Tail Fly Fishing Magazine - Issue #55 Sept/Oct 2021

9 YEARS

2012 2021 as the voice of CELBRATING

salt water fly fishing

FLY FISHING MAGAZINE

55 SEPT/OCT 2021

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2021

TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE 1

2 TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE

A pristine Bahamian flat provides a perfect venue for a long walk.

Photo: Kyle Banashek

TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE 3

Andy Mill with his personal best rooster somewhere in Mexico.

Photo: Gabriel Gabino

4 TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE

TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE 5

Until we meet again. Photo: Kyle Banashek

6 TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE

TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE 7

8 TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE

the next generation

T&T Ambassadors Jose and Parker Ucan spending time together in their home waters of the Yucatan Peninsula. Legendary guide Jose is patiently imparting his love of fishing to 8 year old son Parker who at such a young age has already landed a Permit on Fly. Handing down our knowledge and passion for the outdoors to the next generation is key to the survival and growth of flyfishing. At T&T we see a world of possibilities out there and believe the next generation should too.

SEXTANT THE NEW SEXTANT SALT WATER SERIES. 7 MODELS FROM 6 - 12 WEIGHT

AVAIL ABLE THIS SPRING

est

19 6 9

TH E RO D YO U WI LL E VENTUALLY OWN

www.thomasandthomas.com HANDMADE IN AMERICA

TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE 9

10 TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE

TM

GUIDE TESTED.

GUIDE TRUSTED. On the Cover: A beautiful Borski of course-ki.

Editor-In-Chief: Joseph Ballarini

Managing Editor: Trey Reid

Acquisitions Editor: George V. Roberts Jr.

Creative Director: Scott Morrison

Food Editor: Kelli Prescott

Travel Editor: Peter McLeod

West Coast Editor: Al Quattrocchi 55

Consulting Editor: Chico Fernandez

Contributing Editors: Andy Mill, Nicky Mill

Historians: Pete Barrett, Ed Mitchell

Editors-at-Large: Joe Doggett, Mark B. Hatter, Tom Keer, James P. Spica Jr.

Copy Editor: Leila Beasley

Intern to the Editor: Kyle Solomon

9 YEARS

2012 - 2021 as the voice of CELBRATING

salt water fly fishing

FLY FISHING MAGAZINE

SEPT/OCT 2021

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2021

Creative Contributors: Joe Doggett Trey Reid George V. Roberts Jr. Joseph Ballarini Chico Fernandez Garbriel Gabino

Andy Mill Henry Hughes Scott Sommerlatte Don Thomas Mauser Fly Fishing Justin Hodge

Arthur Lux Tim Borski Mark White Jesse Males Zarabia Mendivil Rob Munoz

About Tail Fly Fishing Magazine is the voice of saltwater fly fishing in a bimonthly print and digital publication. We focus on delivering high-quality content, the very best photography, destination travel, reputable commentary, and technical features from the saltwater fly fishing culture. Tail Fly Fishing Magazine began as a digital publication in 2012 and debuted as a print magazine in 2016. Combined, the digital and print versions reach readers in more than 45 countries.

In many places throughout the world, fly fishing has become important to both people and the environment. As a method of fishing imbued with values of stewardship and conservation, it connects people with the marine world in significant and positive ways. We, the anglers, are the last line of defense for our outdoor spaces.

Tail Fly Fishing Magazine supports the arts and creativity, conservation, and organizations that trumpet this message. We’re grateful for your support and we welcome photographic and written contributions.

TFFM is published six times annually, and your print subscription includes the digital version. Subscriptions are available through our website. International subscriptions are also available for most countries. Please contact our general mailbox, admin@tailflyfishing.com, with any advertising, subscription, or submission questions.

engineered with patented features

More ... For Less [ Explore The Difference ]

Tail Fly Fishing Magazine 2300 Alton Road Miami Beach, FL 33140 305-763-8285 tailflyfishing.com

Visit Us:

www.3-TAND.com 203.345.7000

IN LOVING MEMORY OF JOHN C. MELFI

info@3-TAND.com @3tandreels

TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE 11

60 Watson Blvd. Stratford, CT 06615

A WHOLE NEW LEVEL OF HIGH-PER 12 TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE

%(67 2) 6+2:

%(67 2) 6+2:

%(67 2) 6+2:

)/< 52' 6$/7:$7(5

'(19(5 &2

'(19(5 &2

RFORMANCE, HANDCRAFTED FLY RODS.

Salty. And Sweet.

SCOTTFLYROD.COM • (970) 249-3180

What perfect saltwater fly rod dreams are made of.

Scott Fly Rod Company | Handcrafted at 2355 Air Park Way, Montrose, Colorado 81401 | 970.249.3180 | www.scottflyrod.com

TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE 13

CONTENTS 20 24 30 38 46

INSIDE THE BOX - Trey Reid No matter what’s inside your fly box, it’s almost certain that something in it came from a small family-owned business in the landlocked Arkansas Ozarks. Wapsi Fly may not be a household name, but maybe it should be.

OVERBOARD - Henry Hughes This issue marks another first for TFFM—a foray into short fiction. We can think of no more talented author to blaze the trail for us than Henry Hughes. Mix a cocktail, settle back in your favorite reading chair, and take the plunge.

THE ESSENCE OF TIM BORSKI - Joseph Ballarini You’ve probably fished one of his iconic fly patterns.

You might even be fortunate enough to own one of his hand-painted reels. This Greta Garbo of saltwater fly fishing would rather be hunting snakes in the Everglades than giving interviews. TFFM’s Editor-inChief flushes Tim Borski out of tight cover.

MAUSER FLY FISHING - TFFM Staff North Carolina is known for many things, including some amazing saltwater fishing along its coast.

Thanks to longtime redfish guide John Mauser, the Tar Heel State’s Crystal Coast is also gaining recognition as home to one of the newest entries in the premium fly rod market.

PRIMARY RED - Joseph Ballarini The arrival of the autumnal equinox each year renews interest in redfish, which dominate the fall fly fishing landscape as much as the waning daylight hours and cooling water temperatures. Here’s a primer for those venturing into the bullish world of redfish.

14 TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE

50

FLY TYING - Jesse Males The Natty Light is a straightforward redfish fly with an excellent track record of success. The guys at Back Waters Fly Fishing provide easy-to-follow instructions to get you ready for the fall.

54

GEAR GUIDE - TFFM Staff Whether you’re looking for new fishing gear, a close shave, or a way to elevate your barbecue game, this issue’s gear picks will lead you in the right direction.

58 66 74 78

MANGROVE MAGIC - Chico Fernandez Chico is widely known for his numerous fly patterns and casting instruction, but with more than six decades of on-the-water experience, he has lessons to share about multiple aspects of fly fishing. Class is now in session for the ultimate guide to fishing mangrove shorelines.

O’IO CHALLENGE - E. Donnall Thomas Jr. Compared to their Albula cousins elsewhere, Hawaiian bonefish present a different set of challenges. But big fish and the satisfaction of meeting those challenges make o’io worth the effort—and sometimes even worth the frustration of frequent refusals.

UISGE BEATHA - Mark White In Scots Gaelic, the phrase means “water of life.” It refers, of course, to Scotch whisky. Mark White takes a deep dive into the single malts and blended whiskies of Scotland, explaining the nuances of taste and geography.

ROOSTERS OF MAGS BAY - Andy Mill Andy Mill has helped us become better anglers with his insightful technical pieces, but in this issue he’s providing a different kind of inspiration, traveling to Mexico’s Magdalena Bay in search of roosterfish on the fly.

88 92

WAIT FOR WEIGHT - Joe Doggett If you’ve fished for more than a week, you’ve been guilty of a premature hookset. The affliction is acute when faced with sight-fishing situations and topwater action.

Joe Doggett feels your pain, and he offers a humorous take on why it happens and what you can do about it.

UNDERTOW: SEPTEMBER - George Roberts September 2001 was an inflection point for a nation.

Looking back on it 20 years later, George Roberts reveals it was also a personal inflection point, and many things, including a favorite fishing retreat, would never be the same.

TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE 15

Passage of Time IN SEPTEMBER 2011, the country was reliving the horrific tragedy of 9/11 at the 10-year anniversary. I sat with cocktail in hand and remembered watching it unfold in real time on the big screen in my medical school’s student lounge. I remember the emotions and sadness, classmates frantically calling family members who were living in New York City, all while figuring out how to use the cell phone I had just purchased to stay in touch with my own family.

THE REALIZATION that I hadn’t done anything with my life hit me like a shovel in the face. Sure, I went to medical school, but if my life ended right then, I would have left nothing behind except a selection of nicely tied saltwater flies, a drum set, and a diploma.

THE REFLECTION was not only because of the horrible tragedy, but also how quickly 10 years had passed, and there I was, still on the couch with a cocktail in hand, planning my next fishing trip.

I MADE A DECISION to get serious with the woman I was dating (she’s now my wife) and to start a family. I also wanted to do something memorable and leave something that would be around after I wasn’t. That mindset, paired with increasing frustration with trying to find quality information about saltwater fly fishing, is how Tail Fly Fishing Magazine was conceived.

IT TOOK US A FULL YEAR to plan and build, but the first issue launched in September 2012. I can’t say that TFFM

16 TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE

— from the editor will be around after I am not, but for now, we can celebrate our nine-year anniversary with Issue 55 (Volume 10, Issue 1). It’s a good time for a heartfelt “thank you” to our readers; you’re the reason we’re here. It’s truly an honor to be able to do this.

ISSUE 55 IS SPECIAL for many reasons beyond the milestone. Andy Mill has deviated from his usual technical pieces, contributing a travel feature about his recent experience with roosterfish in Baja California; it’s possibly my favorite of Andy’s contributions thus far. Chico Fernandez is back and takes on the technical stuff with a clinic on how to fish the mangroves. George Roberts’ Undertow is powerful and memorable. Joe Doggett and Don Thomas return with some of their best contributions, and Henry Hughes, who has contributed poetry in the past, provides our first foray into short fiction.

I SHOULD ALSO MENTION that Don Thomas and his wife, Lori, won the Ted Trueblood Award for outdoor writing excellence in June. Congratulations, Don and Lori.

AS WE TRY to continue raising the bar, I say with pride, this issue is better than the last. I hope you enjoy Number 55.

Joseph Ballarini Editor in Chief

Photography: Capt. Bailey Short & Capt. Greg Moon

THE NEW ICONIC FLY REEL AMERICAN MADE EXCELLENCE HATCHOUTDOORS.COM TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE 17

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

ALASKA Mossy’s Fly Shop 750 W. Diamond Blvd, Suite 114 Anchorage, AK 99515 907-770-2666 mossysflyshop.com CALIFORNIA Bob Marriott’s Fly Fishing Store 2700 W. Orangethorpe Ave Fullerton, CA 92833 714-525-1827 bobmarriottsflyfishingstore. com

The Angling Company 333 Simonton St Key West, FL 33040 305-292-6306 anglingcompany.com The Tide 26 Grouper Hole Drive Boca Grande, FL 33921 941-964-2417 GEORGIA

COLORADO

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

Front Range Anglers 2344 Pearl Street Boulder, CO 80302 303-494-1375 frontrangeanglers.com

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

CONNECTICUT

LOUISIANA

The Compleat Angler 541 Boston Post Road Darien, CT 06820 203-655-9400 compleatangleronline.com

Marsh & Bayou Outfitters 2600 Florida St Suite 3 Mandeville, LA 70448 985-869-7335 marshandbayououtfitters.com

FLORIDA

ORVIS Baton Rouge Perkins Rowe, Bldg. H 7601 Bluebonnet Blvd., Ste. 140 Baton Rouge LA 70810 225-757-7286 Orvis.com

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

MARYLAND

Florida Keys Outfitters 81219 Overseas Highway Islamorada, FL 33036 305-664-5432 floridakeysoutfitters.com

Alltackle 2062 Somerville Rd Annapolis, MD 21401 888-810-7283 alltackle.com

Mangrove Outfitters 4111 Tamiami Trail E Naples, FL 34112 239-793-3370 mangroveoutfitters.com

MASSACHUSETTS

Ole Florida Fly Shop 6353 N. Federal Hwy Boca Raton, FL 33487 561-995-1929 olefloridaflyshop.com

The Bear’s Den 34 Robert W. Boyden Rd Taunton, MA 02780 508-977-0700 bearsden.com Kismet Outfitters 204 UPPER MAIN STREET Edgartown, MA 02539 860-944-5225 kismetoutfitters.com

RHODE ISLAND

UTAH

The Saltwater Edge 1037 Aquidneck Ave Middletown, RI 02842 866-793-6733 saltwateredge.com

Fishwest 47 West 10600 South Sandy, UT 84070 fishwest.com 801-617-1225

SOUTH CAROLINA

WASHINGTON

Bay Street Outfitters 825 Bay Street Beaufort, SC 29902 843-524-5250 baystreetoutfitters.com

Peninsula Outfitters 19740 7th Ave NE, Suite 110 Poulsbo, WA 98370 360-394-1599 peninsulaoutfitters.com

ORVIS Charleston 535 King St. Charleston, SC 29403 (854) 999-4985 Orvis.com

The Avid Angler 17171 Bothell Way NE #A272 Lake Forest Park, WA 98155 206-362-4030 avidangler.com

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

WYOMING

TEXAS Bayou City Angler 3641 Westheimer Rd Suite A Houston, TX 77027 832-831-3104 bayoucityangler.com Gordy & Sons Outfitters 22 Waugh Drive Houston, TX 77007 713-333-3474 gordyandsons.com ORVIS Austin 10000 Research Blvd - B04B Austin TX 78759 512-795-8004 Orvis.com ORVIS Houston 5727 Westheimer - Suite A Houston TX 77057 713-783-2111 Orvis.com ORVIS Plano Preston Towne Crossing 2412 Preston Road Suite 200 Plano, TX 75093 972-596-7529 Orvis.com

Lander Fly Shop 305 Main Street Lander, WY 82520 307-438-3439 landerflyshop.com Retail Chains: Barnes & Noble—630 retail locations in the USA Books-A-Million—260 stores in 32 states Bass Pro Shops—95 locations in the USA Dick’s Sporting Goods (select locations)—over 700 stores in the USA Field & Stream Stores—35 locations in the USA Indigo Books—over 200 stores under various banners BAHAMAS Blackfly Lodge Schooner Bay Abaco, Bahamas 904-997-2220 blackflylodge.com CANADA

ORVIS San Antonio 7427 San Pedro Ave. Suite 104 San Antonio, TX 78216 210-812-3017 Orvis.com

Drift Outfitters & Fly Shop 199 Queen St. East Toronto Ontario M5A-1S2 647-347-7370 Driftoutfitters.com

NEW YORK

Sportsman’s Finest 12434 Bee Cave Road Austin, TX 78738 512-263-1888 sportsmansfinest.com

Fish Tales Fly Shop Ltd. #626, 12100 Macleod Trail SE Calgary AB T2J 7G9 Canada 866-640-1273 fishtalesflyshop.com

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

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

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

Seven Mile Fly Shop 1638 Overseas Highway Marathon, FL 33050 (305) 440-3406 sevenmileflyshop.com

NORTH CAROLINA

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

Orlando Outfitters 2814 Corrine Dr Orlando, FL 32803 407-896-8220 orlandooutfitters.com ORVIS Ocean Reef 1 Fishing Village Drive Key Largo FL 33037 305-367-2227 Orvis.com

18 TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE

MONTANA Frontier Anglers 680 N. Montana St Dillion, MT 59725 406-683-5276 frontieranglers.com

OBX on the Fly 107 Sir Walter Raleigh St Manteo, NC 27954 obxonthefly.com

We case YOUR

memories...

