There are few places in the world that make you feel as small and alive at the same time, as the backwaters of Chokoloskee, Florida. Tucked along the edge of the Everglades, where endless mangrove shorelines meet vast coastal wilderness, it’s a place built for fly fishing.
For Brad Solis, it’s also a place filled with memories. Long before he stood on the bow of a skiff chasing giant tarpon with a fly rod, he was a kid learning from his dad, Carlos—watching him tie flies at the vise, studying the patterns that had fooled fish for years, and dreaming about the day he'd get his own shot at a Silver King.
Some of the best lessons in fishing happen long before a line ever hits the water. Brad grew up learning the details that only come from time spent alongside a father who absolutely loves fishing, the importance of presentation, how to read water, when to trust a fly pattern, and how patience often matters more than skill. Those lessons came full circle in Chokoloskee. The early mornings were spent scanning shorelines and looking for rolling fish, while evenings were filled with stories over the grill, cold beers, and late-night cigars, reliving the day's victories and missed opportunities. The fish are part of the experience, but the conversations and memories are what stay with you long after the trip is over.
Anyone who has fly fished for tarpon knows the challenge is what makes it special. Standing on the bow with the line stripped out at your feet, fly in hand, heart pounding as rollers start to appear in the distance, time seems to slow down. Every cast matters. Every movement feels magnified. You hold your breath, wait for the call, and take your shot. During this trip, both Brad and Carlos connected with big tarpon on fly, triggering explosive runs and spectacular jumps that have made the species legendary among fly anglers. Watching a hundred-plus-pound fish launch itself completely out of the water just feet from the boat is something you'll never forget, no matter how many times you've seen it before.
The Everglades can be unforgiving in June, with relentless heat, humidity, and sun reflecting off the water all day long. Staying comfortable becomes part of staying focused, which is why lightweight, breathable gear matters. The Huk A1A Pro collection proved right at home in these conditions, providing the cooling performance needed for long days poling mangrove shorelines and chasing rolling tarpon across open bays.
Chokoloskee remains one of the true gems of American fly fishing—a wild and remarkable fishery that deserves to be appreciated and protected for generations to come. It's a place where every cast carries possibility and every day on the water becomes a story worth telling.
While the tarpon, the jumps, and the unforgettable eats are what draw anglers from around the world, the real reward is sharing those moments with the people who taught us to love fishing in the first place. Time on the water with your dad is something you never get back, and trips like these are a reminder of just how special that time truly is.
Happy Father's Day from our family to yours.
- The Huk Team
