Tail Fly Fishing Magazine Issue 32 - November/December 2017

November/December 2017

F LY F I S H I N G M A G A Z I N E

Master Fly Tyer Ruben Martin Pat Ford’s Offshore in Key West Drew Chicone’s Coyote Ugly Giant Bonefish in the Cook Islands The Blitz in Montauk A Striper Changed My Life

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DEDICATED TO SALTWATER FLY FISHING AND OUTDOOR LIVING

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experience counts for everything Capt. Joel Dickey, a no-nonsense veteran guide and one of the most knowledgable and experienced anglers on the water. He calls Georgia home but can normally be found in Big Pine Key Florida chasing tarpon, bonefish and permit. Hardcore professionals like Joel are testing our products to the limit every day and push us in our pursuit to build truly great rods. Their knowledge, expertise, and understanding are passed to our craftsmen, who strive for perfection and uncompromising performance in every rod we make.

To us, Joel and his fellow professionals are our unsung heroes. We salute you.

Introducing the new T&T Avantt and Exocett Series. remarkably light. extraordinarily strong.

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www.thomasandthomas.com HANDMADE IN AMERICA

A quick look at a healthy redfish before it's released back into Florida waters.

Photograph by Neil Kreyche

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A portrait of Elena Revelez, avid fly tyer, angler and photographer.

Photograph by Elena Revelez

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Who doesn't like getting in the water to release a bonefish, especially when it's a fatty like this one?

Photograph by Jose David Bravo Alvarez

A black and white portrait can help capture decades of history and stories. The story of Flip Pallot, one of the barons of fly fishing, is still being written.

Photograph by Art Webb

No rod has ever silenced all the variables.

No engineer has ever found a way to transfer back-cast energy directly into forward accuracy.

No angler has ever erased all the doubt from his or her mind.

FIRST TIME FOR EVERYTHING.

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888.512.8812

www.tflats.com

reservations@tflats.com

Editor-in-Chief Joseph Ballarini Creative Director Shawn Abernathy Consulting Editor Alex Lovett-Woodsum Managing Editors Rock Dawson, Arthur Lux Senior Contributors Bob Branham Pat Ford Mark Hatter Ruben Martin Peter McCleod Jonathan Olch George Roberts Greg Thomas

Creative Contributors

On the Cover

Photographer Robbie George catches the quintessential shot of the Montauk Point Light during the fall run in Montauk, NY.

ABOUT Tail Fly Fishing Magazine provides a voice for saltwater fly fishing culture in a bimonthly print publication. We focus on delivering the best photography, destination travel, reputable commentary and technical features from the saltwater fly fishing lifestyle. Tail began as a digital publication that debuted in September 2012 and has been in print since September 2016.

In many places, 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.

Tail Fly Fishing Magazine supports creative expressions that heighten our appreciation of fly fishing and encourage us to look at it in new ways. The magazine strives to provide content that reflects our mutual fascination with all aspects of saltwater fly fishing. We are grateful for your support and we welcome photographic and written contributions.

Shawn Abernathy Joseph Ballarini Drew Chicone Rock Dawson Pat Ford Thomas Barzilay Freund Gavin Hodgson Jamie Howard Dron Lee Ruben Martin Kelli Prescott

Photography Jose David Bravo Alvarez Drew Chicone Pat Ford Thomas Barzilay Freund Robbie George Gavin Hodgson Neil Kreyche Dron Lee Ruben Martin Kelli Prescott Elena Revelez Andrew Warshawer Art Webb Tail Fly Fishing Magazine is published six times annually.

Subscriptions are available for $48 per year. Prices vary for international subscriptions. Please contact us with any advertising, subscription or submission questions.

2300 Alton Rd Miami Beach, FL 33140 WWW.TAILFLYFISHING.COM 305-763-8285

I N LOV I N G M EMO RY O F JO HN C . M EL FI

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CONTENT

VOLUME 32

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Gear Guide: Holiday Gift Guide Inside the Box: Andrew Warshawer Fly Tying Master Ruben Martin

by Joseph Ballarini Offshore in Key West

by Pat Ford Tapped: Beer Reviews Salty Breakfast: A Montauk morning on the road with Running the Coast

by Jamie Howard A Striper Changed My Life

by Thomas Barzilay Freund Fly Tying: Lumino Baitfish

by Dron Lee On the Plate by Kelli Prescott The Cook Islands: An Atoll Adventure

by Gavin Hodgson Drew Chicone's Coyote Ugly Spawing Shrimp

by Drew Chicone An Angler Opines

by Rock Dawson

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gladesdeclaration.org

Tens of thousands have signed.

Add your name today and stand up for the future of Florida’s water.

Rick DePaiva ph

oto

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letter from the

O

EDITOR

nly days after Hurricane Harvey wreaked havoc on Houston, the hometown of our Managing Editor, Rock Dawson, Category Five Hurricane Irma was forming, said to be the largest Atlantic storm on record. It ripped through the West Indies and Puerto Rico and skimmed the northern coast of Cuba, leaving death and destruction in its wake. The initial weather modeling had it turning north, with the eye making landfall in Miami Beach, near the headquarters of Tail Magazine and my home. A feeling of helplessness came over me.

It is surreal to pack up and leave your home knowing that you might never get to see it or the things inside again. A situation like this gives one perspective about what is truly important and what isn’t, and “valuables” were left behind. We packed our most comfortable clothing, a few pairs of shoes, our son’s toys, his favorite blankie and a cooler of food and water. The most important things in the car were my wife and child.

We locked up the offices first, then the house, and stood in the driveway for a few seconds to take one last look at what we were leaving behind. With heavy hearts, we began to drive north, not knowing what we would be returning to.

I always have a 7-weight, a reel and a box of flies under the seat of the car, but fishing was definitely not on my mind as we left that day. I was thinking about how bad this storm

threatening Florida was going to be and how we would rebuild.

Houston was still underwater, but I was encouraged by how people came together as a community to help and support each other, with the more fortunate helping neighbors who had lost everything. I hoped that Floridians would do the same.

Miami Beach was spared a direct hit, and our home and offices suffered only minor damage. Instead, Irma dealt the Florida Keys and other parts of Florida a devastating blow. Lives were lost, homes were erased, and destruction was widespread.

Many communities—from the islands we love to fish, to the iconic Florida Keys, the rest of Florida, Texas and beyond—have been devastated by these weather events. We want to do our small part to help these communities pick up the pieces.

During the month of November, Tail is donating all proceeds to hurricane relief efforts in our home states of Texas and Florida, and we encourage you to shop, subscribe and ask friends to do the same. Both tragedies have hit home for members of our staff, and the people most affected by these storms are our friends and neighbors. Please do what you can to help them rebuild.

Joseph Ballarini Editor-in-Chief

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ALASKA Mossy’s Fly Shop 750 W Diamond Blvd Suite 114 Anchorage AK 99515

G E T TA I L AT T H E S E R E TA I L E R S

COLORADO

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Crested Butte Angler 229 Elk Avenue Suite A Box 1777 Crested Butte CO 81224 Front Range Anglers 2344 Pearl Street Boulder CO 80302 CONNECTICUT The Compleat Angler 541 Boston Post Road Darien CT 06820 FLORIDA Black Fly Outfitters 11702 Beach Blvd #109 Jacksonville FL 32246

The Fish Hawk 764 Miami Cir NE #126 Atlanta GA 30305 ILLINOIS Coren’s Rod & Reel 6001 N Nina Ave Chicago IL 60631

TEXAS Bayou City Angler 3641 Westheimer Rd Suite A Houston TX 77027 Fishing Tackle Unlimited 8723 Katy Freeway Houston TX 77024

IDAHO Jimmy’s All Season Angler 275 A Street Idaho Falls ID 83402 LOUISIANA Old Towne Fly Shop & Outfitters 4009 Pontchartrain Drive Slidell LA 70458

Fishing Tackle Unlimited 13831 Southwest Freeway Sugarland TX 77478 Fishing Tackle Unlimited 12800 Gulf Freeway Houston TX 77034 Gordy & Sons 22 Waugh Drive Houston TX 77007

MASSACHUSETTS The Bear's Den 34 Robert W Boyden Rd Taunton MA 02780

Sportsman Finest 12434 Bee Cave Road Austin TX 78738

NORTH CAROLINA

Swan Point Landing 1723 Cherry Street Suite 4 Rockport TX 78382

Bill Jacksons’s Shop for Adventure 9501 US 19 N Pinellas Park FL 33782

Madison River Fly Fishing Outfitters 20910 Torrence Chapel Rd D5 Cornelius NC 28031

UTAH

Forgotten Coast Fly Company 123 Commerce Street Apalachicola FL 32320

NEW YORK

Fish Heads Fly Shop 32 S Main Street Heber City UT 84032

Florida Keys Outfitters 81219 Overseas Highway Islamorada FL 33036

Urban Angler 381 Fifth Ave, 2nd Floor New York NY 10016

Fishwest 47 West 10600 South Sandy UT 84070

OHIO TENNESSEE

Flounder Creek Outfitters 515 Garden Street Titusville FL 32796

Mad River Outfitters 813 Bethel Road Columbus OH 43214

Harry Goode’s Outdoor Sports 1231 E New Haven Ave Melbourne FL 32901

SOUTH CAROLINA

Ole Florida Fly Shop 6353 N Federal Hwy Boca Raton FL 33487 Orlando Outfitters 2814 Corrine Dr Orlando FL 32803 The Angling Company 333 Simonton St Key West FL 33040 West Wall Outfitters 787 Tamiami Trail Port Charlotte FL 33953 GEORGIA Blue Ridge Fly Fishing 490 E Main Street Blue Ridge GA 30513

Fly South Fly Shop 115 19th Ave South Nashville TN 37203 WASHINGTON

Bay Street Outfitters 825 Bay Street Beaufort SC 29902 Charleston Angler 654 Saint Andrews Blvd Charleston SC 29407 Charleston Angler 188 Meeting St Charleston SC 29401 Charleston Angler 1113 Market Center Blvd Mt Pleasant SC 29464 Lowcountry Fly Shop 626 Coleman Blvd Mt Pleasant SC 29464

Gig Harbor Fly Shop 3115 Harborview Drive Gig Harbor WA 98335 The Avid Angler 17171 Bothell Way NE Seattle WA 98155 Bass Pro Shops over 80 locations in the USA Field & Stream Stores over 25 locations in the USA

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GEAR GUIDE

HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE

TACKY BIG BUG FLY BOX

MARSH WEAR SPATINA HAT In a world full of hats, this one really separates itself from the rest with its low-key style, without sacrificing looking good on and off the water. The print on the hat gives a nod to classic saltwater artwork while keeping in touch with modern style, opting for the monochromatic look and modern fit.

