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Reel Time

Reel Time: Enjoy nature at the Florida Birding and Nature Festival
Outdoors, Reel Time

Reel Time: Enjoy nature at the Florida Birding and Nature Festival

Sep 26, 2021 – Rusty Chinnis
August 23, 2021
By Rusty Chinnis

Reel Time: Dog days

The term “dog days” originated with the ancient belief that Sirius, the dog star, in close proximity to the sun, was responsible for hot summer weather. Dog days is a common term among fishermen sign…
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August 16, 2021
By Rusty Chinnis
Reel Time on the road: Big Sky and Red Lodge, Montana

Reel Time on the road: Big Sky and Red Lodge, Montana

This past week was spent mostly sightseeing near Big Sky and then later in the week exploring Red Lodge, Montana. After parting company with my fishing partners and picking up my wife, Christine, in…
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August 9, 2021
By Rusty Chinnis
Reel Time on the road: Dillon, Montana

Reel Time on the road: Dillon, Montana

This past week I fished the Big Hole, Madison and Beaverhead Rivers in Montana with a group of anglers hosted by Captain Rick Grassett at Montana’s Medicine Lodge, a working ranch near Dillon, Montan…
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July 26, 2021
By Rusty Chinnis

Reel Time: Waterkeepers hold HAB forum

Island residents might not be familiar with the term harmful algae blooms (HAB), but the bouts of lyngbya and red tide that have plagued the area are all too common. The National Oceanic and Atmosphe…
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July 19, 2021
By Rusty Chinnis
Reel Time

Reel Time: Back to basics

Anglers today have a dizzying array of options when it comes to all things fishing. Super realistic lures, line that “disappears” in the water, “spot lock” trolling motors that hold boats in place, a…
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July 12, 2021
By Rusty Chinnis
Reel Time: Sea trout

Reel Time: How to catch sea trout

Sea trout have always been a target of local anglers, mostly as a food source but rarely by fishermen seeking a trophy. Most would rather target redfish, snook and larger species like tarpon and king…
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July 3, 2021
By Rusty Chinnis

Reel Time: The smoking gun

Local anglers feared from the beginning that the release of over 215 million gallons of wastewater from the Piney Point debacle could have catastrophic effects on Tampa and Sarasota bays. The fact th…
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June 28, 2021
By Rusty Chinnis
Reel Time: A community that cares

Reel Time: A community that cares

Over the years, I’ve had the pleasure of spending a lot of time with fishing guides. These hard-working men and women make their living on the water and that’s where their unique skills create lifelo…
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June 21, 2021
By Rusty Chinnis

Reel Time: Don’t let the sun ruin your fun

Florida is known as the “Sunshine State” and anglers, especially those who sight fish, depend on the sun to see their quarry. Local anglers who appreciate the promise and the power of the sun take ad…
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June 14, 2021
By Rusty Chinnis
Reel Time: Seeing is believing

Reel Time: Seeing is believing

Polarized lenses are one of the angler’s best tools. They not only help fishermen avoid eye fatigue but also allow their vision to pierce the water’s surface. These lenses are so important that odds…
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April 9, 2025
11:45 am

The Off-Stage Ladies of the Island Players, April luncheon meeting