John MacGillivray / Dorsey Pictures

SEA RUN Fly Fishing Travel Cases (833) 634-7464 • searuncases.com

100% Made in Italy by Negrini Case

TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE 19

WAPSI FLY: LITTLE COMPANY, BIG IMPACT

20 TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE

by Trey Reid No matter what’s inside your

patterns for GTs in the Seychelles,

hides; and sells more than 2 million

the materials that make up your flies

lead dumbbell eyes (and millions

likely were processed by Wapsi.

of other similar products). Most of

saltwater fly box, there’s a good

Wapsi’s manufacturing processes

chance something in it came from

It’s a bold claim until you consider

require hands-on labor, including the

a small company in the landlocked

the volume of material Wapsi handles

packaging of its various products into

Arkansas Ozarks.

each year. The company, which

the more than 3.5 million zippered

occupies a 65,000-square-foot facility

plastic bags the company uses in a

Wapsi Fly Inc. is the world’s largest

in Mountain Home, Arkansas, sells fly

year. Although Wapsi’s name appears

wholesale supplier of fly tying

tying materials to customers in 35

on some of its products in fly shops,

materials. It’s not a fly production

countries. Each year, Wapsi processes

you’ll never see the company’s logo

company, but whether you’re casting

tons of marabou and sundry other

on the mountains of materials it

crustaceans at redfish on the Gulf

feathers, furs, and fibers; cuts, sorts,

produces for some of the industry’s

Coast or speed-stripping baitfish

and dyes more than 2,000 deer

biggest names.

TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE 21

Lacy Gee of Independence, Iowa,

The Schmueckers shifted production

materials in the dye vats, and the

started Wapsi in 1945. His former

away from tying and toward bulk

shopping carts used by employees

employer, the Wapsi Produce

materials, a move expedited by

who fill orders for Wapsi’s thousands

Company, provided a steady supply

economic forces that pushed most

of customers.

of poultry feathers, and within

production fly tying off of US soil. The

a few years Gee had established

business grew rapidly, but less than a

Most of the processes for turning raw

a solid business on the banks of

decade after resettling in Arkansas,

material into tying material require

the Wapsipinicon River. His 16

a fire destroyed Wapsi’s warehouse

human hands. Wapsi has about 50

employees were tying about 15,000

and severely damaged its offices and

employees at its factory and another

flies a week, mostly for major

finished-products building. Employees

20 who work from home. Today, Karl,

industry players. But even then,

joined forces with community

Joe, and Eric Schmuecker, sons of

tying accounted for just a third

volunteers and industry friends to

Tom and Ann, oversee the company

of Wapsi’s business, with sales of

rebuild and expand.

with several longtime employees.

bulk feathers and other packaged materials comprising the rest.

Wapsi’s product introductions and Just as fly tying requires innovation

innovations have included dyed

and imagination, Wapsi has relied on

grizzly marabou, Mylar cord, Ultra

Tom and Ann Schmuecker, who

creative solutions to develop efficient

Chenille, Sili Legs, lead-free eyes, and

farmed Angus cattle and Plymouth

manufacturing techniques, allowing

many others. Wapsi Fly Inc. continues

barred rock chickens near Amana,

the company to scale production to

to transform a dizzying quantity of

Iowa, sold feathers to Gee. They

meet the world’s fly tying demands.

feathers, furs, and fibers into the

bought the company in 1973 and

A big machine originally made for

ingredients that tiers piece together

moved it to north-central Arkansas

spinning fibers into cigarette filters

to fill fly boxes across the globe.

in 1978, drawn by a warmer climate,

now spins dubbing. The company

new facilities, and good fishing.

uses industrial laundry machines

(Tom Schmuecker says he settled

for dyeing and bleaching hackles

on Mountain Home after placing a

and pelts. Other repurposed tools

cup over a map and tracing a circle

are lower-tech solutions, such as

that included Bull Shoals and Norfork

the spool-winder Tom Schmuecker

lakes, White River, and countless

designed using the rim of a bicycle

Ozark smallmouth streams.)

tire, the boat paddles used to agitate

22 TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE

PHOTOGRAPHY: MATT HARRIS

“DROP IN ON MILL HOUSE PODCAST AND CATCH HISTORY IN THE MAKING.” - FLIP PALLOT -

WATCH LISTEN AND LEARN AT MILLHOUSEPODCAST.COM / @MILLHOUSEPODCAST TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE 23

OVERBOAR D

by Henry Hughes

24 TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE

“If we get some fish and crabs,” Mateo said on the phone, “we’ll make a nice dinner. Just the three of us.”

Just the three of us vibrated through me. Before Mateo and Katelyn had become a couple and gotten married, she and I were lovers. Then we suddenly found it hard to talk to each other outside of the bedroom. A month after we broke up, Mateo asked, “Is it cool if I take out Katelyn?” Mateo and I were solid fishing buddies. “Yeah, it’s cool,” I said, wrapping a pinch of polar flash onto a streamer. At first it felt a little weird when we all hung out. But Katelyn and I were getting along again as friends. “You two are great together,” I said one night after a couple drinks—and I meant it—though my mind often returned to moments with Katelyn.

Mateo and Katelyn had moved from Oregon to Tucson to take care of Mateo’s ailing mother, who died a year after they arrived. It had been five years since I had seen them, and they mostly emailed and texted, sending photos and holiday greetings. I could see by their guided tarpon trips to Cuba and Costa Rica, their clothes and cars, that they were doing all right. Mateo’s mother left them some money, and they built up a successful Latin American restaurant. Katelyn ran the bar. “Gotta come down for some of that,” I promised her on the phone, sitting alone in my dark house on Christmas. I built decks and fences, but there wasn’t much work in winter. “Maybe you can build us a big house,” Katelyn said. “And we’ll all live together.” Was she serious?

Mateo and Katelyn rented a beach house and met me at the ramp parking lot on a chilly October morning. They wore new Simms jackets and shiny high boots with the tops turned down. Katelyn hugged me in my grubby blood- and grease-stained yellow bibs. I could smell her almondy hair falling in soft brown waves from her wool cap. “¿Cómo estás, mi capitán?” Mateo hugged me. His buzz cut brought out the muscles in his jaw and neck. “How’s Loretta? No leaks, ¿hay?”

Loretta was my 20-foot yellow-and-green dory named after my grandfather’s first wife.

He was a commercial salmon troller who built and ran the boat out of Pacific City. During the golden days of the early 1970s, a single haul of salmon brought a thousand dollars or more. Then Loretta threw him out for drinking. He moved to Newport, sobered up, remarried a dog groomer, and fished for 10 years with declining profits. My father and I also worked Loretta, diversifying with bottom fish but barely making a living. We sold lingcod to Mateo’s family, and the restaurant’s fish tacos became legendary. My father died leaving me bills and Loretta—it’s bad luck to change a boat’s name.

Outside the marina, I pushed down the throttle and the flat-bottomed dory planed smoothly across the bay. Katelyn put her hand on my back. “We’ve missed you. How’s work?”

“My body’s feeling it.” I rolled my right shoulder and eyed the heavy stack of crab pots.

And though I didn’t say it, my spirits also felt battered and low. The ocean’s long leaden swells were parted by a gray whale that blew a heart-shaped fountain of mist. “Oh, wow,” Katelyn sang. “It’s great to be back.” Her dark eyes followed the motions of the sea.

TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE 25

A couple of miles beyond the jetty, I

and we always found it best to use

dance, bow-riding the waves like a

nodded and Mateo tossed over the

different hairs from different deer.

surfer. I remembered him getting

yellow-and-green buoy, paying out

Super-long, wispy strands for the

beaten up in junior high. They called

the nylon line. It was good to be out

body and wag; short, stiff, and curly

him greaseball and wetback. That

with a seasoned hand. “Okay, toss it

hairs for the head. You rarely find

was until he saved that dog from

over,” I said.

that on the same tail. “All kinds of

drowning. He was fishing off the jetty

tail out there,” Mateo would say.

and saw a collie struggling in the

The round pot splashed and quickly

channel. He went in after it, grabbed

sank. “A la mesa, cangrejos,” Mateo

He held the fly and smiled, stepping

its collar, and swam back to the rocks.

rang the dinner bell. We set three

up to the cuddy cabin.

The frantic owner ran down and

traps and turned back toward the inlet.

saw the whole thing; someone took “Just fish from the stern. I’ll swing

video and called the news. At 13, the

you around.”

handsome, heroic Mateo had become

“Looks like you two are doing great,” I

a celebrity.

said. “The restaurant’s taken off, eh?

“I always fished from the bow,”

Must be your mother’s old recipes.”

he insisted. “The wood’s still good,

Mateo made another graceful cast

yeah?”

and instantly charmed a bigger fish.

“It’s my cocktail menu.” Katelyn smiled.

Katelyn netted it.

“Solid,” I confirmed, a little annoyed. I had rebuilt the cabin myself.

“Speaking of cocktails,” Mateo

“Hey, look at that,” I pointed. A whale rose and spouted a hundred feet from

unzipped a soft cooler. “We’ve already

Mateo climbed on the yellow, slightly

started. You’re behind. We can make

convex roof. There was no railing, and

you a bloody Mary, a hot spiced

when the boat rocked, he bent his

“Crazy,” Mateo said, hooking what

brandy, or Kate’s café Panama with

knees slightly.

seemed like a much larger fish that

cinnamon and cacao rum.”

bent the rod and took line. “¡Una “You can cast,” I gestured to Katelyn.

“When we get past the Coast Guard

the boat.

bonanza!”

“Grab my rod.”

station,” I grinned, “a bloody Mary

The whale surfaced again. Katelyn

would be great.”

“I’ll just watch for now,” she said.

took a photo. We didn’t notice the

Mateo splashed vodka into two tin

A couple of large commercial fishing

that had passed a minute before. The

cups, followed by a red mix and an

boats left the inlet heading north.

wave slammed Loretta broadside, and

olive, handing one to Katelyn. She

They wouldn’t disturb this action.

Mateo fell off the bow.

took a tiny sip and tucked the cup

We approached slowly, the air sharp

behind the radio on the console.

with crying gulls. Rockfish chased

Mateo downed his with an ahh.

panicked anchovies into tight balls

deep wake of an 80-foot steel dragger

that exploded on the surface.

As we approached the jetty, gulls and

“Jesus,” I shouted.

He swam awkwardly in his heavy clothes, one hand still gripping the

terns were flocking and dipping, the

Mateo sent out a long cast, stripped,

fly rod. I tossed him a dock line.

surface ripped with the fins and tails

and immediately hooked a fish. “Aw-

He got it, and we pulled him close.

of feeding rockfish. “Here we go,”

right,” I cheered. It was the best I’d

“Take the rod,” he sputtered. Katelyn

I shouted, pointing to a pre-rigged

felt in a while.

grabbed the rod and dropped it on

7-weight rod with a floating line and a bucktail Deceiver.

the deck. “It’s okay now,” I said. “It’s Mateo steered the chunky black

okay, buddy.” No one could climb the

rockfish toward Katelyn, who was

high sides of a dory. We pulled him to

Mateo and I had tied hundreds of

holding the long-handled net. He

the stern’s swimming platform and

salty streamers over the years,

was beaming and doing a little

he stepped on the rung. He grabbed

26 TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE

a cleat, and I hauled him in. He

“I shoulda been watching those

“Business is okay. He works so hard,

collapsed on the deck and laughed. I

waves.” I put my hand on his

but there’s too much competition

cracked up with him.

trembling shoulder.

down there. We’ve had an offer from someone who wants to buy it. A good

“You could’ve died.” Katelyn was not

“You weren’t looking for waves.”

offer. We should take it and start

happy.

Mateo crossed his arms tightly.

again here.”

“I’ll go to the house and get a hot Mateo, still laughing, gasped, “Hey,

shower. You two gotta pull those

“I’d love for you to move back,” I

hey,” pointing to the rod sliding away.

traps.”

said and started the engine. “Let’s

“Reel in that fish!”

make the most of this day. We’ll let “I can handle it,” I said. “No, no,”

those crab pots soak. How about a

Katelyn lifted the rod and reeled

Mateo waved his hands. “It’s a nice

run upriver? Good place for a picnic.

until it arced sharply. “Oh,” she said.

day. Just not for going overboard.”

Whaddya say?”

in the waves. Mateo stood, soaked

Katelyn did not protest. Mateo made

The bay opened in vast mudflats and

and dripping, and picked up the net.

sure he had his keys. His wet phone

marshes dotted with shorebirds and

We all watched a powerful lateral

seemed to work. His words slurred

ducks. As we headed east, the water

run—this was no rockfish—and then

inside a stiffening jaw and his smile

narrowed into a river, the banks

a silver acrobatic leap.

was gone. “Shee yous later,” he

wilder, spiked in dense stands of fir

said, trudging up the dock toward

and cedar. We motored past rotted

Katelyn had some experience fly

the parking lot. I leaned back in the

pilings and the mossy hulk of an old

fishing, but this coho tested her,

pilot’s chair and shook my head. “He’s

trawler. “How old do you think that

shooting under and around the

so crazy sometimes,” Katelyn said.

boat is?” Katelyn asked. “Hard to tell.”

I took Loretta’s helm and righted her

hull, close to the engine shaft,

I turned in for a closer look. “1950s?”

then straight out toward the rocks.

“Seriously, Katelyn. If you want to go

Mateo and I coached. “I got this,”

back with him, I can pull those pots.”

“Think of the stories it could tell.

she shushed us. The salmon seemed

But I hoped she would stay.

Wonder why it was abandoned?”

in leaps and twists beside the boat.

“He was showing off in front of us—

“Wood boats need a lot of work.

Mateo got the net under its head

in front of you. He feels competitive

Loretta would be long gone if we

and lifted just as the fly popped

with you. And he drinks too much.”

didn’t baby her. Dad and I put a new

ready to surrender, only to explode

out. We both hugged Katelyn. Mateo insisted we do a round of shots. The

bottom on her. It’s one of the best “We all drink too much,” I said.

things we did together.”

“He never used to. He spends too

“I wish Mateo had something like

much time at the restaurant.”

that,” Katelyn frowned. “His father

fin-clipped buck coho—about 10 pounds—joined the rockfish on ice.

“You’re freezing.” Katelyn cupped her

had a beautiful fishing boat in

hands around Mateo’s shivering face.

“Maybe. But competitive? With

Panama. Then they lost everything

The water was in the low 50s. The

me? What do I got? You got the

with Noriega.”

wind blew through his salty hair.

restaurant, the trips. Look at your

I put the engine in gear and charged

friggin’ rain gear. Does it even rain in

“Really? He’s never talked about his

Tucson? You’re kidding me, right?”

dad with me.”

“That was mostly his mother’s

“He died right after they got to the

money, and it’s gone now.”

States when Mateo was little. I only

for the marina. Mateo huddled under the cuddy, Katelyn beside him.

At the dock, Mateo stood up, a bit wobbly. “Sorry, man. I fucked up. I’m not 25 anymore.”

know these things from his mother.”

“Gone?”

I cut the engine and the boat drifted

TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE 27

gently in the calm water. Katelyn

down with good people. Move back

with a sinking line—the white-and-

mixed a couple of her famous Cosmo

here. It’s not too late for us to have

blue streamer fresh out of the vise.

Canals, and offered a torta stuffed

kids. I’m 31.”

with a spicy guisado and cheese.

