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Keith Kaneko
06-23-2005, 11:39 PM
Tarpon Cay Lodge Trip - June 2005

The first word that comes to mind when I think of our recent visit to Tarpon Cay Lodge - EPIC! Yes, this destination is truly a special place in many ways. The lodging is clean and comfortable, meals are hearty and delicious, hospitality is first rate and personal (you feel like family), and, of course, the fishing... EPIC!

The six of us met at the airport in Cancun where Marco and Jesciel (co-owners of TCL) met us for an on-time pickup. We traveled northwest from Cancun in the TCL shuttle - a comfortable air conditioned extended van. The ride is very comfortable, as all roads traveled are paved and well maintained. During the 3 hour ride, we ventured through some unique traditional Mexican towns. Marco explained that the sites along our way are like stepping back in time 50 years ago - tradition is strong in this part of the Yucatan.

Upon our arrival at TCL, we were warmly greeted by the lodge staff. Once we droped our bags and gear in our air conditioned rooms, we gathered at the dining table for a "snack." Please take note that "snack" means "feast" in TCL lingo. Marco then provided us with a gear and fly round-table session. He advised us on effective fly patterns and techniques for fooling the Silver King. After this session, we were off to bed with visions of rolling and jumping Tarpon... little did we know that the next 5 days of angling would be some of the most exciting we had ever experienced.

Over the next 5 days, we weathered some residual effects of hurricane Arlene that had passed through a few days prior. Yes, it was quite windy at times... At first glance, an angler might feel an overwhelming sense of discouragement. This is where TCL guides shined as brightly as the flanks of Tarpon. Despite the windy conditions, the guides were able offset the effects of wind through proper boat positioning and poling. They are masters at their craft...

Tarpon Cay Lodge is located in a charming little fishing town. Lobster and octopus are the prize species for their commercial fishing industry. Lucky for us fly fishers, the environs in which you fish are protected from commercial netting/fishing. This provides a safehaven or nursery for the species of our pursuit - baby Tarpon.

During the week, Marco and Jesciel provided me with a wonderful tour of the fascinating Tarpon lifecycle. The three of us drove inland for a few miles where there are vast areas of wetlands. We got out of the car and Marco put a small Bonefish Gotcha fly on a trout fly rod and told me to cast into this tiny wetland pool... BAM! I feel the grab and three feet out of the water jumps a 10 inch (not "pounds"!) Tarpon. I quickly land him and the lesson begins... Marco explains that when adult Tarpon spawn, the female disperses her eggs on the surface in open water where males follow closely to milk the eggs. The fertilized eggs then free drift with the tides and make there way back into the wetlands during spring tides. The Tarpon hatch out of their eggs and live their first year or so in the wetlands. The fish we landed in the wetlands were 5 inches to a surprising 14 inches. As the fish grow in size, they migrate closer to the coast and live amongst the mangroves. It is at this stage in the lifecycle where we can pursue them as "baby" Tarpon. Marco mentioned that the size range for these baby Tarpon is 5 to 30 pounds, with larger fish available during certain times of the season.

OK... on to the fishing details. During our 5 days of fishing, we fished in many habitats - turtle grass flats, mangroves, and creeks. During our week, we landed numerous Tarpon from 5 to 30 pounds. Many of us hooked larger fish, but the silver king prevailed. This size range of Tarpon was a perfect match for our 7 to 9 weight rods. All fishing was done with floating lines. The first couple of days, we fished SeaDucer styled flies - Red/Yellow and Red/White proved to be the best colors for this pattern. The windy conditions caused much of the water to murk up and take on a tea-stained color (from the roots of mangroves). The guides said that the lighter colored flies would create a better contrast profile in these conditions. And yes, they were right on!

On the eve of the second day, Leo had optimistic idea that would change the way many of fished the rest of the trip... TOP-WATER!!! Yes, Leo smiled at me with a grin and tied on one of his slider patterns - the Snook-a-Roo in Orange/White. Leo launched a long cast back into a mangrove creek that was draining. Two strips later, the fly disappeared in a nerve-shattering explosion of water - FISH ON! For the rest of the trip, we fished many different topwater patterns such as poppers, crease flies, sliders, Lee Haskin's gurglers and neutralizers. The sight of a Tarpon chasing your fly, missing it, chasing it, missing it,... until you finally feel the jolt of its grab is an overwhelming experience. This visual experience always provides entertainment for all occupants in the boat - guide included! We had many moments of laughter and giddiness.

