December 2017 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

Smellthoseshrimpbeginningtoboil.10,12

CaptainC.A.Richardson,hostofFlatsClassTV 5

WoodyMillermeetsMarlboroMan.16 Novembermeetingsnapshots.6

SuncoastFlyFishersatBayPinesWellnessFair.13

Bringitonsun.DavidReddisready.Weedonouting.10

December 2017 On The Fly ~Newsletter of the Suncoast Fly Fishers Page 2

SFFPresidentLetter–December2017HappyHolidays,Everyone.It’stheseasontoeattoomuch,talktoomuchandspendqualitytimewithfamilyandlovedones!Ifyou’retraveling,staysafeanddon’tforgettobringyourflyrod.Ifyou’revisitingthatun-favorablefamilymember,itwillmakeyourtripawholelot

better.Remember,youdon’tjustpacktheflyrod,it’sthereasonyoupackeverythingelse.Yourflyfishinggeardoesn’tjustcomealong,ittakesyouwhereyouaregoing.Flyfishingisthereasontogomanyplaces.Yougotherebecausethere’saplacetofish.WehavenogeneralmeetinginDecember,butIfyou’restayinghome,besuretojoinusforthemanyactivitieswehaveplanned.Allthedetailsareinthisworld-renownedNewsletter.Theendoftheyearalsomeanstaxseasonwillsoonbehere.Ifyou’relookingfordeductions,certaindonationstoourAnnualHogRoastBanquetaretaxdeductible.Maybeyouremployerislookingfordeductionstoo.Checkwithyourtaxadvisor,yourcompanyandtalktoRickorKarenWarfel.Remember,thisishowwefundallofourotheractivitiesthroughouttheyear.ThankstoRickandKarenforallthehourstheyputintomakeitasuccesseveryyear.Lookingtowardnextyear,wehaveourAnnualTrash’nTreasuresAuctionExtravaganzaattheJanuarygeneralmeetinghostedbynoneotherthanourownAlanSewell.Therewillbeplentyoflaughsandgoodbuys.Bringyour“trash”(notliterally,justgoodthingsthatyoudon’tuseanymore),anditmaybesomeoneelse’streasure.WewillalsobeintroducingournominatingcommitteewhowillpresentcandidatesfortheOfficersandBoardofDirectorspositions.TheywillpresentaslateofnomineesattheFebruaryMeetingandthenwewillvoteattheMarchmeetingafternominationsfromthefloor.ThenewlyelectedmemberswillassumetheirDutiesattheAprilBoardofDirectorsmeeting.Iftheyaskyoutoserve,pleasesayyes.Itwilladdalotofmeaningtoyourlife.Apersonalthankyoutoallwhohavedonesomuchforourclubthispastyear.Therearetoomanytomentionhere,butyouknowwhoyouare.Youtrulyhaveenrichedmyflyfishingexperienceandmylife.NeverloseyourSenseofAdventure,

George GeorgeHaseltine,ProudtoServeasSFFPresident2016-17,ghh343@aol.com,727-423-8110

December 2017 On The Fly ~Newsletter of the Suncoast Fly Fishers Page 3

Club Meetings and More Saturday,December9Outing,DonColemanInvitational

• Noteearlierdatetokeepholidaysfree• ThisisalsoourannualChiliCook-OffatFortDeSotoPark.• Forthosewhodon’tfishorquitearlyTomGadaczissettingupa

flycastingtargetaccuracycontest.• Coffeeat10:00.Lunchat11:45.NorthBeachPavilion5.Tampa

andSarasotaclubmembersareinvitedtojoinusonthisone.• It’sourlastchancetocatchthelongestoutingtournament

saltwaterfish.

Thursday,December14

FlycasttotarponandredfishatFWC’sresearchponds

• Location:14495HarleeRoad,Palmetto.• Bethereby9am.Fish‘tilnoon.Bringyourownlunch.• Flycasttotarponandredfish

Saturday,December16,ProfessionalCastingClinic

• FFImastercastinginstructors--PatDamico,DayleMazzarella.• EganField,9100BlindPassRoad,St.PeteBeach• 9amtoNoon• HostedbySuncoastFlyFishers• ClinicisfreeformembersofFlyFishersInternational(FFI).

Non-memberscanparticipatebyjoiningFFI.$35/year,$25(seniorsandmembers/veteransofthearmedforces),or$20(22oryounger).FreetoresidentsofSt.PeteBeach.

Thursday,January18Meeting

• Trash‘n’TreasureswithauctioneerAlanSewell.Donategearyoudon’tuse.Bidandgetagooddealonitemsyouneed.

• NominatingCommitteeannounced.Bethinkingaboutwhoshouldserveasofficersandboardmembers.

Saturday,January20,Outing

• PinellasPoint,St.Petersburg• Lunch:Brisket

Friday-Saturday,February9-10,2018–FloridaFlyFishingExpo–PlantationonCrystalRiver

• Volunteersneededforflytying,registration,raffle,andmore.SeeTomGadaczformoreinfo.• SeminarsanddemosbythebestflytiersandcastersinFlorida• Topguidepresentationsonflyfishinglocalwaters.• Seepage7foruptodatedetailsandregistration.• Registernowfordiscounts.• FollowEXPOnewsonTwitter–--@ffflyexpo,#2018EXPOFloridaCouncil.FFI--#SeedtoStream

SuncoastFlyFishersofSt.Petersburg

MonthlyMeetings:

ThirdThursdayofevery

month(exceptDecember)

atSt.Pete’sWalterFuller

ParkRecCenter.6to8:30

pm.Guestsarewelcome.

MonthlyOutings

TheSaturdayafterthethirdThursdayofeverymonthindifferentlocations,saltwaterandfreshwater,withapicniclunch(usually)atnoon.

