Ocean Reef Club
Key Largo, Florida
(December through May)
 Come
December, Dixon moves his base down to Key Largo, Florida, where
he guides out of the Ocean Reef Club through late May. The crystal
blue shallow waters that hug the Keys and the mangrove islands
are the haunt of tarpon, permit, and bonefish; here, sightfishing
on the flats - Dixon's specialty - reaches its highest expression.
More than 10 percent of the IGFA saltwater line and fly fishing
world records have been recorded in Key Largo, but while location
is important, it's close knowledge of the area, the position of
the tide, and proper presentation of the fly that can produce
record fish.
 Spanish
explorers christened Key Largo (Large Key) in the 16th century,
and pirates and buccaneers who later roamed its shores ignited
a fierce independence of spirit. The name Key Largo itself conjures
up cinematic images of Bogey and Bacall. But for many anglers,
romance lies in the hunt for the illusive bonefish, fooling the
wily permit, or jumping a 100-pound tarpon. In January and February,
Key Largo offers the best bone fishing in all the Keys; permit
follow in massive numbers on to the flats in March. By April,
tarpon drop out of the Miami River (Government Cut) and head south
to feed on the palolo worm, migrating in schools of 20 to 200
through June. Weather permitting, however, anyone of these fabulous
gamefish can be caught at any time during these months.
 Some
fifty years ago, the Ocean Reef Club began as a tiny fishing camp,
nestled in Key Largo's pristine environment. Though the luxurious,
self-contained community has changed since then - featuring three
golf courses, tennis courts, a spa, and a private airport - its
unspoiled sensibility remains the same, drawing generations of
anglers. Surrounded by Biscayne National Park to the north and
Pennecamp State Park to the south, the Ocean Reef Club has the
feel of civilization in the wilderness.
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