July 2018 On The Fly Newsletter of the Suncoast Fly Fishers Page 1

Newsletter of the Suncoast Fly Fishers of St. Petersburg Promoting fly fishing, fly tying, fly casting, and marine conservation in a family fun atmosphere

Schoolie stripers for Ray Smith in Rhode Island 14

Jack Collins and Bill

Scarola fish with Dayle Mazzarella in

Wyoming 11

Jack Madden has secret for fantail carp in Illinois …12

Adam Hays caught this 32-inch s docklight snook during June’s sunset to sunrise outing…7

Rylan Larkin’s first…13

The MirrOlure Fly. Fly-of-the-month…9

Alan ties this with a weedless worm hook…9

Mark Hays’ go-to fly on the docklights… 9

July 2018 On The Fly Newsletter of the Suncoast Fly Fishers Page 2

SFF President Letter – July 2018 WhatagreatmeetingwehadinJune!MarkHays,AlanSewellandMarkCraigdidanawesomejobofsharingtheirexperiencesandinsightintotheartofnightdock/beachfishing.AdamHayswasinvitedandsincerelywantedtoattend.Hedidsuchagreatjoblastyear,butthisyearmovingandstartingcollegetookuphistime.Itdidn’tkeephimoffthewaterthough,fortunately.LookforthepicturesoftheSnookhecaughtattheOuting.Waytogo,Adam!Speakingofoutings:BobBurkard,HiltonBruchandDavidReddareschedulingand

planningsoweknowwheretofishandwhen.Thegoal:getmorepeoplefishingandcatchingandofcourse,eatingattheRibandChilicookoffscomingup.CheckoutBob’sspreadsheetsunderEventsonourWebPage.Andwhowouldrideamotorcyclecleanacrossthecountrytogoflyfishing?YouprobablyknowwhoIamtalkingabout.RobertFischer,isthatyou?Hehasagreedtospeaktousatoneofourgeneralmeetings(withpictures)abouthiscross-countryadventures.Icanhardlywait.ThespiritofcooperationinthisClubneverceasestoamazeme.Therearemoreandmorepeoplecomingforwardlookingforawaytohelp.IwishIcouldmentionyouallbynamebecauseyoukeepitinteresting,educationalandjustplainfun.Wegotthreenewmemberslastmonth.Keepupthegoodjobofmakingvisitorsfeelwelcome.Andthankyousomuchforwearingyournametags.Thankyou,AprilTurpenandRickBirnbaum,forallthehardworkprintingandstoringthosenamesandthenbringingthemtoeachmeeting.Iforone,reallydependonthenametagswhenthose“seniormoments”comeuponme.Ifyouwouldliketogetinvolvedandyou’renotsureaboutwhattodo,seeRickWarfel.HeisheadingupourSuccessionPlanningCommittee.Rickisafantasticorganizerandwillhelpyoufindaplace.Gotaspreadsheet?OurTreasurer,KarenWarfel,willbecompletinghertermthisyear.Thankyou,Karenfordoingatrulycommendablejoboftrackingandwatchingoverourfinances.Iknowyoucoulduseabreak.Shemayhavefoundacandidate,staytuned-intoseewho.DidsomeonesayHogRoast?Yes!March30th.RickandKarenWarfelhaveputalotoftime,sweatandtearsintomakingourbanquetagreatersuccesseachyear.Wannahelp(ormore?)SeeRick.Howareyouattakingnotes?ItwouldbehardtobeatDickMiekkasincehisMinutesofourBoardMeetingsareaguidetokeepmeontherightpath.Thankyou,Dick.Iknowyoucoulduseabreak,too,whenyourtermendsnextMay.HehasalsobeenworkingtogetherwithBobBurkardonourwebsite.Checkitout.Itisawesome.InterestedinbeingournewWebMaster?SeeRickWarfel.Let’sfaceit.NoteverybodyhasthetimetomonitoraFacebookPage.But,ifyouaresoinclined,dowehaveadealforyou.Nobodyhascomeforwardsofar.(Woody,areyoulistening?).Rightnow,ourFacebookpageliesdormant.Areyouthe“newblood”we’relookingfor?Maybetwoorthreeofyoutogether?IknowBillAuCoinwouldalsoappreciatesomenewsletterassistance.Thankyou,Bill.IlookforwardtoseeingallofyouatourMeetingsandOutings.Youreallydoenrichmylife.Neverloseyoursenseofadventure

George

Callortextmeat727-423-8110GeorgeHaseltine,ProudtoserveasPresident,SuncoastFlyFishers,2016-2017-2018-2019

July 2018 On The Fly Newsletter of the Suncoast Fly Fishers Page 3

Club Meetings, Outings, and More Thursday,July19,Meeting

• SpeakerisAndyLykens,scientistwithTampaBayWatch.He’lltalkabouttheorganizationandtheimportantworkitdoesforourfavoriteresource.

• SmittytiestheChartreuseMullet,akaminiMirrOlurefly• DrawingforafreeguidedtripwithCapt.RickGrassett• SignupfortheJuly21outingatMaximoPark.• SignupfortheJuly24WeekdayOuting.SeeBillScarola.

Saturday,July21,Outing,MaximoPark,St.Petersburg

• FishanywhereandinsightoftheSunshineSkyway.• Specialprizetargetfish:seatrout.Getaphoto.• Coffee,donutsat10.Cajuncuisineforlunch,11:30

Tuesday,July24,WeekdayOuting,EastsideofSkywayNorthRestarea

• Meetat8amPaythetoll.ExitattheNorthRestAreathenturnleftandgoundertheSkyway.Headnorthandyou’llseepeopleyouknow.

