Southern Saltwater
Fly Fishing Magazine Edition 4 December 2017
CLOSE LOOK Captiva Island Ft. Myers Sanibel
www.southernsaltwaterflyfishing.com
From the Editor
T
he 2017 hurricane season was the most active we have experienced in more than a decade. Throughout our coverage region, everyone had at least a close call with one of the storms. It seems that the western Caribbean Islands, Florida and the Texas coast were particularly hard hit. Our hearts went out to the people of those areas, many of whom lost everything. Their suffering makes us feel a bit guilty to even worry about what those winds and floods did to the fishing. But, that is our business, so we did some checking. In the wake of Irma’s path through Southwest Florida, Southern Saltwater Fly Fishing paid a visit, and in this issue, we will provide a Close Look at Fort Myers, Sanibel and Captiva Islands. Though the inland portion of Fort Myers had a good bit of damage, the barrier islands were spared and Pine Island Sound’s fishery was little affected. We also got some reports from the Texas Coast indicating that despite Harvey’s flooding, the saltwater fishing has recovered quickly. Join me in this issue as Polly Dean gives us a look at the action around Fort Myers for snook. Capt. Robert Sloan details the redfishing at Port O’Connor, Texas. Also, Capt. John Gribb takes us after seatrout on the fly on the South Carolina coast. Rounding out the destination coverage, Jill Zima Borski describes a do-it-yourself approach to bonefish action on the southern Caribbean island of Aruba. Also, you’ll find profiles of guides, marine artists, resorts, fly shops and more in the Close Look section. As always, if you like what you see, let us know about it. Drop us a line about any other areas or angling you’d like to see in the future. Jimmy Jacobs Editor December 2017
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Editor Jimmy Jacobs jimmyjacobs@mindspring.com Publisher Don Kirk don@southerntrout.com Digital Media Specialist Claude Preston, III claude@southerntrout.com Managing Editor Leah Kirk leah@southerntrout.com Assoc. Managing Editor Loryn Lathem loryn@southerntrout.com Editorial Consultant
Olive K. Nynne
Contributors
Jill Zima Borski Polly Dean Capt. John Gribb Capt. Robert Sloan Southern Saltwater Fly Fishing is a publication of Southern Unlimited, LLC. It is produced in conjunction with Southern Trout Magazine and Southerntrout.com. Copyright 2017 Southern Unlimited, LLC All rights reserved.
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This Issue
Editor’s Letter
3
Clear Water Angling At Port O’Connor
10
The Sole of a Behemoth
22
Palmetto State Speckled Trout
28
10
CLOSE LOOK 36 Captiva, Ft. Myers, Sanibel Pine Island Snook 40 Featured Resort Tween Waters Inn Island Resort and Spa
52
Featured Guide Living on Tarpon Time
62
Featured Fly Shop Norm Zeigler’s Fly Shop
68
Featured Fly Tier Sanibel’s One Fly Guy
76
Stretching the Line The Florida Fly Fishing Schools
86
22
Featured Artist 94 Bubba Royer’s Hardwood Sea Life Sight Casting in Aruba
102
Galvin Grip G-8 Fly Reel
112
Fenwick World Class 9’6”
118
End of the Line 126 Hanging out in Doc Ford Country
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December 2017
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SweetWater Brewing Company • Georgia • SweetWaterBrew.com
Clear Water Anglin By Capt. Robert Sloan 10 l www.sosaltwaterflyfishing.com
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P
ort O’Connor, located on the middle Texas coast, is one of the hottest fishing destinations along the Texas Gulf for two very good reasons. One reason is that the flats and bay fishing options are endless. Another reason (and the most important one) is that the fishing is fantastic for reds, trout, and even for jack crevalle and tarpon. I’ve been fishing Port O’Connor for over four decades, and I can say from much experience that the fly fishing there is excellent. The miles upon miles of clear water flats are endless, and there are islands galore that are surrounded by black mangroves. East of Port O’Connor, or POC for short, you find West Matagorda Bay. If you head west, you run right into Espiritu Santo Bay. In between are all sorts of islands, with the biggest being Matagorda Island that stretches for well over 30 miles.
Redfish are dependable targets for fly casters in the waters around Port O’Connor. Photo by Capt. Robert Sloan.
ng at Port O’Connor September December 2017
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The clear waters and black mangrove shorelines of the area are perfect habitat for a variety of saltwater predators. Photo by Jimmy Jacobs.
Located between POC and Matagorda Island is a string of smaller islands that include Farwell, Grass, and Blackberry. Many of those isles are tiny, but most are big enough that they take hours to thoroughly fish by wading or poling a skiff. At the eastern tip of Matagorda Island is Pass Cavallo. This is a relatively small pass, but it’s a good feed into the Gulf. That is where lots of trout, reds, jacks and tarpon move from the Gulf of Mexico to the bay and vice versa. Another section of Matagorda Island can be found on the eastern side of Pass Cavallo. This shoreline is a few miles long and stretches from Decros Point on down to the channel formed by the Port O’Connor jetties. On the western edge of the islands, between the town of POC and Matagorda Island, is Espiritu Santo Bay. When compared to other Texas bays, it’s small--very small. It’s sandwiched between Matagorda and San Antonio bays. It’s only link to the Gulf is Pass Cavallo. As an example, Matagorda Bay covers more than
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250,000 acres. San Antonio spans just a bit more than 100,000 acres. In between is Espiritu Santo Bay. Even though this bay is small it’s a go-to destination for lots of anglers in the know. Trout will usually be out on the edge of the grass flats. Some of my favorite shorelines are along Contee Lake and Pringle Lake. You can pretty much count on seeing tailing reds feeding along the shoreline on any given day.
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For trout, it’s usually best to work streamers or something like a Clouser Minnow. Reds are best on spoons, poppers, Bend Backs and crab imitations. The shallow shell reefs along the shorelines and black mangroves provide excellent fly fishing opportunities for reds. The clearest water will usually be along protected shorelines with thick stands of mangroves. What a lot of anglers don’t know is that you actually can catch tarpon and big jack crevalle in the open areas of Espiritu Santo.
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The Bend Back is a great fly for catching redfish around Port O’Connor. Photo by Capt. Robert Sloan.
Most of the tarpon fishing is done by drifting and looking for rolling fish. Then the drill is to run, work in close, and make a cast. It can be pretty slow fishing, but it only takes one 50- to 150-pound-class silver king to make your day. A couple of the top tarpon flies are a 3/0 Tarpon Bunny or a Seaducer. “We’re usually dealing with some pretty big tarpon,” guide Tom Horbey said. “Most of the time, I’ll be using an 11-weight rod with a 7-foot, 30-pound-class leader and 100-pound-test shock tippet. The Cape Lookout Lighthouse overlooks the best angling area. Photo by Jimmy Jacobs. December 2017 September
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Another exciting option is to run and gun for schooling jacks. This is shallow water action that you have to see to believe. It’s easy fishing for one of the toughest fighting fish you’ll ever catch, and they are easy targets for fly fishers. What you want to do is use the outboard to run up to the feeding jacks, and then switch over to a trolling motor to get within casting range. These jacks typically run from 15 to 30 pounds. They will rip a fly-fished popper to smithereens. Some of the best shorelines for finding tailing reds are on the south shore of the bay along Vanderveer Island, which parallels Matagorda Island. That’s about 8 nautical miles of shallow sand and grass in water that’s gin clear. It’s perfect for poling and sight-casting to reds.
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Big jack crevalle can be found cruising the open waters of Espiritu Santo Bay. Photo by Jimmy Jacobs.
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On the north shoreline, you find Blackberry, Dewberry and Long islands that stretch for about 9 miles. This is also classic poling water for reds, black drum, and sheepshead. For these fish you do best with Bend Backs, streamers, and small, No. 4 and 6 Clousers. The No. 2 Bend Back is tough to beat for taking reds along these shorelines. Port O’Connor is a small town that’s basically supported by sport fishing. In town, you can find several places to eat, hotels are fairly numerous, and there are lodges that offer comfort with good eats after a day of fishing. For additional information or to book a fly fishing trip, send me an email at sloan288@aol.com or go to luckystrikeguide.com.
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Poppers are a good option for attracting the attention of the jack crevalle. Photo by Capt. Robert Sloan.
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Crystal Coast
Adventures NORTH CAROLINA
CRYSTALCOASTADVENTURES.COM
Specializing in False Albacore, Trout and Redfish. Captain Dean Lamont is a former Orvis endorsed fly fishing guide with over 20 years of fishing experience on The Crystal Coast of NC. Fall fishing trips have Orvis rods and reels with hand tied flies provided. Maverick flats boat used for red fish and trout in the sound/flats.
