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Tag: Anna Maria Island fishing

Reel Time: Grant boosts SBW clam restoration effort

Written by Rusty Chinnis on . Posted in Outdoors, Reel Time.

On Monday, Aug. 5, Sarasota Bay Watch received an award letter and grant agreement from the Sarasota based Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation. The $106,000 grant will support SBW’s efforts to continue restoring water cleaning southern hard-shell clams to Sarasota Bay. The population of these clams, traditional residents of the bay ecosystem, are at historic lows. The restoration’s goal is to help create a self-sustaining population into the future.

The grant provides funds for SBW to acquire 1,000,000 clam seeds (4 mm size/3 months old) from the Bay Shellfish Company shellfish hatchery, hire a professional clam farmer’s services to grow the clam seed for about two and a half months before flipping them into larger grow out gear before executing approximately 25 harvests. Each batch will consist of about 150 bushels weighing about 14,000 pounds (approximately 30,000 clams/harvest).

The grant also covers the costs to transport clam harvests to Sarasota Bay from Pine Island. Expenses include truck rental, ice and gasoline. Clam growing equipment including mesh bags, cover nets, stakes and underwater equipment needed for local clam grow out is also covered as well as webmaster services, social media, community education, outreach, engagement, and the marine stewardship and conservation awareness that supports the program.

Sarasota Bay Watch also received funds as part of the grant to hire a professional clam farmer as a consultant and project leader to seek a submerged lease from the state of Florida so Sarasota Bay Watch can grow clams locally. This would significantly lower costs and improve efficiency.

Sarasota Bay Watch former President Larry Stults, who headed the grant request for SBW, clearly sees the connection between the grant funds and a healthy bay.

“Clams live up to 30 years and can filter up to 24 gallons of water a day,” says Stults. “Do the math and you can clearly see the connection. That’s over a quarter of a million gallons of water over one clam’s lifetime.”

Sarasota Bay Watch began its clam restoration in 2016 by collecting adult native southern hard-shell clams for the spawn it needed to launch the effort. Once plentiful in local waters, the clams proved difficult to locate and that’s one of the reasons the program was launched.

Sarasota Bay Watch had entered into a partnership with Bay Shellfish Company, a commercial shellfish hatchery in Terra Ceia Bay on the southern shore of Tampa Bay, in 2008. Bay Shellfish owner Curt Hemmel had developed a method to grow algae allowing him to spawn and condition bivalves, including the scallops that Sarasota Bay Watch had been seeding into Sarasota Bay for the past decade.

Sarasota Bay Watch added Southern hard-shell clams to its restoration efforts in 2016 for several reasons. Like scallops, their numbers are critically low from historical averages. Unlike scallops that live only 1.5 years, clams can thrive for up to three decades. In addition, clams are more resistant to red tide and can actually eat low levels of the harmful algae.

Sarasota Bay Watch began its clam restoration project on March 1, 2017, when it purchased 330,000 seed clams from Bay Shellfish, each about the size of a little fingernail.  Aaron Welch, a commercial Tampa Bay clam farmer, was hired to do the first round of what is called grow out in fine mesh bags anchored to seagrass beds. After 70 days they were transferred to larger mesh bags on the bay bottom and overlaid with a protective cover net.

Sarasota Bay Watch has partnered with Mote Marine Laboratory Senior Scientist and Benthic Ecology Program Manager Jim Culter to create a series of experimental plots alongside SBW’s clam release areas to test a range of variables – hand planting the clams vs. dropping them on the bottom without planting, cover netting vs. none, soft sand bottom vs. hard-packed sediment, grassy vs. sandy bottoms, etc. From these experiments, the partners hope to learn how to make future restoration cycles more successful.

With the help of the Barancik Foundation Grant, Sarasota Bay Watch can now scale up the operation and advance plans to introduce clams to Manatee County and Sarasota County waters in 2020 and beyond. Ultimately, it is Sarasota Bay Watch’s hope that the program can become self-sustaining and self-funding. In the end, Stults can clearly see the link between the clam restoration effort and a vibrant Sarasota Bay.

Check out Sarasota Bay Watch’s website for videos of the clam releases. Learn about the good works the Barancik Foundation does in Sarasota and beyond online.

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Reel Time: Cameras – catch and release digitally

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Reel Time: Cameras – catch and release digitally

Reel Time: Cameras – catch and release digitally

Written by Rusty Chinnis on . Posted in Fishing, Outdoors, Reel Time.

The world of digital photography and videography continues to evolve, and anglers have never had more options to explore. Whether you’re capturing a picture or a video clip to remind you of your catch, to share with friends and family or to post on social media, digital cameras allow us to capture images of our catches, making a catch and release all that much more rewarding.

Photography has never been easier and anglers can enjoy this amazing technology no matter what their level of expertise. Most digital cameras and most smartphones also come with software or apps that let you enhance the image, crop the size and share the final product in a number of ways. You can send the images via e-mail or as a text straight from a phone, download them, edit, and print them out to frame and display.

Even though taking a picture may be easy, there are a few basic rules that will help you capture a better image:

  • Before ever leaving the dock, be sure you have fresh batteries, a charged phone, memory cards with enough space to record your images, a clean lens and a cleaning cloth.
  • There is almost always a certain amount of chaos associated with a catching a memorable fish, so get an idea in advance of where you’ll compose your image.
  • Check the background through the viewfinder carefully for distracting and cluttered backgrounds. Make sure you don’t have any unwanted objects, like a rod appearing to stick out of someone’s head.
  • Look to capture photographs that aren’t posed, and remember that the sooner you get your picture the more vibrant the colors of a fish will be. First and foremost, fill the frame with the subject, eliminating anything that doesn’t add to the composition.
  • Since you’re filming on the water, check that the horizon is straight. Most cameras and many phones have the option of putting a grid on the screen.
  • Preset your exposure and check it as lighting conditions change.
  • For most shots, I set my camera to aperture (F8) priority.
  • When trying to catch a jumping fish make sure you stop the action with an ISO of at least 1,000th of a second. Many digital cameras can capture up to 10 frames a second, so set the camera for a rapid burst.
  • Many photographs taken on the water are exposed in bright light. A camera’s light meter averages light over the scene, so an angler’s face, especially if shaded by a cap, will often be dark and lack detail. Make sure you expose your shots with fill flash.
  • Take a number of shots from different angles and get the angler excited and talking to you. One of the really great advantages of digital is that you can take lots of pictures and edit them on the go to make sure you have the shot you want.
  • When possible, use a polarizing filter during the daylight hours. It helps cut the glare on the water and saturate colors.
  • If you have photo editing software, like Lightroom or Photoshop, you can lighten the shadows in post-production. This can sometimes eliminate the need for fill flash, if the contrast isn’t too great, and prevents a flash from creating unwanted reflections on fish. Since lighting is almost always challenging, shoot and then review important shots. If you have a more advanced camera, you can bracket important shots in difficult lighting situations. Expose at least three images: one slightly (one-stop) underexposed, one slightly (one-stop) overexposed and one at the setting suggested by the light meter.

