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Klingons have no sense of humor; eat more mullet

November 21, 2010 by · 4 Comments

Klingons have no sense of humor; eat more mullet

The Report from Spotted Tail 11/21/10

in this issue

Blessed Thanksgiving
Space Shuttle Update
Redo Redfish Rules???
Fishing Report
New Monthly Contest

No news here, Thanksgiving is Thursday. I would like to wish everyone a blessed Thanksgiving. Please remember to count all your blessings, even the little ones.

Space Shuttle Update

A couple issues back I wrote that the Shuttle launch had been moved to November 30 and that I was still open that day. I’m still open that day but the shuttle launch date has been moved back again, this time to December 3. I’m open that day too!

I think it’s the Klingons messing with the shuttle. They come in under stealth, loose a few gremlins, and laugh all the way back to the Klingon home world. And some say Klingons have no sense of humor!

he's laughing at NASA all the way home

Anyway, the link to the NASA page where the shuttle information is stored is here: http://www.nasa.gov/missions/highlights/schedule.html . Loose lips sink ships- don’t let the Klingons know.

Redo Redfish Rules???

While you’re waiting for the turkey to cook, ruminate on this for a minute or two: scientists estimate that fish populations along the eastern coast of North America are two percent of what they were when Columbus arrived. Not only the natives got a raw deal. As good as fishing can sometimes be, the fact is that we fish for remnants, vestiges, of what used to be.

Columbus- catastrophic for the natives; fish haven’t fared too well either

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is considering increasing (yes you read that right) the bag limit on redfish in north Florida from one to two per person per day. Of all the stupid ideas.

If you have fished in Louisiana or Texas you know how good redfishing can be. It’s certainly not like that anyplace in Florida. The idea of increasing the bag limit and allowing even more of the remnants to be legally killed is almost criminally irresponsible. They ought to change the bag limit- to zero.

Do you want to eat more fish? Eat more mullet! They’re delicious. And speaking relatively, there are a lot of them.

Whether you agree with me or not, let the FL FWCC know how you feel about red drum in Florida. Take a few minutes to fill out their on-line survey here: http://www.surveyroom.com/surveymachine/TakeSurvey.aspx?SurveyID=88MK695

Fishing, ah yes

Sunday Barry Kingston and his son Nate joined me for a day on the Mosquito Lagoon. I noted at launch that the water had come up some. We started by poling across the flat inside of Tiger Shoal, from the west side to the east side. We did not see a fish. Ouch.

I ran the Mitzi up to where I had done so well kayak fishing the previous week. There were some fish there, nothing like what it had been though. They got three reds while tossing Johnson Minnows.

We soaked cut mullet while we ate lunch and caught a couple of catfish. That was it for the day, as the afternoon’s fishing did not produce a fish.

Nice people, those Kingstons. I hope they come fish here again.

Thursday Marcia Foosaner and I launched kayaks from KARS park, heading north on the Banana River Lagoon. I noted as we launched that the water was high and dirty, and speculated that we would have a tough day.

We paddled north about three miles without seeing a fish. Near the bent over tower that’s up there I saw one fish crashing bait along the shore. I got one good cast at him. He refused, and I didn’t see him again.

Marcia blind cast a gurgler for a while and got a 12″ ladyfish.

We didn’t see a fish going back, either. The kayaks were back on the roof about 2 PM.

The day wasn’t so tough. The weather was great and it was certainly good to see Marcia again. If catching fish was the goal (I’m not sure how important it was for this reporter) the catching certainly could have been better. If the goal was to get out of the office and see something other than a computer screen then the day was a smashing success.

I don’t know why the water is so high right now. It usually is much lower at this time of year. For those who like to sight fish, fishing the lagoons will remain tough until that water drops again.

New Monthly Contest

I have asked for Fly of the Month submissions in the past. Silly me! I know that’s not how it works.

