The fishings been so good that the southwest gulf coast pirates fell into the Florida work ethic of put off today what you can do tomorrow, there by leaving our northern flyfisher wanna-be pirates out in the cold as to some warm weather long rod wizardry ! If anyone has any interest in attending & participating in the annual event, that’s still not frozen or snowbound around the last full week in March; just after the start of spring & near the new moon…let’s hear from you 
I still have a deal worked out with the Holiday House in Venice (941-485-5411) that will give you a $160 doujble for $100. Mention to the desk people that you get the Tight Loops Fly Fishing discount.
Our big back yard and patio also are available for BBQ.
Hope everyone Up North is staying as warm as possible!
Tight Loops,
Tony
Dave and Tony, Put it together. We will help in any way we can. 
Ken and I are driving south the week of 3/23/09 with scheduled stops on the 23rd & 24th in the Crystal River/Homossassas area with ETA around Manasota Key and Lemon Bay on the evening of the 24th. We are hauling the kayaks!
Might be able to extend into the weekend of the 27th an extra day or so if needed! (twist my arm…he…he…)
So, we’ll be there!
yep i’m game if i don’t have any thing going on with the boy scouts
I’ll check the vacation schedule when I go back to work. If I am able to take the time off … I’ll be there!!!
Had to miss it last year,will be attending this one.
I’ve been checking on accomodations that have direct access to Lemon Bay, etc. Will let you know what I find:)
Go to www.flausa.com and click on this area. The prompts will give you all the “navigational” direction you need.
Or, e-me at tightloops@peoplepc.com for Venice area info. It’s been waaay too cold for us the past week, but I’m going out tomorrow, Friday and Sunday. Check my web site fishing report www.tightloopsflyfishing.com to find out how we made out!!!
Tight Loops,
Tony
Aw, come on; short report and a few pictures, huh? "reep sum leeps mon!’
David/Tony count me in. Any beach fishing?
I’ll be down that way n 2 months!!
OK, we have interest, can we try to nail the dates…
How about Thursday, Friday and Saturday March 26th, 27th and 28th with an early meet-up somewhere on Wednesday evening? Sunday can be optional for those that don’t have far to travel home!
Do we want the base to be Venice as in year’s past or somewhere else (but, close by)?
If anyone is interested in sharing a cottage or bunkhouse let me know by bmail. I am finding some very reasonable places available on Manasota Key and Lemon Bay.
We know the wading opportunities are good on Lemon Bay; but, we don’t know what other secret spots the local folks have.
What do y’all think?
Fishingene, a few of them walked the beach last year & caught blue runners and some other fish like pompano, ladyfish & jack crevavlles. You know it depends on how warm it gets by then for beachin it. Seems reload caught his first fish on the fly with Gils Gone Wild, Thunderthumbs & his fishing friend ( can’t remember his name ) also having some hookups. There were fish caught in Lemon Bay & up off Blackburn Point. Kevin at Casey Key Anglers & Outfitters had suggested the event be scheduled closer to April for the spanish mackeral & albie run off the beaches. There’s always the ICW & snook alley for some nightime dock strikes. Since most of the replies are from the usual southwest gulf pirates, might be better for shortened mid-week to weekend get together event … but it’s all on Margaritaville time as of now; just like the 28 to 33 degree temps for the past few nights:cool:
…the Easter holidays this year and many schools are closed from April 4th through the 13th. The kids are out of school so beaches will be more crowded and rates go up!
The last full weekend of March is the 28th-29th.
Once y’all have settled on the dates, I know that Dave, Kevin, and I will be glad to help co-ordinate the “meeting spots,” fishing places," BBQ, etc.
Late March also opens up possibilities for bonito and/or Spanish mackerel off the barrier islands, so make sure you bring some wire.
Tight Loops,
Tony
Greeting from bloody cold Montana. It’s somewhere around -20 tonight, so, so…um, so I’m a bit jealous, ok, there, I said it…lol.
I don’t know if I’ll be able to make it this year or not. I just moved to Montana, so it’s not likely, but my friend, Dan, will be down there again for a few weeks. Dan was telling me that there are some pretty good rates on airline tickets, so if I can get a good deal, then I’ll be down there for sure. Lord only knows I’ll probably be due for a few days in the warm sun.
But if I don’t make it, then you guys have fun without me…lol.
Thunderthumbs.
We KNOW the WHY.
Now we need to piece the puzzle of schedules together so the Pirates can figure out the best way to send the Wannabes to “sleep with the fishes”??? Or is that CATCH the fishes??? Never could keep that straight. Luca and Freddie had SO much in common. In the end, that is.
So, how aboot (for any Canadian friends) a head-count/update.
The fronts APPEAR to have almost pushed through, and the fishing SHOULD get back to normal within the week (there’s a weather forecast for tomorrow–Monday–through Wednesday). Sunny and mid-70s after that.
My Chicago client boated a 4lb snook and missed a double-digit snook, plus hooked a nice jack which then was “head-bumped” by a 10-pounder while being played. Lots of trout around. Reds in CH but finicky. Scattered throughout Lemon Bay.
OK. Next step’s up to y’all!
Tight Loops,
Tony
These days/dates work for me.
From SW Ladyfish … “How about Thursday, Friday and Saturday March 26th, 27th and 28th with an early meet-up somewhere on Wednesday evening? Sunday can be optional for those that don’t have far to travel home!”
These days/dates work for me.