Gabon Busting Tarpon in The Surf

Landing a tarpon in the surf is one of the ultimate salt water fly rod challenges. This month Rob Scott tells of how a small group of guys threw caution to the wind to achieve just that!

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My dad always told me when I was growing up there were two types of people in this world – those who talked and those who did. I have always strived to be among the latter, but as with most things in life, words  are cheap. We only give our words value through our actions and the story below epitomises this chain of thought.

The two biggest hurdles between the group and their dream were, firstly, it is hard to predict where the big fish will be holding in the surf and the estuary mouth, and secondly, the physical challenges the environment imposes. These are not to be taken lightly and are certainly not for the faint-hearted. For anyone who has tried fishing seriously in the surf with fly will know that, even in good conditions, it is not easy. This group was expected to make full-length fly line casts while dealing with wind, current, waves and often casting in the dark. Throw into the mix the fact that they had to make hundreds of casts using heavy tackle, and it begins to paint a picture of what they were all up against.

The first taste of success off the beach came in little flashes of promise on the first evening’s session when the guys connected with good-sized jacks. Sure, they weren’t tarpon, but they were quality fish and they were taken off the beach on fly. They were almost the tinge of excitement to keep their senses sharp and interest focussed. Then, on the first morning, as the pre-dawn light filtered onto the beach, the first mouthful of proper success came – and it was John who cashed in.