Vol. 3 No. 7

www.FlaFlyFish.com

Vol. 3 No. 7 1

http://waterworks-lamson.com

Florida Fly Fishing

Florida Fly Fishing Magazine Only Florida - Only Fly Fishing A Bonefish & Tarpon Trust Conservation Blue Ribbon Sponsor

Florida Fly Fishing Magazine publishes articles about fly fishing in the Sunshine State. It is published on the shores of the Gulf of Mexico in Dunedin, Florida.

What’s Inside?

Capt. Grassett’s Forecast......................4 TEVA Churn Water Shoe.......................6 Catch More with a Sinking Line...........13 So Many Knots, So Little Time.............16 Capt Joe Costadura’s ScrumCrabShrimp’Olicious..................22 Fly-Fishing West Florida ......................36

Editor & Publisher Edward C. Maurer Contributing Editors: Aaron Adams Joe Mahler Ken Morrow Robert Morselli Dusty Sprague Contact: editor@flaflyfish.com A publication of Edward Maurer Consulting, LLC. Copyright 2012 All rights reserved.

Actions, activities, travel, techniques, etc. seen within are examples of what others do and participate in and should only be carried out by qualified individuals. The outcome of your activities remain your own responsibility.

Properly wear and use all safety equipment.

If you’re afraid of the water, stay away from it.

On the cover: Brad Lowman (L) with Josh Broer.

Aaron Carraux photo.

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Capt. Rick Grassett’s Fly Fishing Forecast for November 2012

As the water cools this month there will be many changes. You may find blues, Spanish mackerel and pompano mixed with trout on deep grass flats of Sarasota Bay. You’ll also find larger trout in skinny water along with reds.

Snook will stage around bars and on shallow flats as they make their move towards winter areas. Action in the coastal gulf with Spanish mackerel, blues, false albacore, tripletail and more will explode!

Snook season remains closed this month so use tackle heavy enough to catch and release them quickly. You’ll find them staging around docks and bridges in the ICW, along sand bars and in potholes on shallow flats. They may be along mangrove shorelines when the tide is high. Small white flies, like my Look for Spanish mackerel, false albacore and Grassett Snook Minnow, should work more in the coastal gulf this month. Capt. Rick well around dock and bridge fender Grassett caught and released this one on a fly lights. Wider profile flies like Lefty’s popper over structure while fishing the coastal Deceiver or EP flies should be good choices for snook in shallow water. Fish gulf off Longboat Key. the strongest tides for the best action. I like the flats of north Sarasota Bay and the ICW between Sarasota and Venice for snook in November.

Reds will spread out on shallow grass flats in November. You’ll find them along bars, in potholes or around docks. Look for them along mangrove shorelines when the tide is high, but they are just as likely to be roaming with mullet schools in shallow water. Fly anglers may score with lightly weighted flies, such as a Clouser or my Grassett Flats Minnow fly, fished on a 12’ leader with a floating fly line.

You may also find big trout along with reds in shallow water this month.

Due to recent action by Florida FWC, trout season will not close in November and December in our region this year. Although anglers may keep one trout over 20”, I release all trout over 20” since they are usually females that may be full of roe. The same flies that you use for snook and reds in shallow water will also work for trout in shallow water. You’ll also find trout on deep grass

Florida Fly Fishing

flats in water from 3’ to 7’ deep. I like to drift and cast ahead of my drift with weighted flies, like Clousers or my Grassett Deep Flats Bunny, on sink tip fly lines to locate trout. In addition to making a series of drifts to find fish, look for baitfish on the surface or birds to find them.

You may also find blues, Spanish mackerel, flounder or pompano on deep grass flats this month. Ultra Hair Clouser flies are a good choice for any of these species. The techniques to find them is the same as for trout, although blues and Spanish mackerel may feed on the surface making them easier to find.

Likewise with pompano, that may skip on the surface when you run or drift past them. When that happens, circle back upwind and drift back through the area, casting ahead of your drift. You’ll need to add wire or heavy fluorocarbon when toothy fish are around to keep them from biting you off. You may find flounder on a mixture of grass and sand, particularly on the edges of bars or in potholes.

There should be good action in the coastal gulf with false albacore (little tunny), Spanish and king mackerel, blues, tripletail or cobia. Look for Spanish mackerel, blues or false albacore feeding on the surface to find them. Diving terns or terns hovering just above the surface of the water and moving fast will give their presence away if they aren’t on top. Fly anglers should score with small white flies, Ultra Hair Clousers, poppers or Crease flies. Look for tripletail around crab trap floats. I’ve done well on tripletail with my Grassett Flats Minnow fly, which is lightly weighted. A weed guard is important to help prevent snagging the crab trap line. Cobia may also be found around crab trap floats, swimming on the surface or over structure. They will require 9 or 10--weight fly tackle. Fly anglers should score on cobia with wide profile baitfish patterns such as Deceivers or Tarpon Bunnies.

This a great month for fishing the flats or the coastal gulf. Since the action in the coastal gulf is seasonal and will slow when it gets cooler, I like to fish there when conditions are good. However, if that’s not for you or if conditions won’t allow it, there will be plenty of action with a variety of fish on shallow and deep grass flats of Sarasota Bay. Whatever you choose to do, please limit your kill, don’t kill your limit!

Tight Lines, Capt. Rick Grassett Snook Fin-Addict Guide Service, Inc. Orvis Endorsed Outfitter Guide FFF Certified Fly Casting Instructor (941) 923-7799 E-mail snookfin@aol.com www.flyfishingflorida.net and www.snookfin-addict.com 5

MORSELLI’S POV

TEVA Churn Water Shoe Robert Morselli

Water shoes – or “surf-mocs” as they’re sometimes called, have always had two weaknesses: near zero durability, especially if you’re in the +180lb range, and near zero lateral support… well, what did you expect for $9.99?

Newer models with corresponding updated features (and pricing) offer some improvements but still fall way short of offering decent foot support.

