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Several years ago when I made my first fishing trip to the Naples/Marco Island areas (Florida) with a friend, the first day we were out with a guide looking for snook. It was late in the afternoon, almost time to call it a day, and I was on deck. As the guide polled us around the bend of a mangrove island I saw something in the water just ahead of the boat.
My first thought was it looked like a log. A moment later I noticed it had a greenish back. Immediately I realized it was a BIG tarpon!
I yelled out "There's a tarpon infront of the boat!" and the guide yelled back "Well cast to it for heaven's sakes!!"
All I had was an 8wt rod and 1/0 bunny fly but I cast anyway. The first pass the fish swipped at the fly and missed. Instinctively I made a roll cast back to the spot. Just like in a movie things suddenlt went into slow motion. I can still see the scene in my mind today. It may have only taken an instant but it seemed much longer.
I swear I saw the fish turn around, open it's mouth, engulf the fly, and as it went back under the water the tarpon's eye rolled back and looked right at me on the casting platform!
I fought that fish all up and down and even through the magroves for 2 hours. We estimate it was at least 100 pounds.
I'll never forget that fish.
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