• Fishfromyourkayak/boatorwade-fish.• Savethedatesforfutureweekdayoutings,allonTuesday:August7,

September4,October2,November6,December4.Thursday,July26,FlytyingwithBruceEvensen• MeetuponthefourthThursdayofthemonth–July26--atBruce’shome,

53180thAvenue,St.Pete Friday,Tuesday,July24,Youthflycastinglessons

• Youthflycasting,E.G.SimmonsSummerCamp,Ruskin• Volunteersneeded.ContactTomGadacz

Thursday,August16,Meeting

• CaptainRayMarkham,FlyFishingtheDogDaysofAugustSaturday,August18,UrbanOuting,BayVistaPark,St.Pete

• Specialprizetargetedspeciesisladyfish• Annualribcook-off

Thursday,September20Meeting

• Speaker:Capt.RickGrassettSaturday,September22Outing

§ ChassahowitzkaRiverSaturday,Oct.6andSundayOct.7,FloridaSportsmanExpo

• Flytiersneeded.SeeDavidRedd

Saturday,Oct.13,FallCastingCarnival• Yeah,expectsomecarnival-likethingstohappen.You’llsee.

--Continuesonnextpage…

SuncoastFlyFishersofSt.Petersburg

MonthlyMeetings:ThirdThursdayofeverymonth(exceptDecember)atSt.Pete’sWalterFullerParkRecCenter,789126thAve.N.6to8:30pm.Guestsarewelcome.

MonthlyOutingsTheSaturdayafterthethirdThursdayofeverymonthindifferentlocations,saltwaterandfreshwater,withapicniclunch(usually)atnoon.

Membership

SuncoastFlyFisherscurrentlyhas127membersincluding19familymembersand6honorarymembers.Annualduesare$15,payableinSeptember.

FFICharterClub.SuncoastFlyFishersisachartermemberclubofFlyFishersInternational(FFI).AcharterclubofFFIisoneinwhichallclubmembersalsojoinFFIasindividualmembers.Annualduesare$35.Seniors$25.SFFisamembercluboftheFloridaCouncilofFFI.

FFIMembershipAlertTreasurer

KarenWarfelhasreceivedalistof

SFFmemberswhohavenotpaid

theirFFIdues.Remindersaregoing

out.

July 2018 On The Fly Newsletter of the Suncoast Fly Fishers Page 4

Club Meetings, Outings, and More Thursday,October18meeting.“TennisShoeTie-a-Thon”

• Tie-a-thonledbyBillScarola• Specialchallenge:tieaflywithsomethingweirdlikeoldsneakers.Bringmaterials,includingfebreze.

Saturday,October20,MarineQuest(Note:themonthlyoutingisnextSaturday)• HelpkidstietheirfirstflyatFWC’sresearchlabsindowntownSt.Pete.SeeBillScarola.

Saturday,October27,CarlHansonLordoftheFliesouting

• SFFcompeteswithTampaBayFlyFishersontheHillsboroughRiverLookingAhead

• TheflytyinglessonsatEastLakeWoodlandsCountryClubhavebeenpostponeduntilfall.• November18:AnnualBigGunShootoutatTampa’sPicnicIslandPark.• December15:FallCastingClinicledbyCapt.PatDamicoandDayleMazzarella.LocationTBD.• March30,2019:HogRoastandSilentAuction.SeeRickWarfel.

CheckforupdatesontheclubCalendaronline

Free guided trip drawing … for members only

July19Drawing–FreeGuidedFlyFishingTripByRickWarfel,Vice-President,SuncoastFlyFishersOurnextguidewillbeCapt.RickGrassettforatripafterAugust1.Completetheformbelowandbringittothenextclubsponsoredevent,mailittoourPOBox,signupataclubmeeting,orcontactRickWarfelat

rh_warfel@yahoo.comorbyphone/textat813-523-0692.Twothingsthatourclubwantstobeabletodoistogivebacktomembersandtogetfolksfishing!Tothisendwearegoingtoperiodicallyraffleoffaguidedfishingtriptooneofourluckymembers.Theclubwillpayforahalfdayofguidedfishingforoneortwoanglersplus$50towardthegratuity.Thewinningentrycaninviteafishingpartneroftheirchoice.Thewinnercancoordinatewiththeguidetoextendthetripattheirownexpenseandtheyareexpectedtoprovideanappropriategratuitytotheguide.Thereisnocosttoenterbutentrantsmustbeaclubmemberingoodstanding.Inordertoidentifymembersthatareinterestedinparticipatingyoumustregistertoenter.Ifyouregisteredforapreviousguidedtripraffle,wewillkeepyouregisteredunlessyourequestustoremoveyoufromthelist.

SFFMembersOnlyGuidedTripGiveAwayRegistrationFormJuly19,2018Drawing

Name Phone Winnerisentitledto½dayguidedtripfor1or2anglers.Voucherexpires90daysfromthetimeofthedrawing.Youdonotneedtobepresenttowin.SuncoastFlyFishers,P.O.Box40821,St.Petersburg,FL33743

Capt.RickGrassett

July 2018 On The Fly Newsletter of the Suncoast Fly Fishers Page 5

Club News ‘n’ Notes

RickWarfelwillgatherafewmorememberphotographsforthemembershipdirectory.Theboarddecidedthedirectorywouldnotbepostedonthewebsite.AccesswillberestrictedtoSFFmembers.�

InthepastwhensomeonehasjoinedSuncoastFlyFishersheorshewouldgetacopyofDonColeman’sbooklet—WadingtheSaltwaterFlatswithaFlyRod.Theboardisdiscussingaddingsomeitemstothemixincluding,possibly,aloaded-with-fliesflyboxwiththeSFFlogo,aSFFpatch,andafly-castingtutorial.BoardmemberQuinBerryisonit.

