St. Croix Fly Legend Elite & Legend Elite Salt -- Press Release 8 July 2025

 

Rule Your Water St. Croix Fly announces the return of Legend Elite and Legend Elite Salt rods for 2026     PARK FALLS, WIS. (July 8, 2025) – Moses and Merlin had staffs. Cronus had a scythe, Poseidon had a trident, and Athena had a rod. These mystical objects all wielded great powers and were not just tools. Each was an extension of its carrier’s essence, implementing and executing their will with ease, power, and precision.   Fly rods may not contain actual magic, witchcraft, or divine power, but here at St. Croix Fly, we do believe they should maximize abilities and elevate experiences. In other words, help implement and execute the will of the caster with ease, power, and precision.   St. Croix LEGEND ELITE and LEGEND ELITE SALT rods are back for 2026. Designed and precision crafted with the objective of helping all anglers rule their water, these all-new fly rods are rolled on the original angler-favorite LE and LE Salt mandrels, but have been completely updated with new materials, technologies, and componentry for new levels of sizzling St. Croix performance.       Designed for you and anyone else in your boat, new-for-2026 LEGEND ELITE #3 through #8 all-water rods deliver even more dutiful power, control, and satisfying lightweight performance. Medium-fast with loads of feel, refined and responsive LEGEND ELITE tapers are distinct across all 12 models to deliver technique-specific performance. Whether dropping a #22 trico on a six-inch seam or swinging an intruder past a far-bank boulder, LEGEND ELITE comes standard with inspiring made-in-the-USA St. Croix performance backed by a 15-year warranty… no extra charge for smiles, and high fives.   LEGEND ELITE TECHNOLOGY GROUP Advanced materials matrix consisting of high-modulus high-strain SCIV and SCIII carbons Integrated Poly Curve (IPC) mandrel tooling provides improved energy transfer, increased strength, and mega-efficient rod recovery Advanced Reinforcing Technology (ART) utilizes an exotic carbon fiber scrim that adds a magnitude of strength (10x) with virtually no increase in blank diameter or weight. ART significantly increases hoop strength and reduces ovaling under severe loads while also supporting Slim-Profile Ferrule (SPF) design Fortified Resin System (FRS) technology combines a fortified super resin with computer-operated curing ovens delivering precise temperature and time management throughout all stages of blank curing. FRS prevents microbuckling, keeping carbon fibers in alignment and resulting in blanks tested to be 33% stronger than those built with standard resins and curing methods Taper Enhancement Technology (TET) incorporates precision-cut, curved blank patterns from state-of-the-art computer pattern-cutting machines. Curved TET patterns fit and lay up more precisely on IPC mandrels, resulting in stronger and more consistent actions with improved feel Slim-Profile Ferrule (SPF) design adds herculean strength with minimal added weight   LEGEND ELITE FEATURES Hard chrome snake guides Double-foot hard chrome Fuji SiC stripper guides Hook Keeper Snub nose (379-4 through 480-4), micro full wells (490-4 through 6100-4), or full wells (790-4 through 8100-4) super-grade cork handle with cork-rubber accents Tapered super-grade cork fighting butt with cork-rubber accents (.5”on 4100-4, 5100-4, 690-4, and 6100-4 models, and 1” on 790-4 through 8100-4 models) Custom uplocking, machined aluminum reel seat (all models) with rosewood inserts (379-4, 480-4, 490-4, and 590-4 models) Aluminum rod tube with rod sock 15-year warranty Designed and precision-crafted in Park Falls, Wisconsin, USA   LEGEND ELITE MODELS FLE379-4 / 3-weight, 7’9”, 4-piece, medium-fast action / Retail $595 FLE480-4 / 4-weight, 8’, 4-piece, medium-fast action / Retail $595 FLE490-4 / 4-weight, 9’, 4-piece, medium-fast action / Retail $595 FLE4100-4 / 4-weight, 10’, 4-piece, medium-fast action / Retail $595 FLE590-4 / 5-weight, 9’, 4-piece, medium-fast action / Retail $595 FLE5100-4 / 5-weight, 10’, 4-piece, medium-fast action / Retail $595 FLE690-4 / 6-weight, 9’, 4-piece, fast action / MSRP: $595 FLE6100-4 / 6-weight, 10’, 4-piece, fast action / MSRP: $595 FLE790-4 / 7-weight, 9’, 4-piece, fast action / MSRP: $595 FLE7100-4 / 7-weight, 10’, 4-piece, fast action / MSRP: $595 FLE890-4 / 8-weight, 9’, 4-piece, fast action / MSRP: $595 FLE8100-4 / 8-weight, 10’, 4-piece, fast action / MSRP: $595     Whether you live and work along the coast or it’s where your