Fish Art: Gods River Brook Trout

It is with great excitement and honor that I post renowned artist Flick Ford's latest artwork,... a Gods River Brook Trout. This past September, I had the fortunate opportunity to spend a week with Flick at Gods Lake Lodge in Manitoba, Canada. While I was there with a team to conduct exploratory work for Lake Trout, Flick spent the week hunting for "the" trophy Brook Trout on Gods River... a specimen that would be revered, recorded, and released.

I distinctly recall the day that he landed this incredible specimen. When Flick and, lodge owner, Robert Gates returned from the river that evening, I was greeted with that fishy grin an angler has on his face when they just experienced a "zen moment" in fly fishing. Flick's first words out of his mouth were, "We got it... what an amazing fish!"

The image above is Flick's beautiful painting of the gorgeous and robust Gods River Brook Trout that he landed that adventurous day.

To view Flick's other artwork and publications, visit his website at www.FlickFord.com

HOT FLY!... Enrico Puglisi Tarpon Streamer

Baby Tarpon LOVE this Fly!!!

This past season, this was one of the hottest flies for baby Tarpon at Yucatan destinations, Tarpon Cay Lodge, Isla Blanca and Isla del Sabalo. Designed by Enrico Puglisi, this Tarpon streamer is easy to cast and tied on a high quality Gamakatsu SC-15 hook (size 2/0). The bright orange and yellow color creates nice contrast while fishing it in mangrove stained waters. This was often the "go-to" fly when fishing river channels and creeks along the northern and western shores of the Yucatan. If you are headed for the Yucatan in 2009, make sure to have this fly in your box. Fish On!

The Angling Report: Mexican Largemouth Bass at Anglers Inn

In the August 2008 issue of The Angling Report, Anglers Inn and Angling On The Fly were featured in an article for our joint efforts in developing a fly fishing program at Lake El Salto and Lake Mateos. Written by renowned outdoor writer, Gary Kramer, this short article provides a great summary of each lake and the fly fishing opportunities available to anglers. Read on... and FishOn!

More trophy photos from El Salto on the Fly!

Bob Souza with a trophy (7 pounds)

Guide "Chi Chi" holding Bruce Rollan's 6.5 pound bass

Jim Christensen with a jumbo Largemouth

All smiles for Bob Souza and big Bass!

Bill Laughlin and his best Largemouth at almost 8 pounds!

Trip Report: Anglers Inn - Lake El Salto

Jim Christensen's behemoth 10+ pound El Salto Bass

We just had a group of 13 anglers return from Mexico's Lake El Salto. As usual, everyone was "Wow'd" with the top level service and accommodations at Anglers Inn. They truly run a first rate program that is focused on comfort, relaxation, and fun! OK, on to the fishing report...

Although the shad hatch occurred as normal, an unusual late-season heat wave kept surface temps much higher than normal. These conditions made topwater fishing less than prime - some nice Bass were still landed on top, but not the numbers of Bass that we normally get topwater fishing during this time of the season. The good thing is that the anglers were well prepared to fish subsurface with light sinktip lines and streamer/baitfish patterns. This kept the anglers in the action by fishing just below the surface at the feeding level of the Bass. The hot pattern on this trip was Umpqua's #2 Gummy Minnow - this pattern matched the newly hatch shad perfectly.

The best Bass of the trip was 10.5 pounds landed by Jim Christensen on, of course, a #2 Gummy Minnow! Congratulations Jim! In addition to this behemoth, there were a number of fish landed by other anglers in the 7 - 9 pound class. And of course, there were countless stories of double digit bass that "got-away!"

Here are a couple subsurface tackle setups that were reported to be very effective:

• Rio Outbound Type III with a Gummy Minnow; fished with a strip, strip, pause (let the fly fall/drop),... strip, strip, pause,... etc. The key to this retrieve is to stay in touch with the fly during the fall/drop, as many Bass inhale the fly during this pausing moment.
• Sage BASS taper fly line, 7-9 foot tapered leader with a #2 Clouser Minnow (chart/white); fished with a rapid retrieve (hand over hand) to imitate a fleeing shad or tilapia. The Bass would throw a determined and aggressive wake behind the fly as they were in hot pursuit of the fly.
  

Overall, everyone was happy and excited about their experience at Anglers Inn - Lake El Salto. Looking ahead, we are already working on setting up hosted weeks in 2009, so stay tuned for exact dates!

