 Islamorada Florida: Killer Instinct, Tons O' Fish And A Killer Time
Posted by greg on February 12, 2006
As I write this I can hear the television news telling us about Airline cancellations
due to the Snow storm in the North East and the weather here is cold and cloudy.
We knew yesterday this was coming. I wanted my friend Robin to get in a good day
of fly fishing as it had been 5 years since she had been able to have the chance
to fish, really fish. I’m talking about the go out on the water and catch fish
till you drop type of fly fishing. Robin is a woman who is thrilled when she
catches a box fish from a crowded pier and she can make it sound like a fishing
tournament. It was 10 am in the morning here in Islamorada Florida and I was
determined to put Robin on fish, but how? We walked into a small, dark from all
the gear, fly and tackle shop and struck up a conversation with the owner,
originally from York Maine. He was an older gent with the look of a tried and
true salt water fisherman. I explained my dilemma while wading through his shop
looking for those little treasures one finds in a good tackle shop that has been
around for years. He reaches for a card and says call this young guide. He is
young, he will find fish and you will fly fish until you drop! A born skeptic I
was hesitant but as time was passing and a cold front nearing, I called Joe
Petrucco of
Killer Instinct Charters. Joe answered his cell. I told him my problem and
he said, “how soon can you get here? We can go when you get here and we will
catch plenty of fish on the fly, plus we will have a great time.” The deal would
be a good chunk of change but it was worth it to me and my longtime friend,
Robin. I was thinking to myself, "last minute trip, I must be desperate!“ We
drove to Joe’s house on a beautiful canal and his 20 foot center console boat
was tied up out front. He made a safety check and off we went through Florida
Mangroves, across beautiful and world renowned Islamorada flats and into
the
open Gulf of Mexico. The weather was Sunny, the air temperature was 80 degrees
and seas were calm. Our first stop was an hour out in 9 feet of water, which was
to be the consistent depth all day. Joe tossed a couple chum bags over the side
of his boat. A few minutes passed and we caught fish nonstop until dusk. The
fast action subsided in spurts of small breaks for which I was thankful for.
Robin shrieked with excitement as her first Kingfish hit her fly and it was all
uphill from there. We caught Kingfish, Bluefish, Ladyfish, Blue Runners, Cat
fish, Sea Trout bigger than I've ever caught before, 2 Bull Sharks, etc… And, I
mean etc.. On the way in Capt. Joe asked if we wanted to do some night Tarpon
fly fishing. I had to decline as I was exhausted from catching so many fish and
so was Robin. My friend and I shared a great day on the water, Capt. Joe fished
me out and we were real happy. In the end we were all happy, I recommend
Joe Petrucco and his
Killer Instinct
Charter business highly. I am going to find liniment for our sore but happy
muscles.
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Re: Islamorada Florida: Killer Instinct, Tons O' Fish And A Killer Time
by wrh on February 12, 2006 http://www.theanglersnet.com | | nice fish, sounds like a great day on the water. thanks for the story |
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Re: Islamorada Florida: Killer Instinct, Tons O' Fish And A Killer Time
by jeremy on February 12, 2006 http://www.ineedasimplesolution.com | Greg,
That sounds like an awesome fly fishing trip. Seriously, those kingfish are soooo cool and, in my opinion, that is part of the fun of Salt Water Fly Fishing. I love casting to schools of ravenous fish, all of which are more than willing to tear up a fly and anything else that surrounds them for that matter. In florida, I am always amazed at the number of species available to the flyfisherman. It certainly makes the northeast seem uncomparable considering we basically have striped bass, bluefish and albies/bonito (in select places.)....Fly fishing in florida, without a doubt, offers a seemingly endless opportunity of possibilities in terms of fly fishing locations and what you might catch...and it is sooo cool because one never really knows what might take the fly....
WHAT a great read --- ps - were you fly fishing over a wreck or anything - could you see any of the action as you were casting??? |
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Re: Islamorada Florida: Killer Instinct, Tons O' Fish And A Killer Time
by waterwhippa on February 12, 2006 http://salmonriverspecialists.com | | Greg that is one serious experiance. I really wish I was there with you! It is awesome that you were able to get your friend into some great fish. Awesome job with the pen as well. I am living through your tropical adventures in the ice gripped Northeast. |
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Re: Islamorada Florida: Killer Instinct, Tons O' Fish And A Killer Time
by patm on February 12, 2006 | Sounds like your wanderings into flyshops really paid off on this one. Last minute trips with unknown guides are always risky. The article and photos show that this guy lived up to his reputation. I will make a note of his charter in my address book for future trips. Glad you ar finding some liniment for your sore muscles. They will need to be well rested for shoveling snow when you get home.
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Re: Islamorada Florida: Killer Instinct, Tons O' Fish And A Killer Time
by joey on February 12, 2006 http://www.fliesandfinseast.com | My Muscles hrut from sitting around!!! Cabin Fever has set in up here in the Northeast. Glad you are out catching fish I wish my muscles were sore from holding a rod all day. Good read-
j- |
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Re: Islamorada Florida: Killer Instinct, Tons O' Fish And A Killer Time
by Fisherboy on February 12, 2006 | Greg, Nicely done! Looks like you are having a killa' time!
Austin |
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Re: Islamorada Florida: Killer Instinct, Tons O' Fish And A Killer Time
by hedrush999 on February 12, 2006 http://www.fliesandfinssouth.com | | Looks like you had yourself a great time. It is nice to see that you had the chance to share the day with Robin. Tell her I said hello. I would like to fish with Joe in the keys sometime, if he impressed you he must be a good guide. |
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Re: Islamorada Florida: Killer Instinct, Tons O' Fish And A Killer Time
by jason-c on February 12, 2006 http://www.fliesandfinswest.com | | Sounds awesome-That is the best feeling of exhaustion. It makes for a great nights sleep! |
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