A day I will never forget.
Not the biggest trout I’ve caught. But biggest in a freestone environment. But what made it the most special is that the kids were with me. They’ve never been there before.
That’s what made this day the best.
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#doitfortheFAM
#livefreefly
#boulderboatworks
#orvisflyfishing
Ambassador and angler, @fly__high_eli had been itching to take his family to the Everglades for a bucket-list fly fishing trip—so they rented a Cayo skiff for four days, camped in the backcountry, and chased down snook and tarpon.
”Once you show the Everglades the proper respect and you learn and understand how she operates, your hard work will soon pay off. It’s accessible to everyone. It only demands your effort. That’s why I like taking my kids here. To learn these lessons and hopefully feel its rewards.” - Eli Iorg
Watch the full film at the link in our bio.
📸: @jamesbarkman
📹: @missionranchstudios
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Happy Mother’s Day to our rock, my wife, and their mother.
Most of the time she goes unseen by the majority of our viewers. Shes the one who makes it all happen behind the scenes. She’s the glue.
For many years we did not think we were able to have biological children. Nina fought tooth and nail and changed everything about her life to make it happen. We finally had our kids later in life. We were already “old” parents. Then the surprise of our lives came this past June when we had our 3rd. Now we are a family of 5.
It’s my favorite bc of the human element Isla experienced.
Up til now, I’ve been her only guide. It was great to step back and allow her to bond with this great man Fabian. He gave her confidence and the ability to mess up but come back with a great cast.
I had fished alone with Fabian 4 days prior to this day. He talked more in this one day to Isla than he had talked to me in the previous 4.
When we go back to @calabashanglers , Fabian is our guy.
And the fly he chose? A @photographicflytyer gotcha, size 4. He saw it and said, “that’s the one”.
Nothing beats doing it with my kids.
Could I catch more fish without them. Maybe.
Would it be easier without them. Possibly
Is it nearly as rewarding or memorable. Absolutely not.
Flats fishing bones is an excitement like no other. Especially when it’s done in the coral garden. Gotta be a track star sometimes 🤣.
Isla lost a few to begin with but after she learned a lot, it didn’t happen again.
That and we started using @scientificanglers new Salt Water supreme Fluoro 20 lb tippet. Same diameter as the everyone else’s 16 lb diameter. Stuff is super tough.
Can’t wait to get back next April. If you’re interested in doing this, let me know. Planning on running a few groups next year.
Remember, Isla had just caught a 5lb bonefish. She got first shot (like always).
All joking aside, Bone Fishing is a fast paced game and you gotta stay on your toes!
Do you name your rod/reel combos?
We sure as heck do. I personally love them all. Isla started with Black Beauty, set her PB bonefish. She quickly switched to Blue Steel and never let me touch it again.
Meet the team. Black Beauty (8 wt IV), Blue Steel (9 wt V), and Goldy Locks 10 wt VI)
Fabian acted like they weren’t a big deal. He didn’t get stung but we sure did!
We learned after that they will go up your pants and get stuck in there. Better believe we rolled up the pants anytime we saw them again 😂.
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All part of the experience!!!
Islas first bonefish and it was a stud bonefish.
The group was running with multiple smaller permit and it was a spectacular experience for both of us.
She caught this fish on an @orvisflyfishing Helios 8 wt and on the new @orvisflyfishing Ratio reel. @scientificanglers Magnitude fly line. Perfect setup in my opinion.
