American Press Travel News–9/8/2017-Wolf Howl Farms, TN.–Barb and I for many years head from Florida to TN for spring through the fall, and return to FL. for winter. As former Lead Photographer for FEMA, I have learned first hand, that the fight or flight ingrained in our survival tool set genetically, should be kicking in right now. You can’t fight nature’s wrath, she will win everytime. So now is the time to get away from what should be very clear to everyone in harm’s way that Irma is one big, bad tough storm. What I saw was so many spawned tornadoes that killed many dozens of people in each of the hurricane disaster I was tasked to cover for the Pres. and the Congressional Record. I covered all facets in many directions and learned run from a fight you just cannot win! So GET OUT of the way NOW!
AmericanPressTravelNews- 9/1/17-Article by Bob T. Epstein–Many people who have never fished before ask: What possible attraction could standing in a river, flailing a line with feathers tied to a hook, trying to catch a fish that you don’t even plan on eating, just catching, viewing, maybe take a picture, and releasing? Today it is estimated that millions of Americans enjoy fly-fishing as a hobby and a natural, physical and mental escape from their work-a-day lives. In the U.S. alone, untold thousands of jobs depend on the creation of fly-fishing gear for the would-be, or intrepid fly-fishing angler. Hundreds of fly fishing schools have opened all across the USA to assist those with interest in learning the basics in fly tying, insect entomology and the art of casting and placing a fly in front of a trout, bass, pan fish and so many other freshwater game fish (including the mighty carp), and all manner of salt water game fish as well.
Over the centuries, nearly all American Presidents have taken time out to fly fish. In more recent years, President Eisenhower took every opportunity to fish, likewise, Ronald Reagan, and both President Bush’s do. The American Museum of Fly Fishing in Manchester, Vermont showcases fly fishing tackle belonging to several American Presidents and high profile personalities that were part of all venues in American culture of the 20th Century.
As my wife Barbara and I are both fly fishing instructors and avid anglers ourselves, we have visited a few of the fine rivers that slice and meander through the Maryland landscape, such as the Casselman, the Savage and the upper Potomac to name a few. We also traversed America in an RV fly fishing as we traveled in some of the most scenic areas such as Yellowstone, Rogue River and the Snake, to name but a few of the many dozens we flicked a feather or two on. Fly rods in all the past centuries before the 20th were made of wood, some were made of metal. They were mostly hand-crafted out of various woods and bamboo.
Some of the finest fly rods and reels were made in the last few centuries in Scotland and France. Reels from the Hardy Brothers in England are highly prized today and old ones are also highly collectible at stiff prices. This is true of American makers such as Orvis with a long history of providing the CFO reel (Charles F. Orvis) to fly anglers for well more than a century and half now. Orvis Headquarter store is also located in Manchester, Vermont but many of the same fly fishing products and specialized accoutrements to the anglers art are located in Frederick, Maryland. It is a fine store that has everything you’d need for anything to do with fly fishing.
Today with the major degradations to our natural places in the past century as the Industrial Revolution accelerated, dams and industrial wastes pouring into all major and minor rivers, overfishing, development close to or on our waterways, is one huge reason hatcheries and a put & take program is now an important part of the trout fishing seasons in Maryland, the Virginias, Pennsylvania and most of these United States. The ideal of course is that trout and other game fish reproduce enough to sustain a more natural fisheries situation. However, far too many people want fish, so state & federal hatcheries oblige. If not, there would be no fishing licenses, gear-sales, or tourism dollars for the local economies that can offer very little else than a jumping off point for a great outdoors adventure. And the number of anglers and hunters is also now diminishing from a high of just a few years ago.
We visited Dusty Wissmuths Fly Fishing School over at White Tail Ski area and enjoyed sitting in on his indoor fly craft lore and his outdoor fly casting clinic. Stehanie Stephan Zaklin and her husband Kuy Kendal from DC were intent on learning all they can about fly fishing. “ I like the conservation aspect of fly fishing. As a couple we tend to move move a lot and this is a sport that is challenging and new life sport for us” said Zaklin. Zaklin and Kendal have friends that fly fish, but they never had a chance to try it. So they are taking lessons along with another couple Theresa and Ali Zandi from Ashburn, VA. who independently found Dusty’s school to their liking as well. Both couples enjoyed learning the fundamentals of fly casting which initially just takes a certain amount of practice time. Some pick up on the concept of what goes up must come down as the smooth arcing of the fly rod creates horizontally as well as in any configuration based on the rod loading up and releaseing the tension in two directions. Once the “feel” is understood than building on the process with practice eventually make for perfect casting.
The art of fly fishing has been a sport of kings down through the ages.
