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Reel Time: Scallop Search Aug. 24

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

Sarasota Bay Watch’s annual Scallop Search, its signature and longest-standing event, is slated for Saturday, Aug. 24, at the Sarasota Sailing Squadron on City Island. This free event engages the public in what has been called citizen science because it assists scientists with monitoring the scallops in Sarasota Bay. The search is a boating event, but Sarasota Bay Watch (SBW) will try to place non-boaters on boats when possible.

Over the years this event has been conducted in cooperation with other groups in Tampa Bay, Charlotte Harbor and Pine Island Sound to assess the health of scallops in southwest Florida. This year, Sarasota Bay Watch will also be assessing our local clam population after the successful release of 250,000 clams last year. The bay is still recovering from last year’s devastating red tide, so your participation will help answer the question “How’s our bay today?”

Over the last several years, SBW has gotten invaluable support from The Anna Maria Island Sail and Power Squadron (America’s Boating Club of the Bradenton area). The Squadron’s focus is boating education and civic service to groups like SBW. It is currently creating a life preserver loan program for boaters and conducts vessel safety checks.

Janet Razze, the commander of the group, has organized the squadron and other volunteers to monitor Palma Sola Bay and north Sarasota Bay. Razze and the group begin early, actively looking for scallops and clams in a two- to three-week window before the actual event. This allows more people to be involved as it allows them to work around weather and people’s availability. They then have their data ready to share on the 24th. If you would like to participate with the squadron give Razze a call at 941- 779-5477. Participants will still need to go online to register.

To assess populations, a grid is constructed that covers the bay and volunteers snorkel transects for scallops and clams to document their presence. The Scallop Search was originally initiated with support provided by Tampa Bay Watch. The goal of the event is to monitor and document the health and status of scallops, clams and the bay in general. Data goes to the Florida Wildlife Research Institute.

This event is a perfect family activity. Searching requires swimming and snorkeling abilities. It is done over the grass flats usually in six feet of water or less. There will be a complimentary lunch for volunteers after the search at the Sarasota Sailing Squadron on City Island. This is a No Harvest event.

Participants will need to bring a mask and snorkel, sunscreen, water, and (optional) a weight belt. Fins are helpful, and divers should bring a dive flag if they have one. The only other requirements are good eyes and a great spirit! Registration is required, so go to www.sarasotabaywatch.org for more information.

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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 red tide

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: Pothole savvy, Part 2

Reel Time: Pothole savvy, Part 2

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

Last week I wrote about the anatomy of potholes and how to approach them. Depending on conditions, you will want to tailor your strategy when fishing them. When the water is clear enough for you to spot fish, they will often be traveling between holes. When possible, make a cast into the fish’s path with at least a 5-foot lead and let the fly settle to the bottom. As the fish approaches, bump the fly to imitate a baitfish or crustacean that has been surprised. Fish lying right over sand in a pothole are the hardest to make a presentation to. The cast must land far enough away not to be noticed and stripped so the fly doesn’t approach them.

Match flies to whatever forage is most prevalent. Generally speaking, use smaller flies and fish them slower in the winter. In the warmer months, switch to a larger pattern and work it a bit faster. Patterns with lead eyes, like Clousers, are very effective in the winter. In the warmer months try flies that mimic baitfish like the Lefty’s Deceiver, a bend back pattern. Whether you’re fishing from a boat or wading, make an effort to use the elements to your advantage. Keep the sun at your back for the best visibility.

On an incoming tide, fish will naturally stage at the edges of a flat and move into the potholes and slues as the tide rises. If the fish are hard to approach, try stationing yourself in an area where you have a good view of a pothole or series of holes. Stay off to the side in the grass where you’re less visible and keep a low profile.

By staying a long cast away, you can easily see the fish when they enter a hole or pass across the white sandy bottom. By just waiting them out, you can target reds, trout and snook as they wander the flat. It’s important to be able to land the fly line and the fly softly and not rip the line off the water for the next cast. Stand still, be observant and make your casts low and slow. It takes patience but can be very productive.

In most cases, there are few obstructions on a flat allowing you to use a light 6- to 8-weight outfit. Lines and leaders can be varied according to the conditions. On a shallow, clear flat, use a floating line and a long leader. A 12-foot leader with a 30-pound fluorocarbon bite tippet is standard. If the fish are particularly wary, drop down to a 20 or even 15-pound bite tippet. When fishing holes with deeper water, 6 to 8 feet, switching to a sink-tip fly line with a 10-foot leader might be more productive.

Potholes on a flat concentrate fish for fly anglers. They provide cover for predators and a way for them to enter and exit a flat. Learn to fish them according to their unique topography, the time of the year, tides and local conditions, and they’ll consistently provide action to the savvy angler.

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Reel Time: Fly fishing strategy – pothole savvy

Written by Rusty Chinnis on . Posted in Archives.

