Photo Essay: Keys Trip
- This topic has 15 replies, 12 voices, and was last updated Apr 23, 2012 at 1:13 am by
.
-
Posts
-
Before the annual spring break family trip last week, I managed to spend a few days chasing silver tarpon in the lower keys with Capt Scot Kolpin and Capt Chris Suplee. It’s been a crazy month at work more deadlines than I care to think about, so after promptly cracking the first beer at Scott’s upon arrival, I was ready for the stress to melt away. Fishing has been tough down there the last few weeks with high winds and scarce fish, but i was ready to work hard and hopefully get the pay off. We had legit shots and eats everyday, but the stars didn’t align completely until last morning.
Rolling out the first morning with high winds, but big hopes for the day.
Not the glass flat with gulpers that we were looking for, but a beautiful sunrise none the less.
So the hunt for silver begins. I was extraordinarily lucky in that Chris had a a 3 day trip cancel, and instead of sleeping in and resting up for a busy season, he jumped right in the boat with us to roll video and lend another set of eyes and hands.
There’s a Farmer’s Tan, and then there’s a Guide’s Tan.
With fishing being a bit slow, I twisted Chris’s arm to take the bow and give a casting demo for those like me that are a little less skilled in working the 12 wts.
Chris was even kind enough to climb on to the back of the boat and relieve Scott at the end of a long day in search of fish.
We actually had 2 fish blow up on the fly while blind casting at first and last light. The key seemed to be doing the 2 hand strip, which makes for a great retrieve, but it’s always a bit interesting getting your hands back on the rod while a Tarpon is dumping 100yds of line.
Restocking the boat for the afternoon run. Since we were having weak tides, we didn’t do the typical long full day on the water, and broke it into 2-a-days, concentrating on first and last light.
A spinning rod rigged for cuda saved the second day. No shortage of teeth on this one.
Capt. Scott showing us his underhand loop, for the ultimate in stealth and delicate presentations.
Back to the dock at the end of the second day.
Once back, since we were out of beer, it was Vodka-Redbulls all the way around.
Day 3. If the sunrise was any indication, it was going to be a good last day.
The Pay Off. Blind casting to a channel, this guy blew up and took us on a trip.
And if that wasn’t enough fishing, once i caught up with the family, I snuck in another evening of shark fishing with a cousin and his boys on his boat. It wasn’t flies, but it was fun, and there were a lot of them. And surprisingly close to beach. I think everyone still has 10 fingers.
See the whole set, full size, here:
http://ericdewitt.zenfolio.com/p549293647
- You must be logged in to reply to this topic.