August/September 2004 Report
Well, all I can say is, I'm so glad those four hurricanes spared Chokoloskee. I'm so tired of packing up, and unpacking, running from the storms, and trying to straighten out the mild damage we've had here.

I've lived in Florida my entire life, and never have we had such devastation to our state. My heart goes out to all those who have lost so much during the last two months. It takes a lifetime to build for your future, and in a matter of hours, it can all be taken away.

Putting that aside, let's now get to what we've been up to here in the Everglades in August and September. Fishing had been great again these last two months, until the Backcountry turned almost totally fresh because of the storms.

We were able to hook-up (and land) probably 20-40 small snook a day, and a couple in the 6-8 pound range.

We also had shots, a hook-up (and lost) somewhere near 15 big guys in the 10-12 pound range. On one outing, Jeff Davis had a great fish on in the 20 plus range, but he was unable to get him to the boat. But he still managed to catch probably 25-30 smaller snook, and one nice tarpon in the 40 pound range to cap off his day.

I'd also like to congratulate Jeff for catching and releasing a 9 pound Peacock he caught on the SE coast of Florida. I'm posting a picture of his bass in the photo section. It's quite a fish.

All in all, the fishing has been so much better this year. Hopefully it's starting to turn around since more fresh water is being diverted to the Flamingo region. That's keeping the back country at about a 50-50 mix.

I would like to to again say, "THANK YOU" to all my anglers and new friends for fishing with us here in Everglades National Park.

Capt.Bert Barkus

JUNE/JULY 2004 REPORT
Well, considering that all the books say June and July can be the poorest months of the year for fishing the Everglades, I disagree. Yes, the mosquitoes are here, Yes, there are deer flies, but all can be taken care of with some Deep Woods Off. There all those severe afternoon thunderstorms with lightning and high winds. Water temperature is in the high 80s. Not a lot of strong tides, and loads of tannic water on the outside. I suppose with all this in mind, it does pose somewhat of a problem for the anglers who only get to fish on the weekends.

I personally love this time of year. Snook season is closed (yea!), overcast fishing conditions in the back country, no boats around scaring off the fish, and very few guides taking charters to my fishing spots.

Two weeks ago I had some of the largest snook of the year in the back country. We boated 5 fish in the 15-20 lb. range, jumped a few tarpon, and loads of the 1-3 pound Snook. The only problem was, my anglers and I forgot the camera! It figures on a day like this not to have the camera. What a shame. The quality of these fish just doesn't happen all that often using artificial lures. Not for me anyway, and I've been fishing here since 1981.

I'm sure looking forward to my brother-in law getting here. His Key West fishing charters end, and he'll be here for six months of chartering. Finally, we both get to do some fly fishing together again. Gil and I spend our days off having a great time searching those back bays, and site fishing as weather permits. You just can't beat two poling, site fishing guides fishing together. It doesn't get any better then that. We're talking about two people with a combined time of more than 40 years on the water here in the Everglades. I'm getting super excited sitting here thinking about it. That's not to say we don't have bad days, but the potential for just slamming the snook is what it's all about. August 15 just can't get here fast enough for me.

Again, I'd like to say "thank you" to all my anglers who swatted all those buzzing and biting mosquitoes and flies before they got to me on the platform.

Tight Lines,

Capt. Bert Barkus


MARCH 2004 REPORT
Mark Benner and his family were down in Chokoloskee from Jefferson, Georgia, for two days this month and they had a wonderful time. Too bad the wind was blowing for 5 days out of the West at 20-30 MPH. The Tarpon sightings have just been great when there has been stability in the weather, but it still takes a few days of calm before you can site fish for them.

They also hard to get to take the fly, but when they do, hold on for the fight of your life! These resident Tarpon are all in the 100+ range, and mostly in the 125-175 range. The Snook seem to be on the move again, but the reds are starting to come back in, but it still takes a lot of work to find them since the water has had the bays looking like sand.

Tight Lines to All,

Capt. Bert Barkus

APRIL/MAY 2004 REPORT
Finally! Well, I'm certainly tired of all the winds, and I'm sure upcoming May anglers will be happy also. Now with any luck, I'll be looking forward to an exciting summer bite, if we get true weather stabilization. The back country seems to be about a 50/50 mix— this has been good for the snook and Tarpon bite. I haven't seen so much bait in years in the back country, and I suppose that's why the fishing has been pretty darn good through the last two months. The 20/30 mph winds have been keeping me on the move through these days.

I found if we poled very slowly, the fish would come to us, rather then poling a little fast to cover ground. It's amazing how a 10/15 lb. snook can be hiding in these shallow bays, under such clear water, but all it takes is a small amount of mangrove cover to have these big guys disappear in a very short time if you move too fast, and do not hold up where they're supposed to be, and just wait 5-10 minutes until they start moving around.

Days with fly have been pretty darn good considering the wind. Having fished here more then 20 years, you always hear, "You can always fish the back country." Well let me tell you this— we have to make so many stops to just get a hundred yards of lee, cover as much territory as possible during the day, it makes for a lot of moving around to catch just a few snook and tarpon.

So to those who say, just go to the back country, I say that it's just not that easy, and you truly have to know what you're doing unless you want to spend 8-10 hrs. blind casting, but that's not my style.

I'd much rather cover area that I know holds fish, pole very slowly and watch where I can see, not where I cannot.
The snook seem to want more of a closer then a topwater fly, Crab Patterns, Waited Streamers, etc.
Just put them a couple feet in front, watch their movement, and start striping once you have these fish on track. Don't forget you're only fishing in less than one foot of water, so your casts have to be very correct to intercept these guys at just the right time.

We've been getting approximately 4-6 shots a day to the larger snook, and the small guys are holding in the deeper pockets, under the outer mangroves.

To my surprise we've also been getting quite a few reds in the back these days, a very welcomed surprise.

I'd like to thank Mark, Steve Benner & Family, Don Goldsmith, Ed Lancer, Mr. Salter, Tony & Larry, Jack & Fred Hunger, Jeff Davis, Wayne Giggins, Charlie & Carolyn, Jim Hawthorne, Dick & Lanny, Jim Hawkins, Dave, Malges, Jim Baird & friend, Glen Shultz and John Mikstay for coming down, braving the winds, sticking with it, and putting the fish in the boat.

Bert

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