’s comfortable to wear, breathable, and completely waterproof. Body moisture escapes but water droplets get locked out. The single front zipper is waterproof and corrosionresistant. Two large front pockets are waterproof also and provide ample storage for fly boxes and other small gear. Although the front pockets are large, they’re sewn flush into the front panel of the jacket, reducing bulk and giving the jacket a pleasant appearance even when worn off the water. Adjustable cuffs are especially useful to keep your hands free of any loose material, so you're always ready to make the next cast. Quality construction and a great warranty— Patagonia offers free repairs all of their clothing—make the River Salt Jacket one of the best angling apparel purchases you can make this season. Comes in both a man’s and woman’s version. (patagonia.com) $349.00

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TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE

Wind River Roll-Top Backpack Whether fishing or traveling, a roll-top backpack is a must. Fishpond’s Wind River Roll-Top back pack is durable and completely waterproof.

Its main body compartment has a large capacity (38 liters), but it can roll up tightly, fitting a lot of gear and clothes into a compact space.

Interior organization includes one zippered pocket and one clear stash pocket for smaller gear. Lariat gear straps can be positioned on the left or right of the pack and are perfect to carry a rod tube. With plenty of spare loops and clips, it’s easy to attach additional small gear, your net, tippet spools, and more. All this plus a lightweight foam shoulder strap, hip belt, and molded back panel for extra support make this pack the perfect small carryon. This backpack looks good, is super comfortable, and gets the job done. It could be Fishpond’s most useful pack—on the water and off. (fishpondusa.com)

GUIDE $199.95

Chaco Z-Strap Sandals

Chaco Z-Strap sandals are ideal on nearly every warm-weather adventure you can dream up, or simply as everyday footwear.

They protect toes while wading the flats and are sturdy enough for trail hiking in mountain environments. Chaco sandals can handle hundreds of miles and stand up to all the abuse you can dish out.

They’re perfect in nearly every environment. It’s been said that simplicity is the ultimate sophistication, and Chacos, with their single-strap design that’s integrated into the sole, couldn’t be simpler.

They adjust to fit without extra parts or fastenings and are available in a wide range of colors as well as sole and strap configurations.

Including the adjustment buckle, the entire shoe consists of three parts. Chaco also offers a robust repair service and supports outdoor groups like the Conservation Alliance and the National Park Foundation. (chacos.com) $105

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O’Pro 3rd Hand Fly Rod Holder Need a third hand to hold your fly rod while unhooking a fish, tying on a new fly, replacing a chafed leader or taking a picture? Check out the O’Pros 3rd Hand Rod Holder. It clips securely to your wading belt or fishing pack strap and rotates to hold a rod parallel to the water or vertical. It’s a must-have tackle accessory to carry a backup fly rod when wading a coastal flat far from your starting point, or to switch to another rod pre-rigged with an alternate fly line. O’Pros also offers matching neoprene wading belts. (oprosgear.com) $37.50 (Includes wading belt)

Nikon Trailblazer ATB Waterproof Binoculars A pair of compact binoculars is a must-have on any serious fishing boat—for spotting birds as well as the splashes beneath them. With a 25mm objective lens and 8x magnification, the Nikon Trailblazer ATB Waterproof Binoculars are your boat’s perfect stow-away bird locators. All lenses are coated with multiple layers of antireflective compounds for maximum light transmission. They provides a field of view (FOV) of 429 feet at 1,000 yards. Nitrogen-filled and O-ring sealed for waterproof, shockproof performance. Hard rubber provides a firm grip whether wet or dry. (nikonsportingoptics.com) $89.95

Columbia Schooner Bank Cachalot III Hat A good fishing hat does more than help you spot fish.

The Columbia Schooner Bank Cachalot III features Omni-WICK and Omni-Shade technologies that will wick moisture and sweat away from your head while providing ultraviolet protection factor (UPF) 50 to your head, face, and neck. One size fits all, available in subdued fossil and sage. (columbia.com) $28.00

WADING SYSTEM

PRO WADERS

PRO WADING JACKETS

PRO WADING BOOTS

PRO INSULATION

TEN YEARS AGO I BEGAN AN ANNUAL TRADITION TO FLY FISH WITH AN OLD FRIEND EACH OCTOBER TO CATCH SCHOOLIE STRIPED BASS. MY FRIEND ENJOYS A SLOWER PACE OF LIFE, HAS AN EASYGOING PERSONALITY, AND FISHING WITH HIM IS A WELCOME CHANGE FROM THE FAST-PACED WORLD OF MODERN FLY FISHING. WE ENJOY OURSELVES CASTING IN THE BACKWATERS OF BARNEGAT BAY, REMINISCING OF THE “GOOD OL’ DAYS” 45 YEARS AGO WHEN MY BUDDY WAS A BRAND-NEW FENWICK FF107. THE ROD IS A PLEASURE TO CAST, AND IF I LISTEN CAREFULLY I CAN ALMOST HEAR THE EAGLES HARMONIZING, “I GET A PEACEFUL, EASY FEELING….”

Last year a Garcia Conolon 2536

Old-timers in this sport will no

action graphite rod is like driving

fiberglass fly rod joined the party.

doubt recall Berkley’s Parametric

a very cool sports car, but you

Built in 1970 and rated for a

series of fly rods and other

have to pay extreme attention or

6-weight line, it was my favorite

delights from Browning, Fenwick,

your casting will suffer. Fiberglass

rod for spring stripers in Croton

Garcia Conolon, Heddon, Orvis,

rods are like driving an old Chevy;

Bay on the Hudson River, and for

Phillipson, Wright & McGill,

a bit more comfortable and

2-pound summer bluefish around

Shakespeare, and South Bend.

relaxing.”

the Norwalk Islands. Forty-nine years later, it’s now catching

Why the renewed enthusiasm

Part of the enthusiasm comes

Florida snook and sea trout and

in glass? Some of it is probably

from technological improvements,

occasionally shaking hands with

based on Baby Boomers with

improved resin formulas and

largemouth bass in local ponds.

more time to fish and a keen

advanced weaving patterns

This little beauty rekindled my

desire to relive cherished

of the glass fibers that give

interest in fiberglass fly rods.

memories. Just for grins they

rod designers the materials to

pull old friends out of retirement

develop fly rods with superior

The resurging interest in glass fly

and after a few casts fall in

casting and fish-fighting

rods has grown considerably in

love again. They appreciate the

performance. Advances in

the last several years, chronicled

action, the way a glass rod bends

fiberglass composition, coupled

and supported by online blogs

and loads more fully, and the

with refreshing new thinking on

like The Fiberglass Flyrodders

extra sensitivity during the cast.

rod tapers, gives today’s rods

Fiberglass aficionados talk of the

superior actions compared with

(fiberglassflyrodders.com) and The Fiberglass Manifesto

28

“feel” of the rod, its smoothness,

(thefiberglassmanifesto.blogspot.

and the way the casting motion is

com). Fiberglass fly rods that

more relaxed and enjoyable. Tim

were relegated to the junk closet

Rajeff of Echo Fly Rods explains it

are now valuable collectibles.

this way: “Casting a modern fast-

TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE

glass rods of 50 years ago.

FIBERGLASS FLY RODS LIKE THESE AGELESS BEAUTIES FROM FENWICK AND GARCIA CONOLON HAVE BECOME FASHIONABLE AGAIN, AND NEW GLASS RODS LIKE ECHO’S BAD T ASS GLASS (B.A.G.) QUICKSHO SERIES USE MODERN TECHNOLOGY TO ACHIEVE E MORE STRENGTH, MORE LIN SPEED, AND MORE DISTANCE WITH LESS WEIGHT.

S S A L G R E IB F H IT W G IN X A REL

by Pete Barrett

TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE

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ME FISHING AN OLD-TI A IS D FIBERGLASS FLY RO HAVE DELIGHTFUL WAY TO HOOLIE SOME FUN WITH SC TAL STRIPERS IN A COAS SH. AR M SALT

The fiberglass fly rod story began

tapered to any action desired,

now employ proprietary custom

in 1944 when Dr. Arthur Howald

weighed less than bamboo, and

weaves and some place most glass

used an Owens-Corning fiber

were inexpensive. The worm turned

fibers running longitudinally and

called Plaskon to build a new tip

in the 1970s as graphite (aka

fewer running around the blank.

for his broken bamboo rod. His

carbon fiber) rods became the

Called unidirectional S-2 glass,

technique became known as the

popular kid on the block. Graphite

this material boasts exceptional

Howald Process and was marketed

fly rods were lighter than fiberglass

strength, significantly lighter

by Shakespeare to make hollow

and had crisper actions. Although

weight and faster recovery speeds.

glass rods. In 1943, Dr. C.G. Havens

carbon fiber is still king of the hill,

developed a glass fiber called

many fly anglers today are taking a

Conolon, and by 1946 it was used

new look at fiberglass.

to make tubular fiberglass rods

has not gone unnoticed by premier rod manufacturers. Scott, Thomas

under the name NARMCO, which

Fiberglass was developed in the

& Thomas, and Winston have

eventually became Garcia Conolon.

1930s as an electrical insulation

reintroduced favorite fiberglass

material, hence the name

freshwater rods, and there are

In 1952, the rod company Fenwick

E-Glass. In later years, S-Glass was

many reasonably priced glass rods

was born and by the 1960s had

developed for military structural

on the market such as Cabela's

teamed with Phil Clock and Don

use, hence the name. It’s widely

CGR, the Echo River Glass, the Eagle

Green to develop the unique Feralite

used for helicopter blades and

Claw Featherweight, the Fenwick

design, a tip-over-butt fiberglass

military aircraft. Stronger than the

Fenglass, and the Orvis Superfine.

ferrule that is used in most every

original E-glass and a tad lighter,

fly rod to this day. In addition,

S-glass is about 15 percent stiffer.

Fenwick pioneered fly rods known

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The renewed interest in fiberglass

Tim Rajeff, design guru and casting champion at Echo Fly Fishing,

for their light weight, incredible

Fiberglass fibers are woven into

realized saltwater anglers wanted

strength, and delightful casting

sheets and impregnated with

to share the fun, too. Tim is pushing

qualities.

resin, wrapped onto a tapered steel

the fiberglass envelop to new limits

mandrel, wrapped in cellophane

with Echo’s 8-foot Bad Ass Glass

Fiberglass rods punched the

tape and then heat-cured. Early

(B.A.G.) Quickshot, a superb series of

bamboo market in the eye, and

weaves had as many fibers running

glass rods designed for making quick

within a decade bamboo slipped

crosswise as ran lengthwise—

casts to tarpon, bonefish, snook,

from favor except with diehard

perfect for surfboards, boats, and

and reds. The B.A.G. boasts plenty

traditionalists. Glass fly rods were

canoes, but gosh-awful heavy and

of power to throw big flies and box

easy to mass produce, could be

slow in fly rods. Manufacturers

in the ring with gorilla-size striped

TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE

bass, bluefish, and school tuna. There are five rods in the series rated for 6- to 10-weight lines. They’re great choices when casting from kayaks or in tight spots like canals, creeks, docks and around bridges, and for relaxed blind casting in salt marshes, coastal rivers and grass flats. The two “muscle” rods in the series, the 9- and 10-weights, are capable of some extreme offshore tuna heavy lifting, or for turning tarpon and for surf fly fishing.

Moonlit Fly Fishing recently introduced a classy, nicely priced newage glass collection in their Lunar S-Glass series. In addition to its

THE AU THOR R ECENT WITH A LY FISH N OLD ED FRIEND GARCI FROM A CON OLON LARGE TO CAT MOUTH CH BASS A REKIND ND LED A L OVE AF WITH T FAIR HE GEN T LER SID FISHIN E OF FL G. T H I S Y 6-WEIG FACES HT NO OFF W W ITH SN TROUT O O K, S , AND S EA MALL J ACKS.

freshwater models, the Lunar-S Glass includes 6-, 7-, and 8-weight beauties that are excellent for back-bay, mangrove, and flats fishing.

They have that special old-glass feel, but with a bit faster action, quick tip recovery, and a smooth progressive taper.

For some fly fishers, carbon’s stiffness and fast recovery hides the “feel” of the rod during the casting motions. Old glass rods like traditional Fenwicks and state-of-the-art Echo Quickshots load all the way down to the grip. It’s this flex that is so enjoyable to experience along with reduced angler fatigue. My longtime friend Armand Courchaine of the Rhody Flyrodders commented: “Fly casters experience less physical problems with glass. In over 65 years of fly fishing, I’ve seen a lot, and people who fished with glass in the old days had fewer problems with back, shoulder, and elbow pains.”

Don Avondolio of the Saltwater Fly Anglers of Delaware fondly remembers another advantage of fiberglass fly rods. “Although heavier than graphite, my fiberglass Shakespeare Wonderod cast well and fought fish with less stress on the angler.” In this age of carbon rods it’s easy to forget that you’re supposed to feel the line tugging at the end of the back cast, and that the rod is supposed to do the casting and fish-fighting—not the angler.

Some fiberglass fans are hot-rodding their old glass sticks. Rick Ferrin of Long Island found a new appreciation for fiberglass after a trout fishing trip, and he decided to rebuild a glass rod for stripers and weakfish. “I stripped an old Fenwick FF909 down to the blank, applied a clear epoxy finish, replaced the old reel seat with an REC Components up-locking reel seat, added a 2-inch butt extension and a set of Recoil titanium stripping and snake guides. It looks great and casts like a dream.”

Many fly anglers who like graphite for its light weight are surprised to discover that the weight difference as compared with fiberglass is

D THE TIM RAJEFF DESIGNE HOT TO ECHO B.A.G. QUICKS BIG FISH, THROW BIG FLIES TO D LENGTHS AND THE 8-FOOT RO ALKING ARE PERFECT FOR ST GROVE BACK GRASS FLATS, MAN L RIVERS BAYS, AND COASTA AND CREEKS.

not so significant. Echo’s four-piece B.A.G. rods tip the scales at mere fractions of an ounce more than their graphite counterparts, and the 8-foot length contributes to the overall lightweight feel.

TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE

31

GLASS ROD. NOTE THE BEND DEEP INTO JOE BROOKS CASTING AN EARLY 1950S-ERA FIBER LY, BUT THEY HAVE IMPROVED TAPERS THE GRIP. TODAY’S GLASS RODS STILL LOAD DEEP TING QUALITIES. FOR BETTER CASTING AND IMPROVED FISH-FIGH

Another major advantage of

Fishing Corporation’s Dick Wolff

rod-handling and fish-fighting skills

fiberglass’ softer action is its

beat a 127-pound tarpon on an

helped prove that glass rods could

ability to protect tippets from

inexpensive Conolon glass rod while

withstand the enormous stress

breaking. When I first got back

filming Flyrodding Big Tarpon with

of deep-diving tuna while the

into glass fly rods in the salt, it

Lee Wulff. Stu Apte guided both

rod’s relaxed action cushioned the

was primarily while kayak fishing

men. Another unique offshore

fragile 12-pound tippet.

or wading shallow flats. I quickly

catch was Lee Wulff’s 148-pound

noticed that the softer action and

striped marlin caught off Ecuador

Today’s fly casters place enormous

extra flex of the fiberglass kept

in 1967 on a 12-pound tippet

value on distance casting, and

many a snook from popping off as

(which stood as the IGFA tippet-

may wonder how a rod that

they zipped toward dock pilings.

class record until 2004).

feels so soft can deliver a fly a

It’s times like these when a glass

32

reasonable distance; however, in

rod’s combo of power and resiliency

In July of 1969, while fishing off

1951, Joan Salvato (later Wulff)

really shines.

Bermuda, noted outdoor journalist

achieved an amazing 161-foot cast

Mark Sosin boated the first Allison

in a tournament. Ten years later,

As the 1960s unfolded, fiberglass

(yellowfin) tuna ever caught on

casting champion Johnny Diekman

proved it could beat big fish. Some

a fly. He fished a Fenwick FF114,

threw an astonishing 193-foot cast

early catches of note included

a potent fiberglass rod rated for

with a fiberglass fly rod. Imagine

Joe Brooks’ 148-1/2-pound tarpon

an 11-weight line, to beat the

what they could have achieved

in 1961 on a Spinmaster glass

53-pound, 6-ounce fish after a

with today’s advanced glass

rod. The following year, Garcia

40-minute fight. Sosin’s expert

technology.

TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE

It’s important to keep in mind that the desire for distance needs to be counterbalanced with the realities of everyday fishing. For most flats fishing and coastal saltmarsh fishing, a cast of 50 to 80 feet is just fine, and in some really tight places a 40-foot presentation is perfect. This is where fiberglass fly rods excel—perhaps better than carbon rods.

But the question isn’t really which rod—glass or carbon—is better. Just as a skilled golfer has many clubs in his bag and a mechanic many wrenches, a fly angler can play a better game with a variety of rods for specific purposes.

Adding a fiberglass fly rod to your bag of tricks can be an essential game-changer for better fishing and a lot more fun.

Catch ‘em up!

ONE OF THE MOST SIGNIFICANT OF THE 1960S-ERA FIBERGLASS FLY ROD CATCHES WAS MARK SOSIN’S 53-POUND, 6-OUNCE WORLD-RECORD YELLOWFIN TUNA CAUGHT ON A FENWICK FF114 ROD. IT WAS THE FIRST ROD WITH A FISH-FIGHTING FORE GRIP. PHOTO COURTESY OF GAIL MORCHOWER OF THE INTERNATIONAL GAME FISH ASSOCIATION LIBRARY.

in PETE BARRETT has been fly fishing a salt water since the 1960s. He was and s, year 30 charter boat skipper for e’s he was on The Fisherman magazin his l unti 3 editorial staff from 197 retirement. Pete has published over 1100 magazine articles and is the author of five popular books on angling. Pete is a Florida l representative for the Internationa

THE ILL IN ITS PRIME IN FIBERGLASS WAS ST 80-POUND ASER CAUGHT THIS GR ED N HE W , 0S 197 ICK FF9012.

ORADA ON A FENW TARPON NEAR ISLAM

Game Fish Association, and he’s currently an active member of the the Atlantic Salt Water Flyrodders and West Palm Beach Fishing Club. Pete lives in Jupiter, Florida.

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1

2

3

4

5

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TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE

A Tale of Two Fisheries: Tracking the Elusive Permit

by Jake Brownscombe, PhD

In recent years, permit have risen to

tried this knows it’s an extremely

Sight fishing for permit is well-known

become one of the most sought-after

challenging pursuit. Permit often

among fly anglers, but permit are

fish in the fly angling world. Globally,

move erratically, rapidly traversing

also abundant in deeper offshore

there are at least three species of

across flats unpredictably. They’re

waters, where they are commonly

fish that anglers colloquially refer

also very choosy about what they

found near structures such as reefs

to as “permit.” These include the

eat, and their exceptionally large

and shipwrecks. In coastal Florida,

oyster pompano (Trachinotus anak)

eyes (Figure 3) allow them to

extraordinarily large schools of permit

in the western Pacific, the snubnose

quickly discern fibers attached to

are observed near these structures

pompano (Trachinotus blochii) in

a hook (even the most well-crafted

in the spring and summer months—a

the Indo-Pacific, and the permit

and ornate) from their preferred

behavior that is associated with

(Trachinotus falcatus) in the western

snack of crabs or shrimp. For these

spawning. In these offshore habitats,

Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea, and

reasons, catching a permit on fly is

permit support another fishery

Gulf of Mexico (Figure 1).

considered by many to be a pinnacle

composed of larger boats and anglers

achievement. There is a growing

using spinning gear (Figures 4,5). This

In places such as the Florida

cult of permit junkies who embrace

is indeed a tale of two very different

Keys, Belize, and Mexico, permit

this challenge routinely, which some

fisheries. On the flats, relatively few

(falcatus) visit tropical flats to feed

consider a form of masochism. As

fish are caught, nearly all fish are

on the abundant resources around

Charles Dickens wrote in A Tale of

released, and shark predation on

reefs and seagrass beds. In these

Two Cities: “It was the best of times,

angled permit is rare. Conversely,

fleeting moments, anglers have an

it was the worst of times, it was the

the offshore fishery is able to

opportunity to target them in shallow

age of wisdom, it was the age of

target large aggregations of permit,

water (Figure 2), but anyone who has

foolishness....”

capturing them more easily and in

TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE

35

6

7

higher numbers. Permit harvest for

opportunities? To address these

with unique identification codes for

consumption is also more common

pressing questions, the Bonefish

each individual fish. These signals

offshore, and sharks frequently take

and Tarpon Trust, in collaboration

are detected by receivers that are

advantage of opportunities to eat

with Carleton University, Dalhousie

placed throughout the ocean (Figure

permit while they’re being played.

University, the University of Waterloo,

8) to listen for tagged fish, indicating

In fact, the Florida Fish and Wildlife

the University of Massachusetts

where and when permit are located

Conservation Commission (FWC)

Amherst, and the FWC, embarked on

for up to five years.

estimates that over half of the permit

a four-year tracking study in South

caught in Florida are harvested,

Florida starting in 2016, supported by

Second, small samples of permit fin

and research suggests that shark

Costa Del Mar, Hell’s Bay Boatworks,

tissue are being collected to compare

predation of hooked permit can

the Ocean Tracking Network, the

their chemical composition to that

exceed 50 percent in certain offshore

National Academies of Sciences,

of the environment (the fish are

locations that have high shark

Engineering, and Medicine, as well as

not harmed in the sampling). This

densities.

private donors. The study involves a

approach takes advantage of the fact

combination of approaches to track

that “you are what you eat.” In other

The diversity of habitats in which

permit movement patterns and

words, the chemical composition of

permit are found and the range of

habitat connectivity.

fish tissue shows what they’ve been

fisheries they support in Florida raises

36

eating. Using a scientific method

many important questions about this

First, acoustic telemetry is being

called stable isotope analysis, we can

spectacular gamefish. Are the permit

used to track permit movements

determine whether permit are relying

found on flats different individuals

directly. This approach involves

on food that lives on shallow-water

from those found in deep water,

surgically implanting transmitters the

seagrass flats (e.g., invertebrates

or are they the same fish moving

size of an AA battery into the body

such as crabs), or food that lives

back and forth? Precisely when

cavity of permit (Figures 6, 7). These

offshore near the abundant algae

and where do permit spawn? Could

transmitters send out ultrasonic

found there. Thanks to help from

permit harvest and shark predation

signals (sound waves at a higher

local fishing guides in the Lower Keys

impact the population and fishing

frequency than humans can hear)

Guides Association and the Florida

TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE

8

9

Keys Fishing Guides Association, 150

The high level of connectivity

where fishing pressure is high. It’s

Permit have been tagged and sampled

between flats and offshore structures

also possible that excessive fishing

to date, generating over 1 million

is further supported by the chemical

pressure in certain areas could result

detections at over 300 different

composition of permit tissues, which

in permit altering their space use

locations throughout South Florida.

indicates that permit captured

to avoid anglers, which is not ideal

both on the flats and around

for angling opportunities, or for the

As we swam through this sea of

offshore structures rely primarily on

permit themselves, which rely on the

data, it quickly became apparent

invertebrates from shallow seagrass

flats as a key food source.

that permit move around a lot,

flats for food. This highlights our

frequently transitioning between

need to prioritize the conservation

This ongoing research project is

the flats and nearshore reefs and

of seagrass flats to provide essential

revealing a wealth of information

shipwrecks. Each year from late March

food for permit and many other

about how permit make a living

through July, tagged permit from

species.

in South Florida, and it has also

throughout South Florida arrive in

unearthed many more questions

large numbers at particular spawning

The tracking data also show that

that are relevant to conserving their

locations on reefs and shipwrecks.

permit are highly habitual in their

populations and fisheries. Although

Recognizing the importance of

feeding, with individuals revisiting the

it may not help you hook up with

protecting these fish during sensitive

same flats day after day, year after

more permit on fly, continued

spawning periods, the FWC used this

year. This means that if you routinely

research and conservation efforts

information as the basis for extending

fish the same spots for permit, there’s

will help to ensure there are many

the permit harvest closure period in

a good chance you’re targeting the

around to turn their tail at you in

South Florida. The harvest closure

same schools of fish. Given that fish

the future (Figure 9). Stay tuned for

period, which was previously May

can become “educated” over time to

more research findings and check

through July, now includes April as

the tactics of anglers, the permit’s

out (bonefishtarpontrust.org) for

well (myfwc.com/fishing/saltwater/

habitual feeding patterns could help

more information on this and related

recreational/permit/).

explain why they’re so difficult to

scientific research and conservation

catch in places like the Florida Keys,

projects.

TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE

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THERE’S ONLY ONE OCCUPATION AT WHICH YOU CAN MAKE LESS MONEY THAN AS A FREELANCE NATURE WRITER, AND THAT’S AS A LIGHT-TACKLE FISHING GUIDE.

The greatest migrations on Earth do

Starting in Indian summer, my friends

not occur on African savannas, Old

and I are on hand to watch and

World steppes, or North American

participate. Bobbing in little boats,

flyways, but along the neck of the

we jockey around rust-colored clouds

eastern funnel where Long Island juts

of bay anchovies harried from above

into the North Atlantic. Here tide and

by screaming gulls and terns, harried

wind clash over inshore and offshore

from below by ravenous predator fish

bars, and sea creatures—most unseen

that send the inch-long bait spraying

save by anglers—stage, feed, and

into the air like welding sparks.

stream south and north.

The striped bass move slower and are In autumn, gannets fold their wings

packed tighter than the bluefish or

and pierce the waves as if shot by

false albacore. These “bass boils” can

medieval archers. Peregrine falcons

cover acres. They sound like washing

trade between south-side cliffs and

machines, and they happen nowhere

north-side beaches. Ospreys and

else.

eagles hover and dive. Sea ducks swirl around the horizon like coal smoke.

My boat, a 21-foot green Contender,

Whales, dolphins, and seals graze on

creditors and editors demand to

is named Assignment, so when my mile-long shoals of menhaden. Sea turtles—leatherbacks, loggerheads,

speak to me, my wife can tell them, “He’s on Assignment.”

and Kemp’s ridleys—cleave quieter water. Mola mola flop and wag.

There’s only one occupation at which

Farther out, sharks, tunas, mahi,

freelance nature writer, and that’s

marlins, longfin albacore, king

as a light-tackle fishing guide. It’s a

mackerel, and wahoo crash through

calling I aspire to. The guiding I do

schools of halfbeaks and frigate

now isn’t real. It’s philanthropy—pro-

mackerel.

bono service for friends staffing and

you can make less money than as a

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TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE

funding the Theodore Roosevelt

Albies are mini tunas. They

Conservation Partnership, Trout

attain immense speeds via

Unlimited, and American Rivers.

hard, sickle tails equipped with

T HE F ISH

fold into grooves and a ramjet-like

horizontal stabilizers, fins that oxygenating system whereby water These days, virtually all the topwater

is pushed, rather than pumped,

bass are shorts, so I target only false

through massive, blood-rich gills.

albacore (aka albies), especially the

The average 7-pounder will rip off

big, raging pods. All that competition

30 yards of backing before you can

increases hookup chances

palm your reel.

exponentially.

ON ASSIGNMENT AT THE EASTERN FUNNEL

by Ted Williams

TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE

39

Stripers and bluefish roll and

it’s depleted. And then manage it

splash. Albies erupt, flashing silver

not for abundance but for maximum

flanks. When they get excited they

sustainable yield: i.e., dead-on-the-

light up like billfish. Twice this past

dock poundage.

September I found them 100 feet off the Montauk Light, crisscrossing

We don’t like to think of albies as

wildly around and under the

baitfish, but that’s what they are.

Assignment, backs glowing neon

Blinken offers this: “False albacore

green in the high sun. They were so

need to be protected now; we can’t

beautiful I almost forgot to cast.

afford to wait until it’s too late. They sustain marine ecosystems. Larger

Fortunately, albies are the worst-

CAPTAIN DAVID BLINKEN WAS RECENTLY EJECTED FROM A CHINATOWN FISH MARKET FOR TELLING THE OWNER A FACT HE DIDN’T WANT TO KNOW: THAT ALBIES AREN’T BONITOS.

predators can’t make it just on forage

eating fish in the sea. A commercial

like sand eels, anchovies, herring, and

market does exist, however — in New

spearing. They need more protein.

