January2017 ONTHEFLY Page1

Suncoast Fly Fishers of St. Petersburg

Promoting fly fishing, fly tying, fly casting and marine conservation in a family fun atmosphere

January2017Volume27,Issue1

PresidentGeorgeHaseltine 2Calendar:Meetings&Outings 3PlanningAhead 4News‘n’Notes 5IntroductiontoFlyFishingClassMarch4 6Printandcompletethisnewclubsurvey 7WeareSuncoastFlyFishers 9Burkard:DonColemanouting,chilicook-off 10Trukenbrod:JanuaryoutingatPinellasPoint 112016Clubtournamentwinners 11Burkard:Howtomeasurefishattheoutings 11DonColemanClassicatFortDeSotoPark 12SaltwaterflyfishinginsightsbyDonColeman 13DonColemanClassicsnapshots 14RickWarfel:20-inchseatrout.Xmarksthespot 14TampaBayTimesexplainsflyfishing 15ClubmembersvisitFWC’sredfishbreedingponds 16TyingBench:Smittyties“TheFlash”forladyfish 17Report:JimandMarieShipleyflyfishNewZealand18DavidPutnam:Turnthosetoylegsintoflies 19TomGadacz-PatDamicolandsnook,jump‘poons 20DennisMarquis–Weedonchannelmacks&blues 20BobMorrison:FlyFishing’sFishyFactoids 21Capt.PatDamico:CastingClinic.Captain’sCorner 22BillAuCoin:FlyfisherFlyover 23SpecialFriendsofSuncoastFlyFishers 24++Tampa Bay Times interviews club

founders. Explains fly fishing. P15

Don Coleman Classic and Chili Cook-off at Fort DeSoto Park. Pp 10 - 14

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SFFPresidentLetter–January2016HelloEveryone,IhopeyouhadagoodChristmasandwillhaveahealthyandprosperousNewYear.IorderedanewrodformyselffromAlanSewell.WatchoutMayanCichlids.KenHofmeisterhasourAprilEvergladestripplanningunderway.Wefellowshipwithmembersofotherclubsaspartofourannual“youcatch‘em‘n’clean’emandthey’llcook‘em”lunch.Andouroutingscommittee,Boy!TrukTrukenbrod,JohnCraig,BobBurkard,andDanBumgarnerhavealineupofgreatoutingsinsomefamiliarandmaybesomenotsofamiliarplaces,butalwayswithsomethinggoodtoeat:Coffeein

themorning,sandwiches,ribs,chiliandmore.Pleasejoinus.TheClubpays.Aspecialthankyoutothoseofyouwhovolunteertoprovidethelunches.DickMiekka,BobBurkard,andRickYarnhavedoneagreatjobupdatingourwebsite.They’veaddedacalendarthatwillknockyoursocksoff.Lookatitforyourself.I’mgettingalotofemailsandphonecallsfromnewpeopleinterestedinflyfishingandourclubbecausetheysawoursite.TomGadaczandBrianClarkaretirelessintheirflycastinginstruction.Whenit’slightenough,theyteachbeforeourgeneralmeetingsandonMondaynightsgivelessonstothepublicatEganFieldinStPeteBeach.MasterCastingInstructorsPatDamicoandDaleMazzarellawillhavetwomoreSaturdaycastingclinics.Thiskindofinstructionwouldusuallycosthundredsofdollars,butformembersit’sfree.SeeJeffHeerabouttyingatsomeofthesportsmanandboatshows.Bereadytotiealotoffliesthough,becausetherearealotofkids(andadults)whowanttotie.IhaveenjoyedworkingwithourOfficersandBoardofDirectors:RickWarfelVP,KarenWarfelTreasurer,DickMiekkaSecretary,JohnCraig,TrukTrukenbrod,BobBurkard,RickYarn,TomGadacz(FLCouncllPresident),BruceEvensen,andJeffHeer.TheyaregoodpeopleandalwayshavethebestinterestoftheClubinmind.WehaveelectionsinMarch,sowemayhavesomenewfacesontheBODinApril.Anddon’tmissourAnnualHogRoastBanquetApril1withguestspeakerChicoFernandez.RickandKarenWarfelputalotofworkintomakingthisafestiveevent:Goodfood,prizes,andlotsoffun.BruceEvensenwillteachyoutotiethefourthThursdayofeachmonth.Comelearnwithus.DaveBarsonwillprovideyouwiththeraffleticketsateachmeetingforachanceattyingmaterials.Andthere’snewleadershipintheIFFF.WehaveaFloridian:TomLoganisChairmanoftheBoardofDirectors.HeisaSALTWATERflyfishingguideoutofTallahasseeandareallyniceguy.WithhimandTomGadaczinleadershiproles,maybewewillgetsomeattentioninourneckofthewoods.RememberJanuaryisourtrashntreasuresmeeting.WithourfamousauctioneerAlanSewell.MyronHansenisplanningaspecialpizzaandflytyinggeneralmeetinginFebruary.Don’tmissit!

Neverloseyoursenseofadventure.

GeorgeGeorgeHaseltine,ProudtoServeasSFFPresident2016-17PS:Don’tforgettocompletetheclubsurveyinthisissueandbringittothemeeting.

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Calendar: Club Meetings & OutingsMonthlyMeetings:ThirdThursdayofeverymonth(exceptDecember)atSt.Pete’sWalterFullerParkRecCenter.6to8:30pm.Guestsarewelcome.MonthlyOutings:TheSaturdayafterthethirdThursdayofeverymonthindifferentlocations,saltwaterandfreshwater,withapicniclunch(usually)atnoon.Duesaredue.Creditcardsaccepted.Wenowhave150membersincluding24familymembershipsandfivehonorarymembers.Membershipduesfor2016-2017weredueinSeptember.SeeKarenWarfelattheJanuarymeeting.SFFnowacceptscreditcardsonsiteatSFFevents(meetings,outings,TrashandTreasures,HogRoast,etc.)forpaymentofmembershipduesandvirtuallyallotherpaymentstoSFF.

Thursday,January19Meeting.

• Trash‘n’TreasureswithauctioneerAlanSewell.Arriveearlytocheckoutthegoodies.Bringcash.PresidentGeorgeHaseltinewillbeoutoftownsoVPRickWarfelwillleadthetaking-care-of-businessportionofthemeeting.

• Beforethemeetingprintoutandcompletethe2017MembershipSurveyonpagessevenandeight.BringyourcompletedsurveytothemeetingandgiveittoTomTrukenbrod.Putyournameonaslipofpaper(notthesurvey)andyou’llgetaraffletickettowinanEcho8-weightflyrodandcase,EchoIonflyreel,andEchoSoloWFfloatingflyline.

• Listenup.Outing’sco-chairTrukTrukenbrodwillannouncethewinnerofDecemberoutingand,also,thewinnersofthe2016OutingTournament.Plus,he’llgiveusthewhere-to-fishandwhen-to-eatdetailsfortheJanuaryouting.

• ArrivebeforetheauctionstartsLayne(akaSmitty)willtietheflyherecommendstofishthesouthernendofthebayforJanuary’sclubouting.SeeTyingBench,page16.StartingwiththismeetingSmittywillbeour“designatedtyer”ateverymonthlymeeting.

• Arrivebeforedarksoyoucanpracticeyourflycastingonthegrassyareaoutsideofourmeetingroom.LookforTomGadaczorBrianClark.

• Nominatingcommitteewillbeannounced.• MemberspickupshirtswithSFFlogos• BuyticketsfortheHogRoastandSilentAuctiononApril1.Just$20.Creditcardsareaccepted.

IfyoucannotattendeithermeetingthenmailyourcompletedsurveytoPOBox40821St.Petersburg,FL33743-0821toarrivenolaterthanMarch1,2017.Pleaseputyournameonaseparatepieceofpapersoaraffleticketcanbeassignedtoyou.Lookingforwardtoseeingyouatourmeetingtoturninyoursurvey.AndSaturday,January21Outing.

