http://www.FlyFishFlorida.co.ukFly fishing reports from Florida(c)2012, Fly Fish Florida. All rights reserved.5Click on the image below to go to the magazine.    http://www.FlyFishFlorida.co.uk/Blogpost.aspx?BlogPostID=276Fri, 11 May 2012 09:43:00 GMTOn a two day trip, Dave Hunt manages to guide his 2 Clients to some great Bull Redfish in the ENP.  http://www.FlyFishFlorida.co.uk/Blogpost.aspx?BlogPostID=275Wed, 09 May 2012 11:18:24 GMT Mike Hawkins holds aloft a thick Largemouth Bass weighing in at over 8Lbs. The fish was caught, along with a 4, 5 and 7 Lb fish at the resort where Mike works as a Fishing Guide. As you can see, the fish was caught on the fly. Way to go Mike!  http://www.FlyFishFlorida.co.uk/Blogpost.aspx?BlogPostID=274Tue, 01 May 2012 08:10:00 GMTInvasive fish scary looking, but tasty. Corey Nowakowski with his 33 Bullseye Snakehead fish he caught to win a recent tournament. (Mike Stocker, Sun Sentinel / April 21, 2012)     By Robert Nolin, Sun Sentinel 6:44 p.m. EDT, April 30, 2012   Go on, big guy, enjoy your adopted home, the murky canals of Broward and Palm Beach counties. Here you can grow up to 3 feet long, lay eggs by the thousands, and dine on savory bass babies. Of course they fear you. You can breathe air and crawl on land, they say. You cannibalize your young. And then there's those teeth. No wonder they hunt you down by the hundreds and club you to death. You're Channa marulius, an Asian invader with mysterious origins better known as the Bullseye Snakehead or, some shiver to say, Frankenfish. "They are taking over our water, and they're eating anything from bass to turtles," said Jason Calvert, a longtime Tamarac fisherman. "They're moving and they're spreading. It's a virus, that's all it is. They're already in Palm Beach County." Anglers, concerned the red-eyed ambush predator with the flat head and dark, torpedo body is overwhelming freshwater canals, have organized at least eight Snakehead roundups over the past two years. In the most recent roundup in Margate on April 21, 10 anglers accounted for 115 Snakeheads, the largest nearly a yard long and weighing in at 10 pounds. Snakeheads were first documented in Tamarac in October 2000, baffling scientists. Now they occupy a 200-square-mile area of Northwest Broward and Southern Palm Beach County. They are a popular food fish in their native Southeast Asia, common to Pakistan, Malaysia and southern China. How they arrived in South Florida is a mystery. "We don't really know how they got here," said Kelly Gestring, director of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission's non-native fish lab in Boca Raton. "Obviously someone illegally released them." Because of its size and unappealing demeanor, Snakeheads aren't popular aquarium fish, leading experts to speculate whoever released them did so to have access to a tasty fish. Indeed, its flaky and firm white flesh, suitable for breading or grilling, may be the Snakehead's most winning trait. "They are absolutely phenomenal to eat, through the roof," said Calvert, 40. His 7-year-old daughter Hailie concurs. "I love the white meat," she said. Lloyd Fox, 65, owner of Lloyd's Bait and Tackle in Margate, has been fishing South Florida canals since 1970 and remembers when the first Snakehead appeared nearly 12 years ago. He's not alarmed by the Snakehead invasion. "We're not overrun with them," he said. "People say they've had an impact, but I haven't noticed it. It's just another fish in the canal to catch." Sure, Snakeheads eat baby bass, Fox said, but bass also eat baby Snakeheads. "People are saying all these bad things about them," he said. Fox noted one positive aspect of the Snakehead blitz. "They do eat Muscovy ducks," he said. "I've seen one come up and take a baby duck on the shoreline." Snakeheads are also said to walk on land, but Fox disputes that. "They can move, but you throw any fish on a wet patio and it's gonna flop around, it's not really walking," he said. "They don't walk, they kinda waddle." Gestring also dismisses the walking Snakehead as myth. "There's been a lot of media hype about Snakeheads," he said. "Snakeheads can't walk on land and they can't survive out of water for days." Because they can breathe air, they can live in low oxygen water where native fish couldn't, Gestring said. But they aren't displacing the natives. And while Snakeheads may lay some 5,000 eggs twice a year, most don't mature, and in fact provide tasty meals for local fish. "We have not been able to document a measurable negative impact on bass or any native fish," the scientist said. "We wish they weren't here, but they don't seem to be having a catastrophic impact on native freshwater fish." Still, possessing a live Snakehead is against the law, punishable by a fine of up to $500, depending on previous offenses. "If you catch one, you have to kill it in some way," Gestring said. "Usually the angler just gives them a real good whack on the head." rnolin@tribune.com http://www.FlyFishFlorida.co.uk/Blogpost.aspx?BlogPostID=273Tue, 01 May 2012 07:55:00 GMT                              If any of you are wondering about the Double Haul, take a look at this Video