Dr. Ralph Cifaldi’s Gyno Crab – Tied by Doug Schlink
Mid-Morning Permit Snack
Hook: Daiichi X452 or similar in #2 or #4 Thread: Danvilles Flat Wax, Fl. Green Weight: Lead Eyes – sized to water depth and hook size Tail: Appx 2 – 2 ½ inches, Polar bear, dyed golden orange (Rit golden yellow dye does it) and barred with a dark brown (*) marking pen Body: 8 pieces of Tan Aunt Lydia’s Rug Yarn (Antron) figure-eighted in (Merkin fashion) on top of hook shank, and trimmed to appx dime shape. Legs: 2 (**) Amber/flecked black Sili-Legs, square knotted in (Merkin style), trimmed slightly long (about 1 inch) and set with Krazy Glue (***)
* I didn’t have a dark brown pen, just dark umber. The barring should be darker – more contrasting. ** While conventional wisdom would dictate 3 legs (per side), Ralph contends permit can’t count, so this is tied true to his original pattern (which worked, so apparently they can’t count). *** I didn’t have any Krazy Glue handy – just used some head cement. Ralph put drops of Krazy Glue on the legs near the edges of the yarn body (and worked into the yarn slightly) to keep these sticking out at the appropriate angles.
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Kevin Sheehan and his fiancée, Brenna Wiberg recently returned from a fabulous trip to Turneffe Island Resort the week of April 9 – 16, 2011. Kevin fished with veteran Turneffe guide Clinton Wade (a.k.a. KP), and landed 4 out of 6 permit hooked, including the beautiful 30 pounder pictured here!
Nice fish Kevin
Despite it still being early for tarpon on the Turneffe Atoll, KP managed to get Kevin into about a half dozen tarpon up to 80 pounds (he landed 3 including one to fill out a Grand Slam!).
Kevin spent some time chasing the bones, landing a bunch up to around 7 pounds, and devoted time to coaching Brenna (previously a non-fisherperson) into her first bonefish! (She fishes now!). AND, Kevin was perhaps most excited about seeing and hooking, not 1, not 2, but 3 of the extremely rare Turneffe Golden Bones (more on these guys in a future post). Only a handful of these are landed every year, and Kevin has vowed to get one on his next trip (which they’ve already booked – their honeymoon in 2012!).
“Best Tarpon Fishing I’ve had in 30 years”, reported veteran tarpon angler Richard A. about his trip to Cayo Cruz. It started the first minutes into the first morning. After a short run from Avalon Fleet I, Richard hooked and landed an 80 pound tarpon within minutes of stepping on the casting deck. First cast! And the action never let up. Richard and his partner jumped or landed dozens of tarpon ranging from 30 – 100 pounds over the next 6 days.
“I had a Grand Slam [bonefish, permit, and Tarpon] before lunch. Landed a snook an hour later (Super Slam).” Doug A highlighting his first day fishing on Cayo Largo.
“The fishing was what I dreamed it would be – our group had 5 slams [4 grand and 1 super], which could have easily been TEN! Not too shabby.” Bruce A.
“It was impressive how the permit rushed almost every fly they saw – didn’t matter if they were singles or in small schools, they rushed the fly. Permit, bonefish, tarpon, snook, shark, ‘cuda, multiple snapper species, jacks, box fish, lady fish provided constant action for 6 full days of fishing.” Scott T.
“Terrific Fishing – So much sight fishing – loved watching the entire take as a tarpon inhaled the fly. Great variety too: Lot’s of tarpon 70 lbs and up, Permit in schools and on rays, a big jack and a secret snook spot [that we’ll see again in 2017!]. Anne just missed getting a super slam, landing a tarpon, bonefish & snook on her last day.” Bill V.
Many clients spent multiple nights in Havana and raved about the food, the sights and the warmth of the people. Other clients flew privately to skip Havana altogether and focus on the fishing. In all cases, the “Cuban Experience” overshadowed even the best fishing and almost everyone returning from Cuba talks about a “special trip”.
This fall, US airlines will begin flying direct from the US to Havana, and other regional Cuban Airports. However, more convenient access is just one piece in the puzzle. We’ve learned a lot about Cuba from our personal trips and our clients reports.
Thinking about Cuba? Give us a call or send us an email – we’re looking forward sharing our expertise to give you the “Cuba Experience” of a life time.
Concord Outfitters Hosted Week: April 8 – 14, 2017
Second annual trip: Concord Outfitters owner Andy Bonzagni has just 2 spots left. Accommodations are on the luxurious Avalon Fleet II mother ship, fishing the best tarpon grounds in Jardines de la Reina. Call 800-628-1447 for more information.
Currently Available Space for 2016 – 2017 Season. Other dates are available – Call for details.
Oct 8 – 14, 2016, Avalon Fleet I, 12 RODS
Dec 3 – 9, 2016, La Tortuga, 10 RODS
Jan 6 – 12, 2017, La Tortuga, 12 RODS
March 4 – 10, 2017, Avalon Fleet I, 10 RODS
July 8 – 14, 2017, La Tortuga, 10 RODS