“The Husky Jay.” I danced the fly Katelyn called Mateo, but he didn’t

before her eyes. “My grandfather’s

“Delicious,” I said, and we started to

pick up. “I bet he’s sleeping,” she

second wife was a dog groomer.

talk. Life in Tucson, money, marriage,

said. She slipped the phone back into

Sometimes customers complained

the future. I could feel the intimacy

her bag. Out of the wind, under the

about an odd notch missing from

of our old friendship, and something

climbing sun, we felt warm and took

their pooch’s tail. I still have packages

more. “He doesn’t want to have kids,”

off our jackets. Katelyn pulled off her

of that stuff.”

Katelyn said.

black cap and shook out her shining hair.

“Are you serious?”

“You think I need a new bottom?” She

“Yeah. The white tail of an Eskimo

did a slow pirouette and smiled.

dog works great on these streamers.

“Do you?”

“I think I do. He doesn’t even want a dog. He wants us to get away and do all these young party swinger things.”

The jay—well, you can thank my “Definitely not,” I said. “She looks

cats.”

sound to me.”

“Swinging?” My eyebrows went up.

“Well, not exactly.”

“Wow.” I tossed down the Cosmo.

Katelyn laughed and started Twenty feet from the boat, a bright

casting. “What are they doing?” She

coho rocketed out of the water.

pointed to a dark boat trolling in the

Then another splashed upstream,

distance.

and another. I thought this might happen. During the tide change

“Probably pulling hoochies through

She finished her drink and opened the

there was a short window, maybe 20

that slot,” I said.

bottle of vodka. “That’s why I was so

minutes, when the fish went crazy.

happy to see you. You’re a solid friend

“Okay, here’s your chance for another

“That sounds naughty.” Katelyn made

to Mateo, to me. I want us to settle

salmon.” I handed her an 8-weight rod

a long cast and started stripping line.

28 TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE

later.”

A bolt of silver shot across the

of her chest, her arms squeezing

surface.

me long, a little longer. Everything

She looked at me, knowing it wasn’t

tingled. Then I let her go.

true.

“Try Mateo again,” I said.

“We better check those crab pots.” I

“Yes,” she shouted, her rod bouncing as the salmon took line. It was another good fish, as bright and

reached over to turn the key.

powerful as the ocean buck. After a few runs and leaps, she brought it in,

“Hold on. I like it here.” She put her

and I leaned way over with the net.

hand on the back of my arm. “If I catch another fish—how about that? If I

“Don’t you go overboard on me,” she

catch another salmon, will you promise

said.

to come?” She tilted her head in a way I remembered: soft, warm mornings

I looked back at her and smiled, then

in bed together. Katelyn asking me

turned to the fish. I could see the

to stay, while winter wind and rain

adipose fin: a shining wild hen.

buffeted the small house.

“Let’s skip the picture. I’ll let her go

“Sure,” I smiled.

right here.” I reached down with the needle-nose pliers and popped out

“He’ll be alright by dinner,” she said.

She picked up the rod and started

the Husky Jay.

“You’re gonna join us, right?”

casting.

“That was great,” Katelyn said,

“I’ll see. I’ve got some stuff going on

hugging me. I could feel the swell

TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE 29

E H T

30 TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE

N E C S S E E

I K S R OF TIM BO

“Occasionally, I wear socks.”

“I was never a guide.”

“I don’t read fishing books; cookbooks are my thing.”

by Joseph Ballarini Nothing about Tim Borski is ordinary, beginning with the ponytail palm that obliquely blocks the entrance to his studio. Ordinary people would have it removed, but Tim jokes about how visitors, particularly his fatherin-law, routinely encourage him to consider taking it down. (He laughs hard telling these stories.) Beyond the tree, inside his studio, you are greeted by an explosion of visuals: recent works; fishing gear, vintage and new, fly and conventional; a shark bouy named “BoBo”; and an incredibly simple fly-tying station with another characteristically Borski item: a freshly tied fly in the vise.

Before his art was recognized and became sought after by collectors, Tim Borski was a fly tier.

He became popular for his simple, unique, and effective flies, many of which you’ve probably fished.

Over the years, the “Borski” designation has been left off of some of his more popular creations, like the Bonefish Critter, Bonefish Slider, Green Zima, Chernobyl Crab, Haystack, and dozens more. He professes that his favorite pattern is the Chernobyl Crab because it catches everything from permit to walleye. Borski

TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE 31

32 TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE

mentions and shares photos he

books. (If you’ll recall, Borski only

has received over the years—from

reads cookbooks.)

remote regions all over the world—of fish with a Chernobyl Crab stuck in

After his first fly, the genie was out

the lip. “It will work on just about

of the bottle.

everything,” he says.

Borski began working on his own Borski tied his first fly back in 1986,

patterns based on his observations,

when Frank Oblak, husband of his

strengthened by his very perceptive

then boss, Patty Oblack at the Miami

and analytical eyes. Much like his

Pearl Arts & Crafts Store, shared

approach to painting, every part of

his enthusiasm for fly tying with

the fly mattered and had a specific

Borski. Frank fielded all of Tim’s dumb

purpose. “Good materials are the key

questions and sped the learning

to good flies,” he says. This approach

curve. Tim says he is forever grateful

is obvious in patterns like Borski’s

to them. Being from Wisconsin,

Butterfly and the Borski Craft Fur

Borski was an outdoorsman who

Worm, which uses only one material.

fished and hunted regularly and

The simplicity of his flies makes it

who had fished for many species up

essential to use the highest quality

North—but he had never attempted

materials. “You can’t make good wine

to tie a fly. There was no YouTube in

with shitty grapes,” Borski says.

1986, so locating fly-tying instruction

After gaining modest local popularity

required a trip to the library to find

with his flies and his early paintings,

It didn’t take long for Borski’s observational skills and defiance of convention to pay off.

TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE 33

Borski was invited to fish for tarpon in the Florida Keys by Randy Towe, who owned the Keys fly shop World Class Outfitters. After fishing that day, Towe offered him a job in the shop, which Borski accepted immediately. Living and working in the fly fishing industry in the Florida Keys was a dream come true, an ideal place for an observant and creative person to immerse himself in the environment. Borski fished every day and studied the wildlife, including birds, snakes, insects, and anything else he encountered. He learned much during his time at World Class Outfitters, but two things stood out: First, he wanted to live life on his

34 TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE

terms and use his talent to create his future. Second, relying on his creative talent was absolutely necessary because he was a terrible retail salesman.

Tim Borski the artist emerged.

His artwork is undeniably Bork, identified with a simple glance, but his approach to the unique quality of his painting seems to be the anchorpoint of his entire life. Every stroke of paint is methodical. I once heard him say that he spends a lot of time making his paintings look like they don’t take a lot of time. I believe he is referring to essence, which is my summation of his approach to art, flies, and any other endeavor he might pursue. Essence appears to be hardwired in Borski, visible in everything he does or has done for the last 35 years. He’s highly observant but also has the ability to analyze and boil these observations down to their essence. His paintings are not realistic, but each captures the essence of the subject, which is why they are so widely received and enjoyed.

The same is true of his fly creations.

Many fly tiers strive to make the imitation look exactly like the prey.

Some refer to this style of fly tying as doll-making, in which features such as castability, weight, how the fly sinks, or how it looks when wet are sacrificed for realism. The most important feature that is overlooked is how the fly looks to a fish when stripped.

It didn’t take long for Borski’s observational skills and defiance of convention to pay off. His first commercially produced fly was

TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE 35

the Bonefish Critter, picked up by Umpqua in 1988.

Borski’s brain is able to process information, and his artistic ability allows him to create the concept.

But his art doesn’t stop there; it is fine-tuned through improvement in the quality of materials, slight changes in colors (Borski is almost fanatical about color), simplification, and testing. Only after a fly has proved itself consistent and effective will he put his name on it.

As a fly tier, walking away from a conversation with Tim Borski will help you understand your limitations. It also explains the roughly two dozen commercially available Borski flies you can find today.

His methodical approach and ability to capture the essence of subjects have allowed Tim Borski to make his mark on fly fishing, fine art, custom reels, and even boat-making. (He once designed a Creamsicle-colored skiff for a Florida inshore boat manufacturer.) Like his art, he’s distinct, a source of innovation and inspiration for artists and fly tiers— and anybody else who’s looking for essence.

Editor’s Note: Thanks to Tim—and to Kevin, Borski’s veiled chameleon, which may have pooped on my computer—for having me over and tolerating the interrogation.

36 TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE

FLY FISH THE EVERGL ADES SCOTT SOMMERL ATTE

TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE 37

MAUSER

FLY FISHING

The Intersection of Passion, Quality, and Detail on North Carolina’s Crystal Coast

38 TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE

by TFFM Staff Swansboro is a quaint little town in eastern North Carolina, situated where the White Oak River flows into the Intracoastal Waterway. First settled in 1730, its historic waterfront is lined with mosscovered live oaks, old wooden shrimp boats, and little gift shops. The town of Swansboro marks the southernmost edge of North Carolina’s “Crystal Coast,” which stretches 85 miles up the Southern Outer Banks all the way to the Cape Lookout National Seashore.

Just beyond the downtown waterfront is a maze of salt marsh creeks, lined with spartina grass and oyster mounds, that wind past dune-swept barrier islands and finally spill out of Bogue Inlet into the Atlantic. Redfish, speckled trout, and flounder roam the inshore waters, while just off the beach predators like false albacore, mackerel, and sharks hunt their prey. With year-round fishing opportunities, the Crystal Coast is home to some serious fly anglers. It is also home to Mauser Fly Fishing, a grassroots rod company dedicated to building some of the best fly rods on the market.

TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE 39

“I’ve been fanatical about fish since I was five years old,” Mauser says.

“Catching them and studying them was all I ever wanted to do.”

John’s passion for the water and fishing led him to the University of North Carolina, where he majored in marine biology and started his career with a public aquarium.

“I landed my dream job in my early twenties and thought that was what I would do until I retired,” he says.

“We are a group of anglers whose

Among a sea of fly rod manufacturers,

“As I grew older and started a family,

lives are intertwined with the sport

it’s hard to stand out anymore, but

I realized it was not going to pay

of fly fishing,” John Mauser says

there’s something a little different

the bills, so I started guiding part

of his company. “We are extremely

about Mauser. To really understand

time in 2011. The extra income was

passionate about building great fly

Mauser Fly Fishing, you have to

a help, but I found myself juggling a

rods, and we’d do this even if we

understand John and the events that

full-time job and a side hustle poling

never made a cent from it.”

led to the company’s start.

a flats skiff on weekends.”

40 TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE

Things were also changing at work. A

“I started fly fishing as a child and

job that he used to love had begun to

picked it up again in my twenties

leave him unfulfilled.

when I moved to the Crystal Coast,” Mauser says. “By the time I started

“The dynamics of my job changed, my

considering a career change, I had

room for professional growth became

been fly fishing the salt for over

limited, and I realized I probably

ten years and guiding for about five

wouldn’t ever climb the ladder there,”

years. I had a network of amazing

Mauser says. “I was depressed. I

friends in the industry.”

hated going to work every day, and I knew something had to change.”

Mauser’s connections led him to a series of emails and phone calls to

Mauserer considered a turn to

find out if his idea could become a

full-time guiding, but he wanted

reality.

“I sourced the best of everything we could get our hands on,” Mauser says. “I didn’t worry about saving money; I just looked at quality.”

something more: “Something that would challenge me every day, keep

“I knew from the get-go that the rods

me on my toes, and leave me feeling

would be built in Swansboro,” he says,

fulfilled at the end of the day.”

“and that I would have a hand in every single build.”

He decided to start a fly rod company.

His biggest initial hurdle, he says,

TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE 41

But Mauser wasn’t looking for easy; the challenge and the journey were both part of the plan.

was finding an American company

Hand-sanded, high-modulus graphite

to manufacture blanks. Mauser says

blanks; premium flor-grade cork;

the blank is the foundation to a

titanium stripping guides; and Recoil

great rod: No matter how good the

snake guides were all part of the

components are, without a great

equation. “I sourced the best of

foundation, you’ll never have a great

everything we could get our hands

rod.

on,” Mauser says. “I didn’t worry about saving money; I just looked at

“I’m a fisherman, I’m a guide, and I’m

quality.”

a rod builder, but I had no experience rolling blanks,” he says. “I knew from

Mauser Fly Fishing opened in

the start that we would settle for

2017 with the 5-weight through

nothing less than the best with our

12-weight Waterman series. Although

rods, and I really do believe that the

Waterman rods were designed to

company that rolls our blanks for us

withstand the harshest saltwater

is the best there is.”

environments, they are equally at home in freshwater rivers and

Waterman, Mauser’s first fly rod

streams.

series, was designed to meet the

42 TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE

highest standards of experienced fly

Not long after the company’s launch,

anglers. “If we were going to build a

Mauser Fly Fishing participated in

reputation for excellence,” Mauser

its first trade show in its home state

says, “we knew this first rod had to

of North Carolina. “We didn’t sell a

really shine.”

thing,” John says with a laugh. It

was an important reality check: This wasn’t going to be an easy mountain to climb.

But Mauser wasn’t looking for easy; the challenge and the journey were both part of the plan. “We knew there was a recipe for success, and if we mixed all the ingredients, and baked them long enough, we’d have something that was worth all the effort.” The recipe for success? “For one, you have to produce a great product. Nothing less than the best in both performance and fit and finish.

I’m okay with someone saying they love the rods but can’t afford one yet, but I’m not okay with someone saying that they are average.”

A second key ingredient is customer experience, which Mauser says means more than just customer service—it’s building a relationship with every single customer. “I’m constantly talking with anglers at trade shows, on social media, or on the water.

People support their friends, so I am out to make friends with every angler I meet—not to make a sale, but to truly build an honest relationship and see how we can help them become better anglers.”

The third ingredient is time. “I realize this is a long-term project,” Mauser says. “We are surrounded by giants in this industry, and anglers are loyal to those companies. I don’t expect people to jump aboard our train before they feel confident we are in it for the long run. It’s called aggressive patience: Doing everything you can to build a great product and great relationships with anglers while accepting the fact that it’s going to take time to get there.”

TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE 43

Mauser is also quick to point out that

surprisingly good deal.

the brand owes its success to the huge

to pay our hard-earned money for a rod that was put together with less-

amount of support it has received

After spending some time with

than-desirable attention to detail,

since the beginning. “I owe so much

the Mauser Fly Fishing crew—and

so you will not see anything like that

to the amazing team at Mauser: the

some hands-on time with their

leaving our shop. We not only want

companies that build components for

rods—it’s obvious they take their

you to be excited about how amazing

us, the guides who put our rods to

work seriously. “Our job,” insists

your new rod casts, but we also want

the test, and all the anglers who have

Mauser, “is to create the best fly

you to be extremely proud of the

supported us along the way. I’m in debt

rods possible. Period. We have poured

build quality.”

to everyone who has been a part of

years of experience gained through

this journey, and I appreciate them all

fly fishing and guiding into our rods.

The company takes pride in producing

more than they know.”

When it came to designing our own

high-quality rods, but Mauser is just

equipment, no shortcuts would do—

as serious about customer service

Once Mauser’s Waterman series

nothing less than the best. And we

and about making a positive impact

started gaining attention, the

are proud to be building them right

on the sport. “We believe that having

company moved on to its second

here on the Southern Outer Banks of

a superior product is only part of the

rod family, one focused

equation. The company

on more subtle

that manufactures the

presentations in

product should also

freshwater environments.

have their customer’s

Mauser’s Arete rods are

best interest in mind.

a medium-action series

Our anglers deserve a

built with the trout angler

company that will be

in mind. They’re available

there for them before,

in 3-weight through

during, and after their

6-weight and sport

purchase. If they have a

jadewood reel inserts and

question, we will do our

matching green guide

best to help. If they have

wraps. “Arete is an ancient

an issue, we are going to

Greek concept focused

take care of it. We have

around excellence in all

a reputation to build and

aspects,” Mauser says,

keep, and that starts and

“and we think the rods

ends with how happy our

have earned their name

anglers are. We’re in the

based on how they perform.”

