December 2017 On The Fly ~Newsletter of the Suncoast Fly Fishers Page 1
Newsletter of the Suncoast Fly Fishers of St. Petersburg Promoting fly fishing, fly tying, fly casting, and marine conservation in a family fun atmosphere
Smellthoseshrimpbeginningtoboil.10,12
CaptainC.A.Richardson,hostofFlatsClassTV 5
WoodyMillermeetsMarlboroMan.16 Novembermeetingsnapshots.6
SuncoastFlyFishersatBayPinesWellnessFair.13
Bringitonsun.DavidReddisready.Weedonouting.10
December 2017 On The Fly ~Newsletter of the Suncoast Fly Fishers Page 2
SFFPresidentLetter–December2017HappyHolidays,Everyone.It’stheseasontoeattoomuch,talktoomuchandspendqualitytimewithfamilyandlovedones!Ifyou’retraveling,staysafeanddon’tforgettobringyourflyrod.Ifyou’revisitingthatun-favorablefamilymember,itwillmakeyourtripawholelot
better.Remember,youdon’tjustpacktheflyrod,it’sthereasonyoupackeverythingelse.Yourflyfishinggeardoesn’tjustcomealong,ittakesyouwhereyouaregoing.Flyfishingisthereasontogomanyplaces.Yougotherebecausethere’saplacetofish.WehavenogeneralmeetinginDecember,butIfyou’restayinghome,besuretojoinusforthemanyactivitieswehaveplanned.Allthedetailsareinthisworld-renownedNewsletter.Theendoftheyearalsomeanstaxseasonwillsoonbehere.Ifyou’relookingfordeductions,certaindonationstoourAnnualHogRoastBanquetaretaxdeductible.Maybeyouremployerislookingfordeductionstoo.Checkwithyourtaxadvisor,yourcompanyandtalktoRickorKarenWarfel.Remember,thisishowwefundallofourotheractivitiesthroughouttheyear.ThankstoRickandKarenforallthehourstheyputintomakeitasuccesseveryyear.Lookingtowardnextyear,wehaveourAnnualTrash’nTreasuresAuctionExtravaganzaattheJanuarygeneralmeetinghostedbynoneotherthanourownAlanSewell.Therewillbeplentyoflaughsandgoodbuys.Bringyour“trash”(notliterally,justgoodthingsthatyoudon’tuseanymore),anditmaybesomeoneelse’streasure.WewillalsobeintroducingournominatingcommitteewhowillpresentcandidatesfortheOfficersandBoardofDirectorspositions.TheywillpresentaslateofnomineesattheFebruaryMeetingandthenwewillvoteattheMarchmeetingafternominationsfromthefloor.ThenewlyelectedmemberswillassumetheirDutiesattheAprilBoardofDirectorsmeeting.Iftheyaskyoutoserve,pleasesayyes.Itwilladdalotofmeaningtoyourlife.Apersonalthankyoutoallwhohavedonesomuchforourclubthispastyear.Therearetoomanytomentionhere,butyouknowwhoyouare.Youtrulyhaveenrichedmyflyfishingexperienceandmylife.NeverloseyourSenseofAdventure,
George GeorgeHaseltine,ProudtoServeasSFFPresident2016-17,[email protected],727-423-8110
December 2017 On The Fly ~Newsletter of the Suncoast Fly Fishers Page 3
Club Meetings and More Saturday,December9Outing,DonColemanInvitational
• Noteearlierdatetokeepholidaysfree• ThisisalsoourannualChiliCook-OffatFortDeSotoPark.• Forthosewhodon’tfishorquitearlyTomGadaczissettingupa
flycastingtargetaccuracycontest.• Coffeeat10:00.Lunchat11:45.NorthBeachPavilion5.Tampa
andSarasotaclubmembersareinvitedtojoinusonthisone.• It’sourlastchancetocatchthelongestoutingtournament
saltwaterfish.
Thursday,December14
FlycasttotarponandredfishatFWC’sresearchponds
• Location:14495HarleeRoad,Palmetto.• Bethereby9am.Fish‘tilnoon.Bringyourownlunch.• Flycasttotarponandredfish
Saturday,December16,ProfessionalCastingClinic
• FFImastercastinginstructors--PatDamico,DayleMazzarella.• EganField,9100BlindPassRoad,St.PeteBeach• 9amtoNoon• HostedbySuncoastFlyFishers• ClinicisfreeformembersofFlyFishersInternational(FFI).
Non-memberscanparticipatebyjoiningFFI.$35/year,$25(seniorsandmembers/veteransofthearmedforces),or$20(22oryounger).FreetoresidentsofSt.PeteBeach.
Thursday,January18Meeting
• Trash‘n’TreasureswithauctioneerAlanSewell.Donategearyoudon’tuse.Bidandgetagooddealonitemsyouneed.
• NominatingCommitteeannounced.Bethinkingaboutwhoshouldserveasofficersandboardmembers.
Saturday,January20,Outing
• PinellasPoint,St.Petersburg• Lunch:Brisket
Friday-Saturday,February9-10,2018–FloridaFlyFishingExpo–PlantationonCrystalRiver
• Volunteersneededforflytying,registration,raffle,andmore.SeeTomGadaczformoreinfo.• SeminarsanddemosbythebestflytiersandcastersinFlorida• Topguidepresentationsonflyfishinglocalwaters.• Seepage7foruptodatedetailsandregistration.• Registernowfordiscounts.• FollowEXPOnewsonTwitter–--@ffflyexpo,#2018EXPOFloridaCouncil.FFI--#SeedtoStream
SuncoastFlyFishersofSt.Petersburg
MonthlyMeetings:
ThirdThursdayofevery
month(exceptDecember)
atSt.Pete’sWalterFuller
ParkRecCenter.6to8:30
pm.Guestsarewelcome.