A must for any angler looking to up their hat game. $29

FLOWFOLD TRAVEL WALLET

The Tacky Big Bug Fly Box has many of the same great features that make Tacky boxes so unique: a patent pending, silicone insert that holds flies tighter (up to size 2/0), a clear lid for visible access to flies and latchless magnetic closure system. Its durability and modest price make it a great gift that will last for many years to come. $30 Slim as two credit cards and light as three sheets of 8×11 paper, the Vanguard offers a compact yet practical way to keep your valuables organized. This billfold wallet includes a cash pocket, two hidden card pockets and two ID windows. Made in the USA with a lifetime warranty, it makes a very nice gift for any man in your life. $35

ORVIS CHRISTMAS ISLAND BOOTIE A new flats boot based on Orvis' best-selling Christmas Island Flats Boot, this one is made of Airprene and vulcanized rubber.

The Airprene upper allows water to flow freely through the boot, but keeps sand and grit out. Easy on-and-off and it is much more flexible than its predecessor for comfort and "feel" on uneven surfaces. Comes with a reusable mesh carry bag, which makes it even easier to travel with. $79

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UNDER $100 SIMMS BOUNTY HUNTER DRY BAG There are many great dry bags on the market. This one is a quality piece that complements the rolling luggage bearing the same name. This dry bag is large (25" X 19.5" X 8”) and can hold wading boots or bulky camera gear. For the price tag, it’s an absolute steal. $30

TYWHEEL STARTER KIT If you are a fly tyer and don’t have this, add it to your holiday list now.

The TyWheel has a very slick design and super easy functionality, turning your vise into a tying station. The starter kit has everything you need to get organized, and the options allow you to customize your bench. $99

GROWLERWERKS UKEG

PAUL PUCKETT LIMITED ED. PRINTS

UNDER $200

Paul Puckett does a masterful job of capturing the moments that anglers live for. His watercolor prints are beautiful and possess a style that is truly his own. Any angler would love to have one hanging on their wall. $75-145

ABEL REDFISH NIPPERS

REDINGTON BEHEMOTH REEL

This is the perfect gift for redfish lovers (they make other custom painted finishes as well). Having a good pair of nippers is not something most anglers think about, except when reaching for that rusty old pair of toenail clippers your significant other has been asking about for months.

These nippers look amazing, but can cut through 40 lb stiff mono with ease. They are compact enough to not get in the way when around your neck or clipped on a zinger on your pack. $165

TIBOR PUSH POLE CADDY

If you are a beer nerd like those of us at Tail, then this is for you. Fresh beer is the best kind, and getting a growler filled is one of the best ways to have it at home.

GrowlerWerks takes it to the next level by pressurizing the growler and essetially making it a mini keg. This will keep your growler fresh for up to two weeks so you don't have to chug it in a day or two. $190

You can't beat this reel for the price. It has a super strong carbon fiber drag and a large arbor that can quickly retrieve line. Plus, the design of the reel has a super modern feel that is just awesome.

This is a great gift for someone who needs a saltwater reel that won't be a budget buster. $110-130

When you are on the push and fishing solo, this comes in handy. When that group of three redfish show their spots, you can snap it into place and climb on down instead of wasting precious time and making noise trying to slide the pole back on to the boat. Now you'll be ready for the perfect shot at that bull red! $120

FISHPOND DAKOTA ROD & REEL TRAVEL CASE A staple for the traveling angler, this case features: signature waterproof, molded bottom, adjustable, padded, removable interior dividers, and a padded compartment with protective lid that holds up to four rods in their socks. It also has an exterior zippered pocket for keys, phone, airline tickets, etc. If you have upcoming trips, ask Santa for a Dakota bag this year. $179

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PATAGONIA RIVER SALT JACKET Not all saltwater adventures take you to warm, tropical places, which is why it pays to have a solid fishing jacket that can stand up to tough conditions. The large pockets have ample enough storage that you really don't even need a pack. This is a perfect gift for someone who likes to crawl out on jetties in November hoping to get that last bass of the year. $350

SIMMS BOUNTY HUNTER CARRY ON

UNDER $500

SCOTT TIDAL The Tidal is the first mid-priced rod to offer Scott's proprietary ARC reinforcement, making the rod more responsive, accurate and stronger than other rods in that price range. The Tidal is the perfect gift for any angler looking for premium performance at a reasonable price. $495

The rugged hardware and waterproof nylon-coated fabrics guarantee the durability of this bag. The main compartment interior includes stretch-mesh storage pockets for organization of your gear, while the top pocket has a convenient, easy-access laptop sleeve, making your TSA passage a bit easier. Meets most airline size regulations for carry-on travel and fits enough gear for almost any week long trip. $399

One of the best reels you can buy at this price, and it performs just like many $500+ reels.

The drag system features a nonexistent start up inertia and is super smooth when you're hooked up. At this price, you can easily pick up a spare spool for that intermediate line you always wish you had on your outings. $220-260

ECHO BAD ASS GLASS QUICKSHOT This is one sweet stick. The QuickShot model is one foot shorter than the original B.A.G. model. This allows for a reduction of overall weight and makes for a quicker stroke when you're chasing bones on foot.

This rod is just flat out fun to fish and the electric blue color is so slick. $280

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GO PRO HERO 6

ORVIS HYDROS SL Capture and relive that epic tarpon eat easily with the GoPro Hero 6. The Hero 6 makes filming the day's moments easier than tying a clinch knot. It features a waterproof seal, so there's no need for that bulky housing. The added voice commands allow for hands free operation and can come in handy when you're shaking because a pod of stripers is going ham on adult bunker. $499

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INSIDE THE BOX

A N D R E W WA R S H AW E R

Baitfish patterns are a must when chasing striped bass on the east coast, and big flies usually catch big fish. Andrew Warshawer ties beautiful flies that use more traditional materials like cree feathers and jungle cock eyes. These materials help give his flies an iconic feel while still enticing big bass. The hollow tied bucktail bodies give his flies volume, without sacrificing castability and weight.

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FLY TYING MASTER

RUBEN

MAR

by Joseph Ballarini

RTIN R

uben Martin has been called many names, many of which liken him to well-known fly tyers in the United States. He has been called the Bob Popovics of Argentina and the Enrico Puglisi of South America. But really, his accomplishments in the fly tying world are his own. Ruben is a self-taught master tyer who studies his craft with fanatical, surgical precision.

His meticulous attention to detail and gift for reading water and fish contribute to making him one of the top fly tyers in the world.

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You are considered one of the best fly tyers and innovators in the world. When did you start tying flies and how did you get started?

I started tying flies when I was eight years old, and I am self-taught. My father was a passionate fisherman and though he mainly fished conventional gear, he had a few random flies in his box that were never used. To me, they were magical objects and piqued my interest.

Before even starting to fly fish I was already attempting to tie some flies with thread and random material on hooks.

Tell us about some of the fly patterns you’ve created to date: what you’re most proud of, what is most widely used, etc.

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I’ve always been quite creative, analytical and a bit of a non-conformist. If there were ten trout eating and I managed to catch three, rather that thinking it was a great day, I used to wonder why I hadn’t caught the other seven.

At the age of eighteen, I managed to find a great Argentine fly tyer named Carlos Govino who accepted me as an apprentice of sorts. This marked a distinct ‘before and after’ period in my fly tying activities. Right from the beginning, it was hard for him to keep me on the path of traditional tying. He knew to teach the concepts without restricting my creativity.

My first successful fly was an adaptation of the Classic Rabbit called the Rabbit

Limay. In the 90s it was one of the mainstay flies to fish for trout in my country. Years later, my imitations of pancoras (a common crab in Patagonia) were very effective and widely used.

These were followed by imitations of small pejerrey (silverside), which were called Tul Pejerrey. The Martin Minnows have also been used a lot; a model inspired by Lefty's famous Deceivers with a dash of Bob Popovics' spice.

I managed to create several patterns of original flies for various fish, but I don’t know how many. There are dry flies, nymphs, tube flies, saltwater flies and various models for predatory species like the golden dorado. In general, I like to tie almost any type of fly as I am just happy doing what I love. I do not have preferred

flies, I am just sometimes more tempted to explore with some flies over others.

We often mention movement as a very important feature of the fly when tying flies for bonefish. Tarpon flies must suspend in the water column perfectly to be effective. What do you consider the most important characteristics when designing and tying a fly? How much does that change from species to species or with imitations?

These aspects and details of tying are very complex. When I design a fly, I take everything into account that is within my reach and try not to limit myself in terms of the existing tying materials. I am constantly searching for materials. To me,

anything has potential: a simple nylon bag, a plastic container, a kitchen sponge or an old pen can all be useful.

When I design a fly, I first concentrate on the feeding and behavior of the fish I am interested in. Then I try to internalize how the prey organism behaves and what the conditions of the fish’s environment are. My work is the sum of all these observations. I design my flies to fundamentally imitate fish’s feeding habits in all stages. The environment, the food, the habitat conditions and behaviors all vary greatly from one species to another, but there is some common ground between predatory fish and how they look for prey. Pretty much the same happens in terms of

water and light conditions. Taking into account these common elements in certain species, we can apply our knowledge of one fish to others. When I fish or when I design, I don’t like the idea of ‘prioritizing’ something. What is valuable to me is the whole picture, and that is why I consider everything as much as I can. There are very specific characteristics to take into account— movement, size, color, shape, brightness or absence of color, textures—and those determine different levels of realism in the imitations.

In my classes, I am often asked what is most important in fly tying: movement, shape, size or color of a fly? My answer is always the same; they are all important!

