1st Tarpon on the Fly

By Ted Rich

An exciting thing happened to me recently — I hooked my first tarpon using the fly rod. I received a call from Bill, a fishing buddy, saying that he had seen a number of tarpon rolling and suggested we fish for them. I have hooked maybe six tarpon when fishing for snook with spinning gear but never landed one. Since the newly discovered fish were “small ones,” I decided it was time to try fly-fishing for them.

Being a mediocre caster, my saltwater flies are normally small-unweighted flies tied on a number 2 hook. Looking through my disorganized collection of flies, I ran across a 3/0 Poly White Bait tied by Don Coleman*. I think he gave me the fly to use as a pattern when Alan Sewell and I were in a tying class at John Homer’s fly shop in Clearwater. Don was very positive on this pattern, and it is probably a first choice for Alan, but I have had little success with this pattern tied on my size 2 hooks.

The tarpon were where Bill said they would be but were not cooperating. While Bill threw plugs, I struggled with fishing for the first time using an intermediate line and the 3/0 hook. At the time, I thought about Don telling me his Grandparents vacationed in Punta Gorda when he was a child and how they told of the great fishing on Alligator Creek. Alligator Creek now has a weir that allows fresh water into Charlotte Harbor but keeps the upper section fresh. Both sections are fishable with kayak or canoe but I felt were too physically demanding for Don. I regret not finding a way to take him there.

Bill hooked two tarpon and I hooked one. All three exploded out of the water and threw the hooks. I don’t know if the fish would have stayed on longer if the barb had not been removed. I do know that having a hookup with a fly tied by Don made it special. I have repaired the one damaged fly eye and plan on retiring it right next to the flies tied by Carl Hanson.

* Don Coleman passed away in April 2006. While he will be sadly missed by all who knew him, his memory will always live on with the hundreds of new and experienced fly tiers and fly fishermen who were enriched by the wealth of knowledge Don was always happy to teach.