Last day of fishing and I score a keeper sea trout

Finally, I caught a legit fish on the fly.  A nice sized sea trout.  Fished in morning wind pick up in the PM and I headed back in a bit early.  I saw a school of small tarpon and I threw everything I had at them but could not get them to take a fly.

However, I neglected to bring my camera out with me so no picture of Tommy Trout.

Sightseeing with Linda tomorrow after a nice brick workout and I head back on Tuesday.

Livestong and thanks for reading.  I have a busy April with medical stuff and a few odds and ends back on Long Island.  I head out to Montauk for 5 days of Surf Fishing May 5-10.  Then the Jamacia Bay kayak fishing tourney May 12-16 (Camping out there).

April, May and June will also see some very serious triathlon training.  First half of June will be out in Montauk training and doing the Mighty Montauk Triathlon.  Second half of June will be up in Lake Placid working on the Ironman course.  July is all about the Lake Placid Ironman Race.

August will see me heading out West (Route to be determined).  Linda will be flying out to meet me in mid August.  Linda and I are camping in Yellowstone and maybe Grand Teton and then I will stay out visit with my friend Tom as he looks to take an elk with a bow.  I will also take some time and be hitting the big western rivers in search of Cutthroats and Steelies (Alex you better meet me out there for this).  I think I promised to be home by Columbus Day, but....

The last leg and I have a visitor

"What is she doing here I thought this was a he-man trip.  I always knew you you were weak." 

I am now on Pine Island (near Fort Meyers) and my lovely wife Linda has joined me for this part of the trip.  I have been concentrating on training the past week with only a couple of fishing trips on the Blackwater River (see photos below).  I will be fishing here on Monday (and possibly a short scouting trip on Sunday afternoon).  As for training I did four brick workouts this week ranging from 3 plus hours on the bike backed up with a 30 min run to riding 40 minutes to the Marco Island Y swimming 45 minutes and riding back.  I found a pool nearby this location and will be going for an hour swim and up and out early tomorrow for a long bike backed up by a run.  I have to say it is pretty amazing that with all this working out my body is not getting stronger (the result of the hormone treatment).  My rib problem continues to be an issue and I am trying to work through it.  The weather here is great 80's and sunny.

Pine Island KOA 

Ready for action 

Umm.. there is someone sleeping in my bed.  Help me Ironman!!

Collier Seminole Park Blackwater River

The River

More of the River

Peaceful nice place to meet a snake or a gator

Yes I finally broke down a took a picture of one of the little fish I caught

Collier Seminole State Park

Hi, I am here in CCSP which is very quiet and peaceful.  It is located just south east of Marco Island on the Blackwater River.  I got here on Monday and got set up.  Tuesday I went for a 3 hour bike ride followed by a 30 min run.  Afterward I took a short trip down the river.  It is very pretty and is a tidal river.  Today I went all they way down into the bay and fished there for a while.  It was about a 7 mile trip down and 7 miles back.  I caught a couple of ladyfish, but got kind of tired about half way through so it was more of a kayak trip then a fishing trip.  More training planned for tomorrow AM and then a short fishing trip in the river.  There is not enough of an internet connection to post any pictures but I will post them once I get more coverage.

The Wind , the wind and oh yes the wind

Listen I don't think you are ever going to catch me a fish to eat so let me shoot one these mini-deer and at least we will have some fresh food!!!

Ok so I have not posted since Wednesday, I have really like the place I am staying at in Big Pine Key.  They have Key Deer roaming around the entire island they look like miniature white tail deer.  I got here on Wednesday and did not fish but did my first brick workout of the year a 1 hour bike ride and a 30 min run.  Thursday I fished all day and saw more fish but the winds were brutal and basically kicked my butt.  I got back and did a 45 minute run.  Friday I bagged fishing but went for a 2.5 hour bike ride.  Today (Saturday) I fished from 8 AM to 4 PM I saw the most fish so far and lots of sharks!!  I caught one little nothing fish.  I had some good shots at bonefish.  I am learning and getting better.  Oh yeah the wind was blowing at 20 mph all day!!

Here are pictures:

Key Deer

Nice Place

Good bonefish spot ( I scared a bunch of them out of here)

More lots of casting but no fish

Miles and miles of this to fish ( it is like a desert)

My three sisters flew in to watch me fish

My sister Maureen left early Lillian and Teresa stayed to watch

There should be fish here!!!