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I

n my classes, I am often asked what is most important in fly tying: movement, shape, size or color of a fly? My answer is always the same; they are all important.

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We are fascinated with the golden dorado in the US because we do not have anything like it to fish for. What makes the golden dorado such a desired fish, and can you share any tips on fishing for them?

The golden dorado is a really fascinating fish. It has everything that sport fishermen want; power, size, pull and aggression, but it can also be a challenging, selective fish at times. Because it lives in environments with high biodiversity, it usually feeds on occasion and does not enter into selective states like a trout feeding on small insects that have just hatched. It can become selective towards a certain prey and that can sometimes make it very difficult.

Fishing for them can be done with six to ten weights, with floating or sinking lines.

It all really depends on where you fish for them and their size. We use everything from flies that mimic small mice to huge imitations of some prey fish nearly 12 inches long. More often than not, a fly

of six to eight inches is ideal for small dorado.

The time of year and location are key, as dorado can be lethargic at low temperatures. The turbidity of the water can also be critical. In Argentina, dorado are also called river tiger, a very welldeserved nickname. It is very rare to find fish of this size with the agility, ferocity and speed of attack of the dorado. Take my advice, you should not miss the thrill of fishing for dorado!

presents structures that attract dorado such as canyons, trees, sticks or floating vegetation. In these cases, you can use flies that mimic rodents or flies that mimic their prey fish, such as shad or mojarras.

It is essential to cast precisely and have excellent control of the line and fly so that the fly swims properly, as the strike is usually fast and very violent.

Do you use any particular tactics, gear or favorite flies for golden dorado and if so, what makes them so effective?

Another way is to use sinking lines with huge flies that can be detected by the dorado at a good distance in murky waters and low visibility. With this method, we look for submerged structures in the river or places with large rocks underwater.

I live in Patagonia and the dorado fishing is to the north of the country, about 1900 miles away. When I travel to fish for them, I usually do it with guides who are in those waters daily and have a better sense of the rivers. There are two very distinct ways of fishing. One is with floating lines casting from a boat (closer to the coast), which usually

In both cases, it’s essential that you have a good guide who knows the particular environment. There’s a whole array of patterns and colors and sizes of flies but the general rule is that the flies must have volume but sink fast, which is why they usually have large heads with lead eyes.

The most effective colors are black, or combinations of black/red, black/yellow,

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neon green and neon yellow brindle, violet/black or white/green and red.

One of the most effective models is the one on my YouTube channel called the Morena, which can be tied in the color combinations I mentioned.

You fish both in both freshwater and saltwater. Do you like one (fresh or salt) better than the other and if so, why?

I like to fish for almost everything and anywhere. I enjoy both salt and freshwater very much and I think each one has unique aspects that make it hard to leave them. I believe that the true happiness of a fisherman lies in diverse experiences.

What is your favorite freshwater fish to fish for? Why? Wow! I think it is really impossible to answer this question well. I have caught many freshwater species that I find very attractive. I have not caught Atlantic salmon in their best environments and would love to pursue them. I think that is one that I would love to catch.

From what I have fished for, I think the trout is my favorite for its complexity and the golden dorado is also a favorite for

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its savagery.

What is your favorite saltwater fish to fish for? Why? Same as with the previous question, it’s hard to say. I guess for me it’s the tarpon, as it has everything: difficulty, size, incredible strength and loads of adrenaline.

Which of your catches are you most proud of to date?

One of my favorite catches was also my first on fly, after almost two years of trying. At the time, fly fishing was not widespread in my country and there were great barriers to access. It was almost impossible to find someone who knew the sport or was willing to teach it, and there was no access to information like there is today. It was a solitary road of trial and error, with many failures and very few successes. The five-pound brown trout that decided to commit to my fly on that beautiful afternoon is one of my best catches. There haven’t been many moments in life when I have felt such joy.

You mentioned traveling to Holbox, Mexico to fish for permit, bonefish, and

I

'm not sure you can choose a fly pattern for everything, but I do believe there are flies that can be adapted for different species.

tarpon. When traveling to Mexico, is there one fly that works for all three species? If you could only take one fly pattern, which would you bring? Why? I'm not sure you can choose a fly pattern for everything, but I do believe that there are flies that can be adapted for different species by changing the size and especially the sinking ability of the fly. Flies such as the Toad Fly and the Avalon Fly are very interesting to me.

One can also think of everything that can be done with a few eyes and Puglisi fibers. I think the work of Tim Borski, Bob Veverka, Bob Popovics, Dave Whitlock and other professional tyers can give us some help. And now you have given me a new challenge!

How about one fly each for permit, bonefish and tarpon in Mexico. What would they be?

I don’t like generalizations, but I think a Mink Shrimp is an excellent model for bonefish, and its format allows for

playing with combinations of colors and silhouettes. A light brown Mink Shrimp with a thin silhouette with long antennae and legs is excellent. A Grand Slam Crab in brown tones seems to be a good choice for the permit. It’s a versatile format that allows us impressionism or good realism, depending on preference.

The crab I show here (see photo on previous page) is also very effective: it’s highly realistic and easy to tie. The freshwater version has been tested for years with excellent results and it has also done very well at sea.

For tarpon, one of my favorites is a version of the Big Eye Tarpon by Bob LeMay that I tie with grizzly and light blue feathers somewhat thinner and longer than the original model, then put a collar of Puglisi Sparkle Brush 3” pearl and give it the final touches with a grizzly and light blue feathered-end necklace. The head has 3D silver eyes and it’s constructed with light blue thread and coated with epoxy, to which I add blue, silver and pearl glitter.

Have you ever fished in South Florida and the Keys? If not, would you be willing to visit us and test some of your flies on our permit, tarpon and bonefish?

I have never fished in Florida, and it would be a great experience to fish there. I am sure that it is one of the best places to fish, and I have seen amazing fly fishing videos from there and heard great things about the fishery. Are you inviting me to fish with you? Tell me when, and I will be there.

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O U T F I T T I N G S H O U L D B E C U S T O M I Z E D down to the last detail. We start by finding out everything about your journey and build a customized gear list. We’ll tie each fly you’ll need and you’ll be able to test your gear extensively on the casting pond. We’ll also have a lot of information for you that will help make the most out of your time on the water. Think of it as your adventure that happens before your adventure. Visit us at 22 Waugh in Houston, or at gordyandsons.com.

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Outfitting you for your great adventure is our great adventure.

The finest fly shop to be found.

OFF SHORE

IN

F LY F I S H I N G

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K E WEST T Y

by Pat Ford

here’s not much that swims in the waters off of the Florida Keys that you can’t catch on a fly rod if you are properly prepared. Key West is the southernmost tip of the Florida Keys and has easy access to both Atlantic and Gulf waters, making it a prime destination for offshore fly fishing. It is home to a number of light tackle 30’+ center console boats that specialize in offshore fishing. One of these boats is helmed by the extremely talented Captain RT Trosset out of Hurricane Hole Marina.

I’ve been fishing with RT since 1975 and he’s the go-to guy when you want to take your fly rod offshore. The choices of places to go and fish to catch are extensive so I usually just show up at the dock and say “Take me to whatever’s biting.” That approach works fine, but the fishing targets vary with the seasons as

different species move through. My favorite time is December through June because there are more targets for fly fishing, but I don’t hesitate to get to Key West at every opportunity. There’s year round action.

Keep in mind that these are offshore boats and offshore fish.

Tarpon, bonefish and permit on the flats are another story. You will find yourself in anywhere from 30 to 300 feet of water, so you will need a rod with plenty of backbone. When a fish sounds, you need to hoist it back up, and even a 10-weight is a bit too light for most everything. I only use 11 and 12-weight rods with a tarpon quality reel that holds plenty of minimum 30 lb backing. I’m also convinced that a sinking line will get you more strikes and the narrower diameter helps keep the belly out of the line while you’re fighting the fish, which is usually from an

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anchored boat, so there’s no chasing the fish down. I have a few ancient full sinking high density lines that are great, but my standard now is the Cortland 425 grain sink tip which works just fine with a leader around five feet long.

Casting from the back of Trosset’s 34 Yellowfin is a bit more challenging than the front of a flats skiff, and I’ve found that bringing your own line tamer (even if it’s just a kitchen garbage can) can make your fishing a lot easier. The transom is the hub of activity on the offshore boats and there are usually three or four people back there getting in your way and standing on your line while you’re trying to cast. Many times, there is very little casting needed.

During the winter and spring months, a day offshore around Key West starts with chasing pilchards. These three inch baitfish are used as live chum and the guides can spend what seems like most of the morning just cast-netting bait. Some anglers have complained that this is a waste of fishing time, but they are wrong. If you want to catch anything offshore on a fly, live pilchards help– about 50 pounds of them. Trosset has two livewells that he fills to overflowing every morning. Sophisticated plumbing will keep hundreds of baits alive all day.

A typical winter trip into the Atlantic targets blackfin tuna, bonito and kingfish but cudas, jacks, cero mackerel, sharks, mahi mahi, and even sailfish are possible on some days. Most of the time, the pilchards are concentrated around the Marquesas, almost 30 miles west of Key West, which is why the boats can’t run out and catch bait before they pick you up at the dock. Once an acceptable amount of live chum has been captured, the guide will head to the reef where they have all sorts of coral heads, rocks, and drop-offs that hold fish. These spots can be in almost any depth, but because you are heading out from the flats, it’s most likely you will stop at the shallower ones first. Regardless of the depth, the process is the same: anchor up and start throwing out pilchards and see what responds. Most of the time I start out with a 30 lb fluorocarbon leader

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targeting snapper and yellow jacks and then move to wire if things with teeth show up. Adding wire decreases your bites but sometimes it’s unavoidable, especially for kingfish, cudas and sharks.

Cero mackerel can be caught on a 60 lb mono shock tippet, and baitfish flies tied on long shank hooks also help a lot.

The rest of the guys will usually have live baits out with hooks, so it won’t take long to figure out what’s biting. You have to be ready because a trophy fish can appear in the chum at any time. Plant yourself in a corner and keep casting.