AnnHofmeister’shasdonatedalargeassortmentofKen’sflygeartotheclub.We’llgetachancetobid

onitattheTrash‘n’TreasuresmeetinginJanuaryandagainattheHogRoastinMarch.

Fly Gear for Sale or Swap, and even freeeeeeeee FREE:MitchDunaskyhassomeslightlyusedflyfishingbooksThey’refreebut“onlyforagoodhome.”"101InnovativeFly-TyingTips"Meck-Hardbound$5"SmallmouthStrategiesfortheFlyRod"Ryan-Hardbound$5"FlyFishingtheInlandSeas"Darkes-Softcover$2"IowaTroutStream"JeneHughes-Softcover$2"GreatLakesSteelhead"BobLinsenman&SteveNevala-Softcover$2"SteelheadGuide"Nagy-Softcover$2"FlyFishingforSmallmouthBass"Murray-Softcover$2

EmailMitchat<mitch.dunasky@gmail.com>JustthreerodsleftinDeland

1) 6/7weight:PacificBayIGF9079'0".2PC.$452) 6-weight:PacificBayIGF9662PC$45;3) 3-weight:FenwickDonGreenSage9'4"2pc$35.

MarilynTaylor,904-514-0798,DeLandJimMcIlwain’shandmadeoaktyingdeskThedeskisahandmadeoaktyingdeskcompletewithsupplies,hackles,etc.andanEaglevise.Currentcatalogueshaveitpricedat$800to$1200.I’masking$550.EmailJimatSnF2@reagan.comorphonehimat(813)610-3060.BruceEvensenhasflygearandfliesforsale.Callhimat727-403-90107-8weightVanStaalflyreel,brandnewinthebox;neverused,$430.Okumaflyreel.7-9weight.2extraspools.Reelandspoolshave20#backing.$75.Also,fliesforsale.

*Classifiedadswillrunforuptothreemonthsbutmayrunlongeriftextischanged.Adsfromnon-membersarealsowelcomebutshouldbesubmittedthroughamember.Gotsomethingtosellorswap?EmailBillAuCoinatwmaucoin@verizon.net

July 2018 On The Fly Newsletter of the Suncoast Fly Fishers Page 6

We are Suncoast Fly Fishers

of St. Petersburg, Florida AimsandPurposes

Suncoast Fly Fishers are dedicated to sharing their total fly-fishingexperiencesandtodeveloping interest in fly fishing inboth freshandsaltwater.Wepromoteand teachboth fly fishingand related subjects of fly-tying, rod building, fly-casting and knot tying. Through collaboration,fellowship,conservationandsportsmanshipwehelpmembersbecomemoreskilled,havemorefun,andbemoreproductiveinthesport.SFFsupportstheconservationofnaturalresources,boatingsafetyandfishingregulations.SuncoastFlyFishers(SFF)isanon-profit50I3organizationhttp://suncoastflyfishers.com/meetings.htmlThe Suncoast Fly Fishers, Inc. (SFF) is an organization of fishingenthusiastswholovefishingwiththeflyrod.Wewelcomeallpeopleofallageswith similar interests, regardlessof their fly fishing skill level.Weenthusiasticallyteachthosethatwishtolearnorimprovetheirflycasting,flytyingandrelatedflyfishingskills.SFFmeetsmonthlywherewetalkflyfishing, tie flies and most months feature a speaker with a programhighlightinglocalflyfishingopportunities.SFFisanon-profit,5013organizations.SFFisachartermemberoftheFlyFishersInternational(FFI).SFFisamemberoftheFloridaCouncilofFFI.By U.S. mail: Suncoast Fly Fishers, P.O. Box 40821, St Petersburg, FL33743-0821DirectionstoourmeetingatWalterFullerPark...From22ndAvenueNturnNorthon72ndSt.N.Turnleft(South)on26thAvenueN.Thenturnrightintothereccenterparkinglot.• What can the Suncoast Fly Fishers club do for you and for other members? Email your ideas to club president George Haseltine at ghh343@aol.com • What can you do for the Suncoast Fly Fishers? For starters, join a committee. Can you help with the website? Newsletter? Hog Roast? Project Healing Waters? Run for a spot on the BOD. Speak to any officer at the meeting or email me , George Haseltine, ghh343@aol.com

Join. Renew. Application

www.suncoastflyfishers.com

SuncoastFlyFishersP.O.Box40821StPetersburg,FL33743www.suncoastflyfishers.orgClubOfficersPres:GeorgeHaseltineVicePres:RickWarfelSecretary:DickMiekkaTreasurer:KarenWarfelBoardofDirectorsQuinBerry–DavidRedd–BillScarola--BobBurkard--BruceEvensen--RyanSollars--CliffNighCommitteesVolunteersneeded.Speaktoanyofficeror