Book your trip early to secure prime days! (919) 414-2452 thelamonts@clis.com
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For more information visit ExperienceMountPleasant.com
The Sole of a
Behemoth By Jimmy Jacobs
U
sually, when field testing fishing equipment, time constraints end up dictating whether or not I take a rod or reel out in a parking lot or grassy field to fling a few casts so as to get a feel for an item. But, what makes our day, is the opportunity to put the gear through its paces in some real-world situations. Back in our premiere edition we looked at the new Redington Behemoth reels. Now we had a chance to take a 9 – 10-weight model of that reel down to Hutchinson Island at Fort Pierce, Florida, match it with one of St. Croix’s new Sole model 9-foot, 10-weight rod, as well as an 8-weight, 9-footer, and do some challenging surf fishing with the set up.
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The 9-foot, 10-weight setup could handle just about any fish that came along. Photo by Jimmy Jacobs.
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The 8-weight set up was ideal for targeting snook in the beach side troughs. Photo by Jimmy Jacobs.
When you have clear water conditions like on this piece of the Florida coast, it is possible to sight cast to several species of fish. There’s probably no tougher test for an angler and his gear than battling strong fish in the hammering conditions of Atlantic Coast breakers. An added handicap is that you virtually always encounter wind when casting from the sand. If the rig held up under these conditions, there could be no doubt about its pedigree. The test for the 10-weight setup came when a school of baitfish scattered right at the sand, being chased by a pod of jack crevalle. The length and backbone of the Sole rod made delivering a very quick back-handed cast a breeze. When one of the jacks grabbed the fly and headed for Europe, it was time for the Behemoth reel to show its stuff. 24 l www.sosaltwaterflyfishing.com
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Florida Fly Fishing Expo
February 9 & 10, 2018
Plantation on Crystal River 9301W. Fort Island Trail Crystal River, FL 34429
Steve Huff, renowned guide & featured speaker
Every skill level is welcome. This Expo is where all fly fishers can learn from the best. Plus, family members who don’t fly fish will have plenty to do including golfing, scenic river tours, and even swimming with the manatees.
Admission to the family-friendly expo is $25 which includes admission on both days including the Friday evening social, Feb. 9. Admission is free for those 12 and younger when accompanied by an adult.
www.FFI-Florida.org
The fish peeled off 150 yards of fly line and backing, but the smooth and strong drag on the reel made the jack pay for the line. Meanwhile, the strength of the Sole rod allowed for putting even more pressure on the jack. Once the fish was forced to turn back to the beach, the Behemoth’s large arbor worked great in retrieving line to keep
pressure on the crevalle. When the exhausted fish was in the last breaker hitting the sand, I grabbed the leader to drag it ashore. Although the rod and reel both did their jobs, operator error took over. The knot connecting the bite tippet to the fly parted under the pressure and the jack flopped back into the surf. The gear far outperformed my knot-tying skills!
As for the 8-weight setup, the Sole and Behemoth again proved their worth. Snook were traveling down troughs paralleling the beach. Often, by the time you spotted the fish, there was just a split-second window of opportunity to get the fly out in front of the approaching snook. The Sole worked quite well in cutting through the wind to deliver those flies. Both the rod and the Behemoth reel were good matches for the aerial antics of hooked snook. The bottom line was the St. Croix Sole rods (stcroixrods.com/products/ fly-fishing/) and the Redington Behemoth reels (redington.com/fly-fishing-reels/behemoth) were up to the challenges the surf presented.
The 8-weight rig could handle the wind and the acrobatic snook. Photo by Polly Dean.
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Palmetto State By Captain John Gribb
T
he sun is out, the weather cool, and you’re standing in the front of a skiff, fly rod in hand Speckled trout often get scanning the surface of shallow water while overlooked by anglers searching for something to throw at. In South Carochasing redfish on lina’s Low Country, that usually means we’re looking Carolina’s coast at this for signs of redfish: pushes, nervous water, flashing time of year. bellies and occasionally blow-ups on bait. It’s clasPhoto by Capt. John Gribb. sic sight-fishing during the most productive season of the year for our “spottail bass.”
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Speckled Trout
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Generally unnoticed or ignored by many fly-rodders (but celebrated by hordes of jig and bait fishermen) are schools of ravenous speckled seatrout who are gorging themselves on bait in anticipation of the oncoming winter. Thus, this season is prime time for them. Some fly fishermen, who also love the taste of freshly caught fish, target a few of the mild flavored specs for the table or the smoker. The vast majority of trout are caught by fly casters who are blind casting to likely redfish spots. But, you can target specs with flies by adjusting your tactics and equipment slightly. During this time of year, trout are often in schools and 30 l www.sosaltwaterflyfishing.com
generally feed slightly deeper in 2- to 4-foot deep water. They move around with the tide, so the trick is finding them. Yet, when you find them, you can often take several fish from one spot before they move. Look for them in moving but clean water, since trout avoid water that has been silted up with sand and pluff mud. Search for them by drifting along banks. Focus on points with current, oyster bars with current, up-tide and down-tide sides of creek mouths, and grass edges, especially where oysters break the current flow. An electric trolling motor makes maintaining a good casting distance on these drifts much easier..
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The edges of spartina grass beds are favored hang outs for the trout. Photo by Capt. John Gribb.
Wading for Speckled Trout “I have had some seriously good days in late fall wading for trout.” That comment came from John Mathews of the Sea Island Fly Fishers in Beaufort, South Carolina. He is an avid wading fly fisherman who targets trout with his fly rod all the time. The fishing venues are somewhat limited compared to boat fishermen, so he searches for places along creeks, rivers, and sounds that are accessible on foot. For low tides spots, he looks for good-sized, land-locked “ponds” that have water at negative low tides. “Trout like a conveyer belt of food coming by them” he explained. “Once the tide starts pouring back into these holes, it brings a buffet of forage with it and the bite turns on.” Creek mouths are another prime location, regardless of their size. John prefers fishing them during the 2 to 3 hours before the high,tide and the 2 to 3 hours of the initial falling tide. The strong tidal flow produces that conveyer belt. A cast across the creek that allows the line to sweep with the current flow with a slow to medium retrieve often works. Along edges of spartina grass lines, he watches for skittering bait fish and shrimp. He also listens for trout breaking the surface. John finds fishing in the spartina grass best about one to two hours either side of the high tide. For trout, John likes a lighter weight rod with an intermediate weight sinking tip line. A floating line will work, but finding the bottom is more difficult. His leader is 8 feet long, with a 10- to 12-pound tippet and his flies mimic baitfish or shrimp, with weed guards to lessen hang-ups.
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Most good trout “drops� are water-depth and tide specific. Just because a spot was good last week at 11:00 a.m. on a rising tide does not mean fish will be there this week at the same time on a falling tide. When working traditionally good spots, if you don't find fish in 10 minutes or so, keep moving and check back later. The trout move in and out of areas depending on the availability of food and water depth. So when is the best time? In late fall and early winter trout feed at all stages of the tide, but many seasoned anglers prefer the top half of the tide, either rising or falling, when the fish are moving into or out of the grass. During low tides focus on points. During mid tides, incoming or outgoing, work the shoreline grass and oyster bars. At high tide, work the grass edges. Most fly anglers in the Lowcountry are armed with 8or 9-weight rods loaded with floating lines that are perfect for redfish. There is no question that you can catch trout with the same set up, especially in very shallow settings or when working over oyster bars where trout occasionally move in to feed. Tie on a weighted Clouser Minnow or half-and-half style fly. 32 l www.sosaltwaterflyfishing.com
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Any fly box in the Lowcountry should have a selection of Clouser Minnows when trout are the quarry. Photo by Jimmy Jacobs.
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Some hefty seatrout turn up in the shallows at this time of year. Photo by Jimmy Jacobs.
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In the slightly deeper water, where trout normally gather at the time, there is a better option that will allow a better presentation and give you a better battle with hooked fish. Go with a 6-weight rod with a 250-grain integrated shooting head with a lightly weighted or unweighted baitfish pattern like a Lefty’s Deceiver. Find a good trout drop, cast toward the shallows and drag the fly back. Strikes are often subtle and the hook set should not be as aggressive as with redfish. When hooked, trout fight aggressively, especially the large “gator” trout.
Guides rarely target trout with their fly fishing patrons, since they don’t present a classic sight-casting venue, but do-it-yourself anglers can do the job very well on their own. Right now is the best shallow-water speckled trout fishing of the year, and with the past few mild winters, the fish are healthy, fat and plentiful. If you find them, you will not be disappointed
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YOUR
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Beaufort, S.C., is where you’ll discover new memories in one of the oldest towns in America. Full of legendary history, a variety of handson activities, one-of-a-kind restaurants and unique experiences along the shore, Beaufort is sure to be beloved by your whole family.