York City’s Chinatown, where they’re

And albies give us guides a shot at

sold as green bonito (among the

diversity. Since the demise of the

best-eating fish in the sea). My friend

striped bass fishery we rely on them.”

Captain David Blinken, one of Long Island’s most popular and experienced

From what I saw at Montauk in the

light-tackle guides (northflats.

fall of 2019, I wouldn’t say a striper

com) was recently ejected from a

demise has happened, but it sure

Chinatown fish market for telling the

seems to be on the way. It was nice to

owner a fact he didn’t want to know:

once again encounter massive bass

that albies aren’t bonitos.

boils extending from Shagwong Reef around the point and several miles

I can’t think that anyone eats albies.

along the south side. But not one

Forty years ago I broiled one, and it

bass I saw caught was over the 28-

literally stank me out of the kitchen.

inch limit. Most get picked off as soon

My theory is this: Chinatown residents

as they hit 28.

buy an albie because it’s beautiful.

They take one bite, trash it, and never

In 1984, after the states ran stripers

buy another. It’s just that there are

into commercial extinction, Congress

so many Chinatown residents they

passed the Atlantic Striped Bass

maintain the market.

Conservation Act, a law requiring a moratorium on striper fishing in

The threat to albies isn’t human

any East Coast state that refused

consumption but a possible reduction

to comply with a management plan

fishery, perhaps for animal feed

hatched by the Atlantic States Marine

and similar to that which depleted

Fisheries Commission (ASMFC).

menhaden. The false albacore’s tight schooling behavior and predictable

Recreational anglers, then and now

migration routes make it vulnerable

responsible for the vast majority of

to industrial-scale purse-seining.

striped bass mortality, were limited

Yet the National Marine Fisheries

to one fish daily at 36 inches. Stripers

Service declines to regulate the

surged back.

species because it’s abundant. Such

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TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE

is the traditional mindset of fish

But rather than managing for

managers: Don’t manage a stock until

abundance, the ASMFC responded

TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE

41

by expanding the recreational

shatter. So I started experimenting

limit to two fish at 28 inches. The

with a fly that was durable and could

stock steadily dwindled, and it kept

imitate lots of bait—squid, spearing,

dwindling even after the ASMFC cut

peanut bunker, anchovies. I’ve always

the limit to one fish at 28 inches.

tied my flies with feathers splayed.

Finally, the ASMFC admitted what

When I started doing Hi Ties I didn’t

anglers knew: that stripers are

get enough movement, so I took

“overfished.”

some slender feathers and tied them into the back tarpon-style. Then I

On October 30, 2019, the ASMFC had a

tied in uniform collars of synthetic

chance to reverse the decline. Instead,

material. When the fly sat it the

it imposed a one-fish recreational slot

water with the tendrils hanging down

limit for the ocean of between 28 and

it looked like a jellyfish.”

34 inches.

Another popular Montauk fly is the “That decision dooms the 2015 and 2016 year classes,” remarks Blinken.

“Why can’t we remember past lessons?

Albie Whore, invented by our friend and Blinken’s regular client, Richard Reagan. It’s a bit like a Deceiver but

Stripers are such special fish. You

tied with tail feathers splayed and

can find them in the rips or on the

side feathers anchored with hot

flats, 20 miles offshore or 20 miles

glue. Google “Albie Whore” and you’ll

up rivers. They fuel whole economies,

get dozens of videos of guys tying

providing income for hotels,

it. Everyone save Reagan is tying it

restaurants, marinas, and tackle

wrong (flylifemagazine.com/at-the-

shops. Now there are gillnetters all

vise-albie-whore).

along the south side of Long Island.

NOW THERE ARE GILLNETTERS ALL ALONG

They’re blocking striper migration,

For albies, Blinken and I use only

creating boating hazards, killing

10-weight fly rods. In deeper water,

turtles, birds, and marine mammals.

where most albies feed, a 10-weight

And the six-pack guys [running large

has lifting power that 8-weights and

charters for recreational trollers]

9-weights lack. “You want to beat that

kill even more big breeders than the

fish as quickly as possible so lactic acid

THE SOUTH SIDE OF

gillnetters. To destroy this resource to

doesn’t build up,” Blinken says. “Of

LONG ISLAND. THEY’RE

make a few people happy is so wrong.”

course you can land an albie with an

BLOCKING STRIPER MIGRATION, CREATING

8-weight, but you might kill it.”

T HE F ISH IN G

BOATING HAZARDS,

Use an Albright knot to join leader to

KILLING TURTLES, BIRDS,

Albies can be as picky as brown trout,

fly line. If a fly line comes with a loop,

AND MARINE MAMMALS.

especially in fading light. When they

an Albright is all the easier to tie. A

get lockjaw, try a white Gartside

loop-to-loop connection creates a

Gurgler with lots of flash in the tail or

hinge effect that impedes your leader

a Crease Fly.

from turning over.

Blinken’s standby fly (which he originally invented for bonito) is the Jellyfish. “When I first started fishing

instead of strip striking. Trout strikes

albies I used only epoxy flies,” he says.

guarantee missing at least half of

“They’d bang off the hull or engine and

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TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE

The angling mistake I see most is “trout striking”—i.e., lifting the fly rod

your fish.

The next most common mistake I

BEST CONVERSATION ON THE WATER

see is making too many false casts.

For albies, Blinken and I use floating

I trailer the Assignment to Niantic,

lines. They allow us to water haul and,

Connecticut, and cross to Long

with a single back cast, deliver the

Island. After I tie up to the dock, I

fly. “Albie fishing is very aggressive,

don’t like to hold up the scup guys.

very fast-paced,” says Blinken. “When

Scup are as prolific as they are

the pod moves 20 feet to your left or

delicious. The fishery has a huge

right, you need to pick up and present

African American following.

it again quickly. If you’re using an intermediate or sinking line, you’re

One early morning, after I’d parked

not going to get to those fish.”

my truck, I ran back to the ramp because nine scup anglers were

When you’re throwing into big bait

preparing to launch a boat scarcely

balls, matching the hatch is bad

bigger than mine. They were headed a

strategy. Why should a fish eat your

mile offshore, each with an excellent

fly when there are several hundred

chance of filling his 30-fish limit.

thousand baitfish that look just like it? Usually your flies should be two or

One gentleman declared: “Take your

three times bigger than the bait.

time. You ain’t a young man no

I EXPLAINED THAT I WAS

more.” Then he pointed to my one-

HEADED TO MONTAUK

Guides make mistakes, too.

piece Loomis rods and inquired what

TO CHASE FALSE

Churlishness and too much advice are

I was planning to do with the “long

ALBACORE. SLAPPING

major turnoffs. And this from Blinken:

fish poles.” I explained that I was

HIS FOREHEAD, HE

“I think the biggest mistake a guide

headed to Montauk to chase false

INTONED, “TWENTY-FIVE

can make is having his client show

albacore. Slapping his forehead, he

MILES FOR FISH YOU

up when it’s unfishable. We all want

intoned, “Twenty-five miles for fish

CAN’T EAT?

to make money, but if it’s blowing 25,

you can’t eat?”

you don’t tell your client to show up anyway, especially if it takes him four

“You and your pals are the smart ones,”

hours to get there. And guides need

I answered truthfully. “Albie anglers

to be flexible. I keep my skiff available

aren’t quite right in the head.”

all fall, so if Montauk’s too rough, I can fish west.”

T HE A D VE N TURE S

Once, when I was in Blinken’s boat,

One pre-dawn, when the sea was

we watched a guide chase stripers in

slate-flat, I crossed in 35 minutes. The

past the wave break. It’s a dangerous

fishing that day was decent, but one

practice, but sometimes they can’t

of my sports bailed, having gotten

resist. “He’s gonna turtle,” yelled

seasick on the near-motionless

Blinken. When he did, we went in

floating dock.

stern-first and fished out the client who had lost his rod, fly box, and car

The next day was unfishable, with

keys. Someone else fished out the

wind out of the north at 35 knots.

guide, who didn’t get a tip that day.

And the forecast for the following two

The boat rolled around under the

days was worse. Despite protestations

cliffs all fall.

from Ben Mahler of the Star Island Yacht Club, I set out for Niantic. I had

TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE

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TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE

a cold shower with every wave, and it took me four hours to reach the ramp.

Again I radioed the Coast Guard, telling them that all was well and to abort. But they came anyway, easing

At home I got a phone call from

up to Captain Dino Torino’s green

Ben, who was wondering if I were

Contender and asking if he happened

alive. The next two calls, seeking

to be missing a client, because they’d

the same information, came

heard someone had fallen out of a

respectively from Richard Reagan

green Contender. As Dino told me

and the US Coast Guard.

later, “My heart was in my mouth.”

One cold, gusty afternoon in late

At the time, Dino radioed the rest

October a sport I’ll call Conrad was

of the fleet, reporting that the

standing behind me, forgetful of my

Assignment had shed a passenger.

instruction to grip the metal bar. We

Everyone stopped fishing and started

were a mile offshore, steaming up

looking. When Conrad and I arrived

along the south side. When I turned

at the point 15 minutes later, one

to ask Conrad how he was doing I

angler waved at us without using all

noticed he wasn’t in the boat.

his fingers.

AGAIN I RADIOED THE COAST GUARD, TELLING

The first mistake I’d made was not

After that I bought 15 self-inflatable

THEM THAT ALL WAS

turning on the GPS, so I had no track

life vests at $200 each—three for

WELL AND TO ABORT.

to follow. The second mistake was

the Assignment and 12 for my guide

BUT THEY CAME ANYWAY,

radioing the Coast Guard because it

friends—gifts presented on condition

EASING UP TO CAPTAIN

takes 20 minutes just to get to the

they promised always to wear them.

DINO TORINO’S GREEN

point from the Lake Montauk station,

Everyone promised, and no one

CONTENDER AND ASKING

rendering the operation a body

wears one.

IF HE HAPPENED TO BE

retrieval rather than a rescue.

MISSING A CLIENT. Another time Captain John McMurray,

I raced back 2 miles. Finally, I spied

the famous light-tackle tuna guide

Conrad’s hat—a very good sign. Then

(nycflyfishing.com), and I had sports

I saw him treading water and waving.

from California who were desperate

You’re supposed to retrieve a man

to fish despite the horrendous

overboard by having him straddle

southwest gale. McMurray, a former

the motor shaft and hitting the tilt

Coast Guardsman who has forgotten

switch. But Conrad feared I’d start

more about boats than the rest of us

the motor and chop up his privates.

know, thought we might be able to

So I grabbed his hands and flung him

make it around the point, in which

aboard. He weighs 220, and there

case we’d have a fishable lee.

is no way I could have done that without the adrenalin.

In typical understatement, McMurray described the standing waves as “a bit hairy.” In fact, they’d taught him one of the few things about boats he hadn’t known—that his new 32-foot Contender was designed to bend.

TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE

45

Wet but afloat, we attained the

My sport boarded the Assignment

south side, where we found albies

with a Shakespeare rod and a

and bass. Presently, we each

Medalist reel. Mort, as I’ll call him,

received a text from Richard Reagan

had not caught a fish at Montauk

in New York City, who had been

for his previous five trips, an

contacted by sullen guides watching

accomplishment unmatched by

our departure and who had been

any other angler I’ve fished with.

obliged to cancel their own charters.

I equipped him properly, but the

It read: “You are FOOLS!”

fly line kept collapsing around his shoulders.

McMurray radioed me and inquired: “What’s that ‘fool’ stuff from the Bible your sister always quotes?” I recited

At length, he hooked a bluefish, which finally bit him off. I truthfully

the passage, and he texted Reagan

informed him, “It counts because the

as follows: “‘As a dog returneth to

guide touched the leader.” Then I lied

its vomit, so a fool returneth to his

by telling him it was an albie.

foolery.’”

A second after I’d tied on a new fly Montauk can be dangerously crowded,

the real albies blew up 5 feet from

especially in the rips at Shagwong

the boat. Mort dropped the fly,

and the Point. Blinken’s adventures

hooked one, and eventually landed it.

include getting rammed by weekend run-and-gunners who watch for fish but not boats.

Within three minutes the whole fleet knew I had put Mort on an albie. In the gathering twilight we

The water around the Point is a

were piped ashore.

nursery area for great white sharks.

The juveniles, 8 feet and under, are too small to eat seals. So they eat fish. One day Blinken was lipping one AS A DOG RETURNETH TO

of Reagan’s stripers when there was a great splash and he fell against

ITS VOMIT,

the opposite gunwale, drenched and

SO A FOOL

holding only the head.

RETURNETH TO HIS FOOLERY.

WHY I WANT TO BE A REAL GUIDE I enjoy pro-bono guiding more than fishing. I’d rather put an elderly trout angler on his first albie than catch ten myself. So I’ll close by recounting my best day on the water.

46

TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE

TED WILLIAMS writes about fish and wildlife issues for national publications. While he detests baseball, he’s even more obsessed with fishing than was the “real Ted Williams,” as he does not like to hear the ballplayer called.

TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE

47

THE COMPANY OF ANGLERS (A Prayer)

by Brian J. Davis As I sat in my old chair just listenin g to the rain Ol’ Gus curled up at my feet Thinking about the future and hoping for clearing skies My wandering mind retreats To the birth of an angler, watching cork s and feeling tugs Starting a life-long journey To grow is to move away from your roo ts like a f lower Or a young child from her knee This angler’s travels took him from cane poles and Zebco Ones To spinners and bait casters Bream, catf ish, crappie, bass, with sunburns, hoo ked hands, banged shins and Many backlash disasters Growing, learning, casting f lies, certainty is a mirage Can a morning smell like hope?

Speckled trout, reds, and tarpon are what I long to catch now Fishing’s a slippery slope Then one day, moon off the bow, day cr ouching behind the stern It all became crystal clear It began about catching, then becam e about f ishing Now it’s time with mates, so dear Have you ever wanted to just be aroun d others who Understand your obsession?

Do we stroll around tackle shops, looking, talking, planning Like this was our profession?