• FishthewestsideofTampaBayfromdowntownSt.PetersburgtoI-275.• Lunchstartsat11:45atBayVistaPark,4thStreetS.andPinellasPointDrive.• Thisisthefirstoutingtournamentfor2017.Thelongestsnook,redfish,seatroutandtheladyfishof

thedaywilltaketheleaduntillongerfisharecaughtatfuturesaltwateroutings.Besuretocheckouttheclub’snewfishmeasuringruleonpage12.

BayVistaParkinSouthSt.Petehasaboatramp,easykayaklaunching,andwadefishing.

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Planning Ahead -- 2017 Thursday,February16Meeting.

• Tie-a-Thonfeaturingsaltwaterflies,knotsandleadertying.• Freepizza• Slateofofficersandboardmembersannounced;nominationsfromthefloorarewelcome.

Saturday,February18Outing

• WalsinghamLakeCountyPark,12615102AvenueN.Thursday,March16Meeting.

• DayleMazzarella,speaker• Electionofnewofficersandboardmembers.They’lltakeofficeinApril.

Saturday,March18Outing

• CypressPointPark,5620.W.CypressSt.Tampa.April1.AnnualHogRoastandSilentAuction

• TreasureIslandMunicipalAuditorium.• FeaturedSpeaker--ChicoFernandez.• Dresscasual(orwearabib.Because“hogroast”).

Thursday,April20,Meeting

• WaltDurkinisourspeaker.Topic:TBDSaturday,April22,Outing

• HillsboroughRiver

Everglades Outing: Book a room now before they’re gone KenHofmeisterhasarrangedforaniceroomdiscountatLaQuinta’sSunriseSawgrassMillsfortheEvergladesoutinginApril.HotelAddress:13651N.W.2ndStreet,Sunrise,Florida;phone:(954)846-1200

• ArrivalDate:4/27/2017• DepartureDate:4/30/2017

Two-bedroomrate:$103.50perroom,pernight+tax.Everybodypaystheirown.ContactthehoteldirectlyorourGroupDeskat1-800-642-4239,Option1andaskforthespecialrateforSuncoastFlyFishing.Reservationsmustbemadenolaterthan4/6toguaranteethediscountrate.

FormoreinformationviewtheClubCalendarJointheSuncoastFlyFishers.Applicationhere

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News 'n' NotesIntroductiontoFlyCasting,St.PeteBeachTryanewandchallengingsport--TomGadaczandBrianClarkwillcontinueofferingfreeflycastinglessonsonthesecondandfourthMondayofeachmonthfrom6to8pmatEganField,9101BlindPassRoad,St.PeteBeach.Theclassisdesignedforbeginnerswithlittleornoflycastingexperience.Ifyouhaveaflyrodpleasebringit;ifnotwewillhavethenecessaryequipment.Thereisnofeeforthesessionbuttheclassislimitedto10peopleanditisnecessarytosignupattheSt.PeteBeachCommunityCenterinpersonat7701BocaCiegaorbycalling727-363-9245.SuncoastFlyFishersisaChartercluboftheInternationalFederationofFlyFishers.

• January9and23• February13and27• March13and27• April10and24• May8and22

Thursday,January25,2017,IntroductiontoFlyTyingSuncoastFlyFisherBruceEvensenrestartshismonthlyIntroductiontoFlyTyingclassonThursday,January25at7pm.FlytierswillmeetintheconferenceroomatHighPerformancePlumbingServicesat4450MorrisStreetinSt.Petersburg.ClasseswillcontinueonthefourthThursdayofeachmonth.Atthemonthlymeetings(onthethirdThursdayofeachmonth)Brucewillannouncethenameoftheflythatwillbetiedthatmonth.Used Gear for Sale BillScarolaissellinghisNUCANOENuCanoe,2seats,threeseatmounts,onecustommade,twopaddles(oneiscarbonfiberverylightweight),trollingmotormountkitforthestern,36-inchrulerattached.Foldupcart.Scupperplugs.$1200.CallBillScarola732-740-7538.KenDotyissellinghisGheenoeGheenoe,15footHighsider.Galvanizedtrailer.Boatcover.55lbthrustMinn-Kotatrollingmotorwithautopilot.8hpMercuryoutboard.$2200.Neverinsaltwater.CallKenat526-4753.J.R.Dubler’sBambooFlyRodKit.Neverused.VintageCirca1945-52EbisuSplitBambooFlyRodKit.NeverUsed,SetinOriginalbox.Includes:4fishingsectionsplus1extratip,originalfliesandhooksinoriginalwrappers,encasedinwoodbox.Material:SplitBamboo,CorkHandle,NickelPlatedMetal.Size:96”or64”Long.ExcellentCondition-NeverUsed.GreatCollector’sitem.Listedat$299.00–Makeoffer.J.R.Dubler813-843-3737.BruceEvensenhasflygearandfliesforsale.Callhimat727-403-9010

• 7-8weightVanStaalflyreel,brandnewinthebox;neverused,$430.• Okumaflyreel.7-9weight.2extraspools.Reelandspoolshave20#backing.$75.

• Thousandsoffliesfrom$1to$6each.

SpecialinvitationforSuncoastFlyFishersfromfellowmemberCliffNigh…

FlipPallotwillhelpSt.PeteFishingOutfittersunveilitsnewflyshopFeb.11

345034thStreetNSaturday2/11/1710amto4pm

Cliffsaysthenewshopoffersanarrayofrods,reelsandaccessoriesplusahugeselectionflyoftyingmaterials.

www.stpetefishingoutfitters.comFacebookand/orInstagram

Cliff

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Tom Gadacz: Fly-fishing intro class on March 4

SuncoastFlyFisherswillbehostinganInternationalFederationofFlyFishersIntroductiontoFlyFishingClassonMarch4(Saturday)atBillJacksonat9501U.S.19North,PinellasPark,FL.Theclassisfrom10:00AMto2:00.Thereiscoffeeandpastriesfrom9:30to10:00andaluncheonfrom2:00to3:00PM.Fromtheclub’sperspective,thepurposeoftheclassistogetmorelocalpeopleinvolvedinoursport,growourclub,andcreatemoreactiveandeducatedstewardsofourresources.Allarewelcome!Young,lessyoung,womenandmen.FlyfishingisforeveryoneespeciallyifyouliveinFlorida,theFishingCapitaloftheWorld.Theclassisdesignedforpeoplewhoknowlittleornothingaboutflyfishingbuthavebeencuriousandinterestedinwhatisinvolvedinoursport.Theclassishighlyentertainingandinteractiveanddevelopedsothatbythetimeaparticipantleaves,heorshewillhaveagoodgeneralunderstandingofflyfishing–Whatisflyfishing?Whatismeantby“flies”?WherecanIfish?WhatkindoffishcanIcatch?WhatequipmentdoIneedtogetstarted?Whocanhelpmelearn?WhatskillswillIneed?Andlotsmore!Here’showyoucanhelpmakethisahugesuccess:

1. Recruitparticipants!Youmustknowsomeonewhohasexpressedaninterestinflyfishing–aco-worker,aneighbor,arelative.Talktothemabouttheclassandpersonallyoffertobetheirsponsor.

*Sponsorsandparticipantsreceiveraffleticketswhicharegoodforprizesduringthemeetandgreet luncheonimmediatelyfollowingtheclass.2. Offertohelporganizeand/orteachafollowupflycastingclass,flytyingclass,orfishingtrip.

*Offertoattendthemeetandgreetluncheonandmakeaconnectionthatmightleadtoamentoringrelationshipwithaclassparticipant.*Offertotakeaclassparticipantfishing.