There is a bar off the reef line southwest of Key West that rises to 60 feet from 120 and then drops steadily into very deep water. Anchoring up and chumming the bar can bring you kingfish, bonito, cudas and blackfin tuna, but Trosset likes to fish a wreck in 240 feet of water that is blackfin central. It’s quite a feat to anchor up in 240 feet (it takes almost 600 feet of anchor line), but once you’re set up, the process is the same. Sometimes it takes a while for the tuna to show and other times there are just so many big bonito that it’s hard to single out the tuna. Catching 15 pound bonito is fun in itself, but after a bunch, you begin to hate them. The prize is the tuna.

The captain will be able to tell when the tuna are close enough to respond to a fly and will let you know when to get serious. The sinking line is a major

advantage for the tuna and naturally the fly is a baitfish pattern that looks like a pilchard. A 20 pound blackfin will tear you up on a 10-weight, so a 12-weight rig is highly recommended because you just might hook into a 30 pounder. There are always sharks around and the longer you fight your fish, the less likely you are going to land it.

Chumming with live pilchards is magic in the Atlantic, and it also works in the Gulf when the huge schools of kingfish appear. I love targeting kingfish with a fly rod. I’ve had several trips with Trosset where it was just spectacular. It usually requires a pretty long run west of the Marquesas, but when the action starts, it’s well worth the extra time and gas.

On one trip several years ago, Rufus Wakeman and I caught 23 kings over 20 pounds with two weighing in at 37 pounds, all on fly. RT told me that one of the fish I hooked and lost on that trip was over 50 pounds. Interestingly, we tried three different spots that day and didn’t have a bite before noon. Once we found the school, the following three hours provided some of the most amazing fly fishing I’ve ever had.

There are a ton of wrecks out in the Gulf where you can tease up cobia, barracuda and amberjack with live blue runners.

The runners are hooked in the head and the idea is to pull them away from the

Catching 15 pound bonito is fun in itself, but after a bunch, you begin to hate them.

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Trosset and I have been chasing cobia in Key West since the 70s, and it may be my favorite fish.

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cobia or the amberjacks. It doesn’t take long for them to go berserk and then all you have to do is drop the fly in the water and they crush it. Cobia are the easiest to tease. They can be found on the shallow wrecks west of the Marquesas in an area called the “Quicksands." They travel in schools and can often be spotted on the surface. Standard procedure is for someone to hook a cobia on a spinning rod so the rest of the school will follow it right up to the boat. A little chum will hold the school so the fly rodder can take his pick of the fish. I like oversized Clouser-style flies with lead eyes for cobia. Trosset and I have been chasing cobia in Key West since the 70s, and it may be my favorite fish. In 1985 I set an IGFA fly rod world record with a 67 pound 4 oz cobia on 8 lb tippet. I singled it out from a school hanging out on a shallow wreck in the Quicksands–it took

me over two hours to land that brute and when RT finally gaffed it and dumped it in the boat, the fly fell out of its mouth.

Cobia have very hard mouths, so be sure to set the hook several times.

Barracuda are also teased up on the shallow wrecks with live runners, but the technique is different. You want to let the cuda bite the runner in half and then pull the part that’s still attached to the hook out of the water. The cuda will gulp down the back half of the bait (they almost always cut the bait off behind the head) and then circle back for the remains. You need to drop a big red and white fly into the water where the bite took place and just let it sink. The cuda will simply swim over and eat it. A big barracuda is a great catch on a fly rod, something well worth trying when conditions are favorable.

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Around the beginning of April, the weather calms down and longer runs into the Gulf are possible. There’s a fleet of shrimp boats that operate about 60 miles northwest of Key West. They drag their nets all night and at dawn, pull their catch onto the deck and start sorting out the shrimp. The huge nets being dragged across the sandy Gulf bottom entrap all types of critters, many of which escape the nets only to fall prey to all the sharks, bonito and blackfins that are following the mobile buffet. When the nets are hauled into the boat, all the fish that were chasing the nets hang out at the stern waiting for the bycatch to be dumped overboard. The trick is to get to a shrimper that is still cleaning his catch and load up on his “trash.” The next step is to go from shrimp boat to shrimp boat until you find one that holds a decent number of blackfins. Once you do, it’s ‘game on.’

Behind the boat, there will be dozens of hefty bonito with several blackfins in the mix. The trick is to hook the blackfins and not the bonito, which sometimes is pretty much impossible. Several of the IGFA world records for little tunny (bonito) have been caught behind these shrimp boats, so when you hook one, you are in for a fight! After five or six, you’ll never want to see another bonito and will simply pop it off as soon as the ID is made…so bring plenty of cheap flies. There is really no casting involved.

It’s mostly just flopping your fly in the water, so it really doesn’t matter what fly line you use.

In April and May, permit move out into deeper water to spawn. There are a few spots off Western Dry Rocks where huge schools of permit can be found, but there are dozens of wrecks in the Gulf that provide perfect spawning sites for lonely

permit. The shrimp boat trash is full of crabs and it’s pretty routine to stop off at a permit hot spot after everyone’s had their fill of chasing tuna. As expected, chumming helps bring the schools of permit into casting range. They seem to be cruising around the wreck and sometimes can be found on the surface, but for the most part, nothing works like chumming with crabs. For this fishing, you will definitely need a heavy, fast sinking line. You have to cast up current and let your crab fly sink and swing. It pays to let your crab hang for a minute at the end of the swing, but most of the strikes occur during the drift. Again, an 11 or 12-weight is a must. Permit fight hard on the flats, but that’s nothing like the fight they put up in 60 feet of water when you’re stuck in an anchored boat.

Be prepared—they are super tough in deep water.

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I’ve covered the usual targets for Key West fly fishing, but there are also places where you can chum snapper up to a fly, places where schools of 10-30 pound jack crevalle can be teased into range with a hookless plug and there are always sharks that hang around the chum slick, ready to fall prey to a big red or orange fly. Don’t ever underestimate the thrill of hooking an eighty pound blacktip shark on a fly rod. A 300 pound lemon shark, not so much. Better to ignore the big boys, even though they can be hooked quite easily.

Don’t forget dolphin (mahi) season.

Dolphin travel in pairs and schools.

When one is hooked, the rest will follow it to the boat and with a little chum, will quickly take a fly. No matter what you’re

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doing offshore around Key West, always have a fly rod rigged and ready. It’s that good!

Contact Capt RT Trosset at rtspindrift@aol.com or his son Capt Chris Trosset at ctrosset@gmail.com and bring lots of flies.

Bio: Pat Ford grew up in the New York-New Jersey area, fishing for most anything he could find. His talent for sports photography became apparent during his years as a Journalism major at Notre Dame. He wrote his first article for Salt Water Sportsman magazine in 1969 and has continued to provide stories and photos to every sport fishing publication ever since. Over the years Pat has held over two dozen IGFA world records

and for a decade was the chairman of the Golden Fly Invitational Tarpon Tournament which is held annually in Islamorada. He is a Founding Member of the Bonefish & Tarpon Trust and on the Board of Trustees of the American Fly Fishing Museum in Vermont. Now as a retired Miami trial attorney, he is the author of The Best Fly Fishing Trips Money Can Buy (Stackpole 2006) and FLY FISHING DAYDREAMS (Skyhorse 2011). Pat’s tarpon photography is displayed in Andy Mill’s A Passion For Tarpon (Wild River Press 2010). To see more of Pat’s work check out his website: www.patfordphotos.com

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As all of you are aware, a large swath of our nation has been affected by the hurricanes that made landfall in the past few months. Just as many of you were right there to see and feel the devastation, Tail magazine staff were were present in both Texas and Florida during Hurricanes Harvey and Irma. In tribute, we are highlighting three craft breweries from each of these two states, and some of our favorite beers that they produce.

Stiltsville Pilsner BREWERY NAME: Concrete Beach Brewery Website: concretebeachbrewery.com Location: Miami, FL Beer type: Pilsner APPEARANCE: Light golden color AROMA: Malt, fruity hops FLAVOR: Malt, citrus, hops ABV: 5.2% FINAL THOUGHTS: Concrete Beach Brewery’s tip of the hat to the “renegade village on stilts” located in Biscayne Bay, Stiltsville is a light drinkable pilsner with a well balanced citrus hoppy character. Perfect for hot Miami days and nights or coming in after a long day of outdoor activities. Good carbonation and an overall solid, refreshing beer.

Florida Cracker BREWERY NAME: Cigar City Brewing Website: cigarcitybrewing.com Location: Tampa, FL Beer type: Witbier APPEARANCE: Hazy straw color with light white head AROMA: Citrus over wheat and coriander FLAVOR: Citrus over wheat with a slight peppery coriander finish ABV: 5.5% FINAL THOUGHTS: Good body and a crisp refreshing taste on this one. Although the head calms down a bit quicker than expected for a witbier, it is a really good, refreshing take. Another great choice for a hot day or warm evening and certainly a worthy refreshment following a good long day on the water.

Tropical Disturbance BREWERY NAME: Swamp Head Brewery Website: swamphead.com Location: Gainesville, FL Beer type: Double IPA APPEARANCE: Slightly cloudy amber/golden with thick creamy head AROMA: Fresh hops and citrus FLAVOR: Slightly tart hops and citrus ABV: 8.7% FINAL THOUGHTS: We just couldn’t pass this one up, in large part due to the name. This is an extremely drinkable double IPA with no hint of the 8.7% alcohol. It doesn’t feel like a light beer, but it certainly doesn’t suggest its strength. The citrus juiciness and sweetness pull this one together quite well, but be careful as this Tropical Disturbance can sneak up on you.

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Bull Shark BREWERY NAME: Galveston Bay Beer Co. Website: galvestonbaybeer.com Location: Dickinson, TX Beer type: Scotch Ale/Wee Heavy APPEARANCE: Dark creamy reddish caramel colored with tan head AROMA: Nutty, caramel, toast FLAVOR: Very similar to the aroma with nuts, toasted malt, sweet caramel and a slight metallic twang ABV: 6.5% FINAL THOUGHTS: Overall, a great tasting, different twist on a wee heavy. Like biting into a caramel apple, you get a mouthful but aren’t overwhelmed with sweetness or weight. Great evening beer after a long day outdoors, or on a cool fall day.