directoratthemeeting

CastingSkills--PatDamico,MCI,Dayle

Mazzarella,MCI

FFILiaison--PatDamico

Conservation--CliffNigh

FlyTying--MyronHansen

Membership--KarenWarfel

NewMembers--RickWarfel

Webmaster–Open

HogRoast--Karen+RickWarfel

Outings--BobBurkard,HiltonBruch,

DavidRedd

ProjectHealingWaters--AlanSewell,

TedRich,DaveRedd,TerryKirkpatrick

Outreach,shows–DavidRedd,Bob

Burkard

Raffles--DaveBarson

Programs--BoardofDirectors

Newslettereditor--BillAuCoin

Publicity--BillAuCoin

July 2018 On The Fly Newsletter of the Suncoast Fly Fishers Page 7

June Outing: Sunset to Sunrise Snook

FridaytoSaturday,June15-16SaturdaytoSunday,June16-17

ByHiltonBruch

AttendeesoftheJunemeetinghadtheiranxietiesallayedandexpectationsraisedbytheexcellentpanelpresentationonnightfishingforsnook.Thereseemstobeahurdleforthoseunfamiliarwithgettingoutafterdarkandupsettingtheirsleeppatterns.Iforonefeelitbutwasexcitedenoughbyourmeetingtogetoutandatleasttry.

RickBirnbaumhumoredmeandtogetherwegotoutontothebeachjustsouthofJohn’sPassat05:30Saturday.Wecastandwalkedandcastsomemorebutneitherofussaworfeltafish.Regardless,itwasagreatwaytostarttheday.Othershadbetterluck.AdamHays,fishingwithhisfathergotarealprizewinner.(Picture).WewillfindouthowothersdidattheJulymeeting.

Hilton

HiltonBruch,co-chair,SFFOutingCommittee

BobBurkard,co-chair,SFFOutingCommittee

Andwehaveawinner--AdamHayswitha32-inchsnook,oneofseveralsnookheandhisfatherBillHayscaughtdocklightfishingTreasureIsland.

Whiteflies,sometimeswithasplashofcolor,dominateMarkHays’docklightfishingflybox.

Beachfishingfly--AlanSewell’sweedlesswormhookfly

July 2018 On The Fly Newsletter of the Suncoast Fly Fishers Page 8

July 21 Outing: Maximo Park Fish in sight of the Sunshine Skyway. Coffee, donuts @ 10. Lunch @11:30 at pavilion 6-

OurnextoutingonJuly21iswithinsightoftheSunshineSkywayBridgeevent.Thisisalotofwateropenforfishingandyouhavemanygreatchoicesforareastofish.Myfavoritespotisthebaysideoftherestareasouthofthebridge.IliketheJoeBayareaandIhavecaughtsnookandredfishonchartreuseandwhiteclosures,andtroutonEPminnowsatthatlocationduringthesummermonths.LunchwillbeatMaximoPark,startingat11:30amwithcoffee,drinks,anddonutsstartingat10am.Lunchwillbegumbo,spicyjambalayaandredbeanswithricefromChiefsCajunrestaurantinStPete.Ourtargetfishisseatrout.Measureandtakeapictureofthelongestfishofanyspeciesyoucatchifitislongerthantheleadersinthechartbelow.

Bob Burkard.

2018CLUBOUTINGTOURNAMENTLEADERS

Species Length Leadertodate Outing(Month)Longestsunfish 8” QuinBerry&TonyPiazza WalsinghamLake(February) Longestblackbass 18” MarkHays WalsinghamLake(February) Longestsnook Longestredfish Longestladyfish 13” JackCason FortDeSotoPark(May)Longestseatrout 18.5” DavidRedd PinellasPoint(January)

.

TideandmoonstagesatPointPinellasonJuly21.Tide-Moon

DirectionstoMaximoParkinSouthSt.Pete.

AppleMaps

July 2018 On The Fly Newsletter of the Suncoast Fly Fishers Page 9

June Meeting: Docklight and Beach Snook Insights Threeclubmemberswhohavebeenverysuccessfulovertheyearsflyfishingdock-lightsandbeachesforsnooksharedtheirhard-earnedsecretsattheJunemeeting.AlanSewell§ Bestbeaches:JohnsPass.BlindPass.

Pass-a-Grille.§ Bestrodforthebeach:Golight,even

downtoa6weight.Whataretheygoingtobreakoffon?

§ When?Arriveat5amtogetready.Fishfrom6to8.Gohome.§ Bestrigforthedocklights:8-foot10weight.Use30-40-50lb.bitetippets.§ Kayakdock-lighting:Wearlifejacketandnightlight.Watchthedockforfewminutes.Cast50-feet.Bereadytokayakpedalbackwardsifasnookhitstokeepittoawayfromthebarnacled-pilings.

§ Ifyouseespeckledtroutonadocklight,don’texpecttocatchasnook.MarkCraig

§ Docklighting.Newmoonisbest.Fishlasttwohoursofatideandfirsttwohoursofthenexttide.§ Bequiet.Takeoffyourshoes.Keepeverythingyouneedaccessible.§ Use10-weighttoturnthesnook.Fishcrabflies,schminnows,gurglers.

MarkHays

§ SunsetBeachisgood.Fishthebeachorthejetty.§ Throwwhiteflies.Gottobemostlywhite.Alittleredorgreenisgood.Gurglers,too.§ Fishwithan8-foot,9or10weightrod.§ Startwith30-lbbitetippet;dropto20iftheywon’tbite.§ Floatinglineisbestbecauseit’seasiertopick-upforthenextcast.§ Usearedlightattachedtoyourbelt,notyourcap.§ Gurglers?Yes.

TheThreeSnookers--MarkCraig,MarkHaysandAlanSewellsharedtheirinsightsintocatchingsnookonthebeachandondocklights.