MembershipWecurrentlyhave143membersincluding21familymembersand5honorarymembers.

FFICharterClub.

SuncoastFlyFishersisachartermemberclubofFlyFishersInternationalSFFwebsiteSFFCalendar

SuncoastFlyFishersofSt.Petersburg

MonthlyMeetings:

ThirdThursdayofevery

month(exceptDecember)

atSt.Pete’sWalterFuller

ParkRecCenter.6to8:30

pm.Guestsarewelcome.

MonthlyOutings

TheSaturdayafterthethirdThursdayofeverymonthindifferentlocations,saltwaterandfreshwater,withapicniclunch(usually)atnoon.

MembershipWecurrentlyhave143membersincluding21familymembersand5honorarymembers.

December 2017 On The Fly ~Newsletter of the Suncoast Fly Fishers Page 4

Catch the Fly Fishing Fever

HeckuvadiscountdealforSuncoastFlyFishers.NewmemberMikeLarkinwillbeattheFortDeSotoParkOuting.WinstonRod

deadlineisDec.17.I am pro staff for Patagonia and Simms. This basically means I can get their stuff for a discounted price. I am happy to offer my discount to any of the fly club members. Through my Simms membership I got a holiday deal with Winston rods. So I can get up to 4 Winston fly rods for a discount but the order has to take place before December 17, 2017. I am happy

to order any rods for any of our fly club members as long as you contact me soon. Mike

IntroductiontoFlyTyingClasseswithBruceEvensen

FreemonthlyflytyinglessonsformembersandguestsonthefourthThursdayofeachmonthexceptDecember

Nextclass,January25

IntroductiontoFlyCastingwithTomGadacz

FreelessonsinSt.Peteareopentoall.Classsizeislimitedsobesuretosignup.Call727-363-9245

When:6–8pmMonday,December11(secondMondayofeachmonth)

Where:EganField,9101BlindPassRoad,St.PeteBeach.

Final Results: 2017 Big Gun Shootout at Picnic Island Park LongestCast,DaveOlson,TampaBayFlyFishers,132.5feetHighestAccuracyscore,tie DaveOlson,TampaBayFlyFishers,85 BryonChamberlin,TampaBayFlyFishers,85BestThrough-the-Hoop,tie DaveOlson,TampaBayFlyFishers,100 GregPeterson,TampaBayFlyFishers,100 NickAngelo,TampaBayFlyFishers,100BestV-Fishscore,GregPeterson,TampaBayFlyFishers,100BestMangrovescore(Lowtotheground),GregPeterson,TampaBayFlyFishers,100BestOverallscore,GregPeterson,TampaBayFlyFishers,480SecondPlaceOverall,DaveOlson,TampaBayFlyFishers,445ThirdPlaceOverall,KeatonAnderson,CarbonMarine,443Participants,SuncoastFlyFishers,overallscore/rank

RickWarfel,255/10,KenHofmeister,205/16,TomGadacz,189/20,AndyConstantinou,170/23

DavidOlsonwonthelongestcastcontest–132.5feet

MikeLarkinandson

December 2017 On The Fly ~Newsletter of the Suncoast Fly Fishers Page 5

Captain C. A. Richardson: Host of Flats Class TV

ByBillAuCoin

Catchinglittlespottedseatroutisn’ttheissue.Findone;findadozen.Therealquestioniswheredowefindandhowtowecatchthosefat,25-inch,yellow-mouthers?CaptainC.A.Richardson,hostofFlatsClassTV,toldusattheNovembermeetingofSuncoastFlyFishers.

Firstoff,weneedtoacknowledgethatthegrassflatsofTampaBayareheavilyfished,overfishedactually.So,findsomegrassyflatsthatdon’tgetsomuchpressure.LiketheleesideofCaladesiandHoneymoonIslandsinSt.JosephSound.Secondly,evenwherethereareplentyoftrout,thebigonesareclearlyspookedinourusualplaceslikeWeedonIsland’sgrassflats.It’snotunusualtocount50boatsand100anglersworkingthatareaonanygivenweekendday.Whattodo?• Fishtheminthecoldmonths.FebruaryandMarchmaybethebesttimetosightfishtheshallowwaterforbigseatroutinTampaBay.• Fishseagrassin18-inchesofwater.Seatroutwill

comeupontheflatwhenthesunishighandwarmingthewater.They’llgoforthewarmestwatertheycanfind,oftenclosetothemangroveshorelines.Darkbottomsholdtheheat.

• Theydon’teatoften.Alittlewindisgood.Soisachangeoftides.Fishthebigmoons.• Sightfishonly.C.A.quietlypoleshisHellsBayflatsboatfromatallpolingplatform.He’stall,too,6-

foot-5,likeagreatblueheronwithkeeneyes.• Findthemullet.They’relikemovingstructure.Ifyoudon’t’seethem,circlingospreyswilltellyou

wheretheyare.Bigtroutlikethesiltierwaterstirredbythemullet.• Oftenbigtroutwillbeinasandypothole,apropscareven,buthugging,hidingalongsidethegrass.• Fishabigfly,averyslowsinkingfly;i.e.,EPMinnow.Workitslowly.Tic-tic-ticitabitsothatit

breathesandtrytokeepitjustabovethetopoftheseagrass.Troutwilllookup.• Ifyouseeatroutsuddenlyzoomoutandmovetoanotherspot,saygoodbye.Heknowsyou’rethere.• C.A.saidsometimeshe’llfindthebigseatroutinacertainpatternbutcan’tgetthemtobite.He’ll

stickthePower-Poleandheandhisclientwillquietlyslipoutoftheboatandwadefish.• Yourbesttoolisconfidence,andthat’llgetabigboostwhenyoucatchatrophy.Often,you’llfeeltwo

takes.Feelthejerk?Waitasecondforthesecondone.He’shooked.Gothemostat?• Letthebigonesgo.Theyspawneverytwoweeksorsoandweneedmorejustlikethem.Troutdon’t

migrate.Theylive15ormoreyears.Let‘emliveafulllifeandproducemorebiggiesforyourfavoriteflat.Hey,maybeyou’llgetashotatflyfishingrecord.

