The shot opens and closes in three seconds. What you do before the fly leaves your hand — reading the fish's state, calculating the lead, confirming the angle — is where most tarpon shots are won or lost. A technical field guide to reading tarpon behavior on the Florida Keys flats.

Few places in the world test a fly angler quite like the Florida Keys.

For saltwater fly anglers, the Keys are defined by three legendary fish: tarpon, bonefish, and permit. Catching any one of them on fly is an accomplishment. Catching all three is the famous Florida Keys “grand slam.”