TEVA has produced what I think is the first in a new generation of water shoe, the TEVA Churn ($90). It features a heavily contoured foot-bed/inner shoe for real, sneaker-like support, wrap around stiff mesh, broad/dual-compound sticky sole and porting like a fly reel.

Straight out of the box, you’ll note an oddity: there’s an integrated, soft heel-pad on the outside of the shoe, this is so you can kick in the rear portion of the shoe and convert the Churns to slipper mode – which now sport a nice, soft heel. Smart.

On land, these shoes bounce like Air Jordans. They inspire enough confidence to break out a quick game of hoops (note: don’t – as this would most likely go a ways in wrecking the sticky rubber properties, which TEVA dubs “Spider rubber”).

After a thorough dunking, the Spider rubber won’t let you down, even on fairly smooth surfaces the level of grip is superior to most other existing products . Drainage is instant, due to the large amount of stiff mesh used in

Florida Fly Fishing

the shoe’s construction. The mesh at the front of the foot is capped with a tough, rubberized strip, so no worries about bumping into abrasive things.

Another factor that plagues lesser-quality water shoes is dry time - it’s clear that TEVA engineers gave some thought to the materials that went into the Churn. Kick up your feet (or kick them off) in a stiff breeze and they’re dry in minutes.

The Churns also feature a quick-lace system, elasticized ankle collar and an overall build that will keep your feet from dancing in the shoe, because in the water, or on a wet skiff, they shouldn’t.

Hands down the most innovative, built-to-last water shoe currently available.

Competing manufacturers will be copying the TEVA Churn in three… two… one…

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and Brad Lowman (L) with Josh Broer the photographer Aaron Carraux (behind camera) slamming black drum.

Florida Fly Fishing

“We saw an opportunity to catch them that day, because we had an incoming full moon tide that was slacking out at 1-ish in the afternoon . This made for a great afternoon bite for back drum because the high tide made the barnacles on the top of the pilings easily accessible for them to feed on . We sight casted them with heavy, fast sinking crab patterns. When the drum saw then crabs they would swim down to eat it.”

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s.... n i a r t t h freig g n i v o m w o l s e k .. i . l . o e g r a y e m h t Dru go, o t e m i ’s t t i n e h w

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Dunedin, Florida Properties by Deborah Scott The Gulf of Mexico, Tampa Bay and Orlando at your fingertips

Looking north with the 2008 No. 1 Beach in America, Caladesi Island, in the foreground with Honeymoon Island reaching toward the horizon.

The Dunedin Marina is Central Florida’s Gateway to the St. Joseph Sound, the Gulf of Mexico and world-class fly fishing.

Located on the Gulf of Mexico between Homosassa and Boca Grande, Dunedin offers anglers the relaxed comfort of a top-rated small town combined with immediate access to the popular and highly productive St. Joseph Sound flats, tarpon-rich beaches of Honeymoon and Caladesi islands, fabulous Tampa Bay and the tournament-class lakes of Central Florida.

Deborah Scott

Realtor 727.204.0850 deborahsdunedin@gmail.com www.deborahscottrealty.com Van Hook Properties Inc. 949 Broadway Dunedin, FL 34698

Florida Fly Fishing

Catch More Fish with a Sinking Line

Hands down the most commonly recommended and purchased fly line is a floating line. There is no question the floater performs well when fishing shallow water, especially to sighted ON THE LINE WITH DUSTY SPRAGUE fish, or when fishing deeper water to fish looking up. A weight forward floating line casts well, is easy to see, handles well on the retrieve, and can be picked up easily and quickly for the next cast. However, when I’m prospecting in water about 3 feet or deeper I catch more fish using a fulllength slow sinking line (intermediate density line). My flies are designed to imitate baitfish, crabs or shrimp.

The slow sinking line gets and keeps the fly at the fish’s level in the deeper water. The retrieve of a floating line or a sinking tip line will pull the leader and fly upward often away from the deeper fish’s holding and feeding level. The upward pull on the fly is accelerated if faster retrieves are used or if retrieves are against any current.

Sinking lines are thinner in diameter than floating lines of the same weight, thus they move through the air with less resistance and they penetrate wind much easier than floaters. In any wind you’ll cast farther with the slow sinker as compared to a full floating line of the same line weight.

Slow sinking lines are less affected by wind and wave action after the fly has been presented. This permits more effective retrieves and improved strike detection.

Floating lines funnel floating grass right down the line and leader to the fly, spoiling the presentation. Sinking lines get below the grass and can permit a longer effective presentation.

In my view there is only one slight disadvantage with any full-sinking line. Once in the water there is too much resistance to allow long lengths of line to be picked up smoothly and recast. You must retrieve more of the line to make a smooth pick up or do a roll cast pickup or two to get the line on or near the surface before an effective back cast can be made.

Most line manufacturers offer full-length slow sinking lines for use in either tropical or cooler air temperatures. For spring, summer and fall 13

fishing tropical lines don’t wilt from the heat. For example, the Scientific Anglers Mastery Bonefish Sinking line is designed to work well in air temps from about 75 to over 100 degrees F. It sinks slowly - 1.5 to 2 inches per second - and is almost clear which helps in the stealth department. For winter fishing - November through February - lines made for cooler air temps work very well - they don’t stay coiled up like a slinky as would the tropical lines. Scientific Angler’s Mastery Stillwater line fits this category.

Its made for fresh water and for the cooler air temps of more northern latitudes but it works superbly down in Florida in the cooler months.

I’m sold on slow sinking lines for most of my fishing in Florida, both fresh and salt. They have improved my catch rate. I’m confident your catch rate will improve too if you give them a shot.

Florida Fly Fishing Magazine supports the Adaptive Fly Fishing Institute, Operation Still Waters, Project Healing Waters, Casting for Recovery, Bonefish and Tarpon Trust, Coastal Conservation Association of Florida, Federation of Fly Fishers, The Snook Foundation, Ocean Conservancy, and many other fine efforts to enhance the lives of others and our environment.