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Yep, it’s just that easy with Western North Carolina’s premier fly shop and guide service. Kevin Howell and his experienced staff have been fishing the surrounding 500 miles of prime trout waters so long, they know all the fish on first name basis. And they’ll be more than happy to make a few introductions.
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GUIDE SERVICES | ONLINE & RETAIL STORE | LESSONS
Southern Saltwater Fly Fishing
CLOSE LOOK Captiva Island, Ft. Myers, Sanibel
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NO 26
The best fishing stories start with you getting away.
PINE ISLAND SOUND, FL
Islandology is our way of life. It’s trying a new, secluded spot and finding no matter what you catch – you’re hooked. Plan your trip at FortMyers-Sanibel.com
CLOSE LOOK
Captiva, Ft. Myers, Sanibel
Pine Islan By the time Hurricane Irma reached the mainland of Florida, it had gained a deadly reputation.
T
he islands of Sanibel and Captiva just west of Fort Myers lay in the path of the strengthening Hurricane Irma. The Category 5 storm had already cut a devastating swath through the Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico and the Florida Keys, and didn't appear to be letting up any time soon.
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Captiva, Ft. Myers, Sanibel CLOSE LOOK
nd Snook Fortunately, the barrier islands at Fort Myers and their great snook fishing dodged the bullet! by Polly Dean
Wade fishing for snook around wood debris on Pine Island Sound. Photo by Polly Dean.
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CLOSE LOOK
Captiva, Ft. Myers, Sanibel
Projections had the hurricane skimming the western edge of south Florida, placing the state's Gulf coast directly to the east of the hurricane’s eye and in the path of the deadliest portion of the storm. A storm surge of 9 to 12 feet of water was forecast for the islands. This ominous prediction would have resulted in much of these two islands and any remaining inhabitants, being under water. To the south, Naples, Marco Island and the Everglades took a direct hit from Irma, then the storm veered inland as it trekked north. This kept Sanibel and Captiva to the storm's relatively gentler west side of the eye. Fortunately, Lee County wasn't going to face the predicted total devastation this time around. My fishing partner and I already had a trip planned to the area to catch some snook. The good news was our accommodations, the ‘Tween Waters Inn Island & Spa, announced within a few days of the storm’s passing that they had the “OPEN” sign fully lit and were welcoming guests to their resort and restaurants. After a confirmation from our guide, Captain Randall Marsh, that he was indeed available to hit the water, we headed to the islands. 42 l www.sosaltwaterflyfishing.com
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Captiva, Ft. Myers, Sanibel CLOSE LOOK
Capt. Randall Marsh scanning the shoreline for snook on Pine Island Sound. Photo by Polly Dean.
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CLOSE LOOK
Captiva, Ft. Myers, Sanibel
The Fish Don't Care
Even though routines were figuratively “turned upside down” on the islands, most of the clean-up was just downed tree limbs and palm fronds. The estuaries and mangrove islands were left intact. The fishery that has drawn sport fishermen to the area for decades, didn't appear to be affected too much, though the water had been roiled and was less clear than usual. Pine Island Sound that lies between the islands of Sanibel and Captiva and its namesake Pine Island is an ideal area for fly fishermen. Snook, redfish, seatrout and tarpon are the main targets. Other species such as ladyfish, jack crevalle, Spanish mackerel, cobia and pompano are also at times willing to bend a line. The most dependable target for anglers, however, are snook. The “linesides” are abundant, due to numerous tidal creeks, oyster bars and mangrove shorelines. With habitat so conducive, they can be caught year round. 44 l www.sosaltwaterflyfishing.com
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Captiva, Ft. Myers, Sanibel CLOSE LOOK
Capt. Marsh with a snook taken on the fly. Photo by Polly Dean.
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CLOSE LOOK
Captiva, Ft. Myers, Sanibel
The author casting to feeding fish in the open waters of Pine Island Sound. Photo by Jimmy Jacobs.
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Captiva, Ft. Myers, Sanibel CLOSE LOOK
Searching For Snook
This was the first day that Capt. Randall Marsh of South Zone Outfitters was back on the water since the hurricane. It was more of a “search and discovery� mission to learn if the snook had stuck around. The captain's primary focus was to find clear water. We headed toward an island that was farthest from the Caloosahatchee River mouth that was likely to still be spilling large amounts of fresh water into the sound. Capt. Marsh eased the 18-foot Maverick flats boat toward the beach, cutting the motor and hopping up front to pole us in. The captain scanned the water for snook. It only took him a minute to spot more than one. What happened next surprised me. We eased down the shoreline a few hundred feet and anchored the boat so that we could get out and approach the fish from the beach. I encourage the captain to bring a rod too, since our first objective was to get a snook for a photo. As I followed Capt. Marsh through the brush and trees, I felt more like I was headed to a backcountry mountain stream than fishing in saltwater. We scrambled to the point of the island and began casting around the dead trees and stumps that littered the area. After only a few casts the captain's fly was eaten, but it was a strong take that caught him off-guard and resulted in the snook getting away. I was disappointed, but secretly glad that this not only happens to me, but to very experienced anglers as well. More importantly, the snook were here, and they liked our chartreuse and white December 2017
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CLOSE LOOK
Captiva, Ft. Myers, Sanibel
Clousers Minnows.
The tide had just turned and was rising. The snook were actively feeding on schools of pilchards. We made several more casts with no takes, and as the tide continued to rise the action died, so we decided to move to another spot. Our next stop was a different kind of habitat. I continued to throw the Clouser Minnow. Success came when I cast toward this rock-covered area of the shoreline. “Strip! Strip! Strip!� hollered the captain, which he did several times throughout the course of the day. From his vantage point, he could tell when I was getting a follow and the thing to do was keep the fly moving. Don't stop stripping. Keeping this in mind I was able to hook several snook. Most were hooked after feeling several bumps before the fish took the fly. When I felt the hook-up a strong strip-set was the next step.
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Captiva, Ft. Myers, Sanibel CLOSE LOOK
The author with one of her Pine Island Sound snook. Photo by Jimmy Jacobs.
December 2017
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Murky water that was a residue from the storm caught up with us several times and the scouting continued. Capt. Marsh had a number of places to try as conditions changed. The mangrove edges of islands are good places to target as the tide begins to fall and the snook start to move out of the tangle of mangrove roots into deeper water. In addition to visible edges and structure we also found success out in open areas of the flats. The variance in bottom structure that are apt to attract a snook are less visible to those of us not used to fishing the area. This is definitely where a local guide comes in handy. It was even better to learn that though Hurricane Irma disrupted the life ashore, it didn't lessen the quality of fishing found so close to Sanibel and Captiva Islands. In addition to guiding for snook, redfish, and tarpon, Captain Randall Marsh guides hunts for Osceola turkey, hogs, deer and more. For more information call him at (239) 340-1686.
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CLOSE LOOK
Captiva, Ft. Myers, Sanibel
The beaches of the barrier islands were littered with new seashells washed ashore by the hurricane. Photo by Polly Dean
T
he beaches of Sanibel, Captiva and Cayo Costa Islands on the Gulf of Mexico for years have been famous for the large number and variety of seashells that wash ashore. Indeed, these strips of sand consistently rate in the top 10 shelling destinations in the world. Collectors strolling the beaches at dawn bent over looking for shells have become such prevalent sights that their posture as they walk has spawned names like the “Sanibel Stoop” and “Captiva Crawl.” While it is hard to find anything good about a hurricane crashing through and area, the infusion of new shells that Irma pushed up on these islands was impressive. In the storm’s wake, beaches that ordinarily hold some shells were literally paved with interesting specimens.
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Captiva, Ft. Myers, Sanibel CLOSE LOOK Ask us about all the species we can help you fish for!
A selection of Capt. Harley’s favorite tarpon flies for Pine Island Sound. Photo by Polly Dean.
and we get all kinds of conditions.” Capt. Joe Harley runs his Snook Town Fly Fishing charters out of Matlacha on the east side of Pine Island, but he can also make arrangements for trips out of Useppa Island near the north end of Pine Island Sound. For complete details visit snooktown.com.
And just so you don’t think the good captain is one dimensional, after a day on the water you may also be able to catch him playing the guitar with his band The Hipnauticals at one of the local venues around Fort Myers. Check them out at facebook. com/TheHipnauticals/.