Fly fishing is a sport that rewards the angler who carefully considers his prey and pays attention to the conditions and terrain that they inhabit. For anglers who regularly fish the flats, potholes are a prime area where every species of inshore fish can be targeted. Potholes provide an advantage to both the angler and the fish that can be exploited to the angler’s advantage. Potholes are generally defined as clear sandy depressions in grass flats that are devoid of vegetation. Their contours attract both fish and the prey they feed on. In reality, of course, most potholes are a combination of sand and grass. If you carefully examine them, you’ll find sand in the deepest section and grass on the borders.

Fish that take up station in these depressions are often found on the grass perimeter where they are less visible to prey. Quite often fish will wander between holes, staying just inside the edges or seams. At other times they can be seen right over the sand in the middle of the hole.

Not all potholes are created equal. Some will be almost perfectly round and shallow, while others are oblong and deep. Many of these depressions are man-made, but others are created by tidal action or even scouring by boats. Extreme low tides are excellent for scouting areas to fish. When the bottom is exposed the topography can be closely examined. Look for birds feeding on a flat with potholes. The same food they’re feeding on will attract game fish when the flat is covered with water.

Potholes can be fished either from the boat or wading. If the water is clear, fish on a shallow flat can be very spooky. Gin clear water in the winter and spring often necessitates getting into the water for a stealthier approach. When fishing from a boat, a long accurate cast is a real asset. There will be times when the wind is up and the water is off color and a cast of 40 feet or less will be all that’s required.

More often than not, an accurate 60-plus-foot cast will be needed for any measure of success.

When poling a flat, both the angler and the guide must be as quiet as possible. It’s important to make sure the pole doesn’t hit the side of the boat and enters and exits the water without making a splash. Pole extremely slowly in very shallow water as fish are sensitive to the pressure wave a boat pushes.

Many anglers are not aware, but simply moving your feet on the deck or platform can spook fish. Another mistake rooky anglers make is rocking the boat with their casts. When fish are spotted, take time to plan your attack and don’t let a high waving rod alert your prey to your presence. Keep the rod low and behind you so you can launch a quick side arm cast.

As you scan the flats and potholes, pay attention to any movement on the periphery of your vision. Fish that are stationed over grass on a pothole may give their presence away with only a shadow or subtle movement of their mouth or fins.

Reel Time: Fly fishing strategy - pothole savvy
Try using Google Earth to find and explore potholes when you’re not on the water. – Google Earth

Wading gives you an advantage but a stealthy approach is equally as important. Small flats with potholes can be completely blown if you motor too close, slam hatch lids, or toss an anchor. Advance quietly, poling at least the last 100 yards to the area you intend to fish. Stakeout or anchor well away from the action. Slip into the water and approach potholes slowly. Move too fast and your body will create a pressure wave that the fish will sense.

If the visibility isn’t great, or you’re fishing early or late, and can’t see fish, target the edges where grass and sand meet. The edge seams are perfect ambush spots for the predators you’re targeting. Start with presentations about 2 feet outside the sandy area.

Make sure you target the deep grassy ends of the potholes. These areas can be very productive and always warrant a couple of casts. After working the edges of the holes and the seams, begin casting into the sandy areas. Fan the hole with casts to cover them completely and vary your retrieve.  If a quick strip doesn’t produce, try slowing down and working the fly close to the bottom.

Next week we’ll look at some additional strategies and see how conditions in the winter can improve your odds as we move into spring.

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Pulitzer Prize-winning author to speak

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

There has never been a more important time for residents of our Gulf coast region to understand the importance of the resource that brought us to the area and that fuels both our passion and our economy. This March, we’ll have the opportunity to learn about the history of our coast, the forces that shaped it and the threats that have transformed it from Pulitzer Prize-winning author Jack Davis.

Jack Davis’s new novel, “The Gulf, The Making of An American Sea” is the grand, sweeping history of the whole Gulf of Mexico that can give insight into the need to protect the natural bounty we are surrounded by. Davis, a history professor at the University of Florida, won the Pulitzer Prize for history in 2018 and will be on hand at The Seafood Shack on Thursday, March 14 at 6 p.m. for a Fishing for Our Future fundraising event for the Florida Maritime Museum in Cortez.

Pulitzer Prize-winning author to speak
Participants at the Seafood Shack fundraising event will get a chance to meet the Pulitzer Prize-winning author while supporting the Florida Maritime Museum in Cortez. – Submitted

The dinner and author talk are a tremendous opportunity to learn from and ask questions of one of the most engaging authors I’ve read in many years. As I mentioned in a book review in a prior column, I have been captivated with the beauty and the fish that surround us and reading “Gulf” has expanded my vision of the coastal resources we are blessed with and given me the insight to see it with new eyes. For me reading “The Gulf” shined a brighter light on what we have, what we’ve lost and the importance of protecting it.

From the geological beginnings to the present day, we learn the history of the nearly 8 million acres and the native Americans that first inhabited it, followed by the Spanish explorers, the French, British and Cubans. The descriptions of the vast schools of fish and flocks of birds that would blacken the sky hint at the incredible diversity and density of marine life and wildlife that once inhabited the Gulf and its estuaries.

