Happy New Year 2015!!!!

The last few year's I've always made my new year's resolution to catch more fish, and more specifically, to catch a redfish.  It hasn't gone too well with each year seeming to have less and less fishing.

So this year, no fishing resolutions.  I'm just hoping to get out on the water more.  Here's a pic to keep you warm as we look forward to 2015 and the upcoming tarpon and bonefish seasons!!

Tight lines and fish boat side in 2015!!

A Long Island Bonefish.

                            

The Trailer Evolution

One reason I went with a 13 foot Gheenoe is so I could throw it in the back of my pickup truck.  I thought that since it's "only" 120 lbs, I can do this no problem.  I did that a few times and about broke my back.  The problem is that when you add the weight of a motor, cooler, some gear and gas, the ole' girl gets heavy.

So at first, I designed a wooden trailer that I could roll into the back of my truck bed and rest on a kayak rack.  Pretty slick, huh?

Once you load the rack in the back, the back legs come off so that they don't hit the road.  

Part dragster, part wooden boat trailer. 

Here she is loaded.  Drove three hours like this.  You should've seen the looks I got at the boat ramp.  

The Gheenoe

If you're not familiar with a Gheenoe, it's part of the micro skiff revolution.  A micro skiff is nothing more than a small skiff, often in the 12-15 foot range.  Gheenoe's were designed by Harley Gheen back in 1970.  They are a cross between a canoe and a John Boat blending the best qualities of the two.  I have a 13 footer which is a small one, but great for scooting around local rivers and exploring the edges of the Chesapeake Bay.  I have a little 4 HP on the back.

To me, the real advantage of this boat is the stability.  I can stand up and fly fish.  I have a kayak for fishing but since I really love the long rod, I always found it difficult to sight fish sitting so low to the water.  Couple that with the fact I don't have to paddle and the Gheenoe really opens up a lot of water for me to fish.  I've made a few modifications to mine which are all pretty simple, but there are guys out there who have made this little boats into pretty fancy skiffs.

Here's how she looked when I got her.

Where Has the Bonefish Flat Been?

It's been a busy year for me.  I haven't updated the blog for over a year, though that doesn't mean I haven't been thinking about fishing.  The truth is that is about all I've been doing on the fishing front.  I got a Gheenoe about a year ago and have had a lot of fun getting that up and running.  I've been planning to add a separate page at the top of the screen to update folks on my little micro skiff and how much fun it's been.

Me and the boy getting ready to go find a carp.

I did a little carp fishing this year.  And, I saw a lot of carp, but didn't do too well at the catching part. I also "assembled" a trailer for the Gheenoe which was fun too.

My daughter and son are getting bigger so the summer was spent at a lot of swim meets and "other" things which is just fine.  I just didn't have as much time for fishing which consequently meant not as much to write about and of course not much time to write.

Maybe 2015 will be the year of the fish!  Every year the my New Year's resolution is to fish more and for some reason I fish less.  So this year, no resolutions on the fishing front.

Back to School with Flip Pallot and Mad River Outfitters

Earlier this year I told folks about a great experience I had doing business with Mad River Outfitters. Well, they are putting on a trip of a lifetime. A sort if fantasy camp for salty brethren of the long rod.

Join Mad River and Flip Pallot for a saltwater fly fishing school on Ambergris Caye in Belize on April 12-18, 2014.

Joining Flip will be the founder and owner of one of the largest fly fishing outfitters in the country, Brian Flechsig of Mad River Outfitters. Brian is the host of the Mad River Media series of instructional fly fishing videos, author, fly designer and a veteran instructor. Not to mention, of course, he's a world-class saltwater angler with over 30 years of experience. Brian and Flip began working together over 14 years ago when they filmed a mess of episodes of the Walker's Cay Chronicles together. A solid friendship was easily formed and the two men began teaching schools like this at various locations. They also conducted many trips together including their famous "Florida Sampler Trips". As Flip will tell you himself.......... "Brian is one of the best instructors in the fly fishing industry today and you will be glad to work with him."

Details, details, details...

The "MRO Flip School"-

The Mad River Outfitters/Flip Pallot Saltwater Fly Fishing School will be held in San Pedro- Ambergris Caye in Belize from Saturday, April 12th- Friday, April 18th. 2014.

You will arrive on Saturday the 12th at the San Pedro Airport via Belize City and be escorted to the oceanfront Villa that Flip and Brian have rented for the school. You do need to arrange your airfare to Belize City and then over to San Pedro....but it's super easy. Belize City is served by American and Delta and we use Tropic Air for the quick jump over to the island. We will provide you exact details on how to do this. A valid U.S. Passport is required to enter Belize.

We will have a "meet and greet" dinner on the night of arrival and an overview of the week to come.

The next day will be spent in "classroom" with Brian and Flip with an emphasis on your fly casting skills.....which is the single most important component in your saltwater success. Classes will run from 10:00 a.m.- 4:00 p.m. so plenty of time before and after to relax, enjoy....or chase fish around the flats in front of the villa.

Day two will be spent with local guides chasing bonefish, tarpon and permit on the flats surrounding Ambergris Caye. After dinner will be a Q & A and discussion with Flip and Brian about your day.

Day three will be spent again in "classroom" with Brian and Flip and a variety of topics will be covered. You will have the evening off to relax, socialize, go to town, or....fish the flats right in front of the villa

Days 4 and 5 will be spent again with local guides on the flats surrounding the island.

Day 4 will feature "classroom" Q & A after dinner with Brian and Flip and day 5 will feature the "graduation ceremony".

You will depart the Ambergris Caye/San Pedro airport on Friday, April 18th. We will provide transportation (via golf cart) to the airport.

You need to bring basic tackle and flies. A detailed equipment listing will be provided upon sign-up. Basically you need to have an 8wt for bonefish and a 10wt for tarpon and permit, a few leaders and flies, and proper clothing and gear.

****Sign-up for this trip and Temple Fork Outfitters will give you a NEW Mangrove Fly Rod (designed by Flip) for FREE.......you pick....8wt- 12wt Click Here to view

Trip is limited to 12 anglers. A full detailed Info packet will be sent upon sign-up that will contain equipment listing, travel info and etc.

Included in this trip: Transportation from San Pedro airport to the villa, 6 nights lodging, all meals, Flip Pallot School, 3 days guided fishing, tons of fun

Not Included in this trip: Transportation to San Pedro, Belize (super easy and we'll tell you exactly how), tackle and flies, tipping of guides, staff and instructors

" Brian and I will transform you into better saltwater anglers.......period"- Flip Pallot

The Ultimate Man Cave

This one is so good I had to share.  Inspiring!!!

Grinning from Ear to Ear

If you're a fishing guide, you may not understand this but you might be interested in it.  I'm your average fly fishing addict whose daydreams follow a gaze out the window anxiously awaiting my next opportunity to reclaim a little bow time.  It's a beautiful thing when you put everything together for your next fishing trip.  But a good fishing trip usually begins with a good guide saying yes.

That's right.  You can pick your destination.  You can start tying flies.  You can ask a million questions on your favorite fishing forum.  But, if the guide you pick is booked, then its time to start over again.  Ever try to book your favorite keys tarpon guide in May or June?  Hope someone bequeathed you a week on their death bed, because those times just don't fall off the key lime tree.  Ever try to book your favorite bonefish guide in the Bahamas during April or May?  Hope you planned ahead.

So, when it came time for me to chase the redfish, I chose to try and book a trip with Captain Seth Vernon of Double Haul charters.  Dates weren't easy to come by, but we finally got some times that work and 2013 is now the year of the redfish.

Check out this video as a little teaser of what's to come.