Have a contest, John! Have tyers submit their creations for a prize, and a place on your website for a month! Good idea!

Here are the rules- submit your fly by email, before the end of the current month, to john@spottedtail.com. The submission must have a clear photo of the fly and instructions on how to tie it. Instructions on how to fish it will also be considered in the judging.

The judge’s decision is final. Here’s a hint- the judge likes simplicity.

Winners will receive an autographed copy of a book by world famous outdoor writer John Kumiski, woo-hoo, AND will get to see their fly featured on the Spotted Tail website for a month.

How could it get any better, I ask? A win-win for everybody.

Get those submissions coming!

Please- Embrace simplicity.

Life is great and I love my work!

Life is short- go fishing!

John Kumiski
www.spottedtail.com

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the trolling motor is off the boat; I forgot it could be that good

November 15, 2010 by · 2 Comments

 

the Mosquito Lagoon Special

The Report from Spotted Tail 11/14/10

in this issue

more on winter fishing
a deadly approach to kayak fishing
mosquito lagoon special
Castalia flyrods
bonefish census
more on smoking fish

The Trolling Motor is Off the Boat
Yesterday son Alex helped me get the trolling motor off the bow of the Mitzi (the fasteners were a little corroded). It will stay off until about May 1st.

Why does the electric come off? It’s not needed for the winter fishing I do. Actually it’s a handicap. The motor and battery almost equals another person weight-wise, and in the shallow water of winter time every ounce counts. We want to get in the shallow water, where the fishies are!

Shallow water warms up faster on cold days, or after cold nights. Let’s not forget that the nights right now are the longest of the year. That allows for considerable cooling of the water.

If the water warms up by three or four degrees during the colder months, especially after cold weather, the fish will be feeding aggressively, often in the warmest water they can find. Where is that water? In the shallows.

The trolling motor is off the boat.

A Deadly Approach to Kayak Fishing
A question frequently asked during seminars is, “How do you find fish when kayak fishing?” Part of the answer is simply, “Experience,” but an important part of it involves the hunting methodology.

As a fly fisher I want to see the fish before I cast. They must be found, spotted, and then cast to. In order for me to see them the water must be shallow. So I fish places with large expanses of shallow water. Shallow means a foot deep or less.

Many kayak fishermen often spot the fish and then start casting. That is poor strategy. You must put the boat in a position to make a good cast, regardless of the type tackle being used. Will you blow some fish out doing this? Absolutely. Will you catch most of the ones where you position properly? Yes you will.

When I get the boat where I want it I use my foot to hold it there. Then I make my cast. That cast is usually less than 30 feet and is often less than 20.  I know exactly where the fly is and how close the fish is to it.

If you practice this approach, on a normal day you will convert about half of your shots.

Castalia Flyrods and the Main Fishing Report
Last spring Mike Richards sent me a 5-weight Castalia fly fishing outfit that he asked me to test. It’s a starter outfit, rod, reel, line, leader, even a fly tied on the leader, completely assembled for you. Inexpensive! Just add water!

I had caught a few bluegills with it, but on Monday when looking for a rod for the day’s fishing I noticed the Castalia still had the plastic wrap on the handle. I don’t take the plastic off the rod until it catches a real fish, so I knew it hadn’t. I took it.

The Castalia, kayak and I traveled to River Breeze (http://volusia.org/parks/riverbreeze.htm). Forecast was NW at 10-12, high of 72. It had been cold so I thought some fish would be found.

I paddled to the “fishing area” and put a new tippet on. While I was rigging I could see a fish tailing about 100 feet away. This does not make one tie better knots, but this one worked out fine.

I went to tie a slider on and the fly box was not in the bag. Stunned, I remembered that when I went tuna fishing with Jack Walker I had taken the box out, then forgotten to put it back in. All I had were minnow patterns.

I chose a #4 bendback, brown and orange. My tailer refused it.
I found another fish.  He also refused it.
The third one took the fly. He was about 22 inches long, immediately released, as were all the fish I got.

