Fl-Fishing Tarpon Is Prime Now Upon arrival to tarpon central of the Panhandle of northwest Florida, my anticipation was building to ramp in the Hells Bay Marquesas and go out to scout the waters. My long time friend, Gene Strickland, reported that the water clarity had been an issue, so I was considering the worst case scenario with no visibility. Rain water becomes tannin stained from the rivers like Ochlocknee and Crooked that will ruin a sight fisherman’s dreams. My travel departure time was delayed one week due to scheduling. It was for a good reason as one of my regular fly fishing clients of Pittsburg wanted to come down and try his skills in Homosassa. The weekend of July 7th tarpon were migrating north along the entire west coast . Shots at fish were still a plenty but mainly running only during the last hour of incoming to the second hour of outgoing. Tyler Reed of Penn State football fame and a first season Super Bowl Chicago Bear guard was brought in with his Dad, Gary. We had a large time as Tyler came to land his first tarpon on the fly rod. Dean Mcholme of Mcholme Construction and an avid golfer/angler grew up with Gary Reed. Dean has landed a tarpon with me a couple of years back. We were not as lucky as Tyler was receiving a Super Bowl ring during his first season. We had only a few shots the first and second mornings. Tyler is a fun guy to fish with and a gentlemen in the boat. I wanted really in the worst way to see him hook up. But the third morning Gary fished with me while Tyler and Dean fish with John Bazo. Gary and I were hunting for lee shore line and found a new place where on high tide, the tarpon were turning around and just t-boning us with some mighty fine opportunities. Gary presented the fly in front of a tarpon’s nose that refused to eat the fly. None the less just seeing the big beast within 20 feet of the fly was a hoot for Gary and I. Fly-fishing tarpon addict and famed writer, Rusty Chinnis, also a long time friend was planning to join me for his second season fishing Panhandle tarpon. But first I was to go out and scout the waters and perhaps jump a tarpon. When I arrived at my destination the visibility was sensational. As soon as I anchored and got set up I was seeing singles and doubles. The wind was blowing hard enough to take a little water over the bow now and then, so it was plenty rough. I did not care as my first tarpon came tight and I put the “Homosassa Hammer” on it giving it a choice of either breaking the line or jumping. The 60-pounder hopped three times before throwing the fly. I was totally stoked. Perhaps 10 shots later another 50-60# tarpon ate and leaped out; sky rocketing into the sun-filled blue sky and landing into the shallow sand muddying the blue-green waters. My mission was successful and I was thinking of leaving to join Rusty for dinner. But my addiction got the best of me. I stayed and got a third fish to eat. This fish got onto the reel unlike the others I held at bay with my stripping hand. The drag all the way down on the Gulfstream Tibor Reel, I put even more pressure on it by rimming the spool with my fingers. I managed preventing the 80-pound tarpon from getting onto the backing and on the third and final leap got my fly back. I loved that action! Now by this time you think I am either full of bull or you might think I know what I am doing with these fish. I have learned from other anglers and some stuff myself. I am a staunch believer in getting it over as quickly as possible so I can move onto the next shot. I am all about feeding the tarpon, making them jump then breaking the fish off if I have to. I love it when they throw the fly. I don’t bow to the silver king only to the Lord Jesus himself. It says in the Bible to have no other Gods before Him. Hopefully, you think as I do. We all need to give more thanks to Him! He makes everything happen for a reason. Love Him with all your heart. Hey, I am preaching to myself as well. On the way back I decided to take an exploratory ride and ended up being land locked between the first and second sand bar on the beach. I had to wait out the tide until it turned. Stupid me. But I did learn something from the experience and that was to stay in the deeper water if you are unsure of your waters. I just relaxed and enjoyed the Lord’s creation, I have been stranded on a sandbar before, never for long. It is time for me to get ready for yet another tarpon trip on this beautiful Panhandle coast. I wish some of you would call me and book a tarpon trip as I am fully open pretty much with hungry fish around. If you know me please call me or at least write me and say hello. Remember if you are too busy to go fishing you are just too busy!