For most, eventually it’s about the memories Made with family and friends The company of anglers is what I tru ly desire Thanks to you all and amen

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TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE

BREAD ALONE

ON THE PLATE

text and photos by Kelli Prescott

FLY FISHING IS SO MUCH MORE than what’s at the surface. Through fly fishing we learn that nothing comes easy, and that practice, patience, and dedication in everything gives greater meaning to our lives. This translates to the kitchen as well. Often the simplest methods can be the most challenging to learn. I’m sure you can recall the first time you picked up a fly rod; by no means were your loops the tightest or your tracking without error. Though it contains only a few ingredients, like a fly fishing outfit itself, bread can be a bit overwhelming on your first try.

Pizza is a great place to start.

TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE

51

SHEET PAN PIZZA Although the dough itself takes a little time, assembling and eating homemade pizza is some of the most fun you’ll have in the kitchen.

Compared with other more complex breads, pizza dough will generally yield successful results on your first attempt.

Pizza dough is essentially five ingredients: flour, yeast, water, oil, and salt. Occasionally sugar or honey can be added to speed up fermentation. Fermentation happens when the yeast eats whatever sugar

ingredients:

) Anson 4 cups (560 grams r ou Mills Pizza Fl r 1 3/4 cups warm wate yeast ve ti ac y dr sp t

2 1/4 (1 packet) olive oil 2 tbsp + 1/3 cup lt sa r 1 tbsp koshe toppings: tomato jam cheese shredded fontina cheese re ye gru d de red sh lots al sh ed thinly slic ni oli brocc sausage crumbled Italian

is in the dough, whether that is naturally occurring sugar from the flour or added sugar.

SHEET PAN PIZZA

Because the dough contains only a

Hearty and large enough to feed a

few ingredients, the quality of the

crowd, this sheet pan pizza has a

ingredients is extremely important.

thicker crust with a crispy bottom

Most flours have been stripped of

and airy, tender dough. In this recipe

all naturally occurring nutrients and

I call for Anson Mills Pizza Flour.

have lost freshness by sitting on a

Freshly milled flour retains more

store shelf for weeks on end. If you

nutritional value and depth of flavor.

can, find a local mill. Freshly milled

If you don’t want to go through the

flour is always the way to go. If you

trouble to source freshly milled flour,

prefer, unbleached all-purpose flour

use unbleached AP flour or 00 flour

or 00 flour is a perfectly suitable

in its place.

substitution. Freshly milled flour can be purchased online as well, I

To begin, we must bloom the yeast. In

recommend Anson Mills Pizza Maker’s

the bowl of a stand mixer, add yeast

Flour (ansonmills.com).

to warm water (between 105º and 110º F). Allow yeast to activate in the

When making pizza, or any dough

warm water for about 10 minutes or

for that matter, a stand mixer is a

until foamy.

game-changer. If you don’t have a stand mixer, you can mix the dough

Once your yeast is activated, add 2

by hand; however, it will take about

tbsp oil and 1 tbsp salt to the mixture.

twice as long.

Using the bread hook attachment on your stand mixer, start on the lowest setting and gradually add the flour.

Continue mixing on low speed until all flour is incorporated and a shaggy dough forms. Turn up the speed to medium and allow another 5 minutes of mixing until the dough begins to

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TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE

water (between 105º and 110º F) in

CRISPY CAST IRON PIE

the bowl of a stand mixer. Add yeast to the honey-water mixture. Allow

ingredients:

topping ideas:

cups (420 grams) lour unbleached AP f er wat warm cup 1/4 1 2 1/4 tsp dry active yeast (1 packet) 1/4 cup olive oil 1 tbsp honey 1 tbsp kosher salt

red sauce pesto fresh mozzarella shredded fontina cheese large pepperoni crumbled Italian sausage fresh basil thinly sliced shallots mushrooms etc.

3

1/2

cornmeal (for dusting)

yeast to activate in the warm water for about 10 minutes or until foamy.

Since we added honey to this starter, the yeast has something to eat. It will get much more foamy and speed up the fermentation process.

Starting on low speed with the dough hook attachment, add oil and salt.

Continue mixing on low speed and gradually add flour until all the flour is incorporated. Turn the speed up to medium and continue to mix for an additional 5 minutes.

form a ball. Once your dough forms a

When your dough is spread out evenly

Once the dough has achieved a

ball, transfer into a large bowl coated

and has reached all the corners of the

smooth, elastic consistency, turn it

with oil. This is a very sticky dough.

pan, you're ready to assemble!

out onto a well floured surface and

When transferring the dough, use a

knead for a couple minutes or until it

bench scraper or oiled hands to avoid a

Although a wide variety of toppings

mess. Cover your dough with cling wrap

would be excellent, my suggested

and refrigerate 24 hours.

toppings yield a sweet, spicy and

begins to spring back.

Transfer the kneaded dough into a

robust pizza.

large bowl coated with oil. Cover with

This dough has a long resting period

a kitchen towel and let rest for 1.5

to allow fermentation. Fermentation

Gently spread 1 cup of tomato jam

hours in a warm place (ideally 75º to

allows the yeast to eat the natural

directly onto the raw dough, then

80º F). You can use a space heater in

sugars from the freshly milled flour.

layer cheese, broccolini, shallots, and

a small room to help create a warm

During fermentation, the dough will

Italian sausage.

environment.

range of flavors. After 24 hours has

Cook for 35 to 45 minutes or until

After an hour and a half, your dough

elapsed, your dough is ready for its final

bubbly and crisp.

should be nearly double in size.

become tender, bubbly and gain its full

rest. The dough will be much less sticky and easier to work with at this point.

Serve in large squares and enjoy hot.

Punch your dough down and turn out onto the counter. Cut into 8

Preheat your oven to 515º F.

CRISPY CAST IRON PIE

equal pieces and form individual balls.

Transfer balls of dough onto a sheet

Add 1/3 cup oil to an 18” x 13” sheet

This pizza recipe yields enough for

pan. Turn out the dough directly on

8 individual pies 10” in diameter.

the sheet pan. Allow 10 minutes or so

Compared with my sheet pan pizza

Allow the dough to rest in a warm area

to knock the chill off the dough. Begin

recipe, this dough rests about 2 hours

for one final time, about 30 minutes.

to work the dough toward the corners

total and crusts can be partially

pan and cover with a kitchen towel.

of the pan; if the dough springs back,

cooked ahead of time. This recipe is a

Once the final rest is complete, dust

allow a few additional minutes to rest

bit easier to tackle than my sheet pan

cornmeal on your work surface and

before pulling more. We don't want to

pizza and calls for store-bought flour.

use a rolling pin to create 8 rounds

overwork the dough.

Start by mixing honey into warm

that are 10” each.

TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE

53

Heat a cast iron pan for about 5 minutes on medium heat, then

TOMATO JAM

transfer your crusts, one at a

Sweet and spicy tomato jam

time, into the pan. Cook for a

makes a perfect swap for

couple minutes per side until

traditional red sauce on your pizza.

they’re light tan in color. Let the

Additionally, the flavor of this

partially cooked crusts cool on a

condiment goes well atop a hard-

wire rack. At this point you can

seared steak, smeared on a your

freeze the par-cooked crusts or

favorite bagel, and so much more.

use them immediately.

To make this jam, simply half the tomatoes and mix them together

Preheat your oven to 525º F or

with all remaining ingredients.

as close as you can get to that

Transfer to a foil-lined baking

temperature. Place a sheet pan in

sheet and roast in the oven at

the oven while it preheats.

375º F for 1.5 hours. Once cool, it's ready to use!

Once your oven reaches temperature, pull the sheet pan out and place 2 par-cooked crusts on the hot pan. Carefully assemble

ITALIAN SAUSAGE

by spooning 2 tablespoons of

Rather than buying pre-made

sauce per pizza, then sprinkle with

sausage, this homemade version

cheese and desired toppings. Since

comes together in less than

these pies are personal-size, have

5 minutes and gives you the

ingredients:

fun with the toppings and let each

freshest and most flavorful option.

person build their own.

Mix all ingredients together, then

Return the sheet pan with

to cook. Drain excess oil and store

assembled pizzas back to the oven

cooled sausage in a zip-lock bag

and cook 15 minutes or until edges

until ready to use.

4 pints) mini kumato 2 1/2 lbs ( or cherry tomatoes 3 cloves garlic (smashed) 3 sprigs thyme (picked) 3 basil leaves (torn) 1/3 cup white sugar 1/2 cup brown sugar 1/2 cup app lice cider vinegar 1 tsp salt 1 tsp cracked pepper lakes 1/4 tsp red chili f

crumble 1/2˝ pieces into a skillet

are crisp and the cheese is bubbly.

You can use 2 sheet pans at a time and cook up to 4 pizzas at once. Alternatively, you can make a single pie by assembling directly in the cast iron skillet, cooking on low-medium until toppings get melty.

Slice individual pies into 4 pieces, serve and enjoy.

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TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE

Tomato Jam

Italian Sausage ingredients: 1 lb ground pork 1 tsp salt pper 1/2 tsp cracked pe garlic ted la anu gr p ts 1/2 el seeds nn fe ed st 1/2 tsp toa kes la f ili ch red p ts 1/2

TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE

55

by TFFM Staff

OVER 2,000 YEARS AGO the

Wine is made in virtually every part

Wines that don’t make the cut end up

sprawling Roman Empire planted

of Italy, which might explain why it’s

with the name vino da tavola (table

grapevines in every conquered region

the world’s largest wine producer.

wine) on the label. While these wines

to ensure its soldiers would have an

There are 21 distinct wine-making

don’t meet the DOC requirements,

ample supply of wine. Despite the

regions, and each is dominated by

the quality is still high and they are

Romans’ making wine abundantly

the type of grape that grows best

by no means inferior. Many miss the

available to everyone in the Empire,

in the climate. Three regions stand

mark because of color (which is highly

they were not the first to consume it.

out, and their wines are known

variable when dealing with produce)

The earliest-known winery is 6,100

worldwide: Piedmont, in northern

or body (which is how it runs down

years old and is located in Armenia.

Italy, which produces barolo; Tuscany,

the glass when you swirl it). Needless

There are also historical traces

in the central part of the country,

to say, table wines are very drinkable

of wine being consumed in Sicily

which produces the very popular

and are preferred for casual dining

in 4,000 BC, Iran in 5,000 BC, and

Chianti; and Veneto, in the northeast,

and entertaining because they cost

Georgia in 6000 BC.

extending from the Dolomite

less. Many selections of table wine

Mountains to the Adriatic Sea, known

have an Indicazione Geografica Tipica

for valpolicella and bardolino.

(IGT designation) on the label, which

The Romans drank both reds and whites, which served as both a

informs the drinker of the geographic

recreational drink and a source of

In Italy there is a standard for wines,

origin and hence the style of wine.

nutrition. The Old World vines were

which protects the producer as well

However, the IGT does not imply

brought to the New World, and many

as the consumer. When a wine meets

the wine is any better quality than

of the lineages of modern vineyards

the requirements that it was produced

undesignated bottles.

can be traced back to ancient vines

in a specific region and under the

originating in Europe.

traditional and/or defined methods that meet the quality standard of that

While we are simply not qualified to

region, it will earn the designation

cover all selections of wine available

from the Denominazione di Origine

worldwide, we are able to share some

Controllata (DOC). You probably have

information about Italian wines that

seen the official-looking tape or ribbon

pair well with the flatbreads in this

on the Chianti bottles from the DOC

issue’s “Bread Alone” feature.

but may not have know its purpose.

TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE

57

BAROLO Piedmont is the home of the luscious

$30 to $40 US. This is our top choice

therefore more cost-efficient. In

Nebbiolo grape. This grape is

for pizza, charcuterie (see issue 40),

the 1970s, vintners began to up the

responsible for the robust red wine

and branzino, the European bass

quantities of white grapes to produce

barolo. Young barolos are high in

(Dicentrarchus labrax).

more wine and more profits. The

alcohol, acidity, and tannins, which makes them less than palatable; this

result was an inferior product that CHIANTI

is why most barolos are cask-aged

the Italian government to certify

for a minimum of two years before

Chianti is your classic Italian wine

each bottle of Chianti was made to

bottling. The reserves or special

from the hills of Tuscany. This is the

proper specifications. Denominazione

reserves are usually aged for five or

wine whose bottle you’ll see encased

di Origine Controllata e Garatita

more years and are exceptional. They

in straw and sitting on a red-and-

translates to “Denomination of Origin

pair well with meats and savory sides,

white checkerboard tablecloth at

is Controlled and Guaranteed.” So

but they excel with hard cheeses

your favorite Italian restaurant.

don’t buy a Chianti unless it has this

and savory flatbreads. If you enjoy

Chianti is a favorite because of its

label; otherwise, you might not be

Parmigiano cheese, try sipping

hints of cherry and its being lighter

getting a genuine Chianti.

Barolo with a chunk of Reggiano or

and thinner than other reds. This is

pecorino. Some well-aged barolos are

because the Sangiovesi, the Chianti’s

Chiantis range in price from $15 to

in the $200 to $400 range and are

signature grape, is blended with about

$40. They pair well with pasta and

highly recommended for fine dining

five percent white grapes. The white

pizza and especially herbs like basil

situations, but you can find a very nice

grapes are easier to grow and

and sage.

three- to five-year-old for around

58

consumers did not trust, prompting

TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE

VALPOLICELLA

SOME GENERAL TAKEAWAYS POINTS:

Northeastern Italy has what is possibly

this is a top product and is usually

Italian wines are versatile

the country’s best assortment of grape

at least five years old. A bottle of

and affordable

cultivars. The Veneto region is home

valpolicella classico can cost from

to Covina, Molinara, and Rondinella

$80 to $400 and is recommended

A good bottle of Italian wine doesn’t

grapes, which are blended to make

for special events rather than daily

have to cost more than $20

valpolicella, a light and versatile wine.

consumption.

