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Rusty Chinnis

Rusty Chinnis

March 7, 2017
Rusty Chinnis is The Sun’s Outdoors columnist.
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July 9, 2024
By Rusty Chinnis

Catch and release

Taking care when we release fish we don’t intend to keep has never been more important. While most anglers are aware that fish populations are vulnerable and not the endless resource we once thought…
July 1, 2024
By Rusty Chinnis

Resilience Incubator launches

On June 27, I had the pleasure of attending the ribbon-cutting ceremony in Sarasota for the new offices of Suncoast Waterkeeper and 10 other leading non-profit organizations that are joining forces a…
June 25, 2024
By Rusty Chinnis
Eyes on seagrass

Eyes on seagrass

Readers of this column know the importance of seagrass to the health of the region’s bays, estuaries, fisheries, fauna and economy. These critical meadows are under threat from overdevelopment, storm…
June 19, 2024
By Rusty Chinnis
Volunteers clean up Bowlees Creek

Volunteers clean up Bowlees Creek

This past Saturday, I attended Suncoast Aqua Venture’s large-scale cleanup of Bowlees Creek, a 4.8-mile stream in Manatee County just north of the Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport. This body…
June 11, 2024
By Rusty Chinnis
Brigadoon

Brigadoon

The legend of Brigadoon is the story of a mythical village in the Scottish Highlands. It’s a tale of a place that became enchanted long ago and has remained unchanged and invisible to the outside wor…
June 4, 2024
By Rusty Chinnis
Vote water

Vote water

Readers of this column are well aware of the critical state of our coastal waters in Manatee County and beyond. The Dapis (lyngbya) blooms that have persisted from 2020 to this year have brought the…
May 28, 2024
By Rusty Chinnis

FWC announces 2024 Lionfish Challenge

If you’re a diver, you’ve seen first-hand how lionfish invade the reefs and threaten the balance that sustains many offshore species. You’ve probably also heard of the Lionfish Challenge, an opportun…
May 21, 2024
By Rusty Chinnis
Carpe diem

Carpe diem

The sound wasn’t exactly deafening but it enveloped me as I stepped out of the car at the boat ramp. Located on the South Carolina side of Lake Russell, an impoundment of the Savannah River, the fore…
May 14, 2024
By Rusty Chinnis

Try a beach fishing adventure

Are you an accidental angler? Someone who might not be passionate about fishing but who has always wondered what all the hype is about? Maybe you’re an avid freshwater angler from the north unfamilia…
May 7, 2024
By Rusty Chinnis
Egmont, Passage keys prove enchanting

Egmont, Passage keys prove enchanting

Extending approximately 5 miles from Anna Maria Island to St. Petersburg, the mouth of Tampa Bay is fronted by the barrier islands of Egmont Key and Passage Key. The surrounding waters are beautiful…
April 30, 2024
By Rusty Chinnis

Tarpon Primer: Part two

Although tarpon can be one of the most exciting gamefish to engage, they are also one of the most demanding and exhausting. It’s not uncommon to hear stories of epic two-hour-plus battles, which are…
April 22, 2024
By Rusty Chinnis
Tarpon primer: Part One

Tarpon primer: Part One

Tarpon season is one of the most anticipated times of the year in local waters. While I’ve encountered tarpon occasionally most every month of the year, April through July is the time ardent anglers…
April 15, 2024
By Rusty Chinnis

Get to know Suncoast Aqua Ventures

Over the years, I’ve had the honor and pleasure of getting to know and work with many passionate and action-oriented citizens on the Suncoast, people who turn their concerns into accomplishments…
April 8, 2024
By Rusty Chinnis
Rotary, Ringling team up for ecological film series

Rotary, Ringling team up for ecological film series

The Rotary Club of Longboat Key is nearing completion of a short documentary film series created in collaboration with Ringling College of Art and Design’s film department. Partners include the Rotar…
April 2, 2024
By Rusty Chinnis

Reel Time: Support local waterways during Giving Challenge 2024

Do you support organizations that help protect the environment and our fisheries but can’t seem to find the time to get involved by volunteering or participating in events? You can help fund the effo…

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