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This is frame 1 of a series of 5 consecutive frames. This series shows the one and only jump of this particular hooked tarpon. We had stayed out late and the visibility was pretty much over for the day. There wasn't any chance of being able to see a fish far enough away to get a decent shot. The angler was on the bow getting ready to wind his line in when he saw a shadow go by about 10 feet away. He reflexively splatted his fly down in the water just off the side of the boat. I had gotten down and was putting my camera in the bag when I looked over and saw the silver flash of a large tarpon making a pass at the fly. Next I heard the angler make a couple of low grunts as he came tight on the fish. I still had my hands on the camera and had time to squeeze off a burst. This camera shoots five frames per second. This is the first frame of a one second burst. The fish ate the fly at about the bottom center of the frame. The big hole in the water is where he exited. You don't really get a sense of the size of this fish - at least 6 feet and over 100lbs - because this frame was shot at wide angle; there wasn't much time to think about zooming at this point. The most striking aspect of this jump was the height the fish attained. It's unique to see a fish that size flying through the air that far above the horizon. |