from ORVIS.http://www.FlyFishFlorida.co.uk/Blogpost.aspx?BlogPostID=272Thu, 19 Apr 2012 09:14:00 GMT   Click on the picture above to go to the magazine.http://www.FlyFishFlorida.co.uk/Blogpost.aspx?BlogPostID=271Sat, 07 Apr 2012 17:25:00 GMT   Click on the image above to go to the latest issue.http://www.FlyFishFlorida.co.uk/Blogpost.aspx?BlogPostID=270Sat, 07 Apr 2012 07:54:59 GMT  Click on the image above to go to the online magazine.http://www.FlyFishFlorida.co.uk/Blogpost.aspx?BlogPostID=269Fri, 06 Apr 2012 12:49:00 GMTThe video below was taken with my Blackberry, and catches Paul Procter deceiving a Peacock Bass in the Miami Inland waterway system.http://www.FlyFishFlorida.co.uk/Blogpost.aspx?BlogPostID=268Thu, 29 Mar 2012 16:06:00 GMTComplete change of venue today. The Ritz Carlton / J W Marriott Hotel in Orlando is a 550 Acre property with 2 High End Hotels that has a fishing and Eco program run by Mike Hawkins. The mile long main Shingle Pond is a Bass Fishery that is maintained by the Hotel for the benefit of Guests to use fishing from Hyde Drift Boats. The clear water and abundant Hydrilla make an outstanding habitat for Largemouth Bass, Fishing the edges of the shoreline with poppers is a very visual experience, as the strikes can be sudden and violent. A shore lunch in the golf Club Bar was followed by a Canoe trip in Shingle Creek. This is a very special and evocative place and lends itself to fly fishing for those who want the wilderness experience in the heart of the Orlando.http://www.FlyFishFlorida.co.uk/Blogpost.aspx?BlogPostID=267Thu, 29 Mar 2012 11:30:39 GMTToday we are based in Orlando and have a days fishing with Captain Chris Myers. He wanted us at the Dock for 6.15 so an early start was on the cards. A little cooler up here in the mornings, but suitably attired, we headed for the Flats. Our quarry today was to be both types of Drum (Red & Black). The morning started off slowly, as the Redfish refused to tail, and as the light was low, we were running over them before we saw them. However, once the sun got up in the sky, things changed dramatically. We started seeing fish at a decent distance, and were able to intercept them with our flies. Some perfectly positioned shots were refused, some fish turned the wrong way at the last minute, or just melted into the grass. However, with the number of fish we could see, we knew that before long, we would be into fish. Firstly we managed a Black Drum. A huge school of which were milling around the boat actively feeding in the grass. Then we turned our attention to some Redfish, and the action hotted up. Not to say this fishing is easy, but when you are able to see fish, and they are 30 - 45 feet away from the boat, you know they are catchable. Frustration aside at spooked fish, we managed a total of 7 Redfish and 2 Black Drum.http://www.FlyFishFlorida.co.uk/Blogpost.aspx?BlogPostID=266Thu, 29 Mar 2012 11:19:57 GMTChange of venue again today, as we decided to try out Biscayne Bay for Bonefish and Permit. Conditions were looking good, with a strong current across the Permit Flats. We fished the Inshore Flats, Soldier Key and Elliott Key. We saw numerous Sharks on the Flats as well as Sting Rays which is always a good sign. The wind picked up and after a lot of searching, we decided to head on in as we had a long drive to Orlando.http://www.FlyFishFlorida.co.uk/Blogpost.aspx?BlogPostID=265Thu, 29 Mar 2012 10:59:49 GMTWe had a long drive today to get to the Everglades National Park. We decided to take our chances on the Redfish, and boy did it turn out great. The skinny water presented a challenge, with us getting fish in 8 inches of water. Tailing fish were everywhere, and some times it was difficult to chose which to cast to. Paul caught 3 fish, and I caught 1. Rod managed a huge Ladyfish as well.    http://www.FlyFishFlorida.co.uk/Blogpost.aspx?BlogPostID=264Sun, 25 Mar 2012 00:43:58 GMTToday we decided to change it up a bit, and go chase some Largemouth Bass. Arriving on US27 we were greeted by mist over the water, which soon burnt off, and turned into a very nice sunny, and hot day. We were lucky enough to catch a total of 32 Largemouths, the best of which was 5.5Lbs. The majority were caught on Poppers on the surface. We also caught Bluegill & Redear Sunfish. We saw Alligators and Ospreys and had a great time.http://www.FlyFishFlorida.co.uk/Blogpost.aspx?BlogPostID=263Sat, 24 Mar 2012 00:29:00 GMTThe Gods shone on us today, with 30 quality fish to the boat. The best fish of the day eluded both Paul Procter and I. Rod Calbrade managed to catch the biggest fish that was lit up like a Christmas tree. Iridescent Blue and Red fins showed this fish up to its best.http://www.FlyFishFlorida.co.uk/Blogpost.aspx?BlogPostID=262Thu, 22 Mar 2012 22:45:04 GMTToday we fished the Miami Airport Lakes (Blue Lagoon) for Peacock Bass. The conditions were windy making the visibility harder, but the fish obliged by pairing up on the beds. Paul managed a good solid 12 for the day. I had 1 and Rod Calbrade had 1 as well.http://www.FlyFishFlorida.co.uk/Blogpost.aspx?BlogPostID=261Wed, 21 Mar 2012 23:08:00 GMTThe Snakehead Roundup was held today, with competitors bringing in their catch. Best bag was 26 and the best weight / length was 9.5Lbs which maybe a Junior All Tackle Record. The organisers put on a good day, topped off with deep fried Snakehead and Chilli Sauce. Ummmmmm.  