Florida Fly Fishing

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Free furniture rental package with your purchase! We put your property in the rental pool for income back to you and a vacation spot when you want to come back, or opt for a guarantee rental return package.

Inspection trips are available for buyers or investors and count towards discounts when you buy one of our homes starting in the low $200’s.

This information is believed to be accurate but is not warranted.

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So Many Knots, So Little Time

When tying knots leaves you nuts, go fishing for advice

By ARNOLD MARKOWITZ Ted Williams was notorious for refusing to wear a necktie, no matter what the occasion. He used to say that having something knotted around his neck felt like being strangled. So it wasn’t the tie he hated, but the knot.

I’d bet he wasn’t crazy about fishing knots either, especially the tedium of tying fly leaders: making the right number of wraps, avoiding overlap, slipping the tag end through the correct loop, making each section the right length, getting the ends even, lousing it up and starting over. Did knots drive Williams nuts? Not enough to hurt his fishing. How many other sportsmen do you think are in two halls of fame?

Williams had to tie his own leaders, just like the rest of us, until he got enough money to hire guides. Tying leaders is one of the best things a guide does that you could do yourself but would rather not. I wonder if Williams knew the two-wrap hangman’s knot. It makes a loop that lets the lure move freely and naturally. When yanked by a fish bite, the knots slips tight, just like the executioner’s version. Not to Ted Williams fishing the Keys be too macabre.

I gained a fresh appreciation of that simple knot while learning to make fly leaders for tarpon. Yards of monofilament and fluorocarbon, one nipoff at a time, disappeared into the carpet until I realized that someone else had already done the trial and error. There are lots of great knots. We just have to pick the right ones. I settled on certain knots for effectiveness and ease of tying.

Florida Fly Fishing

Fly line to leader butt: A nail knot. Plenty of fly-fishing psychiatrists will swear you’re crazy if you use anything else. There’s a British modification called Gray’s butt loop. No, you try it. The other end of the leader butt: A perfection loop, which lies nice and straight.

Second choice: a surgeon’s loop, easier but bulkier.

Class tippet: This is the lightest section, meant to fit into one of IGFA’s leader classes for record purposes. If you don’t care, use any size leader from 40-pound test down to 10-pound. If it’s 40 or 20, tie a perfection loop for a loop-toloop connection with the butt section.

If the class tippet is 20-pound, slip the butt loop through the tippet loop twice.

That’s called the offshore loop. If it’s lighter than 20, cut a strand a foot or two longer. Double the ends using the Spider hitch, named for fishing journalist Spider Andresen, the inventor. There is no need for the Bimini twist, a show-off’s knot. It isn’t the knot that matters here, but the doubled line. Next, tie a perfection loop in one end to connect to the loop on the butt section. Loop-tying a doubled line is trickier; try to keep the strands together between your fingers.

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Bite or shock tippet: The blood or barrel knot is popular for tying the class tippet here. It’s especially good for connecting two lines of unequal weight, but a 3-1 or greater ratio (say a 20-pound class tippet to a 60-pound shock) makes it necessary to double the lighter line. If you do this a lot with other tackle, try it here - but also try the Albright knot. It’s no harder to tie, and there’s no need to double the lighter line. Single strands of unequal weights match up surprisingly well in an Albright, and it doesn’t have two opposing tag ends to trim.

Bite tippet to fly: For tarpon you want a loop knot, which allows a natural, freeswimming presentation of your fly.

Three of the best are the Homer Rhode loop, the two-wrap hangman’s knot I like so much and the uniknot loop. The uni reputedly is strongest. I want that on my side against a tarpon, but even with liberal lubrication I need a lot of muscle to make the coils set fully in fluorocarbon as light as 40-pound test.

So much for knots. What types of leader should you use? I went through a lot of trial and error before adopting the sensible views of Capt. Steve Lamp, a Key West tarpon guide I found on the Internet at www.fishingkeywest.com My reel was filled already with a tarpon specialty fly line and a seven-foot leader butt of 60-pound Suffix, a monofilament leader material. Here’s how Lamp said he builds the rest of his leader: “I make the line class section of my leaders with a 20, 16, 12, or 10 lb Mason line. Mason line is without a doubt the best line for this, as it has very little memory. To straighten it out, you can use your thumb and a great deal of pressure, pulling the line through, to make it straight after you tie the leader.”

Mason is a hard-finish, stiffish monofilament leader material. Very little

Florida Fly Fishing

memory? It “forgets” that you’ve coiled it on your reel or in your fly box, so it’s excellent for laying out a flat cast for quick presentation to a moving fish. You don’t have to straighten out much slack.

Lamp likes fluorocarbon leader, but only for the 12-inch shock or bite tippet, tied between the 15-inch Mason class tippet and the fly. He prefers lighter weights here because they get him many more bites than heavier stuff, even though he loses a few more tarpon that way: “The section I tie on to my fly is about 40-60 pound fluoro... Do not use fluoro for your line class tippet. First, the stuff is too limp. Second, most fluoro does not class out to IGFA specs.”

Why worry about specifications established by the International Game Fish Association? Are you trying for a world record this month?

Not likely, but suppose you get that lucky - and IGFA rejects you because your class tippet is shorter than 15 inches between knots or your bite tippet is longer than 12 inches.

The IGFA doesn’t care what kind of knots you use. Neither does Lefty Kreh, guru and demi-god to even the most non-observant fly fishers.

Teach ‘em, Lefty: “There are two reasons for fishing for tarpon … One is to catch a world record; the other is for the sheer joy of catching a tarpon. Those individuals who fall Lefty Kreh’s non-slip loop knot is into the latter group only need a popular, easy to tie and effective butt section, a tippet stronger than 20-pound-test (so you have a better chance of landing the fish), and a bite or shock leader.”