North Carolina, the same place where

business of solving problems and

we put them to the test daily.”

helping people; that will always be

The newest family of rods is Mauser’s

the ideal that fuels us.”

Osmosis series, named after a fish’s

Mauser says that construction

ability to adapt to varying water

quality is just as important as

Mauser says that in the long run,

conditions. “We think anglers will

performance. “We are building

what he really wants is to “use this

be pretty excited about the amount

premium rods, so we want to give

company as a vehicle—something to

of quality packed into our most

them the attention to detail that

help grow the sport, educate anglers,

affordable rod to date,” Mauser says.

they deserve. We are not going to

protect the environment, and help

Indeed, Mauser rods—built in the

send out a high-end rod with sloppy

support fly-fishing charities and

United States with an American-made

thread wraps or misaligned ferrule

conservation organizations. I want

blank, high-end titanium guides, a

dots. When we build these rods, we

to build a legacy with this company,

premium cork grip, a rod tube, and

think about what we would want as

but I want it to be about something

a warranty for under $500—are a

customers. We would be disappointed

much bigger than just fishing rods.”

44 TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE

TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE 45

PRIMARY

RED

by Joseph Ballerini Photos by Justin Hodge

46 TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE

By Joseph Ballarini Photos by Justin Hodge

R

edfish may not be

found only in tropical and subtropical

decide to eat, approach with speed

as popular as striped

waters, you’ll find redfish all along

and fury, and just plain attack.

bass or as glamorous as

the Atlantic and Gulf coasts. In South

Fishing redfish isn’t that different

bonefish and tarpon, but

Carolina, the fishery is on all year

from fishing schools of bonefish in

perhaps that should change. Search

long, but it really rocks in the fall.

the Bahamas, except that you won’t

the hashtag #redfish on Instagram

Even better, these nearby redfish are

need to lead them as much. Redfish,

and you’ll discover thousands of

accessible: You don’t need to spend

however, can grow to nearly 100

photos from anglers in the know who

thousands of dollars traveling to try

pounds (about 45 kg) or more; that’s

certainly appreciate the hard-fighting

your hand at angling for them; often

much bigger than any bonefish, and

fish. Many may even contend that

you don’t even need to charter a

redfish that size would likely eat the

redfish are the single best species to

boat.

schoolie bonefish common to the

target on the fly. What makes redfish so special?

Bahamas. That’s a decent size even Redfish eat flies, and they aren’t

by tarpon standards. No wonder

shy about it. In fact, they can be

anglers are waking up to redfish.

First and foremost, this is a

downright aggressive. Unless your

fighting fish with a relatively large

cast is way off the mark and the

It takes about three years for a

distribution. In many cases a short

fish doesn’t see the fly, or you stop

redfish to reach 6 to 8 pounds.

road trip from the Northeast or

stripping, you can get an eat almost

When they’re just over 2 feet long,

Midwest will get you to redfish

every time. Like other targeted

they’re called “bull reds” or “red

waters. Unlike other targeted species

species, redfish will see prey and

bulls.” The largest redfish on record

TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE 47

weighed just over 94 pounds and was

bays, estuaries, and the safety of

effectively by sight—perhaps not as

caught in 1984 near Hatteras Island

mangroves when available. They are

effectively as bonefish and permit

on conventional gear. When you

foragers and feed on the tides in the

but quite well enough to locate

catch and boat redfish, they make

same way as other flats species—

prey. They use a tactile sense most

a distinctive croaking or drumming

except they don’t ever really leave.

when feeding: Their turned-down

sound in their distress—hence their

They go in and out of the protected

mouth allows them to forage by

common name “red drum.” Redfish

area they call home, feeding on

vacuuming (sucking and blowing) or

can live to around 60 years, so

crustaceans or whatever the tide

actually biting the bottom. Near the

respect your elder as you wrestle him

brings. Incoming tides bring food

water’s surface, redfish use changes

up to the skiff.

and baitfish onto the flats, providing

in the light to detect food—which

menu diversity for feeding schools.

probably accounts for the way they

The streamlined redfish’s copper

Small crabs and shrimp become

destroy flies in open water and why

color fades from top to bottom,

more active on an incoming tide,

you should never stop stripping. In

diminishing to white on its belly. On

enticing redfish to feed heavily as the

summer and fall, adult reds feed

its back near its tail, the redfish has

waters rise. The opposite is true for

primarily on crabs, shrimp, and sand

a distinctive black spot (or multiple

outgoing tides: Adult redfish retreat

dollars. By contrast, in spring and

spots) usually surrounded by a yellow

from the skinny water and wait to

winter they feed almost exclusively

or white halo. This evolutionary

feed on whatever bait is carried back

on fish such as menhaden, mullet,

eyespot causes predators to

out with the tide. Both semi-mature

pinfish, sea robin, lizardfish, spot,

confuse the front of a redfish with

reds and mature bulls prefer rocky

Atlantic croaker, small flounder—in

its rear, which gives the redfish an

structures including jetties, bridges,

essence, any small fish they can

opportunity to escape capture. It

channel markers, and oil rigs, where

catch.

is the happy angler who catches a

they find an abundance of food.

glimpse of this characteristic spot,

Channels and deeper areas near flats

Contrary to popular belief—which

like a flag rising out of the water,

are good places to find redfish on

tends to imagine that the challenge

when a redfish is tailing.

outgoing tides.

of saltwater fly fishing is a longdistance cast—when you’re sight

Immature redfish prefer marshes,

48 TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE

Redfish have decent vision and hunt

fishing for redfish, you need to bring

your short game. When redfish

Predators are not accustomed to

of creatures that you could probably

appear they’re almost always very

having prey come toward them and

throw almost anything at them. In

close—sometimes within 10 feet.

will sense unnatural behavior and

the Gulf, spoons are a popular choice

They pop up out of nowhere. This

flee. Never stop moving your fly,

to throw for reds; the Waldner Spoon

accounts for the majority of missed

especially while a fish is chasing it;

Fly is a standard that comes in a

opportunities. When they do pop

here, too, the predator will sense

variety of colors, including those of

up, fire your fly.

your favorite NFL team.

Aim for the nose,

Even more popular

and don’t be

are crab and shrimp

concerned about

patterns. Redfish

spooking them;

will also eat poppers.

they aren’t shy.

Redfish flies tend to

You can plop a fly

be bigger, bulkier, and

6 inches in front

more brightly colored—

of a redfish; you’ll

but muted black crab

spook a few, but

patterns are also

most of the time

popular.

a redfish will nail that fly.

As always, do your homework before

If your first

you head out to

shot is off, don’t

fish. Research the

panic—pick up and throw again. You

unnatural behavior and break off the

destination. Gulf Coast redfish eat

probably didn’t spook the fish. Keep

chase.

slightly differently than do their

throwing until he’s hooked or gone.

South Carolina or Florida brethren— Redfish have a broad palate and will

and therefore behave a little

Just as with other species, avoid

take many different types of flies.

differently as well. Those differences

dragging your fly into the fish.

In fact, they eat such a wide variety

can make or break your outing.

TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE 49

50 TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE

The Natty Light

by Jesse Males

When thinking of redfish flies, I often find myself going back to natural materials and old-school color schemes.

The Natty Light combines natural and synthetic materials to create a classic-looking fly with some modern twists. Tied to suggest a crab or shrimp, this fly has a great crustaceous look and a solid build that will last fish after fish.

This fly works great in many color combinations and has landed fish from Florida to the Carolinas.

It’s the other Natty Light.

Materials Hook:

Thread:

Gamakatsu SC15, 1/0.

Danville 210 Denier Flat Wax Nylon, brown.

Weight:

Small lead dumbbell.

Eyes:

Commercial shrimp or crab eyes.

Tail:

Arctic fox, tan and orange.

Body:

Cactus Chenille, large, rootbeer.

Flash:

Krystal Flash, black.

Legs:

Rubber or silicone, tier’s choice of color.

Carapace:

Deer body hair, tan or brown.

Underbody: Senyo’s Aqua Veil Chennille, peanut brittle.

Adhesive:

Loon UV Clear Fly Finish (thick).

TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE 51

1

STEP 1: Place a hook in the vise and lay down a solid thread base.

STEP 2: Secure a small lead dumbbell in place on the hook shank.

8

STEP 3: Wrap the thread back to the bend of the hook and tie in

the Cactus Chenille, wrapping a couple of turns around the shank to create a ball at the bend. Tie it off and clip the tag.

2

STEP 4: Tie in two shrimp/crab eyes, fastening them to the sides of the hook shank. (These are homemade sparkle eyes that I really enjoy.)

9

STEP 5: Tie in a few strands of black Krystal Flash.

STEP 6: Secure a hefty pinch of tan Arctic fox tail to extend beyond the bend of the hook.

3

STEP 7: Rotate the fly hook-point up and tie in four legs of your choice. For this color combination, I like gold sparkle legs. Trim

10

the ends to about the same length as the Arctic fox.

STEP 8: Secure a pinch of orange Arctic fox tail about half the length of the tan fox.

STEP 9: Tie in the Aqua Veil Chenille at the base of the thread

4

wraps and palmer it forward to the lead dumbbell. Tie off and trim the tag.

11a

STEP 10: Cut a beefy pinch of deer body hair and secure it to the underside of the hook shank just behind the lead dumbbell. Do not allow it to spin around the shank.

STEP 11: Cut another pinch of deer body hair and secure it to the

5

underside of the shank just forward of the first clump, making

sure it doesn’t spin around the shank. Whip finish the thread and cut it.

11b

STEP 12: Trim the deer hair to suggest the rounded oval shape

of a shrimp or crab. Don’t trim the tips of the first clump of deer hair, but allow them to flow back naturally toward the tail.

6

STEP 13: Flip the fly over and cover the thread wraps with UV resin and zap it with a UV light.

12

It’s as simple as that. This fly will fish for days, and it has all the sweet mojo needed to fool a hungry redfish.

Jesse Males can be found on YouTube, Instagram, and Facebook: @backwaterflyfishing.

52 TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE

7

13

WHAT’S NEXT

IS NOW New for 2021 are three high-concept, highly-refined

Helios™ 3 Blackout rods from the industry's leader in rod innovation.

To witness our newest collab between rod designers, storied guides and the planet's fishiest anglers, visit orvis.com/innovation

TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE 53

GEAR GUIDE 54 TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE

Under Armour Canyon Pants We’re particular about our fishing pants, and these are a welcome addition to our fishing apparel lineup. They offer UPF 30 sun protection, repel water, and dry quickly, and provide great freedom of movement. The stretch-woven fabric is light but tough, wicking sweat and drying faster than we thought possible.

The material is salt- and chlorine-resistant to reduce fading and wear, and its stain-resistant finish keeps blood, guts, and dirt from soaking in. But our favorite feature, by far, is the way these pants fit and move. The stretch-woven fabric allows flexibility in all the right places, and the articulated knees further enhance mobility.

We put them to the test on a sultry summer day in a kayak and never felt bound up or uncomfortable. The front pockets are big enough to reach in and grab a pack of leaders without contorting your hand into uncomfortable positions; there’s also a narrow pocket for a knife or pliers on the right side. (underarmour.com) $80.00

Cubalaya Fair Chase Reel As if landing a big fish wasn’t difficult enough, Cubalaya offers a click-and-pawl saltwater reel to make it a bit tougher. That’s no typo; you read it correctly—a saltwater click-and-pawl reel for 9- to 12-weight rods that will make your job tougher. It’s aptly named the Fair Chase reel. We were pessimistic about a dragless reel, especially for the large and powerful fish of South Florida, but it performed surprisingly well. Full disclosure: Three big jacks, which represented the first three hookups, popped off while testing this reel in the bay. But after that we were off to the races. Obviously, there are some adjustments to make when surrendering the power and control of a modern sealed drag system. This reel performs as well as the angler wielding it. It’s best suited for anglers with a higher skill level, but anybody can use it. It truly levels the playing field and offers a new way to fish.

It won’t be your selection for a tournament, but it offers a new challenge and adds a bit of excitement. Made in Chicago, Illinois. (cubalayaoutfitters.com) $875

TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE 55

Henson Razor The Henson Razor is a new twist on a 120-year-old technology: the double-edge safety razor. Aerospace-quality machining allows for very consistent blade gap and blade exposure—much more precise than other double-edge razors, most of which are cast metal that’s been plated or painted. Less blade exposure means less chatter, less irritation, and a smoother, closer shave. If you’ve never before shaved with a double-edge safety razor, you’ll be astounded at how great a shave you can get from a single blade that costs pennies. If you already use a safety razor, you’ll be amazed at how effortlessly the Henson glides over your face. It feels downright timid, but this razor shaves as close as any we’ve tried. The Henson comes with a 5-pack of Astra blades, but for an extra $10 the company will include a 100-pack. Unless you have a beard of Brillo, you should be able to get six shaves from a single blade, conservatively. On a recent trip to CVS we priced a 4-pack of Dollar Shave Club cartridges at $9.99. Do the math. The Henson will pay for itself quickly and will save you hundreds of dollars per year. Safety razors work best by wet shaving: Toss the canned foam and opt for a mug, brush, and shaving soap or cream. You’ll wish you’d shaved this way from the beginning. (hensonshaving.com) $69.99

Hatch Iconic For 18-plus months there was no real change to the appearance and function of the Hatch Finatic Gen 2. Why would they change a product that was working so well? Yes, they did some limited-edition color selections through the years, but the reel’s basic design went virtually unchanged—until now. The new Iconic (another excellent name) will supplant the Finatic Gen 2, one of the most trusted and widely used reels on the market. The Iconic doesn’t deviate far from its predecessor, remaining so similar that we were dumbfounded.

Upon closer inspection, however, you’ll notice stylings like rounded edges, larger and more ergonomic knobs, and a slight closing of the gap between the spool and body of the reel. The biggest changes were in the drag system. Hatch has alleviated the potential for corrosion by adding a watertight housing to the drag system. The Gen 2 was called “bomb-proof,” but the drag system was prone to water intrusion resulting in corrosion. The housing adds some weight in comparison with the Gen 2, but it’s still under 9 ounces, and you likely won’t even notice the difference. If you need “bomb-proof,” upgrade your Finatic to an Iconic. (hatchoutdoors.com) $725

56 TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE

Dickey Smoker We love food here at TFFM, and anything that improves the experience is worthy of mention. The cold smoker is an efficient way to obtain smoked flavor in foods without the time and energy required with a traditional smoker. If you enjoy smoked foods, take note of this compact cold smoker for your grill, because it delivers as advertised. Most smokers we’ve tried for traditional grills have lacked quality and durability. This smoker is made of thick aviation-grade aluminum, and we haven’t been able to burn it up yet. It not only infuses smoky accents to meats and seafood in as little as 30 minutes, but also does it reliably and consistently. It comes with pellets and fire bugs to get it going and is very easy to ignite. We also like that the lighting instructions are online so they can be accessed from mobile devices and customized.

Throw your flimsy cold smoker away and try the Dickey Smoker; you probably won’t ever need to buy another one. (dickeysmoker.com) $30

Mauser Osmosis A small rod company in North Carolina is making a solid entry into the crowded pool of fly rod manufacturers. John Mauser, a guide and redfish loyalist, decided to make a rod that would fit the needs of guides and anglers alike. The rod’s appearance is extraordinary, but its strength lies in the taper and build.