Davis recounts how the tarpon, not warm weather and white sand beaches, brought the first tourists to Florida. The great silver fish was the impetus that introduced wealthy adventurers, artists and, indirectly, a wave of tourists to the Gulf coast. The influx of humans into the Gulf region in the 1800s began a period of intense exploitation that continues to this day.

Davis recounts records of armed passenger tourists on the Ocklawaha River that shot birds and wildlife indiscriminately for sport. At the same time, the plume trade was responsible for the killing of huge numbers of birds Gulf-wide. During this same period, the harvesting of eggs from seabird nests exacerbated the decline of the once-vast flocks of birds. Davis paints a picture with words that makes it hard to overstate the effects of this dark period. Fortunately, the resulting outcry from conservationists and birders resulted in the creation of 51 bird sanctuaries and the founding of the National Audubon Society. Passage Key at the mouth of Tampa Bay is one of those sanctuaries.

As the history of the Gulf unfolded, the exploitation moved from birds to oil and then chemicals that devastated the coastal estuaries of Louisiana and Mississippi. Davis recounts the effects of pulp mills, oil spills and hurricanes before the rush of development that resulted in massive dredge and fill operations. “The Gulf” serves as a cautionary tale of the importance of protecting, preserving and enhancing the place we call home. The opportunity to meet Davis in person is one not to be missed.

For sponsorship and ticket information, visit The Florida Maritime Museum online. Ticket prices start at $45 and all proceeds up to $34,000 will be matched and benefit The Florida Maritime Museum.

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Reel Time: Clams restored to Manatee County waters

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Reel Time: Clams restored to Manatee County waters

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

Sarasota Bay Watch capped a two-year clam restoration effort in January. Despite windy conditions and a choppy bay, board members and volunteers placed 7,000 pounds, or about 52,000 clams, at two sites in Manatee County. This brings the total to just over 250,000 clams placed as a part of the restoration project.

At one of the sites, the water was crystal clear and Al Jeffrey and diver Ian Kayea, an underwater videographer and Scuba Quest employee, got excellent footage of the clams in their new home.

Sarasota Bay Watch has a second round of about 750,000 clams growing as we speak under the watchful eye of Curt at the Bay Shellfish hatchery.

While much of the restoration has been focused on sites in Sarasota County, SBW President Steve Martin made it clear that the nonprofit is dedicated to restoring clams to all the waters of Sarasota Bay.

“Sarasota Bay extends to all of Manatee County’s bay waters from mid-Longboat Key to Tampa Bay. In 2019, we’ll be introducing more clams to Manatee County waters and holding events there like the Sister Keys clean up and island invasive plant control in conjunction with Longboat Key Public Works,” Martin said.

“Sarasota Bay Watch is a grassroots, nonprofit, citizen-based organization dedicated to preserving and restoring Sarasota Bay’s ecosystem through education and citizen participation. SBW would like to thank Reef Innovations, Gold Coast Eagle Distributing, Sarasota Sailing Squadron, and their many wonderful volunteers for making the restoration effort possible,” he added.

Sarasota Bay Watch works with a set of core values to guide their activities. Their goal is to initiate innovative and effective action grounded in selfless and comprehensive planning to assure the sustainability of Sarasota Bay, its stakeholders and all its inhabitants.

Action

It is our objective to establish collaborative relationships with other environmental organizations, scientists and NGOs. We strive to forge partnerships that allow Sarasota Bay Watch to accomplish its goals while enhancing the effectiveness of every person and group that benefits from the natural assets of the Bay system.

Commitment

We are committed to accomplishing our mission because of a shared love of the estuarine environment, knowing full well that it supports our economy, our health and an ineffable legacy for future generations. It is our belief that sustainable ecosystems are essential for the well-being of human communities, and that our goals can be accomplished through citizen action that is guided by sound science.

Integrity

Sarasota Bay Watch is committed to openness and honesty, fostering a culture of sincerity and trust. We strive to attain tangible and measurable results through relationships and methods that hold to the highest ethical and financial standards.

Respect

We vow to respect the opinions of our members, volunteers, donors and co-workers.  We will also respect the views of those with whom we may disagree, and strive to reach consensus through dialogue, transparency and collaboration.

Sustainability

We believe a sustainable ecosystem to be one that most closely resembles its natural state absent of human influences and, to the greatest extent possible, one that maintains its balance of species and habitat quality in harmony with human communities. This requires both the education and active stewardship of our human communities.

You can become an active participant by joining as a member and volunteering in Sarasota Bay Watch’s on-going effort to protect and restore this valuable natural resource. Donate your time or help fund our efforts at our website.

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Reel Time: A new direction for Florida’s marine environment

Written by Rusty Chinnis on . Posted in Archives.

At a press conference Jan. 10 at Mote Marine Laboratory, Florida’s new Republican governor, Ron DeSantis, announced some sweeping changes to the way his administration will handle Florida’s mounting water crisis.

The actions announced in the first two days of his term have been heralded by anglers, environmentalists and many Democrats. In an executive order signed that same day, DeSantis indicated he would be expanding efforts by increasing environmental funding, relying on sound science and pushing for quick action on Everglades area restoration.

In another action, he requested the resignation of the entire South Florida Water Management District board.

The specifics of the order call for $2.5 billion over the next four years for Everglades restoration and water resource protection, a $1 billion increase over what was spent the prior four years. Other key features include the creation of the Office of Environmental Accountability and Transparency and the Office of Resilience and Coastal Protection, both within the Department of Environmental Protection.

I think it’s important to applaud the governor for these long overdue actions while keeping a close eye on what follows with the Republican-controlled Legislature that has been closely aligned with agricultural interests that have been blamed for much of the runoff that may be fueling both the red tide and blue-green algae.

reel time DeSantis
Gov. Ron DeSantis announces his resolve to follow through with his campaign promise to address Florida’s water crisis. He is flanked by, from left, Mote’s Dr. Michael Crosby and Hell’s Bay Boat Company owner Chris Peterson. – Rusty Chinnis | Sun

My main concern is the apparent change of course for a politician who, as a senator, consistently voted against sound environmental policy. True, DeSantis made the environment of Florida and the much-publicized red tide and blue-green algae threat the centerpiece of his campaign and is apparently following through with that promise. Looking for a valid explanation one doesn’t have to go too far. While all red tides are bad for businesses on Florida’s west coast (and occasionally the east coast), this episode finally got the attention it deserves as influential businesses, including developers, real estate agents and the $82 billion-dollar tourist industry felt the impact. While these actions are long overdue and the right thing to do, it’s also a wise political move.

I’ve fished local waters since the early 80s and have seen firsthand the slow but steady decline of many of our fisheries. True, there have been some bright spots as local governments have worked to control storm and sewage releases, and groups like the Coastal Conservation Association have lobbied for change.

But a look at Florida’s history really brings home the extent of what we’re losing and what has been lost. This past year, books I’ve read have helped me see the place where I’ve lived for four decades with new eyes. Jack Davis’ “Gulf, The Making of An American Sea,” Michael Grundwald’s “The Swamp, The Everglades, Florida, and The Politics of Paradise” and “A Land Remembered” by Patrick D. Smith, showed me a once-resplendent Florida that few can imagine.

It’s an age-old problem as people have come to Florida over the decades and are enchanted by its natural beauty. Compared to other more compromised areas of the country some see no problem in sacrificing a few mangroves and natural habitat in the name of progress. When we have lived here for a while, we begin to see the effects of this gradual compromise as new residents arrive not having that same experience.

It’s unfortunate that the environment had to get to the condition it’s in to effect change, but maybe this time will be different. All Floridians should applaud the governor and support him in efforts to protect our water, air and natural assets. We should also be vigilant and hold our politicians to the task of protecting our most valuable assets. Stay tuned!

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Reel Time: The miracle of Matlacha

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

Matlacha is a piece of Old Florida that has been spared, in large part, because it isn’t situated on the Gulf of Mexico. That may be important to a lot of snowbirds, but to anglers, it’s situated in one of the most productive estuaries in Florida. Still, weather can play a critical part in an angler’s success, and that was the case as a warm Indian summer had dissolved into a sudden cold front. Fortunately, Captain Joe Harley had encountered these conditions before and only had to access his memory bank from years past to come up with a plan.

After a long search, Harley spotted a large concentration of mullet on a flat near Deer Stop Key. He looks for the mullet because he knows that redfish usually accompany them. Rick Hess, who’s fly had for the most part gone unmolested during our morning search for fish, was the first to notice the swirl and nervous water that often indicate the presence of redfish. Making a cast to the area, he hooked a red that quickly took him into his backing. Hess was fishing a gold spoon fly, an attractor pattern Harley prefers for reds when he’s not sight fishing. After a short but intense fight, we were able to lead the red to the boat for a picture and quick release.

Harley’s favorite patterns when sight fishing include deer hair streamers, clousers and seaducers. Waters in the fall, winter and spring are generally clear enough to sight cast to reds, although that wasn’t the case that first day. At times, schools of mullet and redfish can cloud up the water in the areas where the redfish are prowling for crabs and small fish. Under these conditions, sight fishing can be tough. This is the time to blind cast into the murky water or cast to disturbances or nervous water.

When the first intense cold fronts hit southwest Florida the high winds and temperature drops will shut down the tarpon fishing on the open flats.  Most of the baby tarpon that leave the flats and retire to their winter haunts can be found in deep man-made canals. Fortunately, many of the wintering spots are protected bays and backcountry lakes with muddy bottoms that hold fish through the winter. The large resident tarpon retreat to either the rivers or just deeper waters. Fronts or fall and winter warm spells can provide sight fishing for large laid up tarpon.

Over the two days, we fished conditions that went from extremely challenging to passable and with the years of experience at his disposal, Harley put us on tarpon, redfish and a big snook. These were a couple of days I might have passed on had they not been planned months in advance. As it turned out, Harley transformed lemons into lemonade.