There’salotmorewecanlearnaboutfindingandcatchingbigtroutwhichwecanlearnfromwatchingFlatsClassTV.Season12ofFlatsClassTVstartssoonandtwoepisodesareflyfishingshows.YoucanwatchepisodesontheFlatsClasswebsite.YoucanalsoreadandwatchCAonSaltstrong.comandtheGuyHarveyAcademyOutpostblog.

Capt.C.A.Richardson,hostofFlatsClassTV,sharedhistipsforcatchingbigspottedseatrout.

(KevinKellyPhoto)

December 2017 On The Fly ~Newsletter of the Suncoast Fly Fishers Page 6

November Meeting Snapshots Photos by Bill AuCoin, Tom Gadacz, Kevin Kelly

BillScarolatiestheMidnightSpecial

Here’stheflythatBilltied.Typically,it’stiedwhitewithgrizzlyhackleonthetail.Billtiedsomewitholiveoverwhite.

CarlHansonOuting.DickMiekka(right)awardedPeterClinethisdrawingforthelongestbass,a17-incherattheCarlHansonOuting

PresidentGeorgeHaseltinewiththetrophyheandAlanSewellearnedforcatchingthemostsunfishattheCarlHansonouting.

AnneHayswithspeakerCapt.C.A.Richardson.

Capt.C.A.RichardsontoldSuncoastFlyFisherssomeofhissecretsforfindingandcatchingbigseatrout.

CliffNighwasn’tatthemeetingbuthewashappytolearnhewontheguidedfly

fishingtripwithCapt.PatDamico.

December 2017 On The Fly ~Newsletter of the Suncoast Fly Fishers Page 7

Register now for the 2018 Florida Fly Fishing Expo LEGENDARY GUIDE STEVE HUFF IS THE FEATURED PRESENTER

What:2018FFIFloridaCouncilFlyFishingExpo

When:February9-10,2018

Where:PlantationonCrystalRiver,9310W.FortIsland

Trail,CrystalRiver,FL34429

How:Registeronlinenowandget15freeraffletickets.

JoinusatthePlantationonCrystalRiver.Whatagreatplacetospendawinterweekend!Bringyourfamily.Meetoldfriendsandmakesomenewones.Canoeingandkayaktripsareavailableaswellasmanateewatchingtours,27holesofchampionshipgolf,scubadiving,toursofKingsBay,boatandkayakrentals,andspa.Reserveyourspotnowandreceive15raffletickets.Banquetticketsmustbepurchasedatthetimeofpre-registrationaswellasregisteringforthesmallgrouplessons.Registrationfeeis$25forbothdays.Children12andunderarefreeaccompaniedbyanadult.Generalprogramsareincludedintheadmissionfeeandalsosmallgroupsessionstosharpenyourflytyingandcastingskillsareavailableforafee.WewillhaveaFridayeveningreceptionwhichisincludedintheregistrationfee.Saturdayeveningbanquetis$45.Therewillberaffles,silent,andliveauctionssoyoucanpickupsomegreatbargains,somesuperbflies,tripswithflyfishingguidesandmanyotheritems.Saturdayeveningbanquetticketsare$45.LiveandsilentauctionfollowSaturday’sbanquet.BanquetticketsforSaturday$45.00.Smallgroupcastingandflytyingsessions$20.00/session.4sessionseach(morningandafternoononFriday&Saturday) Flytyinglimitedto6registrantspersession. Castinglimitedto5registrantspersession.FloridaCouncil,FlyFishersInternational

FloridaCouncil,FlyFishersInternational,Facebook

PlantationonCrystalRiver

DiscoverCrystalRiver

IGFAHallofFamerSteveHuffisExpoheadliner

ProfessionalFlyFishingClasses

"CastingChallenge"Flycastingtothe“V”,underthedock,throughthehoop.JohnHandandJimPatchetPaddleBoardFlyFishingwithDavidOlsonFlyFishingtheFlatswithLeighWestFlyFishingforTarpon.FloridaEastCoastandMexicobyJimHarterandJenRipple SmallClassFlyCastingandTying.$20.LedbyEricCook,PeteGreenan,LeslieHolmes,DavidOlson,TomRueping IntroductiontotheFFIFlyCastingInstructorCertificationProgram,withDayleMazzarella,MasterCastingInstructor. FlyCastingProgramsforWomenwithJenRippleandMonaBrewer FreshwaterFlyFishing–Howtocatchfreshwaterfishincludingpeacockbass,withTomLoganSaturdayYouthProgram.9-17.Flytying,knottying,flycasting.Saturday.DavidLambertandstaffFlyFishingtheEvergladeswithEdTamson EmergencyCastingClinic.PatDamicoandstaffBestcatch-and-releasepracticespresentedbyBonefish&TarponTrust

December 2017 On The Fly ~Newsletter of the Suncoast Fly Fishers Page 8

Used Gear for Sale J.R.Dubler’sActionCraft

1996ActionCraft2020FlatsmasterwithEvinrude200hp.Prime

condition.$27,500butdiscountedforSuncoastFlyFishers.CallJRat

813-843-3737foraninspectionandawatertrial.