The Italian government took a lot

Valpolicellas pair well with everything

of the guesswork out of picking

from seafood to heavily salted foods,

out a decent wine, so remember

as well as poultry and meat. They are

your certification labels when

often served slightly chilled—but not

making selections

too cold, as this will dull the flavor and the range of the bottle. Valpolicella is

Chill your red wines slightly

similar to Chianti but has aromatic

(60 to 70° F) to reduce grit and

hints of berries and almonds. A

improve texture

good bottle of valpolicella can cost anywhere from $20 to $40, but there are different tiers. If the label contains the word superiore, that means the wine has been aged for at least one year. The designation classico means

TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE

59

FLIES, G CRAB N I Y T lot of WHEN pay a o t d n ail to we te to det n rfect, o i t ook pe l atten b a r he c ch an make t e atta w n d to e h of lea and t k n u h tly ink. unsigh y to s l f e h get t time ot of l a t o pen ways t I’ve s about g ad n e i l k gly thin hose u t tself. l i a e y conc e fl h t n i to ith about eyes w od I’m h n t i e m e o m The came t u ot o g y y show ctuall a I ( m ddle a drea the mi n i d e b nt out of and we night e se to h i t v of my o t s r ai downst ). t i try tap a er to m m t a h a so tha I use l eye l e b d b e m u ten lead d a flat o mbles e able t s e e r it ill b t s o t l l s ’ ap 8. You ght wr ure-ei g i hook. f e e h us to t s i h t ch the attach sandwi n n e h t n betwee You ca mbbell u t d h g d i e e n e w flatte ns; th i o c b t a that i two cr enough n i the h t is within s r a e disapp body. crab’s know ult to c e i f f i ers ar It’s d fly ti r e h w t o n what o on’t k so I d , er g i n t i o t d firs e h t ly if I’m crab f ght a i e , I w r e o v t . Howe s i h t method like ed the t a r e t s ion on demon g sess n i y t t b, he at a my clu t a We g n dders. eveni Fly Ro nced d e o i C r expe Cape y r e v e ome not on have s e, and r e d h a t h room tiers in the fore. person one be d t i een ever s

60

TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE

1.

STEP ngth of g the le of n lo a d t o threa amoun oth of mon a very small e s o a s b d fb Wrap a shank. Tie in h a few stran rap all of it k W w o l. o g a h n ri the ook mate ir, alo of the h per Ha k flash c d n la e b b the Su d e e n th a th h lp to s e a in h fl l the UV terials slightly ard. This wil a nw these m ey point dow int up. o th so that y ride hook-p fl d e h is fin

2.

STEP

ercial e comm ens (or th ok so that m ta s l o e artificia of the h bend of Fasten th s) to either side past the h c Step 2. in e y n e a f shrimp arter o crab or out a qu trude ab ro p y e th k. the hoo

MATERIALS HOOK: TIEMCO 800S, SIZE 4 OR 6, DEPENDING ON THE SIZE OF YOUR CRAB COINS.

CRAB D A E H R E M THE HAM NT FOTI

BY VINCE

THREAD: CLEAR MONOFILAMENT. TAIL: TAN SUPER HAIR, UV KRYSTAL FLASH, AND BLACK KRYSTAL FLASH. EYES: ARTIFICIAL STAMENS (AVAILABLE IN CRAFT STORES) OR COMMERCIAL CRAB OR SHRIMP EYES. DUMBBELL EYE: LEAD, SMALL OR MEDIUM, DEPENDING ON THE SIZE OF THE HOOK. CRAB BODY: WAPSI CRAB COINS; THE TOP COIN (CARAPACE) SHOULD BE DARKER THAN THE UNDERSIDE. LEGS: RUBBER (SILI LEGS, CRAZY LEGS, ROUND RUBBER, ETC.).

GLUE: BONDIC OR OTHER UV RESIN FOR THE CRAB BODY; SUPER GLUE FOR THE FIGURE-EIGHT WRAPS. COLOR: SHARPIE OR OTHER MARKING PEN TO COLOR THE TOP OF THE CRAB’S BODY AND LEGS TO YOUR LIKING.

ape o calls C angler wh y pe Cod fl a r C te e a vid saltw ident of th a s n re a P odders is t R s ti a o e’s a p Cod Fly Bio: Vin F waters. H the Cape on the e f g o m in r o h e h s b fi is m t Cod h n he’s no nding me e u h e, and fo W liz a e r. d e B n b Salties a , Mexico, ard mem s o a b t m n a e h a rr cu eB as well a hing in th tions. enjoys fis S destina Cape, Vin ll as numerous U e w Cuba, as

CAME TO ME IN A DREAM.” “THE METHOD I’M ABOUT TO SHOW YOU

TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE

61

STEP 3.

Step 3. Place a small or medium lead dumbbell eye on a very hard surface and tap it with a hammer until it’s flat. Notice that it will still retain its hourglass shape.

Step 4. Once the dumbbell is thin enough, secure

STEP 4.

it to the top of the hook shank, just behind the eye, using the same figure-eight wraps you’d use to fasten any dumbbell. Whip finish and apply a small amount of Super Glue to the figure-eight wraps.

STEP 6.

STEP 5.

Step 5. Take your bottom crab coin and crisscross three crab legs to the coin, then place the hook over those legs on the coin. Next, cut a very small V notch in the top coin. Place that notch at the bend of the hook and press down firmly on the coin so that it becomes the top

of the crab.

Step 6. Using a thin-nosed applicator or a bodkin, apply fly a small amount of UV resin around the edges of the where the two coins meet and hit it with your UV light to set it.

STEP 7.

Step 7. Trim the Super Hair and flash as desired. If you wish, use marking pens to color the top of the crab’s body and its legs.

HAMMERHEAD 62

TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE

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Imagine two casting strokes, identical in power,

doing it is because you’re not using your power

identical in every way, except that one of the

efficiently. Learning to cast distance is not a

strokes forms a large, open loop while the other

process of becoming physically stronger, as some

forms a tight loop. All other things being equal,

fly angers believe. Learning to cast distance

the cast with the tight loop will travel farther

is learning to make full use of the power you

and faster. The tighter loop isn’t carrying more

already possess. Good distance casters are not

energy than the open loop; it’s simply transfer-

necessarily the strongest people. Good distance

ring it more efficiently by focusing all

casters are those who’ve learned to use their

of the energy within a very narrow area.

power most efficiently. Forming a tight loop is simply the most efficient way to transfer all of

Imagine using the palm of your hand to push

the power from the fly rod toward the target.

through the side of a watermelon. You’re probably not going to be able to do it. Now imagine

As I pointed out in the previous article in this

trying to do this using an icepick. You’ll be able to

series, a good casting stroke is a smooth, con-

penetrate the watermelon easily with the icepick, and not because you’re using more energy—you’re probably using much less—but because the icepick is concentrating all of your energy into a very small area. In fly casting, the difference in effect between an open loop and a tight loop is just as

tinuous acceleration that A GOOD CASTING STROKE IS A SMOOTH, CONTINUOUS ACCELERATION THAT CONCLUDES WITH AN ABRUPT STOP. WHEN THE ROD STOPS ON THE FORWARD CAST, THE AIRBORNE FLY LINE, WHICH YOU’VE BEEN PULLING FROM BEHIND YOU, CONTINUES TO SOAR FORWARD.

dramatic.

concludes with an abrupt stop.

When the rod stops on the forward cast, the airborne fly line, which you’ve been pulling from behind you, continues to soar forward. The line is anchored at the rod tip, and when the following fly line passes over the rod tip, a loop forms. The bottom leg of the loop remains anchored at

the rod tip (as long as you don’t release the line Virtually everyone reading this article has more

trapped in your line hand) while the top leg con-

than enough power to deliver a fly 70 or more

tinues to unroll toward the target.

feet without hauling. The only reason you’re not

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TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE

THE ESSENTIALS OF DISTANCE FLY CASTING: PART TWO

photos by JAMIL SIDDIQUI

TIGHT LOOPS ARE CRITICAL TO DISTANCE FLY CASTING. THE TIGHTER THE LOOP YOU CAN FORM, THE FARTHER AND FASTER YOUR CAST WILL TRAVEL. TIGHT LOOPS ARE CRITICAL TO DISTANCE CASTING BECAUSE THEY FOCUS ALL OF THE ENERGY FROM THE CAST INTO A VERY NARROW AREA. ALSO, TIGHT LOOPS ARE LESS WIND-RESISTANT THAN WIDE LOOPS AND ARE A MUST FOR CASTING INTO A WIND.

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As I’ve said, the tighter the loop of line, the far-

It will look like a V or a U that has been tipped

ther and faster the cast will travel. To ensure that

on its side. But if the distance between the rod

you form a tight loop, there are two important

tip and the path of the following fly line is great,

things you need to keep in mind. First: Your cast

then the loop will be large.

will assume any shape that the path of the rod tip has traveled. And second: The path of the rod tip is determined by the path of your rod hand.

▲A

limited wrist movement at the end of the back cast stroke helps to form a tight loop on the back cast.

▲A

curved path of the rod tip produces a large, open loop.

In our ideal fly cast, the rod tip follows a straightline path throughout the casting stroke (arc).

The casting stroke concludes with the rod tip stopping just far enough beneath the path of the following fly line so that the line passes slightly above the rod tip (rather than crashing into it or passing beneath it, as it does when you form a

▲A

limited wrist movement at the end of the forward stroke tilts the fly rod a bit forward, allowing the following fly line to pass just above the rod tip as the rod unloads.

tailing loop). The size and shape of the loop are determined by the position of the rod tip relative to the path of the following fly line at the conclusion of the casting stroke. If the distance between the rod tip and the path of following fly line is small, then the loop will be tight:

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TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE

Good fly casters have learned to accelerate the rod tip through a straight-line path and then drop the rod tip just far enough beneath the path of the following fly line at the end of the casting stroke so that the fly line passes directly above it.

Good casters use a limited wrist movement to accomplish this. That is, during the second part of the forward stroke—what Joan Wulff refers

to as the power snap and the late Lefty Kreh called the speed-up-and-stop—the caster pushes forward on the rod handle with his thumb while pulling back with his lower fingers. This pushing- pulling motion tilts the rod a bit forward, dropping the tip slightly as the rod unloads—just far enough to allow the following fly line to pass above it, forming a tight loop.

The back cast is a mirror image of the forward cast. The rod tip travels along a straight-line path throughout the entire back cast stroke.

The caster uses a limited wrist movement on the back cast to help form the loop. During the back cast’s final acceleration, the wrist moves from bent-forward to straight. This movement positions the butt of the rod from parallel to the forearm to approximately 45 degrees to the forearm. This drops the the rod tip just slightly beneath the path of the following fly line, form-

▲

ing a tight loop on the back cast.

▲A

The back cast is a mirror image of the forward cast. The rod tip should follow a straight-line path during the back cast stroke.

straight-line path of the rod tip produces a tight loop.

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67

To say that the butt of the rod moves 45 degrees

The back cast is a mirror image of the forward

during the final acceleration is a general state-

cast. Therefore, the rod tip must move in a

ment. Some casters will use more wrist movement

straight-line path throughout the back cast

than this; others may use less. How much wrist

stroke as well. If your rod hand veers off the

movement you use during the casting stroke is

straight-line path, and you end the stroke with

much less important than your moving the rod tip

the rod tip significantly below the path of the

along a straight-line path so that you form a tight

following fly line, you will form an open loop on

loop. Forming the tight loop is the fundamental.

the back cast. Again, it may help you here, if

Your execution of a fundamental is likely to be a

you’re having trouble forming a tight loop on the

bit different from mine or anyone else’s.

back cast, to focus on stopping the rod higher— with the shaft pointed at, say, the 1:00 position.

Casters who have trouble forming tight loops veer off the straight path and bring the rod tip

Many fly casting instructors dislike the clock-face

through a curved path, concluding the casting

analogy—I believe it has limited application as

stroke with the rod tip well

well—but if you’re having

beneath the path of the

MANY FLY CASTING

following fly line. Your ability to move your rod hand, and hence the rod tip, through a straight-line path throughout the casting stroke is so important to your becoming a good distance caster that you should think of what you’re doing as straight-line

INSTRUCTORS DISLIKE THE CLOCK-FACE ANALOGY—I BELIEVE IT HAS LIMITED APPLICATION AS WELL—BUT IF YOU’RE HAVING TROUBLE FORMING TIGHT LOOPS, YOU MAY FIND IT OF SOME VALUE IN HELPING TO KEEP THE ROD TIP ON ITS STRAIGHT-LINE PATH.

fly casting. (As I’m fond of saying, “All fly anglers know what a straight line is until you put a rod in their hand.”)

trouble forming tight loops, you may find it of some value in helping to keep the rod tip on its straight-line path.

A major problem would-be distance casters have with forming tight loops is directly related to loading and unloading the rod. The typical caster, in an attempt to add power

to his cast, swings right through the point where he should be stopping the rod. As we’ve seen, this causes the rod hand—and hence the rod tip—

If you’re having trouble forming a tight loop

to veer off its straight path. In effect, the caster

on the forward cast, the clock-face analogy

rips the loop open.

may help you. Imagine yourself at the center of a clock face. Twelve o’clock is directly above you, and nine o’clock is directly in front of you.

has nothing to do with strength and has every-

Imagine also that the rod is the hour hand of

thing to do with developing good form. Learning

the clock. If you’re forming an open loop on your

to form tight loops is a critical step toward de-

forward cast, take note of where the shaft of the

veloping that good form. Tighten your loops and

rod ( just above the grip) is positioned when you

you’ll automatically add yards to your cast.

stop the rod. If your rod is positioned at, say, 9:30 when you stop the rod, try to stop it higher—at 10:30 or maybe even 11:00 and see what effect this has on the loop.

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I can’t stress enough that distance fly casting

TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE

The Echo Micro Practice Rod (M.P.R.)

Developing Your Loop One of the best ways to work on loop formation

For a demo of the M.P.R. and a quick

(as well as as other casting essentials) is by using

casting lesson with Tim Rajeff, scan

an indoor practice rod. Practice rods are very

the QR code or enter this link:

short fly rods that substitute synthetic yarn or

youtu.be/2_e7djaYzyg

rope for fly line and can be cast indoors without causing damage. Several companies market practice rods, but my favorite is the Echo Micro Practice Rod (M.P.R.). This 4-foot, 2-piece graphite rod uses a spongey polyester rope for line and package yarn to simulate a tapered leader.

At first glance, the M.P.R. might look like a Nerf toy; however, it’s anything but a toy. Because the rope has weight, you can actually feel the rod load and unload, just as if you were using an actual 9-foot fly rod. The M.P.R. is particularly useful when you can’t get outside to practice (such as wintertime in northern climates).

