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"The Charlotte Harbor
Fly Fishers invites you to attend its
inaugural meeting on Wednesday, January
14th."
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We booked a
small room at the Charlotte County
Cultural Center and put together a
program anticipating a turnout of 25
at most. Imagine our astonishment
on January 14 when in the midst of
registering attendees we discovered
a crowd of upwards of 100 waiting to
get into the small room we had
booked! After a quick shuffle, we
were able to shift the meeting to a
larger space. Since that inaugural
meeting we have met regularly on the
second Wednesday of each month with
attendance averaging about 50.
The opportunity
to meet new fly fishermen and
exchange information about
fly-fishing is a primary objective.
The CHFF offers fly-fishing outings
with opportunities for fly fishers
of all abilities to fish with and
learn from each other as well as
enjoy a social activity. These
outings have been great
opportunities to explore different
waters and techniques. They also
afford non-boat owners the chance to
fish with other members that have
boats. |
Saltwater fly fishing
is the fastest growing segment of the
sport. In Charlotte Harbor we have one of
the premier fly fishing areas anywhere. The
combination of extensive flats, mangrove
shores, and proximity to deeper water
creates a rich and varied habitat for
saltwater game fish. The protected waters
are ideal for fly fishing which for most of
us depends on being able to see the fish we
are targeting. Whether wading the flats or
poling around the mangroves, nothing matches
the thrill of seeing a big snook or redfish
take your fly!
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Since many of us
tie our own flies, a feature of
every meeting is a fly tying table
where one or more tiers demonstrate
tying their favorites. At each
meeting, attendees can contribute a
fly or buy a chance for the “fly box
raffle.” The winner goes home with
all the flies!
The CHFF seeks to provide an
educational forum for beginning fly
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| fishers and act as an
informational clearinghouse for all
fly-fishermen. There is a fly tier
at every meeting as well as
informational programs on casting,
knot tying and fishing in general.
Meetings are low key with an
emphasis on having fun. You do not
need to be an accomplished fly
fisherman to attend; all you need is
interest and enthusiasm in the
sport. |
Programs have
included ---
Winter potholing for redfish, snook and
trout: Capt. Rod Walinchus
Kayaking and fly fishing in Charlotte
Harbor: Ben Turpin
Fisherman’s Coast: author Aaron Adams
Snook fishing at night: Capt. Rick Grasset
Tarpon on the fly: Capt. Rod Walinchus
Fly Fishing Seminar: sponsored by Merrill
Lynch
Fly fishing for baby tarpon: Capt. Jamie
Allen
Backwater fly fishing in Matlacha: Capt.
Greg Bowdish
We are delighted to have this opportunity to
bring CHFF to a wider audience through the
good offices of Punta Gorda Life. Truly,
fly fishing in Charlotte Harbor is one the
treasures of Punta Gorda. 
For additional information on Charlotte
Harbor Fly Fishers please visit their web
page at
http://groups.msn.com/CharlotteHarborFlyFishers |
establishing
a club whose main goals would be to enjoy the
company of other fly fishermen and to promote the
sport in our area. Shortly after the beginning of
the New Year we distributed a one page flyer at
local fly and fishing shops announcing ---