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Captiva, Ft. Myers, Sanibel - Featured Resort
‘Tween Water Inn Island Resort & Spa
Historic Luxury on Captiva Island
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f you are looking for upscale accommodations with a historic flare while sampling the Fort Myers area fly fishing, the ‘Tween Waters Inn on Captiva Island is hard to beat. “You can enjoy 137 quality accommodations, including historic one, two and three bedroom seaside cottages, suites, studios and guest rooms,” said John Sprecher, Chief Marketing Manager for Sanibel Captiva Beach Resorts in describing the facility located on 13 acres between the Gulf of Mexico and Pine Island Sound. Miles of sugar-sand beaches, Olympic-size pool, serenity pool, hot tubs and children’s wading pools, along with a day spa and fitness center are available on site. For the more active visitors, there is parasailing, personal water craft, or kayak and paddleboard adventures or lessons. Indeed, the list of activities goes on to include sailing, biking, tennis and pickle ball. Or, you can hit the links on nearby golf courses, enjoying discounted greens fees. In other words, there is something for everyone at ‘Tween Waters Inn. Of course, that includes anglers. The on-site marina on Roosevelt Channel provides easy access to the fishing on Pine Island Sound. The marina offers boat launch facilities, dockage sites and even rental boats. As far as the historical element, ‘Tween Waters Inn was established by F. Bowman and Grace B. Price in 1931. They started with a single building and expanded during the next 30 years with more cottages and other structures. They built the remote tourist facility with its small cottages and restaurant into a social center and favorite winter resort of wealthy northerners. The resort has been welcoming guests ever since.
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Other historic landmarks within the resort include the Old Captiva House, a fine dining restaurant first built as a one-room school for children of Captiva’s pioneer settlers. The Old Captiva House you visit today reflects much of its original charm from picturesque walls of white French doors, to hardwood floors, to the Gulf of Mexico sunset that streams through the western windows. ‘Tween Waters Inn Island Resort & Spa was recognized by the National Register of Historic Places in 2012. Over the years, the inn has hosted some well-known people, so the historic cottages were then named for some of them. Both President Theodore Roosevelt and Ann Murrow Lindbergh enjoyed ‘Tween Waters’ hospitality. Undoubtedly, the most famous and influential visitor with regard to outdoor sports was J.N. “Ding” Darling, who frequented the resort often.
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Darling was an editorial cartoonist and conservationist in the 1920s and ‘30s, who twice won Pulitzer prizes for his work. President Franklin Roosevelt appointed him the first director of the agency that eventually became the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. In that position, Darling was instrumental in creating the National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) system. Today the J.N. “Ding” Darling NWR on Sanibel Island bears his name and provides opportunities to target snook, redfish and tarpon in its mangrovelined waters. After chasing those fish on the sound, an evening meal at the Old Captiva House is a welcomed end to the action. The restaurant features a fresh Gulf seafood menu, with the only sushi on Captiva Island, all served in a casual upscale setting. 56 l www.sosaltwaterflyfishing.com
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The quaint historic cottages are named for celebrity guests who have stayed at ‘Tween Waters.
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Newly-appointed Executive Chef Greg Nelson has dedicated his time to creating new and exciting menus that are locally sourced and perfectly suited for all guests and locals. Among those dishes are local favorites such as Thai curry red snapper, spicy Ahi tuna and grilled rack of lamb. The resort’s other eatery is the Crow’s Nest Bar & Grille, which offers a seafood boil, fish tacos, island grouper and even a BLTAE (Bacon, Lettuce, Tomato, Avocado and Fried Egg sandwich). It also provides a great atmosphere for a cold libation while unwinding from a day on the water. Then you might drift over to the infamous Crab Races that are held at ‘Tween Waters. Rounding out the resort’s dining options is the Oasis Pool Bar, serving drinks and food for lunching by the swimming pool. The ‘Tween Waters draws a lot of its visitors from the Midwest and East Coast of the US. But, it
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Featured Resort - Captiva, Ft. Myers, Sanibel CLOSE LOOK also attracts guests from Canada, Germany and England. High season is November to Mid-April, with the highest peak in February to April. Guests can book up to a year in advance, and during this peak season, they typically need to, since the resort often sells out during this time. From the standpoint of angling, their seasonal schedule is good. The prime fishing times in this area are May through October when fewer folks are on these barrier islands. The ‘Tween Waters’ website is a great resource for anyone looking to find out more about the legendary resort. With extras that include an interactive property map, live beach cam, “innsider” (local) articles and tips, video tours, event calendar, and more, you can stay updated on what’s new at ‘Tween Waters Inn Island Resort & Spa. Visit the site at tween-waters.com/. December 2017
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Capt. Joe Harley on the poling platform. Photo by Jimmy Jacobs.
Living on Tarpon Time
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o say that Captain Joe Harley is serious about tarpon fishing just might be an understatement. According to his estimate, he spends as much as 300 days a year patrolling Pine Island Sound and surrounding waters with
most of that time devoted to searching for those silver kings. If he doesn’t have a charter, he likely still will be in his boat keeping up with what those fish are doing. If you still need confirmation of Capt. Harley’s passion for
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tarpon, when he climbs onto the poling platform of his boat, take a look at the inside calf of his left leg. There you’ll find a tattoo of a silver king standing on its tail as if it just cleared the water when it felt the sting of a hook in it jaw. More support for his
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tarpon passion, as well as the quality of the angling for those fish in southwest Florida, comes from the fact that during a day of targeting the fish with him, he pointed out that he had fly-fished for them in 22 of the 24 preceding months. Only in the deadest heart of the winter was he not able to find and fish them. Although not a native of the area, he is about as close as you can get. “I moved to Pine Island in 1977 from Hershey, Pennsylvania, when I was 5 years old,” he pointed out. “It was the best thing that ever happened to me. Of course, it was a while after that before he discovered tarpon and fly fishing. “I grew up as a spin fisherman and didn’t take up fly fishing until the end of the 1990s,” Capt. Harley explained. “I started guiding people at that time as well, but I did not start doing if for a living until 15 years ago. That was here
on Pine Island.” Though he did have an older local gentleman influence him to try fly fishing, he really had no mentor in the sport. “I had a couple of friends that were doing it at the same time. We learned together.” That was before the Internet took over the world, but his group did watch some videos and
of them fly fished. Maybe they had never done it in saltwater, but a lot of those people came to this area to fly fish.” As with most any guide that wants to stay in business, Capt. Harley takes anglers out in search of whatever is biting, which usually includes redfish and snook. But, given a choice, tarpon are always his first choice. Tarpon offer a twofold fishery in Pine Island Sound. Out on the open flats you find big fish of up to 100 pounds. Particularly in the fall and winter months, the water of the sound is gin clear, so it’s possible to sight cast those big boys. In fact, in the winter, the giant fish are likely to be the only ones on the flats. During the summer months, the sound’s waters turn dark, so only rolling fish offer casting opportunities. Another option is to head into the mangrove lined creeks that fringe the sound. These waters are home to baby tarpon that range from a foot long up
“It was the best thing that ever happened to me...” read up on the sport. At the time, the fly-fishing scene around Fort Myers was very different from today. “There wasn’t much of anything,” Capt. Harley offered. “It was right after that when things sort of broke loose. The Internet started happening, and a lot of people did start coming to this area and many were fly fishermen. Seemed like all of a sudden most of the people were from the North and more December 2017
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Captiva, Ft. Myers, Sanibel - Featured Guide Capt. Harley’s keen eye can spot the silver kings long before the angler up front sees them. Photo by Polly Dean.
to 30 or 40 pounds. When it comes to the flies to use, Capt. Harley does have some favorites. “I don’t use a ton of different patterns, just variations of sizes and colors. I’ll make a fly on different hook sizes to control the sink rate.” So what are his five go-to patterns for tarpon in this area? “That’s an easy choice for me,” he grinned.
“Seaducer, a spun deerhair slider surface fly and, of course, a Clouser. I like a Tarpon Toad and some form of popper. If I had to pick five, it would those style flies.” Capt. Harley doesn’t teach formal fly fishing classes, but he welcomes all levels of skill on his skiff. “Plenty of my trips end up being instructional,” he mused. “A certain
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amount of people every year are completely in need of instruction. I’ve got clients who may just need a casting tip. For serious fly-fishing teaching, I send them to Scott Swartz at the Florida Fly Fishing School on Pine Island.” Summing up the mission of his business is also easy for the captain. “I’ve got a neat
Drop what you are doing...
Featured Guide - Captiva, Ft. Myers, Sanibel CLOSE LOOK
112th 3 t h Annual Derby City Fly Fishers’
Kentuckiana Fly Fishing Show 2018 January 28, 2017 Shepherdsville, Kentucky
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A selection of Capt. Harley’s favorite tarpon flies for Pine Island Sound. Photo by Polly Dean.
little service that comes from being in this area my whole life. I just try to offer a good, basic, backcountryflats fishing experience using a boat built right in my neighborhood. The boat was built by one of my best friends. I’m a yearround guide with a lifetime of fishing these waters. I get all levels of people and angling experience,
and we get all kinds of conditions.” Capt. Joe Harley runs his Snook Town Fly Fishing charters out of Matlacha on the east side of Pine Island, but he can also make arrangements for trips out of Useppa Island near the north end of Pine Island Sound. For complete details visit snooktown.com.
