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 Florida Keys: Permit Fly Fishing Paradise
Posted by reddrum (2517 reads)
There is special place I have always dreamed about fly fishing. I have read
about this special place in many fly fishing books and have watched it on many fishing
shows. I knew someday I had to fish there. This place is called the
Marquesas. It is a group of islands about 30 miles West of Key West. Well,
finally my dream came true when my good friend Dave Teper (headrush999) invited me along. He had Will Benson a young guide from the Lower Keys area booked for several
days of fishing to Permit on the fly. The first day gave us some strong
winds and that made going to the Marquesas out of the question. Getting to the
Marquesas in a 17ft Flats skiff across open water can be hairy on a windy
day¹s, so Captain Will decided to take us north to fish around the Content
Keys area. This area is just south of the Seven Mile bridge and is loaded
with beautiful flats and islands. We started the first morning in the low light looking for rolling Tarpon.
Dave hooked a few and landed a small fish and as the big ball of fire in the
sky gave us some light on the flats it was sight fishing time. I was on the
bow as Will was slowly poling the skiff across a flat when he said Bonefish
coming, 12 O’clock. The fish were getting close and Will said, “go.” I was very
nervous because I have never caught a Bonefish on fly before. I made an ok
cast and was lucky enough that the bonefish charged after it. I heard Will say,
“keep it moving.” As I slowly stripped it away from the fish he charged it.
Fish on! He made some screaming runs and after a good fight I had him to the
boat. After my celebration, it was Dave¹s turn.As soon as he gets ready on the bow, Will spotted a school of Permit coming at us. Dave made a cast or two without a
response and finally he laid one cast out that counted. The Permit inhaled the Fly and the fight was on. Dave was so
excited he fought the fish hard and when the fish finally tired and was
coming to the boat, a Barracuda came in and sliced the line. Unbelievable.
Well it was day one so we figured we had another shot. We never had a shot
on any Permit the rest of the day but I did get another Bone. Day 2 we
fished the same area and had some fun with the tarpon again in the morning.
I had landed another beautiful Bone fish but we couldn¹t find very many
Permit. Day 3 it was Marquesas time. We left Key West harbor at daybreak and after a
brief stop to jump some baby Tarpon we were on our way across the gulf to
paradise. I was looking at the horizon and could faintly see some islands
getting ever so close. Dave turned to look at me and pointed with a smile.
My dream was coming true. When we arrived it was everything I thought the
place would be and more. Crystal clear flats with channels cutting threw
like veins. As soon as we pulled up to the first flat, there was life
everywhere. In fact all day long we had shot after shot of tailing Permit.
We fished hard all day and had some trouble getting near the fish. There
was absolutely no wind making stealth and a perfect cast a must. Well after
getting humbled most of the day we pulled up to one last flat. Again, the Permit
were everywhere. We decided the best way was to get out of the flats boat. Will was
showing us how he likes to cast at the fish while wading. Just as he starts
his demo a Tailing Permit is coming at him. Dave and I gave him the nod to
go for it. Captain Will stalked the fish patiently and quietly. As soon as
the fish were in range he made one cast and fish on. Will, brought the fish
to the boat and gave us hope. It can be done.
Dave and I hopped out of the boat and split up on the flat. A few short
minutes later I had a group of fish coming at me. As I cast to the fish I
hear Dave yell something. I looked over he was hooked up. I was so happy for
Dave because this was the goal of this trip. He had a long fight with this
Fish and finally brought the Permit boat side. We all Celebrated and Capt. Will
pointed the boat towards Key West and put the skiff on plane. We were all
smiles the whole way home. Thanks Dave. I was glad I was there.
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Re: Florida Keys: Permit Paradise
by jeremy http://www.fliesandfins.com | | absolute perfection, in my opinion ... grade A fishing, filming and story telling ... you and your crew(s) down there in florida got some serious talent ... across the board ... just killer stuff ... to say well done, would be an understatement ... no BS. just straight up killer content ... i am craving for more. |
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Re: Florida Keys: Permit Paradise
by joey http://www.fliesandfins.com | | Great Stuff Boys. I absolutely loved the video. Keep it coming down the line. |
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Re: Florida Keys: Permit Paradise
by greg http://www.fliesandfins.com | Sweet video, I have to get back in the game. Permit are tough congrats!
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Re: Florida Keys: Permit Paradise
by Pete http://www.fishingjones.com | | When you consider that Del Brown, the guy considered to be the best permit angler ever, supposedly caught about 400 in his lifetime, catching one permit on fly is a hell of an accomplishment. Well done! |
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Re: Florida Keys: Permit Paradise
by waterwhippa | | Outstanding. Shot after shot at tailing Permit = Total paradise. It just doesn't get any better than that. The video editing is stellar...i can only imagine how many hours it took you to put that together. Phenomenal. |
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Re: Florida Keys: Permit Paradise
by NiC http://www.fly-only.dk | Really great stuff. Had me sitting on the edge of my chair for the whole vid.
Super cool guys.. |
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Re: Florida Keys: Permit Paradise
by wrh http://www.theanglersnet.com | | Great footage and editing on that one. The fishing looks out of this world sick. One of these days I will have to do that. |
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Re: Florida Keys: Permit Paradise
by genevajim http://www.sweetingsfishcamp.com | Guys,
What a super trip and video. While I was watching it I started thinking, "this is getting good enough to think about making a DVD"...of course, we will need some more content, and volunteers to take some more trips....count me in! |
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Re: Florida Keys: Permit Paradise
by Marcel_Karssies http://www.marcelkarssies.com | Great work as usual, I guess any time now you will be putting out a commercial DVD.
You would do well I am sure.
All those blue colors really get me hyped up for my visit to Florida next month. |
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Re: Florida Keys: Permit Paradise
by AlexisMT555 http://www.ekwatafly.com/en/ | Just to say perfect!!!!!
It can't get any better, congrats for the whole crew.
Dave, this one is a lot bigger than the first one you took here, by the rythm you had took in chasing and hooking Permit, I bet on a fourty pounder next time!!!
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