AlanSewell’stransom-mounttrollingmotor–55-lbthrust–

neverused

55-lbthrust.42inchshaft.BassProProwler.In-linecircuitbreakers.12-volt.SeeAlanattheJan.meeting.

TedRichsellinghisHeritageFeatherlitekayak

HeritageFeatherlitefishingkayak.39pounds.Boat,lifevestand

paddlefor$250.941-764-8089

ChrisO’Byrne’sFlyTyingKit

OrvisCahillBench/BoxwithWasatchToolsandRenzettiTravelerVise.$300.obyrnec@yahoo.com

PhilThigpin’sMitchellTri-Hullboat,motorandtrailer

Mitchell198216’tri-hullwithacompletelyrebuilt198250hpJohnsonoutboard.Thetrailerhasbeen

rebuilt:newwiring,winch&strap,wheels&bearings.Asking$2,000.ContactPhilThigpin:727-822-5053.

BruceEvensenhasflygearandfliesforsale.Callhimat727-403-9010

7-8weightVanStaalflyreel,brandnewinthebox;neverused,$430.Okumaflyreel.7-9weight.2extra

spools.Reelandspoolshave20#backing.$75.Also,fliesforsale.

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

December 2017 On The Fly ~Newsletter of the Suncoast Fly Fishers Page 9

We are Suncoast Fly Fishers

of St. Petersburg, Florida

AimsandPurposesSuncoastFlyFishersarededicatedtosharingtheirtotalfly-fishingexperiencesandtodevelopinginterestinflyfishinginbothfreshandsalt water. We promote and teach both fly fishing and relatedsubjects of fly-tying, rod building, fly-casting and knot tying.Throughcollaboration,fellowship,conservationandsportsmanshipwehelpmembersbecomemoreskilled,havemorefun,andbemoreproductive in the sport. SFF supports the conservation of naturalresources,boatingsafetyandfishingregulations.SuncoastFlyFishers(SFF)isanon-profit50I3organizationhttp://suncoastflyfishers.com/meetings.htmlTheSuncoastFlyFishers, Inc. (SFF) isanorganizationof fishingenthusiasts who love fishing with the fly rod. We welcome allpeople of all ages with similar interests, regardless of their flyfishing skill level. We enthusiastically teach those that wish tolearnorimprovetheirflycasting,flytyingandrelatedflyfishingskills. SFFmeetsmonthlywherewe talk fly fishing, tie fliesandmostmonthsfeatureaspeakerwithaprogramhighlightinglocalflyfishingopportunities.SFFisanon-profit,5013organization.SFFisachartermemberoftheFlyFishersInternational(FFI).SFFisamemberoftheFloridaCouncilofFFI.

ByU.S.mail:SuncoastFlyFishers,P.O.Box40821,StPetersburg,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

Join. Renew. Application

Membership renewals in September www.suncoastflyfishers.com

SuncoastFlyFishers

P.O.Box40821StPetersburg,FL33743www.suncoastflyfishers.org

ClubOfficers

Pres:GeorgeHaseltineVicePres:RickWarfelSecretary:DickMiekkaTreasurer:KarenWarfel

BoardofDirectorsJohnCraig--JeffHeer--BobBurkard--BruceEvensen--RickYarn--RyanSollars--CliffNigh

CommitteesVolunteersneeded.SpeaktoanyofficerordirectoratthemeetingCastingSkills--PatDamico,MCI,DayleMazzarella,MCIIFFFLiaison--PatDamicoConservation--CliffNighFlyTying--MyronHansenMembership--KarenWarfelNewMembers--RickWarfelWebmaster–RickYarnHogRoastKaren+RickWarfelOutings--BobBurkardProjectHealingWaters--JohnCraig,TerryKirkpatrick,AlanSewellOutreach,shows–JeffHeer,BobBurkardRaffles--DaveBarsonPrograms--BoardofDirectorsNewslettereditor--BillAuCoinPublicity--BillAuCoin

December 2017 On The Fly ~Newsletter of the Suncoast Fly Fishers Page 10

November Review: Weedon Island Preserve, November 18 Itbeganasapictureperfectday.Coolmorningtemperatures,minimalwind,lots of sun. With the dawn, the flyfishers assembled and set out to flailthe waters on foot, in canoes, kayaksandwhateverelsewouldfloat.All manner of flies were offered andfish were caught! Jan and I had abanner day in our canoe bringingto handmaybe 15 trout, ladyfish andtheperfunctorycatfish.The ladyfishwerehittingaggressivelyeventhoughporpoiseswereverybusystirringupthewater.

Thetargetedfish,however,wastheelusiveredfish.Itwassightedbutnotcaught,hence,noprizethismonth.KenHofmeistercaughtthelongestfishoftheday,a20-inchladyfish.

By10:30folkshadassembledforcoffeeandconversation.Bynoon,thispictureperfectdaygotmeasurablybetterasMiriam,JohnandMarkCraigbeganlayingouttheirlowcountryboil.Thearomashadbeentantalizingthegroupcomparingtheirmorning'sexploitsandwhenfinallyconsumed,boy,diditgodowngood!Manywerenotshyaboutliningupforseconds.Thegroupvotedfortheboiltobecomeayearlyevent.

ManykudostotheCraigs!

Ourperfectfalldayevolvedintotellingfishtaleswitholdfriends.Then,postfishingritualofcleaningandstowingofgear.Ifinditalmostassatisfyingasthepreparationphase.Amidafternoonnapcapsoffadaywellspent.

