Orlando Area Fishing Report from Spotted Tail 9/25/10
Upcoming Events
-MINWR Show and Tell Fishing Seminar, October 23
You've heard about the Show and Tell Seminars. This is your big chance to attend. We tour the national wildlife refuge and discuss how and where to fish for reds, trout, and more in the Indian River and Mosquito Lagoons. It's an all day event that costs $50. For more information see this link http://www.spottedtail.com/show&tell.htm
or sign up here: http://www.spottedtail.com/shop/index.php?cat=13&
-Mosquito Lagoon On-the-Water Show and Tell Fishing Seminar, October 24
Last time was the first time and it worked great. We tour the Mosquito Lagoon in my Mitzi as I show you exactly where and how to fish for reds, trout, and more in the Mosquito Lagoon. It's a four hour event that costs $100. For more information or to sign up see this link: http://www.spottedtail.com/shop/index.php?cat=13&
Or you could call me at 407.977.5207
Last week's report included a quote from Dostoevsky. This is part of it: "The world says: 'You have needs- satisfy them. Don't hesitate to satisfy your needs, expand your needs and demand more.' This is the worldly doctrine of today."
I asked for opinions on this but got only two. From Rodney Smith: "Nirvana is the lack of desire. The ego doesn't need or want more stuff. The ego wants to want. This is at the root of our wasteful, over consuming nature. Therefore, to experience more happiness and joy, one must release one's self from desire."
I desire to catch fish, and also desire to have the stuff to catch fish with. I hope I'm not dooming myself to unhappiness by this.
John Meyer, the prize winner of this particular question (send me a snail mail address, dude, I'll send you a book) wrote a veritable novel. I am pasting an edited version in: "Dostoevsky - I TOTALLY agree with you and Dostoevsky. Many other very wise people would agree. An ancient king named King Solomon once said, '. . .and never satisfied are the eyes of man.' He also said, '. . . the eye is not satisfied with seeing nor the ear filled with hearing.' We as humans can never expect to experience freedom and satisfaction by following our own wants because this only leads to 'stupid desires and habits,' as Dostoevsky said. Our wants are never-ending.
"Besides being wise without measure, King Solomon was rich without measure. After searching for meaning in wealth, possessions, sex, laughter, and even wisdom, he surmised that life can only be found in knowing and following his Creator in heaven.
"My co-workers and I travel to third world countries as part of our job and when we return, we say, 'The people there have so little but are so happy.'
"A quote from another very wise man, who some consider to be the Creator Himself goes: 'Come follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.' I took Jesus up on His offer. . . his offer to join Him in sharing with men how they can find real life, and I haven't ever regretted it.
"Don't get me wrong! The sound of my reel screaming is one of the sweetest things I could ever hear!! But I now have a contentment that allows me to truly enjoy fishing. I no longer fish to be satisfied. I fish, because I'm satisfied.
"Thus, I wholeheartedly agree with a not-so-ancient wise man who once said, 'I feel about fishing the way a priest feels about celebrating mass- you should touch the Lord, you should learn something every time, and it should be enjoyable.'"
Real nice answer, Mr. Meyer.
I also asked for some suggestions about knots to replace the Albright. That evoked several responses. Thanks to everyone who responded! I got two about the slim beauty. The first was from Jay Wright, the winner of this question. Send me a snail mail address, dude, I'll send you a book. Jay wrote, "My favorite knot for attaching the class tippet to a heavy bite tippet for tarpon fishing is a slim beauty knot as shown in the following video:
"Once perfected, it is also a fast knot to tie and I have not had any failures to date. The most difficult part for me was learning how to cinch the double line down so it stacked nicely. Not only is it strong, it is the most compact knot I know for joining two lines of very dissimilar diameters."
I'll be trying it if the wind ever stops blowing.
Speaking of wind, I had a charter on the Mosquito Lagoon on Wednesday, the Brothers Howard. Fred is from San Diego, Chris from Malabar. They spent the day tossing Johnson Minnows at redfish and got six, all in the slot. We also got a 35 inch fish on a chunk of ladyfish while eating lunch.
Yes the wind was blowing, probably 12 knots or so, out of the east. Definitely not a good day to fish the ocean. We could hear the waves pounding the beach at several of the spots we fished. The reds weren't suicidal, although two were sacrificed to the hunger gods. Both fish had been doing some serious eating. Their stomachs were packed with pinfish, with some shrimp and crabs thrown in for good measure. So we had to do some work but ended up with decent results.
Yesterday I went running along the Econ. Today I am scratching all over from the chiggers. I hate chiggers. I also had a tick attached to my hip. I REALLY hate ticks. Anyway, the river is running low and clear. I like fishing it when it's like that. I intended to go today but never made it out of the house. A three weight and some rubber spiders, a few wooly buggers, all tied on Aberdeen hooks, and we're good to go. Maybe this weekend…
Again, thanks to everyone who responded to my questions last week. You're all great!
Embrace simplicity.
Life is great and I love my work!
Life is short- go fishing!
John Kumiski
www.spottedtail.com