MonthlyOutings
TheSaturdayafterthethirdThursdayofeverymonthindifferentlocations,saltwaterandfreshwater,withapicniclunch(usually)atnoon.
MembershipWecurrentlyhave143membersincluding21familymembersand5honorarymembers.
FFICharterClub.
SuncoastFlyFishersisachartermemberclubofFlyFishersInternationalSFFwebsiteSFFCalendar
SuncoastFlyFishersofSt.Petersburg
MonthlyMeetings:
ThirdThursdayofevery
month(exceptDecember)
atSt.Pete’sWalterFuller
ParkRecCenter.6to8:30
pm.Guestsarewelcome.
MonthlyOutings
TheSaturdayafterthethirdThursdayofeverymonthindifferentlocations,saltwaterandfreshwater,withapicniclunch(usually)atnoon.
MembershipWecurrentlyhave143membersincluding21familymembersand5honorarymembers.
December 2017 On The Fly ~Newsletter of the Suncoast Fly Fishers Page 4
Catch the Fly Fishing Fever
HeckuvadiscountdealforSuncoastFlyFishers.NewmemberMikeLarkinwillbeattheFortDeSotoParkOuting.WinstonRod
deadlineisDec.17.I am pro staff for Patagonia and Simms. This basically means I can get their stuff for a discounted price. I am happy to offer my discount to any of the fly club members. Through my Simms membership I got a holiday deal with Winston rods. So I can get up to 4 Winston fly rods for a discount but the order has to take place before December 17, 2017. I am happy
to order any rods for any of our fly club members as long as you contact me soon. Mike
IntroductiontoFlyTyingClasseswithBruceEvensen
FreemonthlyflytyinglessonsformembersandguestsonthefourthThursdayofeachmonthexceptDecember
Nextclass,January25
IntroductiontoFlyCastingwithTomGadacz
FreelessonsinSt.Peteareopentoall.Classsizeislimitedsobesuretosignup.Call727-363-9245
When:6–8pmMonday,December11(secondMondayofeachmonth)
Where:EganField,9101BlindPassRoad,St.PeteBeach.
Final Results: 2017 Big Gun Shootout at Picnic Island Park LongestCast,DaveOlson,TampaBayFlyFishers,132.5feetHighestAccuracyscore,tie DaveOlson,TampaBayFlyFishers,85 BryonChamberlin,TampaBayFlyFishers,85BestThrough-the-Hoop,tie DaveOlson,TampaBayFlyFishers,100 GregPeterson,TampaBayFlyFishers,100 NickAngelo,TampaBayFlyFishers,100BestV-Fishscore,GregPeterson,TampaBayFlyFishers,100BestMangrovescore(Lowtotheground),GregPeterson,TampaBayFlyFishers,100BestOverallscore,GregPeterson,TampaBayFlyFishers,480SecondPlaceOverall,DaveOlson,TampaBayFlyFishers,445ThirdPlaceOverall,KeatonAnderson,CarbonMarine,443Participants,SuncoastFlyFishers,overallscore/rank
RickWarfel,255/10,KenHofmeister,205/16,TomGadacz,189/20,AndyConstantinou,170/23
DavidOlsonwonthelongestcastcontest–132.5feet
MikeLarkinandson
December 2017 On The Fly ~Newsletter of the Suncoast Fly Fishers Page 5
Captain C. A. Richardson: Host of Flats Class TV
ByBillAuCoin
Catchinglittlespottedseatroutisn’ttheissue.Findone;findadozen.Therealquestioniswheredowefindandhowtowecatchthosefat,25-inch,yellow-mouthers?CaptainC.A.Richardson,hostofFlatsClassTV,toldusattheNovembermeetingofSuncoastFlyFishers.
Firstoff,weneedtoacknowledgethatthegrassflatsofTampaBayareheavilyfished,overfishedactually.So,findsomegrassyflatsthatdon’tgetsomuchpressure.LiketheleesideofCaladesiandHoneymoonIslandsinSt.JosephSound.Secondly,evenwherethereareplentyoftrout,thebigonesareclearlyspookedinourusualplaceslikeWeedonIsland’sgrassflats.It’snotunusualtocount50boatsand100anglersworkingthatareaonanygivenweekendday.Whattodo?• Fishtheminthecoldmonths.FebruaryandMarchmaybethebesttimetosightfishtheshallowwaterforbigseatroutinTampaBay.• Fishseagrassin18-inchesofwater.Seatroutwill
comeupontheflatwhenthesunishighandwarmingthewater.They’llgoforthewarmestwatertheycanfind,oftenclosetothemangroveshorelines.Darkbottomsholdtheheat.
• Theydon’teatoften.Alittlewindisgood.Soisachangeoftides.Fishthebigmoons.• Sightfishonly.C.A.quietlypoleshisHellsBayflatsboatfromatallpolingplatform.He’stall,too,6-
foot-5,likeagreatblueheronwithkeeneyes.• Findthemullet.They’relikemovingstructure.Ifyoudon’t’seethem,circlingospreyswilltellyou
wheretheyare.Bigtroutlikethesiltierwaterstirredbythemullet.• Oftenbigtroutwillbeinasandypothole,apropscareven,buthugging,hidingalongsidethegrass.• Fishabigfly,averyslowsinkingfly;i.e.,EPMinnow.Workitslowly.Tic-tic-ticitabitsothatit
breathesandtrytokeepitjustabovethetopoftheseagrass.Troutwilllookup.• Ifyouseeatroutsuddenlyzoomoutandmovetoanotherspot,saygoodbye.Heknowsyou’rethere.• C.A.saidsometimeshe’llfindthebigseatroutinacertainpatternbutcan’tgetthemtobite.He’ll
stickthePower-Poleandheandhisclientwillquietlyslipoutoftheboatandwadefish.• Yourbesttoolisconfidence,andthat’llgetabigboostwhenyoucatchatrophy.Often,you’llfeeltwo
takes.Feelthejerk?Waitasecondforthesecondone.He’shooked.Gothemostat?• Letthebigonesgo.Theyspawneverytwoweeksorsoandweneedmorejustlikethem.Troutdon’t
migrate.Theylive15ormoreyears.Let‘emliveafulllifeandproducemorebiggiesforyourfavoriteflat.Hey,maybeyou’llgetashotatflyfishingrecord.
