Ed Mitchell Outdoors

Met an Old Friend on the Flats

Posted on September 11, 2012 by Ed Mitchell

Redfish closeup

Met an old friend on the flats today. More on than surprise in a minute. This morning got off to a great start. Nailed a redfish right off the bat. These redfish are great, and great looking too. Love them. After that,however, things went south. A trout here, a ladyfish there. Pretty slow.

Later I staked out down tide of a guide who was chumming up a storm. Did I do that on purpose? Most likely. As soon as I picked up the rod I saw a big boil. I delivered the feathers and bang I’m on. Nice run, followed by a leap. Sweet. Snook? No. Tarpon? No. It was “Old Yellow Eyes” – a five pound bluefish! Really surprised to see my old friend the blue here on the Florida flats.

Old Yellow Eyes

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Back to the Flats

Posted on September 7, 2012 by Ed Mitchell

Island Flats

Good weather has returned. Back to the flats. Caught a snook at the ramp this morning before I even got the kayak off the car roof. Could have caught a couple more, but I was itching for a redfish. So I launched the Adios and went on the hunt. Paid off!

Morning Red

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Isaac Moves On

Posted on August 29, 2012 by Ed Mitchell

Tropical storm Isaac has moved on. It did little in the way of damage here in SWF. Some wind and some ran. Tolerable. Today the sun is returning, although the wind is still a tad strong by Florida standards. Perhaps in a day or two I’ll be back fishing. Got my fingers crossed.

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Good day at Gasparilla

Posted on August 16, 2012 by Ed Mitchell

Nice Snook

Yesterday I fished with Ron Whiteley. He is an excellent and very knowledgeable fly angler. Looked a little stormy early in the morning, but the weather settled down as the day progressed. Right off the bat, Ron got a big snook of 30 inches plus. Great start. Next we caught a ton of trout. Nothing huge, but ample fun on a 6-weight rod.

I had been joking with Ron about wanting a 30 inch red. Well later in the day I hooked and landed a 29 incher. Close enough! It was a very good day at Gasparilla.

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Hurray for Matlacha

Posted on August 3, 2012 by Ed Mitchell

The Perfect Cup in Matlacha

Of all the place I’ve seen here in Florida, Matlacha stands tall. Locally known as a “Drinking community with a serious fishing problem”, Matlacha is a eclectic mix of Art Galleries, bars, eateries, shops, and fish markets. Colorful, Caribbean-like, and freewheeling, it has the open feel of a frontier town.

Pronounced “Mat-la-shay”, this strip of land essentially forms a bridge between the mainland and Pine Island. Surrounded by skinny water, it offer fabulous flats fishing. In fact Matlacha, I’m told, is a native American word meaning “Place of shallow waters”. Watch your keel! World-class kayaking and fly-fishing waters for snook, redfish, trout, tarpon and beyond. Sweet.

Don’t like fishing or kayaking? Don’t like Art, beer or bourbon? Well you’re in damn tough shape my friend; hell you’re practically dead! But a cup of joe just might snap you out of it. So come anyway. The Perfect Cup on the main drag serves up the finest java jolt you have ever had. Hurray for Matlacha!

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