Ascension Bay 2024

              I received a call mid-week, before I was to fly out to Mexico.  The weather had been horrible for 2 weeks, and our upcoming week was forecast to be the same.  I was given the option to cancel, but since my flight was booked anyway, my partner, Chris Dodge, and I, decided to go.  

It turned out that several people did cancel, but ultimately, 8 of us arrived in Punta Allen, hopeful that the weather would give us an opportunity to fish.

The last 3 years have been very unusual for Punta Allen.  Large migratory tarpon have made an appearance, for some unknown reason, and have decided to migrate inside the reef, giving flats fishermen a solid chance to see, and possibly catch, tarpon over 100 lbs.!

I have fished Ascension Bay several times, over the years, but permit have always been the species of most interest and availability.  However, with adult tarpon prowling the flats, they became the focus for our group, and we were armed with 11 and 12 wt rods, large "snake" flies, and stout 80 lb. leaders.  I never touched my permit rod, or bonefish rod, the entire week.

Flats fishing, is sight fishing, and the sun is vital to seeing fish.

Our week was a mix of sun and clouds, but enough sun to spot fish, and feed them with big flies, tied on big 2/0 and 3/0 hooks.

My new "Snake Series" flies for big tarpon.

My first fish came to a red and chartreuse "Snake" fly, and a few minutes later a bright, 60 lb. tarpon was along side.

Fighting these big fish requires maximum pressure, with the rod low, and with little flex.  A high quality reel, with a strong drag, and plenty of backing, is mandatory, to tire these powerful fish and get them back in the water.

Another medium size tarpon, 

around 50 lbs.

The second day out I was fortunate to hook and catch this huge      130 lb. female.  My guides, Tino and Jerry were thrilled to have a fish over 100 lbs. "in the books".  I mention the guides because they are a vital link to a catch like this!

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Although my partner, Chris Dodge, had "jumped" a number of tarpon, he was not been able to stay connected to a fish all week... ...that was about to change.

Chris with very nice 75 lb. tarpon!

Yep, the hits just keep on coming!

Chris leaning on a big tarpon!

Our last day Chris was tight on a big female, and this tarpon would not jump!  This translated to a strong fish that would be able to fight for a long time.  1 hour and 20 minutes later, our guide Nestor and Alex had their hands on Chris' big 130 lb. female tarpon!  Great effort and teamwork paid off big time for Chris!

This fish came on the afternoon of our last day, with massive black clouds pressing in.  The bad weather predicted all week, was finally upon us, and although we headed in with rain blasting us, but our successful week was complete!!

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Many Thanks to Lilly and Jose, of Kay Fly Fishing Lodge, for hosting a great week of excellent food, and accommodation.  

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Also, thanks to Doug Behrman for inviting me to be a part of his group, and incredible tarpon fishing!

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Finally, thanks to Chris Dodge for putting up with me, and being a great partner!

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Yakutat, Alaska - 2023

Our group of 10 guys was excited to get back to Alaska, and fish for coho salmon, around Yakutat.

The previous year we did not have the big 10-place Otter to shuttle us to the many rivers around Yakutat.  2024 was a new year, and a new Otter so we could all fish together, and explore rivers further from town.

The shallow lagoon, of the East River, was especially great this year, and the silvers came eagerly to Wog Gurglers.  The top water strikes were really amazing!

In addition to the gurglers, a flashy, pink fly, tied on a 60 deg. jig hook, was very effective, again, in 2023.

With the trees so close to the river, it was a bit spooky.  As you might guess, bears are everywhere at this time of year, and your never know when you might encounter a big brownie.

Fortunately, no bears came to visit, this day, but the big male cohos were there and ready to eat our flies.

God willing, Yakutat will be in my future, for 2024.

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Tarpon Cay Lodge-2023

 My hosted trip to Tarpon Cay Lodge was an amazing trip.  

The coastline west of Rio Lagartos

During our week at Tarpon Cay Lodge, we experienced large schools of tarpon feeding on baitfish, and then later, small shrimp.  In my many years fishing this area I have not seen this wide open bite, and the tarpon did not disappoint.  

 Larry was excited to fish tarpon for the first time, and with tarpon chasing bait all around us, it was just a matter of time before he was pulling on a high flying tarpon.

During these feeding frenzies, the casting deck was a "revolving door".  As soon as a tarpon was hooked I would step down off the deck, and fight the fish from the center of the panga.  This gave Jeff, my partner, a chance to quickly get up and make the cast!   This particular day, Jeff and I landed 17 tarpon!  Certainly the best day for me in 20 years, at TCL.