Finally, a word about TCL's preservation efforts... I give high regard to the practices of TCL. They only allow 6 anglers per week and 18 anglers per month. They rest the fishery for one week each month. Marco and Jesciel have made this concious decision to preserve their resource for the years to come.

Yes, fishing at Tarpon Cay Lodge is world-class to say the least. This fishery is truly the "New Frontier" in baby Tarpon fly fishing. (please view the pictures below...)

If you would like more information about Tarpon Cay Lodge and/or bookings, please contact me by email at: Keith@AnglingOnTheFly.com OR phone (916) 539-3474. Thank You!

Wishing BIG FISH Travels,

Keith Kaneko
Angling on the Fly Travel


The Staff at TCL...
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y80/kkaneko/TCL-June2005/TCLFinalDay-GroupShot-June182005014.jpg


The TCL Shuttle...
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y80/kkaneko/TCL-June2005/TCLFinalDay-GroupShot-June182005017.jpg


"Snack-Time"
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y80/kkaneko/TCL-June2005/TCLDay3-TerryJenkins-June142005AMwithPedro079.jpg


YES, TCL is on the Water!
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y80/kkaneko/TCL-June2005/TCLDay3-TerryJenkins-June142005AMwithPedro044.jpg


Flies... Flies.... Flies...
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y80/kkaneko/TCL-June2005/P6120536.jpg


The Morning Commute - about 3 steps!
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y80/kkaneko/TCL-June2005/TCLDay3-TerryJenkins-June142005AMwithPedro060.jpg





Terry Working the Mangroves...
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y80/kkaneko/TCL-June2005/TCLDay3-TerryJenkins-June142005AMwithPedro078.jpg


... and Grand Results for Terry!
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y80/kkaneko/TCL-June2005/TCLDay3-TerryJenkins-June142005AMwithPedro071.jpg



http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y80/kkaneko/TCL-June2005/VillasManglar-Cancun-LeoGutterres-June132005044.jpg



FUN?... Leo's Smile Says it ALL!
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y80/kkaneko/TCL-June2005/VillasManglar-Cancun-LeoGutterres-June132005PM-TopWater052.jpg


TOP-WATER TARPON!!!
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y80/kkaneko/TCL-June2005/VillasManglar-Cancun-LeoGutterres-June132005PM-TopWater042.jpg


Sunset Tarpon...
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y80/kkaneko/TCL-June2005/VillasManglar-Cancun-LeoGutterres-June132005PM-TopWater041.jpg


The Tarpon Team...
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y80/kkaneko/TCL-June2005/P6120508.jpg


The Accomodations...
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y80/kkaneko/TCL-June2005/TCLDay3-TerryJenkins-June142005AMwithPedro049.jpg



http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y80/kkaneko/TCL-June2005/VillasManglar-Cancun-LeoGutterres-June122005016.jpg



http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y80/kkaneko/TCL-June2005/TCLDay3-TerryJenkins-June142005AMwithEllesayo009.jpg



http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y80/kkaneko/TCL-June2005/TCLDay3-DavidPogran-June162005PM050.jpg


"Mini" Baby Tarpon (less than a year old)
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y80/kkaneko/TCL-June2005/TCLDay3-DavidPogran-June162005PM032.jpg

Gregg Machel
06-24-2005, 02:06 AM
Very very nice Keith! I have serious envy. One of these days I'll get there. :P

Adam Grace
06-24-2005, 02:09 AM
Kieth, how did those red & white deer hair baby tarpon flies work?

I bet the grab was awesome. Looks like a great place. Baby Tarpon are great fun and tropical locations are great for relaxation after fishing.

John Quigley
06-24-2005, 10:24 AM
Keith,

Great report! I'm going to TCL in August and, after reading your report, I cannot wait.

Thanks,
John

Hairstacker
06-24-2005, 11:30 AM
OUTSTANDING report Keith!! Baby tarpon on topwater sounds like TOO much fun!

Bill Kiene semi-retired
06-24-2005, 08:39 PM
I started fishing baby Tarpon with poppers in the mangroves about 20 years ago on the coast of Venezuela at Rio Chico.

My first thought was that all those bass anglers in the USA would love this 'stuff'.

Baby Tarpon love to jump so it is pretty spectacular.

Keith and I are going to another new Baby Tarpon destination (Campeche) in August where we will be taking a digital video camera so we can document the action.

brett humphries
06-28-2005, 02:21 PM
That was a great report, Keith. I really enjoyed the brief description of the "lifestyles" of the silver king. Keep up the good work!
Thanks,
Brett