It boasts a deceptively supple tip with exceptional feel while maintaining butt strength to lift larger fish. We tested the 10-weight on tarpon and jacks and found that it casts well, with a relatively fast action and enough giddy-up to land medium to medium-large tarpon with ease. While some might expect a lower price to imply a lesser rod, this isn’t the case. The guys at Mauser understand that quality matters most, and they’re making a serious play to be the best rod in the mid-range price point. The Osmosis could easily carry an $800 price tag, but instead is offered at just under $500, making it accessible to everyone. We also like that they’re 100 percent US-made. (mauserflyfishing.com) $495

If you have a product you would like to let our audience know about in the TFFM Gear Guide, contact us at admin@tailflyfishing.com.

TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE 57

MANGROVE MAGIC The Ultimate Guide to Fishing Shorelines

and helped by a strong outgoing tide,

The Marco Canal runs between the

hadn’t had a strike all morning. But

off my fly reel. The fish was soon

Tamiami Trail and Marco Island and

suddenly, as the fly came out of a

deep into my backing, and it wasn’t

flows into a bay, allowing snook,

wide slough, a large wake followed

stopping.

redfish, and many other species

it for a few feet, then accelerated. I

to come in with the tide to feed.

saw the white mouth open against

I ran behind him along the shoreline,

One day, long before the island was

the dark water, and without much

but the canal’s mangroves and

developed, I was fishing the canal

commotion, a fish slurped the fly.

palmettos presented obstacles, and

from the bank, casting a large,

ran down current, easily peeling line

there was no way around a large

heavily dressed Seaducer to the

I couldn’t really see its size, but when

mangrove I soon encountered. So

opposite mangrove shoreline.

I set the hook, it made a short run

I went in the water to my waist,

and came half out of the water,

walked downcurrent past the

The fly looked good, pushing a

shaking its head. It was the biggest

mangrove roots, and crawled back

wake just below the surface, but I

snook I had ever hooked. It turned,

on land.

58 TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE

by Chico Fernandez

I kept fighting, almost turning it at

The mangrove roots had lots of

one point, but the fish straightened

barnacles and were in deeper water,

its head and continued with the

and the old snook must have known

SHORELINE SELECTION

current. I felt optimistic after

it. He ran straight for the point,

I have been fly fishing mangrove

briefly stopping it; maybe I had a

under the roots, came out on the

shorelines most of my life, and I am

chance. The battle had moved into

other side, and kept running, the

more fascinated with them now than

a more open area, and the tide had

fly line scraping against barnacles

ever. It’s almost up there with sight

dropped to a point where most of

as he ran. I stood there, watching

casting. The mangrove environment,

the mangrove roots were above the

helplessly, as he cut me off on the

the variety of vegetation, the birds,

waterline, reducing the danger of the

line’s fat belly.

the different gamefish—these spots

snook tangling my line.

snook as big. But I’m still trying.

are magical places to fish.

I remember it like it was yesterday,

We came to an area where the

standing there immobile. The fish

Many anglers think of blind casting

shoreline made a point that

was well over 30 pounds, and now,

when they think of fly fishing

extended a few feet into deep water.

50 years later, I’ve never hooked a

shorelines, but if you do it right,

TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE 59

you’re constantly looking for the next place to put the fly. It could be deep into a slough, beside a fallen tree, over a sunken log, or near feeding birds. During low stages of the tide, you might even find yourself sight casting to a snook or redfish. So if you’re just casually blind casting, you’re not correctly fishing a shoreline.

With miles of mangrove shorelines to fish, the biggest problem is that it all looks good and fishy, and a lot of it isn’t. Some areas never seem to hold fish, and the spots that do harbor fish are dependent on a variety of factors, including the stage of the tide, water clarity, water temperature, and more. You may have a great day on a particular section of shoreline, but the next week it’s barren.

60 TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE

SO HOW DO YOU SELECT A SECTION OF SHORELINE? “Generally, I avoid sections of straight shoreline,”says Captain Rob Muñoz, with whom I’ve fished countless miles of mangrove shorelines in the past few years.

“Instead, I look for broken shorelines, with deep indentations and points that extend out into the open water.

That type of shoreline will hold more

Water quality also makes a difference. I like off-color water.

Gin-clear water is fine, too, but the fish will be more difficult to approach and more selective about the fly.

(Clear water calls for longer casts.) If the water is extremely muddy, with almost no visibility, I move on.

Once you’ve selected a nice area, fish it hard. Don’t just make a few casts and run to a new spot when you

fish.”

don’t immediately get a strike; you’ll

I also like a shoreline that has lots

and you can’t catch fish when your

of fallen trees and big branches in the water. Snook, redfish, and many other species love those areas.

Schools of baitfish are a powerful attractor for gamefish, so I put in extra time in areas where I find them, even if I don’t see any feeding fish right away.

end up running more than fishing, fly is in the boat. Part of the fun is hunting for the area that’s holding fish. Believe me, after a lifetime of fishing, I find that there is no magic.

Like sight casting, fishing shorelines requires lots of poling to cover lots of water.

Pole an area at different stages of

structure you see in deep enough

usually signifies that current

the tide, and at different times of

water should be covered with several

frequently runs there. You’re also

year. You’ll be surprised how many

casts all around it.

aware of just how deep you’re fishing,

more fish you’ll catch by following this advice.

FISHING A SHORELINE

which is harder to judge if the water “If I find a place where the current

is off-color.

splits right and left on an island or key, the area usually holds bait and

An electric motor makes constant

Don’t approach your mangrove

therefore gamefish,” Muñoz says.

noise, the pitch changing as you

shoreline with the engine. It

“Work the upcurrent side, close to the

change the speed. But it has its

spooks fish—usually the larger fish,

actual split.

place. In rivers and canal shorelines,

sometimes all the fish—and the

where the skiff may be in much

snook and reds that don’t spook are

“A mangrove point that extends way

deeper water, and often with a strong

less likely to take a fly. Instead, stop

out in front of the shoreline is a good

current, the electric is ideal.

at a distance and pole in. This also

place—better yet if there is water

gives the caster time to take a sip

flowing through it. In such places the

CONSIDER THE TIDES

of water, get ready, and make a few

fish will be facing the tide and on the

The tide controls the water depth

practice casts. When you get there

upcurrent side.”

on the shoreline, and it’s usually the

quietly, the place is undisturbed. The difference is huge.

TO POLE OR NOT TO POLE

most important factor. It’s vital to check the tide for the area you plan

The best way to work a shoreline is

to fish. But keep in mind that time of

Even if the area you selected is a

by poling. First, you can pole a skiff

year, moon phase, and wind direction

good one, there are certain places

very quietly. While doing so, you also

can also influence tides.

that are more likely to have fish. A

are feeling the bottom to see if it’s

deep slough is a great place to cast,

soft or hard, raising awareness of

When the water is too high, it

and even better if it happens to

everything that’s going on around

can flood many yards back into

have some water coming out. Any

you. A hard bottom, for example,

the mangroves, resulting in the

TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE 61

bait moving back in the “woods”

Flood tide and dead low tide, which

redfish come off of structure to take

for protection and the gamefish

have little or no water movement,

a fly after several casts without a

following. No matter how close you

usually have the least feeding

strike.

cast to the edge of the flooded

activity. A great time to have lunch,

mangroves, your fly won’t be close

or move to another spot.

enough to the fish. Strikes are unlikely; generally, don’t fish a flooded shoreline.

STRUCTURE AND TEMPERATURE

You may see areas a few yards from the shoreline where water depth drops abruptly, especially during lower stages of the tide. The darker

While poling a shoreline, you’ll find

color is very noticeable. Keeping

When the tide starts to recede,

many different types of structure,

the skiff at a prudent distance, and

however, it will eventually force the

from fallen trees and branches to

preferably with a long leader, cast

baitfish out into the open, attracting

sunken logs, old fish traps, and

the fly a few feet past the darker

predators again. By mid falling tide,

other debris. All of these can attract

dropoff, and then retrieve, letting the

you’ll have periods of stronger water

gamefish, especially snook.

fly enter the dark deep water. Let the

movement, typically the most active in the shorelines.

fly settle a few seconds in the deeper Always approach these structures

water, and then retrieve.

as carefully and quietly as you do a When the tide is too low, the water

fish on the flats. A sloppy approach,

During the hottest summer days,

will be too shallow for gamefish to

especially getting too close, will spook

fish tend to look for lighter-colored

stay in or close to the mangrove, so

fish. Smaller fish will sometimes put

bottoms, where the water is cooler,

they’ll move out into open water and

up with sloppiness, but the bigger,

but during the coldest winter days,

wait for baitfish to be forced out.

wiser fish will not.

the darker bottoms will be warmer. It

This is one of the best conditions

can make a difference.

to fish the shoreline (depending on

Don’t be satisfied with one good

the particular shoreline, this could

cast, especially if the structure is in a

WATCH THE BIRDS

happen at mid or low outgoing tide).

few feet of water. Cast all around it.

When you come across birds feeding

And if the fly isn’t weighted heavily,

at the edge of mangroves, they

Lower stages of the tide are also

make sure you let it settle a few

may be feeding on the same prey as

when you’re most likely to sight cast

seconds, preferably until it’s out of

the gamefish. It could be a couple

to gamefish. It also provides the best

sight, before starting the retrieve. If

of birds or a few dozen—if they’re

chance to land a big snook since he

the water is clear with good visibility,

actively moving along the shoreline,

can’t get in the mangroves, which are

try a popper and ring the dinner bell.

they’re probably feeding. Don’t be

mostly out of water.

Many times I’ve seen a big snook or

discouraged if you don’t see fish

62 TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE

crashing the bait. Stop and work

WHAT’S IN THE BOX?

these days. Solid black or black with

the area. Fish do not crash bait

Now let’s talk flies. The gamefish in

a purple head are the best, but I also

continuously; they attack for a few

the mangrove world feed mostly on

like it in tan with an orange head and

seconds or minutes, then retreat,

baitfish, shrimp, and crabs. But the

white with a red head.

then return. If the birds are high in

crab patterns are limited to certain

the trees, they’re not feeding; don’t

conditions, so that leaves baitfish

Enrico Puglisi’s baitfish patterns are

bother stopping.

and shrimp.

great in clear water because they’re

PRECISION PRESENTATION

If I know the area I’m fishing has

green, tan, or black backs. All black or

mostly snook, I use a baitfish pattern.

black with a purple head are great,

Presentation is more important than

If it has mainly redfish, I use a shrimp

too.

fly pattern. If you can make a good

pattern. But generally it has both,

presentation to a fish, especially on

with sea trout, baby tarpon, triple

Tim Borski’s Chernobyl patterns, in

the first cast, that’s magic.

tail, and others, so I carry a lot of

tan or orange, are also favorites,

flies.

while Clousers are great for going

so realistic. I like white flies with

Unlike sight casting on the flats,

deep. I prefer the classic white and

where you have little time to make

I use the same patterns on the

a cast to a fish that can come from

shoreline as I use for reds and snook

anywhere, shoreline fishing generally

on the flats. But because I’m not

Surface poppers are a great dinner

gives you time to make a cast into a

casting directly to a fish, and the fly

bell for spectacular strikes, but if the

slough or over sunken structure. But

may be farther away when a fish sees

water is clear and shallow and you

the cast usually requires accuracy. It

it, I tend to use a bit larger fly, often

don’t want to make too much noise,

also necessitates good loop control

in No. 1, and even 1/0 in the northern

use a slider—snook and baby tarpon

to deliver flies under low-hanging

Everglades, where snook and reds can

love it.

limbs, into tight spots, and way back

be bigger.

in sloughs.

chartreuse or solid black.

When fishing areas with lots of I like Seaducers in white and grizzly,

floating weeds, it’s practically

It requires practice on land and time

yellow and grizzly, chartreuse and

impossible to move the fly without

on the water. Practice casting with

grizzly, and black.

getting grass on the hook, so weed

a 10-foot leader, a bite tippet, and a

guards can be valuable. Weed guards

fly with the hook point and bend cut

Marabou Madness is my own pattern

also prevent flies from getting stuck

off. Practice short, medium, and long

and is basically a Seaducer tied with

on the mangroves. Stiff mono or

casts. Make sure the fly is turning over.

marabou. It’s probably my favorite fly

even a wire guard is easy enough for

TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE 63

a fish’s powerful jaws to press down.

Anyway, it’s not all short casts.

A regular saltwater floating line,

I think it’s worth the price of a few

And these days, with more fishing

same as you’d use in the flats, is all

missed strikes to have a fly that

pressure, it’s more long casts than

you need. Longer heads are better

snags fewer mangroves and easily

short. Clear and shallow water means

for medium and long casts, while

deflects floating grass. If I’m fishing

mostly long casts. So forget the short

shorter heads are better for medium

an open flat or there aren’t floating

rod for most shoreline fishing and

to short casts. These days, I often

weeds, I’ll forego the weed guard, but

take your 9-footer.

reach for a clear floating line. Beware

I use it when I need it.

RODS, REELS, LINES, AND LEADERS

that accuracy can suffer because There are exceptions. Fishing way

it’s harder to see the line in the air.

back into the Glades, you find areas

Try using it with larger flies that are

where there’s barely room for a back

easier to see.

I often hear anglers say fly fishing

cast, and most casts are short. In

shorelines is mostly about short

these cases an 8- to 8 1/2-foot rod is

My everyday leader for shorelines

casts, so short rods and short leaders

a good tool.

runs from 10 feet to 12 feet in very

are best. Not true.

clear water. Short leaders will often A 7- or 8-weight rod will easily cast

spook fish that are lying a few feet

Mangrove shorelines aren’t straight.

all the flies you’re likely to use, plus a

off the shore.

As you move down a shoreline, you

bite tippet, yet have the backbone to

may be 50 feet away from it, but

pull out a snook. If there aren’t that

I like 30-pound fluorocarbon for bite

when a long mangrove point juts out

many obstructions, and especially

tippet. Its thinner and harder for fish

15 feet, you’re now 35 feet from the

if the reds and snook are getting

to see and produces more strikes

target. A deep slough may cut into

difficult, I will gladly go to a 6-weight.

than my old choice of 40-pound clear

the shoreline 20 feet, turning 50 feet

Besides, it’s so much fun.

monofilament. It also provides good

into 70 feet. A sunken log may rest

abrasion resistance. Its only downside

20 feet off the bank, requiring a cast

I use the lightest reel that balances

is that fluorocarbon sinks faster and

of 30 feet. It makes for challenging

the outfit comfortably in my hand.

often ruins the action with surface

yet interesting casting.

I love an outfit that feels one size

flies. In this case, a mono bite tippet

lighter than it is.

is better.

64 TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE

TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE 65

O’io Challenge

HAWAIIAN BONEFISH ARE DIFFERENT

by E. Donnall Thomas Jr.

As I bided my time, I decided to check

those bigger yet (usually true giant

my tackle and loosen my casting arm

trevally) are ulua. The determined

Wind and current had deposited a

by sending my fly across the sand

runs my little papio produced only

layer of silt against the margin of

channel running through the reef. I

served to remind me how formidable

the ancient rock wall. After slogging

neither expected nor hoped to catch

larger trevally can be on the end of a

through the muck for several

any fish this way, since I have always

fly line.

hundred yards, the feel of firm sand

regarded blind casting to bonefish

beneath my feet was welcoming.

as equivalent to dancing with your

By the time I’d finished releasing

Low tide was still two hours away,

cousin. Nonetheless, the second cast

the fish and checking my leader

and after pushing water for another

produced a vigorous strike. Even

for abrasions, the sun had burned

half-mile, my legs told me it was

though cloud cover prevented visual

through the scud overhead, revealing

time for a break. The edge of the reef

identification, its behavior when

a complex tableau where there had

offered nowhere to sit, so leaning

hooked told me at once that the fish

been nothing but dull glare earlier.

against the support of my trekking

was a papio.