travels take you, saltwater fly fishing never gets old. The ocean is where new experiences happen daily – on windy flats, tide-flooded mangroves, estuaries and passes, or glassy offshore waters. Encompassing six models in #7 through #12 weights, LEGEND ELITE SALT is designed to maximize opportunity for all saltwater anglers via powerful and accurate fast-action tapers that are as satisfying to cast as they are to own. Engineered and precision-crafted with all top St. Croix technologies, LEGEND ELITE SALT rods begin with an all-new matrix of premium SCIV and SCIII carbon materials. This means lighter and more responsive blanks with reduced swing weights and improved balance without sacrifice to strength or power. Coupling its highly refined actions with premium ergonomics and aesthetics, LEGEND ELITE SALT capitalizes on opportunity with fast-with-feel performance in any saltwater arena.   LEGEND ELITE SALT TECHNOLOGY GROUP Advanced materials matrix consisting of high-modulus high-strain SCIV and SCIII carbons Integrated Poly Curve (IPC) mandrel tooling provides improved energy transfer, increased strength, and mega-efficient rod recovery Advanced Reinforcing Technology (ART) utilizes an exotic carbon fiber scrim that adds a magnitude of strength (10x) with virtually no increase in blank diameter or weight. ART significantly increases hoop strength and reduces ovaling under severe loads while also supporting Slim-Profile Ferrule (SPF) design Fortified Resin System (FRS) technology combines a fortified super resin with computer-operated curing ovens delivering precise temperature and time management throughout all stages of blank curing. FRS prevents microbuckling, keeping carbon fibers in alignment and resulting in blanks tested to be 33% stronger than those built with standard resins and curing methods Taper Enhancement Technology (TET) incorporates precision-cut, curved blank patterns from state-of-the-art computer pattern-cutting machines. Curved TET patterns fit and lay up more precisely on IPC mandrels, resulting in stronger and more consistent actions with improved feel Slim-Profile Ferrule (SPF) design adds herculean strength with minimal added weight   LEGEND ELITE SALT FEATURES Hard chrome snake guides Double-foot SiC hard chrome stripper guides Full wells super-grade cork handle with cork-rubber accents 1 “ contoured super-grade cork fighting butt with cork-rubber accents (790-4 through 990-4) Oversized super-grade cork fighting butt with cork-rubber accents (1090-4 through 1290-4) Custom uplocking, machined aluminum reel seat Aluminum rod tube with rod sock 15-year warranty Designed and precision-crafted in Park Falls, Wisconsin, USA   LEGEND ELITE SALT MODELS SLE790-4 / 7-weight, 9’, 4-piece, fast action / Retail $650 SLE890-4 / 8-weight, 9’, 4-piece, fast action / Retail $650 SLE990-4 / 9-weight, 9’, 4-piece, fast action / Retail $650 SLE1090-4 / 10-weight, 9’, 4-piece, fast action / Retail $650 SLE1190-4 / 11-weight, 9’, 4-piece, fast action / Retail $650 SLE1290-4 / 12-weight, 9’, 4-piece, fast action / Retail $650   Rule your water by making every shot count. Back for 2026 better than ever, LEGEND ELITE and LEGEND ELITE SALT fly rods don’t possess witchcraft or divine energy; they just feel and perform like they do, courtesy of more than seven decades of continual innovation, rod-design expertise, and American-manufacturing excellence.   New-for-2026 LEGEND ELITE and LEGEND ELITE SALT Series rods will be introduced this month at ICAST 2025. See them both in the St. Croix Booth #2223 and the ICAST Fly Shop, as well as LEGEND ELITE in the Fly Rod category of the ICAST 2025 New Product Showcase. LEGEND ELITE will be available to anglers and authorized St. Croix specialty fly retailers on or about September 1. LEGEND ELITE SALT will follow on or about November 1.     ABOUT ST. CROIX FLY At the core of our brand ethos lives a simple yet fierce conviction; we exist to create dynamic fishing tools that intuitively help you evolve as a caster and angler. Our focused philosophy continually questions conventional wisdom, inspires innovation, and drives our persistent pursuit of fly rod perfection. When you own a St. Croix — it’s more than just a rod, it’s a promise. It’s more than seven decades of hard-earned knowledge aimed at designing and building the Best Rods on Earth, so you can be at your best in your own persistent pursuit. Join our journey at stcroixfly.com. The St. Croix Family of Brands includes St. Croix Fly, St. Croix Rod, SEVIIN Reels, and Rod Geeks.