Hilton

UPDATED: 2017 CLUB OUTING TOURNAMENT LEADERS

Species Length Leadertodate Outing

Longestsunfish 9-inches MarkHays LowerHillsboroughWildernessPreserveLongestblackbass 17-inches PeterCline CarlHansontournament/HillsboroughRiverLongestsnook 27-inches AdamHays DocklightWeekendLongestredfish OPENLongestladyfish 20-inches KenHofmeister WeedonIslandPreserve(November)Longestseatrout 19-inches PeterCline CypressPointPark(March)

BobBurkard,SFFOutingcommittee

HiltonBruch,SFFOutingCommittee

December 2017 On The Fly ~Newsletter of the Suncoast Fly Fishers Page 11

December 9 Outing: Don Coleman Invitational and Chili Cook-Off

• MeetupatPavilion5inNorthBeacharea.Coffeeat10:00.Chililunchat11:45.

• Thetargetfishisthelongestofanyofourannualtournamentspecies.

• Lastchancetocatchthelongestfishtowinanyoftheannualtournamentcategories.Thisyearwehavetwocontestsplanned1)ourannualChiliCook-offand2)afly-castingcontest}1:SuncoastFlyFishers2017ChiliCook-Off

SuncoastFlyFishers(andmembersoftheTampaBayFlyFishingClubandtheTarponCoastFlyFishers)areinvitedtocompeteinourclub'ssecondannualChiliCook-OffatouroutingonDecember9thatFortDeSotoPark.Ifyouwanttocompeteinthe2017ChiliCookOffemailBobBurkardatRobertBurkard9@gmail.com(ortexthimat610-256-7781tolethimknow).YouwillneedtoprepareyourchiliinadvanceandbringittothelunchatPavilion5.Thepavilionhaselectricaloutletssoyoucanpluginacrock-pottowarmupyourchili.Chilientrieswillbejudgedbymembersandguestswhotasteeachofthedifferentchilidishes.Eachpersongetsonevote.Prizeswillbeawardedtothetoptwoentries.Thelunchandthechilitastingcompetitionstartat11:45AM.(Coffeeat10:00AM)Thisisacompetitionwhereanythinggoes.Thisiswhereyoustrutyourstuffwithyourfavoritechili.Thischilicontest(unlikeothercompetitions)canincludebeans.Youmaycookitwithavarietyofmeats,beans,veggies,wholetomatoesorwhateveryouwish.SweetorHotorExtraHot…yourchoice!

2:FlycastingtargetcontestYougetthreetriestoplaceafly(inthiscaseapieceofyarn),withthreeorfewerfalsecaststoathree-foottarget60feetaway.TomGadaczwillprovidecoachingandhelppeoplepracticebeforethey“StepUptotheLine.”EachwinnergetstoselectoneofBruceEvensen’sflies.Entrantscanusetheirownflyrod,butwewillhavesomeadditionalrodsofvaryingweightsavailable.

Bob

REMINDER: Here are our guidelines for awards for outings and the tournament

• Monthlyoutings:Foreachmonthlyoutingtherewillbeadesignatedspeciesoffishthatwillbeassigned/targeted.TheclubmemberingoodstandingwhocatchestheLONGESTtargetedfishonaflyatthatoutingwillreceiveagiftcertificate.Iftheassignedfishisnotcaughtatthatoutingtherewillbenoprizeforthatouting.

• AnnualTournament:Thespeciescategoriesare:seatrout,redfish,snook,ladyfish,bass,andsunfish(bream).AtEVERYoutingthelongestfishofanyofthosespeciescaughtontheflybyamemberingoodstandingwillbeenteredintotheannualtournament.Theprizewillbepresentedattheannualhogroast.

• Addmackerelandbluefish?WehaddecidedthatwecouldnotincludeallspeciesoffishintheAnnualtournament,andidentifiedtrout,redfish,snook,ladyfish,bassandsunfishasthefishwewantedtoacknowledge.Basedonrecentmemberfeedback,Ithinkthatweshouldincludeaquestionatthenextmeetingaskingifweshouldaddotherspeciesincludingmackerelandbluefishfor2018annualtournament.Thinkaboutit.

December 2017 On The Fly ~Newsletter of the Suncoast Fly Fishers Page 12

John Craig’s Low Country Boil Recipe

TheamazingoutinglunchatWeedonIslandPreserve

Usethisrecipefor10people.Wetriplethisrecipewhenweplanfor30guestsatouroutingsandstillhavealittleleftover.Theshrimpcanbecookedseparatelyifpeoplehaveshellfishallergies:Cookthepotatoes,cornandsausagefirst,andremovetoaservingpan,thencookshrimpinthesaveseasonedwater.Don’tworryabouttheexactamountofwater,justuseenoughtocovertheingredients.WecooktheLowCountyBoilinaTurkeyFryerpot.Someversionsof thisrecipeaddaquarteredsweetonion, the juiceoftwolemons,cayennepepper,cloves,andbayleavestothewater:youcanexperimentandadjusttoyourpersonaltaste.

Smellthoseshrimp,hey,it’sbeginningtoboil.(JimmyBuffett)Ingredients:

• 4poundssmallredpotatoes• 5quartsofwater• 1(3-ounce)bagofcrabboilseasoning:recommendZatarain'sCrabandShrimpBoil• 4tablespoonsofOldBaySeasoning• 2poundsKielbasaorhotsmokedsausage,cutinto1½inchpieces• 6earsofcorn,halved:frozencornonthecobworksaswellasfreshwholeears• 4poundslargeshrimp:recommendfrozenwithshellandheadson,butpeeledanddeveinedis

optional• Cocktailsauce

Directions:

1. Addpotatoestolargepot,thenadd5quartsofwaterandseasonings

2. Coverpotandbringtoarollingboil;cook5minutes3. Addthesausageandcorn,andreturntoboil4. Cook10minutes,oruntilthepotatoesaretender5. AddShrimptopot,cook3to4minutesuntilthe

shrimpturnspink

John

JohnCraigstirsthepot

TeamSollarsatthebuffettable.DarrynManleywaitshisturn.(TomGadaczphoto)

December 2017 On The Fly ~Newsletter of the Suncoast Fly Fishers Page 13

Tom Gadacz: Suncoast Fly Fishers at VA Wellness Fair OurProjectHealingWatersFlyFishingvolunteers

demonstratedtheirflytyingskillsforotherVA

employees.