There are a lot of excellent digital cameras on the market today. The new generation of Smart Phones can take amazing images, but they have their limitations (lack of a polarizing filter).

If you’re really interested in photography, I would suggest getting a camera that meets your needs. Most come with a trial version of an image editing software like Adobe Elements. There are many cameras on the market from a few hundred to thousands of dollars.

Taking the time to capture the moments of life pays dividends that you can continue to relive by sharing them through your images.

For more information on the right camera for you, check with a professional at your local camera shop like Johnson Photo Imaging or go to www.bhphoto.com. Software demos (Check out Lightroom CC 2019) can be downloaded online.

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Reel Time: Success – opportunity meets preparedness

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Reel Time: Success – opportunity meets preparedness

Written by Rusty Chinnis on . Posted in Fishing, Outdoors, Reel Time.

It seems that we have to work harder all the time for a day on the water that includes catching fish. That’s after actually having the chance for a day on the water fishing. It’s a fact for most anglers that those days are far apart and it’s all too easy in our haste to just grab our gear, put it on the boat and head for the water. All too often we forget to check some of the most basic things that make the difference between fishing and catching a fish. A little forethought and preparation will help assure that you turn your opportunities into success.

It’s a good idea to have a checklist to follow before you ever make the first cast. These are the major reasons why we lose fish and with some due diligence, it can be easily avoided.

A sharp hook is obviously one of the most important components of an effective rig. It’s also one of the easiest things to forget to check. A hook can be razor-sharp the last time you used it and can become dulled with contact to the rub rail of the boat, objects in the water, guides and many other things. Test it every time you step to the bow and you’ll have a better chance at catching that fish you searched long and hard for. I like to check the hook on my fingernail. If I put it there and it doesn’t slip, I know it’s sharp enough. Still, it’s a good idea to have a hook sharpener on hand and touch up the point several times during any outing.

Reel Time be prepared knot
Even a well-stretched fly line can create a disaster if it gets too hot. This knot was created by a tarpon! – Rusty Chinnis | Sun

Knots are probably the second leading reason fish are lost. Even the best-tied knot will break if it’s not tightened well. You may tie perfect knots, but there’s a chance they could loosen between trips. Always make sure you moisten knots before tightening them and draw them up very tight. The first place a line will break is at a knot when it slips.

Checking the drag is, of course, one of the most important things you can do. I would suggest having the drag set so you don’t have to touch it while fighting a fish. Make sure your drag is smooth. You’ll know it needs attention if there’s any jerking motion when line leaves the spool.

Checking leader and line for nicks and abrasion is another must. It’s easy to cut off a small section of leader and re-tie than to lose a good fish to an imperfect line. Fly anglers can avoid a lost fish by always stretching their fly line. Fly line has memory and will come off the spool in small loops that can tangle easily, causing you to break off a fish. Strip off the line you’ll be casting, make a cast and gently stretch it as you retrieve it. On hot summer days, it’s a good idea to wet the line occasionally to keep it from getting hot and sticky.

Each time you step to the bow make sure you check all the components that lead to success. You’ll find it will make a big difference at the end of your fishing day. On the days when you get the opportunity to catch a fish, you don’t want to end up with pulled hooks or a break-off because you didn’t check your drag or leader.

While you’ll always lose fish even when everything is right, you’ll definitely have a better chance at success if you’re prepared when the opportunity presents itself. Sharp hook, smooth leader, properly set drags, stretched line and tight properly secured knots. Tight lines!

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Reel Time: Line and leaders

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Reel Time: Line and leaders

Reel Time: Line and leaders

Written by Rusty Chinnis on . Posted in Fishing, Outdoors, Reel Time.

When anglers talk tackle, the conversation is usually centered on rods and reels, lures and accessories. While these make up the largest part of the fisherman’s arsenal, lines and leaders are a critical component of the equation. The major choices of line fall into three categories: braid, monofilament, and fluorocarbon.

While fluorocarbon, monofilament and braided lines were created to spool reels, fluorocarbon is most often used as a leader material. Each has its advantages and disadvantages and anglers should choose them based on their fishing style and use.

Monofilament has been around for decades and is probably the most commonly used line. It has many advantages and a few disadvantages that will affect the anglers’ choice. Chief among its advantages are affordability and the fact that it sinks slowly and is more forgiving (stretches), making it less likely to break when shocked. Its disadvantages include the fact that it is less durable, has a larger diameter and can’t be cast as far.

Braided lines have made significant inroads since their introduction in the early 90s. They are constructed of a special blend of polyethylene fibers. Some brands are wound loosely while others are fused. Braided lines are extremely durable with no stretch. The unfused lines are generally suppler, while the fused ones are stiffer but less likely to wrap around guides and form knots during casting, one of the disadvantages of braided lines.

When using braided line it’s important to be aware that no loops form on your reel, a sure sign of trouble to come. It’s also wise to raise the rod tip to tighten (and take the slack out) the line after a cast and before retrieving.

Braided lines are much stronger than mono lines and pound for pound they have a much smaller diameter. Most anglers choose to go with a matching line test (i.e. smaller diameter line) and add a base of mono on the spool. That way you don’t have to use extra braid that will never see the light of day.

The fact that braided lines don’t stretch makes them more sensitive for anglers when fishing. This makes it easier to feel a bite and to set the hook on a fish. This is a big advantage when bottom fishing and targeting fish with subtle bites. It’s important when tying knots like wraps that you take additional wraps with the smaller diameter, slicker braids.

Fluorocarbon lines are more expensive, and while it was intended as a filler line, most anglers use it primarily for a leader. It has a number of advantages over monofilament line, the most important being that it is less visible in the water. In addition, it is denser which makes it sink faster and is more abrasion-resistant. The abrasion resistance is important for fish like tarpon and snook.

There are so many lines and variations on the market that it would take a book to cover them all. Whatever line you choose, carefully seat all knots. This is especially true with braids. Whatever line is used, wet knots and seat them firmly with pliers. Monofilament and fluorocarbon lines also come in colors. Red is popular because it’s the first color to disappear at depth in the water column.

There is a lot of information on the internet, but probably the best advice would be to seek out local knowledge from anglers and tackle shops and try the different lines to see which suits your fishing style.

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Reel Time: Dog days strategies

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Reel Time: Dog days strategies

Written by Rusty Chinnis on . Posted in Fishing, Outdoors, Reel Time.

Dog days (Latin: diēs caniculārēs) are the hottest, most sultry days of summer. In the Northern Hemisphere, the dog days of summer are most commonly experienced in the months of July and August, which typically observe the warmest summer temperatures. The name comes from the ancient belief that Sirius, also called the Dog Star, in close proximity to the sun was responsible for the hot weather.

