Tarpon Toad Flies

The Tarpon Toad fly was developed by Gary Merriman who owns the The Fish Hawk in Atlanta, Georgia. This version used rabbit strip for the tail. Captain Tim Hoover tied some toads with marabou for famed tarpon angler Andy Mill. This version is now more popular than the original.  Toads in the three colors below are some of the most popular flies for big tarpon in Florida waters.  Our Toads are tied on extra strong, razor sharp Gamakatsu hooks.  We understand that all of the shops in Florida are out of Toads.  That's alright. You can get yours from us and save the sales tax.

Florida Report
By Troy Bachmann

3:45 pm and my feet ache and throb from standing on the casting deck of a flats boat for two solid days straight. My eyes feel snow blinded. Searching for Redfish in muddy water is enough to put any man in a straightjacket. The locals say Redfish fishing in Homosassa is the training grounds for experts, and once you master them here; everywhere else is a breeze. Well, there were no master Redfish feathers in this mans cap. Fishing was tough. 

A low pressure system had come in and scattered the fish and muddied the water a day before I arrived. Cade Burgdorf, my friend, dealer, and now Redfish guide said I should have headed for the Keys for tarpon and skipped the Redfish fishing. Well, I consider myself a slow learner and others might say a bit stubborn. The harder the challenge the more I feel the need to overcome it. Homosassa is a good seven hour drive via toll roads to the Keys. I have a tarpon trip booked for the morning with Captain Chris Morrison and feel there is not enough fuel in my internal fish tank to get me there.  

It’s now 4:00 pm and I am calling to cancel the tarpon trip, I have no desire to travel that far in the shape I’m in.  

Chris Morrison promptly answered his cell phone. He was multitasking: poling a tarpon boat while listening to a completely discouraged Redfish fisherman. Chris had scheduled to fish me on his only day off and apparently tarpon were everywhere. His clients were hooking several fish per day. Both my guilt and energy level started to perk. My mind began to whirl. While in college, I often drove five hours from Corvallis to Maupin to swing flies for steelhead on the Deschutes River. Why not tarpon; besides when would I get the next opportunity to cast to giant fish? 

We made arrangements to meet at Chris’s house at noon. He explained to me the tides didn’t move the tarpon until after noon and I wouldn’t miss much by driving all night to arrive there at 6 am. This was a relief since I had to drive through Miami during rush hour. 

On schedule, I met Chris at 11:30am at his place. We climbed into his truck, launched the boat, and were on tarpon in less than twenty minutes. Now that’s what I call getting your money’s worth. Casting to tarpon and getting them to eat can be two entirely different realities. You could not justly show up for an afternoon of tarpon fishing and expect to land one of those beasts. Quite the contrary, tarpon are unpredictable, sophisticated, weary.  One has to do everything right in order to trick them into eating a fly. And once they eat a fly, keeping them on the line is a true test of skill, guts and luck. 

The runs of tarpon off of Marathon Key are huge, giant fish ranging from sixty to two hundred pounds plus. Anyone of them you land will be a trophy fish. Chris anchored the boat in a tarpon cruising lane on a flat just outside of town. The strategy is to wait for cursing fish moving East on the out going tide. It wasn’t long before pods of big tarpon were headed our way.  

In order to catch one of these giant fish, everything has to be pulled off with precision: spot tarpon, pole boat within casting range, present fly with straight leader, strip very, very slowly, don’t spook him, set hook hard down to left or right, fish on, clear line, bow when jumping and maybe you’ll land one. Chris told me his landing to hooking ratio is about one fish out of ten. 

Every aspect about fly fishing for tarpon is challenging but equally rewarding. In the eight hours I fished, I presented the fly to fifteen tarpon. I had three follows and refuses, one inhale/exhale and one solid hook up. I landed the only fish genuinely hooked and 7:30 pm. I beat the odds and was ever so grateful. 

Tarpon flies are extremely important. We had changed our fly more than a dozen times throughout the course of the day. Until we matched what the tarpon wanted, we didn’t get solid hook ups. The most important characteristic of a tarpon fly is it needs to be in front of the target and pulsate freely. So, with varying light conditions, water clarity and depth, you will need to match the fly to the conditions. For best results the fly has to be presented at least four feet in front of the target. The fly has to sink, hover and pulsate at the tarpon’s eye level with minimum manipulation from the angler. 
A Tarpon Toad did the trick.

Beneath the stunning looks of the new Classic fly reel is the ultra-modern Power Matrix Drag System. This monstrous new braking system will subdue the strongest of fish in the harshest conditions.

