Posted on March 30 2025
Woke up this morning and checked the obituaries, didn't see my name so it appears that I've made it to 82. Jean and I are still down here in the Florida Keys where the process of "summer proofing" our house is nearing completion. Our current plan is to head north Tuesday with arrival in Lafayette scheduled for two days later.
The fishing - The high point of the winter was learning how to throw a cast net, (to catch pilchers to use for bait). Experienced cast netters throw "pancakes", I threw mostly bananas and figure eights. By the time I finally learned to get the net to open consistently the wind started blowing and hasn't stopped.
The Tarpon have started to arrive and for the last week there have been guides staked out on the most popular spots along the migration route whenever the wind drops below 20mph. There have been small craft warning for the past three days with winds blowing 20 to 30mph.
The bonefish have disappeared from the flats here in the keys and it's been three years since my last trip to the Bahamas. I miss the bone fishing a lot.
Have ridden my bike five miles almost every day and walked with Jean most evenings. She is doing well with her new hip but has shortened our evening walk by skipping one street. Her leg is a little shorted than it was and she needs to be fitted with a lift in her shoe. Somehow the lifts don't seem to stay in her sandals.
I haven't picked up a fly rod since last October and am anxious to get back fishing. If the reservoirs don't overflow, a couple warm weeks could get bugs hatching. If they increase the releases or the reservoirs spill things probably won't get going until late in April. If you go, let us know!
A119 welcome back!!!! I fished the upper game lands today and was skunked. There were very few bugs caddis and stone flies. I never saw a fish rise!! I fished from noon until 5. The wind was very strong also.
Can’t wait for warmer weather and BUGS
Have a safe journey north. Looking forward to your first post from the Delaware River. Thank you in advance. Darryl
It’s April Fool’s, but luckily you posted two days before so it must be you. Glad to hear you and Jean wintered well down south and myself and many others are looking forward to another year of insight, laughs, nature stories and sound fishing advice. Good to have you back!
Angler119’ – As Jim N said, Spring has officially arrived. Bonefishing aside , it sounds like You and Jean had a wonderful winter. Looking forward to hearing from you as the season unfolds..Paul M. is right on with the John Denver reference. Let the games begin. All My Best Ed
Another great John Denver written tune..he was gone to soon. Great to read the first 2025 blog..I think everyone is anxious to get on the water since we had such a challenging winter..we can only sit and tie flies for so long before you get restless. Safe travels back up north for a new season of fishing!
Now we know sure that spring has arrived!!
Safe travels coming north!
Great news to hear you will continue your reports. Like many others I haven’t made comments before but want to thank you for your informative and fun writing. I’ve learned much on how to prepare and fish the Delaware river area and always look forward to your morning stories. Hope to thank you in person at some point on the river … oh, BTW, John Denver and Peter, Paul and Mary, lol.
A-119, wonderful, thanks for signaling your return! On your way north you might consider spending a day in the Shenandoah Valley here in Virginia where the bugs are hatching and the trout are rising. Looking forward to another season of your Catskills fly fishing stories and lessons!
Ahhh the first post from the legend! Officially means spring has arrived! Looking forward to you making it north and giving the first Delaware report! Safe travels! And I’ll post the first question of the year. Any theories down there on what happened to the Keys bone fishing?