There’salotmorewecanlearnaboutfindingandcatchingbigtroutwhichwecanlearnfromwatchingFlatsClassTV.Season12ofFlatsClassTVstartssoonandtwoepisodesareflyfishingshows.YoucanwatchepisodesontheFlatsClasswebsite.YoucanalsoreadandwatchCAonSaltstrong.comandtheGuyHarveyAcademyOutpostblog.
Capt.C.A.Richardson,hostofFlatsClassTV,sharedhistipsforcatchingbigspottedseatrout.
(KevinKellyPhoto)
December 2017 On The Fly ~Newsletter of the Suncoast Fly Fishers Page 6
November Meeting Snapshots Photos by Bill AuCoin, Tom Gadacz, Kevin Kelly
BillScarolatiestheMidnightSpecial
Here’stheflythatBilltied.Typically,it’stiedwhitewithgrizzlyhackleonthetail.Billtiedsomewitholiveoverwhite.
CarlHansonOuting.DickMiekka(right)awardedPeterClinethisdrawingforthelongestbass,a17-incherattheCarlHansonOuting
PresidentGeorgeHaseltinewiththetrophyheandAlanSewellearnedforcatchingthemostsunfishattheCarlHansonouting.
AnneHayswithspeakerCapt.C.A.Richardson.
Capt.C.A.RichardsontoldSuncoastFlyFisherssomeofhissecretsforfindingandcatchingbigseatrout.
CliffNighwasn’tatthemeetingbuthewashappytolearnhewontheguidedfly
fishingtripwithCapt.PatDamico.
December 2017 On The Fly ~Newsletter of the Suncoast Fly Fishers Page 7
Register now for the 2018 Florida Fly Fishing Expo LEGENDARY GUIDE STEVE HUFF IS THE FEATURED PRESENTER
What:2018FFIFloridaCouncilFlyFishingExpo
When:February9-10,2018
Where:PlantationonCrystalRiver,9310W.FortIsland
Trail,CrystalRiver,FL34429
How:Registeronlinenowandget15freeraffletickets.
JoinusatthePlantationonCrystalRiver.Whatagreatplacetospendawinterweekend!Bringyourfamily.Meetoldfriendsandmakesomenewones.Canoeingandkayaktripsareavailableaswellasmanateewatchingtours,27holesofchampionshipgolf,scubadiving,toursofKingsBay,boatandkayakrentals,andspa.Reserveyourspotnowandreceive15raffletickets.Banquetticketsmustbepurchasedatthetimeofpre-registrationaswellasregisteringforthesmallgrouplessons.Registrationfeeis$25forbothdays.Children12andunderarefreeaccompaniedbyanadult.Generalprogramsareincludedintheadmissionfeeandalsosmallgroupsessionstosharpenyourflytyingandcastingskillsareavailableforafee.WewillhaveaFridayeveningreceptionwhichisincludedintheregistrationfee.Saturdayeveningbanquetis$45.Therewillberaffles,silent,andliveauctionssoyoucanpickupsomegreatbargains,somesuperbflies,tripswithflyfishingguidesandmanyotheritems.Saturdayeveningbanquetticketsare$45.LiveandsilentauctionfollowSaturday’sbanquet.BanquetticketsforSaturday$45.00.Smallgroupcastingandflytyingsessions$20.00/session.4sessionseach(morningandafternoononFriday&Saturday) Flytyinglimitedto6registrantspersession. Castinglimitedto5registrantspersession.FloridaCouncil,FlyFishersInternational
FloridaCouncil,FlyFishersInternational,Facebook
PlantationonCrystalRiver
DiscoverCrystalRiver
IGFAHallofFamerSteveHuffisExpoheadliner
ProfessionalFlyFishingClasses
"CastingChallenge"Flycastingtothe“V”,underthedock,throughthehoop.JohnHandandJimPatchetPaddleBoardFlyFishingwithDavidOlsonFlyFishingtheFlatswithLeighWestFlyFishingforTarpon.FloridaEastCoastandMexicobyJimHarterandJenRipple SmallClassFlyCastingandTying.$20.LedbyEricCook,PeteGreenan,LeslieHolmes,DavidOlson,TomRueping IntroductiontotheFFIFlyCastingInstructorCertificationProgram,withDayleMazzarella,MasterCastingInstructor. FlyCastingProgramsforWomenwithJenRippleandMonaBrewer FreshwaterFlyFishing–Howtocatchfreshwaterfishincludingpeacockbass,withTomLoganSaturdayYouthProgram.9-17.Flytying,knottying,flycasting.Saturday.DavidLambertandstaffFlyFishingtheEvergladeswithEdTamson EmergencyCastingClinic.PatDamicoandstaffBestcatch-and-releasepracticespresentedbyBonefish&TarponTrust
December 2017 On The Fly ~Newsletter of the Suncoast Fly Fishers Page 8
Used Gear for Sale J.R.Dubler’sActionCraft
1996ActionCraft2020FlatsmasterwithEvinrude200hp.Prime
condition.$27,500butdiscountedforSuncoastFlyFishers.CallJRat
813-843-3737foraninspectionandawatertrial.