MCFF Open House

HARDY MARKSMAN Z FLY ROD WINS TOP HONOR AT ICAST 2023

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE   HARDY MARKSMAN Z FLY ROD WINS TOP HONOR AT ICAST Beating out stiff competition, the Hardy Marksman Z captures prestigious Best in Category Win for Fly Fishing Rod at ICAST 2023   ORLANDO, FL. (JULY 12, 2023) – The Hardy Marksman Z Fly Rod, designed to be an angler's ally in the unpredictable and varied challenges of the saltwater environment, has won the prestigious ICAST Best in Category for Fly Rod Award. The Marksman Z, which has been meticulously crafted in partnership with some of the world's finest saltwater guides, seasoned anglers, and industry legends is the perfect tool for your moment in salt. Built with Sintrix FLT that is applied to an updated mandrel design, the Hardy Marksman Z Fly Rod stands up to the most demanding saltwater conditions offering the reliability needed for everything from Gold Cups to Grand Slams and a thousand different challenges in between. Regardless of the changing tides or shifting winds, the Hardy Marksman Z is your steadfast companion in the saltwater world. “The Hardy team spent many hours and days on the water listening to the concerns of our best anglers. We knew we had to replace the Zane Pro, and that was a challenge,” said Jim Murphy, Director of Fly Fishing for Hardy. “We had to develop new materials, new tapers, and test them with the most demanding anglers. The feedback we received was that they could not believe we improved on the Zane Pro. We are happy to maintain our position as the best saltwater fly rod in the world.” Key Features: Sintrix FLT on an updated mandrel design Increased lifting power in the lower section  Reduced overall in-hand weight Easy to load yet fast tip recovery for more accurate casts under pressured situations Hybrid ring specification that blends durability and practicality using both Cerecoil and recoil stripper guides Aluminum uplocking reel seat with easy to grip locking nuts to ensure a solid reel fit MSRP: Starting at $995 Available:  September 2023 Experience the strength, agility and durability of the all-new Hardy Marksman Z Fly Rod and feel the difference in every cast. To learn more about Hardy Fly Fishing, click here. For more information about the 2023 new products from all the Pure Fishing brands, including downloadable press releases, spec sheets, images and logos, click here.                                                            ### About Pure Fishing Pure Fishing is a collection of the world’s favorite fishing brands. Every day, all around the world, someone experiences the joy of catching a fish with one of our products. From gear for epic battles at sea to a relaxing day with family at the lake, our portfolio includes the most recognized and admired brands in fishing tackle, lures, rods, reels and storage. Abu Garcia®, Berkley®, DAM®, Fenwick®, Fin-Nor®, Frabill®, Greys®, Hardy®, Hodgman®, Johnson®, JRC®, Madcat®, Mitchell®, Penn®, Pflueger®, Plano®, Prologic®, Savage Gear®, Shakespeare®, SpiderWire®, Stren®, Ugly Stik® and Van Staal®.