Fishing the Flats

Don't make me hurt you get out and fish

A full day of fishing (mostly looking) and saw a lot of fish.  I had a good day everything worked and I was able to get the set ups I wanted.  Casting was better today.  Today' issue was painful ribs.  I believe I hurt something while repairing the yak, very painful but what the heck.

I did catch my first unguided Florida flats fish on the fly, very small but hopefully it is a start.  My waterproof camera is no longer working so no pictures but the fish was small but the views were magnificent.

Moving down to Big Pine Key tomorrow (Wednesday).  Lots of good spots on the fishing chart!!

Kayak Issues resolved back to fishing

I had some issues with the kayak yesterday which caused some problems in moving around and resulted it in not being able to get the boat in place to fish.  Also the wind continues to take it toll.

Took most of this morning to fix the yak.  All seems ok now.  I got out in the afternoon with my 12 wt.  I got to my spot and the wind was 20 mph and 5 knot current ( the wrong way) and I could not get into position.  I drifted out into the Bay and practiced casting with the big stick.  Used the trolling motor to go home and went for a 45 minutes run.  It is almost impossible to catch a tarpon on the fly in the flats from a kayak.  I will try again tomorrow.

Ironman has taken over as coach and kayak mechanic.

You need to tighten up the rudder 

The transducer need to be glued in properly to work

Ok this is looking better

I want you to get lower into these bars when you ride

View form the back of the camper

My uncle Jerry reflecting on the sunset

The sunset

Windy Keys

"You can't handle the truth...."

The wind blew fairly hard yesterday and it was cold (FL terms).  I drove over to the pool but it was closed due to the weather.  Went for a nice run.  Too windy (cross winds on the bridges) to ride the bike.
Here are some photos it was too windy for the birds to fly.

A Grassy Key No-Fly Zone

The boat ramp!!

Hangin' in the Keys

"Get out there you wuzzy"

No fishing here yet yesterday I did a long bike ride and mile swim.  I rode up to a public pool about 30 miles and got caught in a big storm.  I got the swim in right before the lightening alarms went off.  I got a ride about half way back.  A good adventure riding in all that cross wind on a tri-bike!!  It is quite windy today so I head back to the pool (by car!!) and a run.  My mom gave me an ironman action figure to take on the trip to keep me company above is a picture of him hanging out in the camper. Below are some shots from the campsite:

This guy looks my uncle Jerry

Ah...The Keys at last.

I arrived at Grassy Key yesterday afternoon.  I few days early but I decided to bag camping at Flamingo (too many bad reports of bugs at the campsite) and come down here.  I will be in the Keys for about 11 days.  Today is all about catching up and some nice training.

Training Update

For those of you interested in the Ironman training aspect here is the update.  It is has been a bit difficult to train but so far I have gotten in 2 bikes rides of about 2 hours each and several runs in the 30-45 min range and one short swim.

I am now in the FL Keys and I will be able to train more regularly for the next 2 weeks.  The goal by the end of March is to be up to 3-4 hours on the bike and 1-1/2 hours running and to maintain my swimming at 2-2 1/2 hours.I have completely given up on maintaining any respectable pace and just trying to maintain a fitness level.

Fatigue is becoming a major factor as the effects of the hormone treatment kick in full force.  This is shaping up to be the most difficult physical event of my life.  I hope I can hang in there.

(For Marc, Hope and Tracy) Stretching and TRX have also been difficult to get to, but I am getting back on track and I am generally OK so far.  I miss my treatments and Pilate's!!

Me,my kayak and I

Yikes!! 4 days and three nights on a desolate island in the Gulf of Mexico.  No water, electricity or even a porta-potty.  However I did start catching some fish on the fly rod small (too small to even take pictures) but it is a start.  It was also interesting to spend some quality time with myself.  I did have some adventures like kayaking back 3 miles against the wind, tide and 3 foot waves.  Oh and I fell off the kayak while in a small lagoon no problem I got back on quickly and then yes I saw a very large bull shark cruise by the yak (nice!!).  Each night my campsite was assaulted by a tribe of wild raccoons trying to steal my food and water.  OK here are a bunch of pictures :