AlanSewell’stransom-mounttrollingmotor–55-lbthrust–
neverused
55-lbthrust.42inchshaft.BassProProwler.In-linecircuitbreakers.12-volt.SeeAlanattheJan.meeting.
TedRichsellinghisHeritageFeatherlitekayak
HeritageFeatherlitefishingkayak.39pounds.Boat,lifevestand
paddlefor$250.941-764-8089
ChrisO’Byrne’sFlyTyingKit
OrvisCahillBench/BoxwithWasatchToolsandRenzettiTravelerVise.$300.obyrnec@yahoo.com
PhilThigpin’sMitchellTri-Hullboat,motorandtrailer
Mitchell198216’tri-hullwithacompletelyrebuilt198250hpJohnsonoutboard.Thetrailerhasbeen
rebuilt:newwiring,winch&strap,wheels&bearings.Asking$2,000.ContactPhilThigpin:727-822-5053.
BruceEvensenhasflygearandfliesforsale.Callhimat727-403-9010
7-8weightVanStaalflyreel,brandnewinthebox;neverused,$430.Okumaflyreel.7-9weight.2extra
spools.Reelandspoolshave20#backing.$75.Also,fliesforsale.
*Classifiedadswillrunforuptothreemonthsbutmayrunlongeriftextischanged.Adsfromnon-membersarealsowelcomebutshouldbesubmittedthroughamember.Gotsomethingtosell?EmailBillAuCoinatwmaucoin@verizon.net
December 2017 On The Fly ~Newsletter of the Suncoast Fly Fishers Page 9
We are Suncoast Fly Fishers
of St. Petersburg, Florida
AimsandPurposesSuncoastFlyFishersarededicatedtosharingtheirtotalfly-fishingexperiencesandtodevelopinginterestinflyfishinginbothfreshandsalt water. We promote and teach both fly fishing and relatedsubjects of fly-tying, rod building, fly-casting and knot tying.Throughcollaboration,fellowship,conservationandsportsmanshipwehelpmembersbecomemoreskilled,havemorefun,andbemoreproductive in the sport. SFF supports the conservation of naturalresources,boatingsafetyandfishingregulations.SuncoastFlyFishers(SFF)isanon-profit50I3organizationhttp://suncoastflyfishers.com/meetings.htmlTheSuncoastFlyFishers, Inc. (SFF) isanorganizationof fishingenthusiasts who love fishing with the fly rod. We welcome allpeople of all ages with similar interests, regardless of their flyfishing skill level. We enthusiastically teach those that wish tolearnorimprovetheirflycasting,flytyingandrelatedflyfishingskills. SFFmeetsmonthlywherewe talk fly fishing, tie fliesandmostmonthsfeatureaspeakerwithaprogramhighlightinglocalflyfishingopportunities.SFFisanon-profit,5013organization.SFFisachartermemberoftheFlyFishersInternational(FFI).SFFisamemberoftheFloridaCouncilofFFI.
ByU.S.mail:SuncoastFlyFishers,P.O.Box40821,StPetersburg,FL33743-0821DirectionstoourmeetingatWalterFullerPark...From22ndAvenueNturnNorthon72ndSt.N.Turnleft(South)on26thAvenueN.Thenturnrightintothereccenterparkinglot.What can the Suncoast Fly Fishers club do for you and for other members? Email your ideas to club president George Haseltine at [email protected]
Join. Renew. Application
Membership renewals in September www.suncoastflyfishers.com
SuncoastFlyFishers
P.O.Box40821StPetersburg,FL33743www.suncoastflyfishers.org
ClubOfficers
Pres:GeorgeHaseltineVicePres:RickWarfelSecretary:DickMiekkaTreasurer:KarenWarfel
BoardofDirectorsJohnCraig--JeffHeer--BobBurkard--BruceEvensen--RickYarn--RyanSollars--CliffNigh
CommitteesVolunteersneeded.SpeaktoanyofficerordirectoratthemeetingCastingSkills--PatDamico,MCI,DayleMazzarella,MCIIFFFLiaison--PatDamicoConservation--CliffNighFlyTying--MyronHansenMembership--KarenWarfelNewMembers--RickWarfelWebmaster–RickYarnHogRoastKaren+RickWarfelOutings--BobBurkardProjectHealingWaters--JohnCraig,TerryKirkpatrick,AlanSewellOutreach,shows–JeffHeer,BobBurkardRaffles--DaveBarsonPrograms--BoardofDirectorsNewslettereditor--BillAuCoinPublicity--BillAuCoin
December 2017 On The Fly ~Newsletter of the Suncoast Fly Fishers Page 10
November Review: Weedon Island Preserve, November 18 Itbeganasapictureperfectday.Coolmorningtemperatures,minimalwind,lots of sun. With the dawn, the flyfishers assembled and set out to flailthe waters on foot, in canoes, kayaksandwhateverelsewouldfloat.All manner of flies were offered andfish were caught! Jan and I had abanner day in our canoe bringingto handmaybe 15 trout, ladyfish andtheperfunctorycatfish.The ladyfishwerehittingaggressivelyeventhoughporpoiseswereverybusystirringupthewater.
Thetargetedfish,however,wastheelusiveredfish.Itwassightedbutnotcaught,hence,noprizethismonth.KenHofmeistercaughtthelongestfishoftheday,a20-inchladyfish.
By10:30folkshadassembledforcoffeeandconversation.Bynoon,thispictureperfectdaygotmeasurablybetterasMiriam,JohnandMarkCraigbeganlayingouttheirlowcountryboil.Thearomashadbeentantalizingthegroupcomparingtheirmorning'sexploitsandwhenfinallyconsumed,boy,diditgodowngood!Manywerenotshyaboutliningupforseconds.Thegroupvotedfortheboiltobecomeayearlyevent.