ALL-NEW HARDY MARKSMAN Z FLY ROD - Pure Fishing Press Release 5 July 2023

 I received a new press release from the folks at Hardy this morning!  Looks like they're introducing a new line of Saltwater Fly Rods!  I hope they'll have them at ICAST, I can't wait to check these out!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

INTRODUCING THE ALL-NEW HARDY MARKSMAN Z FLY ROD Redefining Performance in Saltwater Fishing   COLUMBIA, S.C. (July 5, 2023) – Just in time for those saltwater flats trips, the Hardy Marksman Z Fly Rod is a groundbreaking addition to our premier saltwater rod range. This innovative rod leverages the latest in performance materials to deliver a level of strength, reduced weight, and durability unmatched in the market. The Hardy Marksman Z Fly Rod is designed to be an angler's ally in the unpredictable and varied challenges of the saltwater environment. From calm, early morning runs to windy afternoons, the Hardy Marksman Z ensures an optimal cast, even from an unstable platform.  This rod is designed with a unique blend of feel, power, and recovery, resulting in a product that promises an unrivaled fishing experience. As a hundred pounds of chrome goes airborne, or as six pounds of silver leaves the flat as if fired from a gun, you can be confident that the Marksman Z in your hand can do the job and, of course, the adrenaline rush is guaranteed.  This exceptional blend of characteristics was brought to life through a collaborative design process. In partnership with some of the world's finest saltwater guides, seasoned anglers, and industry legends, we've crafted the Hardy Marksman Z to be the perfect tool for your perfect moment in salt. Built with Sintrix FLT that is applied to an updated mandrel design, the Marksman Z was created with a strong butt section that gives you increased lifting power in the lower section of the rod making it strong enough to pull big fish from cover yet extremely light in the hand. The Hardy Marksman Z Fly Rod stands up to the most demanding saltwater conditions, offering the reliability needed for everything from Gold Cups to Grand Slams and a thousand different challenges in between. Regardless of the changing tides or shifting winds, the Hardy Marksman Z is your steadfast companion in the saltwater world. "We're delighted to introduce the Hardy Marksman Z, the newest addition to our superior range of fishing rods," said Jim Murphy, Director of Fly Fishing for Hardy. "Our goal is to provide anglers with the best possible equipment that can stand up to any condition, and we believe the Hardy Marksman Z Fly Rod exemplifies this commitment." Features:  Sintrix FLT on an updated mandrel design Increased lifting power in the lower section  Reduced overall in-hand weight Easy to load yet fast tip recovery for more accurate casts under pressured situations Hybrid ring specification that blends durability and practicality using both Cerecoil and recoil stripper guides Aluminum uplocking reel seat with easy to grip locking nuts to ensure a solid reel fit MSRP: Starting at $995 Available:  September 2023   Experience the strength, agility and durability of the all-new Hardy Marksman Z Fly Rod and feel the difference in every cast. To learn more about Hardy Fly Fishing, click here. ### For an exclusive look at the Hardy Marksman Z and the entire lineup of new fly fishing gear from Hardy, please consider joining Hardy and the rest of the Pure Fishing brands for an exclusive preview of its New Product Showcase entries at On the Water from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Tuesday, July 11 at the Orange County Convention Center (OCCC) North Building Ponds. Also join us at the Pure Fishing press conference in Room S310 A-B of the OCCC, at 3:30 p.m. to hear directly from some of the biggest brands in the fresh and saltwater fishing industries. And finally, please consider voting for the Hardy Marksman Z at the ICAST New Product Showcase starting Tuesday, July 11. For more information about Hardy, click here.   About Pure Fishing Pure Fishing is a collection of the world’s favorite fishing brands. Every day, all around the world, someone experiences the joy of catching a fish with one of our products. From gear for epic battles at sea to a relaxing day with family at the lake, our portfolio includes the most recognized and admired brands in fishing tackle, lures, rods, reels and storage. Abu Garcia®, Berkley®, DAM®, Fenwick®, Fin-Nor®, Frabill®, Greys®, Hardy®, Hodgman®, Johnson®, JRC®, Madcat®, Mitchell®, Penn®, Pflueger®, Plano®, Prologic®, Savage Gear®, Shakespeare®, SpiderWire®, Stren®, Ugly Stik® and Van Staal®.

