Beneath the Mangroves

After several months of phone call conversations and planning, I was very fortunate to spend the last four days fishing with my good friend and former Head Guide Andy Lee of Grassroots Guides, Beneath the Mangroves. Andy recently relocated to Chokoloskee, Florida, where he has been fishing the Everglades backcountry for redfish, snook, and most recently, tarpon. We had quite a trip.
Andy runs a 18' Hell's Bay and it's the perfect rig for fishing the backcountry flats, weaving through the creeks and poling across the big bays of the Everglades.
We spend the first three days sight fishing to reds and snook. The redfish were a little easier to see: more out in the open, along vegetated flats or among oyster beds. The snook were trickier business, as we poled countless banks trying to spot these fish lying in ambush beneath the mangroves.
We had a good number of shots for snook, but they are a wiley fish. Many times we would see one and before we could drop a cast in front of it, the fish had retreated to cover beneath the trees. We would often pole by a fishy looking spot, unable to see a fish only to see the fish bolt from underneath us or the trees to explode as the fish took off. When we did see one and get a good cast in front of it, the fish would either immediately bolt or destroy the fly. We had some great takes and were able to land a few.
We also found a good number of redfish. A little easier to see, but often just as fickle, we brought a few of these to the boat as well. Enticing the reds to strike was a little more sensitive as we teased them to strike by pulling flies away and then letting them catch up. A great game to play.
At some point during our third second or third day we started seeing some black drum cruising amongst the reds. A fast sinking crab pattern was the trick for these odd looking fellars.
We had a slightly nervous moment as we noticed a gator approaching while Paul landed one particular drum. Andy made us second guess ourselves when he joked that gators always travel in pairs, one under the surface.
For our last day on the water, we fished for reds in the morning and then decided it was time to try and see some tarpon. We were surprised and instantly excited as we poled down our first bay and a heron spooked one and then we started seeing tails and wakes.

I was first up and had a good shot at a happy fish about a foot under the surface. I made two casts and on the second had an eat, but it didn't stick. We were pumped though as our first good shot resulted in a take. On we went.

Paul took some shots at some fish to no avail and then it was my turn on the bow again. The fish were hard to see given the muddy, murky water of the everglades but we soon found ourselves right upon a very large shadow under the surface. Wind at the moment almost blew us over the fish, but Andy circled us around to where I could take some good shots. My first four casts were no good, but on the last, it looked as though the fish was interested. I was lucky the fish hadn't bolted. I took another cast and this one was on the money, a few inches in front of the fish. Not even six inches into my retrive and the water exploded, the fish coming out of the water to crush the fly, a tan, deer-hair head slider. And then it was on. Into the backing within seconds, leaping in the distance, the line cleared and I remained tight. It was looking good.

I had some good shots at tarpon last spring but wasn't able to coax any to eat. We joked later that this fish chose me, allowing for my first nervous casts to pass until I put the fly where he wanted it.
The fight lasted about 40 minutes, the last 30 or so within 30 feet of the boat, the hardest part of the whole ordeal.
Finally the fish rolled over and with a hand on its lip, the fish boatside, Andy grabbed the leader and it gave. Away the fish went. High fives and laughs filled the boat as we recounted the battle and charted the boat's course as the leviathan towed us around the bay.

It would be our last fish of the day and of the trip, a perfect way to go out. It didn't take long before we started scheming our return. An easy, two and a half hour drive from Miami International Airport, I recommend anyone looking to get into some Everglades tarpon action get in touch with Andy, and hang on for the ride.

Florida Flats

Great to see all the new posts and fish porn, glad to see that everyone is well.

I just returned home from 4 days in Florida, my wife says we went to visit her parents, my plan was to fish.

I have never hired and fished with a guide before but it was time for some local smarts. I am building a small flats boat this winter and was excited to get out on one and take some measurements.

So I called Capt. Les Hill and from our phone conversations he sounded like a man in his 50's, he has fished the are around Boca Grande for 25 years. He was happy when I told him I knew how to cast. That was about all I got out of him. My mother in law had found his name in a local tackle shop.... posted on the wall.... on a flyer....with pre cut phone number tabs. I was feeling lucky this time so I sent him my money.

So ...

Get on a plane

Then drive through the FL swamp

I was told to meet Capt Hill at so and so marina, this was the first thing I saw when I stepped out of the car... a crushed Budweiser pounder.... today was going to be a good day.

17.5 ' Carbon / Kevlar.... sweet mama

Motoring out to Boca Pass, an internation Tarpon Tournement is held here every year, no tarpon were spotted on this trip but stories of 180 pound fish in this same boat got me thinking.

Capt Hill turns to me and says, "What do you want to catch today Jason ?"

"Well, some trout, red fish and snook would be great"

"Ok, ( he stops the boat ) poles once and tells me to cast "

Second cast of the morning lands this sea trout, three more followed all fell to a brown and white clouser.
I was inpressed that Capt Hill picked, what appeared to be, a random spot in the bay to cast to, but happy to feel the tug. The day continued on like this, "cast here".... boom...redfish.

I had never caught any of these salt water beauties, but redfish were a treat. They don't fight really, they just pull.... like an old diesel Dodge truck, I picture them with their bull heads and dark tail spots drag racing on the sea floor, like teenagers in their father's farm trucks. They just sort of tuck their heads and pull in one direction or the other. I was a fan of redfish.

This is a gag grouper, this one went 18".... another perfect example of the Capt. saying "cast here" to a spot of water that looked like everyother spot in the horizon.

I caught a blowfish as well, everyone loves the brown Clouser

Another sea trout

Straight torque

That snook went 25" and was the most fun of the trip. Fought like a salmon and spooled me on an 8 wt.

Bob Clouser knows his shit. We changed flies once from brown and white to grey and white.

( I have not idea why this is now centered)

I had a great day on the water and certainly see the bonus to fishing with someone who knows the waters.

As we are loading the boat on to his trailer , I thank Capt. Hill, tip him and thank him again.

He hands me a some reading material about Jesus. He tells me that he was saved when he was 12.

(What kind of trouble can I 12 year old be in I think )

At this point I apologize for my language, I may have let out a "sweet christ" when that snook spooled me.

He understands but would like me to read this.

So tonight, I sit and reflect... enjoy one of the NEW Budweiser 8oz and tip my can to Captain Les Hill

and the Solidhookups gang.

Live Life