Islamorada

[fphillips]

Anyone fly fished the Keys at Islamorada. If so would appreciate any recommendations re: guides and accommodations. Thanks

[Capt Frank]

I've fly fished there many times. It's a great fly rodding fishery, esp in the spring. There may be more guides there/square mile then anywhere on the planet. It is a diverse fishery with bonefish, tarpon, & permit as a mainstay on fly. The bones are big there. I know of an individual that did a 14.5 lb bone and the guide told him to quit as he may never best that size again. It is fished heavy, however, many guides will run across Fl Bay to the Everglades, Flamingo area for Reds, Snook, and Tarpon, about a 25 mile trip, esp. if the better fishing is happening there. Peterson and Lignumvitae Banks are hammered regularly, but the bones are there. If you hit the backside of Indian Key during tarpon season you may catch Billy Pate there ( he has to be up there in age now). I use to see him there many times with a guide and Stu Apte occassionally as well. Billy's held most of the significant fly rod records on tarpon and billfish. One of my favorite people there is Capt Lenny Roberts. If he's busy he'll find you a great guide. Lenny is just a nice guy, which for me is about the most important thing. If you see Lenny tell him Capt Frank says hello, tight lines

I found his site-
Capt. Len Roberts Index Page (http://www.captlenrobertstailsup.com/)

Accomodations- If you need to save money, stay in Homestead 30-40 minute ride. If money's no problem, Cheeca Lodge is awesome, so is Holiday Isle.

[LittleLil]

I would recommend Marc Gillman - a guide that my buddy and I fish with every year. He goes above and beyond the call of duty to put on us on fish. We normally go down around memorial day and have caught scores of big bones and Tarpon. He is out of Bayside Marina, which is the marina behind World Wide Sportsman. His cell is (305) 393-1156. The great thing about Islamorada, if the bones arent biting, you move on to something else. the variety is unmatched. We head out in the bay sometimes and fish for permit and cobia then head back to the flats and catch a few bones.

In terms of where to stay, the Islander is not bad. If money is not a concern, Cheeca Lodge and also the Moorings right next to Cheeca is awsome - especially if you are bringing your wife.

[Joe N]

Capt Kris Bacen 305 664-2464 / 305-393-2906 fishes out of The Lorelie in Islamorada
Capt Dwayen Baker 305-852-0102 - based in Tavinier, right above Islamorada by 5 minutes
Both are top notch guides and good guys. Can't go wrong either way.
Islamorada has big bone fish, not uncommon to hit 8 pounders. It is fished very heavy and you will run into traffic. There are flats right off of bud n mary's / pappa joes (one of them is closed now) but you should also be prepared to run 30 min to find a flat w/o company. Cheeca and the Moorings are fantastic. Cheeca better for kids, Moorings better for privacy. Make sure you hit bob's bunns for breakfast across from cheeca and bob bunns too a little further south across the highway for lunch dinner. fantastic food, reasonable prices. I love islamorada. Enjoy