3. Offertovolunteertohelporganizeand/orruntheluncheon,checkinparticipants,pre-meetingcoffeeandpastrysession,photographtheactivities,orrunpromotionalactivities,etc.,andofcourse,there’salwaysclean-uptobedone.Thisisateameffort!!

Ifinterestedinvolunteering,pleasecontactTomGadaczat706-726-7899orthomasgadacz@yahoo.com

Tom

Tom Trukenbrod: Member survey. Echo Ion 8-weight outfit raffle

Thenexttwopagesarethe2017SFFMembershipSurvey.PleaseprintoutandfilloutthesurveyandbringittotheJanuaryorFebruarygeneralmeeting.AllmembersingoodstandingwhoreturnacompletedsurveywillreceivearaffletickettobeenteredintoaraffleattheMarchgeneralmeeting.TheluckyclubmemberwinsanEcho8-weight,fourpieceflyrodwithcarryingcase,EchoIonflyreel,andEchoSoloWF8Ffloatingflyline.EchorodswereratedhardtobeatintheYellowstoneAngler2016.Shootout.Bringyourcompletedsurveytothemeetingandgiveittomeattheraffletable.Youwillbeenteredintothedrawing.Thesurveyisanonymous.Donotputyournameonthesurvey,IfyoucannotattendeithermeetingthenmailyourcompletedsurveytoPOBox40821St.Petersburg,FL33743-0821toarrivenolaterthanMarch1,2017.Pleaseputyournameonaseparatepieceofpapersoaraffleticketcanbeassignedtoyou.Lookingforwardtoseeingyouatourmeetingtoturninyoursurvey.And,GOODLUCK

Truk.

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2017 SFF Anonymous Member Survey 1.DoyouthinkWalterFullerRecreationCenterisagoodlocationforSFFclubmeetings? ____YES _____NOSUGGESTION____________2.Shouldtheflytieratourmeetingstieaflyforthenextouting?____ALWAYS ____SOMETIME _____NEVER3.Castinginstructionisagainavailablebeforethemeetings,willyouparticipate?____YES ____NO4.Howoftendoyoubuyraffleticketsatthemeeting?____ALWAYS ____SOMETIME ____NEVERDidyouknowrafflesaleshelppayforoutinglunches?____YES____NO5.Aretheraffleprizeitemsusefuland/orenjoyable?____YES _____NO _____UNDECIDED6.Whichtopicswouldyouliketoseecoveredinfuturemeetingprograms?Checkasmanyasyoulike.____Talksbylocalguides ____FlyTyingClinics ____EnvironmentalIssues ____Kayakskillsandsafety____FishandWildlifeResearch ____Howtochooseandbuyflyrods,linesandreels ____FirstAid/FishingInjuries____Careandmaintenanceofflyfishinggear ___Howtoimprovecastingskills ____Memberssharingtheirbestflies,presentationforcatchingfishinlocalwaters____Other(writein)_______________________________________________________________________________________________________7.a)Wouldyouattendanoutingatanyoftheselocations?Checkasmanyasyoulike.___FortDeSoto___PinellasPoint___WeedonIsland___ManateeRiver___HillsboroughRiver___DockLightsatnight____Veterans’MemorialPark ___HoneymoonIsland___ChassahowitzkaRiver____EmersonPoint___WalsinghamLake____UpperTampaBayPark____AlligatorLake____MyakkaRiver___Blackthorn/ClamBar___CypressPoint___UrbanOuting___LakeMaggiorie ___SouthSkywayRestArea Other(writein)________________________________b)Howfarwillyoudrive?____1/2Hour____1Hour___Morec)IwouldattendmoreoutingsIFtherewasa“FishingBuddy”signupsheet____YES____NOd)Therewouldalwaysbetheoptionforwading____YES____NO8.Wouldyouliketheannualbanquetmealtobe“HogRoast/Barbeque”oradifferentmenu?_____KeepBarbeque____Change(Suggestion)_______________________________9.Whatareyourfavoriteauctionitems?_______________________________________________________________________________________________________ 10.Wouldyoubewillingtoteachflyfishingskillstoschoolgroupsandkidsatcamp?____ YES____NO____Maybe11.Areyouawarethattheclubhasmonthlyflytyingclasses?____YES____NO12.WouldbewillingtohelpveteransinProjectHealingWatersattheVAoratanoutingatoneoftheparksinPinellasCounty?____YES____NO____MAYBE

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Page 2: 2017 SFF Anonymous Member Survey 13.WouldyouliketovolunteerforeventsliketheFloridaExpo? ____Yes____No____Maybe14.DidyouknowthatIFFFprovidesourCharterClubwiththestatusofanot-for-profitorganization,legaladvice,andrepresentationatStateCouncilevents?____YES____NO15.WouldyouliketohavemorespecialoutingsliketheEvergladestripthatrequiretravelingfurtherandstayingovernight?____YES____NO____UNDECIDED16.Overthelasteightyearsorsotheclubhasbuiltupanicecashreserve.TheBoardwanttousetheseamountstoenhancethemembership’sexperiences.Wewouldlikeyoursuggestions.Itcouldbespecialoutings,speakers,tiers,orauthors.____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________17.WouldyoubewillingtoparticipateinenvironmentalimprovementprojectslikeCoastalCleanup,fishhabitatrestoration?____YES_____NO____UNDECIDED18.DoyouuseourwebsiteforFlyTyingInstructions?____YES____NO19.Howoftendoyouuse/lookattheSFFwebsite? ____Often ____Occasionally _____Never20.Howoftendoyouuse/lookattheIFFFwebsite? ____Often ____Occasionally _____Never21.What%ofyourfishingissaltorfreshwater? Saltwater_____%Freshwater_____%22.Whichofthefollowingdoyouown?Checkallthatapply.____Boat____Kayak____Canoe____Waders____Noneofabove23.Whatquestionwouldyouliketoseeinthenextsurvey?__________________________24.FortheannuallargestfishtournamentshouldthewinnerscomefromA)thelargesttargetedfishcaughtfromeachouting,orB)thelongestfishineachcategory--Bass,Sunfish,SeaTrout,Snook,Redfish,orLadyfishfromanyouting?A______ B______

###Thankyouforcompletingthesurvey.Whenyouturninthesurvey,youwillbeenteredintheraffleforanEchoflyrodoutfit.

Thisinformationwillhelpclubofficersandtheboardofdirectorsplanmeetingsandactivitiestomatchyourinterests.

Tom Trukenbrod

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We are Suncoast Fly Fishers

AimsandPurposesSuncoast Fly Fishers (SFF) is a non-profit 501(C) 3organization and a charter member of the InternationalFederationofFlyfishers.Suncoast Fly Fishers are dedicated to sharing their total fly-fishingexperiencesandtodevelopinginterestinflyfishinginboth fresh and salt water. We promote and teach both flyfishing and related subjects of fly-tying, rod building, fly-casting and knot tying. Through collaboration, fellowship,conservation and sportsmanship we help members becomemore skilled, havemore fun, and bemore productive in thesport. SFF supports the conservation of natural resources,boatingsafetyandfishingregulations.DirectionstoourmeetingatWalterFullerPark...From22ndAvenueNturnNorthon72ndSt.N.Turnleft(South)on26thAvenueN.Thenturnrightintothereccenterparkinglothttp://suncoastflyfishers.com/meetings.htmlThe Suncoast Fly Fishers, Inc. (SFF) is an organization of fishingenthusiasts who love fishing with the fly rod. We welcome allpeople of all ages with similar interests, regardless of their flyfishingskilllevel.Weenthusiasticallyteachthosethatwishtolearnorimprovetheirflycasting,flytyingandrelatedflyfishingskills.SFF meets monthly where we talk fly fishing, tie flies andmostmonths feature a speaker with a program highlighting local flyfishing opportunities. SFF is a non-profit, 501(C) 3 organization.SFF is a charter member of the International Federationof FlyFishers(IFFF).SFFisamemberoftheFloridaCouncilofIFFF.ByU.S.mail:SuncoastFlyFishers,P.O.Box40821,StPetersburg,FL33743-0821

