Day two saw a great friend join us on the water. Conditions were similar, with just enough added wind to bump my confidence in the "Maybe I won't
spook as many fish with my questionable casting" category. Our first spot yielded several groups of juvenile tarpon. Hanging tight to the mangroves,
these fish appeared happy enough. Given my inability to accomplish anything the previous day, and wanting to see someone actually hook one of our
target species, I was more than happy to yield the platform to Lee. His first cast was right on the money, and the first fish ate almost immediately. The
hook failed to find purchase for reasons not needing to be discussed. Lee kept the fly moving, and another tarpon in the pod decided he had no
problem with sloppy seconds. Lee stripped hard, the hook buried, the tarpon took the opportunity to jump around, and in short order, we were on the
board with a landed tarpon. On the first cast of the day. We worried briefly about what that would mean for the rest of the day. After assuring each
other we would be fine, Lee took the risk of granting me some bow time, which was far more than I deserved. I took the opportunity to blow my first
cast, and find the tarpon disinterested on the second. The fly was replaced, and we tracked down the group again. My next shot required a backhand
cast, which I proceeded to present better than any of my forehands from the previous day. Figures ... I've got no explanation on that one. Ultimately,
the result was a tarpon chasing down the fly and realizing it was not the minnow it was looking for after what I can only imagine dentists would
describe as "a little pinch." It expressed its displeasure with an extended aerial display. The boat's count climbed to two tarpon and after releasing
the fish we moved on, cautiously optimistic, to find some permit.