I found this video on the Simms Web site. Simms makes great products. I usually sport a Simms cap when fishing and also recently purchased a pair of Simms waders. Check out this video.
It's Friday so we've all earned a break. If you're sitting at a desk, this is a good way to mentally escape to the flats.
Welcome to The Bonefish Flat
Friday, March 12, 2010
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Time for Japan to Go Easy on the Bluefin
This weeks conservation minute is about Bluefin tuna. Bluefin are the most expensive meal in the sea, and they are in danger. The U.S. doesn't always do such a great job on conservation, but kudos for recently agreeing to an international ban on bluefin tuna as their population is in serious decline.
The Japanese consume more bluefin than any other country in the world, and they are refusing to support the ban. This is a problem.
Be sure to read this article from the Washington Post and make your own decision. But every animal in the ocean is part of a larger food chain.
The Japanese consume more bluefin than any other country in the world, and they are refusing to support the ban. This is a problem.
Be sure to read this article from the Washington Post and make your own decision. But every animal in the ocean is part of a larger food chain.
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Bonefish Travel Series: It's In the Bag
Keeping with our new series on how I'm going to get ready for my upcoming bonefish trip, I wanted to talk about an essential piece of gear. When fishing from a skiff with your favorite guide in a far off land, you're going to want a boat bag. Skiff's tend to get wet from spray or rain or chop or what have you. Several manufacturers make nice bags that will keep your stuff dry.
I use mine to store wallet, keys, phone, flies, camera, and other stuff you don't want to get wet. I like the bag to be on the smaller side just because the skiffs tend to be pretty small, and if you're fishing with a buddy, he or she will want to have a bag or storage too.
I use a bag from Bass Pro Shops because the price is right and it folds down so I can pack it into my carry-on bag. It has done a great job on several trips now and I use it to store saltwater gear when not on the boat. I've included a few pictures.
If you want a fancier bag, take a look at Simms or Patagonia. They have some great gear too.
I use mine to store wallet, keys, phone, flies, camera, and other stuff you don't want to get wet. I like the bag to be on the smaller side just because the skiffs tend to be pretty small, and if you're fishing with a buddy, he or she will want to have a bag or storage too.
I use a bag from Bass Pro Shops because the price is right and it folds down so I can pack it into my carry-on bag. It has done a great job on several trips now and I use it to store saltwater gear when not on the boat. I've included a few pictures.
If you want a fancier bag, take a look at Simms or Patagonia. They have some great gear too.
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Brokaw and Sustainable Fish Farming
Here is a clip from one of our Pirates of the Flats where he is points out a sustainable salmon farming operation. If you've ever wondered why "farmed" salmon aren't good for our environment, this will give you some good information.
Enjoy and thanks, Tom!
Enjoy and thanks, Tom!
Monday, March 8, 2010
New Series on The Bonefish Flat: First up, My Flybox
Starting this week, I'm going to be starting a new series about how I get prepared for a bonefishing trip. I'll take one day a week until my trip in May to show folks how I get ready. It may seem like a ways off, and right now it sure does, but I've got a lot to do to get everything just right.
I'm going to be talking about some of the gear that I consider necessities and share some of my other tips to get you ready for your trip of a lifetime. I'm going to be tying flies, tying leaders, and getting my fly casting stroke perfected. Today I had a chance to get out my rod and actually work a little of the winter rust off. The cast will be there in time for the trip.
To start, off this new series, I wanted to share where my Bahamas fly box is right now.
The left side are size 4's and the right size 6's.
Left side are plenty of Gotcha's in various weights, 2nd row are crazy charlies with the last two being Christmas Island specials. The third row are Simrams and a Gotcha Clouser, which are going to be the the next fly in the tying video. Last row are hot legs Gotchas, which are my current favorite bonefish flies.
Moving to the right side, lots of crazy charlies in different colors. Row 2 are more gotcha's in various weights with Horrors on the end. Next row are hot legs gotcha's and last but not least, pink puffs.
I have another box that I'll show soon that has crab patterns, clousers, and borksi sliders that are really more
I hope everyone enjoyed the fly tying video last Monday. I had a good time putting it together and will get more up soon. Let me know if there are any flies you want demonstrated.
Thanks!
I'm going to be talking about some of the gear that I consider necessities and share some of my other tips to get you ready for your trip of a lifetime. I'm going to be tying flies, tying leaders, and getting my fly casting stroke perfected. Today I had a chance to get out my rod and actually work a little of the winter rust off. The cast will be there in time for the trip.
To start, off this new series, I wanted to share where my Bahamas fly box is right now.
The left side are size 4's and the right size 6's.
Left side are plenty of Gotcha's in various weights, 2nd row are crazy charlies with the last two being Christmas Island specials. The third row are Simrams and a Gotcha Clouser, which are going to be the the next fly in the tying video. Last row are hot legs Gotchas, which are my current favorite bonefish flies.
Moving to the right side, lots of crazy charlies in different colors. Row 2 are more gotcha's in various weights with Horrors on the end. Next row are hot legs gotcha's and last but not least, pink puffs.