Redfish IPA BREWERY NAME: Goliad Brewing Company Website: goliadbrewing.com Location: Goliad, Texas Beer type: IPA APPEARANCE: Hazy red amber AROMA: Bitter grapefruit, orange peel, apricot FLAVOR: The flavor seems to come straight out of the aroma with the addition of that hoppy bite that keeps you sipping ABV: 6.1% FINAL THOUGHTS: Big flavor and satisfying finish. As with Goliad Brewing's other offerings, it is a brew that won’t disappoint. While the ABV may dissuade you from making this your go to beer in the sun, it’s certainly one to sip in the shade or with your next spicy Texas meal.

Gulf Kolsch BREWERY NAME: Twisted X Brewing Co. Website: twistedxbrewing.com Location: Dripping Springs, TX Beer type: Kolsch APPEARANCE: pale golden color with a nice white head AROMA: slightly hoppy and fresh FLAVOR: slightly hoppy, clean and crisp ABV: 5.1% FINAL THOUGHTS: This is one of two new additions to the Twisted X line-up this late summer/fall. Extremely refreshing, smooth, clean finishing beer. Not bitter or overwhelming, but with the right amount of flavor for a Kolsch. Perfect beer to enjoy ice cold on a warm Texas afternoon or during a day on the good old Gulf Coast.

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Salty Breakfast: A Montauk morning on the road with Running the Coast

by Jamie Howard photography by Robbie George At 3 A.M., I rolled over to the soft sounds of Sturgill Simpson milking a mournful note on my iPhone alarm. I opened the curtains to reveal a pale, glowing, windy parking lot on the farthest eastern edge of this remote island.

I was in the surf fishing capital of the world, and all I could see out the window was darkness and fog.

WELCOME TO MONTAUK.

F

riend and surf guru Bill Wetzel had suggested we meet him by 3:30 a.m. in the hotel parking lot to get a jump on first light.

Bill spent his mornings on the same sands Montaukett Indians started their days on centuries ago. It was a sporting ground before there was even an America. A big buck was lazily consuming breakfast in the thickets as gulls bounced on the glint of pale moonlight. It would be hours ‘til the Porsches and rental cars jockeyed for a spot at Bob’s Pancakes, and coolerfronted pickup trucks backed into prized spots on the cliffs over cold Atlantic wave sets.

This was mile 600 of our 1,000 miles following the striped bass migration for our filming of Running the Coast. No morning was ever the same. Here in Montauk, it was like queuing up early for a rock concert and waiting for the main act to hit the stage. There was a buzz in the air as anglers all tried to get there at the right time for a good seat to the show–on the rocks, sand or boat–yet here, there was no guarantee what time or if the rock stars would show up.

We had to pack up the cameras and gear in 20 minutes. The percolating coffee our crew member Todd requested each day proved to be impossible this particular morning.

Red Bull and Marlboros would have to suffice. Breakfast was six hours away.

I had been to the fabled Atlantic Coast cliffs at the end of Long Island with my dad back in my school days, and on a few weekend fishing trips by boat when I worked in the city. The sights and sounds never leave you. But we were going deeper today, into the waves from ground level, through yards, past barking dogs and along paths invisible without a flashlight. We were dizzy but full of anticipation as the sea hummed just out of range.

This was a place that had seen its share of excitement–on and off the water. In

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1942, these cliffs housed a World War II military installation disguised as a fishing village. Yes, that’s Montauk in a nutshell. Beauty and paradox. Nothing is exactly as it seems. And rookies are encouraged to watch and learn before running headlong into the surf.

This is a place so lush and remote, famed developed Carl Fisher planned to invest millions in the 1920s in its thousands of virgin acres, intending it to be the sister to his successful development in Miami Beach. This northern outpost in the cold Atlantic was hit by a wrecking ball of a hurricane that took down much of Fisher’s work. The stock market crash ended any remaining thoughts of further investment. One couldn’t be sure of the fish or anything else in Montauk except its unique beauty. But maybe that was the lure that brought us out here, 100 miles into the

Atlantic. Nothing was certain.

Veterans that fished these waters paid their dues before they shared their stories. And here, in the middle of the night, an anxious Bill Wetzel was one of them, waiting in the parking lot, ready to go. The fish we hoped to intercept lay somewhere out there in the dark surf.

The late, great veteran Jack Yee, featured in Running the Coast, had his line cut by locals when he caught his first big striper. He then bought a wetsuit and vowed not to let anyone get in ahead of him again. And so it goes on The Rock.

I could see the truck’s red taillights and the mist of his exhaust swirling in the thick fog. We gathered cameras and sound gear and stamped across the cold gravel driveway. Bill said there was no time to chit-chat, and we crammed

into his already overstuffed pick up.

The back had a bed and extra clothes (this was his day home in between his guided trips). The front was a light mix of survival leftovers: water bottles, food wrappers and waterproof flashlights.

We swung down the curvy back roads until Bill told us to get out and follow him. We worked our way through the tangle of wild scrub and sand paths cleverly preserved by Robert Moses, who left large swaths of the Long Island outpost wild and untouchable by eager developers who descended in the 60s and 70s.

As we walked through the night with waders on, cameras slung over shoulders, we moved as fast as we could. Bill only paused once, to have us pick a wild grape for good luck from a bush he lit with his headlamp. It was just enough of a break in our pace to hear

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It's all timing. The legend of Montauk includes "the blitz," and it's the bait coming in and the ensuing explosion of fish on them that brings so many to make the trek year after year.

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the growing sound of surf over the hill.

The dark foam of pre-dawn Montauk was home to generations of fishing stories for the intrepid. The fraternity of the shore guys was a shared bond of bumps, bruises, sleeplessness and an unexpectedly lavish menu conjured from camping grills and coolers in the off hours. Every cooler and every grill was expected to bring rich rewards for those balancing on rocks at all hours. And as tough as anglers were expected to be on the beach, they were surprisingly civilized in their tastes off of it. Two guys we would later interview for the movie were heading back to their truck after an all-nighter to enjoy baked ziti, fresh mozzarella and grilled vegetables.

Thousands come to "the end" to to car camp and live half-awake and eat (often like kings) between good tides.

The boats were just as obsessed, but it was a wary stand-off, as they were perceived as taking a shortcut to the fish with dry feet. They were not pure Montauk surf chasers to some, but at the end of the day, each was just as committed and taking their own set of risks. Those that practiced catch and release were held in the highest regard on shore. With a declining population, the shortcut could be tolerated if respect was paid to the fish. Party boats and commercial boats and netters had a job

to do, but they were never going to be considered sporting to the guys wading in the surf. And their point was not lost on us.

Striped bass pass by Montauk in spring and fall, but the fall migration is fabled for its blitzes of stripers and albies massing here in pursuit of bait before the cold of winter.

It’s all timing. The legend of Montauk includes “the blitz,” and it’s the bait coming in and the ensuing explosion of fish on them that brings so many to make the trek year after year.

“Jamie, which one of you wants to wade out to the rocks with me?” Bill yelled over the crashing waves in the cove.

I shone the light on the guys and they both smiled. Ok, I got it. I was the one going into the surf to the rocks today. I followed Bill and his client through the waves and switched on his mic under his wetsuit. The wireless microphones were vulnerable to saltwater, but were hanging in there. The sun was rising, threatening the night’s cover. We could see anchovies darting through the now brightening waves but didn’t see any fish. This was a beautiful bummer. Stripers were nowhere to be seen on the incoming tide. Still, Bill kept casting as the light crept in. I kept filming.

Suddenly, there were splashes in the calm water behind the violent waves.

The fish were on the bait. I stood my ground in the surf next to Bill on his favorite rock. We were in a blitz. And we could only see parts of it in the glare. I was working on finding the best angle in the dawn glow, until I lost my footing and was upside down in the wash. A wave had gotten under my feet. I kept the camera dry over my head and popped up with a salty brine sliding back out of my teeth. I found my way to a gravel bar and kept filming. The rush of the sea was what made Montauk so special and thrilling to so many. It was much stronger than in other parts of the migration.

Bill had been guiding on Montauk for a couple of decades. He fished right alongside his clients, and it was as real as the experience could get. And for those willing to walk and wade and take their chances next to a pro, it was worth it.

Montauk was still asleep behind us.

Those not in the fishing community were not chasing tides and lunar tables and sunlight. Were we the crazy ones or were they? In the 1600s, Native Americans (Algonquian Indians) still inhabited this eastern tip of Long Island. The croplands were fertile and the area proved irresistible, and new civilization soon encroached. Today, much of the acreage

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The allure of striped bass is that they are everywhere and nowhere. One is always prepped for a close encounter and then the inevitable disappearance.

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is private and secluded for wealthy residents and their salty estates. But, if you know where to walk, real nature can still be found.

Bill went tight. “They’re all around us!

Whooo-hooo!”

Bill and his client were hooking up on almost every cast. It never ceased to be a jolt when the fish appeared. The allure of striped bass is that they are everywhere and nowhere. One is always prepped for a close encounter and then the inevitable disappearance. They grab your attention like the flirty girl in the grocery line, share a laugh, then leave you shaking your head, holding your cereal as they disappear. They willingly range to our major cities under a skyscraper and then into six inches of water by a wetland dock. Then, they can be gone the next day. They amaze us, seduce us, then disappear until the next year’s migration.

Now we had found them as the sun signaled a new day in the growing light. The dark fish tails squirmed and splashed in the surf. Bait jumped and fish followed, unfazed by the size or timing of any wave. A Bunker (aka Menhaden) rolled right through a wave in front of us,

backlit by the sun as it went through the barrel. Bill cast behind the wave set with a darter. His client was heaving a classic bucktail jig. Soon, they both had a double. Bill was yelling over the waves– at no one in particular. We would get about 40 minutes until the game slowed down as the tide shifted, light filling every space, and the fish retreated like those WWII soldiers, back into their sandy bunkers until the afternoon tide. But for now, we were in them.

The dawn sun warmed the ocean spray on all of us. The surfers would soon paddle out to the point in the sparkling purple dawn to catch the bigger waves hitting an offshore breeze. It was perfect for now. The day was opening up and the low clouds were exploding as the sun met them and reddened the gold that was forming in the glow around us.

