OUTDOORS

18 THE SUN OUTDOORS MARCH 31, 2021

Reel Time

RUSTY CHINNIS

It dawned on me recently as I was wading a local flat that I was experiencing what I have written about over the past few years, namely the common ground that angling and Zen share.

Zen’s focus on “a state of calm attentiveness in which one’s actions are guided by intuition rather than by conscious effort” mirrors the way my fishing has evolved. It’s taken a long time, but rather than trying to reason where fish might be, I often find it more effective to spend less time searching and more time observing. Over the years I’ve written about staking out holes on the flats and letting the fish come to you. More and more I’m reminded that this is an effective way to locate and approach fish. It also leads to a more relaxing experience. It’s astonishing what clues you pick up when you slow down and become attentive. Wherever you might be.

It was actually one day on a North Georgia mountain stream that I had an epiphany. It required that I didn’t have a fly rod with me. Over the years I’ve fished Dukes Creek, a trophy trout stream that runs through Smithgall Woods State Park and is managed by the state of Georgia. Fishing is only allowed three days a week, but the park is also an excellent place to bike. During a recent trip, I was biking on a day when anglers weren’t on the water. Several times I parked the bike near the stream and just sat next to a tree and observed. It only took about five minutes for the section of the stream I was sitting by, seemingly devoid of fish when I arrived, to suddenly come alive. On a fishing day, I would have probably waded into the stream slowly but not mindfully. Then and there I resolved to change my fishing procedure both in Georgia and in my home waters around Longboat Key and Anna Maria Island.

Now, when I’m wading or poling a flat, I’m making the experience more about just observing rather than catching fish. The interesting part is that it often leads to catching more fish. Whether you’re in a boat or wading, standing in place motionlessly where you have a good view of the flat is essential. It’s critical to make as little noise as possible, so don’t shuffle your feet or rock the boat. Fish in shallow water react to motion and pressure waves many anglers are not even aware they’re making. I like to anchor well away from an area I intend to fish and wade within casting range where I can also observe life on the flat. When fishing from a boat I like to drift or pole within range and anchor the boat from the stern so I can set up on the bow. In both cases, I station myself over a dark area where I’m not as obvious. When you’re fishing from a boat, you’ll have a higher profile so it’s even more important to be mindful of any motion that might alert your prey to your presence. Keep casts low and be prepared to make a roll cast to any “unannounced visitors” that inevitably sneak up on you.

Call it what you will, but try slowing down and taking the time to observe an area before moving on. There are no sure things of course and often it may feel like it’s a case of knowing where the fish aren’t. Even fishless days, mindfully observed, can lead to success on subsequent outings. As a bonus, even on a tough day, you’ll be more relaxed and insightful.

Zen and fishing

Anglers can benefit from taking an expanded view of the areas they fish.

RUSTY CHINNIS | SUN

Phenomenal conditions mean the bite is on

CAPTAIN DAVE WHITE

We here at Anna Maria Charters have had a great week! Traffic is insane and business is booming. Captain Johnny Mattay and I have been working sun up to sun down keeping spring break clients on fish. Inshore, the snook, redfish, Spanish mackerel, and sharks are keeping clients happy. We’ve had a couple of windy days here and there, but all in all, conditions are phenomenal. Offshore, blackfin tuna are starting to show up a bit. Although hard to pattern, when you get on them, they are a blast. Also in the mix are little tunny. Although not good to eat, they’re a ton of fun on lighter spinning gear. The mangrove and yellowtail snapper are biting good as well. Chumming with live or dead baits gets them going. Red grouper are participating as well. After the first of April, you can keep them in depths past 120 feet. But for now, gotta keep it relatively close. Lastly, African pompano are good targets this time of year. These shiny fish are always a crowd pleaser and boy, are they tasty! Good luck with the fishing and the traffic!

CAPTAIN DAVE WHITE | SUBMITTED Brady Young, of Atlanta, shows off a 6-lb. mangrove snapper caught offshore with Captain Dave White of Anna Maria Charters.

VACCINE: DeSantis lowers age restriction

FROM PAGE 1

In his video message, DeSantis said, “Florida’s Seniors First vaccine strategy is paying off — more than 3.2 million seniors age 65 and older have received shots. We’ve been able to expand eligibility to those age 50 and above and we’ve seen additional success. Now, because of this success, I am pleased to announce additional vaccine eligibility expansions.

“We have now vaccinated over 70% of the roughly 4.4 million seniors living in the state. We have also made great progress on those aged 60 to 64 and those aged 50 and older. And we are ready to take this step. If you look at the hospitalization and case rates for senior citizens, they have plummeted since the start of our Seniors First strategy. And we want to keep up that momentum as we expand eligibility to other age groups throughout the state of Florida. Florida continues to rank 41st in senior mortality per capita, with 40 states having higher mortality for COVID on a per capita basis than the state of Florida,” he said.