ManykudostotheCraigs!
Ourperfectfalldayevolvedintotellingfishtaleswitholdfriends.Then,postfishingritualofcleaningandstowingofgear.Ifinditalmostassatisfyingasthepreparationphase.Amidafternoonnapcapsoffadaywellspent.
Hilton
UPDATED: 2017 CLUB OUTING TOURNAMENT LEADERS
Species Length Leadertodate Outing
Longestsunfish 9-inches MarkHays LowerHillsboroughWildernessPreserveLongestblackbass 17-inches PeterCline CarlHansontournament/HillsboroughRiverLongestsnook 27-inches AdamHays DocklightWeekendLongestredfish OPENLongestladyfish 20-inches KenHofmeister WeedonIslandPreserve(November)Longestseatrout 19-inches PeterCline CypressPointPark(March)
BobBurkard,SFFOutingcommittee
HiltonBruch,SFFOutingCommittee
December 2017 On The Fly ~Newsletter of the Suncoast Fly Fishers Page 11
December 9 Outing: Don Coleman Invitational and Chili Cook-Off
• MeetupatPavilion5inNorthBeacharea.Coffeeat10:00.Chililunchat11:45.
• Thetargetfishisthelongestofanyofourannualtournamentspecies.
• Lastchancetocatchthelongestfishtowinanyoftheannualtournamentcategories.Thisyearwehavetwocontestsplanned1)ourannualChiliCook-offand2)afly-castingcontest}1:SuncoastFlyFishers2017ChiliCook-Off
SuncoastFlyFishers(andmembersoftheTampaBayFlyFishingClubandtheTarponCoastFlyFishers)areinvitedtocompeteinourclub'ssecondannualChiliCook-OffatouroutingonDecember9thatFortDeSotoPark.Ifyouwanttocompeteinthe2017ChiliCookOffemailBobBurkardatRobertBurkard9@gmail.com(ortexthimat610-256-7781tolethimknow).YouwillneedtoprepareyourchiliinadvanceandbringittothelunchatPavilion5.Thepavilionhaselectricaloutletssoyoucanpluginacrock-pottowarmupyourchili.Chilientrieswillbejudgedbymembersandguestswhotasteeachofthedifferentchilidishes.Eachpersongetsonevote.Prizeswillbeawardedtothetoptwoentries.Thelunchandthechilitastingcompetitionstartat11:45AM.(Coffeeat10:00AM)Thisisacompetitionwhereanythinggoes.Thisiswhereyoustrutyourstuffwithyourfavoritechili.Thischilicontest(unlikeothercompetitions)canincludebeans.Youmaycookitwithavarietyofmeats,beans,veggies,wholetomatoesorwhateveryouwish.SweetorHotorExtraHot…yourchoice!
2:FlycastingtargetcontestYougetthreetriestoplaceafly(inthiscaseapieceofyarn),withthreeorfewerfalsecaststoathree-foottarget60feetaway.TomGadaczwillprovidecoachingandhelppeoplepracticebeforethey“StepUptotheLine.”EachwinnergetstoselectoneofBruceEvensen’sflies.Entrantscanusetheirownflyrod,butwewillhavesomeadditionalrodsofvaryingweightsavailable.
Bob
REMINDER: Here are our guidelines for awards for outings and the tournament
• Monthlyoutings:Foreachmonthlyoutingtherewillbeadesignatedspeciesoffishthatwillbeassigned/targeted.TheclubmemberingoodstandingwhocatchestheLONGESTtargetedfishonaflyatthatoutingwillreceiveagiftcertificate.Iftheassignedfishisnotcaughtatthatoutingtherewillbenoprizeforthatouting.
• AnnualTournament:Thespeciescategoriesare:seatrout,redfish,snook,ladyfish,bass,andsunfish(bream).AtEVERYoutingthelongestfishofanyofthosespeciescaughtontheflybyamemberingoodstandingwillbeenteredintotheannualtournament.Theprizewillbepresentedattheannualhogroast.
• Addmackerelandbluefish?WehaddecidedthatwecouldnotincludeallspeciesoffishintheAnnualtournament,andidentifiedtrout,redfish,snook,ladyfish,bassandsunfishasthefishwewantedtoacknowledge.Basedonrecentmemberfeedback,Ithinkthatweshouldincludeaquestionatthenextmeetingaskingifweshouldaddotherspeciesincludingmackerelandbluefishfor2018annualtournament.Thinkaboutit.
December 2017 On The Fly ~Newsletter of the Suncoast Fly Fishers Page 12
John Craig’s Low Country Boil Recipe
TheamazingoutinglunchatWeedonIslandPreserve
Usethisrecipefor10people.Wetriplethisrecipewhenweplanfor30guestsatouroutingsandstillhavealittleleftover.Theshrimpcanbecookedseparatelyifpeoplehaveshellfishallergies:Cookthepotatoes,cornandsausagefirst,andremovetoaservingpan,thencookshrimpinthesaveseasonedwater.Don’tworryabouttheexactamountofwater,justuseenoughtocovertheingredients.WecooktheLowCountyBoilinaTurkeyFryerpot.Someversionsof thisrecipeaddaquarteredsweetonion, the juiceoftwolemons,cayennepepper,cloves,andbayleavestothewater:youcanexperimentandadjusttoyourpersonaltaste.
