Ozello Keys?

[FlaMike]

My second post on this forum, just asked about the Ozello Keys in the Florida Angler's section but thought I'd try here, as well.

I've just gotten back into fly fishing after a 10 or 20 year "break." Used to do well going for Largemouth Bass and Bluegills, but I had started doing some saltwater. Now, I'm at it again and I'm focused on refish, snook, and trout, mostly. Just finished building my "backcountry" boat, a Pirogue (Pee-row.) 15' 10", sort of a flat-bottom canoe with straight sides, floats easily across 2 or 3 inches of water. I can stand and cast in it, but prefer to use it to get to where I'm going and then get out and wade.

The area I've chosen to explore and fish in is the Ozello Keys. A rather large estuary between the Homosassa River and Crystal River. Since I work on weekends, I'm out there during the week and pretty much have the whole place to myself.

I was wondering if anyone knows this area and could offer some advice. What little skills I have in saltwater fly fishing are pretty rusty and I find myself on the "steep side of the learning curve" once again.

So, any advice, tips, pointers, would be greatly appreciated! Not sure if I can afford it, but I'm thinking about saving my pennies and going with a pro guide, kind of a refresher course on fly fishing and learning how to read the local waters to find the good spots.

I'm using a TFO Lefty Kreh 9 wt, with a Teeny Bruce Chard bonefish/redfish floating line. I tie my own flies.

Anyone fish there? Or have any advice, general or specific?

Mike S.
Spring Hill, FL

[Shoo Fly]

FlaMike, I have fished the Ozello Keys but with a guide a few years ago. It is an area that maybe if you go slow and watch very carefully you will get back to the ramp with all of your motor intact. This guy knew his way around in a flats boat at hi-speeds and we never hit more than once a day. The reds and trout are there you just have to find them. I know there is a small key just north of the Homasassa River channel they call "The Chanber of Commerce" key. It always had reds on it and they almost always would be looking. I now spend my winters down in NPR and fish the Anclote Key area and south. Good Luck. The guides name was Howie Green. I don't know if he is still around or not.

[FlaMike]

Thanks for the reply, I' almost given up on getting an answer. I was able to get a number of replies on a different forum, it seems to be a bit more active than this one.

I'll see if I can locate that "C of C" key, that's just the kind of info I need. Other than that, I do have plenty of time to learn the place on my own. (But starting out with as much info as possible makes it quicker!)

My boat was built for waters like this. Rocks are no worry, as it floats in less than 3 inches. Can't damage the prop, cause there isn't one! I did have to repair a split paddle already. Instead of a spare prop or shear pin, I use epoxy.

Again, thanks for the reply!

Mike S.
Spring Hill, FL