Key West Fly Fishing
Experience fly fishing in one of the most fabled saltwater fisheries in the world.
The Lower Florida Keys and Key West are an archipelago located where the Gulf of Mexico dumps into the Atlantic Ocean. Over millions of years, an ancient coral reef has eroded into what today are the islands, flats, and basins that comprise one of the most unique ecosystems in North America and one of the best places in the world to chase fish in shallow water with a fly rod.
The Lower Keys stretch approximately 30 miles as the crow flies between Big Pine Key and Key West, and the fly fishing extends out to the Marquesas, another 20 miles west of Key West, creating over 300 square miles of habitat for fly fishing tarpon, permit, and bonefish year-round.
Tarpon
Tarpon have earned their reputation as the favorite fish of many because of their size, acrobatics, and willingness to eat flies. When the water temperatures are between 72 and 85 degrees and the weather is stable, tarpon show up in the Lower Florida Keys and Key West en masse to rest and feed before continuing their migration north…
Permit
Permit get placed on a pedestal as the “holy grail” of saltwater flats fish by those in the know for a few reasons. First, permit are an “offshore” fish and only spend a fraction of their time on the flats, thus finding catchable permit is a true hunt. Second, permit are notoriously wary in shallow water and getting in range of a permit is a challenge…
Bonefish
Over the years, the Lower Keys and Key West were never considered the place to go for those looking to bonefish. There have even been times historically where there really weren’t any bonefish around. Recent years has seen a boom in the bonefish population for a multitude of reasons and hopefully that trend will continue for years to come…
The Florida Keys is a notoriously challenging fly fishery, yet it attracts anglers of all abilities due to its easy access and plenty of amenities. Whether coming the the Keys strictly to fly fish, or sneaking in a day or two while on vacation, anglers are encouraged to bring their best game and/or their willingness to learn. A strong double haul and quick accurate casts in excess of 50 feet will help fly anglers make the most of the shots given.
The fly fishing in the Lower Keys is dynamic and conditional. Fish do different things in different conditions, and being able to adapt is important. Capt. Johan fishes the Lower Keys year-round and trailers his skiff from Key West to Big Pine to maximize his options in all conditions every month of the year. On a day-to-day basis, the weather and the tides are the two main factors that will dictate when and where the fishing will happen. Not all days on the water will start and end at the same time, and Johan will determine when and where to meet, as well as use his discretion when it may be unsafe to be out there.
A cooler with ice will be provided, and tackle and flies will be available to those who do not have their own gear. Please come prepared with light weight sun protective clothing, a hat, polarized sunglasses (not grey lenses), sunscreen, non-marking footwear, and anything to eat and drink.