The next fish refused the bendback.

I paddled to shore and went on a search mission in the fly bag. I found a few loose flies in there, including a Mosquito Lagoon Special. I tied it on.

Another fish immediately presented itself. I missed the strike.

Lots of fish ate that fly though. I got a couple on second and third chance opportunities, pretty darn rare in the Mosquito Lagoon these days. Fishing was awesome, shot after shot at hungry fish. I got one dink, all the rest were in the slot to about 25 inches, and I released close to 20 fish. I forgot it could be that good.

The plastic is now off the handle of the Castalia.

I can’t say how long the reel would handle four and five pound redfish (and I’m sure it’s not designed or built for that purpose) but the rod certainly gets the stamp of approval. Although Sage and Loomis don’t need to worry about the new competition, for an inexpensive outfit it works just fine.

Bonefish Census Numbers Down
Bob Stearns sent me an email about the latest bonefish census in the Keys and Biscayne Bay. The news wasn’t good, with the significant drop in bonefish numbers attributed to last winter’s cold snap.

More on Smoking Fish
Finally, reader Lars Lutton had more to add on the subject of smoking fish: “I usually just ‘brine’ most everything in a solution of apple juice/brown sugar/soy- a little onion and garlic powder or the real thing and a shot of bourbon or two. overnight or a couple days – set it on the racks a couple hours til it gets shiny (pellicle) and smoke for about three or four pansful of hardwood or fruitwood. Nut woods like pecan or hickory (which I think grows down there), shredded corncobs, or cherry also work well.”

Ray Kotke added, “Just wanted to mention that if you wanted to try some good chips for smoking this winter, here is a link on Amazon.com where you can get some great wood for smoking fish. This brand is available everywhere up here, but maybe not down Florida way?

http://www.amazon.com/Smokehouse-Products-Assorted-Chips-Pack/dp/B001Y9NFI0/ref=pd_sim_sg_1 .”

Thanks for the suggestions, gentlemen! And happy fish smoking to everyone!

Embrace simplicity.

Life is great and I love my work!

Life is short- go fishing!

John Kumiski
www.spottedtail.com

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Shuttle Launch Scrubbed; Why Not Election?

November 6, 2010 by · 2 Comments

Shuttle Launch Scrubbed; Why Not Election?

The Report from Spotted Tail 11/7/10

in this issue

space shuttle
new kayak book
the election
chiggers
cold weather
the fishing
smoking cobia again

Space Shuttle
Sunday’s charter was changed to Monday and then Tuesday because of the shuttle launch. Today is Friday and it’s still on the ground! Better scrubbed than exploded, I say. Supposedly November 30 it goes up, for now. I want to be over there, it could be the last shuttle to launch. It is an incredible thing to experience.

Tuesday morning David Gustafson and his friend Kim met me at Parrish Park. We already knew the shuttle wasn’t going. Then as I headed down the Haulover Canal the Yamaha softly quit. I couldn’t get it going again.
I freely admit that mechanically I am an idiot. I checked the fuel tank, the fuel line connection to the gas tank, the water separator, even took the cowling off and gazed with a mixture of admiration and frustration at all that mysterious mechanical stuff on which I so depend.
Couldn’t get it to start. Electric motored back, trailered the boat, and brought it to Rod Miller. Charter over. Zero fishing.
Rod puzzled over it for a couple minutes and found the fuel line connector at the motor had come off. Of course. I hadn’t checked that.
Some simple things can make you feel so stupid, duh. Again, David and Kim, I’m sorry.