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And just so you don’t think the good captain is one dimensional, after a day on the water you may also be able to catch him playing the guitar with his band The Hipnauticals at one of the local venues around Fort Myers. Check them out at facebook. com/TheHipnauticals/.
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Captiva, Ft. Myers, Sanibel - Featured Fly Shop
Norm Zeigler’s Sanibel Island, Florida
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The shop is on Periwinkle Way on Sanibel Island. Photo by Polly Dean.
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ne of the premiere angling attractions of the barrier islands just off the Southwest Florida coast at Fort Myers is the action for snook right on the beach. When it comes to getting ready to challenge those fish on Sanibel, Captiva and Cayo Costa Islands, the place for gear and information is Norm Zeigler’s Fly Shop on Sanibel. The shop is situated on Periwinkle Way, the main thoroughfare running along the heart of Sanibel Island. The establishment is entering its 9th year of operation and according to the proprietor, the most valuable commodity they dispense is information. “We do not believe in secret fishing spots,” Norm Zeigler pointed out Putting that source of knowledge in perspective, Zeigler could be considered the guru of snook fishing on the beaches of this area. The Norm’s Crystal Schminnow fly that he created is the goto pattern for this action. Also, Zeigler penned a book, Snook on a Fly, that is the basic text for pursuing these fish.
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But, needless to say, a shop doesn’t stay in business unless it also dispenses some gear for which customers do have to pay. So, what are the items that are regularly purchased here? “Really, it’s a combination of fly rods and clothing, because they kind of go together,” Zeigler mused. “I’m very lucky to have a Sage dealership for this area.”
Since a great many anglers have traveled here from other areas, they often need to expand their wardrobe to handle the hot, humid, and sunny conditions of the region. That explains the emphasis on clothing sales. “You know, it’s a mix of local people and visitors,” Zeigler said in describing his clientele. “We have a world class saltwater fly
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fishing destination, so we have people coming from all over the world–from all of over Europe, South America, Central America and Asia. They come here to fish.” Needless to say, those visitors run the gamut with regard to their angling ability. “I would say The shop dispenses Sage, Redington, Temple Fork Outfitters and Thomas & Thomas rods. Photo by Polly Dean.
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Norm Zeigler literally wrote the book on catching snook on a fly rod. Photo by Jimmy Jacobs. December 2017
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Captiva, Ft. Myers, Sanibel - Featured Fly Shop Sunglasses and hot weather apparel are good sellers for Zeigler’s enterprise. Photo by Polly Dean.
it’s 50 percent experts, 35 percent people who know what they are doing and 15 percent beginners,” Zeigler guessed. Besides the major line of Sage rods, the shop also stocks Thomas & Thomas and Temple Fork Outfitters rods, reels from Tibor, flies from Umpqua, Wapsi tying gear, along with fly fishing accessories from Mustad, Rio and Simms. Many of the flies on display are tied by locals, especially for the surrounding waters. And, of course, you can pick
up a couple of his Norm’s Crystal Schminnows while you are there, too. Not all of the purchases will break the bank. Zeigler’s shop also carries some lower-priced gear. “I carry Redington, which Sage owns. I can sell someone an 8-weight rod outfit for $149. That outfit includes rod, reel, line and backing. The buyer can literally walk out the door and be ready to fish. “Yet,” Zeigler continued, “if I take them over to the other side of the rack,
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they can buy one rod that’s $895. But, you don’t have to start out spending a thousand dollars. “It also pleases them that I show them how to use it. I really enjoy helping beginners get their first gear. When someone buys an outfit from me, they get a free lesson with it.” Casting lessons last an hour and are a $75 value. While snook and tarpon are certainly the main fish drawing anglers to this area, there are others to be caught as well. “There are quite a few trout,”
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Zeigler said. “Certain people love to catch the seatrout. In the fall, you get some false albacore offshore and tripletail around the crab buoys.” Zeigler also identified the low and high seasons for visiting Southwest Florida’s barrier islands. “September is the slowest month,” he confirmed, before turning to the busy season. “It’s Christmas to Easter. “But, the summer fishery has really jumped in the last eight years
I’ve owned the shop,” he added. “People have found out they can catch fish here in the summer. Those are the knowledgeable fishermen from the Southeast, from Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, South Carolina and North Carolina. But we do get people coming from the West Coast, and Europeans come here in the summer, especially for the tarpon.” For all of those visiting, the shop also offers
guided fishing charters. When you drop in at the shop, you’ll want to pick up a copy of his book Snook on a Fly, but one might also be interested in his newest book Famous Fly Fishers. This one profiles 21 celebrities from sports, politics and the literary world who also enjoy the long-rod sport. For more details on Norm Zeigler’s Fly Shop and directions, visit normzeiglersflyshop.com.
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Captiva, Ft. Myers, Sanibel - Featured Fly Tier
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any fly tiers take great pride in releasing their creative juices and producing a smorgasbord of patterns in an array of colors. In the end, though, the goal is to come up with flies that catch fish. Instead of heading down that path, Norm Zeigler simply saw a need and filled it with a pattern that has had phenomenal success. Although first designed to fool snook on the beaches of Sanibel Island in Southwest Florida, Norm’s Crystal Schminnow has traveled around the world. In the process it also has enticed a rogue’s gallery of salt and freshwater predators into trying to eat it.
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One Fly Guy The Schminnow is a simple, but very effective pattern. Photo by Polly Dean.
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With regard to fly tying and fly fishing, Zeigler, a native of the Cape Cod region of Massachusetts, came late to both games. “I didn’t learn to fly fish until I got out of college,” he said. “I’d been fishing with my dad for trout with spinning rods. I wanted to do fly fishing, because I’d been reading Field & Stream and Outdoor Life. So I learned how to do it.” After graduating from Clark University in his home state, he traveled around the U.S. and Canada for a while. Then in 1979 he landed in Germany, where he put his English degree to work for European Stars and Stripes, the daily newspaper for American expatriates on the continent. Eventually, he worked his way into becoming the paper’s travel and outdoor writer for six years, which offered the opportunity to trout fish in Germany, Scotland, Denmark and Spain. Upon his return to the U.S. he settled on Sanibel Island and began freelance writing for the New York Times, along with virtually all of the major outdoor publications in 78 l www.sosaltwaterflyfishing.com
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Norm Zeigler at the vise in his shop on Sanibel Island. Photo by Polly Dean
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the country. Based on his long career of fishing, one might assume Zeigler also had been creating flies for a while. “I bought my flies for years,” he admitted. “When I started tying, it was only after I’d been fly fishing 15 years. Now I tie virtually every fly that I use.” As with fly fishing, the move into fly tying was a do-it-yourself approach for Zeigler. He had no specific mentor for the craft. “Some of it came from books, some of it from watching other guys. I spent 15 years in Germany, and there were some awfully good tiers there and I learned from them.” Norm Zeigler’s breakthrough as a fly tier came in 1995 when he first began targeting the snook on the beaches of his new home on Sanibel Island. He stopped by a local shop and asked what fly he should use. The Clouser Minnow was what he was told. “Anybody fly fishing on the beach has used a www.sosaltwaterflyfishing.com
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Clouser,” Zeigler said, “but I noticed that if I cast a Clouser close to a snook and it hit the water, they headed for Cuba! It casts like a spinning lure. I said, what can I do? I started thinking, look at what the fish are eating.” The bait fish he saw were mostly small, silvery and white. “I got some chenille and marabou that had a lot of movement in the water and wired some eyes on it,” he explained. “At that time I couldn’t find any eyes to buy, so I took a piece of monofilament and burned the ends to make the eyes.” He gave his creation the name Schminnow. “The first Schminnow that I cast to a snook, that snook came on top of the water after it, so I knew I had a pretty good fly,” Zeigler laughed. In the ensuing years the Schminnow has caught 70 different species of fish, including snook. “I’ve had people who have written me from Germany about catching 80 l www.sosaltwaterflyfishing.com
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Norm Zeigler with one of his Norm’s Crystal Schminnows. Photo by Polly Dean.
