Folks from FAOL are coming from all over the country.
The majority are from Florida, but a close second is
Pennsylvania with up to 10 coming from that State.
Texas, South Carolina, and Minnesota are also represented.
We have one that will be transplanting this summer from
Connecticut.
So far we have between 20 and 35 people wanting
to attend. Most of the unknown are about family
members. Everybody please bring the family we
will find something for him or her to do. Any
suggestions? Any questions?
At this point we have 15 or so people that will Tie and
Lie in the evenings. We are preparing my patio area for
this event. If more than 20 want to tie then I will look
for another place. We have added 9 overhead lights to
the patio for this and other reasons.
There are 8 boats, canoes or kayaks coming, some have
offered to partner up with some of the non-boaters.
We do have one member
Mike Franz who has offered to give casting instructions.
Local guide Captain
Merrily Dunn will be in attendance as much as she can.
Gary Woeltjen
from Snow Creek Fly Rods will be in attendance and fishing
with us as much as he can. Gary is the Thomas and Thomas
and the Gatti dealer in the area.
J.D. Pennington (downndirty) has offered to bring 3 extra
saltwater fly rigs for those who don't have salt equipment.
One evening (most likely Sunday) we are planning to have a
mullet smoke. If you have never had smoked mullet then you
are in for a treat. Since we will need to purchase the
mullet ahead of time, everyone that wants eat mullet will
need to let me know ahead of time. We will pass on just
the cost of the mullet to everyone. With the exception of
the mullet it will be a potluck dinner. If you do not
like fish, bring something else and throw it on the grill
or smoker. Please e-mail Jerry or me if there are any dietary
needs we need to know about.
We have an abundance of fishing opportunities available.
We have saltwater, brackish water and freshwater fishing
within our area. I am looking forward to getting your
input as to what you would like to do while in our area.
I must tell you that the snook season opens just before
we all we be getting together.
We have decided on a 10-day spread of time hoping that
more could attend. I know it will be impossible for
many to stay the whole time and I am planning most
of the activities for the long weekend.
With Disney World and Sea World and so many other
attractions within a 2-hour drive we just figured
some might want to make it a longer vacation. We will
have fun regardless of how long folks can stay.
Tie and Lie
For the 'Tie and Lie' activities I have about 45 linear
feet of table space. I have plenty of chairs and we
are building another outside patio and that will have
table and chairs around it. Unless the crowed gets a
lot larger I think we will be able to have the mullet
smoke here as well as the Tie and Lie evenings. There
is an 8-person hot tub on the patio also, just for those
aching muscles from catching all those fish. I am dreaming,
hope you are too.
I would like some suggestions as to what I can do to
make fly tying area easier to use. We have installed
some lights on the patio but they are about 10 to 12 feet
above the tables. (Most of this is a planned addition
to our home.) We have been working on this for a few
years now, working as many hours as we do, does not give
a lot of time to remodel. But we hope it will all be
finished sometime early summer. I pray so.
There are ceiling fans on the patio so the air will be
moving. The patio is screened in with the exception of
a new open-air patio that is being built.
We are 2 ½ hours away from Mudhole Tackle if anyone wants
to make a run over there. We are about the same distance
from Bass Pro Shops. They have a nice fly tying area there.
In my area the only materials available are what I would call
slim pickings. So if you need materials please consider the
sources in the area as scarce, so bring what you need.
Fishing
In this area we have some really clear water and some
stained water. The area I would recommend will be stained
water. This does not mean it is cloudy it means that it
is a little like the color of tea. I find that chartreuse,
white and yellow are great colors for the fish in my area.
Clousers, Deceivers, Shrimp imitations, Crab imitations,
top water flies (aka bass flies), Al's Shrimpf fly, spoon
imitations, and the Palmet Special (tie it on 1/0 or smaller
hook) are the best flies. Of course I have not tried all
the flies available for saltwater fishing but these are
the ones I am familiar with. Some of our other Florida
fishermen/women could send in their favorites with patterns
for the next newsletter. I would be happy to compile the
list and send it out.
As for tackle, fly rods need to be at least a 7 wt with
as much backing as possible. I fish both an 8 wt and a
9 wt with 250 yards of 20lb backing. You never know
what is going to be at the other end of that fly rod.
Hook a 35 lb cobia and I promise you will have a fight
to remember. The Tarpon will not be around during February,
(sorry). Snook can take a good portion of your line if
they are of the larger kind. The colder the water the
less they will fight. Redfish are just stubborn and love
to bow their heads and pull. Black Drum are terrific
fighters and I have destroyed bass equipment catching them.
Jack Crevalle will tire you out. Catch 3 or 4 of those
monsters at about 5 lb each and you find a place to sit
down. Fly rods and Jack Crevalle are a fun time, they
pull like a freight train. Hook one over 10 lbs and
look out, bragging rights and a big head will be yours
that night at the Tie and Lie. Please remember you will
be fishing in less that 5 feet of water most of the time.
Heavy weighted flies are not necessary.
For children we have pinfish to keep them happy, you catch
them like gills. They will bite on an empty gold hook
or shrimp or some cut bait. About a number 8 hook is
enough for them. They are almost as tasty as a bluegill.
I am trying to develop a fly that will attract them. If
I succeed I will be looking for a 3 or 4 wt rod for them.
(They bite almost any time).
The water temp should be in the middle 60's (unless we have
a really bad winter) so waders are not uncommon all year
around here. I do suggest reading this
article it is all about the danger of wading in saltwater
and not having safe boots. Please remember your first aid kits.
Here is another article on fishing the flats. The article is on
Cape Cod but gives good advice about any flats fishing.
Please let Jerry or me know if you have any questions.
For those flying in, the closest airport is
Sarasota Fl (SRQ).
It is served by the major airlines, car rental is available
there as well. This is about 2 miles from the Boat Ramp
and is easy to get to. Contact Harold if you need to be
picked up from the airport. Something can be arranged.
Primary Meeting Place for this Fish-In most likely will be my home,
secondary meeting places most likely will be
the Motel. This could change so keep looking back.
Newsletter
There is a newsletter being done each 2 months about the
fish-in. It will keep everyone up to date on what is
happening. The next issue is coming out sometime in June.
If you would like to be put on the e-mail list let Jerry
or me know.
Accommodations
We have 2 families that want to camp in a tent
and the rest are up for a motel or cabin. I am
looking at all the facilities in the area to see
what is available, we will post accommodations
here as well. There are many major chain hotels
in my area. I will be trying to get a group rate.
I am going to stop by some of the motels in the
area as well and see if I can work out a
group rate for us.
Special Notes
Skilled Fisherman (aka Don) will be building a custom
rod to raffle off at the Fish-In. If it is anything
like the one he did for my wife then I will
buy the first ticket.
Contact Us
Jerry Brumfield aka Dot Man
gofishin@comcast.net
Harold Hattaway
941-758-5094 (Between 9:00am and 8:00pm EST baby sleeping).
Hattaway@sunshine-computer.com
As with all FAOL events, there are no charges or fees for
attending and everyone is welcome. You are responsible
for your own reservations, transportation and food. FAOL does
not makes any arrangements for you.
We'd love to meet you, fish with you, and share our wonderful
Florida region with you!
If you do plan on making it to the Florida FISH-IN 2004,
drop an email to:
publisher@flyanglersonline.com and she will put your name on
the I'm Going List! Please say Florida Fish-In in your email.
~ Jerry and Harold
I'M GOING LIST!
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