Indian River Lagoon & Banana River

This week's report on the upper Indian River and Mosquito Lagoon from Spotted Tail, updated 7/30 On Friday of last week (the 20th) I fished fly fisherman Dr. Gus Arvelo of Orlando and his son, Gus (great kid, and a heck of a good angler), in the Indian River. We found quite a few redfish, although they still "ain't quite right." We didn't get a single one, not even a bite. Dr. Gus did get his first tarpon on fly from a school of fish we found (it took a Polar Fibre Minnow), though, as well as a big pompano of over three pounds. Did you know pompano will hit Dupre SpoonFlies? Did you know pompano will jump when hooked? Did you know there are quite a few on the flats of the Indian RIver? Last week my boys and I took a kayak trip onto Spruce Creek. I hadn't been there in quite a long time. The creek looked great although I was surprised at the boat traffic, even during the week. Fishing was slow- we got one snook between us, a fish that hit a popping plug. Saturday we kayaked the Econ. The river was in flood as recently as Wednesday, and it was still quite high. We had a great paddle with several stops at rope swings, but didn't see a fish except for a catfish that a bank fisherman had. My boys go back to school next Monday, so maybe I'll get out and fish a little more frequently. I have several writing projects to work on (including a book) so I'll have to see what develops... Fishing is great, and I love my work! Capt. John Kumiski www.spottedtail.com