Arnold Markowitz is a retired Miami Herald writer and contributor to Waterfront News Williams photo credit: http://www.corbisimages.com/Enlargement/U1054299C.html 19

Florida Fly Fishing

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Captain Joe Costadura’s ScrumCrabShrimp’Olicious Stuart Patterson

Like me, I’m sure your mind has started to think of Christmas, Hanukkah, or one of the other holidays that takes place at this time of the year. My daughters, teenagers now, have already started to write their “What I Want” lists and feel compelled to drop hints as to the most important contents at each possible opportunity. They always remind me that these MUST HAVE items on their list are crucial to their survival in the social circus called High-School. I believe in a modest holiday with the focus on family and friends, but like most parents I try to make a few materialistic dreams come true as well. So what does this have to do with fly fishing you ask? Let me explain.

As you begin writing your metaphoric “What I Want” list this year, consider also what you can give to the sport you love. Typically, like my daughters,

Florida Fly Fishing

we think of ourselves first, it is human nature. However, this year please consider writing a “What I Can Give to Fly Fishing” list. List the things that you can do to help locally, nationally, or even internationally. Ideas span the gamut from small and simple to complex and costly. Some ideas include: joining a local fly fishing club, helping with a river or lake cleanup, picking up trash when you go out on the water, teaching someone else your love of fishing and the conservation behind that love. There are numerous ways to help. At the end of this month’s column is a list of some of the organizations I belong to, but I suggest you look inward, ask friends, research the Internet, and find what fits you. This year give a gift to fly fishing and the fish we pursue.

This month’s fly is tied

by Captain Joe Costadura of Broken Bones Flats Fishing Charters in South Florida. The first time I saw the fly it was posted on a web based fly fishing forum. I still remember my excitement after seeing the photo. I said, out loud, “Damn, that is one buggy crab!” My wife, half listening, said she would call the exterminator Cpt Joe Costadura of Broken Bones Flats Fishing Charters on Monday. After a short chuckle, I stared at the photo and finished my beer. The classic Saturday Night Live skit with Will Ferrell impersonating James Lipton on “Inside the Actors Studio” popped in my head and I replied to Joe’s post, “That fly is so buggy it deserves its own word, ScrumCrabShrimp’Olicious!” Alcohol induced fly naming. The rest is history.

What I really like about this fly is how simple it is to tie and how each piece of material plays an important role in the predatory appeal and general fish-ability of the fly. Imitation in its purest form can be complex, but the abstraction of key characteristics in prey, which in my opinion is the general foundation of fly tying, allows for enormous flexibility in terms of form, fit, and function. The bead chain, which you can size depending on your sink-rate needs, allows the fly to be fished on the bottom, but the impact on the water is lessened by the palmered saddle hackle over the Estaz. Of course, the hackle, legs, and arctic fox creates constant motion, making the fly look alive in the water. Let’s see how to tie this buggy fly. 23

Materials Hook: Mustad 34007 #2 Thread: Danville Flat Wax Nylon Brown (color code #47) Head: Rusty brown arctic fox and bronze Flashabou Eyes: Black extra large (3/16 dia.) bead chain Legs: Medium neon orange grizzly barred rubber legs Body: Two grizzly saddle hackles and root beer standard Estaz.

Tail: Chenille medium orange Tying Instructions I like to use a bodkin head cement dispenser for this fly. In my opinion it makes it easier to place small drops of cement at key locations without the risk of accidentally applying too much via a brush applicator.

1) Start the thread at the hook eye and wrap back to the bend of the hook. The thread base does not need to be solid since we will be moving the thread forward again in a later step.

2) Tie in orange chenille at bend, wrap forward two to three times and tie off. Apply a small drop of head cement to secure.

Florida Fly Fishing

3) Attach the root beer Estaz and two grizzle saddle hackles, but do not wrap forward. Apply a small drop of head cement on the thread to secure the materials.

Wrap the thread forward, completing the thread base as you wrap toward the hook eye.

Stop the thread 1/4” from eye.

4) Build a small bump and tie in the black bead chain eyes using criss-cross wraps followed by a series of under wraps. Apply head cement to secure eyes.

5) Wrap Estaz forward and tie off behind eyes with only two thread wraps. We don’t want to use too much thread to secure since we have additional materials that will need to secured and tied in at this point.

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6) Palmer saddle hackle forward and tie off behind the eyes using minimal thread.

7) Turn hook over in vise and tie in legs, one on each side. The trick to tying the legs in place is to fold a leg over the thread and draw the thread and leg into position directly behind the bead chain eye. Before completing a full thread wrap, fold the opposite leg over the thread, maintaining pressure to hold the first leg in place, and complete the wrap.

This takes a little practice and coordination, but you will find that it allows for precise positioning with minimal thread usage, thus reducing bulk. If you find it too difficult, simply attach the second leg after a full thread wrap. Secure the legs with two more thread wraps and apply head cement to secure legs, Estaz, and hackles. Move the thread directly in front of the eyes.

Florida Fly Fishing

8) I suggest working with less thread out of the bobbin for the next two steps. Tie in six or seven 1 1/2� pieces of bronze Flashabou directly in front of the bead chain eyes. Note: the hook is still turned upside down, with hook point up.

9) Cut a small bunch off arctic fox and pull out the fluff at the base.

10) Tie in the arctic fox directly in front of the bead chain eyes and Flashabou. Whip finish and carefully apply head cement. If you accidently touch the fox fur it will wick and affect the movement of the fox fur in the water.

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Captain Costadura uses this fly for both redfish and bonefish, but not surprisingly he has also caught snook and tarpon with it. Other variations he suggests are tying it in tan with less flash, and baring the fur which he says has been deadly on the bonefish in Biscayne Bay. I suggest you give Joe a call and book him for a charter. Captain Costadura can be reached at (954) 822-2655 and his website is located at http://www.southflaflyfishing. com/capt_joe Below are some of the organizations I am involved with. I hope this list helps get you started on your “What I Can Give to Fly Fishing” list. The key is to give something back to the sport you love. If you don’t help who will?