New Features and Quest Technology for Minn Kota Trolling Motors -- Johnson Outdoors Press Release 26 June 2023

 Good morning folks!
    I just received a Press Release from the folks over at Minn Kota regarding the introduction and upgrades of the trolling motor lineup and thought I'd share it in its entirety here.  Let me know your thoughts on the updates, and if you like seeing the full press release.  I think I'm going to try to post them like this more often.  
  Hope you're all doing well,
    Have a great day and Tight Lines!
       -Nick

Minn Kota Announces New and Upgraded Line of Trolling Motors to Fit Every Angler

Minn Kota’s trusted line of bow-mount trolling motors have been re-designed to help anglers get more out of their time on the water - including QUEST, a powerful new brushless technology platform.

RACINE, Wis. (JUN 26, 2023) – Since 1934 Minn Kota has been known for developing real, fishable features that help anglers explore new water, go further, and put more fish in the boat. The best trolling motors available just got even better with a complete restage of Minn Kota’s bow-mount motor lineup and the introduction of QUEST technology. New and upgraded Ultrex™, Ulterra®, Instinct, Terrova®, Riptide Terrova®, PowerDrive™, and Riptide PowerDrive™ bow mount trolling motors are being reintroduced with a brand new look and updated technology suite full of angler-friendly enhancements.

In addition to all the GPS navigational features anglers have come to expect from Minn Kota like Spot-Lock and Follow-the-Contour, all of these new additions to the motor lineup will feature enhanced boat control tools for anglers – no matter their preferred species. Whether fresh or saltwater and regardless of skill level or pursuit, Minn Kota’s redesigned line of trolling motors has an option for any angler looking for bulletproof reliability and unmatched performance on the water.

New Features for All Bow-Mount Models:

• NEW Enhanced GPS Suite Including Drift Mode to allow anglers to spend more time fishing and less time on boat control 

  • Drift Mode: combats current and wind by automatically adjusting speed and direction to keep the boat on a true drift. Drift Mode acts as a gps drift sock eliminating the need for cumbersome ropes or shallow water anchor paddles

  • Improved Follow-the-Contour functionality: allows for better LakeMaster and CoastMaster integration to stay on the desired course.
     
  • Dodge Mode: allows anglers to quickly leave auto navigation mode to manually steer through waves and around structures and then resume navigating without resetting their route.

• Out of the Box connection to Humminbird via the One-Boat Network by including all necessary adapters required for networking without additional need for setup

• One App for Everything – the One-Boat Network App can control everything on the boat from the trolling motor and shallow water anchors to the Humminbird head units

• Enhanced Built-in 2D Sonar with Dual Spectrum CHIRP adds Humminbird’s unrivaled sonar clarity to every Minn Kota motor

Minn Kota QUEST Technology

Motors with QUEST technology might resemble some of Minn Kota’s most popular and trusted models, but have been completely redesigned from the ground up to tackle the toughest environments.  QUEST motors feature a dual 24 or 36 volt brushless lower unit, a carbon fiber-infused upgraded shaft and reinforced brackets and pivot points. Boasting 30% longer runtime and up to 50% more torque*, these motors are built for the most demanding anglers, helping them get out earlier, stay out later and fish in wind, waves and current that others can’t.