Paula Butler showing off a mega-Bass

Terry Thomas with a healthy Bass

Travel Smart: Carry-On Items While Traveling...

Here is the scenario... you have finally reached your destination airport and are standing at the baggage claim carousel watching it go round and round... you have been waiting,... waiting,... and waiting for your checked luggage. Then, the harsh reality sets in that your checked luggage did NOT get routed to this airport with you. Now what?

After going through the necessary steps with the airline to find your luggage, you now realize that all you have is the items that you carried on with you. If all else fails and you must resort to only what you carried on, then you will want to have these essentials items to minimize discomfort and maintain your health and safety during your trip:

• TWO pairs of polarized glasses: often, much of our fishing success is based on spotting fish (ie. sight casting); these also provide eye protection while casting and fishing - safety first!
  
• Personal essentials (medications, toiletries, corrective lenses): carry on all personal items that are essential to your health and safety; make sure to adhere to the TSA requirements of "3-1-1" (3 oz. or less containers - 1 quart clear plastic bag - 1 bag per traveler).
  
• Extra copies of your passport and visa (if required): if you loose these original documents, copies of these will help in validating your citizenship; keep copies separate from your original documents.
  
• Extra set of fishing clothes: nothing is worse than "borrowing" someone else's clothes that don't fit; carry on one set of fishing clothes; clean underwear... need I say more?
  
• Waders and/or wading boots (destination specific): nothing beats wearing your OWN waders and wading boots; often, loaner waders and boots leak and/or never fit as well as your own; pack'em if you can.
  

Packing these essential items as "carry-on" items will ensure that you have the basics for a "saved" trip. Aside from these items, you may often borrow fishing tackle and other items from the lodge and/or traveling companions. Be prepared by traveling smart!

NOTE: Although some anglers choose to carry on their fly rods and reels, we did not list this tackle as "essential" since many lodges have loaner tackle if needed. Also, clients have informed us that some airport security checkpoints are inconsistent when it comes to allowing or disallowing rods and reels as carry-on items.

Video: 7 Minutes of Yucatan Mayhem!

This video is a continuous and uncut 7 minutes of Tarpon action at Isla del Sabalo. Fishing was conducted with blunted hook point on the fly - the intent was to "tease" the Tarpon into grabbing the fly, only to be pulled away or released with slack in the fly line. It shows the remarkable fishing potential and amazing density of willing Tarpon that can inhabit the flats of this remote region of the Yucatan. This is Angling On The Fly's newest offering in the Yucatan. Fish On!

Current Canadian to US dollar Exchange Rate is Favorable Now!

Currently the exchange rate for US to Canadian dollars is very favorable making the trip of a lifetime to some of Canada's premier fishing destinations a steal. Nicholas Dean Lodge in British Columbia is one of the world's premier salmon and steelhead destinations. This season's return of steelhead was incredible, one of the best in over ten years. Anglers experienced excellent fishing and many anglers hooked steelhead of a lifetime.

Take advantage of this current exchange rate by securing your spot for 2009 now. Angling on the Fly has several Hosted Trips available, plus you can book your own week. Current packages include 6 nights / 5 days of guided fishing, lodging and meals.

Contact us for more information and to reserve your spot today.
Phone: 916-539-3474
Email: fishon@anglingonthefly.com

Some of this season's steelhead

Article: Capt. Kevin "KD" Doran on topwater Striped Bass

Capt. Kevin Doran (“KD”) is one of the top guides on the California Delta for Striped Bass and is the renowned pioneer of bringing the Delta Largemouth Bass to the forefront of the fly fishing industry and community. KD has been fishing the Delta for decades and truly knows the intricacies of this highly technical environ. During the fall and winter months, he is incredibly adept at guiding his anglers into topwater grabs from Striped Bass. Even on cold wintery mornings on the Delta, he has an innate ability to locate Stripers that will engulf a surface offering in sub-50 degree water temps - I have experienced it for myself... I am a believer! I have fished with KD many times, and it never ceases to amaze me how much I learn each time I fish with him.