Join. Renew. Application at www.suncoastflyfishers.com

SuncoastFlyFishersP.O.Box40821StPetersburg,FL33743-0821www.suncoastflyfishers.orgClubOfficersPres:GeorgeHaseltineVicePres:RickWarfelSecretary:DickMiekkaTreasurer:KarenWarfelBoardofDirectorsJohnCraig-TomGadacz-JeffHeer–BobBurkard–BruceEvensen–RickYarn--TomTrukenbrodCommitteesVolunteersneeded.PleasespeaktoanyofficerordirectoratthemeetingCastingSkills--PatDamico,MCI,DayleMazzarella,MCIIFFFLiaison--PatDamicoFlyTying--MyronHansenMembership--KarenWarfelNewMembers–RickWarfelWebmaster--DickMiekkaHogRoastKaren+RickWarfelOutings/Lunches–TomTrukenbrod,BobBurkardProjectHealingWaters--JohnCraig,TerryKirkpatrick,AlanSewellRaffles--DaveBarsonPrograms--BdofDirectorsNewsletter--BillAuCoin

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Suncoast Fly Fishers Outing Reviews and Previews and

Annual Tournament Update TheSFFOutingCommitteeisco-chairedbyTom“Truk”TrukenbrodandBobBurkardwith

supportfromJohnCraigandDanBumgarner

DonColemanClassicAndChiliCook-off

Saturday,December17,FortDeSotoPark

OurDecemberoutingatFortDeSotoParkwasamemorabledayforanumberofreasons,includinggoodfood,goodfriends,greatweather,andyes,OK,flyfishing……Forty-fivepeoplefromSuncoastFlyFishersandotherlocalflyfishingclubscametogethertofish,eat,andcelebratethememoryofpastSuncoastFlyFishersmemberDonColeman.MemberswhoknewhimsharedstoriesandmemoriesofDon,andremindedallofusthatourparticipationinthisclubhelpsbindustogether,andcreatefriendshipsthatlastlongerthanalifetime.Wearetrulyblessedtohavethisclubforfriendshipandsharingofflyfishingknowledge.RickWarfelcaughtthemostmemorablefish,a20-inchtroutthatwonthelongestfishcontest.CongratulationsRick.Therewerefiveentriesinour2ndannualChiliCook-off.Ofcourse,Iamtotallybiasedtowardmywife’sSweetChili,buttheotherentriesweresimplyamazing.So,whilewedidhavetwo“official”winners:(1)CaroleBurkardand(2)AlanSewell,therealwinnerswereallthepeoplewhogottoenjoythefivetotallydifferentvarietiesofchilithatwereavailable.Ourcomplimentstothememberswhobroughtthesides/extrastoourmeal.Theywerefantastic.

BobMorrisonwonour$100raffle.(Bob,maybeyoucanusesomeofyourwinningsinourTrashandTreasuresauctionatourJanuarymeeting.)OneinterestingnoteisthatRodneyPage,awriterfromtheTampaBayTimes,cametoouroutingandhisarticleonflyfishingwaspublishedin

theDecember19issue.Bob

Januaryouting—PinellasPointfromBayVistaPark.Previewonnextpage

Tom“Truk”Trukenbrod

BobBurkard

$100rafflewinnerBobMorrison.KevinKellyphoto

Lesson:Alwaysbefirstinthelinewhenthey’reservingchili.

KevinKellyphoto

January2017 ONTHEFLY Page11

2016CLUBOUTINGTOURNAMENTWINNERSSpecies Length Leadertodate OutingcaughtLongestsunfish 8-inches TomTrukenbrod ChassahowitzkaRiver(September)Longestsnook 23.5-inches KenHofmeister Docklightouting(June)Longestladyfish 18.5-inches MarkHays UrbanOuting(May)Longestseatrout 20inches RickWarfel DonColemanClassic,FortDeSotoPark (Dec)

PinellasPointOutingSaturday,January21,BayVistaPark,St.Petersburg

PREVIEWOurnextoutingwillbea“trytostayoutoftheNEwindwhileyoufish”outing.Historicallythisoutinghasbeencoldandwindywhichgivesustheopportunitytobreakoutoursurvivalfishingapparel.Polarfleece,windbreakers,hats,gloves,andwadersmaybethebestchoices.OurfishingareaisthewesternsideofTampaBayfromdowntownSt.PetetoI275.Thetargetedfishfortheoutingisladyfish.Thatwinneralsotakestheleadintheladyfishcategoryoftheannualoutingtournament.LunchwillbeattheBayVistaparkpavilion.Directions:GoingSouthon275fromthenorth.BeforeyougettotheSkywayEXITat54thAvenueSouth(PinellasBaywayexit)stayingtotheleftto54thAve.So.Atbottomoftherampgoleftandgoapproximately2milesto4thStreetSouth.(54thendsandyouhavetoturn).TURNRighton4thapproximatelyonemileonyourleftatthebigcurveisBayVistaPark.

Truk

Starting now, here’s how to measure fish at club outings

OneofthebenefitswereceiveasmembersoftheSuncoastFlyFishersisthefunofparticipatinginmonthlyoutingsandannualcontestsforcatchingthelongestfish.Thesecontestsareallingoodfunandtheprizesthatareawardedareofnominalvaluewiththepurposeofpromotingcomradelyandfriendship.Whileourfriendlycompetitionsarebasedontrust,ourboardwouldliketointroducemoreconsistencyinthewaythatparticipatesmeasuretheirlongestfish.MovingforwardwewillfollowFloridaFishandWildlifeConservationCommission’sguidelinesformeasuringthelengthoffishcaught.TokeepthingssimplewewillusetheTotalLengthMeasurementmethodforallfish.

TotalLengthismeasuredfromthemostforwardpointofthehead,withthemouthclosed,tothefarthesttipofthetailwiththetailcompressedorsqueezed,whilethefishislyingonitsside.

Bob Burkard

January2017 ONTHEFLY Page12

Tom Gadacz: Why we call it the “Don Coleman Classic?” WehonoredC.W.“Don”ColemanatourDecemberoutingatFortDeSotoPark.ManyofournewmembersdidnothavetheopportunitytomeetandgettoknowDonColeman.PaulSequiradid,though,andhewroteanexcellentarticleabouthisfriendshipwithDonthatappearedintheApril,2006issueof“OntheFly.”

DonwasborninAprilof1922andspentmostofhislifeinNewYork,mainlyinBinghamton.Whenhewasabouteightyearsold,hefishedandhuntedwithhisfather.Theybelongedtoafishingandhuntingclubandcompetedinvariousevents.DuringWorldWarIIheservedasaNavyradiooperatorintheNorthAtlantic.HereceivedanengineeringdegreefromCornellUniversityandservedastheBroomeCountyHighway&RoadsCommissioner.HedesignedmanyoftheroadsandbridgesinupstateNewYork.Dondesignedand

