Greetings from Captain Buddy,
It was certainly a warm summer and fall, with the fishing being slower than normal. As in years past, I thoroughly enjoyed my continued exploration in the uncrowded, more remote areas of the Everglades National Park and the Ten Thousand Islands National Wildlife Refuge. Like an old friend, these waters have become pleasantly familiar.
If I’m being perfectly honest, despite the privilege of unfettered access to so much water and expansive terrain, I occasionally dream of being back in the northern forests, casting away on a cool and clear, fast-moving trout stream. And, as I’ve frequently done in the past, I look forward to making my dream a reality again, sometime in 2026 is the plan. Most likely it will be on the Wind River Indian Reservation in northwest Wyoming. Though I haven’t been up there for about 16 years, I fished it steadily for decades and making a wishful bet with myself that there’s a good chance the same solitude and prime fishing is still intact. Will have to let the locals update me when the time comes.
Down here in the Everglades, I, along with many others, am concerned with recent building and planned development threatening to encroach further into wildlife habitat that many have worked so hard to preserve. It’s also not difficult to see how the many contaminants and chemicals used repeatedly over many thousands of acres might eventually impact the quality of our fishing here in south Florida; chemicals that are shown to impact the health of our ecosystems, including aquatic life. Living here, we try to do our part, by adopting a chemical-free environment in the way that we live, in walking our talk, and also in educating ourselves on natural ways to support an overall healthier environment in SW Florida. We’ve transitioned our yard to chemical free, in alignment with Mother Nature, and happy to report doing very well! The butterflies and wildlife are back!
With the hottest months now behind us, I envision better fishing without the early morning and late day No-Seeums. Looking back, sometimes I have to laugh out loud when I think of myself casting away in my bug suit and head net on, making an impression on passers-by as they take note of my cutting-edge fashion. The lightweight ‘wearable’ is a must, however, when it comes to comfort on those buggy days. And another huge Snook taking my fly makes it all worth it even if it snaps me off! No matter what I’m wearing, and no matter what month of the year, I’m always grateful to see these beautiful fish prowling our local bays and rivers, and moving along the mangrove edges.
I caught a few larger Tarpon this summer, and this occurred where there was a decent title flow/current. Not overly deep, approximately 4 to 5 feet. It always surprises me when I don’t see any signs of Tarpon, yet there they are—bam! I hooked an exceptionally large Tarpon up in late October. It was in the back of one of my favorite bays in about 2 feet of water. My first cast wasn’t perfectly placed, but, by golly, the second one got it done. As I was sight fishing for Snook and Redfish at the time with my lighter 8 weight, as you can imagine, that fight didn’t last long.
I’m looking forward in the months ahead, to spending more time in the far backcountry with the smaller metal (Jon) boat. Here, in the smaller creeks and rivulets, the focus is often on casting to Snook and smaller Tarpon. It’s here also that the fishing opens up to a whole new, and sometimes surreal, experience. The Jon boat accommodates one additional angler aside from myself. And I have to say, without exception, I’ve found every outing always turns out to be a new one-of-a-kind enjoyable adventure..
Signing off…..
Captain Buddy