Harley’s skiff was built by a Pine Island native boat builder and lifelong friend. His boat is extremely wide, stable and has a very shallow draft. The design allows Harley to run and fish in waters from Matlacha Pass (including Pine Island, Useppa and Charlotte Harbor) to Boca Grande. Harley can be reached at 239-443-7412.

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reel time Seagrass

Reel Time: Sarasota Bay seagrasses take a big hit

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

I don’t have to remind anyone of the devastation the red tide wrought in our bays and Gulf. Images of dumpsters stuffed with fish, dead dolphins, manatees and sea turtles have filled the news and been displayed across social media for the last four months.

What we don’t see and what as yet may prove to be the most damaging aspect is the death and dieback of seagrasses. These underwater ecosystems have been referred to as the rainforests of the sea and function to support the marine environment in numerous ways. Most importantly, perhaps, is their importance to water quality.

“Seagrasses help trap fine sediments and particles that are suspended in the water column, which increases water clarity. When a seafloor area lacks seagrass communities, the sediments are more frequently stirred by wind and waves, decreasing water clarity, affecting marine animal behavior, and generally decreasing the recreational quality of coastal areas.

Seagrasses also work to filter nutrients that come from land-based industrial discharge and stormwater runoff before these nutrients are washed out to sea and to other sensitive habitats such as coral reefs,” Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

Seagrasses unlike much of our sea life are mostly hidden from view. Unfortunately, the old adage, “Out of sight out of mind” might apply here. Just last week, I took my boat out to see first-hand the condition of local seagrasses. What I saw at once encouraged me and gave me pause. I am no scientist and this information is, of course, anecdotal, but from the Sister Keys south to Long Bar in mid-Sarasota Bay, I found large areas of bottom previously covered in grass that were essentially bare. Other areas did have full grass coverage but to my eye looked considerably less vibrant.

The good news is that this grass will recover, and the bare areas probably have living roots that will regenerate when the waters clear and they can properly photosynthesize. Unfortunately, the current condition when extrapolated bay wide portends a marine environment that will be much less productive.

The current condition of the bay and Gulf is undeniably impaired and should be a call to action to all who live near and appreciate this magical resource. Fortunately, the natural world is incredibly resilient and with our help can regenerate.   If you’re looking for a bright spot and an opportunity to help, you don’t have to go far. Sarasota Bay Watch, known for its scallop restoration is now reseeding clams, another dynamic water filterer into Sarasota Bay.

The non-profit will have released close to a quarter million southern hard-shell clams into Sarasota Bay by years end and has ambitious plans for planting a million in 2019. Its efforts were embraced by the public and volunteers community-wide, including corporate partners like Gettel Toyota and Gold Coast Eagle Distributing.

This is what SBW co-president Larry Stults calls “proof of concept” anchored by the fact that its clams survived the current red tide. When you consider that clams can filter close to 50 gallons of water a day and live for 30 years the positive impact of the project is clear. We can make help make that possible. For every dollar donated to Sarasota Bay Watch, it will plant 10 clams in Sarasota Bay. That’s 50 gallons of water a day for just the first year or 18,300 gallons of water. Not bad for a $1 investment. To become involved, visit the organization’s website.

More Reel Time:

Reel Time: Kids for Clean Water

Reel Time: Master your knots

Reel Time: Sarasota Bay Watch clams survive red tide

Reel Time: Kids for Clean Water

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

All of us who live on the Gulf coast have been impacted by the recent red tide and the unprecedented death of dolphins, sea turtles, manatees and fish. It’s easy to get overwhelmed and jaded at the politics and seeming hopelessness of the situation. Living here and having the opportunity to enjoy and explore the region’s bounty fosters a unique appreciation for its riches. A mixed blessing of sorts, it also points out how vulnerable the marine resources are and can cultivate a desire to protect them so future generations can have the same opportunities they’ve had. That was the inspiration for Kids for Clean Water, an organization the goal of which is to give kids a say in the health of the environment they will inherit.

Tracy Freeman, editor of Edible Sarasota Magazine was visibly distraught as she related over lunch last June that her daughter Addy, age 11, had been in tears as she wrote a letter expressing her sadness at the images of dead sea life that permeated the news and social media. They were both looking for a way to make a difference.

“This is important to me because I want kids in the future to have the same experiences that I have enjoyed. If we don’t clean up our water, our wildlife will continue to die. Our sea turtles are dying because of all the plastic in the ocean; we have to stop using plastic straws. I want safe water so I can swim and go fishing with my Dad.” Addy Freeman, age 11.

Dawn Barbour, of Sarasota, expressed the same sentiment when her daughter Sadie related her experiences in school where sea turtles were the subject of their study. The kids were working on a project to educate their parents on the importance of helping turtles and the deaths in the red tide were distressing them. Dawn knew she wanted to do more when she heard Sadie make a comment based on a political ad she had heard on television.

“Kids for Clean Water means helping to save all of our beautiful dolphins, manatees, sea turtles, and fish. We can all do our part to help make sure all do our part to help make sure our waters are clean and healthy for us and for the marine life.” Sadie Barbour, age 9.

John Paul (J.P.) Brooker is well aware of the challenges we face. As the Ocean Conservancy’s Policy Counsel for the Fish Conservation Program, working on marine conservation issues in the southeast is a day job for him. This made him all the more passionate about protecting the waters for his family and future generations. His two daughters are still young, but they too love the beaches and the marine life that they’re just getting to know.

“My daughters are seventh generation Floridians. And as a passionate environmentalist and lover of Floridian wilderness myself, I am committed to instilling in them the sense of duty to be stewards of our states most precious natural resources, especially the watersheds and coastal ecosystems that make Florida such a unique and special place.”

“Since I could walk I’ve been swimming and fishing in Florida water, and I want my girls to be the same – that’s why I am proud to foster the conservationist spirit of my budding Floridian environmentalists, and why I am so excited that we have started up Kids for Clean Water.” J.P. Brooker for his daughters, Anne, 3, and Elizabeth, 4.

When the three met, the chemistry was perfect and led to the formation of Kids for Clean Water. The organization is new and in the process of obtaining their 501 3C non-profit status. They have established an email account, floridakidsforcleanwater@gmail.com, an Instagram account, and a Facebook page.

I don’t have any children, but having been blessed with over three decades on Florida’s west coast, I too want to make sure that future generations have the same opportunities I’ve had. That’s why I’m joining Kids for Clean Water’s efforts to protect and enhance Florida’s marine ecosystem. For the dolphins, manatees, sea turtles, fish and future generations. Will you?

More Reel Time:

Reel Time: Master your knots

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Reel Time: Preparing for fall fishing

Lefty Kreh

Reel Time: Master your knots

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

Fishing tackle and techniques become more technical with each passing year, but some components of the angling experience have never changed. You can own the latest tackle, employ the most refined techniques and chances are you’ll still come up short if you’ve lost sight of the basics.

Learning to tie knots properly may seem the most mundane of your fishing skills, but, rest assured, it’s one of the most important. It may be a small part of the overall fishing equation, but it is one that’s often overlooked. You won’t meet many anglers who haven’t lost a great fish to an improperly tied knot! You don’t need to master a lot of knots, but learning the basic ones and tying them correctly will improve the likelihood of landing that fish you’ve been working so hard to entice.

The best place to learn and practice knots isn’t on the water but at home on the bench. With good instructions, a pair of clippers and an inexpensive spool of line you’ll be able to quickly learn a number of important knots. YouTube is an excellent resource for learning knots that you’ll find valuable when rigging for fishing in the Gulf or the bay. Here are a few of my favorites.

The Bimini twist may take some time to master, but it can be used as a foundation for all saltwater leader systems. The Bimini allows you to double your standing line into a loop, creates 100 percent knot strength and acts as a shock between small line and heavier leader.

An easier knot to tie is the spider hitch, an effective way to double the standing line that doesn’t have the knot strength of the Bimini twist.  That warning aside, I’ve never had one fail.

The surgeon’s knot is one of the easiest knots to tie, is very effective and can be used to tie your leader (under 60 pounds) to the Bimini twist. This is the knot to use when tying two lines of dissimilar diameters together in the dark. The surgeon’s knot is really just an overhand knot tied with two (treat the double Bimini as one line) strands of line. It is one of the most important knots you can learn. You can use this knot on single strands as well.

One knot that I avoided for years but finally mastered is the blood knot. Preferred by most Keys guides for building leaders, this knot has a slim profile that easily slips through the guides of a rod.

The Albright special is an especially useful knot for the coastal angler. This is the knot to tie when you’re rigging for Spanish mackerel or tarpon. It allows you to tie mono to wire without a swivel and lets you join 20-pound line to a 100-pound leader.

The final step is to tie a hook or lure to the leader. The non-slip mono loop is my choice for several reasons: it’s easy to tie, tests near 100 percent and forms a loop that gives bait and lures more range of motion. The knot has a couple of other advantages – it won’t tighten when a fish is hooked, and the tag end comes out facing away from the standing line, which keeps it from picking up weeds or other debris.

There are a few rules that will help you tie reliable knots no matter which ones you choose to use. First, make sure you give yourself plenty of line to make the knot. You use less line in the long run and learning will be a lot less frustrating. You can master the most complicated knots, but if you don’t tie them properly, they all have a high probability of failing.

There are two critical components of any knot. First, they must be wet when they are tightened and second, they must be tightened carefully so there is no chance of them slipping. Knots break when they slip. I use an eye bolt attached to my bench (and a small eye hook on my boat console) to hold the hook, wet the knot and tighten it with a pair of pliers. Follow these rules, tie the knots that work for you and you’ll strengthen the weakest link in your fishing experience.

One of my favorite references is “Fishing Knots,” by Lefty Kreh. It’s spiral bound so it easily stays open to the page you’re studying, and no one I ever met has the wealth of experience of Kreh. You can order the book here. Learn a few of the basic knots, tie them correctly and you’ll add a whole new dimension to your angling experience.

Reel Time: The Zen of fishing

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

The ancient word and concept of Zen have been co-opted to refer to things as diverse as a nail salon and a burger bar. The term comes from (massively oversimplified) a form of Eastern Meditation that stresses mindfulness and meditation but for our purposes, we’ll use the commonly accepted definition “absorption.” How you might ask does an ancient Chinese concept apply to fishing? Let me explain.

Over the years we’ve all noticed that there are more anglers on the water and, in many cases, there appears to be fewer fish to go around. When fish are present, say redfish, they are spookier and harder to approach. Over the years I’ve written about staking out holes on the flats and letting the fish come to you. More and more I’m reminded that this is a good way to find and entice fish as well as making the fishing day more relaxing. It’s amazing what you can notice when you slow down and become absorbed in the experience rather than running from place to place.

Reel Time The Zen of Fishing
This redfish fell for a stealthy, Zen-like approach on a flat in Tampa Bay. – Rusty Chinnis | Sun

I was reminded of this principle during the past month on a trip to the mountains of North Georgia. Over the years I have trout fished a “trophy” trout stream at Smithgall Woods State Park near Helen. The stream, Dukes Creek, is managed by the State of Georgia and anglers in limited numbers are only allowed to fish there three days a week. The park is also an excellent place to bike and during my most recent trip there I did an afternoon of biking on a day when anglers weren’t on the water. Several times I parked the bike near the stream and just sat next to a tree and observed. It only took about five minutes for the section of stream I was sitting by, seemingly devoid of fish when I arrived, to suddenly come alive as smaller and then larger trout swirled into view, taking up stations at the edges of the eddies and along undercut banks. Any other day I would have probably waded into the stream slowly but not mindfully. Then and there I resolved to change my fishing procedure both in Georgia and in the home waters around Anna Maria Island.

Here’s a way of incorporating this principal when fishing local waters. When you find an area you intend to fish be methodical about covering the region. First anchor your boat at least a hundred yards from where you intend to fish. Then try a combination of slow wading and standing in place motionlessly where you have a good view of the flat. It’s critical to make as little noise as possible so don’t rattle the anchor chain or bang around in the boat. Take your time getting to the area you intend to fish. Move slowly to avoid pushing a wake and a pressure wave. When casting start by working the near side of a hole and pay special attention to the ends that generally feature deeper water over grass. Although they tend to be harder to fish, partly cloudy days are generally better than bluebird skies. If it clouds up stand still and wait for a patch of sunshine to light up the flats. Remember fish move around and just because you don’t find them on a particular tide doesn’t mean they won’t show up.

There are no sure things as far as I know but fish or not I’m guessing you will be more relaxed at the end of the day and more insightful. Turn the ancient art form of Zen into a well-reasoned outing. The worst-case scenario? You’ll burn less fuel!

More Reel Time

Reel Time: Yaz Crossing

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Reel Time: Sarasota Bay Watch active during red tide

Reel Time: Yaz Crossing

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

The Gulf and flats that surround Anna Maria Island were just a day’s drive to the south, but they felt a world away as we made our way down the steps at Yaz Crossing to the banks of the Chattahoochee River near Sautee Nacoochee in the north Georgia mountains.

Descending the crooked wooden stairs, fly rods tucked under our arms, our guide Wes McElroy chuckled as he told us how the area got its name. It happened when a local angler nicknamed Yaz took an unplanned swim while fording the river on a cold winter’s day. Now for better or worse, the mishap was forever immortalized.

I was spending the day with my good friend Bob Seeger, a North Georgia transplant from Longboat Key. Whenever my wife, Chris, and I vacation in the area, we set up a fishing trip, a tradition now for over five years. There are many local trout streams in the Georgia foothills and mountains that have a mix of public and private waters.

reel time Unicoi Outfitters
Unicoi Outfitters guide Wes McElroy and Bob Seeger hold two rainbow trout from the waters of the Chattahoochee River. – Rusty Chinnis | Sun

Some, like the stretch of the river we were fishing today, hold trophy trout as well as good numbers of smaller rainbow and brown trout. This trip we were fishing out of Unicoi Outfitters, one of Georgia’s oldest and most respected full-service fly shops.

Once we were by the river, McElroy rigged our five-weight rods with nymph patterns. These flies mimic the aquatic life stage of insects like stoneflies and mayflies that begin their lives in the river. While I have always preferred fishing dry flies, the reality is that most of the time nymphs make up 90 percent of a trout’s diet. The time to switch to dry flies is when the nymphs emerge from the river and fly away as adult insects.