The big gins say it all!

Larry and Wayman were into the fish as well!

There were some larger "babies" in the mix, which was a nice bonus. 

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One of my objectives for this trip was to test a newly developed fly pattern, especially designed for the shallow, weedy flats.  During low light periods the tarpon feed on these flats but are extremely wary and difficult to catch.  

My LT Shrimp, designed to be very light, an neutrally buoyant, was an immediate success.  After 3 trips experimenting with various designs, it all came together in a big way, with many tarpon falling to this great new pattern.

One of many tarpon taken with the LT Shrimp

LT Shrimp

This fly is tied on a small, #2 hook, and is weedless...perfect for the shallow, grassy flats!!

Rio Lagartos is a beautiful area, and the sunrises and sunsets are breathtaking.  

...minutes before heading out.

The food at the lodge/hotel is very good, and the artistic features make it just that much better.  

Typical dessert:

We are already making plans to return to Tarpon Cay Lodge, in 2024!

Yakutat Alaska-Silver Salmon

 With our primary aircraft, a 10 place Otter, out of commission, a fixed wing Cessna 180, and a small helicopter, were our only way to reach the coho-rich rivers.  This meant that only 3 anglers could fly at any time!  Since our group has some tenure with the airline, we were assured at least 2 days for a fly out.

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Our first two days we all flew out to the Akwe River, which was to be fishable until the big typhoon hit our area, and high water would keep us away.

We were not disappointed with silvers crowding the river, on their way to the "happy spawning grounds".  All around us, as usual, Alaska beauty was in abundance!

  

Of course, most of our fish were released, but we did keep a few for the trip home!

Bright "chrome" silver salmon, were also in abundance and our group scored limits the first 2 days.  

As it turned out, 6 of us were able to fly out the 3rd day, to a different river, but our first group of 3 anglers, were not able to land due to the heavy fog.  Not to me undone, our pilot, Hans, decided to wait out the fog on a small helo pad, high on a nearby mountain.

It turned out to be an exciting detour for the guys, with mountain goats looking on.

When the fog lifted, 6 of us flew out to a lagoon, near the ocean, and with the lack of rain, the salmon were really stacked up, ready to greet the high water.... and eager to play!

Since the lagoon was shallow, I decided to fish my Polliwog Gurgler, and it scored 12 coho on the first 15 casts!  Most of these fish were big males, over 10 lbs.!!

This top water action is simply amazing as big predatory males push up on the gurgler, inhaling the pink offering.

A face only a mother....and a coho angler.....could love!

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Previously, I had tied a simple fly, on a 60 deg. jig hook, and the results were incredible!

In fact, I tied up a number of these flies for our group, and they all loved the fly.  Fishing my jig hook pattern, we dropped very few fish, between us. 

The typhoon really stopped air travel for most of the remaining days, and limited our total catch, but we were thankful that we were able to get out and enjoy wild Alaska and its bounty!

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My buddy, Jeff, with a nice coho!  

Note:  Jeff lives in Cape Coral, Fla. and fortunately Jeff was able to return home from Alaska, hours before hurricane Ian made landfall.  (September 25, 2022)  With shutters in place and his skiff safely stored in the garage, Jeff sustained minor damage...unlike many people devastated by the powerful winds and flooding.

Lord Have Mercy!

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Tarpon Cay Lodge - 2022

 Rio Lagartos

The new home for Tarpon Cay Lodge is a great location for all things "Baby Tarpon"!

Flamingoes, and many other species, were our constant companion, on the flats or in the mangroves.

Great food, great people, and great tarpon fishing are the perfect combination!

The "birds eye" view, of the marina, from our rooms!

Each morning we were optimistic...for good reason!

Wayman was thrilled with the entire "tarpon experience"!

Terry with a nice "baby" tarpon!

It didn't take long for Doug to get into the action, too!

Harry was quick to join in on the fun!  His first tarpon..ever!

Jeff is becoming a seasoned veteran, of the flats!

We found some larger "babies" prowling around the cenotes, further west of town!

Even the host was able to get into the action!

Note:  For two years I have been working on a small light-weight shrimp pattern, specifically for shallow, calm conditions, and the results were amazing!

This 20 lb. tarpon came to the new shrimp pattern, in deeper water.  After 2 years in development it was very satisfying to finally get it right!~  I caught 5 tarpon, this day, using this one fly!

The LT Shrimp

Many thanks to Jeff, Terry, Wayman, Doug and Harry for a fantastic week at 

Tarpon Cay Lodge!

Of course, thanks to Marco Ruz for creating this amazing experience!

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