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Everglades National Park - Flamingo
Capt. Bob LeMay
April 27, 2003
Flamingo - Saltwater Fishing Report
Finally a day off, and time for a long overdue fishing report and then lots of maintenance. It's been over a month since my last report so there's some ground to cover...
The tarpon fishing this past month in my favorite areas has been wildly uneven. April should have been outstanding but the weather and the fish were just not on. Our best fish on fly was approximately 100lbs for Mike Morgan from Texas. It was caught on a Tarpon Snake up a river less than 100 feet wide. We worked that fish around corners, under trees and around logs before landing and releasing him. He and his partner George Cockerham got two each both along the coast and up a river. On one of the days that the water was too muddy to chase tarpon we went offshore to catch and release the biggest jewfish (goliath grouper) that's ever been pulled into my skiff. The fish was about six feet long and clearly over 150lbs. An outstanding catch by George "Frog" Cockerham. The fish clearly outweighed the angler...
The tarpon fishing in the past week has improved on days when the weather has co-operated. Yesterday we jumped two before a fast moving weather front shut us down and made the 30 mile run home an interesting trip... I'll be drying out all my gear for the next two days. The fly of choice is still the Tarpon Snake. It's outfished anything else we've used except live bait.
This past month has been good for everything except tarpon. We've had backcountry slams two or three times a week, every week, with snook, reds, and speckled trout. The trout in particular have been heavy and fat with roe as they prepare to spawn. Waters in Whitewater Bay have remained clear and the water temps have been perfect. Our best spots for trout continue to be points of islands with a fair current on either tide. For beginners or anyone wanting a trout dinner a small Equalizer cork with a live shrimp would be hard to beat. For the largest trout, surface plugs worked slowly have produced every day. A large Silhouette fly or a Fat Snook fly worked cross current also were consistent producers. For anglers wanting action with large ladyfish the fly of choice has been a Gartside Gurgler. It's a great pattern that I wish I'd thought of...
The next day or two will be lots of maintenance and fixing gear that's been used one time too many, then back to Flamingo. With just a bit better weather the fishing should be outstanding from the interior to the coast.
Tight Lines
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