My husband and I would like to go the Keys for the first time. He wants to fly fish and we want somewhere real laid back where it's just us and the beach...maybe do some snorkeling also. Which area is the least developed? Want to get away from the hustle and bustle if you know what I mean.

I'm not so sure that there is a lot of long, wide, stretch of beach through much of the keys, as in the Caribbean. So what there is, is often more on the crowded side. For pricey privacy, look into Little Palm Island in the keys.

Donna:

Just went to Keys last May. The Keys don't really have any spectacular beaches (all manmade). Look into Cheeca Lodge, I think its on Key Largo? Marathon and Key Largo are known for their fishing. I think Key West would be too crowded.

I understand a real thrill for fly fisheremen is going for bone fish in The Flats of the Gulf of Florida to the north and west of the Keys. For good snorkeling, you have to gewt to the reef, which is 4 or 5 miles offshore of the Atlantic side of the Keys.Check out www.flakeys.com for more info.

The least developed of the Keys would be the middle and lower keys. These would probably be the best places to be alone but like the others mentioned - hard to find a beach. Islamorada is known for fishing, Cheeca Lodge like someone mentioned is on Islamorada, C.L. has a small beach which you will probably like and they have snorkeling tours right at the resort that you can hook up with, but remember its a resort so its usually crowded with families. They also have a golf course. Check fla-keys.com for hotel/resort info.

I know nothing whatsoever about flat fishing - or any other fishing, for that matter - but on the website keywestparadise.com there are several outfits that mention flat (and fly) fishing trips out of Key West. However, Key West is the most inhabited key of all, so it probably wouldn't fit your requirement for solitude.

Donna: One of the nicest beaches in the Keys, and little-known except by locals, is Sombrero Beach. In Marathon, turn left at the K-mart, go back a couple of miles and it's on the left. I just created a small, 3-picture album on Photoisland.com of pix from last year's January trip through the area. I used to have loads of Keys pictures up, and easily available, on Photopoint. However, with this album host, pix are readily available only by invitations via email. I've plugged your email addy in, and you should see your invitation by now.

Let me point out that those pictures were taken in Late January--high season in the Keys. It was mid-week, but as you can see, there aren't many people there. And I'm sure fishing's easily found in Marathon.

Anybody else want to see the pix, send me your email address.

It's real laid back and comfortable at Parmer's Place on Little Torch Key about 28 miles north of Key West. Good fishing, snorkeling, diving, relaxing. www.parmersplace.com

Glad to see someone mentioning Parmer's Place. Nice rooms, a nifty little aviary, and a really-nice place to stay. Plus, there isn't that much in accommodations that far down the Keys. I've found that reservations are quite important--they've got a good rep and can book-up rather early in the season.