New Paddling Guidebook
Susan Young and Roger Fulton have published a nice little paddling guide to east central Florida, called, oddly enough, 25 Kayak & Canoe Trips in East-Central Florida (129 pp., spiral bound, 4 x 8 inches, www.CommonManBooks.com, $19.95). It’s written for the common man! Unlike our legal and tax systems. However, I digress.
I checked out descriptions of two trips with which I’m familiar. They were good, giving any paddler all the information they would need to take any of the not rigorous paddle trips described in the book. It’s sized so you can carry it in a back pocket, or a day pack side pocket, or maybe on your lap as you paddle.
While it’s not written with fishermen in mind, any paddling fisherman in the area covered would get some good ideas for places to explore here. Get more information at this link: http://rogerfulton.com/ecotours/FLBooks/CFL-Kayak.htm

The Election
The election was Tuesday and mercifully the ads are done until next time. I hope everyone voted. That’s what gives you the right to complain!
Some people won. Some people lost. There were big parties. There was wailing and gnashing of teeth. Things may change. That’s all I’m going to say about it.

The World Series (a bonus)
Some people won. Some people lost. There were big parties. There was wailing and gnashing of teeth. Things may change. That’s all I’m going to say about it.

Yucky Chiggers
About a month ago I went running in the woods and got torn up by chiggers, nasty little things I knew nothing about. Before I dared go running in the woods again (the other day, the first time I’ve gotten my courage back up), a little research preceded the run.
Except for that biting thing, they’re fascinating little critters. If you like going into the woods to fish, hunt, run, bicycle, or what-have-you, you might read the article at this link: http://mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/avoid-outdoor-pests/chiggers

Cold Weather Fishing, Florida Style
We had a cold front come through yesterday, the first of this season. The acorn fall this year has been tremendous, goldenrods are blooming, the sweet gum and red maple leaves are falling, autumn is almost over and winter is almost here.

That means it’s time to break out the waders!

The cooler months are my favorite time to paddle fish. If you use a sit-on-top kayak you need waders to not get wet. The water temperatures get down into the 50’s here during the winter, so you definitely don’t want to be wet all day.
Waders also let you wade with impunity, even on chilly days.
Fortunately in Florida rudimentary waders will work as well (almost) as extreme $700 ones.
Paddle fishing when the water is winter low allows you to get into seriously shallow water where skiffs can’t go. It’s hunting for shallow water fishies at its best!
Break out the light-weight fly rods for some serious fun with reds and trout. I’ll be writing about this more in upcoming reports.
I will say this, though, the Redfish Worm fly at this link (http://www.spottedtail.com/FlyOfTheWeek.htm ) is one of my favorite winter patterns.

The Fishing
Tuesday’s trip has already been described.

The first day or two after a cold front is not usually a good time to flats fish. It all comes down to how hard and how cold the wind is. If a good, strong front comes through, the first day of calm weather afterwards is frequently the best fishing of the season. It could be the best day of the year. So getting ready for Saturday’s trip I had my fingers crossed the wind would lay down.
The forecast was for 15-20 out of the northwest and a high of 66. When I got to Parrish Park it was about NW at 20 and darned cold. My fisherman, a fly guy, didn’t want to go out. I don’t blame him. So I drove home again.

After the shuttle didn’t launch Tuesday, Maxx, Scott Radloff, Cindy Kimber, and I made plans every other day last week to go watch the launch. Since it didn’t go up we never got out. I didn’t wet a line this week.

The launch is now scheduled for November 30. I have the day open if any readers want to charter me to watch and fish.

Smoking Cobia, Again
Last week I wrote that I used oak to make smoke in the fish smoker. Reader Ray Kotke wrote, “up here in Michigan we smoke fish all the time, and you REALLY want to try using most any fruitwood chips for smoking fish. Even hickory chips is better than oak! Try some cherry or apple wood chips.”
It sounds like a great idea and thanks for the suggestion! Oaks grow in my yard, so that’s probably what I’ll continue using unless I get a dead orange tree someplace.

Embrace simplicity.

Life is great and I love my work!

Life is short- go fishing!

John Kumiski
www.spottedtail.com

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November 1, 2010 by · Leave a Comment

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