Reel Time: An unfolding tragedy

Rounding a mangrove corner into Clam Bar Bay on the edges of Tampa Bay, I had the sensation of a place remembered. I had first...

Reel Time: The price of inaction

On Monday, March 26, the latest and hopefully final chapter unfolded in a sordid novel with no redeeming chapters and a far less-than-happy ending....

Reel Time: Zen and fishing

It dawned on me recently as I was wading a local flat that I was experiencing what I have written about over the past...

Reel Time: The promise of spring

Spring is here, I can feel it, even if the fish haven’t given a clear signal yet. The Tree of Gold next door is...

Reel Time: The importance of tides

Having a good working knowledge of the tides in your area will greatly increase your angling odds. While I always like to follow the...

Rusty Chinnis

Rusty Chinnis is an avid fly fisherman, a photojournalist and a retired building contractor in addition to being a passionate defender of the local environment's importance to the health and economy of the area. A 42-year resident of Longboat Key and Manatee County, he is chairman of the board of Suncoast Waterkeeper, a founder and former co-chairman of the Sister Keys Conservancy, and founder and chairman emeritus of Sarasota Bay Watch in addition to being The Sun's Outdoors columnist. Email