Coral heads dotted the bottom, while

pole was the best I could do. I had

breakers shattered into countless

yet to start fishing—morning clouds

Multiple species of trevally inhabit

fragments as they swept across

off the mountains still obscured the

inshore Hawaiian waters, and local

the reef. A turtle head bobbed up

sun, and there was too much water

vernacular classifies them by size

in the channel, and moments later

on the flat to reveal tailing fish. None

rather than species. The panfish-

its owner glided by gracefully. I

of this came as a surprise. Exertion

sized specimens like the one on the

welcomed a shark’s dorsal fin as a

and downtime are two essential

end of my line are papio; bigger

sign of an active flat, even though

components of the Hawaiian flats-

ones below the 15-pound range

the blacktip was big enough to make

fishing experience.

(usually bluefin trevally) are omilu;

me keep track of its location. After

66 TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE

identifying a stable coral head, I

edge of the channel. Confident of its

With luck, it would run inshore onto

posted up on top of it and began to

course, I picked a patch of bare white

the sand, in which case I’d stand

study the sand channel in front of

sand 20 feet ahead of it, dropped

an excellent chance of landing it.

me for bonefish working against the

the fly in its center, and let it settle.

Instead, the fish did the next-best

last of the ebb.

As the fish approached, I gave it a

thing and ran straight down the sand

timid twitch with my line hand, and

channel toward the coral reef. Having

Suddenly, there was the fish—an

the bone turned and pounced. My

broken off my share of bonefish in

o’io, the delightfully consonant-free

strip set came up against soft but

these circumstances over the years,

Hawaiian name for bonefish. The use

solid resistance, and the explosion

it was time for me to abandon

of the singular form is deliberate,

that followed shattered the flat’s

convention and fight the fish with

for in contrast to their counterparts

tranquility.

a counterintuitive technique my

elsewhere, Hawaiian bones are

friends and I developed for just this

usually solitary. Even at low tide, the

As my line cut a hissing arc through

situation.

water was deep enough that I might

the water, I faced two crucial tasks.

have had trouble spotting it when

The first was to coax the loops of

Let me introduce our “Run and Gun”

I began to fish these waters years

line floating at my feet through the

method with a thought experiment.

earlier, but now its broad shoulders

guides without throwing a half hitch

Pick up a piece of 2-pound tippet

seemed obvious against the light

around the rod butt. The second was

between the thumb and forefinger

background even though it was well

to tighten my drag to the exact spot

of one hand. Now try to break it

beyond casting range.

that would provide the maximum

without using your other hand. It

pressure my leader would tolerate.

can’t be done, because breaking a line

The fish was cruising methodically

With those obligations accomplished,

requires that it be taut, and that in

along the coral that marked the

the rest was up to the fish.

turn requires resistance from both

TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE 67

ends. Fish break off on coral because

contact with the soft, vital resistance

tension from the drag provides

of the fish.

something to pull against. Take that

OYEZ, OYEZ, O’IO It was my longbow rather than my fly rod that first brought me to the

resistance away and strange things

When the line stopped running, I began

start to happen.

Islands four decades earlier. The

to follow it through the coral heads like

ocean flats I passed every day looked

Hansel and Gretel following their trail When it became obvious that

inviting but formidable. When I asked

of breadcrumbs through the forest,

the fish was going to reach the

our local Hawaiian friends about

repeatedly bending down and picking

coral, I backed my drag off nearly

bonefish, they assured me they were

the line free from the coral’s grasp. I

to freespool, palming the reel

present but in water too deep to

finally reached an open sandy area,

just enough to prevent backlash.

fish with a fly. I believed them longer

and there was the fish, which I landed

A hundred yards of backing

than I should have. Then one day I

easily after one more run. It hadn’t

disappeared in less time than it

was snorkeling just outside the reef

stopped because my drag pressured

takes to tell. I repeatedly felt the

when a pair of long, silver shapes

him, but because it had just completed

line touch resistance from coral,

glided by looking just like bonefish—

an Olympic-class sprint and didn’t have

but it didn’t break, and I never lost

only bigger. It marked the end of my

any gas left in the tank.

indifference.

68 TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE

By that time I’d had a considerable amount of experience with bonefish elsewhere, from the Caribbean to Christmas Island. The first day I girded up my loins and set off across a Hawaiian flat with my fly rod, I realized that I was facing a different environment. The water was deeper than what I was accustomed to, and I had trouble seeing fish. But after a couple of frustrating days, I spotted a big o’io cruising toward me, and when I dropped a crab pattern in front of its nose, it picked it up. The 10-pound fish was hooked, and as backing evaporated from my reel, so was I, even though the day’s score wound up 1-0 in favor of the bonefish.

The longer I kept at it, the more I realized how many ways these fish and their pursuit differed from what I already knew, beginning with the biology. Bonefish taxonomy has gone through an upheaval recently as scientists recognized the familiar Atlantic Albula vulpes actually includes four distinct species, with another half dozen in the Pacific, two of which, A. glossodonta, commonly known as the round jaw, and A. virigata, the sharp jaw, inhabit Hawaiian waters. While the two are actually quite easy to distinguish based on the ventral contour of the jaw, the distinction is largely academic since there is no difference between them on the end of a line. Since the sharp jaw prefers deeper water, however, the round jaw predominates on the flats. On average it is the slightly larger of the two, although Pacific bones of any given length weigh a bit more than their Atlantic counterparts.

Except for certain parts of the

TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE 69

Bahamas, in all the waters I’d fished previously a 5-pound bone was a nice fish, an 8-pounder exceptional, and anything in double digits the fish of a trip if not a lifetime. In Hawaii, one can advance that arbitrary scale one full stop. While I’m not going to make any claims about 20-pound bonefish until I’ve seen one weighed on a reliable scale, I’ve hooked and lost a few that would have come close.

In the Caribbean, a well-presented fly can reasonably be expected to draw a strike, but here stubborn refusals are the rule rather than the exception. I find nothing more frustrating than watching a double-digit bone follow a fly right up to my rod tip until I run out of line to strip—a regular occurrence on Hawaiian flats. While this sounds like the kind of problem that the right fly should be able to solve, it turns out to be a bit more complicated. My Hawaiian fishing partners and I tie our own flies, and we have exhausted hours of time and mountains of material searching for a pattern that will reliably turn refusals into strikes. Had we found such a panacea, I would now be describing it.

One keeps at it because of the days when good casts do produce strikes, for reasons known only to the fish.

The issue reminds me of calling elk into bow range. If the bull is in the right mood, almost any noise that sounds remotely like an elk can bring him stomping into your lap—but if he isn’t, the best calling in the world won’t budge him. Hence my admittedly cynical conclusion about the way Hawaiian bonefish respond to flies: On the good days, they’ll hit anything, and on the bad days, they won’t hit anything.

You still must tie something to your

70 TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE

leader, and starting out big usually

important than choice of flies, and

helps. In most situations, I overlook

once again, it’s different. Despite

the size 6s and 8s that serve me well

the problem of refusals, I’ve seldom

elsewhere, although I always carry a

seen convincing evidence of leader-

few in case of repeated refusals on

shyness. Because of the size of the

larger flies. While the sampling data

fish and abundance of underwater

suggest that round jaws favor crabs

obstructions, I routinely begin with

in their diet, my usual starting point

a 10-kilogram tippet, although I’m

is a large shrimp imitation. Because

always ready to go lighter if the fish

of the water depth, I like weighted

seem unusually spooky. Elsewhere,

eyes so the fly will sink quickly to the

I was often happy with 7-weight

fish. But I also carry smaller, lighter

gear and never fished with anything

flies for those exceptionally calm

heavier than an 8-weight unless

mornings when the water looks like

there was a possibility of running

glass and the plop of a heavy fly will

into something bigger than bonefish.

blow fish right off the flats. Since

Hawaiian bones are so big and

I occasionally find fish tailing right

powerful that I consider a 9-weight

on top of the coral, I carry a few

minimal, and I always overline my rod

“weedless” patterns as well.

by at least one weight for improved control in wind. Standard bonefish

I always change flies after two

hooks just aren’t strong enough, as

consecutive refusals. Something

my souvenir collection of broken flies

smaller, something brighter, a

attests. I now address that problem

different color—there’s not a lot of

with Gamakatsu SC17 tarpon hooks

science involved. Even though my

with barbs crimped down.

friends dismiss the idea, I have had Merkin-style crab patterns turn my

While I had dealt with wind elsewhere

day around more than once.

and could handle it reasonably well, the easterly trades start at 15 knots

Choice of tackle is likely more

Don’s Aloha Shrimp

Hook: Gamakatsu SC 17 Thread: Orange

Tail: Orange silicone legs Body: Orange thread

Hackle: Dense red fox fur

Legs: Tan and black silicone

Eyes: Silver or black bead chain

and rise considerably from there.

TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE 71

Despite the casting challenges they

For me, the allure of Hawaiian flats

Bothersome as that may seem,

create, they can also be an angler’s

is derived from two factors: the

attempts to impose outside values

friend. Since wind rather than tide

satisfaction of meeting challenges

upon local indigenous communities

usually determines the direction of

and big bonefish. As they exceed a

seldom end well for anyone. While

current flow, mornings usually allow

weight of around 8 pounds, bones

fly rod anglers have a role to play

you to cast downwind to fish feeding

become qualitatively different fish,

in discussions of wiser fisheries

toward you with the sunlight at your

faster and more powerful than

management, such decisions

back. Furthermore, some surface

anything else inhabiting inshore

ultimately belong to those who

chop makes the fish less likely to

waters. Even when I’m lucky enough

live there. While we may consider a

spook.

to find one in open water surrounded

bonefish more valuable in the water

by nothing but sand, I seldom feel

than in a poke bowl, that realization

All of Hawaii’s major islands have

in control of the fight. Catching a

is best arrived at locally.

bonefish. Oahu’s are the most

number of 3-pound fish under ideal

extensive, offering lots of good

conditions in the Caribbean is lots

No doubt my own attitudes have

water and terrain that’s easier to

of fun and I would never disparage

been shaped by the years I spent

fish than much of

providing medical

what I’ve described. A

care to native

number of good guides

communities

operate there. While

in Montana,

I have always been

but I cannot

a DIY outdoorsman,

overemphasize

engaging a guide with

the importance of

a boat can certainly

respecting local

extend your range and

sensibilities. If I find

be a tremendous help

local families at a

to anglers new to the

spot I meant to fish,

islands.

I go somewhere else.

I avoid culturally sensitive sites

CHALLENGE ACCEPTED

like fishponds and heiaus unless

Perhaps the time has come to ask

the experience, but bowhunting

accompanied by native friends.

the essential question: Why bother

dangerous game is the only activity

When visiting anglers ignore these

with all these difficulties when

I know that approaches the

simple principles, resentment and

there are so many easier places to

excitement level of hooking a double-

antagonism invariably result, all of

pursue bonefish? There are certainly

digit bonefish next to a Hawaiian

which could easily lead to reaction

elements of classical Caribbean

reef.

like recent developments in the

flats angling that I miss in Hawaii—

Bahamas. Supporting creation of a

skinny water, schools of tailing fish,

This piece would not be complete

nonresident saltwater fishing license

a high ratio of hook-ups to casts,

without a few environmental and

with revenues earmarked for a

other “Grand Slam” species, and

cultural observations. While the

worthy local cause makes a lot more

conch fritters, among others. This

islands are indeed the great mid-

sense.

is graduate-school flats fishing that

Pacific melting pot, the native

can be frustrating for novices. I have

Hawaiian community remains robust

With that editorializing behind us, it’s

hosted visiting friends who have

and vibrant. O’io play an important

time to gear up strong, perfect your

given up after spending a day or two

role in traditional Hawaiian culture

double-haul, and go tackle one of the

unable to see fish or manage a fly

and cuisine, and some locals still

most challenging and rewarding fish

line in constant wind.

net them for subsistence use.

in the sea.

72 TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE

A fly fisherman’s obsession, sight-fishing Southern California’s shallow surf for the elusive corbina.

by Al Quattrocchi

This long-anticipated, 116 page, full color book on one of California’s most misunderstood shallow surf species is now available. Corbina inhabit the shallow surf in the early summer months along California’s most pristine beaches. They can be one of California’s most difficult species to catch on fly and most highly-prized saltwater trophy for any saltwater fly angler.

Order your copy online at:

love2flyfishmedia.com Only $24.95 / softbound.

Published by Love2FlyFish Media, 2020 TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE 73

Uisge Beatha:

Single Malts and Blended Whiskies of Scotland

by Mark White

Scotland regards itself as the home of whisky, and 90 percent of that whisky is shipped around the world.

Nevertheless, whisky’s beginnings were humble.

It is pretty much accepted wisdom that the Irish were the first makers of whisky in the sixth century AD; when the monks headed to Scotland to convert their pagan neighbors to

74 TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE

Christianity, they took the secrets of

Regardless of its origin, today’s

whisky making with them. Although

whisky is made within very strict

they had no real interest in this new

confines. For a whisky to qualify as

religion, the Scots were certainly

a Scotch whisky it must be made

interested in the art of distillation.

in Scotland. It must be aged in oak casks for a minimum of three years

Scots, however, claim they had

and a day; single-malt whiskies are

already developed the secrets of

generally aged much longer—up to

making whisky long before the Irish

20 years.

missionaries arrived. Ancient cattle drovers, they say, would boil up their

Some view whisky as nothing more

porridge wherever they went. Any

than distilled beer—the fermentation

leftovers would be boiled again and

of barley, water, and yeast. Others,

again, giving rise to a whisky-like

though, consider whisky to be

brew.

something much more—in Scots Gaelic, uisge beatha: the water of

To this very day a discussion of the

life.

true origins of whisky results in a lively conversation between the Scots

Not all Scottish whiskies are the

and the Irish.

same. There are 120 distilleries in four main whisky-producing

regions, and each region has its own

The final flavor of a whisky is

the whisky-producing regions, and

personality. (Speyside and the islands

determined more by the equipment

these whiskies vary widely. You might

are not officially recognized whisky-

and the methods used to produce it

detect a slight whiff of smokiness

producing regions in their own

than by where it is produced; still,

with a sweet start and a dry finish.

right. They are actually considered

a geographical overview may be

Some are lighter-bodied with a spicy

a subdivision of the Highlands. For

helpful.

character and a dry finish. Some may

the purposes of this article, however, we will consider them separately.)

even have a trace of saltiness.

The Highlands is the largest of all

TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE 75

If you are looking for a rich, sherry-

Campbeltown single malts are very

Scottish malt whisky from the

flavored malt or one with more

distinctive. They tend to be full-

Glenmore distilleries in Inverness.

complex, light, floral tones, then

bodied and are renowned for their

Falling short of his goal to reach the

those from the Speyside region

depth of flavor and for their slightly

South Pole, he sailed back to England,

may be your choice. These malts

salty finish. You may even pick up a

leaving three cases of whisky buried

are essentially sweet whiskies,

hint of peat similar to that found in

in the ice at his expedition hut.

although some can have a little

the Islay malts.