For anglers like me, there is a fallback.  Although experienced anglers can fish nymphs and detect a strike when their fly line pauses or stops, most anglers use a strike indicator.  This consists of a small cork or piece of floating yarn that is tied above the fly. This gives neophyte anglers a more visual reference when a trout picks up the subsurface offering. My fall back was to use a dry fly as an indicator with a nymph suspended below. Whether the fly is rigged below a traditional indicator or a dry fly, the depth the nymph is fished is calculated by approximating the depth of the water and adding 50 percent to the leader.

We started out fishing a run that tailed out in a pool. Wes positioned Bob along the river and then me about 50 feet further upstream. It didn’t take Bob but four casts to hook a beautiful 18-inch rainbow trout. Three casts later and my nymph was taken by a trout a bit smaller than Bob’s. When either of us hooked a fish, Wes was right there to net them. He was also readily available when we got hooked in a tree or tangled our line around the rod. Besides helping with equipment, he was constantly coaching us on how to maximize a drift or pointing out a particular area that would hold trout.

With my new appreciation of nymphing I put what I had learned into practice,  and by being quicker with my hook set, started catching fish on every third or fourth cast. During our afternoon of fishing, we moved no more than four times and probably caught and released 20 plus fish each. The afternoon had started out cloudy with light showers and progressively improved.  When we left the water at five p.m., the sky had cleared and the temperatures dropped to a delightfully cool 65 degrees.

If you are new to the sport or unfamiliar with a stream, I highly recommend a guide. It’s money well spent. Some amazing stream fishing for trout is only a day’s drive away from Anna Maria Island.

If you find yourself in the area, give Unicoi Outfitters a call. They have a  beautifully stocked full-service fly shop with private water on the Chattahoochee right out their door. They can also arrange trips for native shoal bass and striped bass on nearby streams and lakes. Check out their website at www.unicoioutfitters.com.

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Reel Time: Reflections

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Fly fishing the Deschutes

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

The sky was just beginning to lighten as my wife Christine and I crossed the high desert from Bend, Oregon on our way to the Warm Springs Indian Reservation and a rendezvous with our guide Elke Kirk (Littleleaf) and his wife Alysia. The stark buttes and mountains in the distance were silhouetted against a pink horizon, massive and featureless except for the relief of their jagged contours. To the west ,the snow-capped volcano Mount Jefferson framed the surreal landscape. 

I had been investigating the fishing opportunities in advance of our trip to Oregon when I first learned about Elke (pronounced Elk), a Native American guide on the Deschutes, a famous steelhead river that’s a major tributary of the Columbia River. Elke and other Native guides on the reservation have access to 39 miles of the river that’s off limits to other anglers. While the river is best known for its steelhead runs it’s also home to rainbow trout, including a native species known as redsides. These trout are famed for their fighting ability born of the swift currents they spend their lives in.

We met Elke and Alysia in Warm Springs and after transferring equipment to their drift boat we donned our waders and jumped in their truck for the drive to the launch area on the Deschutes. On the way we stopped at a spring that Elke claimed was tested as the second cleanest drinking source in the country. A quick taste confirmed the purity of the clear cold liquid. A few miles down a rough dirt road and we were at the launch spot, hardly more than a clearing in the stream side vegetation. While they were getting the boat launched and prepared I waded the edges of the river with a dry fly and and got several takes that I wasn’t able to connect with.

In conversations prior to the trip I had learned that anglers are not able to fish out of the boat on the Deschutes. When I queried Elke he related that they had almost lost the native population of trout due to anglers dragging them in the swift current while drifting.

Not fishing from the boat meant we passed by many promising shorelines and pockets, instead stopping and wading some of the river’s most productive stretches. The unanticipated advantage was that we were better able to enjoy the awesome scenery on what turned out to be a spectacular day. Instead of hitting one bank and then another, constantly eyeing the river, I was able to sit back and appreciate the buttes, canyons and incredible geological formations that line the river.

On the first stop, Elke set up my seven weight Hardy fly rod with a steelhead fly and positioned me on a gravel bar at the confluence of the Warm Springs and Deschutes River. On my fourth cast, I hooked up to a fish that he thought was a steelhead due to the strong runs it made into my backing. After working the fish from the current into a seam of slower water, Elke was able to bring it to the net. As it turned out it was a native Redsides rainbow that measured close to 20”. According to Elke the fish was a trophy, as the fish average from 13-16 inches.

The balance of the day I fished some of the most beautiful water and scenery I have ever encountered. The sky was blue, the sun warm and both Christine and I reveled in the beauty that surrounded us. As fly fishers know some of the best days, weather wise, can be some of the most challenging and this day was a case study.

While I was able to get some action on smaller trout on dry flies, the Redsides and steelhead proved elusive the rest of the day. That in no way dampened our enthusiasm or enjoyment of the day that ended with an incredible drive over native lands back to “civilization.” The day was an excellent introduction to the Deschutes and a delightful adventure with a native guide. Both Elke and Alysia shared stories of the river, the land and the legends that abound in this wild and remote part of Oregon. This float is recommended for fishers and non-fishers alike as the scenery is spectacular and the river features some exhilarating rapids. Reach Elke at his website or at 541-615-0402.