Minn Kota Ultrex, Ulterra, Instinct, Terrova, and Riptide Terrova motors will all now be available with QUEST technology.  With available shaft lengths up to 100”, Riptide Terrova and Instinct QUEST motors were made to tackle the toughest offshore environments on bigger boats than ever before. With improved and upgraded components such as mounts, brackets, shafts, and pivot points, the motors are built to handle the increase in power in the harshest environments. QUEST motors include an upgraded lift assist assembly for effortless stow and deployment, carbon fiber shafts with increased lengths, Auto Park to automatically turn the motor when stowing, new propellers to cut through heavy vegetation while maintaining peak power output and fewer moving parts to prevent unnecessary wear over the life of the product.

New Features for QUEST Models: 

• Dual 24 or 36 volt Brushless Motor with up to 30% longer runtime and 50% greater torque*
  • Up to 30% longer runtime on a single charge provides anglers more time on the water
  • Up to 50% greater torque means more precise control in wind and waves and the ability to shed weeds more effectively

• Redesigned and Upgraded Mount to accommodate the additional thrust and torque of the lower unit

• Carbon Fiber Infused Shaft for enhanced durability while maintaining flexibility to protect the bow of an angler’s boat

• Peak Performance and Efficiency from Updated Propellors which maximize torque throughout the speed range

• New lift-assist assembly to make getting the motor in and out of the water effortless (select models)

• Real-Time Battery Monitoring System lets anglers know time until empty at a given speed setting and prompts users to enter a power saving eco mode when batteries reach 20% charge

• No Loss of Power: constant power throughout the day with no drop in motor performance as battery voltage decreases of the length of a fishing day

• One-Boat Network Programmable Button: customized presets to include stow and deploy Minn Kota shallow water anchors, mark a waypoint, or engage autopilot

• QUEST Technology availability: Ultrex, Ulterra, Instinct, Terrova, Riptide Terrova 

Click HERE to see the new and upgraded line of bow-mount trolling motors in action.

*Compared to 24 volt brushed motor when run at maximum speed setting

About Johnson Outdoors

JOHNSON OUTDOORS FISHING is comprised of the Humminbird®, Minn Kota® and Cannon® brands. Humminbird is a leading global innovator and manufacturer of marine electronics products including fish finders, multifunction displays, autopilots, ice flashers, and premium cartography products. Minn Kota is the world’s leading manufacturer of electric trolling motors, as well as a complete line of shallow water anchors, battery chargers and marine accessories. Cannon is the leader in controlled-depth fishing and includes a full line of downrigger products and accessories.

JOHNSON OUTDOORS is a leading global outdoor recreation company that inspires more people to experience the awe of the great outdoors with innovative, top-quality products. The company designs, manufactures and markets a portfolio of winning, consumer-preferred brands across four categories: Watercraft, Fishing, Diving and Camping.

Visit Johnson Outdoors at www.johnsonoutdoors.com 

MCFF Fly Tying Night -- 19 June 2023

 Mid-Coast Fly Fisher's monthly fly tying meeting had a great group of varied skill-level tiers working on some new techniques with the Po Boy fly as tied by Carl Sanders. Consisting of craft fur with backing, rubber legs and dubbing brush tied to a jig hook with a barbel eye, should make for very lifelike movement in the waters of Central Florida! As always, all are welcome and I'll be glad to save a seat for you!!

Mid-Coast Fly Fishers - 10 April 2023

 Little lighter crowd at tonight's Mid-Coast Fly Fishers meeting, presumably due to the inclement weather. Learning great news for the future of the club, some fantastic Captains' reports and, despite the rain, we had three new casters (and potential new members!!) receiving some casting instruction on the lawn! 

Sanibel Island Trip 2015

Editor's Note:

   This is an incomplete article I wrote following our 2015 trip to Sanibel Island.  I ran across it this morning and decided to publish as-is after the devastation brought to Sanibel Island and the surrounding area by Hurricane Ian on September 28, 2022.