There are hieroglyphic depictions of fly fishing on the walls of pyramids in Egypt. French and English noblemen enjoyed their rights on their own game reserves while their serfs worked their lands. Some of the finest fly rods and reels were made in the last few centuries in Scotland.
Today it is estimated that thousands of Americans enjoy fly fishing as a hobby and escape from their work-a-day lives. The beauty of women’s involvement in fly fishing lies partly in the fact that . . .
fly fishing is completely “gender neutral”
fly fishing does not require great physical strength or ability
fly fishing can be practiced by and at all ages
and most importantly, fly fishing is a rewarding outdoor activity that can be enjoyed by women, by their children and grandchildren for a lifetime
“Fly fishing is not about providing table fare. It is about the experience…it is the spiritual connection to nature—the melody of the birds, the singing of the trees, and the sunlight dancing on the water. And, of course, it is the poetry of properly casting and handling a fly rod, which is the physical connection from yourself to a whole other world living below the surface.” ~ Rich Kustich, Buffalo Spree Magazine
www.amff.com
The museum serves as a repository for and conservator to a large collection of historic rods, reels, art, literature, and related angling items. Documentation of fly fishing as a sport, art form, craft, and industry in the U.S. and abroad from the mid-16th century to the present. There are also items belonging to U.S. presidents and noted personalities. Activities include demonstrations, classes, and auctions.
Starting July 25, all state waters from the Mexico Beach Canal in Bay County to the Pasco-Hernando county line will be open for harvest of bay scallops. Gulf County waters, including St. Joseph Bay, is the last area to open this season, starting July 25, and this area will remain open through Sept. 10 (includes all state waters from the Mexico Beach Canal in Bay County through the westernmost point of St. Vincent Island in Franklin County). Harvesting bay scallops is a fun outdoor activity in which the whole family can participate. It also brings an important economic boost to coastal areas in the open region.
The bay scallop population off St. Joseph Bay in Gulf County has been recovering from a fall 2015 red tide event. Currently the population appears to be improving, but is not yet fully recovered. Ongoing restoration efforts using both hatchery-raised and locally-caught scallops will continue through the season. These restoration efforts are being conducted in the southeast area of the bay south of Black’s Island. In order to maximize the success of these efforts, swimming, boating, fishing and scalloping in the restoration area marked with Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) buoys are prohibited during and after the scallop season.
In areas outside of Gulf County, the bay scallop season in state waters from the Fenholloway River in Taylor County to the Suwannee River in Dixie County will close to harvest on Sept. 10. All other waters open to harvest (Pasco-Hernando county line to the Suwannee River and from the Fenholloway River in Taylor County through the westernmost point of St. Vincent Island in Franklin County) will close to harvest Sept. 25 (see map).
These season dates are for 2017 only and are also an opportunity to explore regionally-specific bay scallop seasons. FWC staff worked with local community leaders on selecting these regional 2017 season dates.
At the December 2017 Commission meeting, staff will review public feedback on these season dates and make a recommendation for future management. Staff will host public workshops to gather feedback in October, after the season closes. To submit your feedback now on bay scallop regulations, visit MyFWC.com/SaltwaterComments.
Bag and vessel limits throughout the entire bay scallop harvest zone are 2 gallons whole bay scallops in shell or 1 pint of bay scallop meat per person, with a maximum of 10 gallons of whole bay scallops in shell or 1/2 gallon bay scallop meat per vessel.
Scallops may be collected by hand or with a landing or dip net. Scallops must be landed within the area that is open to harvest. There is no commercial harvest allowed for bay scallops in Florida.
Be safe when diving for scallops. A properly displayed divers-down flag on a vessel is displayed from the highest point of the vessel with an unobstructed view in all directions. Stay within 300 feet of a properly displayed divers-down device when scalloping in open water and within 100 feet of a properly displayed divers-down device if on a river, inlet or navigation channel. Boat operators traveling within these distances of a divers-down device must slow to idle speed.
Done for the day? Help FWC’s scallop researchers by completing an online survey atsvy.mk/bayscallops. Harvesters can indicate where they harvest scallops, how many they collect and how long it takes to harvest them. Participants can email [email protected] to ask questions or send additional information.
Learn more about long-term trends in the open and closed scalloping areas by visiting MyFWC.com/Research and clicking on “Saltwater,” “Bay Scallops” under “Molluscs” then “Bay Scallop Season and Abundance Survey.”
For more information on the season date changes for 2017, visit MyFWC.com/Commission and select “Commission Meetings,” then click on “2016” and “Agenda” under the November meeting.
For information on bay scallop regulations, visit and click on “Saltwater Fishing,” “MyFWC.com/FishingRecreational Regulations” and “Bay Scallops.”