To say that I haven’t posted anything in a long while would be an understatement. I have a list of excuses, but I don’t even want to hear them myself. Busy season lasted longer than it ever has for me this year, which is hard to complain about. Getting to fish for a living is a dream job to me, but, telling people that you fish for a living is funny sometimes. It’s hard to explain to most people that when you fish everyday it can actually feel like work. Most people are not sympathetic, and they look at you like you are crazy. The hours are long, your body gets battered, time off is minimal, and you have to be on top of your game at all times. Your outside problems can’t effect your overall attitude on the boat with your customers regardless of what is happening. You have to be an expert at separating your two worlds. The only people you get to “complain” about “work” to is other fishing guides. They are the only people who can relate. “I haven’t had a day off for 3 months”…. “I need some time off”…. “I don’t want to fish tomorrow” … “Oh no, its going to be windy again”. In the end, our complaints are minuscule… getting to fish for a living is a blessing.
When my season slows down in the fall, all I can think about is chilling out for a hot minute, traveling and getting to fish a little myself. Its easy to get fired up to go fish on the nice days, but not so easy on the marginal weather days. That is where I can rely on a few buddies to light a fire under my ass and get me motivated again. Nobody is better at that than DJ Dan. His passion for fly fishing is contagious, and one can’t help but to feed off of it. He is the epitome of optimistic. He is an extremely talented guy behind the camera and with the fly rod, both on and off the water. His overall stoke on fishing rekindles mine, and is exactly what I need after a long guide season.
Here are some pics from the last year or so, in no particular order. Some are new and some are a little older
I spent the first week of September fun fishing in New Orleans with my buddy Mike O. We fished with Capt Greg Dini of www.flywaterexpeditions.com and new guide Capt Brandon Keck of www.southernflyexpeditions.com We had an awesome time. Monster redfish on poppers, what is not to like about it? The Marsh is an unbelievable place. It’s hard to explain it and is best seen through one’s own eyes and perspective. You truly only take pictures of redfish there if they are over 20 lbs…. or if they have a penis shaped popper in their mouth.
Popper eat
Pecker popper
I had a chance to fish with the Godfather of SWC for a few hours. We had some tough lighting conditions. Vince made a good shot at some permit holding on the end of a bar, and came tight with this guy instead. We were convinced he had permit on for a few minutes.
Here is Brendan Burnside with his first FL bonefish on fly. Brendan is the person solely responsible for me being a fly fishing guide. I was struggling and new to the sport while living out west. Brendan gave me a few tips and whooped my ass on the river more than once. He jump started my fly fishing ten fold with one short lesson on the water which he probably doesn’t even remember. I have learned a ton from him about fishing and life in general. He is a great person, new father, and a phenomenal fly caster. It was awesome to get to show him around my neck of the woods, although he has a nack for bringing hurricanes with him when he gets into town. Brendan is the head guide at Tahoe Fly Fishing Outfitters in Lake Tahoe. Look him up if you are ever out that way.
I had a chance to fish with Bonefish Bjorn Stromsness from http://bonefishonthebrain.com/about-2/ and dan Dow from http://www.bonefishtarpontrust.org We had perfect conditions and found quite a few happy redfish.
Capt Rob Kramarz with a nice tailing glades red caught on fly.
Had a fun day with Pat and Becca
Capt Mike O’Dell with his first permit on fly!
11yr old Jack with his first sight fished permit
The fisherman formerly known as Orangefurious with his first tarpon on fly
I had a day off recently that coordinated with a few of my fishing guide buddies day off from thew Lower Keys. We ended up going offshore, and it was a nice change of pace.
Capt Beau Woods jacking up the pilchards
Capt Justin Rea with a topwater blackfin
Capt Rob Kramarz with one of many monster yellowtails on fly from that day
These are some random jump shots from this past tarpon season. I have to admit, I don’t take pictures of 75% of the tarpon I catch on my charters. I am usually worried about sharks, slamming into a bridge and the overall health and wellbeing of the fish we so humbly get to catch on a regular basis. Preserving them is far more important to me than a picture. My best opportunity at a photo op is trying to catch them when they jump.
Until next time, you stay classy San Diego
-Derek