Greetings from Captain Buddy,
I hope that you’re all having a great summer! It’s been a cooler than normal last few months here, with fronts coming through, bringing those predictable temperature drops. My fingers are crossed that no major systems come through. Everything is green and lush. Our trees have produced bumper crops of grapefruit, mangos, and we’d like to harvest avocados later this summer if the storms don’t take them. I was starting to believe the signs are indicating fishing is on the upswing! And lo and behold! An abundance of Redfish are now showing up, as well as loads of smaller Snook. However, over the past 2 weeks, fishing north of Chokoloskee, I landed some substantially larger Snook, not one or two, but several. We must continue to push our politicians to assist in expediting the work already begun to introduce and maintain the correct water flow back to the Everglades. And, at the same time, keep emphasizing the importance of utilizing ‘catch-and-release only’ practices in the park. Doing so will help to increase the populations that have declined or scattered in recent years.
This Tarpon season for most was a disappointment. Not nearly the numbers we saw a few years ago. Although we managed to jump/hook quite a few, it was still considerably less than the previous year. Hopefully we’ll be seeing more of them this fall during the Mullet migration.
The Snook fishing is really good right now, and has been since the spring. I’m currently tying flies that are weighted. Along lots of the mangrove banks, where there is a fairly good drop off, we must get the fly near the bottom. In many cases, floating line, without a weighted fly, just doesn’t get it done. One way I can tell that I’m fishing properly, is when I come home and I have a cut on my right forefinger from an attempt to keep a large Snook out of the roots. Even so, we never get tired of trying to outsmart a large one. More than anything, it’s about that feeling of accomplishment!
On a last note, I spent a spectacular week in Katmai National Park fishing for Rainbows in late June. The fishing was exceptional and with a breathtaking backdrop to boot! If any of you get a chance to visit Alaska, be sure to add Brooks Park, in Katmai National Park, on your agenda. I’ve been remote fishing in Alaska in past years, but have never seen a concentration of bears quite like I witnessed in this region. With rivers spilling over with salmon, you can bet they’re feeding well. My plans are to return for a week in early October, which should be an excellent time for larger, well fed, Rainbows. And although we are seeing weather patterns shifting and ecosystems being disrupted from the norm in Alaska, as in many areas, the bigger fish will continue their pattern of feeding ravenously in the fall, so long as colder temperatures factor into the picture. After all is said and done, it will be nice to return home to one of the best times of year for fishing in the Everglades!
I hope you’re having a wonderful summer!
Captain Buddy