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Tag: Rusty Chinnis

reel time Casting For Recovery

Casting for recovery

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

The cool air along the Chattahoochee River mingled with the mid-morning sun created a magical backdrop for the female fly fishers as they worked their way along the stream with their guides.

I had arrived in the North Georgia mountains the previous afternoon and was honored to be included with a number of journalists covering a Casting For Recovery Retreat.

The event had started a day prior to my arrival on a Friday afternoon at Smithgall Woods State Park near Helen, Ga. That Saturday, the participants were taught the basics of fly casting, fly fishing and had the opportunity to enjoy a relaxed day in the Blue Ridge foothills.

Casting for Recovery was founded in 1996 in Manchester, Vermont, by a breast reconstruction surgeon and a professional fly-fisher. Awarded 501(c)(3) non-profit status in 1998, Casting for Recovery’s innovative program focuses on improving the quality of life for women with breast cancer, and has garnered endorsements from medical experts nationwide.

I learned about the event from Jimmy Harris, owner of Unicoi Outfitters, a major sponsor of the two-and-a-half-day event. The women were fishing a private stretch of the Chattahoochee managed by Unicoi Outfitters, a favorite fly fishing haunt of mine. Harris, his wife Kathy, his staff of local fly fishing guides and area volunteers were working up and down the river with the participants, exploring the many runs, riffles and pools that hold some trophy-sized brown and rainbow trout.

As I photographed the anglers and their guides, I was struck by the good humor, the spirit and resilience of a group of women who were recovering from one of life’s most devastating challenges. Whether they were strong enough to wade the swift currents or needed to sit in a chair at the water’s edge, these indomitable women were embracing their lives and the camaraderie of their fellow fly fishers on this halcyon day.

At the end of the day’s fishing, everyone had experienced the thrill of hooking, fighting and landing one of the river’s beautiful trout. That afternoon they returned to Smithgall Woods for lunch, an awards ceremony and a slide show highlighting the weekend’s activities.

Casting For Recovery depends on the support and goodwill of business owners like Jimmy Harris, medical professionals and the volunteers that are so critical to the program’s success. They offer 60 retreats across the country, host 800 women each year and have served over 8,000 women to date. The program is free of charge to participants. To learn how you can help, donate or shop in their online store.

Reel Time: Get the most out of spring fishing

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

Spring is definitely in the air. It’s one of my favorite times of the year and one of the most productive for all anglers, whether they fish with fly, artificial lures or live bait. This week and next I will share some tips on getting the most out of spring, something I like to think of as spring training. First and foremost, anglers should realize that the major factors influencing fishing in April and early May will be weather and water temperature. Having said that, here are some suggestions from my friend Capt. Rick Grassett and me that we hope will lead to you maximizing the potential of spring.

Reel Time
Rusty Chinnis caught this trout on a top water plug near Longboat Pass. – Submitted

Grassett has specialized in night snook fishing for 30 years and suggests exploring lighted docks and bridges in the ICW at night. According to Grassett, night snook fishing should be productive with small white flies, like his Grassett Snook Minnow fly. He also recommends the flats, around sand and oyster bars, on points of islands and around docks and bridges close to passes in the ICW.

I would suggest looking for the underwater lights that have been sprouting up from Longboat Key to Anna Maria. The lighted bridge fenders at the passes would also be a good option. I suggest you also look for snook in potholes near the mouth of the Manatee River and on the flats in Terra Ceia, Miguel and Tampa Bays.

Before rains cloud the water, explore the edges of the Manatee River from Tampa Bay to Bradenton. Grassett suggests trying lures like CAL jigs and a variety of plastic tails including the new 4-inch CAL Shad, DOA Baitbusters and Airheads or surface walking top water plugs. I like top water plugs and flies, including crease flies and gurglers, as well as old standbys like the Lefty’s Deceiver and the seaducer.

Tarpon are a passion of both of us, and Grassett says that, depending on the weather and water temperatures, tarpon will become more plentiful this month as resident fish make their way out of rivers and creeks and early arriving migratory fish begin to show along beaches. Water temperature in the Gulf is a key factor with 80 degrees being an optimum temperature.

But that doesn’t mean you won’t encounter a tarpon before that, so our advice is to be ready at all times. Grassett expects resident fish can be found rolling on deep grass flats, laid up on edges of shallow grass flats or along sand bars. Almost 10 years ago, Capt. Randy Fowler showed me laid up tarpon on a deep grass edge in Anna Maria Sound, and I’ve found them there on numerous occasions in April.

Reds and trout will also be more active as the water warms and baitfish become more plentiful. It might not be for everyone, but I occasionally like to target bonnethead sharks and houndfish on the fly. Both bonnethead sharks and houndfish are seasonal visitors to local waters and are best targeted on the sand bars and shoals from Egmont Key to Bean Point. Sight fish them using a small white baitfish pattern for the houndfish and a red and/or orange Clouser or seaducer for bonnet heads. Bend down your barbs (recommended for all fish) so you can remove your hook without coming into contact with either species’ sharp teeth.

Another species that provides anglers with some great action are Jack crevalle. Jacks aren’t good to eat and most anglers consider them a nuisance. Large Jacks can be a formidable adversary, and I’ve found top water plugs and flies to be the most effective. Most any species of bait from shiners to small pinfish will be attacked by foraging Jacks. I like top water whether I’m fishing spin tackle or fly. The noise and commotion attracts and is effective on most every fish that swims local waters and the visual reward of an explosion on the surface is “priceless.”

Grassett suggests looking for Spanish mackerel, blues and pompano in the local passes or on the deep grass flats of Sarasota Bay. The same applies to the approaches to Tampa Bay. False albacore (little tunny), cobia and tripletail will all be present in the coastal Gulf this month from Egmont Key to Big Pass and beyond. The bottom line is that you should get out on the water whenever possible and enjoy the opportunities the season offers. Just think of it as spring training!