As I mentioned in the previous installment, video feedback via smartphone will allow you to cut significant time off your learning curve. Download a sports-analysis app such as Hudl Technique (hudl.com) and you’ll have what I believe is fly casting’s most important learning and teaching tool to date.

Shoot video against a solid background using a brightly colored fly line. A fly rod with a light-colored blank will allow for optimal visibility on video. The Diamondback Corporation (diamondbackfishingrods.com) provided the white instructor’s

George Roberts produced the first instructional video casting program aimed at the saltwater fly

angler:

Saltwater

Fly

Casting: 10 Steps to Distance and Power, which is available through a number of retailers as well as the TFFM shop.

rod used in this series.

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SPECIES, SEASONS, SELECTIONS

by Captain Brain Vaughn

we call the Lowcountry. The best part about being a guide here is doing what I love while sharing this amazing fishery with visitors.

The Lowcountry offers numerous fly

WINTER (REDFISH) If you happen to visit during the winter months, considered the offseason for tourism in Hilton Head,

fishing opportunities for a variety

A frequent question I get is, “When’s

you’re in for a treat. Some excellent

of species throughout the year. As

the best time of the year to fly fish

opportunities exist to catch schooling

you may know, redfish are the major draw, followed by cobia, tripletail,

in Hilton Head?” My answer always is, “Every month has magical moments

redfish that can range anywhere from 1 to 12-plus pounds. Air temperatures

jack crevalle, and even some spotted

as long as the weather and tides

average around 60 degrees but can

trout and a few tarpon.

come together.” The following is a

dip well below that mark when a cold

synopsis of the seasons and species

front pushes across the country. The

I’ve been guiding here in Hilton Head

this part of the country has to offer,

colder weather causes the redfish to

for well over 25 years and am very

along with some commentary on

school up—and they do. Schools of

blessed to live in this beautiful place

equipment and terminal tackle.

hundreds of fish are usually found

the low c

on the lower tides on mud flats, in

light-colored or flashy flies, as the

front of creek mouths and oyster

client and I can easily track them

rakes. Sight fishing these schooling

while leading a fish. When the water

SPRING (REDFISH, COBIA, TRIPLETAIL)

redfish is best on sunny days with

is dark-colored or muddy and you’re

During the spring months as the air

light wind using a 7- or 8-weight rod

casting to waking fish or mud puffs,

and water temperatures rise into the

with a weight-forward floating line or

larger patterns work best.

70s, baitfish schools, shrimp, and crabs

a floating line with an intermediate

start moving back inshore, getting

clear tip for deeper flats or for

When dressing, layer accordingly.

redfish fired up bigtime. Baitfish

presenting to fish in crystal-clear

A light waterproof shell jacket, a

patterns and topwater flies can be

water. Tapered leaders of 9 to 10 feet

fleece, and a base layer should be

very effective on the flats and over

with 16- to 20-pound tippet are best,

all you need. Early mornings can be

oyster rake mounds on the middle of

especially when fishing near oyster

pretty chilly to start, but be ready

outgoing and incoming tides.

beds. As far as flies are concerned,

to shed some layers as the sun

many patterns work, but when I’m

warms throughout the day. You’re

fishing clear water I prefer

still in the South.

country

The species that comes to mind first

from a 1 to 15-plus pounds. My best is

when asked about my favorite fish

16.8 pounds, taken on a red-and-white

but be sure to have a good stock of

on fly in the Lowcountry is the cobia.

Lefty’s Deceiver, which set the IGFA

flies in your box, as those toothy fish

Cobia could possibly be the biggest

20-pound tippet record in 2010. The

will shred the fly like a food processor.

of all the fish that migrate into our

previous record stood for over 20 years.

sounds and nearshore waters, but they also have the smallest window of opportunity, with only a month to six weeks of prime action per season. Late April through mid-June is

A summer fishery I really enjoy is SUMMER (REDFISH, JACK CREVALLE,

the jack crevalle. Pound for pound,

LADYFISH, TRIPLETAIL, TARPON)

swim in our waters. They start to

SPANISH MACKEREL, BLUEFISH,

crevalle are the strongest fish that arrive in late June and stay through

prime time to sight fish cobia on the

Summer is a melting pot of species

September. These big jacks can be

surface. The perfect setup is a 10- or

to target on fly, but it’s hard to beat

found inshore in pods of a few fish

11-weight rod matched with a floating

the summer flood-tide redfish fishery

to hundreds of fish. They average

line and a 9-foot leader ending with

we have here in the Lowcountry. I’ve

20 pounds here but can exceed 30

a short piece of 40- to 50-pound bite

caught my share of redfish on fly over

pounds. Use a 10- or 11-weight fast-

tippet tied to a baitfish or eel pattern.

the years, but to this day my heart

action rod with a large-arbor reel

Cobia can range anywhere from 10 to

starts pounding when I see those fish,

spooled with a couple hundred yards

well over 50-plus pounds and usually

head-down in a foot or less of water,

of backing, as you will for sure be

are spotted pushing a small V wake

sucking up fiddler crabs, their spotted

getting well into your backing if you

on the surface, especially on warm

tails waving in the air like flags. A

hook one of these big fellows. Use

days with glass-calm conditions.

7- or 8-weight outfit matched with

a 9-foot leader with a short piece

May is the month that cobia spawn in

a floating line and a 9-foot tapered

of bite tippet of 40 to 50 pounds.

leader with 16- or 20-pound tippet is

A baitfish pattern or popping bug

the sounds and rivers that surround

perfect for this fishery. Crab, shrimp,

will do the trick, as big jacks are

Hilton Head and Beaufort. During

or baitfish patterns with weed guards

very aggressive in close. They’re an

the entire month of May, cobia are

are great for flood-tide reds.

extremely fast, powerful fish, and you

strictly catch-and-release. This was

can expect a 30-plus-minute battle

implemented by the South Carolina

Our nearshore artificial reefs and

and sometimes it can take hours. On

Department of Natural Resources

sandbars off the beaches here in the

September 18, 2018, after a three-

(dnr.sc.gov/) two years ago to help

Lowcountry offer some incredible

hour battle, I set the IGFA 8-pound

their stocks return to normal. I’ve

action for Spanish mackerel, bluefish,

tippet record by catching a 35-pound

already seen a significant increase in

ladyfish, and small jack crevalle. On

jack that broke the previous record of

their numbers over the last two years,

the right day, you can catch all of

31 pounds, held since 1983.

and I expect this trend to continue

these species and even have a shot

throughout 2020 and beyond.

at a tripletail. It’s very possible to

Tarpon run as well during the

start or finish the day with a redfish,

summer months, but the majority

Tripletail are also a treat to encounter

completing the ultimate nearshore

of the time they’re found in deep

during the spring, but they can be

Lowcountry slam.

channels, where they’re caught off

very difficult to spot. They’re masters

72

flash work great on all of these fish,

of the bottom using bait. However,

of camouflage and like to hang

When fishing the nearshore wrecks

there are days when you’ll find them

underneath floating debris such as

and sandbars, I recommend an 8- or

rolling on the surface. When this

driftwood and marsh grass. An 8- or

9-weight floating line and a 9-foot

opportunity presents itself, use an 11-

9-weight rod rigged with a small crab,

leader with a bite tippet of tough,

or 12-weight outfit to present a large

shrimp, or baitfish pattern will work

flexible coated wire, which is ideal

baitfish pattern. This sometimes

like a charm if you find one laid up on

for toothy critters like bluefish and

entice them to eat.

the surface or sitting below a piece of

Spanish mackerel. Clouser Minnows

wood or grass. Tripletail range in size

or other baitfish patterns with some

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Baby tarpon from 1 to 10 pounds

the winter months. You can also

are abundant in certain saltwater

target speckled seatrout, as they’re

the next. Finding a day with calm

ponds and lagoon systems that get

very abundant in creeks and can be

seas and light winds can be chancy in

a fresh flow of salt water from flood

caught using a 7- or 8-weight rod

the fall and winter, so you have to be

tides. These baby tarpon are a blast

using small white or chartreuse

rigged and ready to go. Hope that the

to catch using a 7- or 8-weight rod. I

baitfish patterns or Clousers.

prefer small white baitfish patterns and especially Clouser Minnows.

they can be there one day and gone

birds are doing their job to help you find the fish when do get the chance—

One of my favorite fall fisheries is the

because when it’s on, it’s on.

big bull redfish—25 to 30 pounds— FALL (REDFISH, TROUT, AND

OFFSHORE REDFISH)

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found offshore in deep water. We

Bio: Captain Brian Vaughn is a Hilton

use 10- or 11-weight rods rigged with

Head native and has been guiding

fast-sinking lines and large baitfish

the area for more than 25 years.

Fall is a great time of the year for

patterns. These big reds can be found

He’s an amateur photographer and

redfish and seatrout inshore in the

on artificial reefs or on ledges that

has a wealth of information to

creeks and on the flats. Redfish

hold baitfish. Dolphins and diving

share about fishing the Lowcountry.

can still be found tailing in the

birds are usually a good sign you’re

While you can sometimes find

spartina grass flats until the water

in the zone for a shot at one of these

Brian at Southern Drawl Outfitters

temperatures dip into the 60s, usually

big fish. Of all the fisheries we have

(southerndrawloutfitters.com),

mid- to late November. Then the

here in the Lowcountry, this one’s the

it’s probably best to email him at

focus shifts more toward fishing at

most fickle and spotty. These fish

captainbrianvaughn@gmail.com or

the time of low tide, as the redfish

are constantly moving, following the

visit his website (offthehookcharters.

begin schooling up as they do during

migrating schools of baitfish, and

com/).

TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE

Photo by Carey Furman

Extensive Free & Paid Technique Classes • Fly Tyer’s Row Micro-Brewery Beer Tastings • New: Bourbon & Bass Bugs Class Women’s and Children’s Classes Available 2 02 0 S P O N S O R S

WELL DONE

by Greg Poland

MY DINNER WITH LEFTY

To make matters even worse, Mitch

of his fun was my introduction to the

leaned over as we were getting out of

legendary Lefty Kreh.

In 1991 I was invited to dinner by

the car and said to me in a stern voice,

one of my longtime clients, Mitch Howell. Mitch was by far one of the

“Just don’t embarrass me by ordering your steak well done.”

best bonefish anglers I had ever fished.

Once the steaks arrived, both Lefty and I sent them back for additional cooking—and once more

This was confirmed by his multiple

So there I was at a table in a fancy

tournament victories in the 1980s and

steakhouse with Lefty and Mitch.

‘90s. He was the only client who told

after that. While waiting for our entrees, Lefty and I ate onion rings and shared fishing stories. Mitch

me to come down from the platform

My palms were sweating before the

quietly and competently finished

to cast while he was hooked up, which

waiter even approached, and now he

off his meal, content that his

enabled the only guide/client bonefish

was at the table asking to take our

introduction was successful. With

double in my career thus far. Mitch

orders. He started with Mitch, who

our mutual agreement that

was the financial advisor to Lefty Kreh,

ordered his steak black and blue, which

overcooked meat was better, Lefty

Flip Pallot, and a bunch of other people.

is burned on the outside and bloody on

and I were kindred spirits.

He knew Lefty, and he knew that

the inside The waiter turned to Lefty

Lefty would be in town for a casting

and asked, “And you, sir?”

O N TH E SK IFF

would be a nervous wreck, so he didn’t

Lefty quipped, “I want my steak the

After dinner, Lefty said he

initially tell me that the dinner plans

color of your apron.”

would be back in Florida soon and

demonstration. Mitch also knew that I

included Lefty Kreh.

Mitch planned a meeting at Burt &

would be in touch. He wasn’t lying; The waiter, wearing a black apron

it was only matter of months

asked, “Well done?”

before he contacted me with his

Jacks, Burt Reynold’s fancy steakhouse

arrival information.

in Fort Lauderdale, which was already

“Not just well done,” Lefty replied,

a problem for me. You see, I like my

“extra well done.”

steak well done, and when you order a well done steak at a place like this, you

I instantly felt my body relax as my

Florida both in Miami (Biscayne Bay)

get that annoyed look from the waiter;

palms dried up.

and, after my wife and I moved our

the chef looks out from the kitchen to

76

I first guided Lefty in 1992. We fished regularly when he came to

residence, in Islamorada. I picked him

see who is ruining this piece of meat.

Mitch had known all of this and just

up and dropped him off at the airport,

It’s pretty uncomfortable.

let the drama play out, but the result

and he stayed at my place when he

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was in town. It was always a pleasure

N O TO U RN A M E N TS

to host Lefty, and we developed a

burden for the family. I told Lefty about it one day when we were

friendship that would last for decades.

Lefty didn’t like tournaments. He

fishing and he said no tournaments—

I don’t know about all of his fishing

never participated in any of them.

but it wasn’t a firm no.

trips, but we fished a lot over the

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25-plus years that we were friends.

He frequently spoke of tournaments,

I was friends with Miguel Sosa, a

His big trip, however, was his annual

but never in a good way. He thought

financial advisor and avid angler

trip with Flip Pallot in the Everglades.

that they brought out the worst in

from Coral Gables, who was also

They would fish with permit king

anglers and created stress in what

a proponent of the tournament. I

Del Brown and legendary Key West

should be a stress-free environment.

convinced Lefty to participate in the

guide Steve Huff, so you could just

There was one tournament that was

Redbone Tournament and paired

image the conversations of these

new and different from the others,

him with Miguel. It changed his mind

heavyweights.

the Redbone Tournament. It was

about tournaments, and we ended

more of a celebrity/pseudo-celebrity

up fishing three of them together

I assumed Lefty liked fishing with me

contest with a very noble cause.

over the next few years. I believe

because it enabled him to get out of

The proceeds went to help with the

these were the only the tournaments

the spotlight to catch his favorite

healthcare expenses of a guide whose

Lefty ever fished. (I’d like to remind

fish: bonefish. Back then, the Keys

daughter had cystic fibrosis. As you

everyone that the Redbone continues

were loaded with big bonefish, and

may know, many Florida fishing

today, and proceeds still go to helping

catching a double-digit bone was

guides don’t have health insurance,

families with cystic fibrosis.)

common. Who wouldn’t enjoy that?

so this disease was a real financial

TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE

REAL I TY C H EC K

him, saying, “Lefty Kreh has problems

I HAVE NO PICTURES BECAUSE

casting in the wind—who knew?”