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brown trout and have been sent a picture of a 100-pound tarpon with a Schminnow in its mouth,” Zeigler said. “I’ve caught big browns and rainbows in Montana on it.” The popularity of the Schminnow has grown to the point that he could not keep up with the demand for them, yet, he has resisted having it mass produced. “I have my son and another guy who is working for me,” Zeigler revealed. “They tie them for me, because I can’t keep up with it.” There also have been some imitations that have shown up in the market place. “There have been lots of people that have copied me and I’ll call them and say, ‘Hey, if you’re going to tie my fly, then put my name on it.’” At present the only place to get a Norm’s Crystal Schminnow is at Norm Zeigler’s Fly Shop on Sanibel or via the Internet from Catch Fly Fishing (catchflyfish.com) www.sosaltwaterflyfishing.com
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out of Billings, Montana. They list it as Norm’s Sanibel Schminnow. A natural question to follow the story of the successful Schminnow is what came next? Has he created other patterns? The answer reveals a refreshing view in a fly-tying world where adding a couple of new feather to a proven pattern is then named and touted as a new invention. “No, just variations on other people’s patterns,” Zeigler said. Norm Zeigler finished out by summing up his theory of fly tying. “You know the acronym KISS – Keep It Simple Stupid,” he smiled. “I can tie a Schminnow while I’m watching my Red Sox, in a minute or two. Some of those flies over there take 25 minutes,” he added, gesturing toward a display case in his shop. “That’s not my kind of fly.”
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Zeigler caught this evening snook on his Schminnow. Photo by Norm Zeigler.
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5 States 38 River Systems $21.95
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Autographed copies available.
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Captiva, Ft. Myers, Sanibel
Stretching
The Florida Fly Fishing Schools
Swartz has been a Fly Fishers International Master Casting Instructor since the early 1980s. Photo by Jimmy Jacobs.
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here’s little in fly fishing more frustrating than having a feeding fish in range, but being unable to get your offering to it. Whether you’ve been fly fishing for years or are a complete novice, such situations do arise. That’s when having taken advantage of the services of the Florida Fly Fishing Schools can really pay a dividend.
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the L i n e Scott Swartz of St. James City on Pine Island, Florida is the owner of the schools, and apparently a man of many talents. Besides being a Fly Fishers International Master Casting Instructor and lead teacher for the schools, he describes himself as the phone answerer, appointment booker, equipment prepper, line cleaner, coffee maker, notes printer, snack purchaser, dish washer and clean-up man. But above all, he’s a great source to teach you to fly cast, or for correcting some flaw in your technique. Swartz began his career teaching fly fishing in Atlanta, but eventually, he moved to southwest Florida and continued those efforts. “I began fly fishing in the early 1980s when there were very few resources to assist learning,” he explained. “After 15 years of fly fishing and becoming the first FFI Master Casting Instructor in Georgia, I knew I wanted to help others shorten their learning curve. I started the Atlanta Fly Fishing School in 1998 and the Florida Fly Fishing Schools in 2005 to help saltwater anglers.” Swartz continues to be the co-owner of the Atlanta school and on occasions ventures back up there to teach the sport.
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The mission of all the Florida Fly Fishing Schools includes helping freshwater fly fishers make the transition to saltwater and introducing fly fishing to anyone who has the desire to learn. “No experience necessary,” Swartz pointed out. “Our small student-toinstructor ratio allows us to work with differing skill levels and help everyone advance to his or her goals.” Besides regular classes, private instruction also is available. “Classes are offered at least monthly in season, and we typically see six to 10 students, plus a smattering of private lessons each week. That low student-to-instructor ratio ensures plenty of hands-on learning for all skill levels.” The schools also use a bit of technology that goes beyond what most casting instruction involves. “One of the coolest technologies in teaching casting is video,” Swartz said. “We can replay it immediately in the field in slow-motion and draw on the screen. When students see their casting, it helps them progress so much faster. Seeing it at 1/8th speed gives us time to really break it down.” The outdoor casting starts with the basics of forming loops and works through advanced skills like distance, accuracy, dealing with wind, double-hauling and speed casts. “We simulate strip strikes verses lift sets and fish fighting techniques with scales to measure pounds-of-pull,” Swartz added. 88 l www.sosaltwaterflyfishing.com
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Students learning the basics of casting at the Florida Fly Fishing Schools. Photo by Scott Swartz.
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Classroom instruction also is part of the curriculum for the schools. Photo courtesy of Scott Swartz.
Captiva, Ft. Myers, Sanibel CLOSE LOOK But, the schools are not just about casting either. The instruction extends to all phase of the sport. “In the classroom, we utilize tools like Power Points, notebooks, video, handouts and, handson skills. Classes review fly selection, retrieves, presentations, tides, equipment, saltwater lines, leaders and knots, and locating fish in saltwater,” Swartz said. There also is a reason why the school is located where it is. “Southwest Florida has a semi-circle of barrier islands composed of Sanibel, Captiva, Cayo Costa and Boca Grande protecting miles of shallow backcountry waters that are the nursery for tarpon, snook, and redfish. Our southern location allows for year-round fishing, plus the beautiful beaches, shops, and restaurants make for a destination that can please everyone,” Swartz said. As for fly fishing in this region around Fort Myers, Scott Swartz also sees some trends. “Saltwater fly fishing is one of the fastest growing aspects of our sports, and Southwest Florida is in a prime location with great water and climate,” he noted. “We have students join us from Florida, but the majority of our students are from other states, who come to us to be more proficient for saltwater trips.” Listening to Scott Swartz talk about fly fishing and instructing the sport, you quickly realize that it is not just a job for him. “The greatest enjoyment is seeing the ‘ahha’ moments on the students’ faces as they learn new skills. Whether it is discovering how to add distance to a cast, how to do it with half the effort, how to double-haul or how to use rod angles to pull 5 pounds on the scales, getting to see the December 2017
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discovery on students’ faces is the best reward and makes it worth the effort.� For more information on the Florida Fly Fishing Schools visit floridaflyfishiingschools.com.
Scott Swartz is the founder and owner of the Florida Fly Fishing Schools on Pine Island. Photo by Jimmy Jacobs.
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Bubba Royer’s
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Featured Artist - Captiva, Ft. Myers, Sanibel CLOSE LOOK
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he colorful denizens of the seas quite often catch the eye of artist, who try to capture the beauty of their rainbow hues on canvas and other media. For Ronald “Bubba” Royer of St. James City on Pine Island, Florida the effort is a bit different. He endeavors to bring those fish, along with an assortment of birds, to life from chunks of wood! His journey to becoming a wood carver is rather unusual in itself. He did not begin carving until age 62, after retiring from a career as a constable and farmer in his native Pennsylvania. He was born and lived around Allentown, to the north of Philadelphia. “I had a farm out there,” he said. “I farmed for 30 years, then got hurt. I would be the last person to move to Florida, but I just couldn’t stand the cold, damp weather.” One day he told his wife Norma to pack her bags, they were going to Florida the next morning. After six weeks in the Sunshine State doing some fishing, they went back north, sold everything, and made the permanent move south. A tree toppling on his grandfather’s farm in Cherryville, Pennsylvania, set in motion the events that led to his carving career. “That property was an original grant from William Penn,” Royer explained. “It was built in 1783 and was started with a log cabin on the front portion, and it’s all
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CLOSE LOOK
Captiva, Ft. Myers, Sanibel - Featured Artist
chestnut. The barn was all chestnut, too. In 1987, the barn burned, and I built a big 40- by 140-foot shed to house everything.” His handiness with tools foreshadowed artistic things to come. Driving by that farm in 2000, he noticed one of the big linden trees his great-great-great grandfather John had planted around the year 1760 had fallen. He stopped and bought the downed tree from the present owner. “I brought some [wood] down here and cut it into a 6-foot-long, 6 by 6. Since I wasn’t a carver, I was going to sell it to a carver. I knew the linden is a very good wood for carving, because it’s very straight-grained. “Everyone wanted it,” he added, “but didn’t want to pay anything for it. Since I had it cut up, I wasn’t going to give it away.” For a while, the lumber simply sat in a pile in his yard, and Norma would ask him what he was going to do with that woodpile? “When I was working, I didn’t have time to fish, so when I retired, I said ‘I’m going to fish,”’ Royer recounted. “I came in from fishing one morning and I had a 32inch cobia.” Proud of his catch, but unwilling to pay to have it mounted, he turned to another option. “Out in the garage I had a grinder, a rasp, and some sandpaper,” he said. “So, I carved it. I didn’t have any paint to paint it, so I stained it. That wasn’t a good idea. So, I took it to a local artist and said, ‘Can you paint this?”’ Though the lady agreed to the job, after taking a deposit, she missed several deadlines to finish the work. Finally, Royer told her he wanted the carving and his deposit refunded. 96 l www.sosaltwaterflyfishing.com
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Featured Artist - Captiva, Ft. Myers, Sanibel CLOSE LOOK
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“I got my money back and got an airbrush, an air compressor, and some paint. I used to paint fire trucks and all kinds of trucks when I worked, but air brushing paint on a fish is altogether different, because the paint that you use on a fish is kind of an opaque color. Like, for example, a tarpon. It’s silver and white. You are looking at probably 13 different colors before it blends out into what you want.” From that adventure, a new passion was
born for Bubba Royer. The quality of his work belies the fact that he never had any formal training in art or carving. “I basically taught myself how,” he noted. “On the farm I had sheep, and I sheared my own sheep. Shearing sheep is basically the same as carving. When you are shearing a sheep, your clippers are buried in the wool, and you can’t see them, so you have to know the contour of the animal to do it.