Smellthoseshrimp,hey,it’sbeginningtoboil.(JimmyBuffett)Ingredients:
• 4poundssmallredpotatoes• 5quartsofwater• 1(3-ounce)bagofcrabboilseasoning:recommendZatarain'sCrabandShrimpBoil• 4tablespoonsofOldBaySeasoning• 2poundsKielbasaorhotsmokedsausage,cutinto1½inchpieces• 6earsofcorn,halved:frozencornonthecobworksaswellasfreshwholeears• 4poundslargeshrimp:recommendfrozenwithshellandheadson,butpeeledanddeveinedis
optional• Cocktailsauce
Directions:
1. Addpotatoestolargepot,thenadd5quartsofwaterandseasonings
2. Coverpotandbringtoarollingboil;cook5minutes3. Addthesausageandcorn,andreturntoboil4. Cook10minutes,oruntilthepotatoesaretender5. AddShrimptopot,cook3to4minutesuntilthe
shrimpturnspink
John
JohnCraigstirsthepot
TeamSollarsatthebuffettable.DarrynManleywaitshisturn.(TomGadaczphoto)
December 2017 On The Fly ~Newsletter of the Suncoast Fly Fishers Page 13
Tom Gadacz: Suncoast Fly Fishers at VA Wellness Fair OurProjectHealingWatersFlyFishingvolunteers
demonstratedtheirflytyingskillsforotherVA
employees.
AlanSewell,TedRich,JohnCraig,andTomGadaczstaffed
theevent.Wesharedourcontributionstothecareofthe
veteransattheBayPinesVeteranAdministrationMedical
Center.
TheeventwasheldonOctober31andthetreatwason
us.Wehadtheopportunitytoexplainhowflytying
helpedveteranscopewiththeirphysicalandemotionalcombatrelatedproblems.
Otherpartsofourprogramincluderodbuilding,flycastingandflyfishing.Weintroducedseveralemployees
toflyfishingandinvitedthemtonotonlysendtheirpatientstoouractivitiesbutalsoforthem,afamily
member,orfriendtoattendoneofourmeetings.
Tom
SomeoftheotherVAWellnessFairdisplays.
Thisiswhatwedo.JohnCraig,TedRichandAlanSewelltiedfliesandexplainedhowourclubhelpsveteranscomebacktoafulfillinglife.
December 2017 On The Fly ~Newsletter of the Suncoast Fly Fishers Page 14
Tying Bench Layne Smith Ties Lou Tabory’s Snake Fly IfIseemulletpushingwaterintheshallows,thisisthefirstflyI'll
tieon.Tabory'sbooksareabsolutelychockfullofgood
informationandIhighlyrecommendthemalongwithhissnakefly.
IliketotiesnakefliesonshortshankhooksandIfoundMustad
C68SZworkparticularlywell.ForthisflyI'musinga2/0.Because
ofthespundeerhairhead,Iliketouseheavytyingthread.Danville
FlatwaxedNylononalargebobbinallowsmetoapplyalotof
pressuretothewraps.
MaterialsHook:MustadC68SZ,orGamakatsuSL12Ssize2/0��Thread:DanvilleFlatwaxedNylonwhite��Tail:WhiteOstrichherl��Flash:SilverKrystalFlashandPearlFlashabou��Body:Whitemarabou,wrapped��Collar:Whitedeerhair,stacked��Head:Whitedeerhair,spun��Adhesive:FletchTitePlatinum,Zap-A-GaporfavoriteCACement
TyingInstructions
Step1:Startyourtyingthreadataboutthehookpointandworkyourwaybacktosecureittothehook.Snip5or6ostrichherlsfreefromonesideofthestem.Measurethemtoformatail2to3timesaslongasthehookandtietheminontopoftheshank.Step2:Forflash,justafewstrandsofsilvercrystalflash,doubledover,andthenattachedtothetopofthehookseemstobeenough.Youcandothesamewith2or3strandsofflashabouaswell.Thisaddsthatiridescentfishylooktothepattern.Topthesewith5or6morestrandsofostrichherl.Step3:Marabougoesonnext,andifproperlytiedin,addsatonofmotiontothefly.Plumesorbloodquillswillwork.Stripthenastiesoffthestemtoleaveaboutatwo-inchmarabousegment.Leaveenoughroomatthebutttoattachhacklepliers.Findthetipandpullthefibersbacktoexposethestem.Thensnipthetipoff.Whilestillholdingthefibersback,tiethefeatherontothehookshank.Thiswillresultinasurprisinglyrobustconnection.Evenso,begentlewiththisnextstepasmaraboustemsarefairlydelicate.Step4:Getagripofthebuttendwithhacklepliersandpullthefeatherup.Usingthebackofyourscissors,rubthestemwhichwillhelptopointthemaraboufibersrearward.Pullthefibersbackmorewithyourthumbandindexfinger.Wettingyourfingertipsreallyhelpsthisprocess.Thenbeginwrappingthemarabouinaspiralaroundthehookshank,pullingthefibersbackasyougo.Althoughthisprocessmightseemtimeconsuming,Ifeelit'sreallyworthitintheoveralllookandactionofthefly.Step5:Tiethestemoffwithacoupleofgoodtightwrapsandthenreorientanyfibersthathavegoneastray.Withthatdoneyoucansnipthetipoffcloseandgiveafewfinishingwraps.
