Tarpon are one of the most difficult fish to catch on fly, everything has to go just right to hook, fight, boat, and release a tarpon. Many skilled anglers fish for years before even getting one to eat a fly, this book shares all you need to know to vastly improve your odds. Tarpon On Fly covers up-to-the-minute information on topics such as: the biology of this fascinating prehistoric fish; tackle; rigging up; productive flies; setting up your cast; aiming and casting; retrieving, striking, and fighting; guides and anglers; and so much more. These two authors have a great love and respect for this mighty fish, now you can learn from these top-notch tarpon fly-fishers.
From the bestselling author of Saban, 4th and Goal, and Sowbelly comes the thrilling, untold story of the quest for the world record tarpon on a fly rod—a tale that reveals as much about Man as it does about the fish. In the late 1970s and early 1980s, something unique happened in the quiet little town on the west coast of Florida known as Homosassa. The best fly anglers in the world—Lefty Kreh, Stu Apte, Ted Williams, Tom Evans, Billy Pate and others—all gathered together to chase the same Holy Grail: The world record for the world’s most glamorous and sought-after fly rod species, the tarpon. The anglers would meet each morning for breakfast. They would compete out on the water during the day, eat dinner together at night, socialize and party. Some harder than others. The world record fell nearly every year. But records weren’t the only things that were broken. Hooks, lines, rods, reels, hearts and marriages didn’t survive, either. The egos involved made the atmosphere electric. The difficulty of the quest made it legitimate. The drugs and romantic entaglements that were swept in with the tide would finally make it all veer out of control. It was a confluence of people and place that had never happened before in the world of fishing and will never happen again. It was a collision of the top anglers and the top species of fish which would lead to smashed lives for nearly all involved, man and fish alike. In Lords of the Fly, Burke, an obsessed tarpon fly angler himself, delves into this incredible moment. He examines the growing popularity of the tarpon, an amazing fish has been around for 50 million years, can live to 80 years old and can grow to 300 pounds in weight. It is a massive, leaping, bullet train of a fish. When hooked in shallow water, it produces “immediate unreality,” as the late poet and tarpon obsessive, Richard Brautigan, once described it. Burke also chronicles the heartbreaking destruction that exists as a result—brought on by greed, environmental degradation and the shenanigans of a notorious Miami gangster—and how all of it has shaped our contemporary fishery. Filled with larger-than-life characters and vivid prose, Lords of the Fly is not only a must read for anglers of all stripes, but also for those interested in the desperate yearning of the human condition.
Tying and rigging lines and leaders Boat-handling tips and approaching and feeding fish From setting the hook to fighting and landing the fish quickly and safely Artist and ardent angler Bill Bishop tackles all aspects of tarpon fishing--from building leaders to bringing them in quickly. Each chapter explores the core aspects of tarpon fishing in detail, including step-by-step instructions for tying IGFA leaders, the nuances of finding, casting to, hooking, and fighting giant tarpon, and insights and tips for running the boat, seeing fish, and reading the fish's behavior. In addition to the technical aspects, Bishop's stories and humor take a look at the personal side of fishing, reminding us that despite the sometimes-serious undertaking of battling a 150-pound tarpon, fishing is still supposed to be fun. With more than 140 detailed pen-and-ink illustrations and photos by Mark Hatter, this book will help anyone who wants to hook, and land, more silver kings.
The classic and contemporary baby tarpon patterns included in this book have proven effective in a number of different conditions and fishing scenarios. Baby Tarpon Flies contains detailed step-by-step instructions for tying Lefty Kreh’s Deceiver, Flip Pallot’s Prince of Tides, and Chicone’s: Coyote Disco Shrimp, Peppermint Punisher, M.I.A. Anchovy, and Micro Mangrove Cannibal, 6 proven patterns for catching baby tarpon. This is a 189-page paperback, illustrated with ultra-hi resolution images.
The Bahamas, Costa Rica, the Florida Keys -- each of these destinations is paradise, but to a saltwater fly fisherman they are the ultimate paradise. Not only are they warm and beautiful, they offer up some of the most heart-stopping and challenging fish on earth. In this book Al covers the "big three" -- bonefish, tarpon and permit -- including a history and description of each, the best destinations for each fish, the most productive flies and techniques, knots, and more!
Saltwater Fly Patterns is a compilation of superb color photographs and clear, effective recipes for hundreds of the most popular and proven flies used by the experts. This is the much-needed complete revision of the standard handbook on saltwater fly patterns. This new edition includes twenty new color plates and brings the total number of flies shown and described to more than 350. Also, this edition includes new and innovative flies from South Africa, Australia, France, England, and elsewhere throughout the world.This book is essential for any fly fisherman who fishes in salt water, anywhere in the world. (7 X 91/4, 224 pages, color photos)
Of Wind and Tides is a delightful autobiography of one of the world's true fishing legends. Starting from the 1930s to the 1940s, childhood to the next decade, this books depicts Naval service and Pan Am duties that took Stu Apte to the exotic places where he honed his fishing skills. The book continues through the years of Apte's life with a variety of chapters on fishing with some of the sporting world's greatest celebrities, hosting star-studded fishing trips, and other lively adventures. This book is sure to entice the fishing world - from beginners to veterans.
This is the saltwater fly fisher's bible. In clear, practical terms and with helpful photographs and line drawings, Fly Fishing in Salt Water treats the techniques needed to catch all the major saltwater species--bonefish, tarpon, striped bass, bluefish, salmon, permit, snook, sharks, cobia, tuna, billfish, and more.