Over 100 years later two cases

peaty character with a slight whiff of smoke.

were uncovered by the New Zealand These whisky regions may be known

Antarctic Heritage Trust. Master

for their single malts, but most of

Blender Richard Paterson carefully

The islands—Mull, Skye, Orkney,

their output becomes blended whisky

and painstakingly analyzed this

Arran, Jura, and Lewis—produce

as well, with only about five percent

whisky over a period of several

malts that have a coastal feel to

of distilleries’ volume being bottled

months, recreating the original blend.

them. They are slightly more peaty

and sold as their own single malts;

than most Highland malts and

the remaining 95 percent heads

Scotland may be considered the

generally softer and sweeter than

to the blending industry, where

home of whisky, but Scotch is being

their cousins from Islay.

it’s blended with at least 50 other

made in other countries as well—

whiskies. Master blenders oversee

including Ireland, the United States,

If a smoky, dry malt is your

the combination of grain whiskies

Canada, and Japan, which imports

preference, then consider whiskies

with single blended malts. Almost all

Scotch malt whisky to mix with

from Islay. These are the strongest

whiskies, even single malts, have to

Japanese spirit blends—resulting in

flavored of all the Scottish whiskies

be blended before they are bottled.

a completely different kind of brew.

and tend to be dry and peaty. They

It’s doubtful foreign producers can

are renowned for their strong peaty

Blended whiskies haven’t always

unseat Scotland from its whisky

smokiness, which comes from the

received all the credit they deserve.

throne; Scotland has hundreds of

peat fuel used to dry the barley. For

After all, the strength of the whisky

years of recipes and tradition on her

the novice, the malts from Bowmore

industry has been built on the back

closest rivals.

Distillery have a lighter peaty finish

of blended whiskies, which would

and may be more enjoyable than the

not have been possible before

So much whisky abounds—single

stronger varieties.

the invention of the continuous

malt and blended, domestic and

still, patented by Aeneas Coffey in

foreign—that serious whisky tasting

The Lowland region lies south of an

1830. Known as the “Coffey still,”

can be as much an adventure for the

imaginary line drawn from Greenock

it was able to produce whisky more

connoisseur as for the novice. When

on the west coast of Scotland to

efficiently than the traditional pot

you’re in the market for a whisky,

Dundee in the east. Most of the

stills. This milder grain whisky was

consider the region that produced

malts produced in this region are

blended with the fiery single malts

it—but only as a starting point. It is

used in blended whiskies, but there

already in existence, creating a

better to have fewer preconceived

are a few single malts available.

new, popular type of Scotch that

notions about whisky to ensure

They are light in color and have a

eventually made Scotland’s whisky

that you don’t miss out on some

dry finish—an influence from the

industry the toast of the world.

surprising treasures. Savor a dram

malt itself since peat is not used in

knowing that you are drinking in

their production. You may also find a

Probably the most noted blended

Scotland’s rich whisky heritage with

certain sweet fruitiness to the flavor.

whisky is that of Sir Ernest

every sip. Slàinte mhath!

They are mellower than those from

Shackleton. Born in Ireland and

the neighboring Highlands and can

educated in London, Shackleton led

Mark White lives on the South Coast

be appreciated by experienced malt

the British expedition to Antarctica

of Massachusetts, where he works as

drinkers as well as those new to malt

in 1907. Along with his supplies he

a physician assistant in the field of

whisky.

brought 25 crates of Mackinlay’s

neurosurgery.

76 TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE

TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE 77

Roosters of Mags Bay

by Andy Mill

Having wrapped up an aggravating

The Compass Rose is a 157-footer that

George is a longtime friend of Paul

tarpon season, I was eager to get

carries a 42-foot Game Fisher and two

Dixon, who also was negotiating

back into the high country to clear

Chittum flats skiffs. These would be

his life to join us. George and Rudy

my head with some terra firma.

our home and vessels for exploring

would be our infantry in the bay

Soon after arriving in Aspen, I

an area that’s never been targeted

prior to our arrival. They know

received a text from a good friend,

with flats skiffs. My mind blew up. I’d

Magdalena Bay well, having fished

Richie Andrews, informing me he

heard of and seen others successfully

it the past seven years, guiding the

was scrambling for some intel on a

free cast flies to striped marlin

winter months for marlin. Better

possible recon trip to Magdalena Bay,

there. Other possibilities would be big

known as Los Locos, a hard-earned

Mexico.

roosterfish, cubera snapper, yellowtail,

moniker, they’ve chiseled their way

and a plethora of other fish beyond

in as prominent guides in this highly

Richie is committed to the

my experience but available in that

sought-after fishery.

preservation of many of the world’s

part of Baja California. But the abyss

gamefish and their habitat. He

of questions was deep: when, where,

A few days later I received their

was the past chair of the Billfish

tides, fly patterns....

photos of a handheld sardine and a nice roosterfish. Hell yeah!

Foundation and currently serves on the boards of the Guy Harvey Ocean

I resoundingly responded, I’m in!

After clearing customs,

Foundation and the Bonefish & Tarpon Trust. His boat, the Compass

The success of any trip depends on

Rose, is often used for research and

how well it’s been researched and

science to help preserve the ocean’s

by whom. The road to hell is paved

resources.

with good intentions, and it’s been navigated by many. But we had two warriors in our trench, George DeMallow and Rudy Babikian.

78 TAIL FLY FISHING FISHING MAGAZINE MAGAZINE

Richie, Paul, John

TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE 79

Alpanalp, and I were barreling north

transit. The two-lane road became

would be La Paz, Constitución, and

out of Cabo San Lucas. The five-hour

three as the flashed headlights of

then west to Puerto San Carlos,

ride had all our brains filled with

chasing vehicles beckoned the lead

located near the upper part of

speculation, giddy about what could

car to slide aside so the trailing car or

Magdalena Bay. After passing La Paz

be. We all owned the wisdom and

truck could pass, even with oncoming

with the shimmering Sea of Cortez

experience of great trips gone by,

traffic. This poetic dance of steel was

in the distance, we stopped at a

and now we were on the chase for

followed by gracious waves from all.

roadside open-air taco and coffee

another.

Just as I remembered on the German

place that was busy and full of

autobahn 40 years ago.

warmth and care for their traveling

During my previous encounters with

patrons. A large communal coffee pot

Baja, I’d always enjoyed the contrast

As the hours rolled on, I felt layers

was within reach. The air was thick

of colors. The desert’s brown against

of my international travel and life’s

with fast-paced Spanish and aromas

the green grass, wars waged between

anxiety drain out of me, similar to

of sizzling meat on the grill.

water and heat and the omnipresent

the results of a pre-surgery drip. We

cacti reaching for the sun.

were a band of brothers going over

We were quickly handed tacos,

the horizon, filled with the rarified

burritos, cups of human jet fuel, and

My eyes took it in as we raced onward

air of innocence common only to the

were back in the racing van.

at the mercy of our commuter van’s

young or adventurous.

heavy-footed driver. I was fascinated by the awareness of everyone in

80 TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE

Darkness was soon upon us, and Our checkpoints on this passage

we eventually made it to the pier

The anticipation of an anglers’ quest started to swell in my gut. We were remote, far from any lodge or other boats, and we knew we were in the presence of potential greatness. in San Carlos, where the Compass

for the evening. In the morning

content with my quiet relationship

Rose’s inflatable raft would gather

we would motor two hours to the

with these existential things that

us. As we walked down the pier,

southernmost part of the bay. It was

soon became my friends. I’ve often

we were consumed by the reality

early when our anchor was retrieved,

gravitated to a space void of words.

before our eyes—commercial boats

and we began our journey parallel to

Voices have a tendency to invade and

with large seine nets on their back

the bay’s western mountainous leg.

steal the invaluable jewel of silence.

I was ignorant of this area’s profound

In the mid-19th century, French,

decks secured bow to stern along the dock’s entire length.

history, but knew I was in the

Dutch, and Russian whaling ships

We spoke of the tonnage of yellowfin

presence of a superpower. When it

fired their harpoons into gray whales

tuna and their nets’ bycatch. Later,

hits you, you know immediately to

that used this area as their winter

George and Rudy would speak of

shut down, stand back, look, and

home. The more recent villains are

horrors they’ve witnessed, helicopters

listen. You know it’s there somewhere;

the commercial netters, who at times

and circling boats depleting the area

you just have to locate it. I knew there

target Spanish sardines, a component

of its piscatorial gold. I’m guilty of

were ghosts among us.

paramount to the sustainability of this resource and its gamefish. I find

loving tuna, too. In a restaurant you’re not conscious of the killing

I hung out on the upper deck of our

it beyond criminal that a legal system

fields and the war machines.

ship. The rumble of its motors and

would endorse the slaughter of fish

the movement it created had me

for fertilizer.

We boarded the Compass Rose

spellbound with minimal thought,

TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE 81

All the birds that had been perched on the beach were now in flight, fighting for a hole to dive into the water for a quick meal—swooping, diving, crashing, watery explosions everywhere.

The engine’s guttural groaning

shallow bar where Rudy said they’d

a few seagulls gliding along and

slowed, as did our momentum.

be. They? Roosters!

crashing into the sea. Rudy closed

The clunking sound of the anchor’s

toward a shallow sand bar and soon

chain signaled its deployment. The

This was the area where he and

was poling in 4 feet of water. I was

anticipation of an anglers’ quest

George found them the previous week

on the bow with my line strung

started to swell in my gut. We were

of their reconnaissance. Paul saw the

out. I saw three big fish in front of

remote, far from any lodge or other

birds diving first.

me, sliding to the right—big, long

boats, and we knew we were in the

shadows at first, but then I saw their

presence of potential greatness. I

The crew was now lifting the

identifying stripes, distinctive combs

strung up a 10-weight rod. I was a

Chittums off the back deck with

jutting from their backs. Roosters!

little presumptuous with a floating

the davit and lowering them to the

line, but I was told we might be doing

water’s surface. We were scrambling

I cast out and started a two-handed

some bait-and-switch with hookless

to get in the skiffs and over to the

retrieve. The lead behemoth raced

plugs. So the floater it would be.

activity. I’d be fishing with Richie and

my fly down with an open mouth.

guide Rudy.

Here he comes…. No! The fish turned

Paul and I leaned over the ship’s gunnel, looking in the direction of a

82 TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE

4 inches from my fly. For a second, As we motored closer, we could see

though, I was in the game. I just

TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE 83

witnessed a dream fish deny my bug

flying fish with frigate birds flying

casting. It had been abused from all

20 feet from the boat.

low, grabbing them mid-flight.

my years of slamming into slalom

We continued poling for a while with

The scene was incredible. In my four

help it some, but I was far from

no more shots or signs of fish. Rudy

decades of ocean fishing, I’d never

relief. I’m a fly fisher, but I’m more

moved around the point and looked

seen such a display of fish and birds.

of a fisher. I have enjoyed catching

out toward the mouth. The point was

Then the bombs began exploding—

fish through every possible avenue

a sandbar that was 10 feet above

not everywhere, but there … and

throughout my life, and now was

water and had as many seagulls on

there…. This was a different animal.

no exception. A fly-caught rooster

it as I’ve ever seen; any estimation

Now we could see the fingered combs

could wait; at this moment I needed

would be off by thousands. Once

of roosters slashing the surface,

some iron to throw. We ran over

we rounded the corner, we motored

chasing down the flying fish. Flying

to the mothership and grabbed a

toward a large open area and started

fish, with frigates above and roosters

spinning rod and a sardine-looking

looking for active birds. There was

below—death was imminent.

jig. I caught a good one an hour later.

poles as a skier. Cortisone injections

nothing to see for a few hours until

It was just as beautiful in my hands

Rudy yelled, “There they are, the

With long sardine flies tied to

as I had imagined. The combs were

other side of the bar!”

our leaders, we started throwing

in my face, flapping with the wind.

forehand and backhand casts

Its heavy body and stripes were

We saw a maelstrom in the sky

to racing, swerving fish. To the

stunning. I had heard and read about

and were immediately up on plane,

boat’s left. To its right. Over and

these fish for years, and they are

racing around the point toward a

over. It proved fruitless. The fish

everything people said they were.

sky filled with thousands of seagulls.

were impossible to intercept with

Now I wanted one on the fly.

All the birds that had been perched

accuracy. They were too quick, too

on the beach were now in flight,

fast. We tried blind casting, quickly

As the wind picked up, we started to

fighting for a hole to dive into the

double-hand stripping it back—

target the large, dark balls of jacks

water for a quick meal—swooping,

nothing. Then it was over.

that were moving around us. We

diving, crashing, watery explosions everywhere.

started picking off 12- to 20-pound But then … over there, yes! Frigates

jacks here and there. Richie, Rudy,

and combs, exploding bombs again.

and I had a blast chasing the schools

Looking closer, the crashing was also

On this stage of the incoming tide, it

and were hoping for another shot at

caused by an underwater chase.

was mayhem. I was riveted.

a rooster, but it never came.

running down and eating sardines.

I wanted a rooster, but my right

We speculated on the next day’s

Then, ahead of the school, we saw

elbow was on fire from all the

conditions as the wind howled. We

Enormous schools of jacks were

84 TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE

agreed it would be prudent to get

then gunning the panga forward,

around us, and we were confident

some local guides and their larger

racing the next set. In and around we

we could successfully get a fly into

pangas to handle the rougher sea

went; sometimes he threw the motor

one of their faces. Paul and Rudy tied

that was forecast. George made the

in reverse, then forward again. At one

up some beautiful Joe Blados Crease

call.

point I asked him how many pangas

Flies. I was hoping my elbow could

were on the bottom here. He just

handle casting the smaller and more

smiled. Bless local knowledge.

aerodynamic bug for a length of time.

Early the following morning, two pangas were off our stern. The winds

Like the others, I was committed to

were a solid 20-plus with a sea too

After arriving on the spot, we were

compromising for the skiffs. These

still dodging big swells. We were

vessels and their two captains would

throwing a large hookless plug,

It was on. The sky was raining birds.

save our remaining five days. They

hoping to tease something out of

We raced to the low-flying frigates,

were two brothers, Gabino and

the rocks so we could present a fly.

which had roosters blasting flying

Octavo Mendivil, who years

The water churned violently, with

fish under them. Behind the roosters

ago stopped commercial fishing and

seals diving and swimming and

were large schools of jacks that

now run eco-tours during the whaling

laughing at my inner fear. The visual

churned the surface, the yellow-

and marlin months. The two locals

was stunning—a high rocky face

bellied bullies ripping through the

influenced 23 of their friends to do

leading up to the lighthouse standing

sardines. We held our casts; we

the same; they were sick of watching

sentinel over the bay. The white-

wanted the fish with a dorsal fin

the slow destruction of their home

walled building looked like a church. I

of seven fingers. We kept trying

waters. Gabino befriended Rudy

wondered how anyone could reach it,

to intercept the outer edge of the

and George the first night they

let alone build it.

schools by circumventing the diving

arrived seven years ago, and they immediately became great friends.

catching a rooster on the fly.

gulls.