Dog days on the west coast of Florida can run through September and into October, with the spell being broken by the shorter days more than the easing of daytime temperatures. While the temperatures create challenging conditions, savvy anglers know to change their strategies, tailoring their efforts to maximize their comfort and opportunities.

One of the prime times to fish during the dog days is before the sun crests the horizon. The myriad dock and bridge lights that illuminate the waterways from Bradenton to Venice are prime targets. These areas hold schools of snook as well as trout and a host of other species.

Docks with water depths in excess of 6 feet are best. Tidal flow is another indication of action. Lights on the up-tide side of a structure are best, allowing you more latitude when making a presentation, preventing hang-ups and allowing flies, lures and bait to swing to the fish naturally. With a little attention to detail, it’s possible to target some docks on the incoming tide and others on the outgoing tide.

The presence of hard bottom near a bridge or dock is another indicator of good fish habitat. The presence of bait is directly related to structures like ledges, oyster bars and seawalls. These areas attract the bait that lures the fish.

The type of light on the dock can also influence the action. Lights that sit low to the water seem to have a more distinctive shadow line, an area where feeding fish concentrate. In all cases, the bigger fish seem to hang on the dark edges of the shadow lines.

When the rising sun lightens the horizon, anglers can move to the flats to target redfish, snook and trout. By concentrating your efforts around flats with good grass cover, defined edges, potholes, sandbars and oyster bars you’ll find fish in much the same pattern as during other times of the year. The key is to find water temperatures that attract bait and are tolerable to gamefish. The addition of a strong incoming tide will increase your odds as well.

In the hottest months, from July to September, most of the early morning tides are from 1 to 1 1/2 feet, so anglers will seldom see pushes or tails. Instead, concentrate on scattering bait, working birds and schools of mullet. One of the most productive strategies is to fish seams, demarcation lines that separate grass, sand and other structure.

While pre-dawn or early morning is generally the best time during sweltering weather, there is one exception. The late afternoon outgoing tides that correspond to the full and new moons provide some fast action with a variety of species. Areas to concentrate on include the slues and channels that drain the inshore flats and the passes where the funneling effect concentrates game fish and their prey.

Passes that have flanking seawalls and rock groins can be particularly productive. These areas attract and concentrate the baitfish on which the predators feed. Work lures and flies close to the structure.

Fishing the doldrums can be productive no matter where you fish as long as you follow a few rules. First and foremost you must find conditions that are acceptable to the species you seek. Snook and redfish are much more tolerant of high water temperatures than trout. In general, water temperatures must not be excessive and you can count on early mornings and deeper water to moderate conditions

The exception to the rule will be those areas and times where the presence of food overrides the fishes desire to locate comfortable conditions. Fishing the summer doldrums can be challenging, but master the rules and you’ll have a lot of productive fishing to yourself.

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Reel Time: Tarpon primer

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Reel Time: Tarpon primer

Written by Rusty Chinnis on . Posted in Fishing, Outdoors, Reel Time.

Tarpon are one of the premier gamefish that swim local waters and are a noble adversary on any tackle. The fish that frequent our beaches during the months of May through August can weigh over 200 pounds and average from 80 to 100 pounds.

We are blessed with some of the best tarpon fishing in the world, and the local bars and inshore waters host some of the finest fly and spin fishing to be found anywhere. This isn’t a game of numbers and, to the anglers who pursue tarpon, it’s the hunt and the action that keeps them on the bow for hours in the hot summer sun.

Tackle should match the size of the quarry and most anglers opt for a 20- to 30-pound spin outfit and an 11- to a 12-weight fly rod, line and reel. A heavy bite tippet is required because of the size of tarpon and their rasp-like mouth. Fly anglers generally use 60- to 80-pound tippet, while spin anglers choose 80- to 100-pound test.

While it might seem like a difficult task to land a tarpon on the fly, or any tackle for that matter, an angler who knows the limits of his/her tackle can actually land a tarpon in a surprisingly short time. The key is to apply maximum pressure from the hookup and never let up.

Too many anglers baby their tarpon in a misguided attempt to land them. The truth is that the longer you fight a tarpon the better chance you have of losing it.

A properly (IGFA approved) tied tarpon leader used by fly fishers usually runs between 10 and 12 feet and is tapered to properly deliver the fly. The leader includes a class tippet (weakest link) from 16 to 20 pounds that is doubled at both ends to soften the (shock) impact to the class tippet and bite tippet.

Key to the whole equation is to have a very sharp hook as tarpon have extremely tough mouths. Conventional leaders vary from angler to angler, but a doubled standing line tied to a leader and then to the bite tippet with a blood knot or Albright Special is recommended.

Flies vary from the classic splayed feather Key’s style to more complex designs like the Toad, and various baitfish imitations. Some fly anglers are not concerned with actually landing a tarpon, preferring to just enjoy the hunt, the hookup and the jumps that usually follow the hook set. They use light bite tippets, which allow the tarpon to work through the leader with their abrasive mouths.

The key to landing tarpon on the fly is accuracy. The fly must be placed perfectly, move in a precise direction relative to the fish and be at the proper (fishes’) depth. Even when all of these factors come together, there’s still about a 50% chance that the tarpon will reject the fly.

The go-to bait for spin anglers is a live crab. Small blue crabs can be purchased from many bait shops and pass crabs can be dipped from the local passes on a falling tide. Other effective baits include pinfish, threadfin herring and pilchards. Artificial lures like the DOA Bait Buster and the 4 and six-inch shrimp, jigs and even topwater plug can be effective.

Patience is a critical factor when fishing for tarpon, especially when fly fishing. The most successful anglers find the edge of a sandbar or other underwater feature that tarpon track, anchor in casting range and wait. Sometimes tarpon come at a steady rate, but just as often there are long periods of time when the only thing to look at is the water and the bottom. This really separates the great anglers from the good anglers. There are times when you need to move, but knowing when and where is a skill that is developed if never mastered.

Once set up, the angler must be able to make a 40- to 50-foot cast to a location the size of a dinner plate. Placement of the fly cannot be overemphasized because tarpon will seldom vary a foot or two from their path to eat a fly. Although there is always the rare exception, a fly must never travel in a path towards the intended target. A tarpon’s prey species wouldn’t survive long if it moved towards its aggressor and tarpon know it.

Besides moving away from the fish, the fly must move at the proper pace, be at the proper depth and never slow down when a tarpon is tracking it. Conversely, you can’t move the fly too fast, taking it out of a tarpon’s range. If all this wasn’t demanding enough, once a tarpon decides to eat the fly an angler’s mettle is really tested.

Reel Time: Tarpon primer
From left, Hunter Parrish prepares to release a tarpon he caught with his dad, Benny Parrish, in Longboat Pass. – Rusty Chinnis | Sun

Conventional anglers usually look for rolling fish in the near-shore Gulf and motor well ahead of them to intercept their path. Trolling motors can be effective for following a school in deep water but will spook them in the shallows. One thing that all tarpon anglers should practice is courtesy. Often a boat has been working long and hard to get properly set up for a shot and a boat running up on the fish will spoil the day for everyone.

Tarpon are not trout and attempting to raise the rod to set the hook is a cardinal mistake. Fortunately, once a tarpon decides to eat the fly there’s no need to make a lightning fast hook set. The right set is called a strip strike, which involves letting the line come tight and immediately setting the hook with a combination of the line hand and the rod. Conventional anglers should also have the patience to let the line come tight before attempting to hook the fish. Then the angler must at once work to set the hook in the cement-like jaw while being ready for the fish to bolt away from the boat.

After the fly angler’s initial hook set, attention must go immediately to clearing the line, getting the loose line off the deck. In most cases, the angler has been stripping in line when the fish bites and the hook is set. That line can easily foul on the angler, the rod or the reel. The discipline is to take your attention from the fish to the line at your feet.

Hold the rod away from your body and let the excess line pass through your stripping hand in a circle made with the thumb and the forefinger. Once the line is on the reel, set the hook with several more strip strikes using the rod. Conventional anglers often use circle hooks which don’t require a hook set. They just need to let the line come tight and enjoy the action. In any case, the tarpon cannot be aware of the angler on the other end until the hook set.

While it’s important to exert maximum pressure on the tarpon during the fight, anglers must yield on jumps. On the jump, the standard maneuver is to thrust the rod forward to relieve pressure on the line. This prevents the tarpon from breaking off if it lands on a taut line. This maneuver is known as bowing to the king.

It’s customary to start the engine and get as close to the tarpon as possible after the initial and subsequent long runs. This allows the angler to apply maximum pressure. If a tarpon is 100 yards from the boat the stretch of the line makes it impossible to apply any real pressure.

If you’re looking for a good jump shot, here’s a great tip: when a tarpon makes any long run, motor close to it, applying only enough pressure to make sure the hook doesn’t dislodge. As soon as you are in place, frame the shot you want and then have the angler apply maximum pressure. Most times the tarpon will make a jump that’s close enough to the boat to get the angler and the fish in the shot. It’s not a sure thing, but when it works it can present an awesome photographic opportunity. Finally, don’t try and rush the tarpon when it gets near the end of the fight. Keep the pressure on, but don’t clamp down and try to force the fish to the boat.

Tarpon fishing was excellent in the early season but has proven challenging so far in June due to finicky fish and persistent west winds. As of this writing, conditions have improved, and anglers report some spectacular days interspersed with slow action. My experience has proven the old adage, “The best time to go fishing is whenever you can.” Every time I think I’ve discerned a pattern the tarpon teach me a new lesson.

Good action can be found right through July for fly anglers, while the best month for conventional anglers is June. Tarpon fishing is a challenging endeavor but it’s well worth the effort when you finally get that first scale-rattling jump.

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Reel Time: The morning run

Reel Time: The morning run

Written by Rusty Chinnis on . Posted in Fishing, Outdoors, Reel Time.

The surroundings flooded my senses as the morning dawned, a receding thunderstorm having just ionized the air with a freshness that only served to enhance the fragrance of white stopper blooms that wafted from the island. The sun had just crested the horizon throwing a golden light on the sinuous shoreline of Smokehouse Bay, while black clouds on the western horizon added a surreal aura to the scene. As we wound our way through the twisting labyrinth of mangroves, I was suddenly struck with the promise of the morning run.

I was fishing a few days with my good friend and guide Captain Joe Harley in Pine Island Sound. We had planned this outing for a month and unfortunately, the weather gods weren’t with us when it came to catching. Catching aside, we managed to find a place to fish out of the wind each day and dodged the frequent thunderstorms that dotted the four corners of the compass. We knew that the conditions were going to make things challenging at best, but we also knew from experience that sometimes you can turn a game to your favor in the bottom of the ninth.

For years I judged the success of the day by the numbers of fish I caught. Over time I realized all the other gifts that a day on the water provided me. I learned from experience that it’s possible to have an unforgettable day, even when the fish refuse to cooperate. That has been a good thing, especially since I settled on fly fishing as a way to pursue my passion. Don’t get me wrong, I like to catch fish as much as anyone, but this realization has kept me coming back. Without this attitude, I fear fishing would have long ago lost its appeal.

Time spent on the water in Pine Island Sound is always a treat. It’s one of only a few places in Florida where you can lose yourself in the beauty of the natural world. It’s a place filled with thousands of acres of mangrove-lined channels, labyrinths filled with manatees, dolphins, sea birds, turtles and most every species that swim Florida waters. The biggest draw for me is the abundance of tarpon, large and small, twelve months of the year.

The tarpon were there this trip too, but conditions conspired to keep them from feeding. The day on the water may have been the highlight of the visit, but there was a lot to like about three days in Matlacha, Pine Island and unique communities like Pineland, St. James City and Bokeelia. I stayed at the Angler’s Inn in Matlacha, a friendly accommodation with boat dockage and just a short walk from a great breakfast at The Perfect Cup or dinner at the Blue Dog restaurant.

I’ve been fishing the waters of Pine Island Sound and Matlacha Pass for close to two decades, a destination that feels a world apart but is easily accessible (1½ hour drive) from Anna Maria. I highly recommend a visit to the area for fishermen but also birders and nature lovers of all stripes. Captain Joe Harley can be reached at 239- 443-7412. Contact the Angler’s Inn at 239-898-2121. Wherever you go, sit back and enjoy the morning run. Even if the fish don’t bite there are lessons to be learned and experiences to savor. If you’re lucky, the fish might just smile on you too.

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Reel Time: The elephant in the bay

Reel Time: The elephant in the bay

Written by Rusty Chinnis on . Posted in Awards, Awards 2020, Environment, Fishing, Outdoors, Reel Time, Special Sections, Third Place.

It’s not with any pleasure that I sit down and write an outdoors column on water quality issues and red tide at one of my favorite times of the year. I’d rather be spending this time talking about tarpon, snook, redfish, trout and the plethora of other fish that swim area waters. Unfortunately, there’s an elephant in the bay.

Although area waters are clear again and the red tide is currently absent, we don’t seem to have made any significant progress in addressing the problems that plagued us last year and pose a threat into the future. It’s hard to fathom that after last year’s unprecedented killing field event that featured daily images of dead fish, dolphin, turtles and manatees, policymakers failed to act to address the core problem.

Third Place
Environmental news
2020

In fact, the Florida legislative session that just ended was characterized as “a disaster for our environment,” by the public interest group Florida Conservation Voters. If it takes numbers to convince you, consider the bottom line. This year’s environmental funding is only 0.003 percent more than last year.

This isn’t a red vs. blue issue as major initiatives (blocked by leadership) were advanced from both sides of the aisle. Three of these blocked bills were championed by local politicians Rep. Will Robinson (R-Bradenton), Rep. Margaret Good (D-Sarasota) and Sen. Joe Gruters (R-Sarasota).