Evenin' Folks,
  I had the opportunity recently to visit the south west coast of Florida and I've gotten to the point lately that if I'm going to visit somewhere new with lots of water, I'm going to take a fly rod and try to do some fishing!  We stayed in a town called Port Charlotte, a bit north of Ft. Meyers and Naples.  Our hotel was just about a 30 minute drive from world renown Sanibel Island.
  When the Little Girl and I travel, we tend to leave home very early in the morning so we don't waste a whole day driving.  We got down to the hotel in the very early afternoon, so we decided to drive over to Sanibel to check out the area and, perhaps, sit on the beach a little while.  I had done some research before we left home, got some advice from author and friend Steve Hudson on where to fish in the area and an internet search turned me on to a local fly shop.  Norm Zeigler's Fly Shop is a great little local shop and Norm is an incredible wealth of information drawing on decades of fly fishing experience around the world.  Norm gave me some great advice on where to go, what flies to use, how to fish them and, really saving me, he let me rent a Redington Crosswater reel to use with the loaner rod I got from Thomas & Thomas.
  We drove around for a little while, checking out the island, then decided to head to the beach so the Little Girl could enjoy the sun and surf and I could make some practice casts with the Thomas & Thomas Solar 9' 8-weight rod.  We pumped the parking meter with enough quarters to last us several hours and headed down the board walk under a canopy of trees and brush to the beach.  Just before reaching the dunes, a rumble of thunder told us that we may have fed the meter a little too much a little too quickly.  We got onto the beach just in time to see some very dark clouds rolling in and beach goers packing up their towels and heading to the parking lot.  

  We ended up leaving the beach for a while, cruising around the island exploring.  The storm ended after about an hour or so, so we headed back to the beach.  I got to make some casts with the T&T rod, and I gotta say, as much as I love my ultralights, casting the big fly rod was an absolute blast!  We were there during the outgoing tide, but because of all the wind and rain the water was pretty churned up and muddy.  I didn't get a single bite, but I had a lot of fun out there blasting casts into the surf.  So much fun, in fact, that I didn't notice the dark clouds rolling back in.  Another rumble of thunder and we decided to call it a night, grab some dinner and head back to the hotel.  

  On Saturday morning we headed out early (after some cinnamon rolls from the Holiday Inn Express breakfast bar!!!) and went to the first beach on Captiva Island, literally!  I made some casts from the rocks toward the bridge that links Sanibel and Captiva.  The water was still pretty dirty from the rain the night before, even the bait guys weren't getting any bites.  I ended up giving up on fishing after a couple hours or so, I was really concerned the someone might walk into my back cast and more than once a swimmer swam way to close to my fly for my comfort.  After relaxing on the beach a little longer we packed up the car and went for a drive.

  We decided to drive through the J. N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge in hopes of spotting some interesting wildlife.  After driving for a little while we stumbled upon the realization that we weren't going to see much from the car.  Along the roads for most of the refuge, all you really see are trees and mangroves.  Most of the spots big enough to pull the car over and look around were full and there were a lot of people out fishing in all of the open spots along the road.  We found an empty pull off and got out.  There was a board walk that lead to a fishing platform over the water.  At the urging of the Little Girl, I grabbed the Solar rod out of the back of the car and we headed to the platform.  The fishing platform was surrounded on three sides with dense mangroves, but in front of the deck was a gorgeous little cove.  The length of the 9' Solar rod gave me the reach I needed to make some side casts over the railing and into the lagoon.  I was amazed by the number of fish we could see swimming around in the water.  I'm pretty sure I saw a school of redfish hugging the bottom within easy casting distance.  The were unfazed by the Norm Zeilger Crystal Schminnow that I was throwing to them.  I cast a few (dozen) more times, then cast the fly out one more time so I could load the line back on the reel and we could retreat back to the air conditioning of the car.  With my line out in the water, I stood there a moment talking with the Little Girl, laughing about how much fun she was having taking "selfies" with my phone, when my line tightened and took off across the lagoon.  

