2012: The Year of the Fish

Well, 2011 has come and gone.  I tried to spare everyone a recap and a "look forward" addition of the Bonefish Flat because I know that was the talk of the web right after the New Year.  But alas, it's good for the soul to reflect on the year gone by and what lies ahead.

To put it simply, 2011 was not real fishy.  Seemed like mostly a lot of work.  The Mrs. and I bought a new house and that seemed to take up most of the year. As a result, my yearly bonefishing trip got put off.  You don't realize how much you miss bonefishing until you don't get to go (OK, maybe you do.  Maybe we think about it all the time, but that's one for another blog post).

You might remember that I declared 2011 the year of the redfish.  Unfortunately, I never got my redfish to hand but that will change.  Maybe even this year.  My one trip was to the outer banks of North Carolina and apparently there are no redfish there.  There may be no fish there, at least none that were eating my flies.  I had a good time nonetheless hanging out and spending time with my dad.

Should be Red's in there, right?  Wrong.

Pops and I at the OBX.

I did spend some time around the holidays and got into some trout fishing and some fishing the Chesapeake Bay.  I managed to land a Thanksgiving trout on the famous Gunpowder River of Maryland, and that was a good thing.  The bay "was angry that day, my friend" and we didn't land any fish.  But it's always good to get out on the water.

The target ship in the bay. 

So what does 2012 have in store for the Bonefish Flat?  I have a trip planned to the Keys for Tarpon and whatever else is biting down there.  So am I ready to declare 2012 the year of the Tarpon?  That didn't work so well with the redfish, so let's just all say that 2012 is the year of the fish, and let's all try to find our way out on the water for a few more trips and a few more trips.  I'm also working on a special mystery trip that hopefully will come together soon, so be sure to stay tuned for more on that.

Other than that, I will try to put together another trip down south for redfish with my trusty old kayak.  That might have to wait until later in the year.  

Pic of the Week

Not salty, but yonder there are the Blue Ridge Mountains behind those barns.  Some brookies in dem dere hills.

Thanksgiving Success on the Gunpowder River

It's taken me a while to get around to posting from last week, but I had two great days out on the water.  And no, I wasn't on the flats, but on the trout streams.  I fished the famous Gunpowder River near Baltimore, Maryland.  The Gunpowder is famous for NOT being kind to me.  I was about ready to give up on it but the wife let me go up there on Thanksgiving morning before having dinner with some family.

I finally had some success.

A respectable Brown from the Gunpowder.  

On Saturday, I had a chance to go out again on the South River which is in Greene County, Virginia, near my home town of Culpeper.  This is a stocked trout stream that is a "put and take."  I have had crap all luck with stocked streams, but for some reason I keep putting myself through the torture of trying to catch a trout on one of these streams.  My luck on the South would prove no better this go around.  Even though the stream had just been stocked four days before, I didn't see, or spook, a single trout.  

I emailed one of my good friends, Tom Sadler who writes the blog Dispatches from the Middle River, and is an all around great fisherman, to get his take on trout streams.  He made me feel a lot better confirming my thought that the "locals" tend to fish out and harvest the majority of these trout as soon as they leave the truck.  Next time, maybe I'll just go for a hike instead.  

Flip Pallot Joins Costa Pro Staff

Well it's about time.  My main man Flip has joined Costa Del Mar's current pro staff.  If you are a regular reader of the Bonefish Flat, you know I'm a huge fan. The Walkers Cay Chronicles is a big reason I'm such an avid saltwater fly fisherman.

Flip won't be squintin' anymore with his new Costas.  

Flip is a great fit for Costa joining such other pro staff members as Chico Fernandez and Jose Wejebe.  He has a new show, Ford's Fishing Frontier which is on the Outdoor Channel.  The new season starts in January.

Maybe Costa will come out with a style of shades called the "Flip."  

The Christmas Most Wanted

It's almost black Friday which means most of us should be out fishing the day after Thanksgiving.  But instead, many of us will get dragged to the store to give the economy a much needed boost.  While Oprah might have her "favorite things,"that's got nothing on the Bonefish Flat's Christmas most wanted list.  If you're wondering what gear you need to ask for, or what your significant other who is a saltwater fly fishing nut like me wants, than be sure to check out my list below.

