The proverb “know your quarry” applies to fly-fishing for tarpon as much as it does to hunting. The more you know, the better your odds are of finding them and coercing them to bite a hook bound with feathers, fibers and animal hair.  Scientist Michael Larkin explores what makes tarpon tick.

Fishermen are optimists, there’s just no other way to describe us. Every new day that we step onto a boat or wade off a shoreline, there is a new sense of hope that it will be a great day of fishing.  Fishermen also tend to be adventurous, whether exploring new water or just excited with new ideas for another day on the water. And many of us are constantly in search of new information about the gamefish we fish for – what they eat, their movement patterns, their behavior – that will improve our ability to find and catch more fish.   Continue reading →

Raul Navarette, one of the top flats guides in Belize, passed away unexpectedly on May 4th.  Raul was a much sought after guide at the Belize River Lodge; the only FFF certified casting instructor in Belize and, to our knowledge, the only Belizean ever to have fished in the famous Jackson Hole One Fly Tournament.  Known for his keen eye, great disposition and world class curiosity, Raul participated as a panelist at the BTT Bonefish and Tarpon Symposium’s panel discussion on Permit in November of last year and was active in BTT’s bonefish and permit tagging efforts in Belize.

Raul leaves behind his wife, Luisa, and two children, along with hundreds of anglers who were guided, touched, instructed and inspired by him.   BTT Board member Mick Kolassa is coordinating efforts to assure that his family will be taken care of.  Anyone wishing to help in this effort is urged to contact Mick at mick@tarbone.org.

True Flies LLC a BTT partner and supporter of the Juvenile Tarpon Habitat Restoration Program has donated co-branded BTT/True Flies logo shirts with proceeds from the sale of all shirts to benefit the Juvenile Tarpon Habitat Restoration Program near Boca Grande, Florida.  The shirts are available through the BTT online store in two styles, the long sleeve Bokeelia Woven Shirt and the short sleeve Turtle Bay Polo.  Get yours while supplies last, all sales benefit the Juvenile Tarpon Habitat Program.

“See those fish?” Arthur asked, pointing to a school of about 50 silvery shadows in the water. “Those are bonefish.”  Like many mountain-bound trout-rodders, for years I’ve dreamed about catching a bonefish on a fly rod. For months prior to the trip, I scoured fly-fishing magazines, phoned fly shops and Googled Web sites, “boning” up for my big chance.

For the third straight year, March Merkin Permit fishing tournament proceeds have been donated to Bonefish & Tarpon Trust and directed to Project Permit.  2012 proceeds were in excess of $17,000.  In 2010, the all catch and release March Merkin tournament served as the kickoff for Project Permit, a research study aimed at answering basic questions about permit populations, growth rates and movements.  The program is sponsored by Costa, in conjuction with Bonefish & Tarpon Trust.

Points in the event are awarded not only for length, but for tagging as well.  In a new twist for 2012, BTT provided special reward tags to be used by tournament anglers for tagging during this year’s event.   Any individual recapturing a reward tagged Permit is entitled to receive $100.  Please report all tagged permit recaptures with the following information; length, location of capture and date.  There is a phone number, and unique ID number on all tags.

Thank you to tournament director Jon Ain and the March Merkin committee for their continued support.  More information about Permit tagging as well as scientific and conservation issues affecting Bonefish, Tarpon and Permit can be found at www.tarbone.org.

More than 70 volunteers gathered at Highland Oaks Park recently to dig holes into the muddy banks of the pond and creek for 400-plus plants. The park is one of the few remaining natural habitats within a highly urbanized area near Aventura. Separate from the Oleta-connected pond and winding creek are two other sources of water: a wide lake surrounded by a walking path and a narrow canal with lock system that forms the park’s northeastern border.

The Oleta River tributary is the only remaining river with natural open access to Biscayne Bay. All other rivers leading into the bay have been modified, sometimes dramatically. “It’s the only river without flood control,” Milano explains. “This river was here before man came here.” Evidence of Tequesta Indians alongside the Oleta dates to 1500 years ago.

The Sanibel Fly Fishers recently made a $750 contribution to The Bonefish and Tarpon Trust.  Pictured are Dave DeWalt and Drew Chicone of Sanibel Fly Fishers, and Aaron Adams of the BTT and Mote Marine Laboratory.  The funds will be used to support the Juvenile Tarpon Habitat Project, which will reconnect traditional tarpon nursery areas with Pine Island Sound and the Gulf of Mexico. “Juvenile tarpon and snook require isolated mangrove creeks to survive the first few months of their lives.  Florida has lost 50% of its mangrove population over the past few decades, and additional nursery areas have been cut off from the Sound by road building and other development” says Adams.  “This project is hopefully the first of many to reconnect the pieces of habitat that are critical to the survival of these fish at various stages of their life cycles.”  “Investments in the fishery by groups like the Sanibel Fly Fishers will ensure that we have this resource to enjoy in the future”.The Sanibel Fly Fishers meet at 7:00 on the first Thursday of the month from September through May, at the Sanibel Public Library.

Congratulations to Jonathan Markey of Weeki Wachee, Florida.  He is the winner of Bonefish & Tarpon Trust’s April gear giveaway and wins a gift package provided by Bugslinger.  All new members joining at the $50 level are also entered to win a trip for two to Ascension Bay Bonefish Club.  Don’t be left out, join today, the May gear giveaway partner is True Flies LLC.

“It took me months, but I finally came up with a small portion of ostrich feather over brown squirrel hair and a red-and-yellow hackle tied with red and orange thread on a 1/0 hook. I tied a lot of flies until I came up with that version.

“One afternoon in 1939 I hit the Islamorada flats armed with those flies. I saw many bonefish and cast at them, and it didn’t take long at all for one of them to chomp it—about an eight-pounder,” Smith recalled.