Alan’swormhookflyforthebeaches.Heusesa7/0weedless-stylehooknormallyusedonsoftplasticwormsandjerkbaits

MarkHays’go-toflyforthedocklightsWhitemustdominate.

TomGadaczisresearchinganewhatforourlogo.HeaskedforashowofhandsattheJunemeeting.MostmemberspreferredthebrimmedhatTomiswearinghere.

July 2018 On The Fly Newsletter of the Suncoast Fly Fishers Page 10

Tying Bench – Mini-MirrOlure Fly tied by Layne Smith, ThisisasimpleFingerMulletpatternthatisadown-sizedversionofmyMirrOlurefly.Thisflyisgreatfortroutandladyfish.Fishthisflywithaslowretrievetoimitateaswimmingmullet.Everyonceinawhilegiveitaswiftstripwhenyouthinkyouhaveafolloworifyouactuallyseethefollow.Thequickmovement,imitatinganattempttoescape,shouldenticeastrike.

Materials:Hook:MustadC70SDsize#1Thread:Danville’s210denierflatwaxednylonTail:PolarFibreChartreuseBody:PolarFibreChartreuseBodyFlash:BaitfishEmulatorFlashpearlEyes:Silver¼”3Dstick-onCement:FletchTitePlatinumandSHHANorUVResinOvercoat:Softex

TyingSequence:

1:Securethethreadtothehookshankandwrapbacktothebaseofthebendofthehook,coveringthehookshankwithalayerofthread.2:CutasmalltabofPolarFibre(about⅜”square)fromoneofthestripsandtieinonnearsideofthehookshank,thenwindmaterialoverthehookencirclingtheshankandtiedown.3:AttachastripofPolarFibrebythecorner,withfibresflowingtowardstheback.Tiedownfirmly.4:Withthestripsecured,stretchandproceedtowrapforwardupthehookshanktryingtonottrapanyofthefibres.Ifneedbe,useabodkinorVelcrobrushtopickoutanytrappedfibres.Atabout2eyewidthsfromhookeye,tieoffbutdonotcut,justletithangdownonthefarsideofthehook.5:PrepareEmulatorFlash(enoughtomake1wraparoundhook)bytaperingtheendssoyoudon’tendupwithapaintbrushlook.Tieinflashandthentrimanyexcess.6:RetrievethePolarFibrethatwaslefthangingandagainstretchingit,continuewrapstohookeye,preeningthematerialasyougo.NOTE:AllPolarFibreisNOTtobecutawayfromthebackingonthisfly,insteadthebackingistobecutinstripscross-cutstyletakingcarenottocutanyofthefibresbykeepingthescissorpointsunderthefurandrightnexttothebackingasyoucut.7:Securelytieoffandtrimanyexcessmaterial.Completethetiewithasmallbutfirmlytiedhead.Whipfinish,cutthreadandcoatheadwithSHHANorUVResin.8:Gentlycombbackthebodyfibresuntiltheyaresmooth.Thebodyshouldhaveafullroundshapethattaperstowardthetail.9:ApplyathincoatofSoftexaroundthenoseofthefly.TheemphasisisonTHIN!Youdon’twantittosoakintothefibres.10:GentlybrushtheSoftexrearwardusingasmallspatulaortoothpick.TheSoftexshouldextendjustpastthebendofthehooktohelpthetailfromfouling.Don’tmashtheglueintothehead;justcreateathinskinoverthehead.11:PlaceadollopofFletchTiteonthebackofa3Deyeandgentlypresstheeyeintotheflytoensureagoodbond.Theflywilldrytothetouchinanhourortwo,butitisimportanttoletitdryforadayandahalfbeforesoakingitinfrontofa

speckledtrout.Smitty

July 2018 On The Fly Newsletter of the Suncoast Fly Fishers Page 11

Annie and Mark Hays: Docklighting -- Mangoes and More

MarkHaysanddaughterAnniefishedthedocklightsInJunglePradaSaturday,launchingabout10:30.Incaseyou’rewondering,youcankeepuptofivemangrovesnappermeasuring10inchesorlonger.They’remixedinwithcatfish.Stripfast.Thegraysnapperwillgrab‘em.Thecatfisharetooslow.

PhotosbyMarkHaysandAnnieHays

Markandaniceseatrout.AsheexplainedinhisJunemeetingtalk,whitefliesarethekeytoasuccessfulnightouting.Hisflieswerealittlebiggerthantheactualbait,sotheystoodouttohungryfish

Annie’sHayshugemango--Theschoolofmangrovesnapperwantedtoattackthefliesmorethaneatthem.Thefastertheflymoved,themorebitesshegot.

Catfishandmangrovesnapperschooltogetherunderthedocklights.Theflyhastomovefastenoughtoannoythesnapperandavoidtheslowmovingcatfish.

Thebiggestchallengewithredfishistheirtendencytobreakthelineonpilings.Bereadywiththetrollingmotor.

July 2018 On The Fly Newsletter of the Suncoast Fly Fishers Page 12

Bill Scarola, Jack Collins Fly-Fish Ham’s Fork River SFF member Dayle Mazzarella and Nephew Dylan are their guides

JackCollinsandIcaughtabout15rainbowtroutfrom18to20incheslongintheHamsForkRiverinKemmerer,WyomingguidedbyfellowclubmemberDayleMazzarella.Dayle’snephewDylanhelpedlandthefish.Iactuallygottoholdmy20-incher.Welostmorerainbowtroutthanwelandedandseveralofthoseweremuchbiggerthantheoneswelanded,whichwereinthe18to20-inchrange.JustwhenDayletoldusit’stimetogoIsaidonemore

cast!Whoosh.Anothernicerainbowwasontheline,butitturnedouttobeanother“quickrelease.”

