'Twas the Saturday before Christmas, when all through the Keys
Not a creature was stirring, not even a rat in the trees;
The rods were hung by the door with such care,
In hopes that Brian and his IslaMarine 10wt soon would be there;
The children were nestled all snug in their beds;
While visions of Bonefish danced in their heads;
And mamma in her OluKai's, and I in bare-feet,
Had just settled our brains for a post football sleep,
When out on in the bay there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from my slip to see what was the matter.
Away to the dock I flew like a flash,
Tore open the screen door and tripped over the trash.
The moon on the breast of the new-fallen salt mist,
Gave a luster of midday to objects with a list,
When what to my wondering eyes did appear,
But an IslaMarine 10wt sleigh and a 90hp Suzuki-deer,
With a young driver so lively and quick,
I knew in a moment he ain't no St. Nick.
More rapid than a school of hungry jacks his coursers they came,
And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name:
"Now, Lorelei! now, Pierre's! now Green Turtle Inn!
On, Twisted Shrimp! on, Morada Bay! on, Hog Heaven!
To the end of the Jetty! to the slip by the dock!
Now dash away! dash away! dash away all!"
As palm fronds that before the wild hurricane fly,
When they meet with a sunset, there up in the sky.
So across the bay in the skiff he flew
A box full of lures, and Brian too—
And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof
The smooth humming of the Suzuki-dear hoof.
As I drew in my head, and was turning around,
Down the dock Brian came with a bound.
He was dressed in a t-shirt and a sandal on his foot,
And his clothes were all tarnished with fiberglass resin and soot;
A bundle of lures he had flung on his back,
And he looked like a local just opening his pack.
He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,
Laying fiberglass in a mold; then turned with a jerk,
Setting his finger aside a throttle he did pose,
Giving it a nod and up the bow rose;
He sprang his sleigh, to his team gave a holler,
And away they all flew like a crazy ass trawler.
But I heard him exclaim, as he headed to Snake Bight—
“Merry Christmas to all, and keep those lines tight!”
So it began, early Saturday morning before Christmas 2018 my son and I checked out the new Islamorada 10wt.
This year my family broke with tradition and decided to spend Christmas in the Keys. We booked a room at the 'Inn'. La Jolla Resort to be exact. We were pleasantly surprised when offered an upgrade our stay in their new 'Lodges' property.
From their website;
"The Lodges
Whether you are looking for a quiet, relaxing vacation or have an itinerary full of Florida Keys activities, you'll find the vacation you've been looking for starts at La Jolla Resort and Lodges.
The Lodges at La Jolla Resort offer two private residences overlooking the bay, with unparalleled privacy and nearly 2 acres of tropical trees, private boat docks and some of the best unobstructed sunset views the Keys have to offer. Complete with fire pits, outdoor seating, chaise lounges and plenty of room to unwind and relax, the Lodges are also available for private gatherings, events, and weddings of up to 120 guests."
We stayed in "Lodge Bahia" a Bayfront Three Bedroom House with three private bedrooms and two bathrooms, a full kitchen, dining area and living room. More importantly it has a private dock with a jetty which came in handy as the winds Christmas weekend picked up and our family fishing tank the 192 Scout was all nestled gently in her birth.
Saturday morning came and after a cup of coffee and ham biscuit my son and I idled from La Jolla nearly next door to the World Famous Lorelei Restaurant and Cabana Bar, Mile Marker 82. It was too early for one of their incredible Cracked Conch Sandwich - Tenderized conch steak lightly breaded and flash fried, served with Out Island sauce, lettuce, tomato and onion - $15.50. However I did eye their Conch Republic Breakfast - A generous portion of fried dolphin, two eggs, cooked your style, grits or home fries & your choice of toast - $14.50. Alas it wasn't to be as Brian called 8:30am sharp confirming our meeting.
Brian idled the 10wt over and tied up next to us. After the morning pleasantries it was time to get to business.