AlanSewell,TedRich,JohnCraig,andTomGadaczstaffed

theevent.Wesharedourcontributionstothecareofthe

veteransattheBayPinesVeteranAdministrationMedical

Center.

TheeventwasheldonOctober31andthetreatwason

us.Wehadtheopportunitytoexplainhowflytying

helpedveteranscopewiththeirphysicalandemotionalcombatrelatedproblems.

Otherpartsofourprogramincluderodbuilding,flycastingandflyfishing.Weintroducedseveralemployees

toflyfishingandinvitedthemtonotonlysendtheirpatientstoouractivitiesbutalsoforthem,afamily

member,orfriendtoattendoneofourmeetings.

Tom

SomeoftheotherVAWellnessFairdisplays.

Thisiswhatwedo.JohnCraig,TedRichandAlanSewelltiedfliesandexplainedhowourclubhelpsveteranscomebacktoafulfillinglife.

December 2017 On The Fly ~Newsletter of the Suncoast Fly Fishers Page 14

Tying Bench Layne Smith Ties Lou Tabory’s Snake Fly IfIseemulletpushingwaterintheshallows,thisisthefirstflyI'll

tieon.Tabory'sbooksareabsolutelychockfullofgood

informationandIhighlyrecommendthemalongwithhissnakefly.

IliketotiesnakefliesonshortshankhooksandIfoundMustad

C68SZworkparticularlywell.ForthisflyI'musinga2/0.Because

ofthespundeerhairhead,Iliketouseheavytyingthread.Danville

FlatwaxedNylononalargebobbinallowsmetoapplyalotof

pressuretothewraps.

MaterialsHook:MustadC68SZ,orGamakatsuSL12Ssize2/0��Thread:DanvilleFlatwaxedNylonwhite��Tail:WhiteOstrichherl��Flash:SilverKrystalFlashandPearlFlashabou��Body:Whitemarabou,wrapped��Collar:Whitedeerhair,stacked��Head:Whitedeerhair,spun��Adhesive:FletchTitePlatinum,Zap-A-GaporfavoriteCACement

TyingInstructions

Step1:Startyourtyingthreadataboutthehookpointandworkyourwaybacktosecureittothehook.Snip5or6ostrichherlsfreefromonesideofthestem.Measurethemtoformatail2to3timesaslongasthehookandtietheminontopoftheshank.Step2:Forflash,justafewstrandsofsilvercrystalflash,doubledover,andthenattachedtothetopofthehookseemstobeenough.Youcandothesamewith2or3strandsofflashabouaswell.Thisaddsthatiridescentfishylooktothepattern.Topthesewith5or6morestrandsofostrichherl.Step3:Marabougoesonnext,andifproperlytiedin,addsatonofmotiontothefly.Plumesorbloodquillswillwork.Stripthenastiesoffthestemtoleaveaboutatwo-inchmarabousegment.Leaveenoughroomatthebutttoattachhacklepliers.Findthetipandpullthefibersbacktoexposethestem.Thensnipthetipoff.Whilestillholdingthefibersback,tiethefeatherontothehookshank.Thiswillresultinasurprisinglyrobustconnection.Evenso,begentlewiththisnextstepasmaraboustemsarefairlydelicate.Step4:Getagripofthebuttendwithhacklepliersandpullthefeatherup.Usingthebackofyourscissors,rubthestemwhichwillhelptopointthemaraboufibersrearward.Pullthefibersbackmorewithyourthumbandindexfinger.Wettingyourfingertipsreallyhelpsthisprocess.Thenbeginwrappingthemarabouinaspiralaroundthehookshank,pullingthefibersbackasyougo.Althoughthisprocessmightseemtimeconsuming,Ifeelit'sreallyworthitintheoveralllookandactionofthefly.Step5:Tiethestemoffwithacoupleofgoodtightwrapsandthenreorientanyfibersthathavegoneastray.Withthatdoneyoucansnipthetipoffcloseandgiveafewfinishingwraps.