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“Carving is no different. Maybe I’m wrong, but that’s the way I see it,” Royer concluded. Although Bubba Royer does sell his creations locally, his advertising campaign is a very low key one. When driving around St. James City, you need to look out for Bubba in his golf cart adorned with a large “Wood Carving” sign on the back!
Featured Artist - Captiva, Ft. Myers, Sanibel CLOSE LOOK
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Sight Casting in Aruba
By Jill Zima Borski
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A divi divi tree on the sand at Malmok Beach. Photo by Jill Zima Borski.
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do-it-yourself fly fisher in Aruba likely will be a happy traveler. Rod in hand, one can rent a car at the airport for bopping from beach to beach. The first stop, Malmok Beach offers the best wading, shots at bonefish, and is easy enough to find. A shipwreck pokes out from a dozen feet of water and attracts sea turtles and snorkelers. Parking is free on the beach, and a few cars compete for rare and desirable shade under divi divi trees that stand testament to the arid climate and consistent wind. December 2017
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Access to the coral flats is easy. Ankle-high wading boots get anglers in the game. Morning is your best bet, because wind typically kicks up later in the day. Sight fishing the smooth, calm waters wearing polarized sunglasses and using a 9-weight rod may bring success. The Borskis threw all kind of flies, such as Borski Sliders, Chernobyl Crabs, Green Zimas, Craft Fur Shrimp and Crazy Charlies. “We saw the same group of small fish and the same two pair of larger fish every day, like clockwork, at daybreak,” said Tim Borski of Islamorada, Florida. “I had a follow or two, but never hooked up,” said his then 15-year-old son Josef. “However, we had a good time fishing the palometas. They ate the same flies we were throwing to the bonefish. They fought aggressively, like a jack – a bunch of head-shaking while trying to cut the line.” Palometas are the smallest members of the family of fish that includes pompano and permit. At Malmok Beach, Josef also hooked a 4-foot-long trumpetfish, attractively colored in sky blue with white and yellow polka dots. 104 l www.sosaltwaterflyfishing.com
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The nearby snorkelers also “oohed” and “aahed” at the long, skinny trumpetfish, while swimming around the shipwreck. A limited number of Aruban guides offer fly fishing charters around the calm mangrove islands and on the flats for snook, tarpon, bonefish, barracuda, and jacks. But, for the do-it-yourself angler, the Borskis deem this sunny destination a great family vacation spot suitable for fly fishing in the mornings and exploring the plentiful sights in the afternoons. That is, after a lunch of the delicious national food, pastechi. It’s a Caribbean fried pastry filled with cheese, and perhaps ham, pepperoni or beef.
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Josef Borski casting on Malmok Beach. Photo by Tim Borski.
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After the meal adventurers can climbing the 541-foot-tall Hooiberg, an iconic volcanic mountain in the island’s center. Hikers climb 587 steps to a 360-degree vista of Aruba. The dry climate with a breeze makes a 2 p.m. climb possible virtually any time of year. Options for fly fishing also include Boca Catalina, where shallow water and lots of fish make it good for snorkeling as well, or Arashi Beach on the northwestern side of Aruba near a lighthouse. Boca Catalina is a small inlet located between Malmok and Arashi and features a German shipwreck (the Antilla) that sticks out of the water. Visited by catamarans and sail boats, the best time to be there is in the morning when the wind and current are not as strong as later in the day. At the northern tip of the island, calm currents and bountiful underwater life make Arashi Beach another option. Fly fishers can give it a try, as did the Borskis, who spotted a permit, but found the snorkeling was more productive than the fly fishing. When not on the water, Aruba offers everything in the way of geologic attractions from caves to special rock formations. One popular cave is located along the northeast coast in the National Park Arikok near Boca Prins. The Fontein Cave is known for its brownish-red native Arawak Indian rock paintings on the walls and ceilings. The fauna of Arikok is impressive as well. Among its three species of snake is the endemic Aruba rattlesnake, one of the rarest in the world and known locally as the cascabel. The cat-eye snake – about 2 feet long typically – also can be found here. 106 l www.sosaltwaterflyfishing.com
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ABOUT THE ISLAND
Aruba is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, and along with Bonaire and Curacao, are often referred to as the ABC Islands. You also hear them called the Dutch Caribbean. Positioned just off the coast of Venezuela, they are in the southern portion of the Caribbean Sea. Most of the 69-squaremile island’s 109,000 inhabitants are clustered around the capital of Oranjestad or San Nicolass. The 32-mile by 6-mile island features a dry climate with a landscape covered in cactus and divi divi trees. Also it is situated outside of the Caribbean Hurricane Alley. Those conditions and position provide lots or warm, sunny weather and make the isle a favored vacation getaway. On the other hand, the angling on this island is for the most part overlooked by travelers. The main targets for fly casters here are big bonefish, snook and baby tarpon on the flats in the mangroves. The bonefish, in particular, also show up along the beaches.
Big bonefish are the main attraction for anglers in the waters surrounding Aruba. Photo by Jimmy Jacobs.
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The blue Whiptail Lizard or Kododo is the most abundant of Aruba’s lizards. Researchers say it plays an important role in the island ecosystem. The foot-long lizard consumes a variety of plants and some insects, and participates in plant distribution by spreading seeds from ingested fruits. Burrowing owls, also an endemic subspecies, are an enjoyable surprise in the park. One flew down from a wire to the road as we drove into the park near the entrance. In addition to outdoor pursuits, there is a weekly cultural show with Aruban music, dance and poetry in downtown Oranjestad, as well as an anthropological museum with information about early settlers. All in all, Aruba is a fabulous destination with several opportunities for sight casting bonefish, but with something for everyone in the family. Check out visitaruba.com for more information on the island. 108 l www.sosaltwaterflyfishing.com
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The Amsterdam Manor Resort deck and pool. Photo by Jill Zima Borski.
AMSTERDAM MANOR RESORT Leisure Done Right
Because exploring Aruba was a large part of our weeklong experience, the centrally-located Amsterdam Manor Resort on Eagle Beach was a great choice. Five minutes from downtown Oranjestad and 15 minutes from the airport, the boutique hotel is ideally located for exploring almost every nook of the island. Our two-bedroom, two-bath suite quipped with a kitchen made breakfasts and occasional dinners easy, especially since a large grocery store is a half mile away. Eagle Beach is rated one of the best beaches in the world and is among the top three best in the Caribbean, so its beauty and antidote for stress is well-known. A spell in a lounge chair on the porch gazing at the hypnotic view is a welcome luxury The resort’s pool, bar and restaurant are above-average. Happy hours and events like pool aerobics and movies encourage guests to interact with each other and with staff. A dinner on the beach is as delicious as it is beautiful. All-inclusive packages, bike and snorkel equipment rentals and free wi-fi also are available. Visit amsterdammanor.com for complete details. December 2017
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Kayak Demo Pond • Extensive Free and Paid Classes Women’s Programs • Wine & Micro-Brewery Beer Tastings Boy Scouts can earn their Fly Fishing Merit Badges
GALVAN Grip G-8 Fly Reel Review
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uestion: raise your hand if you still have to hose down your fly reel after as little as 10 minutes on the water. Keep your hand in the air if you forgotten to fresh water flush your fly reel. Ummmm - a potential big mess, eh? There is a better way to live. California-based Galvan Fly Reels has a well-established and respected reputation in the industry by making some of the best reels in the world. If you have not heard about their Grip fly reel, prepare to enter the realm of Nirvana. The Grip fly reel has a fully-sealed drag. Yes, you read that correctly, fully sealed.
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Following years and years of saltwater fishing with fly reels that were either open or not fully-protected from moisture, sand, and grit working their mischief on our drag systems, the designers at Galvan knew there had to be a better way. Granted, most fly reels operate great while clean and dry, but they are as fussy as a mother-in-law unless care is taken while fishing to keep the drags functioning perfectly. Otherwise, expect to hear that reel start to “bitch” a bit, and heaven help you when a decent fish is on the line. Galvan has embraced fully-sealed reels and anglers absolutely will love the peace-of-mind they provide.
Our test reel was the Grip 8, a relative lightweight in the company of the other reels similar to the Galvan Grip line-up. The Grip series of reels look reminiscent to a predecessor, the Torque series. Like some before us, we were surprised that it could ever be topped. However, the Grip with classic aesthetics, topgrade components, and a fully-sealed drag system takes the game to a whole new level of performance. Of course, we are discussing Galvan, a company with an impeccable reputation for top notch performance—so we put it through the trials. We grade pretty darn tough.