THE ONLY PHOTOS OF LEFTY AND

One day we were driving down to

ME TOGETHER WERE TAKEN BY

Loggerhead Basin, a well-known

Lefty responded with: “I can cast

D.L. GODDARD AND THEY WERE

tarpon spot in the Lower Keys, with

in a controlled environment like an

ALL OUT OF FOCUS. GODDARD WAS

Randi Swisher (from Sage Fly Rods, at

auditorium all day. I can put a fly

A GREAT FLY TIER BUT A LOUSY

the time). Lefty always slept in the

through a hula hoop from 100 feet,

PHOTOGRAPHER.

back of the truck on the way down.

but with one of them looking at you

He liked his naps.

I’m just like everyone else.” I must have looked disappointed, because

It was a little windy, but we got the

he added: “I did that on purpose so

boat in the water and Lefty was first

I didn’t have to deal with that thing.

on the bow. There was a nice tarpon

When he’s done with that, let’s go find

laid up right in front of him. Lefty,

some bonefish.”

surprised by the easy shot before him, got flustered. He got his line tangled

Lefty was a real person, as flawed and

up and in the process of getting

vulnerable to mistakes as everyone

untangled he created a rat’s nest.

else. He would rather fish for bonefish

We were all laughing as he stepped

than tarpon any day of the week.

down to give Randi the shot. Randi stuck the tarpon and I joked with

I miss that guy.

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by Brandon Fawcett

AH, BONEFISHING—FLY FISHING’S PUPPY LOVE WITH THE SALT!

BONEFISHING’S ROMANTIC VISION IS

THE FISH EATS, AND IMMEDIATELY IT

ISN’T WORKING OUT? THE SKIES

OFTEN DAYDREAMED IN THE MINDS

TAKES OFF AT BLISTERING SPEED

ARE OVERCAST, THE WATER IS

OF ANGLERS. BEAUTIFUL, ENDLESS,

FOR DEEP WATER….

DISCOLORED, OR THE FLATS ARE

CRYSTAL-CLEAR FLATS. CLOUDLESS

JUST EMPTY. WHAT THEN? DO YOU

SKIES REVEALING HUGE SCHOOLS

WE ALL KNOW THE DREAM. THIS

GO HOME, SIT IN YOUR CABANA AND

OF HAPPY, EAGER FISH. WE WADE

DREAM CAN BE A REALITY. TIME YOUR

WAIT FOR BETTER CONDITIONS?

INTO THIS DREAMLAND AND IMAGINE

TRIP RIGHT, LUCK OUT WITH GREAT

THROWING PRECISE, PERFECTLY

WEATHER, AND THE FANTASY CAN

NO WAY! I SUGGEST YOU TAKE A

TIMED CASTS TO INTERCEPT

UNFOLD RIGHT IN FRONT OF YOU.

DIFFERENT APPROACH. I SUGGEST

CRUISING BONES. OR WE GENTLY

GOING AFTER THE BONEFISH THEY

PRESENT TO A TAILING BONE—

BUT WHAT IF IT DOESN’T? WHAT

DON’T WRITE ABOUT: THE BONEFISH

CLOSE, BUT WITHOUT SPOOKING.

HAPPENS IF THE ROMANCE

WITHOUT THE ROMANCE.

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When things just aren’t happening in the skinny water, we must seek alternate bonefish habitat to fulfill our dreams. Deeper water from 3 to 6 feet can offer such a habitat, but it’s often overlooked by anglers.

The deeper-water bonefish can be a trip-saver, but the game changes drastically. In order to increase your

the fish, and there’s less chance of

you are between strips, the fly line

chance of success, you need to adapt.

the line or leader physically touching

will straighten and lose its subtle

your quarry. I also prefer the more

S-curves, especially in the tip, close

When fishing deeper water, some

compact head for casting in the windy

to the leader. If it comes as you are

anglers would automatically reach

conditions you’re likely to encounter

stripping, the tip of the floating line

for a sink-tip fly line (and that may

on any bonefish trip.

will sink an inch or so. Strip set on all

be warranted for really deep water),

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of these. Sometimes it will be a weed,

but for depths up to 6 feet I prefer

The biggest reason I prefer sticking

but often there’s a silver ghost behind

a full-floating line with a compact

with the floating line in deeper water

the pull.

head section. There are several

is that it is provides you with a visual

reasons for this. First, floating lines

connection to the fly; that is, the

In deeper water your flies must be

provide a more attention-grabbing

floating fly line becomes your strike

more heavily weighted to increase

presentation, as the line always lifts

indicator. By watching your line and

their sink rate and keep them at

the fly off the bottom on the strip

its movement, you can determine

a sustained depth. Replace the

and then drops it back down on the

when a fish bites. Often with this

bead chain used on classic bonefish

pause. Contrast this presentation

style of fishing you won’t feel the

patterns with tungsten, brass, and

with that of a sink-tip line, which will

take. It will come as the fly drops

nickel dumbbell eyes. The hooks can

drag the fly along the bottom.

during a pause, or just as you begin

be stouter on these flies than on

the next strip. The strike is quick and

their skinny-water versions; the extra

I find floating lines spook fewer fish,

has a unique feel; it feels almost like

weight will help turn the fly over more

especially if you happen to cast over

weeds or debris on the fly, with the

easily in the wind and will also help

them. Deeper water is a bit more

entire setup getting tight. There’s

sink the fly. As with all bonefish flies,

forgiving as it puts puts a bit of

rarely a pull until you set the hook.

the hooks should be razor sharp.

distance between your fly line and

If the strike comes on the drop as

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To ensure these flies get to the

right to left, moving often to explore

rock outcroppings. Tidal phase is less

bottom, they must be tied on long

the water. Once you find the fish, it’s

important when fishing deeper water,

leaders—10 to 14 feet is the norm.

better to stay close and move back

but it still has an influence on bonefish

Because the extra depth will help

and forth no more than 20 feet to

behavior. A moving tide is preferable

camouflage your presentation, you

search for other cruising fish. The

to a slack tide. Shallower areas tend to

can easily increase the size of your

real trick is locating them in the first

fish better at higher tides, while areas

tippet to 12-pound.

place. Once you find one bonefish,

with troughs, deeper holes, and hiding

odds are there are more.

spots fish better at lower tides.

your strategy and techniques will

In water 3 to 6 feet deep, seeing

Once you locate the bonefish’s habitat

change as well. Deeper water calls for

seeing bonefish is difficult if not

and change your approach, you are

a slower, more subtle action of the fly.

impossible. This is where a guide can

sure to meet with success. Bonefish

No fast stripping here—mostly slower

come in handy. A guide has intimate

are a blast to catch no matter how

strips, 2 to 6 inches, punctuated by

knowledge of the area and where

you target them. You may just need to

pauses. It’s important to keep your

fish may be holding. Guides know

adjust the dream of bonefish on the

fly on the bottom, where the bonefish

why fish hold in certain areas while

fly to include those fish that didn't get

are feeding. Each strip will lift your fly,

being completely absent from others.

the memo regarding your romantic

and each pause will drop it back.

If you’re more of a DIY angler, and

notions.

Along with your flies and leaders,

hiring a guide is not your style, you When fishing deeper water, you’ll cast

can start by looking for features

Bio: Brandon Fawcett is head guide

more methodically than when you are

that you would look for on flats:

at Fly Fishing Little Corn Island in

sight fishing. Instead of casting at a

channels, sand-to-grass transitions,

Nicaragua (flyfishinglittlecorn.com).

moving target, you’ll cast in a pattern

tidal flow areas, and natural

to locate the first fish. Cast from

structure lines such as beaches and

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by Peter McLeod

THE NEXT GENERATION

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I recently embarked on a fly fishing

The next question was, Where? As

Finally, August was upon us. Our

adventure—and not quite the usual

this is what I do for a living, you would

bags were packed, and the ten-

adventure I have on fly fishing trips.

think that would have been easy, but

month preparation period was over.

This adventure posed a whole new

it did take some thought. Then It

I was excited.

set of challenges, many of which I

hit me that the obvious choice was

had never before encountered. No, it

Turneffe Atoll in Belize. Why? That’s

Our journey began with a flight to

wasn’t getting to some far-flung area

where I caught my first bonefish with

Miami, the discovery of pancakes

of the globe, or having to perform

my family—a trip that I have never

and bacon, the Miami Seaquarium,

some technique I was unfamiliar

forgotten. Taking Elisabeth and our

South Beach, and the sun setting

with. I’ve been trying to ascertain

children there would complete the

over Biscayne Bay. We then flew

what it is I really love about our sport

circle. I began making arrangements.

down to Belize City, where I had a

of fly fishing, and I think I have it:

small surprise waiting for them.

It’s sharing knowledge with others

One evening last autumn, I switched

Rather than our taking the 90-minute

that I get such a big kick out of. Last

off my children’s usual YouTube

boat journey out to the atoll, I had

year it dawned on me that the ones

viewing, flipped it over to the

arranged a helicopter transfer. As

I needed to share that knowledge

Aardvark McLeod YouTube channel,

none of them had ever travelled by

with most are the next generation

and put on a video of Turneffe Flats

helicopter, this was a whole new level

of fly anglers and those closest to

Lodge in Belize. The two of them

of excitement. As we flew over Belize

me: my own children. The number of

watched the whole thing through,

City and over the outer cays, Turneffe

times they’ve watched me pack my

captivated by the location, the

Atoll came into view, giving them an

gear as I set off on another fishing

beaches, the bonefishing, and running

incredible perspective of where we

expedition is countless, and it’s always

around in flats skiffs. When their

were going and the remoteness of

accompanied by, “No, I am sorry, you

questions subsided, I hit them with

our location.

can’t come yet as you are too young.”

the news: We were going there in August of the following year. A small

Having settled into one of the family

Well, as they’re seven and ten years

riot of excitement ensued. This was

apartments of the new Pelican Villa,

old, I realized the answer now should

exactly the reaction I was hoping for.

we looked out across Home Flat in

be yes. I’ve taken them fishing many

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front of us, and I immediately began

times on rivers and lakes here in the

Over the next six months, a

looking for fish. (What can I say? I just

United Kingdom, and both of them

continuous stream of fishing kit

can’t help it!)

have always been keen. I’ve always

began to stack up in the sitting

been very careful not to push fishing

room. I acquired each of them a

Elisabeth and I had agreed we would

on them, or make them stay longer

Hardy Demon Saltwater 7-weight

take the children out fishing each

than they wanted to, in case it had a

rod matched with a Hardy SDSL

morning until they had had enough,

negative effect rather than a positive

8000 reel. We would spend some

and then we’d return to snorkel, swim,

one. However, I had never taken them

time each Sunday practicing casting

relax, and enjoy the island. We would

on a full-fledged international fishing

in the park. Slowly but surely, they

alternate between them and fish

trip, and I figured the time was nigh.

developed reasonable casting skill,

close together so we could share the

Thomas, my oldest, has always been

with Thomas beginning to double haul

experience as a family.

fascinated with tales of bonefish

after studying a Lefty Kreh DVD. I

and saltwater species, and they both

supplemented their casting practice

The first morning we ran north in

thrive in that tropical environment.

by grabbing the end of the line and

the flats boats to one of the last

As my wife, Elisabeth, has always

mimicking bonefish runs so they

cays on the atoll, Mauger Cay, where

loved bonefishing, this seemed the

would feel comfortable with pressure

our guides, Dubs and Alton, knew

perfect opportunity for a family

and retrieve. I also offered them some

a large school of bonefish lurked

fishing adventure.

tips on avoiding obstacles.

in what is known as a mud. This is

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deeper water where a huge number

plus fish that streaked off across the

of bones congregate and feed. It was

flat like a silver bullet as the rest of

the perfect spot for both children to

the school exploded in panic. Dubs

get off the mark and hook some fish,

was clapping his hands and clasping

figure out what it was all about, and

Thomas’ shoulder like a proud uncle.

practice some of the skills they had

Thomas weaved the fish in and out

learned. It didn’t take long, and after

of the sharp coral before he brought

some huge excitement, both of them

it safely to hand with a beaming

were cradling their very first bonefish.

grin. Seeing this vista unfold was not

For me this was quite special, as it

the highlight for me; rather, it was

took me back to my first bonefish

watching the expressions on Thomas’

here 20 years earlier. Thomas and

face. I saw the mixed emotions of

AS I CHECKED THE DRAG AND

Grace proceeded to land over 20 fish

concentration, surprise, nervousness,

HANDED HER THE ROD, THE FISH

in a couple of hours. I wasn’t sure

and utter elation. I watched a passion

TOOK OFF, AND SHE WATCHED THE

which they enjoyed more—the fishing

ignite in him that might one day

BACKING START HEADING VERY

or the speed of the flats skiffs!

equal my own.

QUICKLY ACROSS THE FLAT.

