|
 |
|
The wait is finally over. We are ready to get back to our Saturday Morning Fly Tying Sessions in our brand new store. This Saturday, 02/06/2010 John will be tying Shad patterns. Grab you vise and your tools and come on in and tie with us. The session will begin at 9:30 am and as always the session is free but we do ask for $10.00 to cover the cost of materials. |
|
I just wanted to take a moment to say thank you to all are valued customers. You have all show a great deal of patience with us through the move. It sure turned out to be a much larger project than we anticipated but we are finally back open for business. We are still re-arranging and making improvements on a daily basis but at least we can find 90% of our stuff now. Come by and take a look at the new store. I think you will like what you see. We are working to increase our inventory on flies and tying materials and are receiving new items every day. In the very near future we will get back to the routine of posting something on the website every day. Furthermore, we plan to resume Saturday morning fly tying sessions in February. Be sure to check back often for the dates and to learn who the guest tier will be. |
|
Well it has been a major task with a few headaches, bumps and bruises, but The SALTY FEATHER is finally back open for business. Stop by and check out our great new location at 11757 Beach Blvd. |
|
Just in case you you didn't receive our last news letter, don't forget we are moving. The new store is located at 11757 Beach Blvd. We had hopped to have been open by now but the project has turned out to a little bigger than we planned on. Keep an eye on the web site for the grand opening announcement which should occur by the middle of the week. We apologize for any inconvenience this any have caused but when you see the new store, I think you will agree that it was worth the wait.
|
|
Dr. Slick Gift Set including Nipper, Reel and 5 1/2 inch prism scissor clamps packaged inside a small fly box for $22.98. That is half price and will make the perfect stocking stuffer. This offer is limited to items in stock and when they're gone, they are gone. |
 A LITTLE SPORT... |  A LITTLE SPORT... | | | | |
|
Yes, I did venture forth today in spite of the strong breezes. The tide was bad for my normal spot so I went down to Matanzas and went in at Summer Haven. I had some sport there in the past on the incoming and I would have a wind break there. Got there about noon, high being about 2:20 pm and it was as I thought, wind at my back and protected by the spine of palms on the peninsula. I was presented with a mile of breakwater and beach all to myself.The only way it could have been better is if there were some fish that wanted to play! Worked all down the rocks and along the beach without even a sniff. I did see several fish break so there was something there, just not for me! Fished until 3:30 and thought, what the heck, let's go look at my trout hole since the wind was keeping the water down.
Started fishing at 4 in Vilano, tide much higher than I usually fish here, wind abating quite a lot and flailed away for a half hour with no results. 4:30 I get my first bump and then it started...C&R 7 trout in the next hour but they were smallish, 14"-15", peas in a pod! They were tentative in their striking it seemed. Perhaps because of the bright sun or perhaps it was the day after the front went through. I often have poor success the day after a front with the high pressure. I think the big change may put them off. But as the tide and light level dropped , they became more active. Still enjoyable.
|
more... |
 STRONG WIND FROM THE RIGHT IS A FLYRODDER'S FRIGHT |  STRONG WIND FROM THE RIGHT IS A FLYRODDER'S FRIGHT | | | | |
|
And I have 4 new punctures in my raincoat to prove it! On the plus side, I wore
those rascals (the seatrout) out today! or is vice versa? In the ditch in St. Auggie with rain, dark skies, wind 15 to
25 mph from the worst direction and the seatrout couldn't leave the fly
alone! I caught and released 33 or so of them, 14"-18", in 3 hours! With very many missed hits
and LDR's. The intermediate line and medium weighted Clouser put it right on them when the wind eased enough to allow a cast. Amazing day! I think they may like the low light levels much
as striped bass do. Here's a pic of an average player from today and what I think is a 17" sand trout which gave a very good account of itself.
|
more... |
 WINDY FLY DAY..(YAK & SKIFF VIDEO) |  WINDY FLY DAY..(YAK & SKIFF VIDEO) |  WINDY FLY DAY..(YAK & SKIFF VIDEO) | | | |
|
With a serious case of cabin fever due to the past colder weather we've had and lack of yak fishing, the warmer temps. encouraged me to get out for a paddle despite the small craft advisory!.. So I meet up with Scott B. and Braley S. I was also anxious to use my new video-cam on its first real kayak fishing trip. With water temps. in the high 50s the Reds were not active. We managed to find 2 with blind casting around oysters. A very slow drifting lure in the natural current was the ticket to get them to eat. When they hit it felt like a Flounder. Just a mild..thump! Not to hard and didn't run to far but as always put a nice bend in the rod and woke up around the kayak. We finished up my late morning because it was blowing to hard and paddled home in 25+ MPH winds! Here's the vid...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=btavk5kCRuE
Here's another (non-yak)video I did in my new used 16 Mitzi Skiff..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sWwhmbDqbh4
Tight Loops and Lines all!...Rich Santos |
more... |
|
This afternoon I decided to fish in spite of
the NE wind, cool temps and much higher tide than I usually try. As I
got into St. Augustine and the wadable section of the ditch that I frequent, I saw the fog hanging along the coast too. But I
was there and was gonna give it try. The NE wind was quartering in my
face at 12-20 mph from left to right which, for a right hander, isn't
all that bad. It WAS only 55* though, as was the water, and mighty
chilly overall. The fish did not notice as over the next 2 hours I
caught and released 14 very healthy trout from 14"-16.5" on chartreuse and white Clouser deep minnows. Then I
couldn't solidly hook a fish...I missed 8 or 9 hits and takes in a row
and then a couple dolphins decided to occupy my space and the catching
was over! Still, quite a treat.