The fish paid no attention to our dancing plug, so we ventured back

Soon we were in position, and I was

Gabino wanted to take a look at the

inside. If what we saw yesterday was

on the bow with the Crease Fly in my

rocky beach near the outer mouth

tidal, then we had a few hours before

hand. They were coming. Fish with

of the bay. There we could again

the magic would begin.

combs were blowing up in front of us

target roosters. Getting there was

with the frigates above them. I made

an eyeopener. Ten- to 15-foot waves

We were all sitting around the fly-

a long cast at 10 o’clock and began a

were breaking over shallow bars.

tying table the previous evening. The

two-handed strip. A large striped fish

I was amazed at how well Gabino

air was electric with excitement. I

instantly inhaled my bug.

negotiated this daunting sea—

had caught a rooster with iron, but

pausing, waiting for the set to clear,

we knew there were a lot of fish

I paid close attention, clearing my

TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE 85

line, and once the fish was on the

told him to net it instead. I lifted and

beyond imagination. It was filled

reel, the yelling began. I couldn’t

held his head steady. The fish dove

with the wonders of nature above

believe I had one on, and it looked

under the boat, and I walked my line

and below the ocean’s surface. I’d

very large when it bit. Before we

around the bow. We were short of

never seen a bird sanctuary of this

knew it, the rooster was well into my

words, excited that we had one of

magnitude. Mexico’s Magdalena Bay

backing, and I told Gabino to go after

the bigger roosters close to capture.

and the outlying blue water is one

it. Reeling as fast I could, I wanted

Now I had the fish sideways on the

of the world’s great fisheries. It’s

to get the fat part of my fly line in

surface. George put the big net in the

imperative that close governmental

my hands before I started leaning

water, and I guided the fish headfirst

management, protection, and

on this fish. When we were closer, I

into it. He barely fit. With the tail

enforcement is in place; otherwise,

started pulling. With 20-pound tippet,

hanging over the outer edge, George

like many other fragile resources,

I knew I could apply a lot of pressure,

lifted it into the boat.

the Mags Bay fishery could someday

but I knew this fish wouldn’t demand

evaporate.

it. I got the fish within 30 feet of

We were elated. The roosterfish was

the boat and it took off with force,

a whopper. It was magnificent, its

More information on fishing

pulling string off my reel, again well

beauty beyond description. It was a

and diving at Magdalena Bay is

into my backing. I stayed on Gabino

fish of a lifetime.

available by contacting George

to keep me close with the boat. I

Vandercook at 917-239-8521 or Rudy

lifted, pulled, and tried to hold this

Over the next three days we chased

Babikian at 207-415-6877. Check

hefty fish, and soon I saw it higher in

crazy whirlpools of birds and fish

out loslocosfishing.com or follow

the water column. The fish took off

and caught a handful of beauties.

on Instagram: @loslocosmagbay.

again, but the run was much shorter

Catching roosterfish isn’t a numbers

For local guiding services, contact

than before. I knew we’d have him

game. They’re a highly difficult

Gabriel Gabino Zarabia Mendivil at

soon.

gamefish that demand respect.

613-118-1664 or 613-136-0467.

I was awed every day. My close George was going to grab it, but I

86 TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE

friends and I experienced a week

BUILT FOR LIFE www.seaholmautomatic.com

Founded in Austin, Texas, built in Switzerland, every SEAHOLM automatic watch exceeds industry standards for shock resistance, water resistance and anti-magnetism.

Learn more about SEAHOLM® at www.seaholmautomatic.com

TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE 87

WAIT FOR

WEIGHT

By Joe Doggett

88 TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE

One of the most galling blunders

almost certainly squandered your

And not much in my game has

in all of angling is to yank the fly

chance. The affrighted fish scoots

changed during the past half-

from a big fish doing its suicidal

across the flat, and if the bottom is

century. (Well, maybe the hairline

best to get caught. In the sweat-

really shallow and the brute is really

and waistline have changed.) I

stained, tear-smeared logbook titled

big, you can mark the line of flight by

blame the recurring misfires on the

Rookie Mistakes, this self-inflicted

billowing puffs of sand or marl—most

cross-pollination of all those casting

catastrophe surely rates near the top

vexing. Comments and critiques from

reels.

of the list.

the rear of the skiff usually result in a reddening of the neck. A few choice

The trout angler attuned to wading

Despite being a flagrant foul, we all

epithets might help, but there is no

streams is similarly suckered. When

do it—some more than others, but

escaping a pair of XXL goat ears.

that size-12 Adams disappears in a

we all do it.

Strip or no strip, frantically lifting

lusty swirl, you are schooled to lift

the low tip on the strike is a major

the tip of the light rod. You do not

mistake.

pull back hard with the stripping

I run with a pack of world-traveled anglers—real pros. And I will agree

hand—not with 6X. Or even 4X.

to have my earlobes cruelly pinched

One of my longtime angling

Same thing when high-sticking with

off by fiddler crabs if I have not

companions made an astute

a nymph on a short line: Flick the

witnessed each one of them jerk the

observation: He concluded that old

elevated tip back as the wily brown

fly, snatching

turns down, and the

defeat from the

hook is planted in

jaws of victory.

the hinge of the jaw.

It’s funny when

This is an excellent

it happens to the

technique when a

other guy. I do it

river runs through

with frustrating

it, but not so good

consistency.

where the tide sweeps across it. In

Sight casting or surface fishing—

habits die hard. The all-around angler

fact, it is a disaster on a large fish

makes no difference. When a good

with an ingrained history of plug

with a hard mouth. A salty tarpon

fish is visible and closing on the fly,

casting has a muscle memory of

guide will start barking the instant

the temptation to overreact between

yanking the rod up—the old Cross his

that tip starts going up.

bulging eyes and boiling water can be

eyes! or, if you prefer, the old Texas

The high stick combined with a

overwhelming. This especially is true

clean and jerk.

hair trigger usually result in flailing

on a slow day.

failure as the line waffles back.

I have a black-and-white sequence of

The weight-forward floater tearing

Using the line hand for a proper strip

me in the mid ‘70s demonstrating

from the surface probably boogered

strike might salvage a swing and

this classic gaffe. The two 8x10 Tri-X

the fish. But one desperate option

miss. Extending the low tip slightly

newspaper prints are a bit grainy,

remains: By using the airborne

below the surface adds style points

and one is a tad soft, but the old

momentum, the scrambling angler

and improves the contact. Either

Canon caught me lifting with gusto,

can execute a quick follow-up

way, the aggressive pull keeps the

yanking the fly from a swirling baby

and drive the loop forward. The

floating line and tapered leader on

tarpon. The ham-handed display

precise length of line and leader

the water. If the jacked-up fish fails

occurred in a discharge canal off the

is whizzing around with speed

to feel the fly, the strip might be

Houston Ship Channel, of all places.

and energy, waiting to be utilized.

construed as a dash for escape and

My expression of shock and dismay is

Maybe, despite the commotion, the

encourage a follow-up grab; if you

plainly evident.

agitated predator will wheel back

“burn his lip,” however, you have

for another shot. Maybe an unseen

TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE 89

schoolmate will rush forward. There

If that aged chant seems a bit stuffy,

Sound familiar? Add a dash of salt.

is absolutely nothing to lose with a

maybe try “Make America great

Allow the line to come tight and keep

prompt presentation.

again!” If that sticks in your craw, try

the tip low and seal the deal with a

“Dick Dale, King of the Surf Guitar!”

smart strip.

Today we have an array of excellent

If that sounds too long, maybe

polarized optics available—and

“DickDaleKingoftheSurfGuitar!”

perhaps sometimes seeing so much

Another potential drawback of a high-tip miss is the accelerated loop

may not be such a good thing. There

I have never been able to follow a

of incoming line. This is especially

is something to be said for blind

muttered script, but I do admire the

true when a mutinous crosswind

faith. In other words, the panic of

discipline.

factors into the equation. More than

surprise might give you a better chance of hooking it.

one ducking quick-draw artist has Nash Buckingham, the great shooting

been impaled by a streamer hook.

writer from a century ago, stressed

(Consider yourself fortunate to be fly

We all covet the thrill of sight

the need for “deliberation” amid the

fishing: Imagine the vicious jerk of a

casting. But a positive aspect of blind

whirring commotion of a covey rise

short-arc casting rod as it launches

casting is that you do not have a

over a pointing dog. You have time.

a heavy “dogwalker” plug with two

clue until the line draws tight. The

Remember, we are talking about

or three flashing sets of gang hooks

striking fish does the work for you.

upland quail with profiles like Royal

straight back into the skiff.)

Not bad when you think about it.

Riviera pears, not windswept teal

As river traditions go, the old British

flaring like shards of shrapnel over

When I was growing up in the late

salmon anglers swinging a fly on a

the decoys.

‘50s and early ‘60s, outdoor writers

line quartering downstream would

stressed the need for a fast strike

say “God save the Queen!” before

And the huddled bobwhites are out

when fishing for certain species.

lifting the rod against a boil or a

front and close, launching from

Rainbow trout in moving water and

tug. The delay against the growing

a dead start—take the valuable

“baby” tarpon in mangroves come to

current tension allows the fish to

moments to plant your feet, properly

mind.

grab and turn before feeling the

mount the classic Parker DHE

steel. This hard-won wisdom can, in

20-gauge, and select a bird for a

varying degrees, apply on the flats.

smooth swing.

90 TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE

I disagree.

First off, a lot of those quick boils

I experimented several times,

Of course, nothing in angling is

and splashes are created by short

using poppers with snipped hooks

absolute. A slight delay might forfeit

strikers, fish turning away in the last

and allowing fish to grab with no

the occasional strike. But in the

millisecond. This point-blank rejection

resistance. Typically, the line would

sum of a day, or a year, or a career,

is a fine example of “Good from afar,

slant down and away in the murky

I remain convinced that a bit of

but far from good.”

green before the rejected popper

“deliberation” results in a higher

would float back to the surface.

percentage of solid hooksets in or

If you want to feel like a real chump,

Granted, a largemouth bass is not a

near the corner of the jaw.

rip the rod back while the fly is still

redfish, and a redfish is not a snook,

This drill when sight casting or

visible. All nine-tenths of the law

and a snook is not a tarpon—but

surface fishing can be maddingly

of possession go to you while the

the dynamics of a surface strike are

difficult to follow, as many honest

startled fish wonders what the hell

similar. And among A-list predators,

anglers will concede, but the formula

happened.

the impulse to hang on is universal.

is simple: Wait for weight.

Worth a mention: These were hard A determined fish that grabs

plastic poppers, fake to grizzled lips;

something on or near the surface

fuzzy deer-hair bugs probably would

is reluctant to let go; it has made

have been swallowed. Naturally,

a commitment in aggression and

true to form, I yanked the hookless

energy to elevate and eat, even

poppers from several sudden strikes.

sucking alien air in the process.

I can’t help it. I’m fast on the

It is keen to clamp down on the

draw. Over the years, people have

presumed prey.

commented on my reflexes, but my celebrated hand-to-eye coordination

I once had access to a private pond

often gets trumped by an overload of

near my home in Houston. The small

adrenaline.

lake was rich with healthy bass; a short afternoon session during late spring or summer might yield two dozen fish on a fly rod popping bug.

TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE 91

THE UNDERTOW

September

by George Roberts

A beach in Plymouth, Massachusetts,

I had a website then and a fairly

Time passed and the small window

had been fishing exceptionally well

extensive mailing list. But I wasn’t

closed, with no takers. I was thinking

in the fall for the past few years. The

going to offer this to just anyone,

I had played it too conservatively

previous season, Bill Hassan figured

especially anglers within easy driving

with the promotion. I sent a few

that we’d fished there 28 days

distance or ones who would pay

more effusive emails, made some

between September and October,

this year, and then next year rent a

desperate calls—a couple of bites, but

landing dozens of striped bass, some

house themselves, bringing their own

nothing.

of which measured nearly 40 inches

friends to take over the beach during

on my rod. We had become regulars

prime time. I wanted trusted clients

at Riptides Grill & Bar.

from afar. If they flew in I could pick them up at Logan or Providence.

I was in my late thirties, a fishing

Then it happened.

Saturday was move-in day, but I didn’t move in. I had my fishing gear

bum without a trust fund. But I had

I did a mailing—a straightforward

in the back of my Isuzu Trooper, but

an idea. I’d rent a house near the

letter, no photos. I was selling the

that was about it. No bag of clothes.

beach for two weeks in the thick of

steak rather than the sizzle.

Just my sleeping bag.

anglers for three days each. If it

I pitched it to Gary over the phone.

The small parking lot above the

wasn’t happening out front, we’d

Gary was a commercial pilot from

beach was empty. A couple of people

drive the coast, looking for birds.

Vermont. He had bought a bunch

were walking their dogs along the

This would not be a luxury-vacation

of stuff from my website, and I had

shoreline, but there was no one with

package. There’d be no champagne

done some custom tying for one of his

a fishing rod. Just me.

between tides, no shore lunch, and

trips. He really liked my interpretation

dinner would be at Riptides, where

of Borski’s Bonefish Short; he couldn’t

There was some bait in the water,

pub food ruled the menu. This would

reach Borski to buy originals.

peanut bunker, but not the glut of

it. I could fit three groups of three

be about the fishing.

previous years.

“I’ve caught some of the biggest bass

In May I found the house. It was a

I’ve taken right off this beach with a

An hour and a half of casting

three-bedroom ranch that sat two

floating line and a hair-headed fly,” I

produced a single fish, a 20-inch

streets up from the beach. It was

told Gary. “I don’t want to oversell it,

schoolie. Not a fish anyone would

owned by a retired Boston firefighter

but this is world-class fishing.”

cross the country for. Not a fish you

and his wife. It was nothing special,

could make a living from.

no rose-clad cottage with an ocean

Gary was very interested and

view, but it would do. We’d only be

thought he might book a week for

At Riptides, Dail put a beer in front

using it to sleep. Each angler would

himself. The money would be great,

of me. “Where are your friends

have his own room. I’d zip into a

I thought. I was talking on a fitness

tonight?”

sleeping bag on the sofa. There was a

forum with a woman named Lori.

fireplace. And the offseason rate was

Things were getting interesting, and

“They didn’t come,” I said. “The

good. I gave the firefighter a check

I was thinking about flying down to

fishing’s off.”

for the entire amount.

Atlanta to meet her. Gary’s check would cover that.

92 TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE

“Dail, can you put something else

on?” said a guy down the end of the

up. While the nation reeled over

Bill and Sheila had stayed there one

bar, motioning to the television.

the terrorist attacks, my worries

night, and Bill had left the money

were closer to home. My father was

to help with expenses. No fish, Bill’s

going to the bank every day. Why?

email had said.

“There is nothing else,” Dail said.

He always kept his spending cash in Even though there was no one else

the pocket of a coat hanging in his

That was before my father’s death,

in the house, I slept on the sofa that

closet. When I went through all the

my marriage to Lori, nursing school,

night. I was already planning to get

pockets of all of his coats, I found

hospital jobs, house and mortgage,

out of there at the end of two weeks

nearly $1,500. I’d also found a couple

graduate programs, and the small

without having to make a bed or

of cans of dog food in the pantry.

office I occupy today in an outpatient

wash a dish.

The thing was, we didn’t have a dog.

clinic, as far from that beach as you can imagine, if only about 30 miles.

Just after sunrise, I stopped at the

When I did go back to the beach

beach before heading home. It was

house, later that week, there was

I still stop by the beach once in a

pristine, but nothing moving. I didn’t

$150 sitting on the kitchen table

while in September, and sometimes

even put my waders on.

next to the unopened bottle of

I string a rod and walk down to the

Cruzan Single Barrel I had bought

water. But the fishing has never been

for the clients I’d been expecting.

the same.

It was just as well no one had signed

TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE 93

Something terrible happens when you don’t advertise your destination in the Travel Pages of Tail Fly Fishing Magazine: Nothing.

FLY FISHING MAGAZINE

305-763-8285

Ask for Jim Negen 94 TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE

TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE 95

CONNECTED WITH FISH AGAIN…

PHOTOS: @JESS MCGLOTHLIN MEDIA

WITH FLATS AGAIN… WITH FRIENDS AGAIN… WITH FAMILY AGAIN… WITH FUN AGAIN!

WE’RE OPEN AND MISSING YOU! GET CONNECTED AT EL PESCADOR

804-661-2259 • www.elpescador.com • info@elpescador.com

96 TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE

TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE 97

98 TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE

TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE 99

Tarpon on the Fly with Ambassadors Andy and Nicky Mill.

Shop Fishing Apparel at DUCKCAMP.COM 100 TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE