The last two weeks of my life have been incredibly hectic between school, moving into my new pad, and attending Sea School to attain my Capt.’s license. I eventually got some free time and set for the water in full stride. I fished one of my favorite places to duck hunt on the Lagoon, a mosquito impoundment that backs up to multi million dollar mansions along south A1A. Thank goodness the mangrove labyrinth provides cover from the eye sores. Oddly, the best part about the impoundment is the mosquitoes because they keep all other sane fishermen away. Therefore, the tarpon that inhabit the impoundment rarely, if ever, see a human being, except my ugly mug. The tainted water looks like tea from the red mangrove leaves decaying, but ten times cleaner then the Indian River Lagoon itself. We found fish sunning their backs like local coeds at the beach, larger pools were filled with groups fining, and along with spotting them in the tea. Like most juvenile poons, these can’t resist Borski’s “Skunk,” no matter the flavor. I am reserved on calling some of these fish juvenile’s because unlike other impoundments along the Lagoon, this one was closed off and repealed from the list of impoundments Indian River County manages. Therefore, Grandma and Grandpa might be living in the tea, but their growth has been stunted by the size of the impoundment. These kings raise the question to scientists, do tarpon just spawn offshore?
Nice tarpon and great fish tale! I know that the big monster 100+ pound fish get all the press … but, to be honest the baby Tarpon such as the one you are holding are such great fly rod fish! I love going down to Florida and fishing on foot, from kayak or by canoe .. especially in some of the backcountry creeks, waterways, little bays, channels etc.. There is virtually a place to rent canoes and kayaks on almost every street corner .. so they are super easy to come by for out of state folks. I think its really a great way to see and fly fish Florida. You mention the “eye sores” (mansions) that are inevitably found on almost every piece of water lined property in Florida. I have spent time in Destin Florida, Stuart Florida (Hutchinson Island/Jensen Beach), Naples, Ft. Myers and all throughout the keys .. Except for select places (the tamiami trail, national parks etc.. ) … Development and water access is always an issue for the foot-bound/wading fly fisherman. A kayak or canoe opens up so many possibilities and enables me to do so much more and access so much more water than would be possible on foot. Florida is such a beautiful state with so many fly fishing possibilities! Great to see locals or natives like you doing it canoe or wade style too and having a blast fly fishing for the baby tarpon too .. and not just finding satisfaction with the 100+ pounders. Great post man! I’d be more than willing to put up with a couple mosquito bites for a fish like that .. any day! Good luck with everything!
Hi man,
Cool story, great pic and good smile. As Jeremy, I could take some mosquitoes bite when fishes are biting for insane fishers. Fun is no weight question!
Good luck with your license.
Great fish tale. Like jeremy I would say that the baby tarpon are killer. I have never caught a 100+ pounder and don’t get me wrong I would like to but I think the 10-30lbs fish are just as fun. Good to see that you push forward through the bitting bugs and get it done in the “tea” Keep the posts coming. Good picture.
Good going camperw. I’ve been a baby tarpon junkie for awhile and I like your picture and story. It’s those hard-to-get-to and bug-infested places that often reward us with fish alright. Gotta try the Skunk!
Marshall
great read. I love sliding into out of the way places like that, funny how you can have a wilderness experience a stones throw away from the “eye sores”. A+ all the way around.
Love them little tarpon, no matter what the age
Hey Pete,
How are ya man! I was on your blog the other day and made a comment of that really unbelievably cool “everglades rig” that you fish out of with your friend .. that is kind of along the same lines as this. If anyone out there liked the concept of this fish tale — you’ll definately dig this blog post of Pete’s – Hope all is well Pete.http://fishingjones.com/2009/03/02/back-country/
Hey Jeremy,
Thanks for the link. The guy who built that boat is a guide out of Flamingo. He built it based on Seminole dugout canoes and old-school ‘Glades skiffs of the past. If anyone want to go check it out let me know and I’ll send along his info.
really awesome man I love how fly fishing brings people to the least likely spots. I bet that fish jumped like crazy i can’t wait to catch a tarpon on the fly. good luck at Sea School man and keep the posts coming cheers Alex