FISHING REPORT

February 12th - February 19th, 2011

Weather Conditions: The cold front moved through, but left the wind. The wind has been a steady 10 - 20 knots, switching up a bit, but it didn't lay down. Mostly sunny skies shared with some isolated rain showers. Pleasant temps, low 80's.

Winds: Started NW then moved N, then NE, winding over to our prevailing E wind. 10 knots was considered calm for the week.

Air Temperature: High: mid 80's. Low: low 60's.

Water Temperature: Low 70's.

Moonphase: Full moon on the 18th .

WHAT GUESTS WERE CATCHING:

BONEFISH: : We saw some really big schools of bonefish this week - like 500 fish schools. These fish, mostly small, averaging 1 to 2 lbs, provided huge fun for beginners in the salt. Nothing like blowing a shot but then have the opportunity for several more…..This is fun no matter what. The Crabtree Boyz all caught bonefish, and some for the first time on fly.

PERMIT: Still our stellar player. What can we say. Patrick had his first ever fly fishing in the salt experience - a guide from Ohio, he now has a new passion. He caught several bonefish, but he also caught permit fever. He now wears a bone carving of a permit around his neck to remind him of his next cast…..Then Rob goes and lands a permit with Captain Emir on his last day! Our buddy Bill the 3rd, also landed a permit with Captain Sinoe. Eric, from the Crabtree group, also landed a permit wade fishing with Captain Kachu. And me, I had the perfect shot and the wrong fly, and then the right fly and a bad shot. Ouch! Bottom line, there are a ton of permit around.

TARPON: Some nice shots, some bites, but none to the boat. Savannah had a few good days as well as the smaller lagoons.

SNOOK:  Not seen as much this time of year - they are closer to the mainland.

JACKS: Bill the 3rd landed some nice jacks - nearly spooled a few times.

FLIES THAT WORKED

FOR BONES - Christmas Island Specials size 8 and 6, Charlies and Gotchas. Tan, gold, sexy patterns. Sexy patterns are flies that move so great in the water you just to have it

FOR TARPON - 3/0 yellow toads, green Toads, Black Death cockroach, and look out with purple! Your choice, circle hooks will help people who have not had experience setting tarpon, while the standard is still with J-hooks, or set hooks.

FOR PERMIT - Orange and pink Christmas Island Specials size 6 stripped fast. Tan and green crabs, size 6, when they are tailing. We strip a lot of flies for permit. It is the way the San Pedro guides do it, and it works! Shrimp patterns, size 6, on long 14 - 16 ft leaders down to 16lb test. Glass minnow patterns work as well. You just have to be brave enough to try.

This Week's Summary:
Full moon week. We all noticed "full moon wind," but it made for some fun stories. Mike has lived a fishing life and this was his first time fly fishing for the big three. His double haul improved but he hauled the fly into himself a few times. All on video of course. "Buccaneers and Bones" took on a whole new narration as Bill the 3rd and Mike made up their own stories. Fun stuff. Anyway, it really is permit fever around here. We are seeing schools, pairs, singles, 5 to 35 lbs. Long casts into the wind, sometimes it is an easy shot, whatever you get, we all know it is magic when it comes together. Lori-Ann.

Lori-Ann - fish@elpescador.com.

Fishing photo of the week:

El Pescador guest Rob and Permit!