builttheirhomeinBinghamton.Thisincludeddiggingandlayingthefoundation,layingallthebrickforthewalls,andinstallingalltheelectricityandplumbing.Donhadagoodteacher,hisfather,whowasastonemasonandbricklayer.AfterretirementDonandhiswifeBeverlywouldcloseuptheirsummerhouseinBinghamtonandspendthewintermonthsinFlorida.Donretiredaround1987andspentacoupleofwintersontheeastcoastofFlorida,butthensettledonthewestcoastwherehewasmorefamiliar,havingspentvacationshereasayoungster.HeandBevrentedapartmentsforawhilebutthensettledonaconvenienttrailerparkwheretheypurchasedacomfortabletrailer.DonandPaulSequirametin1992atCarlHanson’shouseandagreatfriendshipbegan.BothhadacommoninterestinflyfishingandhadfishedsomeofthesamestreamsinNewYork’sCatskillMountains.Theyspentmanyafishingdaytogether,mainlywadefishingtheshorelinefromHoneymoonIslandtoEmersonPoint.Ft.DeSotoandtheSkywayareaweretwofavoritespots.Donwasaflyfishingenthusiastandteacher.Hereadaboutnewtechniquesandtestedthem.Hetriednewflytyingmaterialsandsimplifiedtyingtechniquesandwouldsharethemwithothers.Oneofhisruleswasthataflyhadtotakelessthantenminutestotie.HealsoreadaboutnewcastingtechniquesandheandPaulwouldputthemtothetestinthefield.Mostwererejectedbutthegoodoneswerepassedalong.Donwasanamiablepersonandlovedtomeetanddiscussflyfishingwithanyone.HesharedhisexperienceandtalentwithanyonewhowasinterestedandmanybenefitedfromsittingatDon’stableatCarlHanson’shouseandatJohnHomer’sshop.Hisgo-tofavoritefliesincludedtheClouserDeepMinnow,Carl’sBendBack,Lefty’sDeceiver,SeaducerandTabory’sSnakeFly.Continued…

PaulSequira

TomGadacz(l)withmembersoftheMangroveCoastFlyFishingClubinSarasotaCounty

January2017 ONTHEFLY Page13

P2 Why we call it the “Don Coleman Classic?” DoncompiledhisfishingexperienceinthebookletentitledWadingtheSaltwaterFlatswithaFlyRod.DondedicatedthepublicationtohiswifeBeverly“AndtomygoodfriendandfishingpartnerPaulSequirawhokeepsmegoingintherightdirection…AndtothememoryofCarlHansonwhowenttofishfromthatothershorein1988andwhotaughtmethat“Theonlythingyouhavethatyoucangiveawayandstillkeepisyourknowledge.”ThisisgreatadviceandpartoftheSFFAimsandPurpose.HealsogavespecialthankstoallhisfriendsinSuncoastFlyFishers.DonpassedawayonApril5,2006andtheSuncoastFlyFishersBoardagreedtonametheDecemberoutingatFortDeSotoParkthe“DonColemanClassic.”Wecelebratedthe7thannualDonColemanClassicthisDecember.EverymemberreceivesacopyofDon’sbook.Ifyouhavenotreadthebook,pleasedoso.Ithasvaluableinformationaboutflyfishingandlifeasaflyfisher.Itisthego-tosourceforanyonewhoflyfishesthisarea.Wouldyouliketoknowwhatrod,reel,lineandtippettouse?Hegivesyouthescooponwadingtheflatsandhowtocatchfish.Don’twaitforawindyorbadweatherdaytoreadit.Takeabreakfromwinterflytying.ForthoseofuswhodidnotknowDon,readhisbookandyourlifewillalsobericher.ForthoseofyouwhoknewDon,Ienvyyou.

Tom Insights from “Wading the Saltwater Flats with a Fly Rod”

• “Anyflyyouareafraidtothrowintoheavycoverisonlygoodforanornament.” • “Fliesshouldbeeasytocastandsipletotie.Remember“Occam’sRazor”(Thesimplestsolutionisusuallythebestsolution.)” • “Aflydoesnothavetolooklikefood.Itonlyhastoactlikefood.” • “Presentationismoreimportantthanexactimitation.” • “Sparsefliesallowllighttopassthroughtheflytocreateshadingandcontrastanddimensionality…andtheyareeasiertocast.” • “Fishhavetofindyourflybeforetheystrike.Fishingfliesshouldcontrastwiththeirsurroundingsandnotbecamouflagedlikebaitfish.”

CarlHanson(left)helpingayoungmantiehisfirstfly.DonColemandedicatedhisbooklettoCarlHanson,nowdeceased,andtoPaulSequira

January2017 ONTHEFLY Page14

Snapshots from the Don Coleman Classic

Outing/tournament winner: Rick Warfel’s 20-inch seatrout

IhadareallygooddayfishingattheDonColemanoutingatFt.DeSoto.IwasfishingthelagoonbehindtheeastendofMulletKey.Afteralongwadeacrossthegrassflat,Icametosomedeeperwater.ThefirstfishthatIcaughtwasatroutIestimatedtobe17inches.Ihaddecidedtotakeaphotoofthisfishbeforemeasuring.BythetimeIhadfumbledaroundtogetmyphoneoutofmychestpack,thefishslippedawayandcameunhooked.IcouldonlyhopetocatchanothergoodfishsothatIcouldgetapropermeasurement.AshorttimelaterIlanded,measuredandphotographedanice20-inchtrout.BytheendofthedayIcaughtandmeasuredonemorefish,anotherfat17incher.AllcaughtonthesameoliveoveryellowClouser.

Rick

WelcomingcommentsfromPresidentGeorgeHaseltine.Below,DaveBarsontakesitallin.

ChiliContestHumor–MarkHays,AnnieHaysandGeorgeHaseltinereadfromafamouschilicontesthumorarticle.Samples:>I’mnotsurewhatI’msupposedtotastebesidespain.IhadtowaveofftwopeoplewhowantedtogivemetheHeimlichmaneuver.>CalltheEPA.I’velocatedauraniumspill.>If___ted,andfourpeoplebehindmeneededparamedics.>Youcouldputagrenadeinmymouth,pullthepin,andIwouldn’tfeelathing.

Tastebudsatwork.MarkHaysandAnnieHayscarefullysampledandratedeachofthefivechilies.

Xmarksthespot

January2017 ONTHEFLY Page15

Tampa Bay Times Salutes Fly Fishing Note:RodneyPageoftheTampaBayTimesandastaffphotographercametoourDecemberOutingatFortDeSotoandpublishedanicearticleaboutourclubandaboutflyfishingingeneralwithcommentsbyLayne(Smitty)Smith,AlanSewell,TomGadacz,FrankMoss,andWaltDurkinoftheTampaBayFlyFishingClub.Herearesomeexcerpts.Readthewholethinghere.Besuretoscrollthroughtheexcellentphotosonline.

Winter'stheperfecttimeforsaltwaterflyfishing

ByRodneyPage,TimesStaffWriter ST.PETERSBURG—LayneSmithspendsmostofhisdaysthinkinglikeafish.Wheremostpeopleseeafeatherdusterorabrushwithsyntheticbristles,Smithseesalure.Heisconstantlytyingflies.HesaidhisSt.Petersburghomeisfilledwithfly-fishingmaterials.Hemakesthemasahobby,butitisalsoavocation.Hesellshisfliesinareashops.Smith,71,hasbeenflyfishingeversincehisgrandfathertookhimoutwhenhewas6yearsold.HeisanoriginalmemberoftheSuncoastFlyFishers,agroupof135whomeetmonthlyandfishevenmoreoften.Eversincethefirstfishgulpeddownhisfly,Smithhasbeenhooked."It'sphenomenal;thereisnothinglikeit,"hesaid."Thereisnobetterfeelingthanknowingyoufooledafishwithsomethingyoutied."---

"Flyfishingissomethingyoucandoyearround,butIespeciallylikeitinthewintermonths,"saidWaltDurkin,presidentoftheTampaBayFlyFishingClub."FromNovemberuntilaboutFebruarytherearestronglowtidesinthemorningandyoucanwadeoutandfishtheedgesofflats.Thewaterisclear,whichisperfectforsightfishing."…Thentherearetheflies.IntheTampaBayarea,threetypesofflieswillworkforsaltwater."Youhavetomakeaflythatlookslikewhatthefisharefeedingon,"saidAlanSewell,anotheroriginalmemberoftheSuncoastFlyFishers."There'sonlythreethingstheyeatinTampaBay,aminnow,ashrimporacrab.Youtiefliesthatlooklikethosethreethingsandyou'llcatchfish.…"There'snosecretspots,"SuncoastFlyFishersmemberFrankMosssaid."Ifyou'recatchingfish,youwantotherstocatchfishaswell.Atleastthat'showitiswiththisgroup."…"What'sfunaboutitistheolderyougetthebetteryouget,"saidTomGadacz,presidentoftheInternationalFederationofFlyFishers."Ithinkyoujustgetmorerelaxedandyou'renotasuptight."

