Last year in mid-August we had our first close call of the season with Hurricane Charlie. Charlie passed to the west of Key West and the eye of the storm went directly over the Dry Tortugas. It was a deadly storm for the national park at Fort Jefferson and it damaged the park to the extent that it was closed for nearly a month.
Fishing before a hurricane can be very productive. This is only provided your storm shutters are up, you have your provisions ready and still have time to spare. Somehow the fish just know it’s going to be bad for the next couple of days so they eat like crazy. Prior to Charlie I had the opportunity to fish with a good friend who was eternally visiting for 20 days in August. We spent the late afternoon in the calm before the storm fishing for bonefish. The clarity of the water was pure and the sky was so blue with not a cloud to be seen for miles. If only every day could be just like that afternoon with bonefish and permit tailing and even a few passing tarpon.
Hurricane Dennis took us more by surprise and it seemed as though I got off the water after breaking down and being towed back to port and there was an endless line of cars and trailered vessels making a mass exodus of the Keys. We landed 3 out of 4 permit that afternoon while waiting for our tow in. Again, the theory in place that the fish just know, we took advantage of it and got a few monster 20lb permit to eat live crabs. I can only imagine if I had the chance to throw the fly what it would have been like.
Prior to Hurricane Dennis my wife and I spent the 4th of July holiday in Key Largo. We stayed at a wonderful place called Azul Del Mar. I suggest it for anyone looking for a secret spot in the Keys to go. Wonderful suites with living area, kitchenette with dishwasher and comfortable bed. Their website is www.azulkeylargo.com. We enjoyed fireworks from the private dock and were away from the crowds which is exactly what we both needed.
The highlight of the trip is my wife caught her first permit on fly. It was a healthy 6lb fish and was caught while fishing the oceanside of lower Biscayne Bay. It seems that in saltwater fly fishing there is no other greater single accomplishment than landing permit on fly. They are difficult and spooky but when they decide they are going to eat there is no stopping them.
Visit my website for more photos of this season at http://www.stingreacharters.com.