If you live on or anywhere near the Gulf and are a homeowner, business owner or tourist, last summer’s explosion of red tide and blue-green algae was a blunt wake-up call. At risk is everything we value including our marine environment, quality of life and businesses. Florida Conservation Voters reminds us, “Democracy isn’t a spectator sport; it requires participation to work.” It also cautions that “Legislators regularly sponsor bills that seek to limit, restrict or hinder many of the principals we hold most dear.”

A case in point: This past session a bill was passed by both chambers that would make it much more difficult for voters to exercise their constitutional right to pass a citizen’s imitative. I don’t know about you, but I want to have the ability to pass a ballot initiative if necessary to protect my property, my business and the marine environment that has sustained me for the past three decades.

If there’s a bright spot in this bleak session, it’s another record year for Everglades funding and other associated water quality projects up and down the coasts, funding made possible by the voter-approved 2014 Water and Land Conservation Amendment (Amendment One). Unfortunately, the Legislature once again severely underfunded the state’s most important suite of land conservation programs, commonly referred to as Florida Forever. The leadership decided to spend only $33 million on a program that had received $300 million for decades.

We as citizens of a barrier island surrounded by water cannot afford to let this become yet another out of sight, out of mind event. Legislators are touting the $3 million a year that was allocated to study red tide for the next five years. Those familiar with the causes and effects know that the real answer is to limit the nutrients that fuel severe and extended blooms.

Unfortunately, interests opposed to addressing the root cause because of financial impacts continue to sway legislators. Meanwhile, the blooms are more frequent and severe and will cost us far more in the future for our failure to act now in any significant way. While the bay and Gulf have a remarkable ability to recover, my three-plus decades point to a diminishing resource that’s less resilient and taking much longer to recover than in the past.

The bottom line is that we have too much at stake to hope for a good result. We all need to lobby our legislators to resist the special interests for which the bottom line is today and next year. They were elected to serve the residents who live, work and raise families here.  There’s an elephant in the bay, one we can’t wish away. Let’s all work together to protect this special place we call home.

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Reel Time: Dragonfly on the Soque

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Reel Time: Dragonfly on the Soque

Reel Time: Dragonfly on the Soque

Written by Rusty Chinnis on . Posted in Fishing, Outdoors, Reel Time.

The mountains of northeast Georgia hold a special appeal for fly fishers and are one of my favorite destinations.

The countryside along the Sautee Valley was a verdant green and veils of mist floated over the rolling foothills as I made my way to Batesville and a rendezvous with my guide, Phil Culver. The early morning air was fragrant with the smell of honeysuckle, privet and wild roses and was, I hoped, an auspicious start to a day of fishing the Soque (pronounced so-qwee) River.

Today Culver was introducing me to a special stretch of the Soque run by Dragonfly, one of the top stretches of the river that regularly yields jaw-dropping double-digit rainbow and brown trout. Dragonfly’s section of the river is one of the South’s best trout fishing destinations, attracting neophyte anglers as well as seasoned fly fishers and past presidents.

We arrived at the river at 8 a.m., donned waders and rigged 5-weight rods for the day’s fishing. After crossing the river on a wooden bridge, we worked our way along a sinuous shoreline that was lined with blooming mountain laurel. After hiking about a quarter of a mile, we entered the river just downstream from a deep seam that undercut a bank and was in deep shade.

Culver carefully fished two small nymphs along the edge of the bank, then drifted them along and under the branch-covered bend. On his third cast he made a quick hook set when his indicator disappeared from the water’s surface and a deep bend in his rod telegraphed that he had a quality fish on.

The rainbow trout revealed its beautiful namesake colors in a jump before making several stubborn attempts to rub the fly free on the bottom. After a number of dogged attempts to lose the fly and two more jumps, we were able to net the trout, take a few quick pictures and release it.

The weather was clear and warm with a bluebird sky and, although the fishing was tough, we were both able to land and release a number of quality fish before we took a break and went to the Batesville Country Store for lunch. One of the pleasures of fishing the Soque is having breakfast before fishing and taking a lunch break at the store. Besides having excellent food, the ambiance fits perfectly with a day on the river.

The afternoon warmed into the 80s, but the temperature along the river was moderated by the shade and the cold flowing water. On days when the fish are not in the mood to bite, having a guide like Culver pays dividends. His 15 years’ experience on the river and a lot of fly changes yielded a number of fish for both of us. When we worked a particular section that he knew held a lot of fish, it would have been easy to doubt him had I not been able to see them with my own eyes. At the end of the day, it was, in a way, even more satisfying to have coaxed a number of fish to the fly when they were not in the mood to feed.

We had been near the end of the season when rising water temperatures prompt owners to begin limiting fishing in order to prevent stressing the big fish. I already have plans to return in October, when cooling waters turn on the trout’s feeding instincts. To experience the fantastic fishing on the Soque contact Phil Culver at 706-768-8922. Check out Dragonfly’s website or call Dave Sutton at 706-768-8800.

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Reel Time: Stripers on the Hooch

Written by Rusty Chinnis on . Posted in Fishing, Outdoors, Reel Time.

The Chattahoochee River has an intimate connection with Florida, one that existed long before I first visited it near its headwaters at Jack’s Knob in northeastern Georgia.

It flows for over 400 miles, merging with the Flint and finally the Apalachicola River at the Florida Georgia border before emptying into the Gulf of Mexico at Apalachicola Bay. Since my first visit nearly 30 years ago, I have enjoyed fishing its upper reaches for rainbow, brown and the occasional brook trout.

Recently, I was introduced to an entirely new fishery by Jimmy Harris, owner of Unicoi Outfitters, and Jeff Durniak, a Trout Unlimited award-winning trout conservationist and Georgia DNR fishery biologist. Striper bass or stripers as they are commonly known are an anadromous (adapted to fresh and saltwater) fish, so in some regions, their upriver spawning migrations led some individuals to become landlocked during lake dam constructions.

Georgia’s Lake Lanier stripers were introduced to control an invasive forage fish. In recent years, abundant rainfall in the southern Appalachians and the subsequent high water has made it possible for populations to travel upstream as far north as the Nora Mill Dam near Helen. As luck would have it, this dam lies right behind Unicoi Outfitters and just 10 minutes from our cabin in Sautee. When I got a text from Harris that he and Durniak were fishing the river for stripers after closing, I jumped at the chance.

While I had heard of fish up to 20 pounds being hooked, I had no idea what to expect. The opportunity to fish with Harris and Durniak was reason enough to don waders that afternoon, but the experience was an eye-opener. We started fishing at the base of the dam at Nora Mill, which forms a barrier to the stripers that migrate up the Chattahoochee from Lake Lanier. This spot, as well as Unicoi Outfitter’s one and a half-mile stretch of the river leading up to it, concentrate the fish on their mission to spawn, search for food and find cooler waters.

