Mike Mastropasqua, Author at Ole Florida Fly Shop

What’s Width Got to Do with It? Narrow vs Wide Fly Reels

Posted on June 26, 2019 by Mike Mastropasqua

30% Narrower, 30% Lighter The new Orvis Mirage LT was recently released with a headline boasting that it’s 30% narrower and 30% lighter than its big brother the Mirage USA. Lighter is obviously a feature in which it’s easy to see what the benefits would be. Someone looking to balance an unbelievably lightweight rod like [...]

Tying Kendrick’s Bama Crab

Posted on May 8, 2019 by Mike Mastropasqua

Kendrick's Bama Crab is the bottom of the food chain for a redfish (that's a good thing). This larger Kwan variation has the impressionistic profile and movement to fool fish in clear and off-color water. Pay attention to how Cory splays the rubber legs as it's an easy way to keep your bug clean and [...]

Tying Kendrick’s Wooly Mantis

Posted on March 19, 2019 by Mike Mastropasqua

Kendrick's Wooly Mantis is a staple for clear water shrimp crushers. It was first tied up by our friend and shop tier Cory Kendrick. It's a very simple, intuitive shrimp that most seasoned flats anglers already tie in one form or another. That's because the equation works. It's got the right movement and it's the [...]

Inside the Mind of a Bonehound

Posted on December 31, 2018 by Mike Mastropasqua

I don't care how far I have to go, I don't care how long I have to sit on a plane, I don't care how many arguments I have to go through at airports for them to let me bring my fly rods with my carry-on luggage. Respect! That's what I feel for these fish. [...]

South Florida Fishing Report December 2018

Posted on November 30, 2018 by Mike Mastropasqua

Here's what's going on in the waters of South Florida at the end of November, beginning of December 2018. In these reports our guides address the most current state of their specific fisheries and make short-term predictions based on their own historical experiences. Remember that there are many variables that can affect the fishing from [...]

Throwing Grey: Waterworks-Lamson Standard Seat Fly Rod Review

Posted on November 2, 2018 by Mike Mastropasqua

When you think of Waterworks-Lamson, you think reels and only reels. So if you were a little skeptical when you heard that they released their first saltwater rod a few weeks ago, you were not alone. We’ve seen it before; a company that is not known for rods imports a blank and puts their logo [...]

EP Sculpt-A-Fly Fibers Review

Posted on October 8, 2018 by Mike Mastropasqua

Whether you're wondering how Enrico Puglisi integrates the subtle flash into his baitfish patterns, or you've got it down but wouldn't mind eliminating this step: EP Sculpt-A-Fly Fibers and Sculpt-A-Fly Fibers 3D are the answer. With these fibers, which are just EP Fibers or EP Fibers 3D blended with EP Sparkle, you can achieve the [...]

South Florida Fishing Report October 2018

Posted on September 30, 2018 by Mike Mastropasqua

Here's what's going on in the waters of South Florida at the end of September, beginning of October 2018. In these reports our guides address the most current state of their specific fisheries and make short-term predictions based on their own historical experiences. Remember that there are many variables that can affect the fishing from [...]

Redington Grande Fly Reel Review

Posted on September 28, 2018 by Mike Mastropasqua

The new Redington Grande reel is Redington's best answer yet to the destructive forces of nature - mainly the salt and the power of the fish we need to stay connected to. The foundation of the equation is the fully machined aluminum frame and spool. This reel is going to hold up to time and [...]

Angel Silk Review

Posted on September 12, 2018 by Mike Mastropasqua

Everyone loves Polar Fiber for its movement, but its length limits how large of a fly you can tie with it. That was the main appeal in bringing in Angel Silk. It is a soft, silky fiber characteristically very similar to Polar Fiber but it is much longer (see the comparison in the video above). [...]

Author: Mike Mastropasqua