Bill

Ben Marquis: Corpus Christi Redfish on the Flats

BillScarolareleasesaHamsForkrainbowtrout.“Iactuallygottoholdmy20-incher,”Billsaid.

DayleMazzarella(l)showsoffanicerainbowlandedbyJackCollins.

Dennis Marquis: Smallie

DennisMarquis,intheRVheadingnorth,caughtthissmallmouthbassontheJamesRivernearLynchburg,Virginia.That’shissonBenontheleftwithaTexasredfish.Yeah,Bencaughttheflyfishingbuglikehewassupposedto.

SFFmemberBenMarquis,currentlystationedattheNavalAirStationinCorpusChristi,caughtthisniceredfishwadingtheflats.

July 2018 On The Fly Newsletter of the Suncoast Fly Fishers Page 13

Snowbird Jack Madden: Carpe The Carp Diem in Illinois

[Don’ttellanybodybutJackdidn’tuseaflyrodtocatchthiscarp.Editor]

It'snotflyfishingbutitallowsmetogetinalotmorefishing.YouprobablyhaveCarpinlakesdownthereandthereisgoodreasonthatit'stherageinEurope.Iwilltellyouthis...Thecarpiscaughtwithabarehookthathasnobait.Thesystemactuallychumsthefishinandthereisafloatthatlookslikeacornkernelthatfloatsthehookaboveaweightcalledamethodfeeder.Itisactuallyfascinatingmethodbutitis,afterall,bankfishingwithbait.ThereisanislandoffthecoastofNorthernMichiganthathasalargeshallowareawhereguysdofly-fishforcarpalmostexactlyasflyfishermangoafterBonefish.Iwouldliketobeabletodothatbutit

isagood8hoursawayandIamnotabletodedicatethattimegivenmycurrentschedule.I'msendingsomemorepicturesandwouldcallyourattentiontothepictureshowingtheweirdgrowthonthefantailcarp.Thisstrainalwayshasthat.I'mtryingtofindoutwhatit'sfor.Also,byenlargingtheviewandlookingatthefins,youmaynotethattheyareverydifferentandsortofpretty!It'snotflyfishingbutitallowsmetogetinalotmorefishing.Youprobablyhavecarpinlakesdownthereandthereisgoodreasonthatit'stherageinEurope.I'msendingsomepicturesofthefishandtheequipment.YoumightwanttocheckoutWackerBaitandTackleontheinternetaswellas"technicalcarpfishing"IamlookingforwardtoseeingyouandtheguysagaininJanuaryandhopingtohavetheopportunitytofishandlearnwithyou.

Jack

[DowehavecarpinourFloridalakes?Can’twejustfly-castakernelofcornonalittlecirclehook?Wecouldtossabitofchuminthewater,too,right?Editor]

CigarCelebration--JackMaddenandafantailcarphecaughtshorelinefishingalakenearhishomeintheChicagoarea.

Thiscarp’sfanisdrooping.

Thefantailcarpisaptlynamed,part2.

July 2018 On The Fly Newsletter of the Suncoast Fly Fishers Page 14

Mike Larkin: Rylan’s first fish on the fly

LastweekmysonRylanLarkincaughthisfirstfishonthefly.HefishedalakeinMiamiwherehecaughtaone-poundMayancichlidwithasmallchartreuseClouserminnow.

Mike

Also from Mike: Tying Bruce Evensen’s Trout Teaser

Mike

RylanLarkincaughtthisMayanCichlidonalakeinMiamicastingachartreuseClouser.

MikeandsonRylanattheNovember2017meeting.

EvensentroutteaserglassminnowstiedbyMikeLarkinatBruce’sJune28workshopathishome.BruceteachesmembershowtotieanewflyeverymonthontheThursdaynightaweekafterthemonthlymeeting.

MiriamCraig(l)putsthefinaldabofglueonatroutteaser.GuestDanHahnandDavidReddareinthebackrow.AlsotyingwereMikeLarkin,theofficialphotographerforthisevent,andPhilMazur.

July 2018 On The Fly Newsletter of the Suncoast Fly Fishers Page 15

Ray Smith: Schoolie Stripers in Rhode Island

ImovedtoRhodeIsland2yearsagoandhadlittleknowledgeofthelocalfishingbothfresh&salt.Iheardaboutalocalflyfishinggroup,theRhodyFlyRoddersandjoinedrecently.

TheRhodyFlyRoddersaretheoldestsaltwaterflyfishingclubinAmerica.It’sagreatgroupoffriendlyflyfisherswillingtoshareknowledgeofthelocalfishingwithnewcomers,andtheyhaveaflyfishingoutingwithacookoutduringthesummermonths.Gee,soundfamiliarSFF?SincethenI'vebeencatchingandreleasingschooliesizestripedbassintheNarrowRiverandoneofthelocalsaltponds.Justneedtofindmoretimetofish!TightLines

Ray

Holy Mackerel: Bill Scarola and Jack Collins in Clearwater Pass

JackCollinsandIgotafewSpanishmackerelonshrimppatternfliesintheGulfjustoffofClearwaterPass.

Bill

RaySmithisnailingtheschooliestripersinRhodeIsland.