JackCollinsdemoedflycastingfortheTimes’writerandphotographer.TomGadaczphoto.

Clubheropose.FoundersofSuncoastFlyFishersLayneSmith,RobertFischer,PaulSequira,andAlanSewell

January2017 ONTHEFLY Page16

Suncoast Fly Fishers visit FWC’s redfish breeding ponds

December14:AveryfoggymorningdeterredmanySFFmembersfromvisitingtheFWCFisheriesStockEnhancementResearchFacility(SERF)inPortManatee.BythetimewedroveintoPortManateethefoghadburnedoff,thesunwasbrightandthewindwasamildbreeze.WesevenadventurousfellowsweretreatedtoagreattalkbyGinaRusso,FWCOutreachCoordinator.Thereddrumbroodstocktheyoverseetomaintainadequatepopulationsofreddrumisaverycomplexresearcheffortofacquiringmaturebreedingredfish,collectingfertilizedeggs,hatchingtheseeggsandgrowingthemouttovarious,stockingFloridawatershedsandtrackingtheoutcomeofallthiswork.

UsingDNAanalysisaswellasothertaggingmechanisms,theresearchersareabletotracktheirresultsandplanstrategiesforthefuture.Whatstageofdevelopmentismostproductivetostockthewatershed?Islocationimportant?Theyhavesomeinsightstosomeofthesequestions.Millionsoftinyonemonthold,one-inchfingerlingsseemtogetthebiggestbangforyourbuckcomparedtothree-andsix-montholdfishwhicharemorecostlytoraise.Releasingthemintheupperpartoftheriverwherethesaltwatermeetsthefreshwaterseemstohaveanotheradvantage.Theseresearcheffortsarenowrequiringamajorchangeinmethodsofstockenhancement.ThecurrentfacilityhasaverylargeareawiththesourceofwaterdirectlyfromtheBay.ThebigtanksandpondsreceiverawwaterfromTampaBay,whichthendrainsintoretentionpondsinordertobetreatedanddrainedbackintotheBay.Variouspressuresnowrequirea

smallerenvironmentalfootprint,smallertanks,reuseofwater,cultivatingplanktontofeedthehatchlings,andmanyotherchallengesthatrequiretheresearcherstoadoptnewtechnologiestobreedthesefish.Inaddition,thefacilitywillbemovingtoanewfacilityinApolloBeachwheretheywillnothavelimitedaccesstoBaywaters.Afteragreattalkandseeingseveralspecimensincludingfreshtinyreddrumeggs,wefedthelatestbroodstockofsome50redfish.Theydevouredthemackerelwethrewinthewater.Thesefishwere36inchesplus.Afterthefeeding,wefishedtheretentionpondwhichcontainedwaterfromalltheotherpondsthatisdischargedintotheBayafteranaturalfiltrationprocessthroughvegetationandtheSpartinagrassfield.Thisretentionpondisnotstockedbuthasavarietyoffishandotheraquaticcreatures,allofwhichachievedresidenciesbyvariousmeansincludingtransportationfromotherareasviabirdairtransport.Theycontaintarpon,snook,reddrum,mullet,seatrout,flounderandbluecrabandmanyothercreatures.MostofushadcastingpracticebutJoeCorrlandedareddrumwithacinnamon&whiteClouser.Greatpersistencetogetthatfish!Agreateducationalexperienceaswellassunnydaytoflyfish.Whereelsecould

suchasadventurebehadthaninFlorida. Tom Gadacz

GinaRusso,FWCOutreachCoordinator,SuncoastFlyFishersJoeCorr,BobMorrison,BillScarola,BruceEvenson,KevinKelly,JimmyCarroll,andTomGadacz

Spotthefingerlings?JoeCorrphoto

Three-footlongredfishdevouredmackerelwethrewintothepond

January2017 ONTHEFLY Page17

Tying Bench The Flash By Layne (Smitty) Smith ThisistheflyIwillbetyingfortheJanuarymeeting...It'sagreatflyforladyfish(thetargetfishfortheJanuaryouting)aswellasSpanishmackereloranyotherspeciesthatlovesaflashypresentationwithaquickretrieve.Youcanuseanycolorcombinationyoulikeasthiscomesinawidevarietyofcolors.Iliketousepearlforthetailandbodyandamixofpearlandsilverforthewingtoimitateglassminnowsforladyfish.OthercombinationsaregreatforfishlikeSpanishmackerelthatlikealotofflash.

MaterialsHook:Mustad33011#2–1/0(ormyfavoriteMustad34184D(longshank)or34185D(shortshank)jighookThread:DanvilleFlatwaxedNylonEyes:Barbelleyesofchoice(i.e.brass,leadorbeadchain)Tail:KreinikFlashSilverBody:KreinikFlashSilver>Makethesethreeitemsassparseorasfullasyoulike.*CheckNOTE:Wing:KreinikFlashGoldCement:SolarezUVResin,SHHANoryourfavoriteheadcementTyingInstructionsStep1:Inserthookinviseandwrapthreadbasetohookpoint.Returnthreadto2/3pointonhookandtieinbarbelleyeswithfigureofeightwraps.Step2:Returnthreadtohookpointandtieintailbydoublingmaterialoverthreadtomeasureonehookshanklengthandcut.Tiedownfirmlyandreturnthreadtojustinfrontofbarbelleyes.Step3:Tieinbodymaterial(shouldextendjustpasthookbend)infrontofbarbelleyeswithacoupleoffirmlywoundwrapsallowingexcessmaterialtoextendoutoverhookeye.Foldexcessbodymaterialbackoverbarbelleyesandtiedowntowardhookbendendingwithyourthreadjustbehindbarbelleyes.Step4:Returnthreadtojustbeforebarbelleyesandtieinwingmaterialtomeasuresamelengthasbody,foldoverandtiedownfirmlycreatingasmoothhead.Whipfinishheadwithsmoothwraps.Trimexcesswingmaterialofftomatchbodylength.Step5:CoatthreadwrapswithUVResin,SHHANoryourfavoriteheadcement

Smitty

January2017 ONTHEFLY Page18

Fly Fishing and Touring New Zealand

ByJimandMarieShipleyWejustreturnedfromatriptotheSouthIslandofNewZealand,travelingfromDec12-28.Wetraveledover1100milessightseeingandfishing,circlingwhattheNZfolkscalltheSouthernAlps.WeflewintoChristchurchanddrovedirectlytoMoanaontheWestCoastacrossArthur’sPass.

ThefirstdayatLakeBrunnerfromasmallboatwecaughtadozenbrowntroutallthreetofivepoundsthrowinglargedryfliesatcruisingfishneartheshoreline.Thestartwasagreatdayconsideringthewindyrainyweather.WethendrovedowntheWestCoastandacrossHassPasstoWanaka.OursubsequentitineraryincludedQueenstown,Gore,Cromwell,OmaramaandbacktoChristchurch.StartinginWanakathenexttypeoffishingwaswalkingsmallstreamssightfishingforlargefish.Thisresulted

inonlyafewfishforeachdaybutwasverydifferentthananytroutfishingthatIhavedoneintheUS.NewZealanddoesn’thavelargenumbersoffishpermilelikewehaveinsomeoftheriversintheU.S.butexceptforone12-incherthefishIcaughtwerethreetofivepoundbrowns.ThelaststopforfishingwasonthefamousMatauraRiver(theirterm)inGore.Thiswasasfar

southaswetraveled.WestoppedatStu’sFamousFlyShoptopurchasesomefliesfortheMataura--websiteiswww.stusflyshop.com.TheMatauraRiverissupposedlytheonlyriverintheSouthIslandthatissimilartotheriversinthewesternUSduetoaninsectpopulationthatisabsentinotherpartsoftheisland.Wefishedwithaguideandtheriverdeliveredreallywell,12to15largebrownscaughtcastingnymphsintofreestoneriffles.NewZealandfishingwasgreatandthescenerywasabonuswiththemountainglaciallakesandwildflowersinbloom.Itwasalongplaneride,yes,butthiswasatripworthtaking.