TyinginstructionsforSmitty’sversionoftheTaborySnakeFlycontinuesonthenextpage
December 2017 On The Fly ~Newsletter of the Suncoast Fly Fishers Page 15
Continued… Tying Bench Smitty ties the Tabory Snake Fly Step6:Nowhere'sthefunpart.Snipaclumpofwhitedeerhair,aboutapencil'swidthindiameter.Soitwillspincorrectly,fanandremovethefuzziesfromthebuttends.Flickingthemoftenhelpstoshakethefuzziesloose.Usealargediameterhairstackertoeventhetipsandthencarefullyremovethemfromthestacker.Placethemonthetopofthehookshanksothetipsextendjustbeyondthebendofthehook.Whilesqueezingyourthumbandindexfinger,takeasinglewrapandworkitdownunderpressure.Takeasecondwraptoflarethedeerhairevenfurtherandthentakeonemoreforgoodmeasure.Step7:Thenrunyourthreadthroughthebuttendsata45-degreeangleandpulltighttolockthebundleintoplace.Now,Iliketoaddafewloosewrapsbehindmyinitialwrapstodecreasetheflareontherearwardpointingtips.Althoughthisisn'tnecessary,Ilikethewayitlooks.Nowrunyourthreadforwardwithacoupleofwraps.Advanceyourthreadtoinfrontofthedeerhairasbestyoucananduseaballpointpenwithit'sgutsremovedorasimilartubetopushbackandpackthedeerhair.Thentakewrapsofthreadinfronttobuildupadamtoholdthehairback.Step8:Snipanothersimilarsizedclumpofdeerhairandrepeatthefanning,flickingandpluckingproceduretogetridofthefuzzies.Thensnipthetipsoffthedeerhair.Onthisone,youwanttoreallyspinthedeerhairsotakeonewrapandthenonthesecondwrap,easeuponyourfingertippressureandallowthehairtospinaroundthehookshank.Thehairshouldstopspinningasyoutakeanotherwraportwo.Onceagain,packthedeerhairrearwardandtakewrapstoformadaminfront.Repeatthiswholeprocedureuntilyouhavespundeerhairallthewayuptojustbehindthehookeye.Howmanyclumpsyouneedwilldependonhowlongyourhookshankis.Step9:Now,here'saweirdlittletrickthatallowsyoutofinishtheheadoftheflywithouttrappingalotofhairs.Whenyou'rereadytofinishthehead,pushthefibersbackandholdtheminplace.Takeabunchofwraps,tryingyourbestnottotraphairasyougo.Repeattheprocessuntilyou'renolongertrappinghair.Whileholdingthehairback,applyasmallamountofzap-a-gaptoyourtyingthreadwithyourbodkin.Thentakeafewwrapswiththethread.Usingaknifeorscissors,youcannowcutthetyingthreadfreewithoutitunraveling.Step10:Totrimtheheadtoshape,Iliketofirstcutthebottomhairoffflatandparalleltothehookshankandthengofromthere.I'veseenalldifferentshapesandIthinkthisreallyisamatterofpreference.Step11:Now,toreallysealyourfinalthreadwraps,addheadcementallthewayaround,andIliketoaddheadcementtotheflatpartoftheheadtolockitinplaceandmaketheflymoredurable.Step12:Thefinalflyshouldlooksomethinglikethis(photoatright).Althoughsomepeopleliketheminolive,otherspreferchartreuse,straightwhitehasalwaysworkedwellforme.
Smitty
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Woody and Ann Miller Tour Utah’s National Parks and Fly Fish, too
AnnandItraveledtoUtahforatwomonthvisittothenationalparksinsouthernUtah.IhadmadearrangementswithFreemontAnglersforaguidedtripforthetwoofuswhileinCapitalReefNationalParkinlateSeptember.Themorningwearrivedattheoutfittersitwascoolandclearwithjustabreathofairmoving.StandingoutsidethebuildingwastheMarlboroMan,cowboyhat,boots,jeans,avestandbigolebushymustacheandall.InhishandwasaCamelunfilteredcigarette,smokewaftingfromthelongash.Asweapproached,hereachedouthishandandaskedifweweretheclientsthatwerefishingthisday,andintroducedhimselfasourguideVince.AnnandIlookedateachotherwithasomewhatpuzzledlookthinkingthiswasgoingtobeaninterestingday.
WithgearloadedintohisolderGMCSUV,offwewenttoanundisclosedlocationwhereVincestatedtherewerebig(censored)fish.AsweheadedupintotheFishlakeNationalForest,VinceregaleduswithstoriesofbigfishunpressuredbymostfishermenduetothelocationofUMCreek.WeturnedoffFreemontRiverRoadatthenorthendofFishLakeandheadedbackintothewildsoftheforestonFR-015.
SixmilesinonaverydustyandbumpyroadwecametoUMCreeklocatedinoneofthemostbeautifulvalleyswehadseen.Weriggedup,climbedawoodenlogfenceandheadedthroughawell-used(euphemismforCowPoo)pasturetoanarrowcreeknowiderthanourtraveltrailer.AllthewhileI'mthinkingthisisgoingtobethemostexpensivewalkamongstcowpooIhaveeverpaidfor.BoywasIwrong.UMCreekheldsomeofthemostbeautifulandlargestCutthroatTroutAnnandIhaveevercaught.Thisstreamwasloadedwith12-inch-plusfish.UnderVince'stutelage,wecaughtnumerousfishondryflies,fishedonourTenkaraRods.IwouldnotmakeUtahadestinationforfishingbutifyou’regoingtobethere,byallmeansfishitandifyou’reinTorrey,UtahvisitFreemontRiverAnglersandaskforVince.Youwillbepleasantlysurprised.
WoodywithhisTenkararod,acutthroattrout,andaglimpseofthatproductiveUMCreeknearTorrey,Utah.
AnnMillerandacutthroattrout.
Woodysetsthehookonanothercutthroat.
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Bill Scarola: Chassahowitzka River Seatrout, Jacks, Mangoes
BillScarolafishedthe
ChassahowitzkaRiver
November9-10andcaught
jackcrevalle,a17-inch
seatrout,and11mangrove
snapper.
Bill
Dennis and Ben Marquis: Weedon Macks, Ladies, Trout
MysonBen,onhiswaytobecomingaU.S.Navypilot,isvisitingfromPensacola.OnarecentSaturdaywefishedthespoilsanddeepgrassoftheWeedonIslandareaandcaughtonetrout,amackerel,andfourladyfishonasmallolive-over-whiteClouserthatItied.Oh,alsoalizardfish.