Anglers for Conservation http://www.anglersforconservation.org - A wonderful organization that focuses on conservation, restoration, and education. I am proud to say I serve on the board of directors and actively participate in the Hooked Kids on Fishing programs.

Adaptive Fly Fishing Institute http://adaptiveflyfishing.com/default. aspx – “The Adaptive Fly Fishing Institute is dedicated to the education and certification of fly fishing instructors, guides, medical professionals, educators, and other service providers in order to ensure the highest possible quality of service and availability of therapeutic adaptive fly fishing programs for people with special needs.”

Federation of Fly Fishers http://www.fedflyfishers.org – “The Federation of Fly Fishers is a 43 year old international non-profit organization dedicated to the betterment of the sport of fly fishing through Conservation, Restoration and Education. The Federation of Fly Fishers and its Councils are the only organized advocate for fly fishers on an national and regional level. “ Snook Foundation http://www.snookfoundation.org – “We believe that a brighter future for all fisheries resources, including snook, is in the hands of informed anglers, who will take proactive steps to increase, not just maintain, the stocks. The instruments for such action are members who will commit to achieving snook habitat protection, enlightened regulation, research, and education. We believe that, with the recent progress in stock enhancement and habitat research, along with improved understanding and protection of effective snook habitat, together we can dramatically improve the outlook for snook and snook fishing!”

Wishing you and your family a wonderful Holiday Season!

Florida Fly Fishing

www.jeffharrellart.com

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WATERWORKS - LAMSON VELOCITY NICKEL REELS

High quality, sensibly priced, made in America

Florida Fly Fishing

The Waterworks - Lamson name has become synonymous with high quality fly reels at reasonable prices. In a market where even foreignmade reels are often priced higher than need be, Lamson continues to offer reels made in Boise, Idaho that have intelligent pricing.

A case in point is Lamson’s new Velocity Nickel reel. Priced in the $250 $350 dollar range, the VN is a large arbor reel that demonstrates Lamson’s attention to function, quality and fair pricing.

Lamson’s Velocity family has always represented value for money with large arbor, lightweight but durable reels that have excellent drag performance.

With the introduction of Velocity Nickel, Lamson provides the discerning angler yet another first in this price range: a ported arbor to quicken line drying and produce the lightest Velocity ever.

The Velocity Nickel is finished in the same beautiful Type 2 anodizing Lamson uses on its Guru. So you now have a choice in the Velocity line: Velocity Hard Alox for an incredibly tough finish, or the lighter and brighter Velocity Nickel.

It is further accented with Lamson’s trademark burnt-orange anodized drag cassette.

The Velocity Nickel maximizes the benefits of large arbor design by maximizing the arbor diameter-to-width ratio.

The spool is large in circumference and wide so that line is stored in a shallow layer. The increased circumference provides a high retrieve rate and eliminates line coil memory. The wide, shallow line layer means there is little radius change as line is pulled from the reel resulting in constant drag torque during long runs, which eliminates the risk of The Velocity Nickel’s ported arbor quickens line tippets breaking due to drying and produces the lightest Velocity ever. drag force gain when a 31

large, fast fish first strikes or makes a sudden for the horizon.

All the reels in the Velocity line share some important construction aspects that make these both extremely strong while being light weight. They seem to be designed more as an attempt at a hi-tech aerospace project than a fly reel.

The first thing one notices before even picking up a VN is the great number of lightening holes in the spool. While holes seem to contradict strength, their presence contributes to stiffness because the edges of the holes create reinforcement perpendicular to the flat areas of the metal, much like that of ridges in a car body. These reinforcements add stability to the reel in all its planes and virtually eliminates flexing cause by the stress of a hard fight. If you’ve ever had a reel get out of round it’s because it failed materially and tried to collapse; it became less round. While the Velocity reels do have obvious “spokes” on their outer edges the need for such on the inner face is eliminated by these holes.

A n o t h e r important aspect of all Lamson reels is their proprietary drag system comprised of a drag cone that rotates with the spool that presses into a stationary cone within the reel housing. This system provides several advantages: -This is a sealed drag systems that is impervious to water, salt and grit.

Unlike typical reels, the Lamsons drags won’t be harmed by using them in less than pristine conditions.

-The mass of these conical drag elements is centralized which makes the spool’s rotating mass much lower and makes the reel more responsive to light drag settings.

-Because the average radius of the contact surface is much smaller (being conical rather than disk-shaped), start-up torque is too low to measure. With other reels using flat drag surfaces it’s this start-up torque that contributes to breakoffs during hard, fast strikes.

The Velocity’s clutch is also different than that of other reels. While most other premium reels rely on a pawl type clutch mechanism, these are often vulnerable to stress related failure, contamination and wear. All of Lamson’s reels employ a Torrington zero-lash roller clutch. This mechanism relies on the locking effect of a number of ramps and rollers to achieve torque transmission.

There are no “teeth” or “steps” to break off or wear out. And the zero-lash

Florida Fly Fishing

feature means instant engagement. This improves feel and eliminates “spike” that the reel, line and leader experience when a typical pawl clutch hooks up.

What results from this dance of technology and style is a reel that weighs

No worries--it’s a Lamson!

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Florida Fly Fishing

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35 Jeff Harrell photo

Fly-Fishing West Florida

Observations on fishing the Gulf Coast in 1886 By Dr. J. C. Kenworthy Editor’s note: this chapter, originally published in Fishing With the Fly: Sketches by Lovers of the Art, With Illustrations of Standard Flies, is a fascinated look at Florida fly fishing 125 years ago. I have not changed one word in this version; it retains its original spelling and terminology. I have where necessary noted Kenworthy’s uncommon spelling and have added some explanatory notes to help the reader better understand the text.

Several observations bear noting: -The author makes some incredible statements about conditions we all long for—note them well!