TyinginstructionsforSmitty’sversionoftheTaborySnakeFlycontinuesonthenextpage

December 2017 On The Fly ~Newsletter of the Suncoast Fly Fishers Page 15

Continued… Tying Bench Smitty ties the Tabory Snake Fly Step6:Nowhere'sthefunpart.Snipaclumpofwhitedeerhair,aboutapencil'swidthindiameter.Soitwillspincorrectly,fanandremovethefuzziesfromthebuttends.Flickingthemoftenhelpstoshakethefuzziesloose.Usealargediameterhairstackertoeventhetipsandthencarefullyremovethemfromthestacker.Placethemonthetopofthehookshanksothetipsextendjustbeyondthebendofthehook.Whilesqueezingyourthumbandindexfinger,takeasinglewrapandworkitdownunderpressure.Takeasecondwraptoflarethedeerhairevenfurtherandthentakeonemoreforgoodmeasure.Step7:Thenrunyourthreadthroughthebuttendsata45-degreeangleandpulltighttolockthebundleintoplace.Now,Iliketoaddafewloosewrapsbehindmyinitialwrapstodecreasetheflareontherearwardpointingtips.Althoughthisisn'tnecessary,Ilikethewayitlooks.Nowrunyourthreadforwardwithacoupleofwraps.Advanceyourthreadtoinfrontofthedeerhairasbestyoucananduseaballpointpenwithit'sgutsremovedorasimilartubetopushbackandpackthedeerhair.Thentakewrapsofthreadinfronttobuildupadamtoholdthehairback.Step8:Snipanothersimilarsizedclumpofdeerhairandrepeatthefanning,flickingandpluckingproceduretogetridofthefuzzies.Thensnipthetipsoffthedeerhair.Onthisone,youwanttoreallyspinthedeerhairsotakeonewrapandthenonthesecondwrap,easeuponyourfingertippressureandallowthehairtospinaroundthehookshank.Thehairshouldstopspinningasyoutakeanotherwraportwo.Onceagain,packthedeerhairrearwardandtakewrapstoformadaminfront.Repeatthiswholeprocedureuntilyouhavespundeerhairallthewayuptojustbehindthehookeye.Howmanyclumpsyouneedwilldependonhowlongyourhookshankis.Step9:Now,here'saweirdlittletrickthatallowsyoutofinishtheheadoftheflywithouttrappingalotofhairs.Whenyou'rereadytofinishthehead,pushthefibersbackandholdtheminplace.Takeabunchofwraps,tryingyourbestnottotraphairasyougo.Repeattheprocessuntilyou'renolongertrappinghair.Whileholdingthehairback,applyasmallamountofzap-a-gaptoyourtyingthreadwithyourbodkin.Thentakeafewwrapswiththethread.Usingaknifeorscissors,youcannowcutthetyingthreadfreewithoutitunraveling.Step10:Totrimtheheadtoshape,Iliketofirstcutthebottomhairoffflatandparalleltothehookshankandthengofromthere.I'veseenalldifferentshapesandIthinkthisreallyisamatterofpreference.Step11:Now,toreallysealyourfinalthreadwraps,addheadcementallthewayaround,andIliketoaddheadcementtotheflatpartoftheheadtolockitinplaceandmaketheflymoredurable.Step12:Thefinalflyshouldlooksomethinglikethis(photoatright).Althoughsomepeopleliketheminolive,otherspreferchartreuse,straightwhitehasalwaysworkedwellforme.

Smitty

December 2017 On The Fly ~Newsletter of the Suncoast Fly Fishers Page 16

Woody and Ann Miller Tour Utah’s National Parks and Fly Fish, too

AnnandItraveledtoUtahforatwomonthvisittothenationalparksinsouthernUtah.IhadmadearrangementswithFreemontAnglersforaguidedtripforthetwoofuswhileinCapitalReefNationalParkinlateSeptember.Themorningwearrivedattheoutfittersitwascoolandclearwithjustabreathofairmoving.StandingoutsidethebuildingwastheMarlboroMan,cowboyhat,boots,jeans,avestandbigolebushymustacheandall.InhishandwasaCamelunfilteredcigarette,smokewaftingfromthelongash.Asweapproached,hereachedouthishandandaskedifweweretheclientsthatwerefishingthisday,andintroducedhimselfasourguideVince.AnnandIlookedateachotherwithasomewhatpuzzledlookthinkingthiswasgoingtobeaninterestingday.

WithgearloadedintohisolderGMCSUV,offwewenttoanundisclosedlocationwhereVincestatedtherewerebig(censored)fish.AsweheadedupintotheFishlakeNationalForest,VinceregaleduswithstoriesofbigfishunpressuredbymostfishermenduetothelocationofUMCreek.WeturnedoffFreemontRiverRoadatthenorthendofFishLakeandheadedbackintothewildsoftheforestonFR-015.

SixmilesinonaverydustyandbumpyroadwecametoUMCreeklocatedinoneofthemostbeautifulvalleyswehadseen.Weriggedup,climbedawoodenlogfenceandheadedthroughawell-used(euphemismforCowPoo)pasturetoanarrowcreeknowiderthanourtraveltrailer.AllthewhileI'mthinkingthisisgoingtobethemostexpensivewalkamongstcowpooIhaveeverpaidfor.BoywasIwrong.UMCreekheldsomeofthemostbeautifulandlargestCutthroatTroutAnnandIhaveevercaught.Thisstreamwasloadedwith12-inch-plusfish.UnderVince'stutelage,wecaughtnumerousfishondryflies,fishedonourTenkaraRods.IwouldnotmakeUtahadestinationforfishingbutifyou’regoingtobethere,byallmeansfishitandifyou’reinTorrey,UtahvisitFreemontRiverAnglersandaskforVince.Youwillbepleasantlysurprised.

WoodywithhisTenkararod,acutthroattrout,andaglimpseofthatproductiveUMCreeknearTorrey,Utah.

AnnMillerandacutthroattrout.

Woodysetsthehookonanothercutthroat.

December 2017 On The Fly ~Newsletter of the Suncoast Fly Fishers Page 17

Bill Scarola: Chassahowitzka River Seatrout, Jacks, Mangoes

BillScarolafishedthe

ChassahowitzkaRiver

November9-10andcaught

jackcrevalle,a17-inch

seatrout,and11mangrove

snapper.

Bill

Dennis and Ben Marquis: Weedon Macks, Ladies, Trout

MysonBen,onhiswaytobecomingaU.S.Navypilot,isvisitingfromPensacola.OnarecentSaturdaywefishedthespoilsanddeepgrassoftheWeedonIslandareaandcaughtonetrout,amackerel,andfourladyfishonasmallolive-over-whiteClouserthatItied.Oh,alsoalizardfish.

Dennis

BillScarolafishedChassahowitkaStateParkinearlyNovember.This3-pluspoundjackcrevallewasjustoneofmanyrewards.

