Tarpon

January 18, 2016 By Blake Matherly

Bamboo Fly Rods, Sanibel Island Fishing

When fishermen get fishing opportunities, they usually take them. Birthdays, holidays, anniversaries, doesn’t matter, they usually take the back seat to a fisherman’s wants or dreams.

Such is the case on Sunday, December 20, 2015, on Sanibel at Norm Zieglars Fly Shop.

That day presented itself with an opportunity to cast a bit of history. Ernie “Woody” Wood, son-in-law of the late John Voelker a.k.a. Robert Travers (author of “Trout Magic,” “Trout Madness” and “Anatomy of a Fisherman”, Anatomy of A Murder”), broke out some of his vast collection of bamboo fly rods for us to cast. Many of the rods belonged to Voelker himself, all crafted from legendary rod makers.

A small but dedicated group of casting geeks got together to cast the rods and learn of their history from Woody. We even got some casting lessons from Joe Mahler, the person responsible for making this afternoon possible.

Thanks Joe and a special thanks to Woody for sharing some interesting history!

Get out on the water, take a kid fishing and always remember that “it’s great being us”!

Capt Blake
<*(((><

January 3, 2016 By Blake Matherly

Fly Fishing Sanibel and Fort Myers Florida

Out with the old (2015) and in with the new (2016). It’s hard to believe that the new year is upon us fishermen. What a end to the 2015 year of Fly Fishing and Back Country fishing around the islands of Sanibel and Captiva! Tarpon fishing was tremendous all the way to the end of December. Maybe the Tarpon decided to retire in Southwest Florida. Hopefully they will soon outnumber the Minnesotans that decided the humidity is better than below 0 temps.

Along with the Tarpon fishing, Snook fishing was great during December. As was the Mackerel, both Spanish and Kings, Bonita, Redfish, Spotted Sea Trout and many other species. Sanibel and Captiva is loading up with wintertime fishermen ready to head out on the flats to get them some of this action.

Multiple fishing trips also provided the unique opportunity for photographs. Not only fish, but birds, dolphins and manatees all wanted to be famous.

FlatsFish’r Charters also does photography tours along with instructions on lighting, gear and how to get the perfect shot.

2015 was a great year, and I’m very thankful for all my models (human, fish and animal) for being so supportive!

Get out on the water, take a kid fishing and always remember that “it’s great being us”!

Capt Blake
<*(((><

December 19, 2015 By Blake Matherly

Sanibel and Fort Myers Fishing Report

What a year it’s been for Snook, Tarpon, Redfish and other species in the Southwest Florida region. I have been blessed with one of the best years I can remember. Lots of days on the water, lots of wonderful clients and mostly cooperative fish. Lately, our fishing has been off the charts. Warmer fall water temps, have kept the fish active and abundant.

We’ve been catching Tarpon as lately as a few days ago. Snook numbers are high. Just two days ago we had as many as 30 snook caught on one charter with at least 10 over 30″. Nice Redfish and we’re seeing more and larger Trout making their way into the back country.

Get ready for things to change though as the colder fronts are coming in and the water temps are going to move the fish into different areas. This will prompt different ways of fishing and using different bait.

Get out on the water, take a kid fishing and always remember that “it’s great being us”!
Capt Blake
<*(((><

December 6, 2015 By Blake Matherly

Fly Fishing the Islands of Sanibel and Captiva

Fly Fishing has been some of the best of the year. Multiple hookups of Snook, Redfish, Trout and Tarpon. Yes, I said Tarpon.

Unbelievable huh? The weather has been great so the water temperature has been unseasonably warm. That makes the Tarpon happy so that makes my clients happy. I was even able to take the bow and cast a little lately and yes I was lucky in getting a pretty nice fish that liked jumping so good times had by all.

We’ve also had multiple hookups with Tripletail, Bonita, Mackerel, Jacks and a few Kings. Not sure how long this will stay as our northern friends are sending us some Northern fronts to calm down our bragging.

Get out on the water, take a kid fishing and always remember that “it’s great being us”!
Capt Blake
<*(((><

February 15, 2015 By Blake Matherly

Sanibel and Fort Myers Florida Fishing Report

Sanibel and Fort Myers Florida Fishing report for last week in February is mixed with Snook, Redfish, Trout and Pompano. Even though we had a couple of cold fronts attack us from the north, we still managed to get some numbers in different species in the back country around the islands of Sanibel and Captiva in Pine Island Sound.

Clousers, EP Everglades Special, and Joe Mahler’s Strawboss were the best flies to target these fish while flyfishing. We use TFO Mangrove series 8 wt rods with Wulff Bermuda Shorts floating line to make the presentation right on target.

Dr. Collins from Winston Salem NC enjoyed some days on the flats catching Snapper, Snook and just missing some tailing Redfish on the grass flats. The weather was a bit windy but we still made the best out of the days we were out.

Lures included DOA Shrimp, and Berkley Gulp Jerk Shad worked best for getting the bait where the fish were holed up (mostly under the mangroves). Both the shrimp and the Shad are perfect for skipping the bait under the hanging limbs to set up the ambush.

For bait fishermen, live shrimp are the best bet for the cooler water temps. I like rigging the shrimp weedless so you can use on the open grass flats, around oyster bed or even under the mangroves.

Mike Gigliotti from New York and his father in law, Dan McConlogue from Fort Myers had a great day fishing mangroves, oyster beds and the grass flats using lures and live shrimp. Redfish, Snook, Snapper and Pompano were fooled by the masters.

Get out on the water, take a kid fishing and always remember that “it’s great being us”!
Capt Blake
<*(((><