Capt. Pat Damico, Tampa Bay, FL
(727) 360-6466
Capt. Ray Markham, Sarasota and Tampa Bay, FL
(941) 723-2655
Capt. Pete Greenan, Boca Grande, FL and The Everglades
(941) 923-6095
Capt. Mike Homer, Tampa Bay, FL
(727) 418-5005
Capt. Russ Hampton, Clermont, FL
(352) 241-9210
Capt. Rick Grassett, Sarasota, FL
(941) 923-7799
Capt. Wayne Simmons, Tampa Bay, FL
727-204-4188
Capt. Aaron Adams, Pineland, FL
(239)283-1622
Steve Gibson, Sarasota, FL
(941)284-3406
Board Members
Suncoast Fly Fishers - Board of Directors
Roger Blanton
Publicity Chairperson
While I was born with a fishing rod in hand, I’ve only been a committed fly fisherman for the last 12 years. In that short time I’ve covered a lot of water – from throwing big musky streamers in the north woods of Wisconsin to casting Crazy Charlies to bonefish in Roatan off the coast of Honduras. However, nothing is better than quietly paddling my kayak through the Mangroves of Tampa Bay at sunrise, casting to redfish and snook. My motivation for joining the club was simply to become a better fly fisherman and if you are like minded, the Suncoast Flyfishers is the club for you. Not only will you learn better techniques for fly tying, fly casting, knot tying, etc., you’ll get to enjoy outings with fellow club members. Hope to see you at our next meeting.
Pat Damico
Casting Committee Chairperson, FFF Liaison
I started to tie flies and fly fish before I was a teenager in northeastern Pennsylvania. Trout were mostly my interest, but local rivers and lakes also had bass and panfish. It didn’t take me long to discover that fly fishing was fun. Later, I was able to travel and eventually began saltwater fly fishing about twenty years ago. The spring and fall still draw me to the mountains to pursue trout, but living in Florida for over thirteen years has made me spend most of my time in the salt. Tying and fishing saltwater flies is a continuous challenge and gets better each year. Becoming an FFF certified fly casting instructor has helped me understand and hopefully improve my ability to teach others. Our club is a great place to continue learning from members who have varied backgrounds and are willing to share their experience.
Mark Hays
Outing Committee Co-Chairperson
Growing up in the St Pete area with a fishing family, I honestly cannot remember a time in my life before fishing.
During High School I was attracted to fly fishing and learned the sport from a crotchety old sport named Carl Hanson. He was one of the founders of Suncoast Fly Fishers. Since joining this club in 1993, my fly fishing abilities have blossomed due entirely to the generous sharing of knowledge and skills of other club members.
Richard Oldenski
Outing Committee Co-Chairperson
I started fishing when I moved to Florida 28 years ago; first with live bait, then with plugs. I joined the Suncoast Fly Fishers in 1995 as a complete greenhorn in fly fishing.
An article about the Suncoast Fly Fishers in the St. Petersburg Times encouraged me to attend meetings and eventually join. There is a wealth of knowledge and experience among the club members, as well as a willingness to teach every aspect of fly fishing. I've learned to tie flies, cast a fly-rod and catch fish. The club outings are my favorite part of the club. It is lots of fun to explore new fishing holes, fish together, and then enjoy lunch. Fly fishing is an ongoing process of learning and developing new fishing skills. I'm happy to be learning and fishing with my friends in the Suncoast Fly Fishers.
John Rogers
Raffle Committee Chairperson, Librarian
John was the only one to catch a fish when the club cleaned up Mirror Lake in downtown St. Petersburg. Nobody had fly rods, but that small fish was in some junk that we took out of the lake. John fishes from a kayak and wears an inflatable fly tying vest—providing a safety model for us all.
During meetings, John is the “rafflemeister” who sees that the items are packaged, displayed, and raffled off. He also manages the Suncoast Fly Fishing library. This resource features a donated collection of magazines, books, videos, DVDs, and assorted fly fishing accessories. Members purchasing raffle tickets are sure to win some flies, toys, and materials. John also runs the “Fly Box Program” in which members donate flies in return for tickets. Half of the flies go to the winner that night. The other half of the flies go in new member packets.
Paul Sequira
Newsletter Editor, New Member Committee
I've been a fisherman for nearly 70 years and a member of the Suncoast Fly Fishers since 1993. I got my first fly rod in 1952 but didn't start seriously fly fishing until the mid-1960s -- mostly for freshwater trout in New York and the north eastern states. I also enjoyed saltwater fly fishing primarily on Long Island, NY since the mid-1970s. During all of those years I also spent a lot of time surf fishing both in New England and Long Island.
I started fly tying in the early 1970s and have also enjoyed teaching it for more than 30 years. I have fly fished everywhere from Maine to Alaska and Florida. Of all of the fishing I've experienced, I think I enjoy fishing Florida the most, not only for the variety of fish available but also for the ability to fish year-round.
Alan Sewell
Fly Tying Committee Chairperson
Alan started fly fishing at the age of sixteen in North Carolina and hasn’t stopped since. He was chapter president and state board member of Florida Conservation Association (now CCA) during the difficult times of achieving a net ban. Whenever we find and catch redfish, snook, and trout today, we can say “thank you” to those who took action against the plunder of the state’s resources.
Famous for his chili, Alan puts new meaning to “classic” in the December Don Coleman Classic at Ft. DeSoto. He’s a past president of Suncoast Fly Fishers more than a couple times. Our club treasury is in good shape because Alan has been as funny as he was effective in the club’s annual auction.
Alan’s program on “How to Catch Snook Under the Docks” was an inspiration to most club members who ventured out after dark. Many SFF members share Alan’s belief that his “Near Hair” fly is the way to go when fishing the docks (or anywhere else). Alan chairs the fly tying committee and has been known to share flies with new members.