-He uses many antiquated and local names of fish I have sought to define and illustrate for the reader. This leads to some confusion and I haven’t been able to determine the specific fish in all cases. We’re already accustomed to this since fish of the same name are actually different in many parts of the world. Taxonomy, lacking here, alleviates that problem. Of note is what fish he did not mention.

-Most effective travel in Florida was by rail or boat. Almost without exception, any roads that did exist were dirt though “improved” roads of the time were laid with crushed shells or coquina. One can only imagine road conditions during the rainy season.

-He makes the statement: “… there is an almost total absence of insect pests…” and one can only imagine if Florida was considered by him to have few insects, whether: A. Wherever else he traveled must have been mosquito hell; B. There were fewer mosquitoes and no-see-ums than there are now; C. He had land to sell.

-He never mentions the types of flies he used! This article comes from a book edited and published by Charles F. Orvis and A. Nelson Cheney which

Florida Fly Fishing

contains many plates depicting flies. I use some here, though refuse to suggest these were the types Kenworthy used. In those days large salmon-type flies were employed here and one wonders why we don’t use them today, though I’ve been tempted. He does mention they got chewed to bits and the angler should bring a lot.

Fly-Fishing West Florida The votaries of the rod and reel have overlooked an important field for sport, for, in my opinion, no portion of the United States offers such advantages for fly-fishing as portions of Florida during the winter months. The health of the State is beyond cavil or dispute; the climate is all the most fastidious can ask; there is an almost total absence of insect pests, and last though not least, a greater variety of fish that will take the fly than in any other section of the Union. My own experience is mainly based on opportunities for observation on the south-west coast, and it is possible that points on the eastern coast, as the Indian River inlet and the outlet of Lake Worth, may offer advantages over the section referred to.

As far as my knowledge extends, fly-fishers are indebted to my friend, Geo. C. Johnson, of Bridgeport, Conn., for the development of fly-fishing in Florida. Some years since I met Mr. Johnson on his arrival in this city en route to Homosassa. He remarked that he had brought his fly-rod with him, and I suggested that a heavy bass rod would prove more serviceable.

On the evening of his arrival at Homosassa he visited the dock in front of Jones’ house, and noticed fish breaking water near the shore. He proceeded to the house, rigged his rod, and was followed to the dock by a number of laughing sceptics [sic], who ridiculed the “spindly rod and feather baits.” In compliance with Mr. Johnson’s request, Dr. Ferber rowed him a short distance from the dock, and the fun commenced with large-mouthed bass and red trout; (The only “red trout” I could identify is the char, which isn’t found in Florida—then or now. This may well have been the red fish, also known as red drum. Ed.) and from that evening fly-fishing became an established institution on the south-west coast of Florida. For a number of years Dr. Ferber has devoted his winters to fly-fishing on the south-west coast, and it is to be regretted that he was not requested to give his ripe and ample experience, instead of one who is far beneath him in experience and ability to wield the split bamboo or pen.

The next season after Mr. Johnson’s visit to Homosassa Mr. Francis Endicott, 37

of New York, visited the locality and indulged in fly-fishing. He informed me that he had captured with the fly eight distinct species of fish on the Homosassa River; and I will ask where else in the United States can the devotee of the gentle art capture eight distinct species of fish with the fly on a river but ten miles in length?

My friend, Dr. Ferber, on his return from the southwest coast in April last, visited me, and stated that he had caught on that coast, with artificial flies, eleven distinct species of fish. Among the number At right: I may mention large-mouthed bass (trout of A map of Florida showing the South), channel bass, cavalli (Crevalle county lines current to jack), ravallia (snook, also called robalo), skip jacks, sea trout, brown snappers, roach, 1886, including each county and three species of bream. seat and major towns. The Instead of wading icy-cold and overrailroad system extends only fished brooks, tearing clothes and flesh as far south as Tampa on the in creeping through briers and brush, and being subjected to the sanguinary attention Gulf Coast, Bartow in Central of mosquitoes and black flies in bringing to Florida, and Titusville on the creel a few fingerlings, in Florida the angler Atlantic Coast. Major rivers can cast his fly from a sandy beach or boat, and wetlands are shown as inhale an invigorating atmosphere, bask in the sunshine, and capture specimens of well as relatively detailed the finny tribe, the weight of which can be information of the coastline, determined by pounds instead of ounces. the Florida Keys, and barrier Sea trout of the South are closely allied to islands. the weak fish of the North, and frequent rapid waters, oyster beds and weedy flats. They range from one to five pounds, are good biters and make a noble resistance to avoid the landing net.

Large-mouthed black bass (trout of the South) exist in great numbers in the lakes and streams of the State. In very clear lakes and streams they are not disposed to indulge in artificial baits. As fighters they are unworthy of the notice of experts. It has been my lot to capture them in many localities, and I have found that after the first few straggles [sic] they open their mouths and come to gaff like a grain bag.

Brown snappers (I suspect this is the mangrove snapper since it’s an inshore species found in tidal creeks and has canine teeth, and is often brown in color.

Florida Fly Fishing

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Ed.) exist in countless numbers in some of the streams of the State—as in the Homosassa. They range from six ounces to one pound, and cannot resist the temptation to capture a hook decorated with feathers. They are good biters and full of game. Owing to the presence of a number of rat-like teeth, they play sad havoc with flies; and we would advise those who propose engaging in the capture of this fish to provide an ample supply of feathery lures.

Skip-jacks (or bone-fish) visit the streams in schools. (Which? Skip jacks are in the tuna family and very distinct from bonefish. From Kenworthy’s following description I suspect the former. Ed.) They range from two to six pounds. They readily take a fly and die game. Owing to their build, size of fins, and muscular devolopment [sic], they are worthy of notice. On one occasion I was camped at Little Gasparilla pass, and at the bay side of the inlet there existed an eddy in which I could see hundreds of skip-jacks. For some time I amused myself by casting, and the moment the bait would touch the water the surface would be in a boil. I would strike and the next instant a bone-fish would be two or three feet in the air. As a rule they enter the streams with the flood tide, and as they are constantly breaking the water they can be followed in a boat. By following the fish on the flood and ebb the rodster may enjoy a number of hours of exciting sport. Between Esteno and Marco passes I have seen them for hours at a time feeding on minnows near the beach.