Above us, signs on the bluff warned of “Danger” and to to stay back from the steep, eroding edge. Car doors were opening in the dawn light as anglers looked 100+ feet down into the crashing surf of the blue Atlantic. They were ready–but today just a little late. There are some rewards for following Bill at 3:30 am. Behind the coffee-clutching

anglers was the old radar installation that served as a WWII bulwark as the US readied for invasion.

Now the military base was prepping for a striper invasion. And at the moment, the best radar was below them, with us. “Cast over that wave!” Bill yelled as he went tight again. His client’s rod bobbed a few times—his bucktail was getting slammed. He still had to work on his timing. But, on the next cast he went tight. Bill yelled again. A big fish tore line off his reel and we could hear the zing over the surf. We were in deep with legs scraping. The birds were circling. Waves were smashing. Microphones were getting doused. Cameras were dripping.

It was the apocalypse. And we wouldn’t have had it any other way.

To see the entire 1,000 miles of the Running the Coast film for yourself, visit: www.HowardFilms.com

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AStriper CHANGED

by Thomas Barzilay Freund MY LIFE

M

ost of my friends have trouble understanding how a kid from the heart of New York City became such an obsessive fly fisherman.

Those who know me well are aware that I spend more of my time thinking about fly fishing than just about anything else. If I’m not fishing, I’m usually reading about fishing, or talking about fishing, or doing something fishing related, or at least thinking about fishing.

They also know that I am the offspring of two art writers, both born and raised in Manhattan, who share little interest in anything fishing related.

Looking back, if I had to attribute my passion to a single experience, it was the time I spent chasing stripers on fly at the very start of my fly fishing career. Not only did it open my eyes to the exciting new world of fly fishing the salt, but it also taught me some of my most valuable life lessons. As cliche as it may sound, the striped bass has changed my life.

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Although my first ever fly-caught striper was only about 18 inches long, it was the strongest fish I had ever hooked. A friend and I had ventured into a state park by his house in Connecticut. What did we seventh graders know about striper fishing? Absolutely nothing.

But we had purchased two sand eel imitations from the local fly shop, and we were determined to catch a glimpse of the fabled “beast of the northeast.” Our hopes were dashed almost immediateIy after losing one of our two new flies to a nearby lamp post. But we decided to stay a little longer, at least until we lost our other fly. The seawall we were fishing was built over a small pipe with an outflow, so I cast my line across the current, dancing my fly back through the churning water. On my fifth cast, the line came tight. I remember struggling to grasp the cork of the 9 weight—which already seemed heavy to my 13-yearold hands—as I coaxed the fish toward my friend eagerly waiting by the water’s edge. Grinning up at me, he lifted my

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catch, providing my first close look at a striped bass. As I let the schoolie revive in the shallows, pinching its jaw between my shaking fingers, its golden eyes shone from its grey-green face, the sleek lines of its fins complemented by the dark purple stripes along its body. With a swift kick of the tail, the fish shot off.

Little did I know, that would be the only striper I would bring to hand for the next 18 months.

It was the start of a true obsession. My weekends and summers became a never-ending search for my next bass on fly. This quickly turned into—without a doubt—the most frustrating time period I have ever endured as an angler. It was like teaching myself to fly fish all over again. My inability to grasp the art of striper fishing was an unpleasant reminder of what square one felt like.

I think it was mostly stubbornness that kept me from giving up and fishing for bluegill. I found myself poring over books and scouring the internet for information,

watching YouTube videos and reading all the articles I could find on tactics. I’d pick the brain of any fisherman who seemed like they knew their stuff, and who was willing to talk stripers with a 13-year-old.

I know it might sound ridiculous, but weeks quickly turned into months and although I seemed to be getting ever closer to that next fish, there was always some obstacle that I couldn’t seem to overcome. I would find feeding fish that were just out of my casting range, or fish that were keyed in on something I didn’t have to offer. The ones I managed to hook always shook the fly loose or broke the line. But I kept struggling to find that next shot at landing a striper.

After a fruitless first season, and a long brooding winter, the time came to hit the water again. But that spring was just as tough on me as my first, and I found myself spending an increasing amount of my spare time at the bluegill pond by my aunt’s house rather than in the salt.

I certainly hadn’t given up, but I felt like

With a swift kick of the tail, the fish shot off.

Little did I know, that would be the only striper I would bring to hand for the next 18 months.

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I needed a bit of a break from the striper game. One Saturday in late July, my same friend and I went fishing in the same park, along the exact same seawall. On that fateful day, I caught my second, third, and fourth striped bass. It felt surreal, and I was elated.

It didn’t take long for me to understand how formative of an angling experience my tribulations had been. It was like I had become a new fisherman. I had started to tie saltwater flies, and I was 10 times the caster I had been the previous season. I felt like I had found something intangible, a piece of the angling puzzle that is difficult to describe. Stripers are fickle by nature, and in their world, the only constant is change. We’re talking about a fish whose behavior is dictated by a mixture of tides, temps, bait, light conditions, barometric pressure, you name it. This isn’t unique to the striper fishery; a lot of fish are this finicky. At the time, all I knew was that it was a hell of a lot more complicated than bluegill fishing.

When a fishery is this complex, almost

everything you do as an angler can affect your success. My long string of failures reminded me that fly fishing demands precision, both in the arc of the cast and in the creation and selection of the flies themselves. Hours of research taught me that fly fishing is also a study in animal behavior—for success you must have an acute understanding of a fish's instincts, tendencies, food sources, and habitat to entice it into consuming an offering of fur, feathers, and fibers painstakingly lashed to a hook.

With precision in mind, I began to think about fly fishing in terms of connections: the connection between the fly and the leader, between each individual section of tippet. It is critical that all of these connections are sound in order to achieve success. Even when teaching myself to double haul or tie a Deceiver, I realized I was focusing on connecting minute movements, stringing them together in an attempt at one flawless presentation.

I became conditioned to eat, sleep, and breathe fishing because it felt like my

angling success depended on it. I think attention to detail cannot be overdone in so many fishing scenarios, and I keep this in mind every time I tie a new leader, pick up a rod, or sit down at the computer to plan a new expedition. What keeps me fishing is the constant challenge and the pursuit of perfection, not its attainment.

That seems to be working out just fine for me.

Striper fishing facilitated connections that I could only discover through time on the water. I began to see the connections between a person's respect for the environment and the survival of ecosystems. Growing up in a city, I saw how disconnected some of my friends were from the natural world. Fly fishing gave me a way to stay in touch with nature: to experience sunrise uninhibited by city skylines; to witness the primordial grace of stripers slashing through acres of panicked menhaden with deadly precision. These are connections that should be nurtured and protected.

My early experiences taught me that

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Pursuing them pushed me to new places as an angler, and also gave me a front row seat to a species in decline. to learn the fishery with me was a huge asset. We each had our different fishing backgrounds and preferences, which continuously clashed and mixed and often amalgamated into unconventional techniques. Some of the crazy stuff we came up with we never would have dared try alone.

an activity could be a way to access something much greater. Some of the things you witness on the water are incredible, and utterly real. The mere sight of a full-scale bunker blitz is a breathtaking phenomenon.

I have had the privilege of meeting incredible people during my pursuit of striped bass. This fish has introduced me to some of the most innovative people in the industry, many of whom have made me a better angler. The few people at my New York City school who were also fanatics became some of my closest friends. Fishing together was a collective effort to solve the endless puzzle. We learned from each other as fishermen and developed a shared love for the sport and all it had to offer. Finding friends willing

Striped bass changed the way I fished.

Pursuing them pushed me to new places as an angler, and also gave me a front row seat to a species in decline. The numbers are down, and the problem seems to be getting worse each season.

It is saddening to hear tackle shop talk about how good the fishing once was.

With every season under my belt, I feel a growing sense of responsibility to protect the resource that has given me so much.

Regulations have failed to do their part in conservation. How can they when they encourage people to keep the fish that do the most to sustain the species? When I see an image of a trophy bass bound for the dinner table, I think of the millions— yes, millions—of eggs that will never reach their spawning grounds.

need to keep a fish, set a personal slot, and make it reasonable. And please take your young kids fishing, and show them what it means to conserve. Now is the time for resource users to step up and do their part. Creating the next generation of fishery stewards is crucial to preserving not just the resource, but all the intangible, priceless by-catches of our great sport as well.

Bio: Born and raised in New York City, Thomas Barzilay Freund discovered fly fishing under unlikely circumstances. But ever since he picked up a fly rod at age 12, the sport has consumed his life. He fishes whenever and wherever he can, usually with a camera in tow, and has worked for multiple companies in the fishing space including Cheeky Fishing and BADFISH.tv. Thomas is currently a sophomore at Bowdoin College.

We should all help protect the striped bass and other vulnerable fish. Practice catch and release, and if you feel the

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FLY TYING:

LUMINO BAITFISH

by Dron Lee

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FLY TYING

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Lumino Baitfish

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MATERIALS White Super hair White Mega Dub White ICE Dub Red craft wool Pink craft wool / light grey craft wool Saltwater hook Luminous Bead Lead wire White Thread Flex UV resin Epoxy

FLY TYING

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Step 1: Insert the Luminous Bead, wind in some lead wire.

Step 5: Fold the rest of the Mega dub, tie in and comb the material to the back.

Step 9: Drop a small drop of epoxy and hit it with the UV light.

Step 2: Tie in some super hair behind the luminous bead.

Step 6: Tie in the fine wool dub on top.

Step 10: Apply the eye with a small amount of epoxy and hit it with the UV light.

Step 3: Dub in some ICE dub as the belly.

Step 4: Tie in the Mega Dub.

Step 7: Fold all back, comb it, and whipfinish.

Step 11: Go Fish!

Step 8: Coat a thin layer of Flex UV resin to shape the head.

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is a membership-based organization, and our members are our lifeblood. Since our founding in 1998, we have grown to include concerned anglers from over 20 countries, researchers from throughout the world, and guides committed to working with BTT in order to educate anglers and gather data while on the water. The generous support of our members is critical to our mission: Conserve and restore bonefish, tarpon and permit fisheries and habitats through research, stewardship, education and advocacy.