(broken into sections due to post limit)
Not a creature was stirring, not even a rat in the trees;
The rods were hung by the door with such care,
In hopes that Brian and his IslaMarine 10wt soon would be there;
The children were nestled all snug in their beds;
While visions of Bonefish danced in their heads;
And mamma in her OluKai's, and I in bare-feet,
Had just settled our brains for a post football sleep,
When out on in the bay there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from my slip to see what was the matter.
Away to the dock I flew like a flash,
Tore open the screen door and tripped over the trash.
The moon on the breast of the new-fallen salt mist,
Gave a luster of midday to objects with a list,
When what to my wondering eyes did appear,
But an IslaMarine 10wt sleigh and a 90hp Suzuki-deer,
With a young driver so lively and quick,
I knew in a moment he ain't no St. Nick.
More rapid than a school of hungry jacks his coursers they came,
And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name:
"Now, Lorelei! now, Pierre's! now Green Turtle Inn!
On, Twisted Shrimp! on, Morada Bay! on, Hog Heaven!
To the end of the Jetty! to the slip by the dock!
Now dash away! dash away! dash away all!"
As palm fronds that before the wild hurricane fly,
When they meet with a sunset, there up in the sky.
So across the bay in the skiff he flew
A box full of lures, and Brian too—
And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof
The smooth humming of the Suzuki-dear hoof.
As I drew in my head, and was turning around,
Down the dock Brian came with a bound.
He was dressed in a t-shirt and a sandal on his foot,
And his clothes were all tarnished with fiberglass resin and soot;
A bundle of lures he had flung on his back,
And he looked like a local just opening his pack.
He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,
Laying fiberglass in a mold; then turned with a jerk,
Setting his finger aside a throttle he did pose,
Giving it a nod and up the bow rose;
He sprang his sleigh, to his team gave a holler,
And away they all flew like a crazy ass trawler.
But I heard him exclaim, as he headed to Snake Bight—
“Merry Christmas to all, and keep those lines tight!”
So it began, early Saturday morning before Christmas 2018 my son and I checked out the new Islamorada 10wt.
This year my family broke with tradition and decided to spend Christmas in the Keys. We booked a room at the 'Inn'. La Jolla Resort to be exact. We were pleasantly surprised when offered an upgrade our stay in their new 'Lodges' property.
From their website;
"The Lodges
Whether you are looking for a quiet, relaxing vacation or have an itinerary full of Florida Keys activities, you'll find the vacation you've been looking for starts at La Jolla Resort and Lodges.
The Lodges at La Jolla Resort offer two private residences overlooking the bay, with unparalleled privacy and nearly 2 acres of tropical trees, private boat docks and some of the best unobstructed sunset views the Keys have to offer. Complete with fire pits, outdoor seating, chaise lounges and plenty of room to unwind and relax, the Lodges are also available for private gatherings, events, and weddings of up to 120 guests."
We stayed in "Lodge Bahia" a Bayfront Three Bedroom House with three private bedrooms and two bathrooms, a full kitchen, dining area and living room. More importantly it has a private dock with a jetty which came in handy as the winds Christmas weekend picked up and our family fishing tank the 192 Scout was all nestled gently in her birth.
Saturday morning came and after a cup of coffee and ham biscuit my son and I idled from La Jolla nearly next door to the World Famous Lorelei Restaurant and Cabana Bar, Mile Marker 82. It was too early for one of their incredible Cracked Conch Sandwich - Tenderized conch steak lightly breaded and flash fried, served with Out Island sauce, lettuce, tomato and onion - $15.50. However I did eye their Conch Republic Breakfast - A generous portion of fried dolphin, two eggs, cooked your style, grits or home fries & your choice of toast - $14.50. Alas it wasn't to be as Brian called 8:30am sharp confirming our meeting.
Brian idled the 10wt over and tied up next to us. After the morning pleasantries it was time to get to business.
(broken into sections due to post limit)