| 02 August 2010
Hair from Jack Doodle's tail makes an exceptional fly
Tampa Bay Fly Fishing
Snook are fewer but can be found...having the right fly helps
I have this dog, Jack (often referred to as Jack Doodle). He’s an amazing dog not only because he’s a constant ball of positive energy, but also because his tail hair serves as the supreme body for a snook fly.
I got Jack when he was a pup about 2 years ago, but it wasn’t until last summer when I discovered the power of his tail hair. One day, Jack and I were swimming and I noticed it come alive when submerged. I thought to myself that would make a killer fly; excellent life, natural off-white color, and ever present supply. Not to mention, it’s free!
A few nights ago, I was invited to go on a pre-charter scouting mission with a fly ishing specialist guide buddy, Capt. Brian Jill of Lost Coast Anglers (http://www.lostcoastanglers.com/). He had a client coming into town the next night who wanted to try for a snook on the fly. It just so happens to be one of Brian’s specialties, and one of my obsessions.
Under normal circumstances this would be a no-stress deal, however it’s been about a half year since one of the worst freezes in Florida’s past century. Due to the large number of snook killed by the cold weather, I've laid off snook, and in the few times i've been out since the freeze, it's been tough. Where in past seasons I’ve been accustomed to seeing dozens, if not hundreds, of snook every night, a few weeks back, I went out and spent 4 hours scouting without seeing one single snook.
I’m 28 now, and have been hitting the lights since I was about 15. Some summers I’d hit it harder than others, with an average about 30-40 times a year. Very rarely would I get blanked. Not seeing a fish over a 4 hour course was downright frightening.
Call of the wild: my new Mirage Reel set to go with a Doodle FlyBut the call of my old friend and the desire to try out a new Orvis
reel dissolved my hesitation.
Brian and I met up at a ramp in St.
Petersburg around 11 PM with the absolute intention of catching a snook - regardless of how long we had to search. With a solid outgoing tide and not a lick of wind, things were really looking good.
We covered ground methodically, hitting a couple dozen lights without seeing a snook, but did catch a few nice trout. In fact, to say that big trout were abundant would be a complete understatement. It’s great to see such a superb trout rebound, after the crippling red tide they suffered about five years back…but that’s another story...
Then, we came across this one dock light that was full of life. Bait fish were intensely circling, periodically interrupted by a feasting trout.
After Brian landed a fat 20+ inch trout at the light, it was my turn… I had seen a large shadow come out from hiding when Brian was fighting his fish. I wasn’t sure if it was a lunker trout or a snook, but it had shoulders and I really wanted to break in that new Mirage...
Snook found a way to get through the trout to Capt. Jon Brett's line.A few minutes passed and ‘the shadow’ reappeared. I landed the stealthy, but irresistible, Doodle Fly a few feet away from the dark form lying amongst the hundreds of hungry trout.
It was immediately hammered with conviction. After a decent struggle, and a few close encounters with dock pilings, I landed the fish, a healthy snook just under 30 inches.
Once again, the Doodle Fly lived up to its reputation. Thanks again Jack!
About the Author: Capt. Jon Brett plies his fishing and videography talents on FishBuzz.TV He also serves on the Snook Foundation Board of Directors as Gulf Coast Chair.