I have another box that I'll show soon that has crab patterns, clousers, and borksi sliders that are really more
I hope everyone enjoyed the fly tying video last Monday. I had a good time putting it together and will get more up soon. Let me know if there are any flies you want demonstrated.
Thanks!
Friday, March 5, 2010
Project Permit: Tag, You're It
The most prized game fish on the flats, or maybe anywhere, for the saltwater fly fisherman, is the permit. Permit are also in trouble. recent efforts to protect permit from net fishing have been rejected by the Florida Wildlife Commission because of "lack of information." This may be a bogus argument, but, to use the parlance of our times, it is what it is.
Fortunately, our friends at Costa sunglasses have teamed up with the Bonefish and Tarpon Trust to begin to gather the information needed to protect our beloved permit.
Project permit has been launched and can be found at http://www.projectpermit.com. The idea is to provide anglers with tagging kits to better understand the habits and patterns of permit. Project Permit will kick off on March 14 in Key West at the March Merkin fishing tournament. But anglers can start requesting their tagging kits now by e-mailing at bonefish@mote.org or by going to the Web site.
Below is the official Press release from Costa.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Costa Partners with the Bonefish Tarpon Trust to Tag Permit throughout Florida
“Project Permit” is First of its Kind in Florida, Will Help Guide Future Conservation Policy
Daytona Beach, Fla. – Mar. 5, 2010 – Permit are often referred to as one of the most elusive game fish in the Atlantic Ocean, captivating salt water flats anglers for years in their quest to catch them. And yet, little is known about this mysterious species. What are their spawning and migration patterns? How healthy is the fish population? What regulations are needed to ensure adequate stock for future generations?
Costa® and the Bonefish Tarpon Trust (BTT), a non-profit organization dedicated to scientific research and policy support to ensure healthy populations of bonefish, tarpon and permit for future generations, have teamed together to launch the first known extensive permit tagging program in Florida. Working with anglers and conservation partners statewide, the group hopes to tag and monitor data of more than 6,000 permit over the next five years, with hopes to expand Caribbean-wide.
“There’s never been a stock assessment of permit in Florida,” said Aaron Adams, president of the Bonefish Tarpon Trust. “The research results we receive from this tagging project will allow scientists to uncover never-seen-before data, and help us form policy recommendations with the Florida Fish & Wildlife Commission to ensure we protect permit and allow them to thrive in their natural habitat.”
The success of the tagging program relies heavily on angler participation throughout Florida and the Caribbean. Currently, it’s not known whether permit caught in the Florida Keys are from the same or different populations that those caught as far north as Tampa. And if research findings from tarpon and bonefish are any indication, it’s not to be assumed that permit are homebodies: tarpon tagging research has shown migrations as far north as the Chesapeake Bay in the Mid Atlantic, and bonefish tagged in the Florida Keys have been recaptured 150 miles away in The Bahamas – much farther than ever anticipated.
“Anyone who has permit fished before can tell you about the art and skill needed to catch them,” said Al Perkinson, vice president of marketing for Costa. “It’s something we want to make sure future anglers have a chance to try, which is why the data from this tagging program are so important. We want to help form policy that protects and conserves permit for our children and grandchildren to enjoy.”
Costa is supporting the program through a grant to the BTT, and is donating a portion of proceeds of its new sunglass style, Bomba, to the permit tagging project.
All recreational and sport anglers are open to participate in the permit tagging program. The initiative officially kicks off at the March Merkin Permit Tournament in the Florida Keys, March 15 – 18, 2010. There, anglers will be able to pick up tags and learn more about the BTT’s initiatives.
Anglers can also request permit tags by e-mailing the Bonefish Tarpon Trust at bonefish@mote.org, or call 239-283-1622. Learn more about the program at www.projectpermit.com.
About Costa®
As the leading manufacturer of the world’s clearest polarized performance sunglasses, Costa offers superior lens technology, unparalleled fit and durability, and a lifetime warranty against manufacturer’s defects on all of its products. Still handcrafted today in Florida, Costa creates what has been referred to as the highest quality, best performing sunglasses on the planet for outdoor enthusiasts.
For Costa, conservation is all about sustainable fishing. Many fisheries that should be vibrant and healthy are all but devoid of native fish because they have fallen victim to poor fishing practices, unregulated development, lack of watershed protection or all of the above. Costa works with partners around the world to help increase awareness and influence policy so that both the fish and fishermen of tomorrow will have healthy waters to enjoy. Costa encourages others to help in any way they can.
For more information, contact 1-800-447-3700 or visit the company’s Web site at www.costadelmar.com, or join in the conversation on Facebook at www.facebook.com/costadelmar.com or Twitter @CostaSunglasses.
Media contact
Liza Jones, 864.672.9615 (office), 864.270.0722 (cell)
liza@fullcirclepr.com
Fortunately, our friends at Costa sunglasses have teamed up with the Bonefish and Tarpon Trust to begin to gather the information needed to protect our beloved permit.