Jim and Marie

JimShipleywithoneofadozenbigbrowntrouttheShipleyscaughtfishingLakeBrunnerinNewZealand.

JimShipleycaught12to15largebrowntroutcastingnymphs-intofreestoneripplesontheMatauraRiver.

January2017 ONTHEFLY Page19

David Putnam: Crafty insights using silicone tails #1…Outwest,fancyflyfishermencallthesestrikeindicators.Icall'emfoamcorks,andtheycomeinawidevariety.WhenfishingFlorida'ssometimesweedy,grassybluegillterritory,Ifindthatusingthesewithadropperflylikethethreeshownbelowtheindicators—#2--allowsmetocastintopotholesbackinthepads,andlettheflydropstraightdown.Liftitonce,letitfall,don'tdragitthroughthegrass.Liftandcasttoanewspot.Ihavefishedvariousfliesonadropperunderapoppingbug,butthehookonthepoppercatchesweedsandpadsandtanglesinthedropperline.Ionlyresorttotheindicatorswhenmypoppingbugsaren'tworking.Beadsandtinyspinnersaddweightandactiontothesiliconebodiescutfromachild'stoy.(SmittyandKenDotyhavethousandsof'em.)

#3...Acrappiejigthat'smybestatthemoment,asiliconetailsimplyhookedonthebacklikegrouperfishermenuseplastictails.Theselittle

tailsalsolookgreatonthebackofafewofmybonefishflies.

#4...Foambodiedbassbugwithtwosiliconelegswithaknottiedin'em.Thesiliconedoesn'tdryoutlikerubberandthey'refinewigglers.Tiedweedlessit'satop-notchflyforthepadsallaroundFlorida.Asizefourhookisplentybig.

#5…TwospoonsfromHofmann'sLuresthatImodifiedtoaddthesiliconetails.They'reabouttwoincheslongwiththetail,andcatchalotofspeckledperchfor

meinDeLandontheSt.JohnsRiver.Theyalsoworkwellbeneathanindicator.AtnightinSt.Pete,underthedocklights,they'dbe

killers.Onsizesixhooks.#6...TiedonanOwner"DownShotOffset"1/0wormhook,shownbelowthefly/lure.Thebead-chaineyesaretiedbelowtheoffset,

whichallowstheplastic,split-tailwormtobeinstalledsothatitcomesupflushwiththeeyes.It'sakillerinthegrass,better,Ithink,thanthepopularlargefoamGurglerfliestiedonbighooks.Youcouldweightitoruseleadeyes,butIlikethewayitridesacrossthepads,snakingalong...withaforkedweed-guardof20lb.mono.TIP:TomakethesiliconestayonthehookIburnaslitinthesiliconewitha

heatedhookorbodkinslightlylargerthanthehookI'llbeusing.Simplyholdthebodkinorhooktobeheatedwithahemostatorpliersoveramatchflameforafewseconds,thenpressitgentlyintothesilicone/plasticbodyuntilit'smadetheslotyouwant.Waitafewmoresecondsanditwillpulloutandyoucansetthehookyouwanttofishwithintheslotwithsuperglueorepoxy.Youcanholdthebodytightaroundthehookuntilitdriesifyoulike.Iusuallytieabaseoftyingthreadonthebarehook,thinkingitwillabsorbtheglueandmakeiteasiertosetthehook.Ifyouheatthehookyouplantofishwithitwillbediscolored.Dothesetwosteps.#7...Aflyspoonwithlegsfromabassspinnerbait.Thisisastore-boughtDuprespoonwithastiffwireweed-guard,perfectforfreshwaterwhereIlivenow,orinTampaBay.JohnsonspoonswithvariousskirtsandplastictailsareregularproducersfortheRedfishcrowd,andhaveaccountedformanybigbassinsouthFlorida.

GoodFishing!

David

#1strikeindicators(akafoamcorks)#2dropper“flies”

#3Crappie“jig”

#4Foambassbugwithsiliconelegs

#5TwoHoffmanspoonswithlegs

#6Splitlegsriggedweedless

#7Duprespoonwithlegs

January2017 ONTHEFLY Page20

Tom Gadacz - Capt. Pat Damico: December tarpon and snook

TwogreatChristmaspresentsWiththedelightfulDecemberweatherPatDamicoandIexploredsomenewterritoryinariverthatfeedsintotheGulf.Afterleavingtheboatrampwenoticedsomeactiondownriverduringanincomingtide.UsinganewpatternthatPattiedweeachtiedintosomebabytarpon.Therewereseveralpodsthatmovedtowardus.IhadasurprisingstrikeinanareawhereIthoughttheyhadleft.Thelinegoestightandthefishruns.Outofthewaterfortwomarvelousjumps!Afterafewminutesofexcitingactionthelinegoeslimp.Lost‘em.Theydisappearedasquicklyastheyappeared.

Therestofthedaywecaughtafairshareofsnookmainlyalongthebanks.Thenextdaywereturnedtochallengethetarpon.ThistimeitwasPat’sturntohookoneandhaveitmakearun.Thenupintheairforsomeacrobatics.Backinthewaterforafewmoreruns,thenthelineisstill.Wespenttherestofthedaycatchingsnook.TwogreatChristmaspresents!

Tom

Dennis Marquis – Blues and macks in the Weedon channel

OvertheThanksgivingholidayDennisMarquis,withhissonBenandbrotherBob,landedmackerelandbluefishontheedgeoftheWeedonchannelinmiddlebay.Theygotmanystrikeswiththeflyrodbut,alas,Dennisconfesses,ittooksomefastmovinghardluresonspinningrodstogettherealhookups.Still,attaboysallaround.

TomGadaczwithoneoftheriversnooklandedfishingwithPatDamico.

PatDamico’starponflywasontargetforsmallrivertarpon.

BenMarquisandamack

RobertMarquis’blue

January2017 ONTHEFLY Page21

Bob Morrison: Fly Fishing Tips Plus One Fishy Factoid

Rustproofpliersareaman’sbestfriend

Getagrip--Whenfishing,makesurethatyouhaveastrongpairofplierswithyouatalltimes.Choosepliersstrongenoughtocutthroughalargehookshank.Thepliersshouldalsoberustproofandhaveapointedjawforextractinghooksfromafish'sjaw.Forsecurity,attacheachplierhandletoastrongcord,jointhecordstogether,andattachtoyourbeltwithazinger.Yourplierswillbehandywhenyouneedthem,andyoucan'tlosethemintheocean.Stop-Look-andListen--I'mamazedtohearthatyoucancatchachannelcatfishonadryfly,evenanumber14BlueDundry.Forbetterluckandto

attractlargemouthbassandotherfreshwaterfish,useabigbushyflylikeanoversizedcaddis.Watchforsurfaceactivityandbirds,justasinsaltwater.Ospreyscanbehelpfulhere,alsoeagles.Remember,insectsrepresentalargepartofthedietoffreshwaterfish.Teachyourselftowait,look,andlisten.Afewminutesspentwatchingcansavehoursoftimeandenergyaswell.Knowthetimeofthetides,watchcurrents,lookforstructure,drop-offs,andmangroveshallows.Again,watchthebirdsforactivityandkeepaneyeoutforsurfacedisturbanceandthewakesoffishswimmingintheshallows.Tieaoneclawcrawfish--Forfreshwater,keepsomesinkingcrawfishfliesinyourkit.Fromtwoinchestothreeandahalfinchesisagoodrangeoflengthforthisfly.Tietheflywiththehookeyeatthetailofthecrawfish,andfishtheflyslowlywithsmallmovementsofafewinchesatatime.Tiesomeflieswithonlyoneclaw,sothatthecrawfishwilllooklesscapableofdefendingitself.Goget'emandgoodluck!