http://www.FlyFishFlorida.co.uk/Blogpost.aspx?BlogPostID=260Sat, 17 Mar 2012 20:56:02 GMTAfter at least 2 years of chasing elusive snakeheads in the condo lake, I actually managed to hook one last evening. I had seen 2 previously, and another had attacked and missed the lure. All bodes well for the next few months.http://www.FlyFishFlorida.co.uk/Blogpost.aspx?BlogPostID=259Wed, 14 Mar 2012 11:20:33 GMTFlorida's colorful invasives By WILLIAM D. BALGORD | Special to The Tampa Tribune Published: March 03, 2012 Updated: March 03, 2012 - 12:00 AM   What comes to mind when you hear "invasive species"? That all depends on where you happen to be. Eighteen-foot Burmese pythons, released by fickle owners when the pets grew too large to handle safely, now roam the Everglades, accompanied by hungry offspring. But Florida's waterways have been clogged for decades with various exotic fishes — originally released from private aquariums. Expansive cichlids, including tilapia and oscars, and the voracious snakehead and walking catfish are alleged to be displacing bluegills, crappie and bass from their native habitats. Explosive cichlid populations prevailed before the winters of 2009-11, when inland water temperatures fell precipitously. Frigid temps left behind massive kills among fish, snakes and the iguanas across South Florida. The native West Indian Manatee had steadily expanded its range into Central and North Florida during the 20th century, thanks to warm-water sanctuaries provided by power plants over the winter months. But some plants have closed, and the recent cold spells took a toll on these curious mammals that formerly migrated between Florida and the Bahamas. But here's the good part: The cold weather thinned out enough of the undesirable invasives that native fish are making a comeback. Large-mouth bass, crappie and bluegill are now showing up in greater numbers and in larger sizes than in nearly anyone's memory. Several factors no doubt contribute to the rebound, but it's generally agreed the absence of competition by invasives is playing a role. Not all exotics are bad for native fish stocks. German Brown trout were introduced from northern Europe during the 19th century and have since provided dependable cold-water fisheries in Northern states. Coho salmon from the West Coast were successfully transplanted to lakes and streams in the Midwest and Northeast alike. In the 1960s, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, searching for a solution to burgeoning cichlids in Florida's man-made canals, conducted research on the butterfly peacock (aka, peacock bass), a highly regarded game fish native to the Amazon basin. The first attempts to introduce peacocks failed when conditions did not favor reproduction. Further research produced a version compatible with Florida's canal system. So successful was the 1984-85 introduction of these gaudy exotics, fishermen began transporting them to lakes convenient to their homes in Broward, Palm Beach and Collier counties. But the recent cold temperatures that killed off unwanted cichlids also took a heavy toll on the peacocks and threatened to undo the successful experiment. By summer 2010, these fish were rarely being caught in waters north of Miami-Dade County. Reliable peacock bass fishing is currently restricted to the deep canals nearby and south of Miami International Airport. Freshwater guide Alan Zaremba in Hollywood, Fla., says of complaints that peacocks displace native large-mouth bass, "They are exaggerated." In their native Amazon basin, peacocks prefer weed-free waters similar to Florida's man-made canals and diet almost exclusively on fish. By contrast, large-mouths frequent weeds and shallower water to feed on a variety of forage. Both benefit from expanded biomass. There is little evidence of competitive displacement of high-value bass from their native habitat in the Kissimmee River, Lake Okeechobee or the shallow waters of the Everglades by the peacocks. Florida's inshore tropical fish also take hits during cold winters. Large numbers of the prized Common Snook, which normally ranges as far north as Mosquito Lagoon, died during 2010 and 2011. General warming in the region since the late 1970s had favored snook pushing farther northward, along with other cold-sensitive species. The pruning caused by occasional outbreaks of frigid temperatures can be understood as Mother Nature's hand at "culling the herd" — by stopping further expansion of exotics and re-establishing the original limits to the northern ranges of the snook and the perennial favorite of tourists, the manatee.   William Balgord, Ph.D., a consultant and writer, heads Environmental & Resources Technology, Inc., in Fort Piercehttp://www.FlyFishFlorida.co.uk/Blogpost.aspx?BlogPostID=258Mon, 05 Mar 2012 09:34:49 GMTTake a look. Sure you will enjoy the imagery.http://www.FlyFishFlorida.co.uk/Blogpost.aspx?BlogPostID=257Sun, 26 Feb 2012 09:51:00 GMT