|
more... |
 TUESDAY REPORT |  TUESDAY REPORT | | | | |
|
I went out from Brown's dirt ramp on Tuesday and was surprised by the muddy water. Managed a few trout and that's about it.
|
more... |
|
Spend the day with Capt. John Bottko and learn his secrets from 25 years on the water fly fishing N. E. Florida. This seminar covers everything you need to know about fly-fishing the Jacksonville area.. Whether you are experienced, or a beginner, the course will help you to be a better fly fisher. Topics covered include tackle, knots, rigging, casting, fighting fish, line management and fly selection. A special emphasis is placed on what species are available in N.E. Florida to the fly fisherman and how to catch them. The class is taught by Capt. John Bottko. Lunch is included. Cost is$150.00. Call the store to reserve your space 904-645-8998. Class is limited to six students.
Next Class: March 6, 2010 |
|
Advanced Inshore Fishing School
Dec 5th and 6th 2009
The who’s who of Northeast Florida’s inshore fishing. Over a hundred years of light tackle and fly fishing experience. Captain’s John Bottko, Larry Miniard, David Borries and Tony Bozzella have teamed up to present North Florida’s first inshore fishing school. This two day seminar is limited to only 12 students so you will be up close seeing what’s in each of the Captains tackle bags and how they rig their boats. Many of the classes will be broken down to even smaller groups with two captains teaching six students.
The seminar is going to be held at Deep Creek Lodge, which is located just south of Jacksonville on the ICW. This pristine setting will allow both class room and on the water instruction. There will even be kayaks available for you to use after class if you would like to try out what you learned.
The first day is going to cover tackle and techniques. You will learn how to use all the tools from fly rods to trolling motors. This is where you will learn the secrets of what to use and why. There will be casting and retrieving lessons with both fly and spin. And plenty of one on one time to get all your questions answered.
The second day is going to cover structure and reading the water. Northeast Florida is unique in that it has seasons and water temperatures that vary from the high forty’s to the low ninety’s. It has tides that move from four to seven feet of water every 6 hours and six area inlets that vary in clarity from tannic to clear. With all these varying conditions, you will learn what to fish for and how to fish twelve months of the year. We’ll even touch on cooking and cleaning what you catch. And of course there will be plenty of time to get all your questions answered.
Cost is $650.00. Lunch and munchies will be included. Class is limited to the first 12 paying students. |
|
FIRST TIME EVER Beginning Fly Tying Class scheduled 02/25 for $100.00. This class normally cost $150.00 but if you enroll in the February/March class the price will be $100.00. This is a 4 week class meeting on Thursday evenings from 6-10. All materials are included and you will have flies to take home. This course will get you tying the flies you need for our local waters in just four weeks. The topics covered include tool selection, knots, and the use of all the different materials. Class is limited to 6 students so don't delay, sign up today as the slots will go very quickly at this special price.
How To Book
Option #1:
CALL US! Call the Salty Feather at (904) 645-8998 or (888) 847-2589 to speak with Capt. John Bottko about any questions you might have about the trip. We will mail all paperwork necessary and make arrangements to hold your reservation.
Option #2:
EMAIL US! E-mail us by using our Contact Us page and let us know which event you’re interested in. We will mail you any necessary and relative information while following up with a phone call.. |
|
Have you been tying flies for awhile? Would like to take the next step? In this class we teach fly design from the point of view of imitation. You will learn baitfish, crab and shrimp patterns designed to fish the inshore waters of N.E. Florida. You will learn to tie the epoxy spoon and to work with epoxy to strengthen all your patterns. This class is for everyone that has a basic knowledge of fly tying. Capt. John Bottko will not only teach you tie his favorite patterns, he will teach you where and when to use them. Cost of this four week class is $150.00. All materials are included. Four consecutive Thursdays starting between at 6:00pm |
|
The art of fly tying is one of the most rewarding facets of our sport. Catching fish on a fly is one thing, but creating that fly takes the catch to a whole new level. This course will get you tying the flies you need for our local waters in just four weeks. The topics covered include tool selection, knots, and the use of all the different materials. The lessons do not stop there though, also included is a lot of discussion about how and where to catch fish on the flies that you tied. All materials and tools are included. If you already own a vise and tools you are encouraged to bring them. Cost: 150.00 Four consecutive Tuesdays or Thurdays, starting between 6:00pm and 6:30pm
Next Class: 10/01/2009 |
|