The Bavallia (I suspect he’s once again referring to snook; this could be a typo on his part. Ed.) is a fish with which I am unacquainted, although I have reason to believe that it exists in quantity at certain points on the south-west coast. My friend Dr. Perber, informed me that in one of his cruises he entered Billy Bow Legs Creek and noticed a deep pool. He made a cast and landed a ravallia. Nearly every cast he would land one or two ranging from one to three pounds, unless a ravenous cavalli interfered.

The cavalli of large size would seem to tire of the flouncing and floundering of their neighbors, and would join in the fray, when the doctor would part with a fly or leader. The doctor assured me that the sport was kept up until he was surfeited. He describes the fish as resembling a pike perch of the North, and is loud in its praise as a game fish. Friends have informed me that they have captured specimens of this fish, with cut bait, weighing thirty pounds. My impression is, that if pools and inlets south of Punta Rassa were thoroughly tried with the fly that the piscator would be rewarded with large-sized specimens.

Bream of several species exist in great numbers in many of the streams and lakes of the State. They range from four ounces to one pound, and afford

Florida Fly Fishing

While Kenworthy never specified what type flies to use these and the ones on the next plate were often used for bass fishing in Florida during the time. From Orvis’ book.

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Florida Fly Fishing

considerable sport on a light rod. Roach are not plentiful, but where they exist they will not refuse a brown hackle.

In many of the streams of the State war-mouthed perch exist in numbers, ranging from one to three pounds. When the streams are low, they readily take a fly, and give the angler all he can attend to.

In some of the creeks tributary to the St. Johns’ and in some of the interior lakes, pickerel exercise their snapping propensities, and do not object to appropriate a gaudy fly in the early morn or at the close of the day.

On the Eastern Coast, more especially at Indian River inlet, small blue fish congregate in numbers during the winter months, and at times will not refuse a fly. They are fair fighters, and as the piscator can fish from a sandy beach, much enjoyment can be secured.

In Florida cat fish will take a fly, and I may also add a spinner. In this State we have a number of species of this fish, and one is a surface feeder. In the evening, when they are feeding on the surface, they will not reject a large and gaudy fly. To those who have been accustomed to capture with a stout rod diminutive specimens of catties, I will say, hook on to a catty weighing from six to twelve pounds and there will be “music in the air,” and unless skill is exercised on the part of the fisherman the leader will go to where the “woodbine twineth.” (From what references I’ve found, “where the woodbine twineth” is from an 1870 song by Septimus Winner, seems to be a metaphor for being lost to view; woodbine being another name for the honeysuckle plant. Ed.) In Florida, as everywhere else, the best fishing is near where A., B. or C. run a hotel or keep a boarding house, or where certain steamboats make a terminal landing. But in my experience the best places to fish, as a rule, are where there are no hotels or specimens of the colored persuasion with their cast nets. When “I go afishing” I leave civilization, hotels, and boarding-houses in the rear.

The best points for fly-fishing for large-mouthed bass are on the upper St. Johns, the tributaries of Indian river, the Kessimmee [sic] and the streams and lagoons on the south-west coast. For pickerel and bream the best points are the tributaries of the St. Johns between Mandarin and Lake Monroe. For warmouthed perch, the best streams will be found in Alachua County.

From all that I can glean from gentlemen who have fished the locality, the lower Indian River (Apparently not today’s Indian River, which is on the Atlantic coast. He is most likely referring to the Suwannee River, which lies just to the north of Cedar Key. Ed.) and its tributaries will furnish a fine field for the fly-caster. West of Cedar Keys to St. Marks is a shoal coast covered with

43

marine algse (algae Ed.); and the coast line is cut up with a number of small streams stocked—nay, swarming—with fish. This section is uninhabited, the streams have not been fished, and a fine field for sport awaits the fisherman.

In addition, hand line or bass rod fishing can be enjoyed for sheepshead and channel bass. The woods abound with deer, the hummocks contain plenty of turkeys, and the bays and grassy flats during the winter are alive with ducks, and in certain localities geese and brant will be found. Beech birds, as snipe and curlews, can be bagged in quantity.

The first stream worthy of notice on the southwest coast is the Homosassa River, forty miles south of Cedar Keys. But this beautiful river has lost its greatest attraction, “Mother Jones.” I have been informed that she left Homosassa, and, as a sequence, there will be wanting the clean rooms and beds, the stewed and scalloped oysters, the aromatic coffee, the delicious breakfast bacon, and the luscious sheepshead done to a turn. With “Mother Jones” will depart many of the attractions of the place, more particularly the cusine [sic]. I write feelingly, for I was the first to make known the attractions of my favorite Homosassa.

According to my friend, Dr. Ferber, Billy Bow Legs Creek, a tributary of Sarasota Bay, presents many attractions to the fly-fisher, more especially in the capture of cavalli and ravallia. Long Boat Inlet, an entrance to this bay, must not be overlooked.

Many points in Charlotte Harbor offer inducements to the fly-fisher. If he tires of using the split bamboo, he can troll with a spinner and land large channel bass and cavalli; for divertisement (diversion Ed.) he can seat himself in an arm chair on the dock at Punta Rassa and imitate my friend Matthew Quay (late Secretary of State of Pennsylvania), who landed fifty-six large sheepshead in one hour. If dissatisfied with this description of sport the piscator can indulge in the capture of Jew-fish, weighing from one to three hundred pounds. On the Calloosahatchee, above the islands, the fly caster can be satiated with sport in landing large-sized cavalli. From Charlotte Harbor southward every entrance, bay, pass and lagoon will afford royal sport.

