Tuesday, February 10, 2009

HOT Flies: Haskin's Floating Minnow and Deep Cover Shrimp

Candy for Baby Tarpon ... Haskin's Floating Minnows

I just returned from the Yucatan with visits to Isla Blanca and Tarpon Cay Lodge. This was my annual "business trip" to meet with owner, Marco Ruz, of Yucatan Fly Fishing Adventures. Of course, these business trips entail a bit of fishing too! The winter season in the Yucatan is always a roll-of-the-dice in terms of weather and fishing conditions,... so fishing was not the first order of focus. However, we did get out for a couple of days of fishing at both destinations and, despite the stiff north frontal winds, we were reminded how special these fisheries are... we jumped our fair share of baby Tarpon for sure.

Another confirmation revealed itself on this trip... flies that just plain work! Lee Haskin is fly designer for Targus and has spent a number of years perfecting flies for Yucatan Tarpon at Isla Blanca, Tarpon Cay, and Isla del Sabalo. His innovative baby Tarpon flies are optimal for targeting fish in the mangrove and shallow water environs. Our favorite Haskin flies for baby Tarpon are the Floating Minnow and Deep Cover Shrimp (weedless). These slender profiled flies ride high in the surface film and cut a soft wake that is attractive to baby Tarpon.

If you are headed down the to Yucatan for Tarpon, these flies are a must-have in your box. Fish with confidence, because these flies produce!
Deadly for baby tarpon amongst the mangrove environ... Deep Cover Shrimp (weedless)