We have celebrated many accomplishments, but there is still much more work to do.

Please help us in our mission by joining and urging your friends, guides, lodges, and fishing clubs to join. Please go to www.btt.org and click “Join BTT� to become a member today.

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ON THE PLATE Butternut Squash Gnocchi + Braised Venison by Kelli Prescott There’s nothing better than coming in from an evening hunt or session on the water as the weather starts to cool down. Fall is a special time of year that’s best shared with family and friends, telling fishing stories and harvesting your own meat and vegetables.

I really wanted to showcase a meal that highlights autumn flavors and wild game. This recipe does just that and allows you to use parts of the deer that you may not typically not think are the best. This meal is a stick-to-your-ribs explosion of flavor that you can eat all week.

Making gnocchi is a bit time-consuming but so worth it. This is a perfect fall meal to make on a Sunday and cozy up by the fire to enjoy. I suggest making the gnocchi and venison a day ahead, then when you’re ready to eat, simply fire up a pan and toss all the final ingredients together.

Ingredients

Let’s get started. gnocchi 1 butternut squash, halved and deseeded 1 large russet potato, peeled and cubed 1 tbsp olive oil 1 3/4 cups flour 2 cups finely grated parmesan cheese 1 egg beaten 2 tsp salt

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by Bobby Altman

venison olive oil to coat pan 3lb venison neck (or roast from hind quarter) 5 cloves garlic, smashed 1 large yellow onion, roughly chopped 4 sprigs rosemary 1 cup marsala wine 1 quart vegetable stock salt and pepper, to taste

to finish 1 bunch of swiss chard, roughly chopped 3 cups shiitake mushrooms, sliced 1 sprig rosemary 1/3 cup freshly squeezed orange juice 1 tbsp orange zest 1/2 tsp fresh cracked pepper 1 stick of butter salt and pepper, to taste grated parmesan, to taste

DIRECTIONS Preheat your oven to 400 degrees, take the split, deseeded squash and rub each side down with the olive oil, sprinkle with salt and place on a parchment lined baking sheet. Roast the squash for 1.5 hours, or until very tender. Blend roasted butternut squash into a puree, then cook excess water out in a saucepan until puree thickens.

Boil the cubed potato until tender, drain.

While the potato is still hot, push the cooked potato through a fine mesh strainer using the back side of a large spoon.

Combine 2 cups of loosely packed potato, 1 cup of the squash puree, beaten egg, 2 tsp salt, 2 cups of parmesan into a bowl and mix well. Gradually add in all of the flour until a dough forms.

Gently knead dough on a floured surface and cut into 8 equal pieces. Roll the pieces into 1/2” diameter ropes, then cut into 3/4” pieces.

Cook gnocchi in salted boiling water for 15 min. Once cooked, use a slotted spoon and place gnocchi onto a baking sheet, gently cover with plastic wrap and place back in the refrigerator.

The gnocchi are now ready to be sautéed to finish.

venison to still be peeking out, so only add enough stock to cover the meat about 3/4 of the way.

Pop the lid onto your dutch oven, place in oven and cook for 2-3 hours or until fork tender and shreddable. Let venison cool, then shred meat.

Next is the venison braise. Set your oven temp to 275. Braising is a great way to utilize tougher cuts of meat. I especially love braising venison necks, shanks, and hind quarters. Feel free to use any 3 lb cut of venison of your choice.

Now that the gnocchi and venison are done, it’s time to bring it all together.

Coat a large dutch oven with olive oil.

Turn the heat up to high. Liberally salt your venison and sear off each side until a nice thick brown crust forms. All of those yummy bits of flavor will take the braise to the next level.

Remove cooked veggies from skillet, and add remaining butter. Cook butter for about 10 minutes, until it becomes light brown and starts to smell nutty and sweet.

Remove seared venison from dutch oven, turn heat to medium low.

Using the back of a fork, gently press and roll each gnocchi to add texture to the round pastas.

Add onion, garlic and rosemary sprigs, salt and pepper to taste. Cook about 10 minutes, then deglaze the pan with 1 cup of marsala wine.

Once you cut all the gnocchi dough into pastas, refrigerate 1 hour.

Place your venison back in the pan and add vegetable stock. You want the

In a large skillet, use a small pat of butter and cook mushrooms and swiss chard until done.

Add cooked gnocchi to skillet, sauté for 5 more minutes then add swiss chard, mushrooms and shredded venison.

Add rosemary, orange juice, orange zest and cracked pepper. Toss to coat.

Finish with grated parmesan and enjoy.

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THE COOK An Atoll Adventure

by Gavin Hodgson

T

he bonefish here are different. We all knew that, but just what that meant became evident as the first few days of our trip passed. The big bones of Aitutaki have nowhere near the number of predators to fear as their Caribbean counterparts. Sharks are non-existent in the lagoon and barracuda are rare, so the bonefish do not really need to feed in skinny water and do not really need to shoal up. They do both occasionally, but bolder fish means there are often greater difficulties in seeing fish here. It also meant we had to wade very slowly and be ready for last minute casts, especially on days that weather conditions were not ideal. Strong winds made things tricky and made sink-tip lines a necessity.

ISLANDS

The fishing here is virtually untouched and needs to remain this way, or at the very least be treated with a protective approach.

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The guides certainly knew how to find and catch these bonefish. They have many clients that are happy to take fish from deep water, and milky water, or ‘muds’, which most of us were not interested in doing, something we made clear from the start.

A few fish were picked up along the way in our first few days fishing Aitutaki Lagoon. No monsters, but six and seven pound fish were taken and much larger fish were sighted. We were all excited to be casting to Trevally species, with many Bluefins and GT around the coral inside the reef edge.

After some challenging weather during our first week, we ventured to the distant atoll of Manuae. After a calm three hour crossing, we reached the reef and began to navigate the narrow passage into the lagoon.

After a quick look around the lagoon using the smaller boat, we saw a few bones and to our surprise, a couple of

schools of milkfish. There were triggers and trevally spotted too, so even if the bones looked to be in hiding, we were excited to get out there. We had only two nights and three days here, and it was clear we’d only scratch the surface, with only the rest of our first afternoon, one long full day and then our last morning to make the most of being in this very special place. The fishing here is virtually untouched and needs to remain this way, or at the very least be treated with a protective approach.

Winds were swinging around and it was the following morning that the stars aligned for Chris and myself. With considerable bonefishing experience under our belts, we discussed winds and tide and headed out in search of monster bones. Over the next few hours, we walked and waded a long way, spotting fish over white sand, mostly singles and occasional small groups with five or six fish maximum. The first fish caught was a solid eight pounds, fighting hard before being tailed for photos and released. I

waded farther out as Chris walked the shore. Bonefish here often just hang, hardly moving at all. I had a motionless shape in sight for a while, before it turned slightly and was identifiable as a fish. A large fish! I made a long cast, leading by three feet or so and letting the fly sink. The fish showed interest and very casually moved towards the fly. One small, slow strip to bump the lead eyes in the sand and the fish stopped over the fly. Strip set! “Yes!” I screamed to Chris, “This is a big ‘un!” with a few yee haw’s thrown in for good measure. I realized that he also had fish in sight where he was, 50 yards away from me and still close to shore. I saw him cast and quickly connect with a fish. A long scrap ensued for both if us. I was first to get the fish in and could see a strong hook hold, so I walked it gently to shore so we could take some photos. Having previously caught many large fish between us, we simultaneously guessed a conservative 12 pound weight for these fish. They lay next to each other at our feet, like a pair of spring salmon from the same spawn.

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I think this back to nature fishing approach is good for the soul.

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Isn’t it great that fishing returns us to childlike humor and hysterics?

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We headed back to camp for lunch after taking two more fish. Five bonefish had been caught, estimated at seven, eight, eleven and two twelve pounders. It was an incredible morning, and we had seen a couple of much larger fish that went unhooked. They didn’t get that big by being dumb.

Manuae Atoll is not for everyone. It is wild and your overnights are spent camping back on the beach under the pines. But we ate and drank well, and if you can forego the comforts of home for a while, you will be rewarded. I think this back to nature fishing approach is good for the soul. It is tiring, but it really is worth the effort, and provides an experience to treasure.

Other highlights from this trip were a large peach faced triggerfish, a stunning fish taken while it was swimming ahead of two bonefish. It was an impressive catch and a true giant we estimated at 20 pounds, with a face only a mother could love.

A GT was also caught on the short visit, though the large GTs eluded us. A number were seen and encountered close to the reef, with a couple of big fish lost, as they often are. A good number of bluefins were taken with Chris and I getting another double up during the same afternoon. A second fish tried taking the fly from his hooked fish. Once he had played the fish to his feet, I said, “quickly unhook and pass me that rod!” I made a short

cast and hooked the second fish, on the same rod and fly he’d used. It gave us a chance to make another terrible attempt at a double up selfie shot. Isn’t it great that fishing returns us to childlike humor and hysterics? I will most certainly be returning to experience it again.

For more information contact: www.flatsbag.com +44(0)7720716325

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CHICONE'S Drew

Coyote Ugly Spawning Shrimp

I

consider Florida home, but in the winter of 2014, my wife, our three-year-old daughter and I moved to Scottsdale, Arizona. I honestly thought my wife was kidding when she told me she was offered a once-in-alifetime opportunity for work—the only caveat being that we must commit to moving to the desert for a few years. Once the reality settled in that she was serious, I was dumbfounded and could barely speak. The thought of leaving salt water was like being sentenced to life in prison, and it took me a few moments to gather the words for a response. I think my exact reply was, “When I asked you to marry me I told you I would follow you to the gates of hell—I just didn’t think you would call me on it!” Long story short, I took one for the team and moved my tying room to what looked like the surface of the moon.

The lack of saltwater certainly didn’t stop me from thinking about it, nor did it slow me down from tying and designing saltwater patterns. Living in the desert seemed to fuel my passion, and it also opened my eyes to one of my now-favorite tying materials: coyote.