Delicate mist-colored leaders are not a necessity, for Florida fish have not been educated or posted with regard to the tricks of the craft. They seem to recognize but little difference between a single strand of gut and a clothes-line.

The main things requisite are strong leaders and large-sized hooks, for when fish are so plentiful and valueless the fisherman is apt to try and see how many he can land within a given period. With regard to flies, almost any of the more common ones will answer a good purpose. My choice for channel bass, cavalli,

Florida Fly Fishing

sea trout and bone fish is a large-sized gaudy fly with a large-sized hook.

To reach the south-west coast persons can go direct from Savannah or Fernandina, or visit Jacksonville en route. At Cedar Keys, Tampa, or Manatee they can charter a sloop or schooner of from four to six tons for five or six dollars per day. This amount will cover captain, boy, small boat, bedding, stove and cooking utensils. Fish, beach birds, oysters and clams are plentiful, and the expense of the culinary department will be from fifty cents to five dollars per capita per diem, according to the dietetic proclivities of the persons comprising the party.

The coast is shallow, the ten-fathom line ranging from thirty to forty miles from shore, and as a consequence there is no undertow, rollers or heavy seas.

The passage from Cedar Keys to Bay Biscayne can be made in a small boat at almost any time. On one occasion the writer made the trip from Key West to Cedar Keys in a boat sixteen feet in length.

Fly-fishing in Florida is a recent development, and it offers a large field for experiment and investigation; and I trust that the period is not far distant when the sport will be indulged in by the many. By the first of January, 1884, Tampa will be reached from this city in twenty-four hours via Sanford and Kissimmee.

From what we know of railroads in this State we feel assured that one will be completed to Punta Bassa within two years ; when Charlotte Harbor and Estero Bay, the greatest of fishing points, will be rendered accessible to all.

In preparing this article we have used the common names of fish, and the reason for so doing will be obvious to all. In passing through this city, if flyfishers will call upon me between 12 M. and 2 P.m., I will endeavor to smooth the road for them. Jacksonville, Fla.

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Meet the Editorial Staff Dusty Sprague - Casting Dusty’s passion is teaching fly casting and shallowwater fly fishing. He began fly fishing in the late 1950’s; tying flies and teaching fly casting in the 1970’s; and guiding in the early 1980’s. He has fly fished for fresh or saltwater species in much of the lower 48 states, Belize, Mexico, the Bahamas, and Canada, and has guided in Alaska. He is a senior instructor for Ascension Bay Bonefish Club in Mexico and has conducted saltwater fly fishing schools and hosted groups in pursuit of shallowwater species in the Bahamas, Mexico, and Belize. He is the former manager of two fly fishing shops and a fly fishing guide service at the Broadmoor, a five-star resort hotel in Colorado Springs. He has been a featured presenter of fly casting demonstrations at numerous fishing shows and has appeared on NBC’s Today Show and ESPN’s Fishing Across America.

Dusty is a Federation of Fly Fishers’ Master Certified Casting Instructor and serves on the Casting Board of Governors of the FFF’s Casting Instructor Certification Program. He is a member of the Scientific Anglers Pro Staff.

Ken Morrow - Fly Fishing Ken Morrow is a Certified Adaptive Fly Fishing Practitioner who serves as the President of the Adaptive Fly Fishing Institute, Inc. With over three decades of fly fishing and paddle sports experience, Ken specializes in fly fishing instruction and opportunities for people with a variety of disabilities. The adaptive sports philosophy of helping participants to achieve the highest level of independent function they can without compromising their safety drives Ken’s approach. He has been featured in award-winning films like “We All Live Downstream,” on TV and in print from ESPN’s Outside the Lines to Florida Sportsman Magazine, is a frequent conference and event presenter, and has held a number of staff writing and editorial positions as an outdoor journalist. Ken is a member of both the Freedom Hawk Kayaks and Navionics pro staffs and the Peak Pro Fly Tying Team. Before moving to Florida, he served as a member of the board of directors of the Gulf Coast Council of the Federation of Fly Fishers and founded both the Adaptive Fly Fishing Institute and the Heartland Region of Project Healing Waters.

Florida Fly Fishing

Robert Morselli - Fly Fishing Robert is the research director for the television show How It’s Made (Discovery Channel), seen world-wide, in 180+ countries. The show is translated in over 20 languages and reaches an international audience of over one hundred-million viewers per week.

“My creative portfolio is diverse by intention, I insist on that because diversity is what drives me – and fly fishing is a foundation, in a sense. Not a day goes by that it doesn’t cross my mind in one form or another.

People who are completely absorbed by fly fishing will know exactly what I’m talking about, and I try to convey that affection every chance I get – to fly fishers and non-fly fishers alike.”

Capt Rick Grassett, F3M Pro Staff http://www.flyfishingflorida.net Email snookfin@aol.com (941) 923-7799 Rick provides our monthly fly fishing forecast and regular reports from the Sarasota area. Snook Fin-Addict Guide Service, Inc. is your one-stop shopping source for quality, shallow water light tackle and fly fishing adventures.

Capt. Rick can provide guides and accommodations for any size group.

Ed Maurer, Publisher After retiring from the US Air Force Ed conceived the idea of publishing a magazine about fly fishing in his home state of Florida. It took a decade for computer technology to develop to the point where Ed could effectivly produce a magazine without the prohibitive cost of print publishing. It took a couple more years for both technology and Ed to advance to a nexis where an effective, attractive and hopefully stimulating Florida Fly Fishing Magazine could be published in the format you are reading it in now. “I owe a lot to the many folks like those on our editorial staff, past staff member Stuart Patterson, tech advisor and mentor Bernadetter McCarthy and the many other friends and contributors who have given of themselves to make this effort successful,” said Ed, “and much of the thanks goes to my wife, Deborah for her constant support, encouragment and eagle eye.”

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Florida Fly Fishing