Dennis
BillScarolafishedChassahowitkaStateParkinearlyNovember.This3-pluspoundjackcrevallewasjustoneofmanyrewards.
Oneof11pluckymangrovesnapperthatBilllanded.
BenMarquiswithasharp-toothmackerel.A40-poundtestbitetippethelped,too.
ThelittlelizardfishreallywantedtheClouser
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Bob Morrison: Fishy Factoids
Alarge40-poundoctopuscansqueezethroughaholethesizeofaquarter.How'boutthat?Englandproduced292milliontonsofCO2in1913.Wonderwhatitistoday?Ajaguarhasthelargestcaninesandjawsstrongenoughtopierceabowlingball.Watchoutturtles.InYellowstoneParkthereisapoolofsuperhotvolcanicmagmalyingunderthesurfaceoftheparkthatisequalto2.5timesthevolumeofallthewaterinLake
Michigan.Thingsshouldwarmupatsomepoint,buthopefullynotsoon.What'sthedifferencebetweenupnorthanddownhere?It'sallinthesalt.Upnorththeyputsaltontheicywinterroads.DownhereweputthesaltontherimoftheMargaritaglasses.
Raiseoneformethisholidayseason, Bob
Aerial water-depth photo of Fort DeSoto Park
Therearemanyplaceswhereyoucanparkyourvehicle,wadeinandflyfish.
We’llhaveafallingtideonthemorningofDecember9
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Capt. Pat Damico: Fly Casting Clinic. Tip #93
Longleadersandheavyflieshurtdistance
ByCapt.PatDamico,FFIMasterCastingInstructor
WhenIrecentlymettwocandidatesforafollowupcastinglesson,theywantedmeto
doitontheirflatsboattosimulatefishingconditions.Theyhadtwohighend
balancedoutfitsandthefirstrodtheywerecastingwouldnotallowthemtogeta
straightlinelayoutfromflytorodtip.Therewassomewind.Ifirstshortenedtheir12-
footleadertoabout7-feetgettingridofabout5feetoftheverylighttippetend.The
1/0bulkydeerhairbodyflywaslightwhendry,butwhenwetandwaterloggedwas
likecastingaminiaturefeatherduster.Iputonasmallersyntheticfly.Thosetwo
changesallowedthemtogetanicelayoutoflinewithoutanyotheradjustments.
Pat Damico, St. Pete BeachCapt. Pat Damico charters in lower Tampa Bay. Call 727-504-8649 www.captpatdamico.com
Tampa Bay Times : Captain’s Corner
Flyfishingsuccessispossible,eveninthewind
Whenyourdaytoflyfisharrives,doyouhopeforadaywithoutwind?Knowledgeableflyfishersknowthere
aremanywaystodealwithdifferentwindsituations.Avoidopenwater,andselectanareathatoffers
protection.Stayclosetoshoreandusemanyofourbays,thehighbanksasweseeonsomerivers,trees,
mangroveshorelines,buildingsandcanalsystems.Checkwindconditionsthedaybeforeandplanyourtrip
onpaper.Morningeasterlywindsarefrequentlyfollowedbywindsfromthewest.Alargenarrowbaythat
runsnorthtosouthoftenprovidesprotectedfishingallday.Beginontheeasternsideinthemorningandfish
thewestsideintheafternoon.Exploredocksandcanals,concentratingonpointswheretidalflowis
optimum.Knowwheretherearegrassflatswithsandholesanddropoffs.Abow-mountedelectricmotor
controlsspeedanddirection.Employyourpreferredanchoringsystemcarefullywhenaconcentrationoffish
isfound.Useafastactionrod,a71/2-footorshorterleaderwitha20-poundtippet.Downsizefliesand
reducetheirweighttomakecastingandturnovereasier.Achoponthewaterwillallowyoutogetcloserto
thefish.Ifthewindhasaffectedwaterclarity,usedarkerflies.Baitfishpatternssize2-4arebest.
December 2017 On The Fly ~Newsletter of the Suncoast Fly Fishers Page 20
Bill AuCoin : Flyfisher Flyover FebruaryisredfishmonthinCrystalRiver–The2018FlyFishingExpoinFebruaryofferslotstoseeanddo,includingfishingforredfish.Here’salinktoareportfromayearagoinFebruary.“HistoricallythemonthofFebruaryisusuallyconsideredatransitionmonthforredfish.Typically,largeschoolsofredfishbegintocongregateasthewarmerdaysofMarchapproach.Potholesonsundrenchedflatsaswellasoysterbarsareprimeareas…”(CyberAngler)
PlantationonCrystalRiver–StillthinkingoftheFlyFishingExpo.Wegetsofocusedonflyfishingthatit’seasytoforgetthatothersinthefamilymayprefertodosomethingelse.Liketakeamanateetour?Hey,there’sanappforthat,sotospeak.(PlantationonCrystalRiver)
Raise a glass and toast the Special Friends of the Suncoast Fly Fishers
West Coast Kayaks Cabelas
Key West Express Sunsect
Buck Knives Seaguar
Fish-Tested Bamboo Rods Tampa Bay On The Fly
Plantation on Crystal River Bass Pro Shops
Star brite Alan Sewell Custom Rods
Thomas Bruce Studio Bob Lee’s Tire Company
Carbon Marine Nigh Fly Rods
Andy Thornal Company Metalfab Inc.
Capt. Shawn McCole St. Pete Fishing Outfitters
Pat Damico, The Fly Guy Fly Fishing Western Wyo.
Jerri Heer – Nature’s Arts Canoe Country Outfitters
Cane Works Bamboo Rods Jim Swann’s Shop
Bill Jackson Shop for Adventure Fly Fishers International
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