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Our Grip G-8 test model boasted coloration, porting, and surface texture that was all attractive and precise. The overall design is one of precision and beauty. Examining it closely, we found nothing in the way of burrs, sharp edges, or other errors anywhere on the reel. Even the top and bottom corners of the frame have slightly rounded-off corners. This large-arbor reel is fully-machined from 6061 aluminum. It receives a Type T2 anodizing for increased corrosion resistance and durability. For weight reduction, the G-8 has heavy porting visible throughout the reel. Its dimensions are good and are also the exact same as the T-8 Torque model. It weighs 7.8 ounces, meaning the Grip G-8 comes in just .2 ounces heavier than the Torque T-8. It’s in the same weight as several other reels in its category.
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The hottest thing about the Galvan Grip series of fly reels is their fully-sealed drag system. The watertight design boasts two hybrid ceramic ball bearings and a carbon fiber drag surface for strong stopping power. We were delighted that its startup inertia was seamless, with absolutely zero hesitation. Once the line started flowing, the drag was smooth. At full lock, there's more than adequate power on tap if you really need to put the brakes on. It takes about 2 1/4 turns of the drag knob to go from zero to full. There's firm detents throughout the range, which always gives a nice, positive feeling to drag adjustment. The reel knob itself is quite large and has a chunky surface texturing which provides a good grip. We really like the big arbor size on Grip-8. It holds 200 yards of 20-pound backing. The generous size translates to a quick retrieval rate line pickup. Removing the spool is accomplished by simply untwisting the front center cap a few times and the spool then slides right off while the cap stays attached. The first time, it is a bit tricky, and it had us stumped, but nonetheless we got the hang of it and liked it. The texturing of the cap is the same as what's on the drag knob. The center cap sits about flush with the outside of the spool. Oddly, we thought one of the really innovative Grip 8 features is named the Monster Grip Handle. This extra-large handle provides maximum torque and is incredibly comfortable while providing a lot of confidence when reeling quickly with wet hands.
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The Grip's game changing features, like a new hub design that has made the drag system truly sealed, make it a must have for discerning fly anglers. Built in the Galvan tradition, Galvan Fly Reels are proudly hand-crafted in USA by the Galvan Family. The reels carry an original owner lifetime warranty backed by excellent customer service.
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World Class
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9’6” 8-weight
here may be some debate regarding the Fenwick World Class 9’6” 8-weight as to whether or not it was created for saltwater fishing, or if it should be relegated to the fresh water only. Our thinking is that this rod can easily go both ways. That thinking may be regarded as blasphemy since fly fishermen carry a “golf bag” of task/species specific fly rods. We may be sentenced to burn at the stake for this, but we’re of the opinion that the World Class 9-foot, 6-inch8-weight qualifies as having the best of both worlds, and it carries a very attractive price.
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The Fenwick World Class series of fly rods is a collection of fast action rods with a light feel that is perfect for fishing a range of conditions and waters. The World Class lineup is offered in weights 3 through 12 and lengths ranging from 7-foot, 6-inch to 7-foot, 10-inch. For the price, the World Class starts at $299.95 and peaks at $349.95 for the 12-weight model. Great rods with a great price. With an improved World Class blank, Fenwick sets a new industry standard for strength and durability. Strength translates to fast action, and the World Class can throw a fly long distances with ease while also maintaining a moderate delicacy at short distances. The World Class evenly disperses tension to ensure high performance and powerful balance,
allowing for an extremely affordable rod in a class of its own. 3M Powerlux 500 resin blanks allow tension to be evenly dispersed under even the greatest of loads. The 3M Powerlux 500 also allows for higher break strengths without increasing the overall weight or blank diameters. The World Class also features a sleek gray shaft color with dark green primary thread wraps and lighter flashy green trim wraps. The World Class offers either a classy hardwood reel seat or a more flashy bright aluminum seat with selected hardwood. Both reel seats combine catchy design with quiet
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functionality to lock down any reel. It also boasts a high-grade, custom tapered, cork handle that allows even the most softhanded angler to cast for days at a time without fatigue. The handles come in both Reversed Half-Wells and Full Wells options. Fenwick offers a brown rod tube with white accents to protect the World Class in travel. The rod tube presents the classic Fenwick patch with the majestic white Fenwick eagle. Fenwick prides itself on the lightweight blanks of the World Class fly rod so as to continue the Fenwick tradition of rods that are extremely durable. World Class features 3M Powerlux 500 resin blanks that allow tension to be evenly dispersed under even the greatest of loads. One cannot help but wonder if they have a genius fly rod design crew working over at Fenwick. For my style of casting, the World Class is perfectly tapered with plenty of backbone, great recovery, and fast action
without being overly stiff. This is another rod that uses a variation of 3M's nano silica resin which seems to always result in a lighter and stronger rod with excellent balance. Since its introduction in 2011, the biggest improvement to fly rods is attributable to tiny round silica particles less than a nanometer—one billionth of a meter—in diameter. You’d need a powerful electron microscope to see a single one of these minute spheres, and if you gathered half a pound of them, you’d see a fine white powder that would dissipate in the slightest breeze. Silica (silicon dioxide) is the most abundant mineral in the Earth’s crust and has been used in useful technologies such as glass, fiber optics, microelectronics, and now fly rods. 3M— the same company that makes a silica sandpaper used to polish diamonds, and annually sells about $2 billion worth of other products as diverse as adhesives and insect repellents—
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also makes their resin, a viscous synthetic liquid containing 3M’s proprietary nano-silica filler. According to 3M, when the Powerlux 500 resin is cured, or hardened, together with carbon fiber to produce fishing rods. The composite structure is harder and more durable, has greater shear and compression strength, and greater resistance to fracturing than other resins. How can microscopic spheres of silica make a fly rod stronger? Carbon fibers alone have little strength, let alone stiffness. The resin, bonded with the carbon fibers and then cured with heat, is what makes the composite hold its tubular shape and resist compression. The Powerlux 500 resin is also cured with heat, but it owes its strength to the nanosilica particles in the compound. Just as concrete becomes stronger and more durable with rebar and gravel in the mix, the
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cured resin and carbon fiber composite is stronger with the silica particles because they bond the carbon fibers together better by filling all the microscopic empty spaces between the fibers. Larger filler particles cannot enter such tiny spaces. The ultimate has always been to make a better casting rod: one that is lighter, tracks true along a straight plane, recovers quickly from a loaded to a straight position, and comes to a dead stop at the end of the stroke with minimal secondary vibrations. With a stronger resin and a stronger carbon/resin composite, manufacturers have the option to use less resin
and less carbon fiber to produce a rod that is equally strong but much lighter, or much stronger at the same weight, or somewhere in between.
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We’re touting that these rods are sure enough light action saltwater rods with a heart for freshwater as well. Just another fine rod from Fenwick.
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End of the Line
Hanging
in Doc Ford C 126 l www.sosaltwaterflyfishing.com
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out
F
Country December 2017
inding a watering hole near saltwater that offers cold libations is a soothing prescription for anglers after a day on the water. Throw in some good eats and a connection to fishing and the place is sure to cure the ills of any traveling fly casters. Doc Ford’s Rum Bar & Grille on Sanibel Island fills that prescription perfectly. One of the partners in the venue is Randy Wayne White who grew up on Sanibel and began his career as a fishing guide. He worked out of the marina on Tarpon Bay for 13 years, until the federal government bought the marina in 1988 and added it to the Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge. At that point, White fell back on a secondary career, he became a full-time mystery writer. And, as it turned out, he became a very good one.
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End of the Line
His series of 24 novels featuring marine biologist and part-time government agent Doc Ford as the protagonist, along with a quirky cast of support characters, have consistently landed on the New York Times best-seller lists. The majority of the action in those thrillers is set on Sanibel Island and the surrounding lands and waters, 128 l www.sosaltwaterflyfishing.com
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Another of White’s more recent literary ventures was editing and writing a portion of the Ultimate Tarpon Book, which is sub-titled The Birth of Big Game Fishing. The 428-page book from the University of Florida Press is the definitive volume on the origins and history of tarpon fishing as it developed in southwest Florida. December 2017
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End of the Line
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White creates some of his fiction while sitting in the Rum Bar before and after hours, and on occasion can be seen at one of the establishment’s two bars. At those bars, you can order their specialty Island Mojito, along with a wide variety of rums from across the tropics. If you are lucky enough to be there when bartender Brian Cunningham is on duty, you’ll likely be entertained by plenty of colorful background on Doc Ford’s and island happenings. He has been tending bar since the establishment opened in 1999. The restaurant menu features fresh local seafood, prepared from recipes from all around the tropic rim. That focus on seafood is rather fitting, since the original site of the restaurant was on the site of a former fish house where White would sell his excess catch during those early guiding days. The eatery moved to a new location on Island Inn Road in 2016
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