I was fishing a seven-weight outfit and a large, flashy baitfish pattern. It only took two casts before I was hooked up with a small striper, and then in quick succession, Harris was hooked up, and then I missed another bigger fish. At Harris’ suggestion, we moved further downriver fishing the deep runs, pools and pockets along the way.

Harris positioned me on a rock that jutted out into the current and showed me how to swing the fly and work it in the swift current. On my third cast, a big striper crashed the fly on the surface and made a downstream run that threatened to have me sprinting after it. Fortunately, I was able to turn him at the last moment, fighting him back upstream from pool to pool. After another two or three spirited runs, we were able to slide the striper up on a shallow ledge where Harris landed and released him. We estimated the fish weighed about 9 pounds.

Stripers on The Hooch
Jeff Durniak holds a striper taken on the Chattahoochee River just below the Nora Mill Dam. – Rusty Chinnis | Sun

I began to fish the same water again but soon became aware of Harris photographing Durniak, his rod doubled on a nice fish. Hurrying just downstream from the dam, I was able to get some good shots of the striper before it was released. I went back to fishing, but the action had slowed and the light was fading from the river. Durniak and I met Harris as he was returning from the base of the dam where he had hooked a fish that he thought was a rock. After tugging on the obstruction a couple of times, it took off and broke him off. Looking back up at the deck at Nora Mill heath, several bystanders indicated with outstretched arms that the fish had been a big one.

I thoroughly enjoyed my time on the river and the unexpected action on the stripers made it even more special. It’s always a treat to experience a new fishery and especially one that’s new to even those anglers living nearby. The run of striper just adds to the special nature of a place already on my top 10 list. This is partly about the quality of the fishing but also the level of expertise and professionalism exhibited by those associated with Unicoi Outfitters. To reach Unicoi Outfitters and experience the excellent fishing visit their website or call 706-878-3083.

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Reel Time: Exploring the Ten Thousand Islands

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Exploring the Ten Thousand Islands

Reel Time: Exploring the Ten Thousand Islands

Written by Rusty Chinnis on . Posted in Outdoors, Reel Time.

It was one of those mornings where time almost stands still, where we wish it would. A light, cool, late spring breeze ruffled the water’s surface as it swirled and eddied around mangrove islands festooned with oyster and barnacle-studded roots.

The morning light was deep and golden and the reflections on the water’s surface enhanced the magic as it moved inexorably towards the Gulf. Moments later, the reverie was broken as a tarpon rolled on the surface along one of the mangrove edges. Putting down the camera, I picked up my fly rod and made a cast to the bubbles that signaled the movements of the submerged tarpon. Counting to 10, I let the fly sink before beginning a staccato retrieve intent on keeping the fly deep in the water column.

On my third strip, the fly suddenly stopped and I set the hook with a coordinated movement of line and rod hands. Moments later a 40-pound tarpon erupted on the water’s surface in an aerial display that was accentuated by the serene surroundings. In a characteristic fight, the fish spent the next few minutes more in the air than the water before spitting the hook in a spectacular scaled rattling leap. It was “a Palm Beach release,” a perfect scenario made even better when a fat, 20-plus-inch trout inhaled the fly as I was retrieving it back to the boat. Two fish on one cast – not a bad way to begin a day deep in Florida’s Ten Thousand Islands.

It had been a challenging early spring as every trip I had planned was interrupted by fronts coursing from the north. Fortunately, my guide, Captain John Hand of Redfish Landing Guide Service in nearby Everglades City, was able to reschedule me. I spent two days with Hand exploring an amazing diversity of habitats. On the first day, after the two fish in one cast episode, Hand took me to a basin deep in the mangroves where I had multiple shots at laid up tarpon, some well over 100 pounds. This is one of the most demanding and sought-after scenarios in fly fishing, one that requires a pinpoint cast to a target that is sometimes only seen as a ghost-like apparition. The cast is even more challenging as the angler has to determine which end of the fish is which, often not apparent in the off-color water.

While I wasn’t able to connect on a number of opportunities, just the experience of casting to triple digit fish in an area that resembled a farm pond was rewarding. In just over two hours we saw and cast to a dozen tarpon, several cruising sharks and a tripletail.

On the second day, the wind was up at the approach of yet another front so we elected to fish north amid the protection of the mangrove islands. Although the tarpon proved elusive we connected with a number of snook on eight-weight outfits along the mangrove-ringed islands. Towards the end of the day I did manage to have an almost perfect presentation to a large laid up tarpon. Unfortunately, I made my cast to the wrong end of the fish and watched as the tarpon spooked and swam away. We were scheduled to fish the next day but the forecast of 20-25 mph winds with the approaching front caused us, wisely, to reconsider.

Captain John Hand fishes the saltwater from Marco Island south to the Everglades and has his Hell’s Bay Guide customized with an innovative leaning post that is both comfortable and stabilizing for his anglers. He targets mainly redfish, snook, tarpon and trout but also takes advantage of the myriad variety of other species that swim these rich coastal waters. Anglers looking for a different experience can explore the freshwater canals that crisscross the Everglades with Hand. He has explored these areas and divined the habits of a broad range of species, from baby tarpon to black and peacock bass.

If you haven’t explored this part of Florida, you couldn’t find a better guide than Hand to introduce you. He can be reached by calling 239-842-7778.

Reel Time: When opportunity meets preparedness

Written by Rusty Chinnis on . Posted in Fishing, Outdoors, Reel Time.

Out there!  It’s where we all want to be, and where we get so few chances to actually spend time. Whether it’s stalking permit in Belize, poling a flat in Florida for tailing redfish, wading into the northeast surf for stripers, or casting for sea-run rainbows on the west coast, we actually spend more time wishing than fishing. When we do get a chance to pursue our passion, we face the unpredictable forces of a whimsical natural world that can send us hurricanes, fronts, wind storms, clouds and floods. Golf anyone?

While the world of fishing in general, and fly fishing in particular, presents us so many challenges, it’s just these tests that make it so appealing. That’s why we stalk fish with these inventive combinations of feathers, fur, synthetics and tinsel. The excitement of making a presentation to a feeding game fish, fooling it into taking a fly, and then feeling the elemental power transferred through graphite and cork makes all the preparation, time, money and past disappointments moot.

Reel Time Preparedness
If you pursue permit, the “Holy Grail” of fly fishing, you’ll have to be prepared to fish in the wind on open flats. – Rusty Chinnis | Sun

With so many unavoidable pitfalls facing the fly angler there is often a propensity to just hope for the best, and then take what the gods give you. How many of us have waited for months to take that trip of a lifetime, had perfect conditions and then found our casting abilities no match for our prey?  The old saying that luck is “opportunity meeting preparedness” is especially true for fly fishers. Why not develop the mindset that everything you do, (on the water and off), contributes to turning odds into opportunities?