Check out KD’s "Topwater Striper Primer" article at DeltaAdventures.com

Photography by John G. Sherman

John Sherman admiring a baby Tarpon at Isla del Sabalo

Take a look at almost any monthly fly fishing publication and you will probably see one or more of John’s photos. He has the rare multi-tasking talent of being able to fish an “A-game” and capture amazing images at the same time. He is one of the most dedicated and well-traveled fly anglers that I know. I have fished with John on many occasions and am always amazed (and respect him) for showing the same admiration for a 100 pound tarpon and 1/4 pound panfish - he loves to fly fish and it shows in every piece of his work. Check out his beautiful photography at: www.JohnGSherman.com

Video: The Newest Frontier for Yucatan Tarpon

This action-packed video footage displays the incredible Tarpon fishing opportunities at Isla del Sabalo. This majestic fishing destination resides in a remote region of the Yucatan and is home to healthy populations of resident Tarpon that range in size from 5 - 35+ pounds. The environs of this fishery include extensive mangrove-lined rivers and creeks, protected lagoons, and vast clear-water flats. Enjoy and Fish On!

Chico Fernandez on the Tarpon Tour

Chico Fernandez and guide "Cresp" at Tarpon Cay Lodge

In August, Tarpon Cay Lodge and Isla del Sabalo had the honor of hosting renowned saltwater fly fishing author, instructor and IGFA record holder, Chico Fernandez. Chico and his group experienced the Tarpon Tour combo trip with 3 days of fishing at each destination. They had excellent fishing for resident and migratory Tarpon during their visit. And, we are excited to announce that Chico will be hosting another trip with us in the Yucatan during summer 2009!

Chico working his magic casts in a tight mangrove canopy

Unique Top-Water Flies for MX Bass

El Salto Special by Leo Gutterres

During our past trips to Mexico for Bass, there is always a staple of top-water flies that prove to be consistent producers. Without a doubt, one of my favorite patterns is Leo Gutterres' "El Salto Special" - a slider with a serious case of delirium! This fly produces well when the Bass are busting the shad in Lake Mateos or El Salto. The relatively short body and tail, along with a flat, narrow profile produces an irresistible erratic movement. Often when larger patterns don't seem to produce well, this pattern reinforces that "matching-the-hatch" works for Bass too.

Next, I had the pleasure of meeting Neal Pultz (Fresno, CA) this past spring. Neal is an innovative popper designer and popper producing machine! He ties commercially for many shops throughout NorCal and makes some of the most well thought out poppers. He has a unique weed-guard design that is very effective. If you want a popper that produces maximum a "POP!" sound, then Neal's poppers are IT! On this past trip, it produced well in areas with deeper water where the Bass needed to be "called-up" to feed on the surface.

New for this trip was a new creation by Leo Gutterres - a prism sided crease fly. The highly reflective sides with a nice weed-guard really produced well when the Bass were shredding the Tilapia around the buck brush and other structure. This fly had incredible lateral movement with each strip - this action really mimics that of a wounded Tilapia. One of my largest top-water Bass (around 7 pounds) on this trip was landed on this fly. Leo is always pushing the envelope on new fly designs and improving those that already exist. Leo's prism sided crease fly is a fine example of this.

These flies are a pure example of why I feel that fly fishing for Bass is so visually appealing and, most of all, fun... big bugs for big Bass!

An El Salto Special that got worked-over by multiple trophy Bass!

Article: Tarpon Tour by Dan Blanton

Article cover shot by Dan Blanton

This past summer Ryan Miller and I had the wonderful opportunity to travel and fish with Dan Blanton. We spent a week fishing the Yucatan at Tarpon Cay Lodge and Isla del Sabalo. Dan captured some amazing photographs during this trip and has written a very informative and entertaining article about his experience with us in the Yucatan. Please CLICK HERE to visit Dan's website and read the article.

Fly Fisherman Magazine: Lake Mateos and Lake El Salto

WOW! We just returned from our bass adventure south of the border, and what do I find on my desk this morning?... the recent issue of Fly Fisherman Magazine featuring the destinations we just fished this past week!... Lake Mateos and Lake El Salto.

Last January, Angling On The Fly hosted John Randolph of Fly Fisherman Magazine at Billy Chapman Jr.'s Anglers Inn in Sinaloa, Mexico. On this tour, we ventured to both lakes and had incredible fishing for trophy Largemouth Bass. It was a pure joy and honor to fish with one of the legends in our industry. John is a wealth of knowledge and had countless stories of the adventures that he has experience through his many decades in this wonderful sport of fly fishing.

Check out the recent issue (December 2008) for his rendition of these wonderful destinations - Lake Mateos and Lake El Salto. Fish On!