Freebies always come at a high price

Guy Tillotson of Bonita Springs, Fla., called me the other day. He's rep for several companies. He reps TFO fly rods and Freedom Hawk kayaks among other things.

During our discussion, he asked, "Why do people think reps and fishing guides get everything for free?"

We don't, but that's what people think.

Only unethical outdoor writers get things for free. When I was working full-time as an outdoor writer, freebies hit me in the face almost every day. I was offered free trips to many exotic destinations.

One time I was asked to attend a gathering of outdoor writers from around the country at Boca Grande. Jack Harper of Miller's Marine had this crazy idea that he could stage tarpon tournaments in Boca Grande Pass and attract a legion of fans just like NASCAR. The boats would be very colorful and wrapped with sponsor names all over the hull. Harper, a former football player at the University of Florida, also envisioned television coverage because the event was stage in the confined area of Boca Grande Pass.

That dream eventually turned into the Professional Tarpon Tournament Series, a very successful venture that is aired on the World Fishing Network.

Back to the beginning ...

I wasn't going to attend the outing. I filed the invitation in the circular drawer (trash can). But the marketing director called me and begged me to attend.

I relented, but only after telling him I'd pay my own way.

When I checked into the hotel, the desk clerk look at the comp list and said, "Your room is free."

I told her that I had to pay. And I did so by credit card.

I also paid for all meals.

A few months later, I recieved a call at home from the paper's managing editor. She was livid.

"Did you attend an outing for outdoor writers at Boca Grande?" she yelled.

I told her I had.

She wanted to know if I took the free room and meals.

I told her that I hadn't.

"I want to see the receipts in the morning."

I had the receipts, so it was no big deal. But it could have been a really big deal had I taken the free stuff.

Today's newspapers are very picky about freebies. They don't want writers obligated to any business or organization. Some outdoor writers don't get that.

Now, I'm a guide. I'm sponsored by a number of companies. My kayaks come from Native Watercraft. I get them at a good price, but not for free.

I use TFO fly rods and reels. They're not free, either.

I was talking with someone not long ago who said, "I know why you like TFO fly rods ... because they're free."

Wrong. Even if they were free, I wouldn't use them if I didn't like them. They're great fly rods and I'm fortunate to be on TFO's pro staff.

I learned long ago that nothings really free. There's always a catch on the freebies.

Fly-fishing duo keep it light and catch fish

Don't let Al White touch your line.

He's the kiss of death. Bad luck. A hex.

He's a banana on a flats skiff.

Everything Midas touched may have turned to gold. Every time White touches a fishing line, it breaks.

Twice the other day, White went to land fish for me. When he grabbed the leader to land a small snook I'd hooked, it broke. I not only lost the snook, but also a $5.95 popping bug. I lost a Super Hair Clouser that I had tied when White tried to land a nice trout I'd hooked.

But I didn't care. White, Pete Greenan and myself were just having fun. We caught a few fish while fly fishing in Gasparilla Sound, Bull Bay and Whidden Creek and we laughed all day.

When this trio gets together, it's the Three Stooges and Keystone Cops all at once. It's machine-gun jokes from start to finish.

White likes to sing, too. And he's not too bad, either. Greenan, meanwhile, can't carry a note.

Both can fish. Both can fling fly lines a country mile.

White and Greenan are professional saltwater fishing guides. When they get a day off, they go fishing.

Here's something you don't know about this gruesome twosome: They love to fly fish in The Everglades for panfish. Both have taken species of every size and shape in salt water, but they get a kick of of diminutive exotics like oscar and Mayan cichlid. On a trip last January, White anchored his kayak within casting distance of a fallen tree and caught 22 oscar in 22 casts.

How's that for efficiency.

"They fight like crazy," said White. "They're something else on a fly rod.

"I can't wait to go again."

We will. In December.

I've taken White to The 'Glades twice and we caught so many fish that we don't know how many landed. Greenan joined in last January. Both times, it was non-stop action.

I'll let you know how we do next time.

May- Arctic Norway

Our long awaited trip to Norway had arrived. The planning had been done as had the homework as well as lots of spending. The crew was Les, Cammy, Jason and me. The area of our visit was the island of Vannoy around 40 miles north of Tromso. This was my fifth visit to Norway and my third to this area. High up in the Arctic Circle it had been pretty much daylight 24 hours for around 3 weeks. It was the remainder of the teams first visit to Norway so both spirits and expectations were sky high.

The targets were Cod, Halibut, Coalfish, Catfish and Haddock. Please find a link to the article Les wrote for Planet Sea Fishing.

Copy and paste this link to your browser as the hyper link wont work.

http://www.planetseafishing.com/features/read/vannoya-is-halibut-heaven/

We had a great trip, superb boat in brand new Arvor AS, good accommodation and a host (Jan) who could not have done more for us.

