With a week off from school, I decided to take some time to showcase fly fishing for Longnose Gar, one of the most underappreciated rough fish to target. These are some incredibly ancient fish, dating back all the way to Pleistocene era. With a lifespan of around twenty years, they can grow to over five feet long and weigh around 40lbs. A primitive lung allows them to thrive in areas with low oxygenation, and if you pay attention in the video you'll see them occasionally come to the surface and gulp air before diving back down. Their snouts are filled with razor sharp teeth, and large armored scales line their backs. Despite their unassuming appearance, these fish are a worthy opponent on a fly rod. Impressive bursts of speed, occasional acrobatic leaps, and prolonged fights are a characteristic of these fish. Not to mention they are pretty abundant in most river systems on the East Coast and in the Midwest, much like the Bowfin. I missed some great fish in the video so I will definitely be back at some point.
GEAR:
Rods: TFO Mangrove Coast, 8wt & 10wt
Reels: Lamson Speedster (Older model, 10wt; I also didn't use it but it served as my backup) and Orvis Clearwater 8wt
Dry Bag: Simms Dry Creek Z Backpack
Flies: Gar flies; I put a link in the video if you want to tie some yourself, otherwise you may be able to order some from select fly shops or fly companies.
Miscellaneous: Definitely bring a thick landing glove, pliers, and a sharp knife in case you need to cut the nylon out of the mouth. Leave the net at home unless you want a gar sized hole in the bottom of it.
Also, if you haven't checked out Captains for Clean Water, you should. On top of being a conservation group for the Everglades, they are auctioning off a Hells Bay Skiff in a raffle (Incredibly nice boat, retailing around 30k)