Project permit has been launched and can be found at http://www.projectpermit.com. The idea is to provide anglers with tagging kits to better understand the habits and patterns of permit. Project Permit will kick off on March 14 in Key West at the March Merkin fishing tournament. But anglers can start requesting their tagging kits now by e-mailing at bonefish@mote.org or by going to the Web site.
Below is the official Press release from Costa.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Costa Partners with the Bonefish Tarpon Trust to Tag Permit throughout Florida
“Project Permit” is First of its Kind in Florida, Will Help Guide Future Conservation Policy
Daytona Beach, Fla. – Mar. 5, 2010 – Permit are often referred to as one of the most elusive game fish in the Atlantic Ocean, captivating salt water flats anglers for years in their quest to catch them. And yet, little is known about this mysterious species. What are their spawning and migration patterns? How healthy is the fish population? What regulations are needed to ensure adequate stock for future generations?
Costa® and the Bonefish Tarpon Trust (BTT), a non-profit organization dedicated to scientific research and policy support to ensure healthy populations of bonefish, tarpon and permit for future generations, have teamed together to launch the first known extensive permit tagging program in Florida. Working with anglers and conservation partners statewide, the group hopes to tag and monitor data of more than 6,000 permit over the next five years, with hopes to expand Caribbean-wide.
“There’s never been a stock assessment of permit in Florida,” said Aaron Adams, president of the Bonefish Tarpon Trust. “The research results we receive from this tagging project will allow scientists to uncover never-seen-before data, and help us form policy recommendations with the Florida Fish & Wildlife Commission to ensure we protect permit and allow them to thrive in their natural habitat.”
The success of the tagging program relies heavily on angler participation throughout Florida and the Caribbean. Currently, it’s not known whether permit caught in the Florida Keys are from the same or different populations that those caught as far north as Tampa. And if research findings from tarpon and bonefish are any indication, it’s not to be assumed that permit are homebodies: tarpon tagging research has shown migrations as far north as the Chesapeake Bay in the Mid Atlantic, and bonefish tagged in the Florida Keys have been recaptured 150 miles away in The Bahamas – much farther than ever anticipated.
“Anyone who has permit fished before can tell you about the art and skill needed to catch them,” said Al Perkinson, vice president of marketing for Costa. “It’s something we want to make sure future anglers have a chance to try, which is why the data from this tagging program are so important. We want to help form policy that protects and conserves permit for our children and grandchildren to enjoy.”
Costa is supporting the program through a grant to the BTT, and is donating a portion of proceeds of its new sunglass style, Bomba, to the permit tagging project.
All recreational and sport anglers are open to participate in the permit tagging program. The initiative officially kicks off at the March Merkin Permit Tournament in the Florida Keys, March 15 – 18, 2010. There, anglers will be able to pick up tags and learn more about the BTT’s initiatives.
Anglers can also request permit tags by e-mailing the Bonefish Tarpon Trust at bonefish@mote.org, or call 239-283-1622. Learn more about the program at www.projectpermit.com.
About Costa®
As the leading manufacturer of the world’s clearest polarized performance sunglasses, Costa offers superior lens technology, unparalleled fit and durability, and a lifetime warranty against manufacturer’s defects on all of its products. Still handcrafted today in Florida, Costa creates what has been referred to as the highest quality, best performing sunglasses on the planet for outdoor enthusiasts.
For Costa, conservation is all about sustainable fishing. Many fisheries that should be vibrant and healthy are all but devoid of native fish because they have fallen victim to poor fishing practices, unregulated development, lack of watershed protection or all of the above. Costa works with partners around the world to help increase awareness and influence policy so that both the fish and fishermen of tomorrow will have healthy waters to enjoy. Costa encourages others to help in any way they can.
For more information, contact 1-800-447-3700 or visit the company’s Web site at www.costadelmar.com, or join in the conversation on Facebook at www.facebook.com/costadelmar.com or Twitter @CostaSunglasses.
Media contact
Liza Jones, 864.672.9615 (office), 864.270.0722 (cell)
liza@fullcirclepr.com
Jimmy Albright and The Costa C Channel
One of the true legends of salt water fly fishing is Jimmy Albright. He's a legendary guide in the Florida Keys and a true pioneer of the long rod.
If you ever tied an Albright Knot to connect your fly line to your backing, or your leader to your line, or for any other reason, thank Jimmy next time.
Costa Del Mar has a great addition to its Web site called the Costa C Channel and it has some great videos. There is a series of fishing classics from the IGFA including one on Albright.
Check out a video of Albright bonefishing here.
More of these videos to come.
If you ever tied an Albright Knot to connect your fly line to your backing, or your leader to your line, or for any other reason, thank Jimmy next time.
Costa Del Mar has a great addition to its Web site called the Costa C Channel and it has some great videos. There is a series of fishing classics from the IGFA including one on Albright.
Check out a video of Albright bonefishing here.
More of these videos to come.
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