DIY Everglades and the Keys...

[Joey1]

Hi there,

I was wondering if anyone would have any suggestions for flyfishing the Everglades and Islamorada on a tight budget. This was going to be an indulged fly fishing trip in August but now is rather tight due to buying new house and boat here on the western lakes of Ireland as well as starting a family (I'm doomed!). Most places in the world if you have a little forsight and savy you can research local waters, talk to locals, read maps and books, hire a boat (if you are experienced with boats) and have a reasonable chance of success with a few fish on the fly...

Is this possible in the Everglades and the Florida keys or is it just a far too big and daunting task...

As I part-time ghillie on the western lakes here in Ireland I was wondering if there were any like minded fly fishermen in Florida that would help with a days fishing and in return if they ever take the notion would have free accomodation, boat and angling with myself and the wife in Ireland and there is always a cold one in the fridge.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated...

Cheers,

Brent.

[razorz]

I would suggest reading up on the Fishing Report sections and also purchasing a few of the fishing maps for the area you intend on fishing.

http://www.fishinghotspots.com/

You really can't go wrong trying to find places to fish down here, especially in the everglades as there are plenty of fish there.

As far as the keys go, if you are an avid fisherman and know when and why fish move to certain areas *depth, temp, barometric pressure, etc* then you will be ok as well.

I'd also suggest forking up $300-500 for a guide.

:gr_cheers: :thumb:

[jdo]

Hiring a guide is definately the best way to go if you want results. However, you can do it on your own and have a great time if you keep your expectations a little lower. It will be hard if it is your first time down here or if you haven't spent a lot of time here but that doesn't mean it won't be fun and you won't see a lot of cool things and in some areas you will still have a more than reasonable chance at success.

If you want to fish the Everglades there are a ton of options in keeping it on the cheap side and it will be a little easier than the Keys. If you can get your hands on a Kayak/Canoe (I think that i heard Biscayne Bay Flyshop rents kayaks) you can take it down to Flamingo in Everglades National Park. From there it is a relatively short paddle to Snake Bight, if you are there around the low tide there won't be very many boaters out in the shallowest areas but you will be able to reach them, and you stand a pretty good chance at hooking up with a redfish, especially in the morning. Since you will be here in August make sure and bring plenty of DEET and water. By the way this is not an area to wade!! If you are in a kayak you can straddle it and walk your way around the flats but if you try to stand, you will sink in the mud. You can also rent canoes and boats at the concession area in Flamingo but they only let you take the boats out back up to Whitewater bay which I think may be pretty tough to figure out in a limited amount of time.

You can always try the Keys as well but bonefishing can be tricky on your own, depending on how long you are going to be here and how many days you have to devote to fishing you may be able to progress through the stages required to catch a bonefish. (1) finding and seeing bonefish (2) managing to figure out how to position yourself so you will have a reasonable shot (3) repeating steps 1 and 2 enough times correctly until one eats.

The Top Spot maps which are sold at just about any tackle/fly/or sporting goods shop in south florida are surprisingly useful if you use them w/ an understanding of the tides.
Also there is a Kayak shop in Key Largo that definately rents kayaks and will drop you off at various spots. I don't remember the name but you should be able to google it pretty easily, if you use a top spot map you will find plenty of places you can reach from there to fish. If you are fishing for Bonefish try to pick ocean side spots early or late in the day during august as the flats will probably heat up too much otherwise.

One last suggestion; you should try to pick up the book Flyfishers guide to the Florida Keys by Capt. Ben Taylor. IMO it is the most comprehensive book to learning how to fish these areas that I have seen. I have had it for years and I still re read parts of it all the time.

Good Luck,

Jeff

[Shadowcast]

Down there......you have to have a guide!

[Joey1]

Hiring a guide is definately the best way to go if you want results. However...

Good Luck,

Jeff


Thanks Jeff for the generous insight. That's the brilliant thing about like minded anglers online good advice is only a button away... If your ever over my way on the Green Isle you know who to PM.

Cheers mate.

Brent.

[razorz]

Great advice jdo :thumb:

[jdo]

I sent you a PM. but my computer did something weird when I sent it. let me know if you didn't receive it.