I got to spend the last day of 2007 chasing big winter Tarpon in the Lower Keys. These fish have been around for a few days but have been a little reluctant to eat until today. I was fishing with Shark Key resident Art Hungerford.
Art is relatlively new to Fly Fishing for Tarpon here in the Florida Keys. I set out to a spot where I had seen a good number of big laid up fish a couple of days earlier, and when we got there we were treated with lots of big rolling fish. As I explained the do's and dont's of Tarpon fishing with a fly to Art. We immediatley had two big fish slide in on us for a quick shot. Not a minute later I spotted another fish laying high in the water column. Art dropped the fly out in front of the fish and the Big Tarpon crushed it. Being that it was Arts first ever tarpon bite he was'nt eable to get it tight in time and the big fish slide away no worse for the ware. After about another 20 minutes of casting at rollers and laid up a fish, a group of three big fish moved in on us And art made a great cast out in front of the lead fish. The second fish in the group jumped over that fishes back and inhaled the fly. After several nice jumps the fish trew the fly. Art was crushed trying to figure out what went wrong. I told him he just had to hook a few more to learn what to do witth them once you have the line tight. We moved to another spot and we where greeted by a big single fish moving into a back country edge for some warm winter sun. Art made the cast and without hesitation the fish ate the fly and took to the air. "Big fish, Big Fish" I said. " Clear the line, Keep it tight."
The fish hit the reel and headed for the gulf. Art survived all of the jumps and did a great job putting pressure on the fish. After a 30 minute fight we had the fish boatside for a few quick photos and a good clean release.
Thats what I did on New Years Eve Day, You?
Best wishes for 2008
CApt. Kris
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