The completely waterproof drag system benefits from a pronounced 'click' to allow the angler to audibly hear as well as see the fish's movements once hooked. The Classic is completely corrosion resistant and benefits from a new ergonomic handle design with integrated leader retainer on the counterbalance.

Available in either left or right-hand wind, each reel is individually numbered and presented in a handcrafted leather case. With its old world ‘classic' looks and ultra-modern braking power, this reel is tradition with attitude.

Any and all necessary supplies will be furnished

 for the day of your class. This will include fly rod and reel, leader, tippet, flies and so on.  Our instructors will teach you all the skills needed to 
successfully fly fish on your own. 

If you do not presently own fly fishing equipment, you will be able to make informed decisions on the type of gear that will best suit your needs and style of fishing.
You will be able to use and evaluate some of the world's finest fly fishing tackle because you will be able to use it during the class.  
There will be rod/reel outfits from companies such as:
 Sage, Winston, Scott, St. Croix, Redington, Abel and Ross, just to name a few.

By the end of your first day with our guidance,
 you will be able to assemble and rig your rod correctly, tie your leader and tippet, select a fly, cast and make a good presentations to the fish.  

The class will begin with a three-hour session in our new state of the art classroom.  Videos, slide projections, diagrams and demonstrations will proceed while you are provided with snacks and soft drinks.
 The class will then move out of doors.  We have arranged the use of a private facility beyond your wildest dreams.  It is spacious and beautiful with the sophistication and charm of an English Manor.  Our facility is complete with 13 acres of lawn and 7 small lakes full of hungry trout.  Picnic tables and restrooms are conveniently located. Parking is generous. 
You will have the opportunity to hook, play and land fish that 
you will be able to keep during this class.  
The staff will clean and package your fish.

Class sizes are limited to six students for each scheduled session.  

Classes will start at 9:00am sharp, 1 hour break for lunch at noon, 
resume at 1:00pm and last 'til 4:00pm.
Lunch is included.
Also Included: Book - Fly Fishing Basics, by Dave Hughes.
Cost: $150 per person.
There will one 6-student class scheduled for each of the following dates in 2006, 
April 1, June 25, July 23 and August 20.
 

We will be glad to schedule special fly fishing classes for your group. 
Classes are designed for multiples of 3 students per instructor.  
Six student groups are ideal (2 instructors).  
Each instructor will work with each student.  
The entire unit works together as a team.
Bring outdoor gear.

NEW CLASS FOR 2006:
LEARN TO FLY CAST ON A RIVER:
Instructors: Ron Lauzon & Leroy Teeple
June 24, Saturday; Salmon River, (5 hr. class).
Meet at The Fly Fishing Shop at 8:30am. Class held 9:00am.-2:00pm
(lunch break included-BRING YOUR OWN Lunch.
6 students maximum, (4 students minimum).
Learn how to make the rod work for you, on a river by incorporating all the aspects of fly casting (rod, line, body)  All equipment provided, or bring your own.

September is prime time for the stretch of river we will be fishing.
This school intends that you will graduate with extensive proprietary knowledge 
of steelhead fishing and spey rod casting.

We will camp on prime water and we will have walking and boat access to miles 
of steelhead runs that will present a divers array of angling problems to be solved.
Classes will be held mid-day.  You will fish with a guide each morning and evening.
Brunch and dinner will be served at times to give you the best fishing periods.
This will give you the best advantage for hooking as many steelhead 
as possible during your stay with us.
Nothing teaches you more about fishing than being where 
fish are being hooked and landed.

You will learn all aspects of spey rod fishing with both floating and sinking-tip lines. 
Learn how to locate steelhead water and how to approach it. 
Watch an expert guide as he fishes and discloses the secrets
 and proven methods that put fish on the beach.  
Get a lot of hands on help so that you too can be productive.
Save yourself years of experimenting on your own.
 
You will be pampered!
You will stay in a very comfortable tent camp on the water.
A Camp Person will be available at all times to make your stay as comfortable as possible.
All cooking and eating will be done in a spacious screen-house.
Comfortable sleeping cots and pads are supplied in double occupancy tents. 
All food & non-alcoholic beverages are included.

Bring your own sleeping bag, clothing, toiletries,
waders, rain gear, rods, reels, flies & tackle.

Price does not include Oregon Fishing License.
Meet at The Fly Fishing Shop at 7:30am arrive back at 6:30pm.