Simon Conroy arrive to fish in Florida Part 1

Our good friend and customer Simon Conroy (aka El Presidentie) joins me this week for an exclusive one to one fishing trip in the Florida Keys.

Well I am glad to say Simon arrived safely, even with all the ash clouds and threatened BA strike action. On Sunday we had a leisurely start shopping for the weeks supplies followed by a cracking Sunday Lunch. After a little nap (Simon likes to take things easy) we deciede we would brave the wind and pop out to wet a line for a couple of hours. Departing the house at 6.45pm we returned at 8pm with 2 caught Tarpon first one was 110lb the second around 120lb. Not bad for 1.15 hours door to door fishing.

That’s just one reason we love Florida.

Monday morning and the wind is still up, Simon still has a burning passion to catch his first Tarpon on the fly, so with fingers crossed we set off, knowing that the conditions are not perfect but at least if you have a fly in the water you have a chance……We stayed out for about 3 hours trying to spot and chase down Tarpon. It was so funny Simon was like bambi on ice trying to stand on the front of the boat, keeping his balance in the waves and trying not to stand all over his line. As to grown men we knew when we were beaten and or stomachs told us that it was time to eat so back to the house for a rest.

It is surprising how a full belly and wine can make to contented men sleep so well, for it was tea time by the time we both aroused to try some more fishing. Looking outside we could not believe it, the wind had completely gone and where we glad that we had not stayed out in that all day, for now we could go out for an evening session fully refreshed, relaxed and in the right conditions. (Editor: That’s the beauty of our guided trips with Dave Plummer, there is not set agenda, just maximize the fishing when the tide and conditions are perfect)

On setting out and as we approached the channels we could see Tarpon rolling everywhere, a sight that anglers dream of and guaranteed to get the heart racing. As we got closer I could see a small group of mid size Tarpon on the edge of a flat, calling for Simon to get his fly rod ready and to be up the front ready to cast, I polled the boat closer allowing Simon to make his first cast. Imagine Simon’s excitement as nice size Tarpon charges his fly resulting in a perfect hook up. There’s Simon (El Presedentie) playing his first ever Tarpon on the fly. After a good scrap I finally managed to leader his fish that was around 70lb. Not bad for your first fly caught Tarpon.

As there was still lots of Tarpon rolling in the deeper channel we switched to drifting crab, which quickly resulted in 2 more Tarpon of 70lb and 120lb.

I am please to say even only after a few very short sessions Simon (El Presedentie) is very happy with a tally so far of 5 Tarpon 3 of which over 100lb and his first ever fly caught Tarpon of 70lb.

Let’s see what the weather and fishing brings the rest of this week? The fishing is only going to get hotter and hotter as more and more Tarpon will head in from the sea, why? because next week it’s the Pabolo worm hatch.

Regards Peter