Capt. Carp and Sol Pt. 2

I put Capt Carp up tho the ultimate challenge after his bridge hand lining success.The location of this reprehensible event is TOP SECRET, but I will tell you it is in the Florida Keys. 

The fly of choice was really no fly at all. It is indeed Dion's Chicken. Dion's is a chain of convenience stores strung out, a few strange connotations associated with the Keys there, from Tavernier to Key West. It is the type of place where you very well could see Jay and Silent Bob chillin' pounding a couple 40's. 

Carp boy and I select the thigh meat  as maybe the greasiest and most foul, so we assumed the target fish would enjoy the tempting little snack. We had to sort through the Corn Dogs, Ham Coquette's, Egg Rolls, and Jo-Jo-s, finally deciding on the thigh. Who doesn't like a nice thigh anyway. Fishermen eat this shit all the time, so why wouldn't fish?

We slipped in to the preferred parking spot, full renegade mode. I informed Cappy of the game plan. In and out in 10 minutes. He nodded, grab the 2 ft. Sabiki pole rigged with 10# test, 20# transition leader, and 30# bite tippet...and skulk on in.

My role was the chummer, (the skin is the best), the director, and the camera man. I was also chief watch and cheerleader. Carp held the pole and maneuvered into position, crouching at waters edge and focused. He was wearing the appropriate HH Pink Floral Flex Fit, turned backwards gangsta style, and the finest in Simms clandestine pondwear. All accessories you need while exhibiting covert fishing behaviors.

I began to chum the fish in, which is not that difficult because word on the street is they do prefer the chicken although I have fed them Cuban Pork before, and they like it nearly as well.

I got the fish chummed into a froth and Capt. Carp presented the bait. A nice piece of meat, double stitched onto the J hook and waited. Gulp! Fish on. Three explosive jumps as I was fumbling with the camera slathered in grease, and we looked at each other with utter amazement. Wow, it worked. 

If you've never had the good fortune to battle a Tarpon on a fly rod, try using a 2 footer. the pole was about a foot shorter than the fish. I'm not sure if it had enough backbone, but when you have been doing it as long as the Captain, meaning about 2 hours, you become creative. He really did whip that fish. He had bought a new Boga Grip in Jacksonville and was eager to try it out. What better time than right now.We slid the fish to shore, attached the Boga, and photo time. 

Carp boy was like a kid in a candy store, or an adult in a fly shop. What a truly neat experience, and don't have to do it again. Diversification and expanding your fishing avenues is what can really be fun in the world of fishing. 

We escaped and wandered to the nearest Tiki Bar to gloat and laugh about the days events. Bridge fishing with a hand line and landing a Tarpon on a short pole. That's where smiles come from.

This is urban road fishing at it's finest. These tarpon had surfed in during one of the many hurricanes that grace the Keys and are land locked. Tannin stained water, very little garbage around, houses within sight, and pleasant bench surround this less than 1 acre pond. There is not room for a back cast, so the fly rod is not the weapon of choice. I have tried here with a bow and arrow cast, did have an eat, but missed the fish badly in my bewilderment.

CC and I are in Southern Illinois and haulin' ass homeward. 1267.4 mile behind us and getting colder by the mile. We are both looking forward to seeing Craig and preparing for the summer. John and Julie need some time away from the store, or so I think, and I appreciate all they have done this winter. Thanks again, see you soon.