Preparation comes in many forms, and the most important components are practiced throughout the year. By being prepared, I mean having your tackle in top form, as well as knowing how to tie proper knots and flies that imitate the food of your prey. Casting skills are developed over a lifetime, and practice should not be saved for fishing trips, or even the days leading up to a trip. The best practice is on grass, throwing to targets (dinner plates or hoops) placed at different distances. Don’t make the mistake of judging your casting ability by how long a line you can throw. Learn to make a tight, accurate 40-foot cast first, and then work on distance.

While I’ve been privileged to learn from some of the industry’s leading experts over the years, I’ve also found that perhaps the best instructor has been experience. One of the first and most important lessons I’ve learned is to see the wind as friend not foe. If you’re new to the game, don’t put off a fly fishing trip because the wind is daunting. I’ll never forget my first trip to the Bahamas when I was face to face with a large school of bonefish just 40 feet away…. into a 25 mph headwind! All those days of avoiding the wind meant that I didn’t have the skills to get the fly to them!  Now I can appreciate the windy days because I know that if I can surmount the challenge I can benefit from the conditions. I know that fish are far less spooky and will more readily take the fly I put in their path and that waves on a riffled surface can provide windows into the water.  As a bonus, if I can make a good presentation into a 15-knot wind I’ll be golden on those rare days when the wind is in my favor.

Mental preparedness is equally important and often overlooked. Having the proper mental attitude is a critical skill of top fly fishers. Visualization, or guided imagery, is an art that is practiced extensively by all top athletes but is seldom mentioned in fly fishing. It’s the ability to form a mental picture of the outcome you desire by seeing the quarry in exquisite detail and imagining yourself making the perfect presentation, setting the hook, feeling the line and the pressure on the rod as the fish streaks for the horizon. The “top guns” know how to make a plan and visualize their outcome. They’re prepared when an opportunity presents itself as “luck.” So the next time you have a chance to go fishing don’t let the wind dissuade you. The fishing might actually be better and at the worst, you’ll get some practice that will pay dividends in your fishing future.

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Reel Time: Mentors chart course

Written by Rusty Chinnis on . Posted in Fishing, Outdoors, Reel Time.

Fly fishermen and fishermen, in general, are always seeking ways to improve their enjoyment of the sport. And while that ultimately boils down to learning ways to be more successful at catching fish, it’s not really numbers that drive a fly fisher’s passion. It’s more personal than that. If it were a numbers game, we would still be fishing with live bait and waiting for the fish to find us. Our path to success is paved with mentors and milestones that redefine our personal passage through a life of fly-fishing. It’s experiencing and seeking to understand the natural world and the fish that swim its waters that makes the fly fishing journey so special.

I first picked up a fly rod over 30 years ago, and over three decades I’ve had many memorable days on the water. When I look back, some of my fondest memories are not about the fish that I’ve caught but the people I’ve met along the way, the personalities I’ve encountered, and the friendships fostered. Fly fishers seem to possess a quality that attracts, entertains and enlightens us. No matter where you are in your evolution as a fly angler, I’m sure you’ve had or will have the same experiences.  Over my years of fishing, one of the most charismatic individuals I’ve encountered in my time fly-fishing was a Belizean named Lincoln Westby.

I met Westby over a decade ago on a blustery morning in March outside my motel in Hopkins, Belize. Due to a strong cold front that had blown through the day before, my transfer to his Blue Horizon Lodge had been delayed. When he asked if I was going to the lodge, I wasn’t sure if he was a guide, the owner, or merely a taxi driver. Little did I know that this unassuming man would, in less than a week, teach me more about permit fishing than I had assimilated in over 10 years of stalking this “holy grail” of fly fishing.

Westby’s spry demeanor and sparkling eyes belied his six-plus decades. A Belizean by birth, he has fished the coastal waters of Belize since he was a child. He began his fishing career as a commercial diver and fisherman before following his brothers Joel and David as guides to American spin anglers in the late 60s. Except for a stint in the British Army from 1961 to 1967, and two years working on a research ship in Bermuda, he has dedicated his life to learning the ways of the permit, tarpon and bonefish. After working as a guide and manager at nearly every lodge on the Belize coast, Westby had the passion to have his own lodge. With the help and counsel of Will Bauer (now deceased), a longtime permit angler and former Belize lodge owner, the vision of the Blue Horizon Lodge was born.

Reel time Lincoln Westby
Lincoln Westby poses with a permit he enticed to the fly after five refusals. – Rusty Chinnis | Sun

Westby and his common-law wife Pearline leased a small mangrove island from the government with an option to buy. The island was inundated with water on high tides and it took over six months and more than 10,000 boatloads of sawdust and sand to create enough upland to build the first building. Finally, in 1997, Bauer brought the first group of anglers to the lodge and Westby’s dream became a reality.

On my trip to the Blue Horizon, I had the good fortune to pick a week when Bauer was at the Lodge, and I was able to fish with Westby on six consecutive days. Each day, I was immersed in an endless world of multi-dimensional coral patch reefs that hosted school after school of permit. And while there were few spells of more than forty-five minutes between fish, it was Westby’s intimate knowledge of the terrain and the permit that held me spellbound.  I fished four and one-half days, (and spent a day observing and photographing Bauer and Westby) and landed five permit. The number of opportunities was phenomenal, and while these permit were less pressured than in other locations I’ve fished, that didn’t change their basic nature.

Westby fished by the tides (high rising, high and high falling) and not by time. Keen eyes allowed him to slow motor along the edge of flats looking for fish.   A mentor takes you to a new level, reminds you of the complexity of the natural world, and feeds your desire to learn.   On the day I photographed Westby, he left the boat to stalk a school of feeding permit and I was able to experience a master at work. He made a high looping cast that sent the fly softly to the water’s surface just two feet short of the feeding fish. Not once, but five times, the permit rushed the fly only to turn off at the last minute. Each time Westby waited (when I would have attempted to set the hook) until the fish had just turned off the fly, and then gave a three-inch strip that teased the fish back to the fly. On the fifth look, the permit took the fly.

If I had to condense the knowledge I learned in my days with Westby into a short paragraph, it would be that permit are moody, and every presentation and opportunity will be influenced by many factors. The angler must judge the mood of the fish, know where the fly is at all times, and take into account the tides, weather, availability of food, wind, the structure of the bottom, sun angle and much more. Permit fishing is incredibly demanding, and therein lies its appeal. Quantum leaps in fly fishing can be built up with years of experience, or on occasion, by having the good fortune to learn from a mentor. It keeps it fresh and vital and makes us keen for our next adventure.

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Reel Time: Clear water hides looming problem

Written by Rusty Chinnis on . Posted in Environment, Fishing, Outdoors, Reel Time.

The red tide is gone! I don’t know anybody that isn’t elated that the most recent harmful algae bloom is absent from local waters. Cross any bridge, look out at the bay and you’ll be convinced that all is well. The water is clear and there are large areas of flats that appear covered with seagrass.

