REEL TIME: Compete in the Waterman Fly Fishing Tournament

FROM PAGE 24

Waterman tournament culminates on Feb. 5 with an awards banquet at the Bradenton Yacht Club and features a raffle made possible by generous sponsors. A limited number of guest tickets to the awards banquet are available for purchase for $50.

Locally, we are blessed to receive the benefit of two Waterkeeper groups. Suncoast Waterkeeper concentrates its efforts on the waters of Manatee County and Sarasota County, primarily Sarasota Bay. Tampa Bay Waterkeeper focuses its efforts on the waters of Tampa Bay and its surrounding estuaries. Local anglers know that there are no distinct boundaries between these areas and both organizations work together on broader issues, like Piney Point and the proposed fish farm off

New Pass. While the tournament is sold out this year, I’ll report back on the results and would encourage everyone to support these groups’ advocacy efforts through donations, advocacy and volunteerism. Their work supports everything we value locally.

Fly fishing school Saturday

CB’s Saltwater Outfitters, 1249 Stickney Point Road in Sarasota, will hold an Orvis-endorsed fly fishing school on Saturday, Feb. 4. The course, designed for beginning and intermediate fly casters, will focus on basic fly casting principles, improving casting skills and correcting faults. Instructor Capt. Rick Grassett will also cover saltwater fly fishing techniques, leader construction and fly selection. The cost for the class, which will run from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., is $225 per person and includes the use of Orvis fly tackle, workbook and lunch. Optional instructional guided fly fishing trips are also available for an additional fee. Call CB’s Saltwater Outfitters at 941-349-4400 or email info@cbsoutfitters.com to make reservations.