The weather was extremely challenging for the first two days but we then broke lucky on both the weather and the fishing. We also broke a few local records for Buryosund, 50 halibut in a week including Jason’s fish which broke the local record. Stacks of Cod and I mean stacks the average size was disappointing but I believe we were unlucky on this front as its got a track record of delivering according to my research. We spent a lot of time chasing these fish. The up side and it was a big up side is that we had superb Halibut fishing ten minutes from the house.

April- Sea Trout

A guide to purchasing a fishing kayak

So, you're thinking about buying a kayak?

Good luck.

Realize there are dozens of brands and even more models from which to choose. There is a kayak for every paddler and, if you're lucky, you'll find the one for you.

Kayak fishing is the fastest growing segment of the sport. If you don't believe me, just take a look around the next time you're out on the bay or in the backcountry. You won't read this in your local newspaper, but paddle fishers are everywhere.

There are a number of reasons. Topping the list is that they're relatively inexpensive when you compare them to the cost of a boat, motor and trailer. And they don't guzzle gas.

They're also extremely fun. Tough to beat the feeling of hooking a big fish while sitting or standing in a kayak.

Not just any kayak will do, however. There are kayaks made especially for fishing. Most are sit on-top (SOT) boats and some are hybrid. Sit-inside kayaks (like the Eskimos use) aren't suitable for fishing. I'm sure some intrepid paddlers have made impressive catches from a SIK, but you'll be better off with one made for fishing.

Fishing kayaks are usually a little wider for stability and have features like rod holders and places to stow lots of tackle. I know some kayak fishers who tote along five or six rods on every trip.

Most use a milk crate that they place behind their seat to stow their tackle boxes and other gear. I added six rod holders to my milk crate.

Other accessories include anchor, anchor trolley, GPS, depth finder, live well, rudder, stakeout pole and push pole. My stakeout pole (Wang) doubles as a push pole.

The reason I need a push pole is that I stand in my kayak. My personal craft is a Native Watercraft Ultimate 14.5. It's a hybrid boat made by Legacy Paddlesports in Greensboro, N.C. I have two Ultimates and two 12-foot Heritage Redfish Angler SOTs.

Native Watercraft also makes the Ultimate in a pedal model. Foot power is becoming very popular in the market.

No matter what kayak you buy, make sure to test it out prior to making your decision. Remember that the best kayak is the boat the the person you're asking owns. That kayak might not be the best for you because people come in all shapes, sizes and weight.

I live in Sarasota, Fla., and Economy Tackle, the area's largest kayak dealer, holds Kayak Demo Days twice monthly at Ackerman Park (east of Interstate 75 and just south of Fruitville Road). If you're in the area, you can call Economy Tackle at (941) 922-9671 to find out dates and times. That's where I first paddled the Ultimate.

After you buy your boat, you'll need to get it home. So, you'll likely also purchase some sort of rooftop system. I used to have Thule racks and Malone gullwing saddles when I carried my fleet atop my Ford Expedition. But when I traded that vehicle in for my Toyota Highlander, I got rid of the racks and bought a four-kayak trailer.

You'll also need a paddle. A wise way to go is to buy the best you can afford. Good paddles are efficient, light and strong. They're made of carbon fiber and the blades can be feathered to cut through the wind better.

Your arms will thank you at the end of the day.

The best thing about kayak fishing is that you're reliant on no one. You can fish when you want, where you want, for as long as you and and for what you want.

And you don't have to buy gas on the way home.

Check out http://www.nativewatercraft.com/.

You might find out like I did that fishing from a kayak increases your production. You're so quiet, the fish don't know you're there.

February

With spring on the way I gave myself a push in right direction. Having excelled myself as usual during the Christmas period and well into January and February I managed one or two boat sessions on Loch Etive. It was certainly good to be out and about and thanks to Scot I got a day on the water, small spurdog, thornies were as usual the order of the day for this venue.

With spring on the way and Norway booked and paid for there was plenty to look forward to.

Dr. Robb

Tuesday I took Robb,a gentleman from Little Rock. In September, Robb did the Orvis Fly Fishing School in Missouri. This was his first experience since the school, out on the water actually fishing. We had beautiful weather and the water was low! We drift fished all day just to cover water and let Robb see the river. We had action all day. Robb caught lots of fish in the morning, including this little Brownie that really had a lot of fish in him. We worked on knots and other techniques. We had some veggie Humus peta pockets for lunch and drank a nice cold Kombucha. After lunch our bite slowed down a little during the heat of the day, but we soon got back into some nice fish. All in all, it was a great day. Lots of fish and sunshine!