Danco Fishing Pliers, ICAST 2019

The Danco Wall of Fishing Pliers! Aluminum, stainless and titanium construction, in more colors and patterns than you can shake a stick at! Now with military and first responder motifs!

via Instagram https://www.instagram.com/p/BzwDtZtBsRO/

St. Croix Imperial Salt Rods, ICAST 2019

Getting a closer look at the new Imperial Salt rods from St. Croix! Great feel in hand on this rod, now I need to cast one!

via Instagram https://www.instagram.com/p/Bzvk1iFhyYx/

TFO Axiom II-X and NXT Black Label, ICAST 2019

Seeking out the fly gear!! TFO introduced two new fly rods at last night's New Product Showcase, the Axiom II-X saltwater rods and the NXT Black Label freshwater rods.

via Instagram https://www.instagram.com/p/BzvZS5xhexQ/

Fly Line, New Product Showcase ICAST 2019

Cortland had the only fly line that I could find in the New Product Showcase. The Redfish line is a two-tone, floating, saltwater fly line from their Tropic Plus series. I'll definitely be tracking this one down on the show floor!

via Instagram https://www.instagram.com/p/BzuGbq-hkTi/

Line Cutterz, New Product Showcase ICAST 2019

They might not replace your nippers on fine tippet, but I can see these Peel and Stick Line Cutterz being very handy for warmwater and saltwater flyfishing. Particularly stuck in a convenient spot on a fishing kayak!

via Instagram https://www.instagram.com/p/BzuEu_8BVbi/

New Product Showcase Preview Reception, ICAST 2019

Made it to the New Product Showcase Preview Reception, in spite of traffic on I-4!!! This area, quite literally, holds thousands of the newest, latest and greatest fishing products from all over the world!

via Instagram https://www.instagram.com/p/BztpWRyB4ob/

MCFF Tying Meeting - June 2019

In tonight's MCFF Tying Meeting Emmett Pizzo led the group in tying his preferred variation of the Peterson's Spawning Shrimp Fly! This fly pattern gave us practice in palmering a hackle feather, wrapping chenille, using a hook guard and creating monofilament eyes. Emmett also demonstrated the use of several other material choices and how they would effect the overall outcome of the fly. If you want to learn to tie flies proven to work on Florida's mid-coast, don't miss another MCFF Tying Meeting the third Monday of each month!!

via Instagram https://www.instagram.com/p/By1Sjathn9W/

It's "Ask The Captains" night at Mid-Coast Fly Fishers!

It's "Ask The Captains" night at Mid-Coast Fly Fishers. There's an awful lot of combined experience sitting at that table covering the Florida coast from St. Augustine to Mosquito Lagoon to well south of Cape Canaveral and they're ready to take questions! MCFF has this type of Q&A several times a year, so if your in the area come check out a couple meetings. I'm sure you'll learn something!

via Instagram https://www.instagram.com/p/ByjG72shKhi/

Surf Casting Practice

Waiting for the line to straighten to start the second haul. The double haul and tension method are essential to surf casting, especially when casting into the wind.

via Instagram https://www.instagram.com/p/BxsdmQxBbh4/

I said I'd never do it.

I said I'd never do it. But, I needed a budget saltwater reel in a hurry. So, I did it. Worst part is, I had to get it from Amazon to get it in time! Would anyone be interested in a First Cast video of the Redington Behemoth? Or, have you seen it enough already?

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Out Of Office

"Hi there, Thanks for your email. I am out of the office right now and will not return until mm/dd. Fortunately for you, our resources never take time off and we’ve got this awesome ebook / whitepaper / infographic on [TITLE] that I think you would enjoy. I’ll get back to you as soon as I get back into the office. Best,"

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Hurricane Restoration

Hurricane restoration efforts are still ongoing at Bahia Honda State Park. The day use beach is open and seaweed free, so we did get some beach time in.

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