Finally!

After spending a couple months of catching these, I finally caught....

These!!!!!

I've known for weeks that they were out there I just finally got a day decent enough to chase them around. The schools were huge and the fish were too. Mostly all the fish were in the 30 pound class!

JM

my guide service website http://stuartflyfishing.com
my photography website http://pbase.com/stuartflyfishing

The beauty of ladyfish

I like ladyfish, that's right I said it . I don't care what kind of backlash I get from people. Let's face it, no matter if it's cold, windy, or both, which this winter has been everyday, the ladyfish are there to fill our needs for a tug. I have caught a lot of slack lately because I don't update this blog often enough. My excuse is always that I like to incorporate pictures into my post and winter time does not give me many opportunities for pictures. I can only tell you guys so many times that I caught more pompano, trout, bluefish, spanish mackerel, and ladyfish. That's what I have to deal with in the winter. I've said it a hundred times, winter time is fun fishing while spring and summer is exciting fishing. Nonetheless, I have decided to show you that ladyfish can be beautiful and should be respected. I have had countless clients that have had loads of fun catching ladyfish, let's face it, these fish run fast, jump, and eat flies readily! Sounds like a good combo to me. The only downside to ladyfish is for some reason they can't control their bowels when being landed but, nothing a small hand towel can't fix. So get out and enjoy some ladyfish someday, you'll be glad you did.

JM

Proof of the downside to ladyfish.

my guide service website http://stuartflyfishing.com
my photography website http://pbase.com/stuartflyfishing

Messing around with HDR

I have been playing around with HDR photography, it is a different approach to photography and sometimes over done in my opinion but fun none the less. It definitely has it role in digital photography. Here are some examples of different levels of HDR or tone mapping. Spring should be showing some signs soon and when it does be ready for some giant jack, cobia, and permit photos!

This is a new lid by Bug Slinger, my new favorite hat!

We are still in our winter time pattern, and fishing has been very good. I am mainly targeting pompano, trout, bluefish, and spanish mackerel, but I can assure you that once the ocean lays down the excitement will start. I still have some good days open for March, April, and May, sorry June is booked solid but if something opens up I will post it here. Thanks to everyone who has been following my blog and of course everyone that fishes with me.

my guide service website http://stuartflyfishing.com

my photography website http://pbase.com/stuartflyfishing

New look for Bug Slinger

Bug Slinger.com has a new look and I am very excited to announce that some of my artwork is now available on the new and improved Bug Slinger website. You have got to check it out, not only does the website have a killer new look (no surprise there!) but it has new designs to choose from as well as a new blog, "Slinger Nation". The blog covers everything from flyfishing books to beer! As many of you know Rob is a good friend of mine and a very talented guy and I feel very lucky to have the opportunity to sell some of my fine art prints through his website.

I found it very difficult to find art for my own home that expressed my appreciation of fly fishing and the lifestyle we live. So I decided to print some of my own unique shots on canvas. Everyone who has seen them has told me I need to sell them, so here you go an opportunity to purchase one of kind art for your home or office. Each print is a gallery wrapped giclee on canvas, no framing necessary it is ready to hang. I am offering a limited selection on the Bug Slinger site but all my images are available for print. They can be found under Collaboration on the Bug Slinger home page, check them out.

Here are a few shots from my my own home.

my guide service website http://stuartflyfishing.com
my photography website http://pbase.com/stuartflyfishing

Winter Time Blues

Once again I find myself apologizing for not posting in some time. I guess you can say I have had the winter time blues. I have gotten to the point where if I don't have any cool photos to post I find myself not posting at all. However after catching enough crap from some of you I decided that I need to at least share with you guys what's been going on. The fishing has been excellent, mostly just solid action with bluefish, pompano, ladyfish, and spanish mackerel. The exciting stuff is right around the corner, it won't be long before you will be seeing posts about giant jacks, permit, and cobia. As many of you have heard we had way below normal temperatures in south Florida this winter and yes we did have a fish kill, mostly snook and sand perch. It really is not known exactly how bad the snook population was hurt? I think this summer will be a good barometer. Thank goodness Stuart has such a variety of fish to bend the rod.

In other news, myself and Mike Holliday are again going to host the Fly Fishing Film Tour in Stuart. It will be held at the Lyric theatre again and this year will include more saltwater films including one featuring the Stuart area and yours truly. Details about the show date, ticket sales, etc. will be posted soon. I look forward to a bigger and better event then last year, it will definitely be a "do not miss".

I am looking forward to seeing you all this up coming year.

John

my guide service website http://stuartflyfishing.com
my photography website http://pbase.com/stuartflyfishing