July 2018 On The Fly Newsletter of the Suncoast Fly Fishers Page 16

Smitty’s pan-grilled red snapper recipe

Layne(Smitty)Smithknowsathingortenabouttyingflies,ofcourse,buthealsohasdevelopedaperfectlyfineskillasachef.Here’shispan-friedredsnapperrecipewithstrawberryandavocadosalsa,whichSmittydescribesasa“greatsummertimerecipewhichmembersmightlike.”Hehadmewiththewordsredsnapper.Sweet.

Ingredients:

4(6oz)Floridaredsnapperfillets

1ripeFloridaavocado,diced

2cupsFloridastrawberriesfinelychopped

jalapeñopepper,seededandfinelychopped¼cupredonion,finelychopped2tbspcilantro,finelychopped1tspfreshlimejuice1½tbspfreshlimezest¼tspsugar1tbspoliveoilSeasaltandfreshgroundpepper,totaste

Preparation

Stirjalapeño,avocado,strawberries,onion,cilantro,limejuice,sugarandseasalttogetherinabowl.Coverandsetaside.

Salsamaybemadeseveralhoursaheadandchilled.Whenmakingahead,addthesugar,salt,andavocadowhenreadytoserve.

Preheatstovetopgrillpanoverhighheat.Patfilletsdry,thenbrushbothsideswiththeoil;sprinklewiththelimezest,salt,andpepper.

Layfilletsongrillpanskinsidedownandcook4to5minutesoneachside,turningonce,untilcookedthrough.

Transferfilletsskinsideuptoindividualservingplates.Carefullyremoveskin;topwithavocado-strawberrysalsa.

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Dennis Marquis: Fly fishing from a RecVee TheForgottenCoastInMaywestayedattheCoastlineRVResortinEastpointonthePanhandle’sApalachicolaBay(abouthalfthesizeofTampaBay).EastpointisacrossthebayfromthetownofApalachicola.Theycallthis“TheForgottenCoast.”Thisisveryrural/wildinaFloridaway.OnemorningIsawafull-growndoerunningacrosstheflatsbeingchasedbyabaldeagle.It’swithinshoutingdistanceoftwonationalrefuges,

anationalforest,andtwostateparks.IthinkthisisoneofthemorenaturallybeautifulplacesIhavevisited.FromtheRVparkIhadafrontseatviewofthebay.Onthefirstday,Inoticedfeedingactivityafewhundredyardsup

fromthepark.Asthetidewentoutitexposedaseriesofsandbarsparalleltothecoastline.Imemorizedthelow-tideconfigurationandwade-fishedonthefirstgooddayofanincomingtide.UsingaRedRouser.Ihookedawhopperredfishthatranonmeseveraltimesuntiltheleaderbroke.ThatledtoalongconversationwithPatDamico;theleaderissuewassolved.Iwentbacktoworkandfounda24-inchseatrout(mypersonalbest)inoneofthosetroughsbetweenthosebars.Nextday:samespot,sametechnique,ledtoa26-inchtrout,followedtwodayslaterwitha28-inchmonster.Allmademultipleruns,itwasfun.MysonBenvisitedandIputhimonawhopper,too.Ifinishedthisareawitha27-inchseatrout.

RememberthatspoonflyImentionedinmylastarticle?Whilefishingthesebars,Isawatailstickingoutofthewater.IquicklysnippedofftheRouserandtiedonthespoonfly.MyadrenalinewassoaringandImissedwiththefirstcast,butplaceditintherightspotonthesecond.Thirdstripandwewereofftotheraces.Hereistheembarrassingpart.Afterthreerunsandatiredforearm,IproudlysentpicsofwhatIthoughtwasa“spotless”redfishtoseveralofyouintheclub.PatDamicoandBillAuCoingotbacktomewiththenews–blackdrum.Myfirstever.Itwas21-inchesandfoughtwitheveryinch.Ialsolandedasmallredonthatsameday.Usingmygummyminnow,Ifishedtwootherflats,hadfunwithladyfishonone,andcaughtaniceslotredontheother.Iwon’tforgetTheForgottenCoast.

Dennis

DennisMarquisloves“TheForgottenCoast”

AppleMaps

Denniscaughthugeseatroutinthedeeptroughsbetweenthesandbars. AppleMaps

Nextmonth:Headingnorth

July 2018 On The Fly Newsletter of the Suncoast Fly Fishers Page 18

Tampa Bay Times : Captain’s Corner

Capt.PatDamico:Nothavingtofoolwithbaitisonebigadvantageforflyfishing

Oneofthemanyadvantagestoflyfishingiswhenthebiteison,alotoffishcanbecaught.Wedon’thavetofoolaroundwithweights,swivels,snapsandfinickybraidedline,butespeciallybait.Procuringlivebaitsandkeepingthemhealthy,thetimeneededtorebaitandreleasesmallerornontargetedfish,andthechanceoffrequentlyharmingthemaregreatlyminimized.Cutbaitisnotagreatresource.Oncetheproperflyisselectedto"matchthehatch,"asingleflycanlastalongtime,especiallywhenconstructedwithsyntheticmaterials.Sincemostofourfliesthatimitateshrimp,crabsandbaitfishhaveasinglehook,catchandreleaseorcatchandkeepitsimpleoncethefishison.Filingorcrimpingthebarbwillnothamperyourcatchrateaslongasadequatepressureiskeptonthefish.Manyhooksareavailablethatarebarbless.Useadequateleaderstrength

andnonabrasivetippetsthatarestrongenoughforfishweseek.Whenfightingfish,keepyourrodtiplowandclosetothewater,alwaysmaintainingasoftbend.AmechanicalgrippingdeviceandadehookersimilartotheonesusedtoquicklyremovebaitfromaSabikirigminimizeoreliminatetheneedtohandlefishwhilekeepingtheminthewater.Whentakingapicture,liftthefishhorizontallyfromthewaterwithwethandsandneverholditoutofthewaterlongerthanyoucanholdyourbreath.