“We have made great progress and I look forward to continuing to work hard to make sure everyone in Florida who wants a shot can get a shot. No mandate, but access for all,” DeSantis said.

MANATEE COUNTY VACCINATIONS

During the Manatee County Commission meeting on Tuesday, March 23, Public Safety Director Jake Saur told the commission the county health department currently expects to receive and administer an average of 11,000 vaccines per week.

On Friday, the county issued a press release that stated Manatee County had begun scheduling 8,000 first dose COVID-19 vaccine appointments for next week for adults 40 and older at Tom Bennett Park and the Public Safety Center. The Public Safety Department and the Health Department in Manatee County will administer another 8,000 second-dose vaccines next week, as well.

According to the press release, as of March 25, nearly 86,058 patients had received at least a first dose of the vaccine through a Manatee County-operated vaccination site. Manatee County has contacted everyone 50 and up in their standby pool at least once and will begin vaccinating newly eligible patients 40 and over on Monday.

“Working closely with the Department of Health in Manatee County, we vaccinated those 50 and older who were registered in our standby pool very quickly,” Saur said in the press release. “It’s important for any adult who wants to receive a vaccination to enroll in our online registration system. There are far fewer people in the pool than one month ago and the wait to receive a call for an appointment is typically very short for someone who enrolls today.”

According to the press release: • Among those 50-64 years old, there are fewer than 3,400 patients in the standby pool awaiting a first dose of the vaccine. • There are 3,018 patients ages 40-49 in the standby pool and 3,622 who are under age 40. • A total of 9,968 patients are currently in Manatee County’s standby vaccination pool.

This week the county will attempt to contact roughly 7,000 enrolled numbers – mostly 65 and older – that have been unresponsive multiple times. If the county cannot contact those 7,000 numbers, they will be removed from the standby pool, according to the press release.

The press release notes Manatee County COVID-19 vaccine appointment notifications will come from the following phone number: 941-742-4300. The county suggests those enrolling in the standby pool program this number in their phones so the call does not appear as spam. Those who enroll for text notifications will receive updates from 88911.

“It is important to reply to the call or text as quickly as possible since appointments will go to those who respond promptly. After you select one of the options, you will receive a follow-up message by phone, text and/or email confirming your appointment date, time and location,” according to the press release.

SOURCE: FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH

TREEHOUSE: Owners get harassing calls

FROM PAGE 1

Tran and her husband, Richard Hazen, have accumulated the legal fees defending the elevated, two-story beachfront treehouse they built without permits in 2011, partially – and unlawfully – landward of the erosion control line at Angelinos Sea Lodge, their vacation resort at 2818 Ave. E.

Tran says the call is not the only threatening call they have received.

“This lady claimed many people on the Island are just like her and hate us, the idiots with the treehouse,” said Tran, who, with Hazen, has petitioned the U.S. Supreme Court to hear the case. “Why do some people in the city hate us, and the nonnative Australian pine, and the treehouse that is now part of the tree? The legal money that the city spent just to force the removal of a beautiful Australian pine tree with a treehouse in it can be used to feed hungry children in Manatee County.”

The couple named both the city of Holmes Beach and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) as respondents in the petition before the nation’s highest court. Both responded to the petition last week with legal briefs.

In its brief to the court filed March 26, the city denies the couple’s claim that they have been deprived of “equal access to federal courts to seek equal justice, relief and secure their constitutional rights” and asserts that the city gave the couple fair notice of the consequences of failing to correct the code issues associated with the treehouse.

The city has maintained since 2011 that when the couple asked a previous building inspector whether they needed permits for a treehouse, they did not disclose that it would be two stories, 10 feet off the ground, and supported by pilings disguised as tree trunks.

Earlier this month, the couple’s fight with the city took a new turn when a special magistrate ruled that Tran and Hazen will not be allowed to lease their vacation rentals until they settle code compliance issues with the city regarding the treehouse. Since the city has decided the couple is not eligible for an after-the-fact permit due to lack of compliance with Florida building codes, demolition is the only remaining option, according to the city building department.

In its brief to the court filed on March 26, DEP agrees with Holmes Beach that the Supreme Court should not hear the case for numerous legal reasons, including that previous lower court decisions were not in conflict and that the appeals court acted appropriately to dismiss the couple’s appeal because evidence was lacking.

“We pay lots of tax money each year in property tax and resort taxes,” Tran said. “Stop wasting our money to fight us. Use our tax money to feed the hungry children, fix broken sidewalks, fix flooded streets, and restore our civil rights and our constitutional rights.”