Oneof11pluckymangrovesnapperthatBilllanded.

BenMarquiswithasharp-toothmackerel.A40-poundtestbitetippethelped,too.

ThelittlelizardfishreallywantedtheClouser

December 2017 On The Fly ~Newsletter of the Suncoast Fly Fishers Page 18

Bob Morrison: Fishy Factoids

Alarge40-poundoctopuscansqueezethroughaholethesizeofaquarter.How'boutthat?Englandproduced292milliontonsofCO2in1913.Wonderwhatitistoday?Ajaguarhasthelargestcaninesandjawsstrongenoughtopierceabowlingball.Watchoutturtles.InYellowstoneParkthereisapoolofsuperhotvolcanicmagmalyingunderthesurfaceoftheparkthatisequalto2.5timesthevolumeofallthewaterinLake

Michigan.Thingsshouldwarmupatsomepoint,buthopefullynotsoon.What'sthedifferencebetweenupnorthanddownhere?It'sallinthesalt.Upnorththeyputsaltontheicywinterroads.DownhereweputthesaltontherimoftheMargaritaglasses.

Raiseoneformethisholidayseason, Bob

Aerial water-depth photo of Fort DeSoto Park

Therearemanyplaceswhereyoucanparkyourvehicle,wadeinandflyfish.

We’llhaveafallingtideonthemorningofDecember9

December 2017 On The Fly ~Newsletter of the Suncoast Fly Fishers Page 19

Capt. Pat Damico: Fly Casting Clinic. Tip #93

Longleadersandheavyflieshurtdistance

ByCapt.PatDamico,FFIMasterCastingInstructor

WhenIrecentlymettwocandidatesforafollowupcastinglesson,theywantedmeto

doitontheirflatsboattosimulatefishingconditions.Theyhadtwohighend

balancedoutfitsandthefirstrodtheywerecastingwouldnotallowthemtogeta

straightlinelayoutfromflytorodtip.Therewassomewind.Ifirstshortenedtheir12-

footleadertoabout7-feetgettingridofabout5feetoftheverylighttippetend.The

1/0bulkydeerhairbodyflywaslightwhendry,butwhenwetandwaterloggedwas

likecastingaminiaturefeatherduster.Iputonasmallersyntheticfly.Thosetwo

changesallowedthemtogetanicelayoutoflinewithoutanyotheradjustments.

Pat Damico, St. Pete BeachCapt. Pat Damico charters in lower Tampa Bay. Call 727-504-8649 www.captpatdamico.com

Tampa Bay Times : Captain’s Corner

Flyfishingsuccessispossible,eveninthewind

Whenyourdaytoflyfisharrives,doyouhopeforadaywithoutwind?Knowledgeableflyfishersknowthere

aremanywaystodealwithdifferentwindsituations.Avoidopenwater,andselectanareathatoffers

protection.Stayclosetoshoreandusemanyofourbays,thehighbanksasweseeonsomerivers,trees,

mangroveshorelines,buildingsandcanalsystems.Checkwindconditionsthedaybeforeandplanyourtrip

onpaper.Morningeasterlywindsarefrequentlyfollowedbywindsfromthewest.Alargenarrowbaythat

runsnorthtosouthoftenprovidesprotectedfishingallday.Beginontheeasternsideinthemorningandfish

thewestsideintheafternoon.Exploredocksandcanals,concentratingonpointswheretidalflowis

optimum.Knowwheretherearegrassflatswithsandholesanddropoffs.Abow-mountedelectricmotor

controlsspeedanddirection.Employyourpreferredanchoringsystemcarefullywhenaconcentrationoffish

isfound.Useafastactionrod,a71/2-footorshorterleaderwitha20-poundtippet.Downsizefliesand

reducetheirweighttomakecastingandturnovereasier.Achoponthewaterwillallowyoutogetcloserto

thefish.Ifthewindhasaffectedwaterclarity,usedarkerflies.Baitfishpatternssize2-4arebest.

December 2017 On The Fly ~Newsletter of the Suncoast Fly Fishers Page 20

Bill AuCoin : Flyfisher Flyover FebruaryisredfishmonthinCrystalRiver–The2018FlyFishingExpoinFebruaryofferslotstoseeanddo,includingfishingforredfish.Here’salinktoareportfromayearagoinFebruary.“HistoricallythemonthofFebruaryisusuallyconsideredatransitionmonthforredfish.Typically,largeschoolsofredfishbegintocongregateasthewarmerdaysofMarchapproach.Potholesonsundrenchedflatsaswellasoysterbarsareprimeareas…”(CyberAngler)

PlantationonCrystalRiver–StillthinkingoftheFlyFishingExpo.Wegetsofocusedonflyfishingthatit’seasytoforgetthatothersinthefamilymayprefertodosomethingelse.Liketakeamanateetour?Hey,there’sanappforthat,sotospeak.(PlantationonCrystalRiver)

Raise a glass and toast the Special Friends of the Suncoast Fly Fishers

West Coast Kayaks Cabelas

Key West Express Sunsect

Buck Knives Seaguar

Fish-Tested Bamboo Rods Tampa Bay On The Fly

Plantation on Crystal River Bass Pro Shops

Star brite Alan Sewell Custom Rods

Thomas Bruce Studio Bob Lee’s Tire Company

Carbon Marine Nigh Fly Rods

Andy Thornal Company Metalfab Inc.

Capt. Shawn McCole St. Pete Fishing Outfitters

Pat Damico, The Fly Guy Fly Fishing Western Wyo.

Jerri Heer – Nature’s Arts Canoe Country Outfitters

Cane Works Bamboo Rods Jim Swann’s Shop

Bill Jackson Shop for Adventure Fly Fishers International

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