Capt. William Houze has been a professional fishing guide in the Florida Keys for the past 8 Yrs. Fly fishing took hold of Capt. William at an early age. Fishing for trout in the local streams of upstate New York, he developed the core essentials it takes to become a successful fly fisherman. His attention to detail, patience as a guide, and seamanship behind the helm combine to make William one of the most sought after young guides in the Keys today. Capt. William fishes over 250 days a year guiding his clients inshore for tarpon, permit and bones, and offshore for dolphin, tuna, wahoo, and marlin. When not poling with a client, Capt. Houze is out wading his favorite Permit flat, fly rod at the ready. William is also an avid sports and adventure photographer as well as an accomplished videographer. ... Read More |
The Florida Keys has one of the most bountiful fishing ecosystems in the world. It is home to a rich history of angling tradition. From the time of the early Spanish explorers who witnessed the native indians fishing the barrier reef in dug-out canoes, to Key West's father of sports fishing, Earnest Hemingway, to the popular emergence of shallow water fly fishing, the Keys have always been hallowed water for those who seek to test their angling skill. The diversity of fishing options the Keys have to offer are endless. Whether it be pelagic Marlin, Swordfish, Tuna, Wahoo, and Mahi off the reef, or migrating Tarpon, tailing permit and bonefish, chances are on any given day you can find your quarry. The Florida Keys offers it all. The confluence of ocean currents that swirl between the Gulf of Mexico and the Gulf Stream combine to make the Keys a truly unique angling destination. Nowhere else on the planet does such an abundance of life revel itself within such close proximity to civilization. The funky charm of Key West with it's boutiques, restaurants, and bars, is the perfect place to spend time when not out fishing. For those who seek the famous three, Tarpon, Permit and Bonefish, Key West is the eventual end of the road. No other fishery offers such opportunities at trophy fish, with world-class guiding talent. The flats fishing in the Keys is comprised of four major areas. Oceanside, the Backcountry, the Lakes and the Marquesas. These four main ecological areas all differ in subtle yet interesting ways.
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Backcountry-The "Backcountry" fishing begins with the Everglades and runs down the north side of US1 all the way to Key West. Thousands of mangrove islands, a mix of sand, coral and turtle grass flats protected by two Wildlife Refuges and one National Park, make this area a quiet and pristine sanctuary. The Backcountry is home to some of the most exciting and rewarding flats the Keys have to offer. Giant Tarpon lay-up alongside banks and in the deeper basins; world record bonefish prowl these famous flats and are caught in the Keys backcountry every year. The Permit fishing along the gulf rim is outstanding and seems to get better as the years role on. Every little island, creek and flat of the Backcountry has secrets just waiting to be discovered. A lifetime on these waters wouldn't be enough to discover all its treasures.
Oceanside-The Atlantic Ocean flats run from the Marquesas islands all the way north to Key Biscayne. The main focus of fishing the ocean flats is the yearly migration of Tarpon from Mexico during the height of season. Schools or "strings" of fish numbering anywhere from two or three fish to schools of one or two hundred are seen daily during the months of April, May, June and July. Any angler who has never seen an acre of 120lb fish swimming directly towards them is in for the treat of a life time. It makes even the most experienced guides and anglers appreciate the fishery the Keys have to offer.
The Lakes-"The Lakes" are an area west of Key West. The Lakes are different from any other area in the Keys because of the shear size of the flats that surround it. Think of a turtle grass flat that is hundreds of acres in size. Now imagine the start of the outgoing tide in prime Permit season...tailing fish is all you will see. If you like Permit, this is the place to be. These flats allow fish to come onto them and forage just like grazing cattle. The lakes offer some of the most exciting and productive Permit fishing anywhere in the world.
The Marquesas-Located roughly 24 miles west of Key West, the Marquesas is as close to a flats fishing paradise as one can get. This quiet atoll offers some of the best fishing for Permit and Tarpon that can be found on the planet. The options in the Marquesas are endless. The history, scenery, and outstanding fishing make it the destination that every angler dreams of.
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As you can see, there is always something to catch in Key West all year long. Some of the best and most consistant fishing of the year can be in the summer and fall months, which is typically our "slow season".
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