FlyfishermanPatDamicocharterslowerTampaBayandcanbereachedatcaptpatdamico.comor(727)504-8649.FlyfishermanPatDamicorunschartersinlowerTampaBayandcanbereachedatcaptpatdamico.comand(727)504-8649.

Bob Morrison: How-to Tips and one Fishy Factoid

Thisisnotanoff-colorjoke--Allthisrainshouldstirupthefish,andchangethewatercolortoanoff-coloredgreen,makingthefishlesswary.Anotherfeedingstimulantisthedropinwatertemperaturesafterastorm.Dolivelybeachesandswimmersdisruptthetarponmigration?--Tarponfishingcontinuesgoodaslongastherearefewdisturbancesalongthebeachesfrompeople.TarponarecomingintoTampaBay--AlargegroupoftarponispassingintoTampaBay.Thesefishiftheyfindalargepocketofbaitwilltendtoremaininonearea.Useasinkingflywithanactionskirt.Heavybite-tippet,too,ofcourse.

Don’tforgetflounder--Flounderfishingisbetter.LookforthemalongjettiesintheGulfpasses.Again,pilchardandpinfishpatternswillworkwell.Wherearethebiggestseatrout,redfish,andsnook?--GrassflatsaroundTierraVerdeandDunedinareproducingbigseatrout,redfish,andsnook,too.Smallcrabandbaitfishpatternsworkwell.Fishy Factoid (You can do the math)Anorca(killerwhale)eatsonequarterofhisweighteachday.Therefore,ifIweretoeatonequarterofmyweighteachday,andIweigh160,ifIeatquarterpoundhamburgers,thatwouldbefourperpound,andfigureouthowmanyIwouldhavetoeattoequalaquarterofmyweight.Itwouldbealotofthem!

Go get ‘em and good luck, Bob

July 2018 On The Fly Newsletter of the Suncoast Fly Fishers Page 19

Bill AuCoin : Flyfisher Flyover

TampaBayWatchTappedforSt.PetePierGoodcall–TheSt.PeteCityCouncilawardedTampaBayWatchthefirstleasefortheover-the-waterportionofthedowntownSt.PetersburgPiernowunderconstruction.TBWwillsetupaneducationattractionthatincludesclassroomsandotheramenities.It’snotfree.TBWhasinitiatedaprojecttoraise$825,000thissummertodesignandcompletetheeducationareaanditwillstillneed$15,000ayeartopayitsshareofthemaintenanceeachyear.(TampaBayTimes)

ThemanbehindSaveourSealifehasdied.KarlWickstrom,founder/editorofFloridaSportsmanmagazine,diedinlateJuneattheageof

82.Thatbattletoendgillnetsintheearly1990’swasoneofWickstrom’sbiggestvictories.Themovementcametobeknownasthenetban.In1994,theconstitutionalamendmentthatthecampaignputtoballotpassedwith72percentofthevote.Florida’sfisheriesreboundeddramatically.(TCPalm)AnotherFloridafishingherohasleftus–NathanielReedtoldfamilymembershislifewouldbeperfectifhecouldcatchonelast,perfectsalmon.“Hejustaboutpulleditoff,”saidhisson.(TampaBayTimes)TampaBaywatertemperaturehashit90-degrees.Actually,thisarticleisabouthandlingtroutincold,freshwaterstreamsandlakes.I’massumingthesameappliestowarm-waterspeciesincludingourflatsfish–snook,reds,seatrout.TipofthehattoPatDamicoforthislink.(HatchMagazine)Thebattleisneverreallyover–RedTide–Kareniabrevis—iskillingmanythousandsofsnookandredfishinSWFloridarightduringthespawningseason.Tarpon,too.Redtideisnaturalbutwe’refeedingitwithextraordinarylevelsofnutrientsthatdrainintoourwaters.(BonefishandTarponTrust)Doyoufeedyouroutboardcorn?--BoatU.S.hassomesurveyquestionsforthosewhohavepowerboats.It’saboutethanol-dilutedfuelandthebigbattlethat’sshapingupinCongress.Nowadaysmostgasatthepumphas10percent(E-10).Butlegislatorsaretalkingaboutallowingupto15percent.IfE10wasbadforoldoutboardsandlawnmowers,justimaginehowmuchmoretroublingE-15willbe.(BoatU.S.)TheU.S.SupremeCourtjusticeslikeFloridaoysters.Well,sortof.–Theysentthecasebackdownthejudicialpipelinetodetermine,with“careandthoroughness,”whetherAlabamaandGeorgiaareusingtoomuchfreshwaterwhichthenstarvestheApalachicolaRiver.Thenthere’snotenoughfreshwaterreachingtheGulftosustaintheFloridaoystereco-system.(TampaBayTimes)Docklightfishingtips–Whetheryou’readocklightfishingneophyteoraveteran,you’llwanttoreadthisarticleabouthowtohookandlandbigfishondocklights.(FloridaSportsman)Hey,kid,getoffthatsmartphone!--BassProShopsfounderJohnnyMorrishaslaunchedthe“GoneFishing”initiativeandkickeditoffwithaBassPro-Cabela’sdonationof50,000rodsandreelstomotivatekidstogetofftheirphonesandgooutside.Bravos.(SpringfieldNews-Leader)

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