It was on a bow-hunting trip in the Sonoran Desert that I first encountered and had the chance to examine the colorations in a coyote pelt. I was astonished by the array of light-colored earth tones. They reminded me of the sand, shells and crustaceans of the sub-tropics. I had heard of coyote fur, mostly tails, being used in making streamers, but never gave it much thought. I quickly realized that coyote has a wider spectrum of color and texture than almost any other fly-tying material.

Back at the bench, I began experimenting with different techniques for applying this unique, multicolored fur. The soft fur found on the belly and legs is comprised of light gray, tan and cream. When wet, it blends to a near perfect match to the coloration of the Caribbean flats that I love to fish. It also proved ideal for spinning in a dubbing loop to create a thick, full body. I tied up several

different styles of crustaceans and began testing with them during our first session at Strip-Strike University at Abaco Lodge.

The original Coyote Ugly pattern was tied with medium bead chain eyes and four pairs of Sili Legs trimmed consecutively shorter as they were tied in closer to the bead chain eyes. This looked fantastically realistic on the bench. The configuration of the legs sat the head of the shrimp up at a 45-degree angle. This would have been perfect for bottom feeders. But when we tested it in the water, the fly turned over due to the buoyancy of the rubber legs, causing it to ride upside down and suspend in the water column. This would not work since the fly needed to get down to the bottom quickly.

One by one I cut out the legs, until the fly righted itself and rode correctly in the water. What was left were two pairs of legs at the very front of the fly. Next I bumped up the weight in the back of the fly to make sure it wouldn’t ride hook-up, and ensuring that it would not come up off the bottom too fast when stripped. The larger bead chain or dumbbell eyes helped to create that little cloud of mud like a fleeing

shrimp or crab on the bottom when the fly was stripped. This was paramount to triggering the strike.

After the few minor tweaks to correct the buoyancy issue, I had the fly riding correctly in the water. But it turned out to be less effective early in the morning or late in the day because it blended in so perfectly. I wanted to call a little more attention to the fly for those low-light fishing situations. A pinch of hot orange Finnish raccoon fur to emulate a spawning shrimp and a pair of my orange Crusher Legs were added. The fish keyed in on the fly right away. With both scenarios covered between the original and spawning variation, the Coyote Ugly caught fish all day—lots of them.

The Coyote Ugly and Coyote Ugly Spawning Shrimp were instant standouts, out-fishing my standard go-to bugs at an unbelievable rate. These new patterns proved to be a great choice for students to tie and quickly became a favorite of not only the school attendees, but the guides as well.

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4 STEP 1: Start the thread at the eye of the hook and wrap back 10 turns.

COYOTE UGLY SPAWNING SHRIMP

STEP 2: Attach the dumbbell eyes with a series of tight figureeight and doughnut wraps.

Materials Hook: Mustad S71SNP-DT, size 2 Thread: Beige Danville 6/0 Flymaster Eyes: Large EP Crab and Shrimp Eye; 5/32 or black nickel brass Dazl Eyes Legs: Micro clear/orange Chicone’s Crusher Legs Flash: Black and bonefish tan Krystal Flash Body: Coyote body fur and shrimp orange Finnish raccoon Adhesive: Loon Outdoors UV Clear Fly Finish Flow Weed guard: 30-pound Mason hard monofilament

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STEP 3: With a series of tight wraps, cover the hook shank until you have reached the bend of the hook. Double over the thread and tie in one black and one tan strand of Krystal Flash. Wrap down the bend of the hook eight to 10 turns, securing the four strands in place. Trim the flash to approximately twice the hook length.

STEP 4: With two loose wraps, roll a matchstick-sized section of coyote body fur around the Krystal Flash. Tighten the thread to secure in place and cover the butts of the fur with a series of tight wraps. The section of fur should be evenly distributed around the shank of the hook.

STEP 5: With a pair of needle-nose pliers, crimp a pair of EP monofilament eyes a quarter-inch down the post. The flattened segment will create an angle that will ensure the eyes protrude away from the body when secured in place.

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STEP 6: Position the monofilament eyes so they are angled slightly downward and extend just beyond the bend of the hook approximately a quarter of an inch. Wrap forward, covering the monofilament post, until you reach the point of the hook, then cut away the excess. Covering this portion of the mono post will help build up the body of the shrimp and keep the eyes from pulling out over a series of casts or when fighting a fish.

STEP 8: Turn the hook over in the vise, hook-point up, and tie in a matchstick-sized bunch of orange Finnish raccoon.

The tips of the fur should extend approximately half an inch beyond the monofilament eyes.

STEP 7: At the bend of the hook—on top of the mono eyes— tie in two orange/clear Crusher Legs. Double them over the thread at their middle. If you stretch them slightly after the first few wraps, it is much easier to position them where you want.

STEP 10: Directly behind the tie-in point for the legs, pull eight to 10 inches of thread off the bobbin and make a dubbing loop. Make a wrap over both legs of the loop to close the loop. Advance your thread to the dumbbell eyes.

STEP 9: Fold the butt ends of the Finnish raccoon forward and secure in place with several tight wraps. Trim the butt ends so they are even with the point of the hook.

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STEP 11: Whip finish behind the dumbbell eyes and cut away the thread.

STEP 12: Fill the loop with coyote body hair and space it out evenly. The trimmed ends of the hair should stick out approximately a quarter of an inch beyond the loop. The tips of the hair should stick out past the bend of the hook, the same length as the longest pair of rubber legs.

STEP 13: Spin the loop 40 to 50 turns to lock the hair in place between the two strands of thread. Using a dog brush or a dubbing needle, tease the hair in the loop.

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STEP 14: Wind the dubbing loop forward, stacking the first two wraps tightly so you have more hair at the head of the fly than on the body.

STEP 15: Stroke all the hair backward and out of the way with each turn. Do your best not to trap hairs under consecutive wraps.

STEP 16: Leave a slight gap between each forward turn, otherwise the fly will be too bulky and have difficulty sinking.

STEP 17: Once you reach the dumbbell eyes, and you have covered the shank with an even layer of coyote dubbing, pull away any excess fur still in the loop.

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STEP 18: Make one wrap in front of the dumbbell eyes with the empty loop and whip finish the loop twice.

make a cut along the back of the shrimp as closely as you can to the hook shank.

STEP 19: If you are not planning to apply a weed guard, you can apply a thin coat of your favorite head cement to the exposed thread wraps before combing out the fly for added durability.

STEP 22: Remove as much material as you can from the dumbbell eyes to the start of the hook bend. Good hook-clearance is crucial for hooking fish.

STEP 20: Using a dog brush, pick out the body of the shrimp.

This process makes the fly much easier to trim and eliminates any gaps in the body.

STEP 21: With the fly positioned in the vise hook-point up,

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26 STEP 23: Turn the fly over in the vise and trim the belly of the shrimp as closely as you can to the hook shank. Lay your scissors flat on the dumbbell eye and cut from the dumbbell to just before the bend of the hook. Be careful not to cut the Krystal Flash or the Crusher Legs. There should be approximately an eighth-inch of fur left to cover the hook and eyes of the fly.

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STEP 24: Align your scissors with the outside edge of the dumbbell eyes and remove the fur from one side of the fly.

Trim from the dumbbell eyes to the start of the hook bend.

STEP 25: Repeat on the opposite side of the fly so both sides are symmetrical.

STEP 26: With a few more cuts, clean up any sharp edges and round out the body of the shrimp.

STEP 27: Apply a thin coat of Loon Fly Finish Flow or your favorite head cement to the exposed thread wraps.

BIO: Drew Chicone of Fort Myers, Florida is one of today's top young fly designers. This article is from a 900-page threevolume set on original patterns for bonefish, tarpon and permit called Top Saltwater Flies scheduled for release in November

by Wild River Press. It’s the largest tying-instruction series ever published on the subject. To order online by credit card go to www.saltwaterflies.com or telephone 425-486-3638.

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The C o lor s An Angler of Indian S u m m e r . . .

Opines All is no t l os t

by Rock Dawson

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s we move out of the long, hot summer and towards the shorter, colder days of winter, we are lucky enough to have the transitional autumn season. The fishing heats up as the temperatures become more moderate, and it seems the fish and fishermen alike have a bit more spring in their steps. Depending on where you are and the year, the first real cold snap typically comes around November 1, setting up the perfect conditions for an Indian Summer. For over 200 years, The Old Farmers’ Almanac has lived by the mantra “If All Saints (November 1) brings out winter, St Martin’s (November 11) brings out Indian Summer.” Indian Summer is a warming trend, just behind the first early cold snap, accompanied by very little to no wind. Why we refer to this phenomenon as Indian Summer is up for debate, but what is certain is that it’s one last shot for many of us: one last shot at warm weather, one last shot at fall and, very possibly, one last shot at our favorite local saltwater species before they head out to deeper water for the winter. If the stars align, the fishing can be truly epic.

The Texas Gulf coast is one area that nearly always pays dividends during this period. October 31 is the peak of our flounder run. Around here, it’s known as Red October, but I think early to midNovember is even better for redfish.

All the fish are fattening up before they hunker down in deeper waters as the water temperatures drop. When you find the fish, they can be voracious. An added bonus in many areas is the lack of crowds on the water. Football, hunting, school and other activities seem to keep many people elsewhere, which can make the experience that much better.

The cooler temperatures make the days much more pleasant as well, especially down south where late summer fishing

can be downright brutal. Finally, and certainly very importantly this year, Atlantic hurricane season is basically done. (The Tampa Bay Hurricane of 1921 hit October 25, and is the latest to ever hit the U.S. mainland.) Put all of these factors together and it can make for one heck of a last hoorah.

I know that this year is a little bit different. My community is still feeling the effects of Harvey and will be for years to come, Floridians are still feeling the hurt from Irma and Puerto Rico may never be the same again after Maria. Maybe this is also the time that we really need to grab a friend and go fishing just to forget about this summer’s devastation, if only for a little while. So many have pitched in for the recovery effort, so many have helped neighbors get out of harm’s way and so many have lost so much. Maybe this is the year that we really do need Indian Summer, that one last chance to enjoy the coolness of fall after this brutal summer and before the cold of winter sets in. No more hurricanes, no true winter storms yet, little to no wind, blue skies and a few fabulous days of fishing may be just what we need to remind us that all is not lost.

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