The following day I graduated them

Grace, too, was enjoying the

from the muds onto the actual flats

experience, though at only seven she

around the coral reef. The big, open

was struggling with casting in the

flats areas stemmed from channels

wind. She was more than content to

near the mangroves, up over the

stick close, participate in the stalk,

turtle grass to the rough, broken-coral

and then take over once the fish was

areas of the reef itself. We could see

hooked. The first fish I hooked on the

barracuda patrolling the deeper edges

edge for her was not large, between

and hanging in white holes, looking for

2 and 3 pounds. As I checked the drag

an easy meal. Way up in the skinniest

and handed her the rod, the fish took

water, often amongst the broken

off, and she watched the backing

coral, were large schools of bonefish,

start heading very quicly across the

often tailing or showing their backs.

flat. The vague look of terror was

This is not the easiest environment in

replaced with grim determination, and

which to hook and land bonefish, and

slowly but surely she started to gain

it certainly presented a challenge—

ground. After what seemed like an

one that my son relished. Thomas had

age and a couple more blistering runs,

already flipped into predator mode,

the leader was in sight and I could

and with the help of his guide, Dubs,

see the fish. Sliding across the flat

he was more than capable of sneaking

about 5 feet behind it was a massive

up around the back of these fish and

barracuda, which obviously was

presenting a tiny Bonefish Bitters on

reckoning on an easy meal. I charged

a long leader.

it, flailing and splashing as I ran, and I sandwiched myself between it and

I watched him stalk down to some

the bonefish. I knew murder would

tailing fish, and I was very proud

ensue if Grace lost that fish after all

to see him throw a lovely loop that

the hard work she had put in. Luck

stopped above the fish and then

was on our side: The barracuda backed

gently dropped to one side. The rod tip

away and soon we had the bonefish

went down—twitch, twitch, and strip

to hand.

set! He was into a lovely 3-pound-

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91

The week progressed and both

On the last day the guides took

FACT BOX

Thomas and Grace found their feet.

us south to a stunning area called

FAMILY FISHING TRIPS

Alton had been a marine researcher

Calabash Cay, a huge shallow flat

at one of the stations on Turneffe

with mangrove islands and the ocean

There are a few things I have

for 15 years, so as soon as Grace had

lapping over the edge of the reef. On

learned about putting together

had enough, he would take her by

arrival we could already see the glint

trips for families over the

the hand across the coral and show

of silvery tails in the waves and I felt

years, especially those involving

her the flora and fauna inhabiting

my pulse quicken. After a short while

children. If you want children

the flats and coral rock pools. Dragon

the children announced they were

to engage with fishing, they

snails, urchins, gobies, and crabs

tired—it had been a long week!—so

must catch fish pretty quickly,

kept her captivated. The snorkeling

we built them a den on one of the

especially the first time out,

and diving at Turneffe Atoll is

skiffs from the mooring rope and

or they’ll lose interest fast.

phenomenal, so we kept snorkeling kit

some towels and left them to it. They

Bonefishing trips work well,

in the focsles of the skiffs. When the

would be in sight wherever we were,

as it’s visual and the beach

children had had their fill of wading

so Elisabeth and I had the chance to

environment is always a hit, even

the flats and chasing tails, the guides

spend some time fishing ourselves

without fishing. With that in

would take us to a suitable spot

with the guides. I found some fish

mind, destination such as Belize,

where we would snorkel together as

tailing against the pilings of a long-

Mexico, the Bahamas, or the

a family under their watchful eye.

since-disappeared dock and managed

Seychelles are excellent. Plenty

Alton came into his own here as he

to land one. Elisabeth hooked up but

of fish, experienced, patient

could point out particular items of

sadly was coral-cut. There’s something

guides, and comfortable, well-

interest that the untrained eye would

truly magical about hunting bonefish

established accommodations

miss, such as a sleeping nurse shark

in really skinny water; the tails give

remove all stress and ensure your

tucked under an overhang (harmless!),

away their position but also their

children will get the most out of

lobster, grumpy octopus, or various

mood. Stealth, long leaders, small flies

the trip. Turneffe Flats had the

species of crab. This allowed Thomas

and accurate casting are required, but

added benefit of phenomenal

and Grace to experience a world they

the rewards are huge.

snorkeling in a safe environment.

don’t normally see and to learn more about what lies beneath the water

On the return ride to the lodge, the

they had spent so much time gazing

guides allowed the children to hold

into. Afternoons were spent lazing

the tiller of the motor, which I suspect

by the pool, kayaking around Home

blew their minds.

Flat, husking coconuts, or just chilling under a palapa. Time slipped away

Sadly, the journey had come to an end

into island life and the children slipped

and it was time to leave this island

into early beds after tiring days.

paradise. For Thomas and Grace, this journey to the other side of the world

PETER MCLEOD began guiding

gave them countless new experiences

fly anglers for Atlantic salmon

that will broaden their horizons as

in Norway at the age of 16. He is

they grow. It has brought them closer

the founder of Aardvark McLeod,

together as siblings and us as a family

McLeod, international fly fishing

through shared experience. I am sure,

specialists. Peter is the author

like myself and my wife, this trip will

of the acclaimed GT: A Fly-

remain carved in their memory for

Fisher’s Guide to Giant Trevally

the rest of their lives.

(Merlin Unwin Books, 2016). For more information on putting together a family fly fishing trip, you can contact Peter through (aardvarkmcleod.com).

92

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THE UNDERTOW Instagram Is Killing Fish

by Matt Labash

Sometimes, when I start losing faith

The piece in question is a celebration

in humanity, I cheer myself up by

of social media and fishing. Two

when hanging out at the counter

perusing the latest casualty reports

tastes that have no business on the

down at ye olde tackle shop. Except

that result from people taking selfies

same plate. It’s like celebrating your

grandpa couldn’t poach other people’s

at inopportune moments. It’s not

pepper-crusted Wagyu beef in black-

fishing spots from their tagged

that I wish harm on anybody. But

truffle vinaigrette, covered in Skittles.

so long as the Lords of Karma hold

locations, as Scott does. Though Scott even having enough time to fish,

that someone needs to get kicked

Fisherpersons worth their salt largely

after all that Instagram monitoring,

in the shorts, such a fate might as

follow in the steps of the late, great

means the fish are probably safe.

well befall those who truly deserve

John Voelker, who wrote that “most

There is Chris, a Wisconsin outdoor

it. If you take the Darwinian long

fishermen swiftly learn that it’s a

photographer, who claims that people

view, what could be considered a

pretty good rule never to show a

tended not to believe fish stories, but

tragic loss for Mom and Dad and Sis

favorite spot to any fisherman you

now that everyone has a camera on

(when Buddy takes an Instagram

wouldn’t trust with your wife.” But

their phone, “it’s definitely a thing in

snap of himself licking the third rail

the Times writer opens by chipperly

the community to document what

at the Acela station), is probably

informing us that “the adage says if

you catch.” Thus jeopardizing the

a net gain for the gene pool. The

you teach a man to fish, he eats for

fisherman’s fourth favorite pastime

Idiocracy already suffers enough from

a lifetime. Today, if you teach a man

behind catching fish, drinking, and

overpopulation.

to fish, or a woman for that matter,

escaping their families: lying about

they’ll end up on Instagram.” In case

what they caught.

Sadly, not too many people lose their

you’re not yet wincing enough, it gets

lives by taking pictures of themselves

worse from there.

with fish. But after reading a piece

Then there’s Daniel, who runs a fishing charter out of Montauk and

in the New York Times—cringingly

We are introduced to Nicolle, who is

says “being a captain these days is

titled “Lots of Fish on the Screen”—I

Kardashianizing fishing. A Colorado

all about being a good photographer.

unwittingly found myself pulling for

medical marijuana dispensary

I know where the light is. I know

Poseidon to finish them off with his

manager who is new to the sport,

where they need to stand.” Why,

trident. I don’t begrudge the New York

Nicolle has already successfully

Times writing about something they

promoted herself, via social-media

“within two hours of hitting the docks,” Daniel says, “I’ll get five or

seemingly know little about (fishing).

harlotry, into a contract with Hardy.

ten new followers.” In olden days,

But they should be more respectful

The British fly rod and reel maker

fishing skippers styled themselves

of anglers/readers who don’t try

now sponsors her in exchange for

after Captain Ahab or Santiago from

to infringe on their own areas of

gratuitous mentions to her 21,500

The Old Man and the Sea: demented

expertise (championing transgender

Instagram followers.

bathrooms at open-border crossings, for instance).

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intel, just like grandpa used to do

TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE

loners who thirsted for adventure.

Now, thanks to social media, their job

Then there is Scott, a West Palm

carries all the romance of being an

Beach commercial realtor, who follows

insecure tween-cum-mall shutterbug

2,500 Instagram accounts for fishing

at Olan Mills.

But what Daniel, as a professional fisherman of sorts, should recognize above even the unseemliness of his new job description, is that Instagram is literally killing fish. To my knowledge, there have been no studies formally establishing it yet.

But it irrefutably stands to reason.

Here’s why: Some estimates have it that even cleanly caught and released fish (on flies and non-treble-hook lures) still result in 10 percent fish mortality. About a third of baitcaught fish die after being released, and nearly 60 percent of deep-hooked fish will die*. Add camera-time to this equation, where seconds count, and the numbers must go up exponentially.

“Hero shots,” as they’re called in the fish-bragging business, take time.

Time to pull fish out of the water. Time to unhook them. Time to keep them from wriggling out of your hands. Time to fumble around in your pocket, then to choose the “vivid warm” filter on your iPhone, as the fish attempts to avoid slow suffocation. And even though many of Daniel’s charterfishing customers have gone to catchand-release, instead of reflexively filling the meat bucket, time is something fish don’t have a lot of if they’re to live to see another lure or fly, or even just to get on with their lives with the residual fish PTS.

Put yourself in their place. Imagine

his pectoral fins, then take a picture

if you were about to feed on a

for posterity so he could boast to his

Delmonico, or spawn with your

fish friends, or possibly garner a few

favorite lady friend, and all of the

more followers on Fishtagram, before

sudden a fish hooked you, pulled

letting you return to shore.

you underwater, and fought you until you quit resisting. Traumatic

Understand that I’m no crusading

enough. But to cap it off, what if he

PETA moralist. I have blood on my

had to de-hook you, hold you with

hands, as well. I fly fish like I suffer

TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE

97

THE UNDERTOW from a fishing disorder, catching well

lukewarm Christian, I buy into amazing

more than 1,000 fish every year. I

grace: the revelation that we didn’t get

Kirk Deeter put it plainly, while giving

haven’t deliberately killed a fish since

what we thought we had coming to

catch-and-release tips. Aside from

I was a kid. Yet any fisherperson

us. If you spend any time in nature, you

always wetting your hands to make

being honest with themselves

know that such acts of mercy are rare.

sure you don’t rub off the fish’s

understands that catch-and-release

It’s generally the law of fang and claw

protective slime, and cutting off a

fishing is something of a cheat. We

out there. Eat or be eaten.

deep-set fly instead of performing

congratulate ourselves that we’ve

98

Several years ago, Field and Stream’s

surgery, which gives a fish a fighting

allowed the fish to be fruitful and

But at least in the animal kingdom,

chance, he said that if you must take

multiply. But we’ve still tortured

there is nutritive value in it for the

a happy snap of your fish, keep this

it for our own entertainment,

vanquisher over the vanquished—they

in mind: “Hold your breath as you

however much we like to couch it in

gain the sustenance that helps them

photograph a fish out of water … as

the language of “communion with

complete the circle of life. Unlike

you feel uncomfortable, odds are, the

nature.” (Many of us have also taken

their human counterparts, they’re

fish does also.”

communion at church, but don’t

not merely ego stroking, accidentally

make a habit of hooking our minister

killing because they couldn’t get their

Though maybe better still to not

in his upper lip with a Clouser Minnow,

iPhone out of their pocket in time, all

photograph your fish at all. Just catch

playing him until he tires.)

for no greater good than inspiring

it, and let it go. You have the mental

envy in their social media followers,

picture. Which is what matters most,

The best method I’ve found to deal with

which is the most unattractive and

anyway. Experience usually trumps

this moral dilemma is denial. A distinctly

prevalent human instinct of all.

the evidence of experience. Maybe

human capability that separates

I won’t fib and say that I’ve never

it’s a little less “social.” But so what?

us from the animals. I have abiding

taken a hero shot, even if I’m not on

If you fish like I do, you don’t fish to

affection for fish, and as ridiculous as

social media. I have, to my shame.

earn validation from other people,

it sounds, I don’t love them any less for

And if you’ve caught that once-in-

but to free yourself from the kind

hooking them in the mouth with sharp

a-lifetime fish (which I didn’t)—the

of people who need the validation of

steel. (Tough love, some might call it.

goliath Tigerfish in the Congo River,

likes and followers. As Voelker put

Ours is a bit of an Ike’n’Tina dynamic.)

the monster arapaima in the heart

it, fishing is “a way to recapture the

I often kiss them after catching them,

of the Amazon jungle—go ahead and

rapture of solitude without the pangs

and even apologize to them if they’ve

take your hero shot. You’ve earned

of loneliness.”

deep-throated my fly when I’m slow

it. Those fish could put a hurting

on the trigger, as I gently dislodge it

on you, as easily as you could on

with hemostats, attempting not to

them. But when you put a two-pound

Stonefly Society of Utah; they vary by species, as academic studies bear out.)

do any damage. But if I didn’t catch

largemouth bass’s life in jeopardy

them, I wouldn’t see them, or hold

with your photoshoot, just to prove

*(These numbers come from the

them, or release them—the best part of

it looks like all the other two-pound

Bio: Matt Labash is a Maryland writer

all, when you watch them swim away

largemouth I’ve caught, and if I went

and the author of Fly Fishing With

freely, making you feel like a governor

ahead and liked it on Instagram, we

Darth Vader (Simon & Schuster, 2010).

commuting the sentence of a death-row

should both wallow in mutual shame.

inmate. Sick power games aside, as a

We’ve earned it.

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EVERY DAY YOU SPEND ON YOUR SKIFF should end with a great story. And like every grand tale, yours should be filled with highs and lows, joy and tension. However, since our memory- and texture-free line is silky smooth, it dramatically reduces friction between the line and the rod guides, allowing you to throw flies with incredible distance and control; and our line coating is tough enough for even the most grueling saltwater and jagged coral, the only tension in your story, will come from your line. Right after the hookset.

Visit monic.com and enter “TFFM” at checkout for a 25% discount the first time you try us out.

©2020 Monic Fly Lines. All rights reserved.

The best casting fly fishing line in the world.™

WATER RESISTANT | SHOCK RESISTANT | ANTI-MAGNETIC

Fly Fishing in the Middle East is a “hot” spot, literally. With the Arabian Desert as a backdrop, Christiaan Pretorius puts his SEAHOLM® Rover Field Watch to the test.

SEAHOLM® Automatic watches are water-tight tested. Not only tested to extreme depths, but also against the unrelenting heat, wind, sand and salt that cause condensation. We hold ourselves to the highest water-resistance standards so that your SEAHOLM® can handle any situation.

SEAHOLM® automatic watches are made for life . . . no matter how you live it.

www.seaholmautomatic.com

CHRISTIAAN PRETORIUS PHOTOGRAPHER/OUTDOORSMAN Photo : Knox Kronenberg