Isla del Sabalo - 2024

 My annual trip to Isla del Sabalo was another incredible success.   50 miles of untouched mangrove shoreline, with tarpon virtually everywhere!

First things first...setting up our rods.

The long, one hour run brought us to a pod of tarpon feeding on the offshore flats, and it didn't take long to start appreciating those high flying jumps along the mangroves, too.

As usual, after the long run, we start working our way back to Isla del Sabalo, exploring estuaries, rivers, and mangrove shoreline.

In addition to the offshore flats, tarpon could be found cruising the shallow shoreline.

My partner, David McKenzie didn't take long to connect with a nice IDS tarpon!

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After developing a small, light weight shrimp pattern for Tarpon Cay Lodge, I was anxious to fish this pattern along the shallow flats of IDS.  It was a big success!

The LT Shrimp, up close and personal!

On this trip we witnessed something amazing.  Thousands of large dragonflies were buzzing overhead, and we found tarpon actually eating them under the mangroves!  Who knew?

The guides always had shady places for lunch.  Terry and Larry did well too, and we enjoyed hearing about their success.

This tarpon put on a great high-flying show!

Hard to beat my Foxxy Griz Minnow for those big offshore tarpon!

Another beautiful sunset on an incredible fishery!

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Yakutat Alaska - 2024

 Our annual trip started in the spring, with tragic news.  The couple, running the air service, and flying us out each day, were killed in a plane crash, and since our relationship with these folks goes back several years, it was a great loss, and as a result, we were not sure if we wanted to even make the trip.  

However, we learned that a helicopter service, from Juneau, was planning to send 2 choppers to help with logistics in the area.  

Since each of the to choppers could carry 5 people, plus gear and fish, our group of 10 guys were set to make the trip.

 

Scenes like this greeted us most mornings!  Spectacular!

Big rivers and big silver salmon!

As the tide rushed in, we were constantly moving up river with our catch!

My partner, Will Steiger, with his first Coho!

Congratulations, Will!

Another big coho male!  The size of these fish runs in cycles, and this was our year to catch bigger silvers.  Many running over 10 lbs.

Once again, my Coho Fly was very effective, and especially efficient using a 60 deg. jig hook.

...Pulling on a big coho!

Our morning catch, waiting for the chopper!

Sunset from our house, on Yakutat Bay!

We had a great trip, with everyone bringing home a box of frozen fillets! 

 Many thanks to Barry for continuing the tradition and to Jeff, for all his work in planning meals, and many other things necessary for this trip to be a reality.  Thank you!

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