Mats,

Yes! Fishing does make the world seem much smaller. I hope the American woman represents us well with the pike fishing (doesn?t tip her fly with bait, doesn?t hook anyone on her backcast, doesn?t invade Norway etc.etc.).

Since you?re both interested in wildlife, there?s a wild bird rehabilitation center on Tavernier Key (mile marker 93.6) between Key Largo and Islamorada that?s worth a quick stop (you?ll be passing it anyway on the drive through the keys). It?s a smelly place, but they have an incredible amount of birds, and it?s worth spending 20 minutes or so checking it out, especially if your girlfriend wants close up photos of some pretty amazing birds. http://www.fkwbc.org/

I found Rob Fordyce?s website for you to check out. http://www.robfordyce.com/media.html He?s a pretty modest guy, but googling ?Captain Rob Fordyce? will bring up a lot of stuff, including all the big tarpon fly tournaments in the keys that he?s won guiding anglers. He?s won all of them, some several times. I?ve fished a lot with him for tarpon and he?s phenomenal, with an uncanny ability to find fish and coach anglers into a hook up. He also knows some great very remote spots in the everglades, and I would think he could give you your best shot at a large tarpon back there in Jan or Feb.

Good luck with the pike this weekend! Let us know how you do.

Best regards,

peregrines