1st Tarpon On the Fly

Learn to catch your 1st Tarpon On the Fly 

I've made thousands of casts to tarpon with fly rods in 10-11-12 weights before becoming the fly guy at Flint Creek Outfitters in Dade City recently. When I picked up the fly rod for the first time 25 years ago, my fly line and rod simulated like a buggy whip. My dopey buddies were just as bad and we were busting out laughing at each other because we did not have a clue how to do it, much less the right way. 

Then as fate would have it, Freddy "Fearless" Archibald came into my life. He gently harassed and introduced me to fly fishing. The quarry was giant Homosassa tarpon. He promised it would help my guide business monetarily. Mainly though, becoming a fly fishing guide would become a passion. Reluctantly, I decided to give it a try. He gave me a fiberglass 12-weight rod/reel built by Shakespeare and named a wonder rod. I began practicing my cast every chance I got.

When the season arrived in May, Freddy invited me to go fishing with him. I had guided for over 10 years at the time and caught plenty of tarpon with my clients using lures and spin tackle but none on the fly rod. This was an exciting day for me.
It's hard to fathom why a tarpon is eagerly willing to take a 3" long rooster feather fly. Freddy use to attend cock fights in New Orleans and would bring home a cape or two and stick in his freezer.

Here I am standing on the bow of his Shipoke, when a school of slow moving daisy chaining fish with their fins breaking the water surface. There was a light wind creating the perfect chop on the gulf's waters. Perfect conditions to cast into the 5-7 foot long fish. Somehow, I managed to chuck the fly into the center of perhaps a dozen fish. They continued their pre-spawning ritual without spooking from my flinging cast. 

My heart was pounding and the adrenaline was at its peak. I stripped the fly in and Freddy instructed the speed and length(I think I heard him). Then the line came tight and jolted instantly. The huge tarpon came only half way out of the water. This was a big fish. i was clueless how to strike a tarpon properly, she came up with power only a tarpon can portray. Because I did not point my rod to the fish aka "bow to the King", the 5-foot fish shook the fly loose from its head frolicking side to side. 

To overcome from spin fishing to fly fishing or from fly fishing the mountain streams, to the flats of Florida, for silver king tarpon has to be paramount, whether a beginner or one who has not big game fished. Overcome is a good word to define the use of a long rod; to defeat the difficult purpose and successfully gain control and be affected very strongly. You need to become a sponge for knowledge, apply it and practice daily for 20 minutes each day. You have to have a double-haul to propel the fly to the target to longer distances than most types of fly fishing before you step on a guide skiff. Have confidence. It is ok to begin at the top of the field to pursue big fish.

Fly rods have evolved since I started using Fiberglass some 30 years ago. I've owned the best fly rods on the market from over a half dozen top companies. I still have and use fly rods that are over 20 years old. That's one reason Orvis has so much faith in their fly rods and warranty.

The industry continues to manufacture the strongest and sleekest with the lightest materials available. The Orvis Helios 2 rod family is one of the top fly rods in the country and built in the USA. Their 25-year warranty proves their confidence of the product. 

Do you want to catch a tarpon on the fly? Get the passion and tell me you want to get started by looking me up at the fly shop in Dade City.

Capt. Mike Locklear