As I write this I can hear the television news telling us about Airline cancellations due to the Snow storm in the North East and the weather here is cold and cloudy. We knew yesterday this was coming. I wanted my friend Robin to get in a good day of fly fishing as it had been 5 years since she had been able to have the chance to fish, really fish. I’m talking about the go out on the water and catch fish till you drop type of fly fishing. Robin is a woman who is thrilled when she catches a box fish from a crowded pier and she can make it sound like a fishing tournament. It was 10 am in the morning here in Islamorada Florida and I was determined to put Robin on fish, but how? We walked into a small, dark from all the gear, fly and tackle shop and struck up a conversation with the owner, originally from York Maine. He was an older gent with the look of a tried and true salt water fisherman. I explained my dilemma while wading through his shop looking for those little treasures one finds in a good tackle shop that has been around for years. He reaches for a card and says call this young guide. He is young, he will find fish and you will fly fish until you drop! A born skeptic I was hesitant but as time was passing and a cold front nearing, I called Joe Petrucco of Killer Instinct Charters. Joe answered his cell. I told him my problem and he said, “how soon can you get here? We can go when you get here and we will catch plenty of fish on the fly, plus we will have a great time.” The deal would be a good chunk of change but it was worth it to me and my longtime friend, Robin. I was thinking to myself, “last minute trip, I must be desperate!“ We drove to Joe’s house on a beautiful canal and his 20 foot center console boat was tied up out front. He made a safety check and off we went through Florida Mangroves, across beautiful and world renowned Islamorada flats and into the open Gulf of Mexico. The weather was Sunny, the air temperature was 80 degrees and seas were calm. Our first stop was an hour out in 9 feet of water, which was to be the consistent depth all day. Joe tossed a couple chum bags over the side of his boat. A few minutes passed and we caught fish nonstop until dusk. The fast action subsided in spurts of small breaks for which I was thankful for. Robin shrieked with excitement as her first Kingfish hit her fly and it was all uphill from there. We caught Kingfish, Bluefish, Ladyfish, Blue Runners, Cat fish, Sea Trout bigger than I’ve ever caught before, 2 Bull Sharks, etc… And, I mean etc.. On the way in Capt. Joe asked if we wanted to do some night Tarpon fly fishing. I had to decline as I was exhausted from catching so many fish and so was Robin. My friend and I shared a great day on the water, Capt. Joe fished me out and we were real happy. In the end we were all happy, I recommendJoe Petrucco and hisKiller Instinct Charter business highly. I am going to find liniment for our sore but happy muscles.
nice fish, sounds like a great day on the water. thanks for the story
Greg,
That sounds like an awesome fly fishing trip. Seriously, those kingfish are soooo cool and, in my opinion, that is part of the fun of Salt Water Fly Fishing. I love casting to schools of ravenous fish, all of which are more than willing to tear up a fly and anything else that surrounds them for that matter. In florida, I am always amazed at the number of species available to the flyfisherman. It certainly makes the northeast seem uncomparable considering we basically have striped bass, bluefish and albies/bonito (in select places.)….Fly fishing in florida, without a doubt, offers a seemingly endless opportunity of possibilities in terms of fly fishing locations and what you might catch…and it is sooo cool because one never really knows what might take the fly….
WHAT a great read — ps – were you fly fishing over a wreck or anything – could you see any of the action as you were casting???
Greg that is one serious experiance. I really wish I was there with you! It is awesome that you were able to get your friend into some great fish. Awesome job with the pen as well. I am living through your tropical adventures in the ice gripped Northeast.
Sounds like your wanderings into flyshops really paid off on this one. Last minute trips with unknown guides are always risky. The article and photos show that this guy lived up to his reputation. I will make a note of his charter in my address book for future trips. Glad you ar finding some liniment for your sore muscles. They will need to be well rested for shoveling snow when you get home.
pat – do i remember you saying you are going somewhere in the carribean soon ??? mexico’ish right? bring a fly rod – i was on a cruise with my parents a few years ago and caught a ton of fish in mexico on some island – just rented a moped and drove off the beaten path – white – deciever – 9 weight – hooked some nice barracuda and other stuff — certainly worth bringing a rod and flip flops:)………
Wasn’t over the wreck as we were catching plenty of fish where we were. The water, wind and fish were working in just the right combination for an 8 species day. The Gulf has an abundance of species available to a fly fisherman and there are flats eveywhere so that when your in the Gulf, beyond the limits of Florida Bay a fly fisherman can still sight fish to fish. There is simply no limit except your imagination!!
My Muscles hrut from sitting around!!! Cabin Fever has set in up here in the Northeast. Glad you are out catching fish I wish my muscles were sore from holding a rod all day. Good read-
j-
Greg, Nicely done! Looks like you are having a killa’ time!
Austin
Looks like you had yourself a great time. It is nice to see that you had the chance to share the day with Robin. Tell her I said hello. I would like to fish with Joe in the keys sometime, if he impressed you he must be a good guide.
Sounds awesome-That is the best feeling of exhaustion. It makes for a great nights sleep!