BOARD OF DIRECTORS

President:
Edward Tamson
956-772-1212
bffpresident@flyfishingnaples.com

Vice President:
Tom Brown 239-261-0144
margwbrown@aol.com

Secretary:
Joe Pugach 239-254-0610
fichem@comcast.net

Treasurer:
Tom Nolte 239-949-0960
tomnoltemd@embarqmail.com


Past President:
Mike Kozlow 239-495-3131 mikekozlow@comcast.net

Communications:
Ralph Pike 239-596-1245
bffinfo@flyfishingnaples.com


Community Relations:

Tom Shaw 239-389-1128 tshaw150@comcast.net

Conservation:
Mac Hatcher
John Skiffington

Education:
Mike Franz 239-269-5016 mikefranz@embarqmail.com

Facilities:
Jim Wheeler 239-398-3620
jw2447@me.com

Membership:

Bob Ruesch 239-431-5703
bobruesch@optonline.net


Outings:
Alan Kuhre 239-596-7718
alankuhre@aol.com


Programs:
Craig Winter
craigw601@comcast.net


Backcountry Fly Fishers
P.O. Box 971
Naples, FL 34106

E-Mail Us

Welcome to Backcountry Fly Fishers

The Backcountry Fly Fishers of Naples, Florida was formed in 1993 to:

  • Provide members a place to share fly fishing experiences in the interest of fun and fellowship
  • Assist and educate members to improve their fly fishing skills and knowledge of the sport
  • Promote conservation of natural resources
  • Promote the sport of fly fishing in the community

Today the club has over 100 members. There is a monthly meeting featuring an expert speaker and fly tying demonstrations. Monthly outings provide an opportunity for members to fish in an interesting variety of area locations. Also, the club’s website and on-line newsletter, e-Breeze, is updated monthly (www.flyfishingnaples.com).

The Backcountry Fly Fishers is affiliated with the Federation of Fly Fishers, an international organization of over 300 clubs, whose purpose is to provide a strong voice in the state and national conservation movement. The Federation provides fly fishing education programs and teaching aids.

 

FISHING PROSPECTS FOR MAY 


Water temperature will be the key in May.  As the water temperature increases into the 80s and the wind dies down fishing in general should pick up dramatically.  The warmer temperature and clearer water from less wind will improve the fish’s appetite and should make for some great days on the water.  During this transition period fishing can be spotty as the fish move around to find the water temperature and water clarity they like.  So in general look for clean moving water and “follow the bait”. 

 

SNOOK

In our area (Everglades National Park, Gulf of Mexico, and Monroe County) the snook season will remain closed for another year, until September 1, 2012. Check the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission website for updates atwww.myfwc.com. Catch and release of snook is permitted so minimize the handling of any snook caught and return them to the water as quickly as possible.

 

The larger snook are getting ready to spawn and will be found in the passes and deeper runs.  Snook will also be found in the backwaters and along beaches and islands whenever schools of bait are present.  When the glass minnows show up along the beaches, look for the snook to be close behind.  When fishing around glass minnows I like to use an all white ‘DT’.  Night fishing under dock lights can also be productive at this time of year.

 

REDFISH

While snook and tarpon will get all the press in May there should also be plenty of redfish action around oyster beds.  Unlike snook that prefer water temperatures in the 80s, redfish prefer water temperatures in the mid 70s.  So later in the month as the water temperatures rise expect the reds to move into deeper water.  Shrimp and crab patterns are the most commonly used flies for redfish, but at times small baitfish patterns will also work.

 

TROUT

Trout fishing should remain good during the month.  Check the grass patches just outside of the passes, especially when the wind is calm.  Shrimp and baitfish patterns work well for trout.  Chartreuse and white clousers also work well.

 

TARPON

The annual migration of tarpon should be well underway this month.  Opportunities to cast to 100 pound or larger tarpon will be available.  Note I said opportunities to cast to, I said nothing about hooking or landing.  Early morning in river mouths and passes are good places to target tarpon.  The wind or lack of it will play an important role in searching for tarpon.  When it is warm and calm the tarpon should be relatively easy to find.  However, if the wind is blowing the tarpon will hard to come by.  For tarpon the toad is the fly of choice, in chartreuse of course.

 

Sharks

Not for the faint hearted, but May is also when sharks show up.  So when you are targeting tarpon keep an eye out for sharks.

 

Tight Lines, Ralph Pike

 

CLUB MEETINGS

Meeting Date
Second Monday of the month No meetings in June, July, August, and September

Meeting Location
The Norris Center
755 8th Avenue South
Naples, FL
(MAP)

Times
6:30-7:15 Socializing
7:15-7:45 Demonstration
7:45-8:00 Business Meeting
8:00-8:50 Program
8:50-9:00 Raffle
9:00 Adjourn

ANNOUNCEMENTS


Next Meeting
Monday, May 13h

Speaker and Topic
Speakers: Alan Kuhre & John Skiffington
Topics: Fly Fishing with Kayaks & Fly Fishing Photography

Demonstration
No demonstration this month

Outings
Golden Gate Canal and Lake Sapphire - May 22

Submissions
Please send articles, info, or photos for inclusion in the e-BREEZE to

bffinfo@flyfishingnaples.com

 

 

home | events & programs | membership | resources | guides & outfitters | gallery | contact us

© Copyright 2006-2009  Backcountry Fly Fishers - All Rights Reserved Site Design & Hosting by BCS Webs