Florida Keys Advice

Greetings,

My dad and brother gave my wife and I a Christmas gift of a six day vacation
in the Florida Keys. Included are Hilton Hotels, 5 Star Restaurants, air
fair and premium car rentals, everything has been thought of in advance.
This is a one of a kind gift and I am off the hook with excitement, I
haven't been to the Keys in 20 plus years. To top that, my wife and I
haven't had a vacation without our children in our 27 years of marriage.

With that being said I have been given a directive to book a minimum of two
guided trips on the flats. It will be in late February and having never fly
fished seriously in the salt I do not know where to begin with the
questions. I can accommodate a fair amount of appropriate gear but still
lack quite a bit. Experience and the lack of a competent Double Haul will
be my biggest short comings. I will need to begin practicing my casting and
long hauls right away. If my gear doesn't address my needs I will use the
guides offerings. There are certainly plenty of items I don't have, but I
feel I can do without.

I would greatly appreciate any and all advice regarding fly patterns I
should tie, guide recommendations, best locations and which species are hot
for that time of year. All advice and suggestions are more than welcome.

I hope everyone in the group has a prosperous and blessed New Year.

Sincerely,

Tony

On Sat, 1 Jan 2005 08:22:56 -0500, "Tony Norton"
wrote:

Greetings,

My dad and brother gave my wife and I a Christmas gift of a six day vacation
in the Florida Keys. Included are Hilton Hotels, 5 Star Restaurants, air
fair and premium car rentals, everything has been thought of in advance.
This is a one of a kind gift and I am off the hook with excitement, I
haven't been to the Keys in 20 plus years. To top that, my wife and I
haven't had a vacation without our children in our 27 years of marriage.

With that being said I have been given a directive to book a minimum of two
guided trips on the flats. It will be in late February and having never fly
fished seriously in the salt I do not know where to begin with the
questions. I can accommodate a fair amount of appropriate gear but still
lack quite a bit. Experience and the lack of a competent Double Haul will
be my biggest short comings. I will need to begin practicing my casting and
long hauls right away. If my gear doesn't address my needs I will use the
guides offerings. There are certainly plenty of items I don't have, but I
feel I can do without.

I would greatly appreciate any and all advice regarding fly patterns I
should tie, guide recommendations, best locations and which species are hot
for that time of year. All advice and suggestions are more than welcome.

I hope everyone in the group has a prosperous and blessed New Year.

Sincerely,

Tony


Same Keys advice as always - call Jeffrey Cardenas, who happens to be at
the Hilton - (305) 296-0700 and www.sal****erangler.com

HTH,
R

It helps greatly if you state where in the Florida Keys you will be
staying. The islands stretch along US1 for 120 miles. The Upper Keys
consists of Key Largo is MM 95 to 106 and Islamorada is MM 75 to 90.
The Middle Keys is Marathon and Key Colony Beach around MM 50 (the
"Heart of the Keys"). The Lower Keys include Big Pine Key at MM 30 and
of
course Key West is MM 0. If you are staying in the Upper Keys, during
the season, it can take 3-4 hours one way to get to Key West.

It helps greatly if you state where in the Florida Keys you will be
staying. The islands stretch along US1 for 120 miles. The Upper Keys
consists of Key Largo is MM 95 to 106 and Islamorada is MM 75 to 90.
The Middle Keys is Marathon and Key Colony Beach around MM 50 (the
"Heart of the Keys"). The Lower Keys include Big Pine Key at MM 30 and
of
course Key West is MM 0. If you are staying in the Upper Keys, during
the season, it can take 3-4 hours one way to get to Key West.

My dad and brother gave my wife and I a Christmas gift of a six day
vacation
in the Florida Keys. Included are Hilton Hotels, 5 Star Restaurants, air
fair and premium car rentals, everything has been thought of in advance.
snippage
Tony

Uh, Tony, you need a sherpa? I come cheap.
By the way, if you need to borrow an 8wt, just call. Got a couple. On the
double haul, you might wanna call Dusty Wissmath at 717-328-9400, ext. 3531.
If that number doesn't work, I'm sure we can find him somewhere. He runs a
flyfishing school.

--
Frank Reid
Reverse email to reply

My dad and brother gave my wife and I a Christmas gift of a six day
vacation
in the Florida Keys. Included are Hilton Hotels, 5 Star Restaurants, air
fair and premium car rentals, everything has been thought of in advance.
snippage
Tony

Uh, Tony, you need a sherpa? I come cheap.
By the way, if you need to borrow an 8wt, just call. Got a couple. On the
double haul, you might wanna call Dusty Wissmath at 717-328-9400, ext. 3531.
If that number doesn't work, I'm sure we can find him somewhere. He runs a
flyfishing school.

--
Frank Reid
Reverse email to reply

There's an especially nice spot to wade and I remember the exact directions.
Near MM 60. If you'd like directions send me an email. It's beautiful but
we didn't catch any fish there.



bruce h

There's an especially nice spot to wade and I remember the exact directions.
Near MM 60. If you'd like directions send me an email. It's beautiful but
we didn't catch any fish there.



bruce h