1. Scott S4S 8wt- You're probably saying, wasn't this on the list last year?  Yep, it was, but I still don't have one.  This is my favorite saltwater stick out there today.  If you're a tarpon angler, try the 10 or 11 wt.  

2. Hells Bay Biscayne- This is the gift that separates the men from the boys and will solve the age old question, have you been naughty or nice this year.  The newest edition to the Hell's Bay lineup sends shivers up my spine.  What a beautiful boat and one that will have you chasing permit and tarpon around the Florida Keys.  Check back here on the Bonefish Flat on December 26 to see how good I've been this year and keep your fingers crossed.  The kids would love this.  

3.Costa 580s- If you don't have a pair of 580's yet, then I guarantee you there are fish out there you are missing.  Plus, if you're fishing without them, than you probably don't look good.  And who wants to get a great grip and grin shot of you and your bonefish with a pair of ugly shades.  I recommend the Zane model in Green Mirrors.  

4. Simms Tarpon/Hells Bay Long Sleeve- It's Simms, it's Hell's Bay, and its a fine looking shirt.  Make mine an XL please!

5. Simms Rogue Fleece Hoody in Camo - This is one I really want. Why camo?  Because they'll never see you coming.  

6. Scott S4S Poster- If you're a young buck, put this up in your dorm room.  If you're an old married guy, hang it above your bed.  I'm sure that a tailing permit will turn on your significant other.  Or you could just hang it in your man cave like I would do. 

7. Simms Saltwater Cap- Gotta have something to cover your noggin in the scorching heat of the flats.  This one has a poon on it, so you've got that going for you.  I recommend the light grey color.  

8. Buff Black Fly Edition- Vaughn Cochran's signature black fly turned into a Buff.  Everyone seems to be wearing one of these things now and why not.  You get to pretend you're a real live bandit.  

9. Cliff Beast Junior- You've seen those really cool yellow fly boxes that the guides have on their boats.  The ones chocked to the brim with beefy flies to help you catch your trophy bone.  Why not get your own and tie some flies this winter.  Order from the Uptown Angler in NOLA and tell them the Bonefish Flat sent you.  

10. Connect on Blu Ray- Last but not least, you're going to need a new video to last you through the cold winter.  Especially if you hung that Scott poster above your bed.  The folks at Confluence films put together some of the best fly fishing action available and Connect is there new film.  

11. Tapam the Movie: My friend Jan Bach Kristensen has put together an amazing film about fly fishing for tarpon from a float tube.  Jan is an amazing photographer who has been featured in several publications including Fly Fishing in Saltwater.  Be sure to pick up a copy of Tapam in Blu-Ray.  

So there you have it.  But as we head into the holiday season, let's try to remember the real reason for the season,count our blessings and try to get outdoors and do some fishing with our families.  

Fried Green Tomatoes are Still better than Bananas

So I'm not going to lie, the fishing has been slow this year. I got out for one good trip to the salt in which I got skunked, but still managed to have a good time. Earlier in the season I got out to the local ponds and caught some small bass and pan fish on fly, but they were pretty small and I seemed to lose interest pretty quickly. Catching bonefish does that to you with the little guys.

Each year my New Years resolution has been to fish more, and this year is not looking good. Me and the family built a house and that seems to be consuming most of my time, plus the kids are at the age where they can't quite go fishing but certainly don't want daddy to leave them behind.

This predicament should bolster my argument for a "family" boat (Hells Bay, makes a family boat, right? I believe it's called a Marquesa :)), but all I get are strange looks when I bring that up.

The good news is that my trip for next year is booked and it's going to be tarpon in the keys. It should be a blast as I haven't been to the keys in several years so it's time to head back.

Until then, here's a pic from the grill last night. What good southern boy doesn't fry up home grown green tomatoes.

Cool Tarpon Story

Could it signal the end of times? Or could it just be coincidence? Whatever it is, imagine hundreds of tarpon leaping at once.You decide. Wish I could have seen this one.