Bob Fishy Factoid of the month

3000-year-old hooks are sharp and ready to fish

InarecentarcheologicalexcavationinEngland,severalthreethousand-year-oldbronzefishhookswerediscovered.Thesehooksarewithbothsingleandtreblepoints,arebarbed,sharp,andreadyforusetoday.Howaboutthat,neighbors?

Bob

January2017 ONTHEFLY Page22

Capt. Pat Damico: Fly Casting Clinic. Tip #84

CopingwiththewindByCapt.PatDamico,IFFFMasterCastingInstructor Thistimeofyear,whenplanningasuccessfulflyfishingouting,windmaybethethingtoconsidermost.Clientscallasking,"Howwillthefishingbeonaparticulardate?"Amentalplanofthevenuemaychangecompletelywhenthedayfinallyarrives,notonlybecauseofthewindspeedanddirection,butalsobecauseoftheflyfishersinabilitytocopewithit.Asmoothglassysurfacemakesshallowwaterfishveryspookynecessitatinglongperfectlyaccuratecaststhatdonotdisruptthefish'senvironment.Deliveringtheflyorlinewithasplash,hittingthefishwiththelineorleader;rippingthewateronasloppypickupallpreventsuccess.Brokensurfacewatercausedbythewindallowsyoutogetclosertofish,forgivingmoreofyourmistakes.Reds,troutandsnookrewardastealthyapproachunderallconditions.Dosomecastinginyouryardoronafieldonwindydayswith.Picktargetsanddeliverapracticeflyasyouwouldunderregularfishingconditions.Tightloops,whereyourrodlegandflylegareclosetogetherwillalwayspenetratethewindbetterthatalargeloop.Shortenandstiffenyourleaderforbetterturnover.Reducethesizeandweightoffliesrememberinginflyfishingthe

linenotthefly'sweightimprovescastingdistance.

Pat Damico, St. Pete Beach

Capt. Pat Damico charters in lower Tampa Bay. Contact: captpat.com (727) 504-8649

Captain’s Corner: via Tampa Bay Times

Snook,babytarpononthemoveByPatDamico,TampaBayTimesCorrespondent

Fallingwatertemperatureiscausingsnookandbabytarpontoheaduprivertotheirwinterhaunts,wherebothspeciescanadapttofreshwater.Manyfishthathavebeenaroundrivermouths,bridgesandnearbeachesaremigratingupriverandmakingfrequentfeedingstops.Structureiskeyasanydiversionfromasmoothbankoftenholdsbaitfish.Points,sandholes,channels,fallentrees,undercutbanksandsmallmangroveislandsmustallbeexplored.Don'tspendalotoftimeinonespot.Castaccuratelywithbaitfishpatternsthesizeandcolorofwhatyouseeinthewater.Acastthatlands3feetfromstructurewillnotproduceaswellasonewithininchesorunderfishholdingobstacles.Watchyourtemperaturegauge.Warmerwaterinsmallshallowbayscanbeahotspot.Fishwilloftenbeingroups,sowhenoneortwoarecaught,continuefishingthearea.Keeptheboatparalleltoshorewithanelectricmotorwheretwoexperiencedflycasterscanworkanareausingdifferentsetups.Anoutgoingtidewilldrainsmallcreeksofbaitfishandlargepredatorswillbeintheclosestdeepholewaitingforaneasymeal.

January2017 ONTHEFLY Page23

Bill AuCoin : Flyfisher Flyover Convictfishpopulationsintrouble?I’mprettysuretheblameliesonthecommercialsideofthecommercial-recreationalledger.Incidentally,youshouldknowthisoneweirdtricktocatchingasheepsheadonthefly.Oldtimerssayyoumustsetthehookbeforethefishhits.(TheFishingWire)Passthepopcorn–TheOrvisFridayfilmfestivalisamust-visitbookmarkforme.Here’sarecentcollectionof11flyfishingvideos.Besuretocheckoutthevideooftheguyteasingthebluemarlintostrikehisfly.(Orvis)Quick,tieupsomeClousersandgoforanewflyfishingrecord--They’vegotvideoofaneverseenbefore,transparentfishinthe(very)deepMarianaTrenchofthePacificOcean.Itwas26,722feetdown.(NationalGeographic)

StartpreppingfortheEvergladestripinApril--FloridahascertifiedanewstaterecordforMayanCichlid–2.37pounds.Goforit.Also,whileyou’reonthissite,learnaboutFlorida’snewTrophyCatchprogramforbass.Sevenanglersregisteredbassthatweighed13poundsormore.Oneguycaughta14-pound,10-ouncebassinPascoCounty’sJessamineLake.Hey,maybeweshouldhaveanoutingthere.(FWCFreshwaterAngler)Hey,let’smakethisaclub“outing.”Goodnews.FlipPallotofWalkerCayChroniclesfamewillbeatSt.PeteFishingOufittersFeb.11tocallattentiontoitsnewflyfishingdepartment.FellowclubmemberCliffNighhasbeenthebrainsandbraunbehindthisproject.I’mhopingFlipwillbesigninghisnewbook–Mangroves,MemoriesandMagic–andhisnewDVD,AConversationwithFlipandLeftyKreh.Justgoaway–InPinellasCounty,inthefirstweekofJanuaryredtideblooms–Kareniabrevis–wereobservedinfourlocations,nineManateeCountylocations,andeightSarasotaCountylocations.(MyFWC)Howlonghasthisbeengoingon?–InNewYorkStatethreemenwerearrestedwith69salmonandsteelheadsnaggedfromaLakeOntario’s18-Mile-Creekcreek,asuperfundtoxicsite.Thepoacherswerereadytoputthefishonagetawaytruck.(FlyFisherman)Doyourresearch–TampaBayOnTheFly,theTampaflyshop,oneofourclub’sloyalandlong-timesupporters,hasachartshowingwhichfishareprimetargetsthroughouttheyear.Checkitout.Catchynameforastore,imho,saidtheeditor.(TampaBayOnTheFly)BestFlyFishingintheU.S.?–One-two-three:CheecaLodgeintheKeys,Pennsylvania’sPotterCounty,andBeaverkillRiverinNewYork.Scrolldown,waydown,thenwhatthehey,there’sourownMobblyBayounearOldsmar.Ok,thenwhereareWeedonIslandPreserveandPicnicIslandPark?(CapMel)Whoknew?--Toourlistofcelebrityflyfishers(snarkalert)--Donald,Hillary,Bernie–wecanaddHenryWinkler,akaTheFonzonHappyDaystowhomweowetheexpression“JumpingtheShark.”ItseemsthataftermanyseasonswithdecliningratingsHappyDaysproducershadagreat(ahem)ideatopullinmoreviewers.SotheyputFonzieonwaterskisandhadTheFonzleapoverashark.(AtthatveryinstantyoucouldhearmillionsofTVsetsbeingturnedoff.)So,now,whensomethingstupidlikethathappensonTV,inthemovies,oranywhereit’scalledJumpingtheShark.(Screenrant)PlayEntireChapter

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ToplaceanadinOnTheFlypleaseemailKarenWarfelatkmwarfel@yahoo.com

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January2017 ONTHEFLY Page29

Special Friends of Suncoast Fly Fishers

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