A Little History
I started fly fishing and fly tying at the age of ten. Growing up in the Pocono Mountains area of Pennsylvania provided easy access to streams and small lakes where I fished for trout and bass. I was lucky enough to have a few older fly fishermen around to guide me through my early learning experiences. A biology degree in college, then Dental School, and a couple years as a Dental Officer in the Navy gave me the opportunity to see many different areas of the northeast and soon my love of fishing became a passion. Later, I fished the Freshwater Bass Tournaments in New York and Canada where walleye, pike, northerns and muskies were my target. My proximity to the Great Lakes had me chasing salmon, steelhead and large brown trout. The fall migration of some of these species provided an excellent fishing experience in the rivers nearby. My first saltwater fishing trip with a fly rod was to Mexico for bonefish, about twenty years ago. This was a new and exciting experience for me and later took me to parts of Florida, the Bahamas, South America as well as many other tropic locations.
My fishing experience has grown over the years and I now offer clinics on saltwater fly fishing at several fly shops in Pennsylvania and Florida. I also give fly tying demonstration seminars at local fly fishing clubs. I’ve written monthly articles on fishing for Onshore-Offshore Magazine, since its debut. Flatsclass, as well as Capmel.com’s websites have published articles that I’ve written, and my articles have also appeared on other websites devoted to fly fishing. On several occasions, I’ve co-hosted the Capt. Mel radio program on 970 WFLA on Saturday mornings and I was also a guest on his TV fishing show.
I am an avid fly-tier with several websites (Saltwater Fly Tying and The Fly Bench) featuring my fly patterns. Fly Fishing in Saltwaters magazine recently published an article highlighting one of my fly patterns called Bead Butt Baitfish. Full Creel website has appointed me moderator of their Saltwater and Southeastern forums.
Presently, I use a seventeen-foot Maverick flats boat, primarily fishing Tampa Bay and its tributaries. My specialty is fly and light tackle fishing. Snook, redfish, trout, jacks, mackerel, tarpon as well as other seasonal species provide year ‘round sport for my clients. Fly fishing for snook around lighted docks rates very high on my list of great local fishing.
As a Certified Master Casting Instructor of the Federation of Fly Fishers, my clients can benefit from my teaching and fly casting experience. All levels of experience, as well as ages, are welcome.
I am an active member of The Tampa Bay Fly Fishing Club, Suncoast Fly Fishers and the Federation of Fly Fishers and participate in Redington, Ross, Sage, Cortland, Rio, Minn Kota and Temple Fork Outfitter Guide programs.
U.S. Coast Guard licensed, and fully insured. My commercial fishing license covers clients while fishing from my boat.