Unfortunately, things are not what they seem. While it’s true that the water in the bay is crystal clear, this same clear water is revealing what may be a “ticking time bomb.” Large areas of Sarasota Bay, even some close to the passes and enjoying daily flushing, are choked with algae. The clear water also affords a look into the bay and my experience over the last few weeks has been discouraging. In areas that are generally flush with mullet, you could sit and count off the minutes without seeing one of the ubiquitous fish jump. There are signs of recovery, as bait enters the bay and mullet are again starting to make an appearance. Still, after dealing with red tide events since the early 80s this is one of the slowest recoveries I can remember.

If there’s a “proverbial” pony anywhere, it’s that people who in the past quickly reverted to the “out of sight, out of mind” school of thought, are asking important questions. When Realtors and developers realize that the price of inaction on water quality incurs a serious cost we may be finally rounding a corner towards awareness.

The first line of defense lies with our local politicians who enact the laws that protect our water, air and land. Let’s not forget that they work for us. Unfortunately, the public, and I include myself, has not been as engaged as they need to be in this decision-making process. Hopefully, that’s changing. Residents of Manatee County need to get behind commissioners who are working to address water quality issues. They are currently tackling the need to establish a dedicated source of funding to improve water quality. Residents are encouraged to learn about this initiative and get involved in assuring that common sense rules, regulations and infrastructure support us economically as well as protecting the quality of life that we enjoy.

Still, with the apparent “new will” and understanding of the problem in Tallahassee, there is resistance to doing the “right thing.” A good example is legislation that Manatee County state Rep. Will Robinson has introduced, with a companion bill by state Sen. Joe Gruders of
Sarasota, to monitor and inspect septic tanks, thought to be a leading problem in water pollution. The bills would require the state health department to identify all onsite systems in the state and compile that information in a database. Beginning in 2022, the bill would require onsite systems to be inspected at least once every five years unless the system is covered by an operating permit.

What appears to be common sense legislation is being intensely lobbied by entities like state restaurant and homeowner associations. The arguments seem to be the same – that the bill would be too expensive and cause economic hardship to the interested parties. What’s missing from this reasoning is the understanding that not addressing these issues will actually be more expensive for those that oppose it, not to mention future generations of Floridians. It’s time that we all take a more proactive role in addressing these critical issues.

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Reel Time: Innovators – Architects of modern saltwater fly tackle, part 2

Written by Rusty Chinnis on . Posted in Outdoors, Reel Time.

Many of us take the tackle we fish with for granted, but it wasn’t long ago that anglers didn’t have the choices we have today. In the early days of saltwater fly fishing, there were no pre-made rods available, anglers had wrapping machines and would build their own rods from blanks made by US Fiberglass. Lefty Kreh and Flip Pallot remember how they would take a blank, wrap the guides, glue the individual cork rings, turn and sand them on lathes and head to the street to try them out. It was a common practice to make a few casts, find the rod too whippy or a guide that trapped line, and immediately break them apart and rebuild them. By constantly experimenting with different guides, blanks, and other components, they essentially advanced the technology of rod building. Many of the spin and plug casting rods they also built gave them ideas that they incorporated into fly rods. Companies like Shakespeare and Fenwick were aware of these pioneering anglers, who competed for 12 months of the year and had representatives like Ben Hardesty work closely with them, making the new innovations in rod design available to a larger angling public.

Reel Time: Innovators - Architects of modern saltwater fly tackle, part 2
In the early days, there were no pre-made rods. – Rusty Chinnis | Sun

Fly reels were also very basic and required constant refinements to handle the rigors of the salt. The Pflueger Medalist, Taurus, Hardy, Zenith and Rogue reels of the day required anglers to modify the inadequate drags and spools to fight and land the big fish they encountered. Some had metal drags (Rogue), while others used clickers (Hardy) and had drag adjustments in the handles (Taurus and Rogue). One of the solutions they discovered was to use greases with different viscosities on the center post of a reel in order to defeat the friction and subsequent heat developed when fighting big fish. Never Seize, used on the shafts of a ship’s propeller, was one of the products Kreh remembers using. Pallot recalls the automotive product STP having the perfect viscosity, with the addition of a few drops of gasoline. Time and time again it would be an angler from one of the fly clubs (fishing for a MET record) that would come up with an innovation that would advance the sport. One of the fishermen’s favorite gathering places, where many of the new ideas were discussed, was Mel Shapiro’s fly shop on Bird Road in South Miami.

Fly lines of the day had advanced from the days when they were spun by hand from horsehair in a Cortland factory. The invention of nylon created stronger tapered lines that were coated with PVC. By 1954, Leon Martuch (Scientific Anglers) had patented a device to vary the coating on level fly line cores and followed with the addition of micro-balloons in the early 60s which allowed the line to float.

A big problem for fly anglers was finding a fly line to match to their rods and reels. At the time, lines were not standardized. Fly anglers had to own many different lines for the various species they targeted. Cortland, Shakespeare, and Sunset all made lines the anglers used but in those days, there was no rhyme or reason to the weights and tapers. Myron Gregory, a leading tournament fly caster from San Francisco, was responsible for suggesting a standardized system. He recommended using numbers to determine line size instead of the confusing line lettering system that was in use at the time. Lefty remembers the long passionate letters Gregory would write to him, Pallot, Ted Trueblood, Al McLane and others, extolling the virtues of a line system. He also marshaled the outdoor writers of the time to pressure the line and rod manufacturers to adopt the system. Gregory was a true pioneer and one of the first anglers Lefty remembers who used a shooting head. At the time, fly anglers could never just take a fly line from the package and fish with it. Every line available had to be modified to the particular use for which it was intended. Anglers would make the heads and tapers longer or shorter, and splice in different size running lines. Pallot remembers that at the time, all running lines, despite the fly line size, were standardized. In order to create the line he preferred, he would splice a product called “Amnesia” to the line. At that time all monofilament line, according to Lefty, was as kinky as a coil spring. “Amnesia,” which had less memory, could be stretched and straightened into an effective running line.

In the early 60s, Pallot and his friends would fish for tarpon off the bridges in the Keys. In those days, as today, the fish would lie in the shadow lines and wait for food to be swept to them by the tide. The big difference was that it wasn’t uncommon for tarpon to swim 20 feet to inhale one of the “chicken feather” creations the anglers cast. Because they lost so many fly lines to the bridge fenders, Pallot and his angling buddies would create their own lines. They would stretch 500-pound monofilament line beside a G2AF fly line and sand in the taper with Emory cloth. At the time they didn’t realize that it was the weight of the line as well as the taper that really mattered. As always, they innovated with the materials they had on hand.

While technology played a big role in the advancement of fly tackle and techniques from the 1950s to the present, it was the often-unheralded competitive anglers that spurred the creation of the tackle we enjoy today. Modern saltwater fly anglers owe a debt of gratitude to Kreh, Pallot and the men and women who continue to add to our collective knowledge. The next time you make a successful cast to a school of tarpon you’ll have a new appreciation for the line that effortlessly unrolls into the twenty-knot wind, the silky smooth drag and the bend of the rod as the line rooster-tails to the horizon.

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