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
Officers
Suncoast Fly Fishers - Officers
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President: Ken Hofmeister
Phone: 727-521-1637
George “redfish” McCall taught me how wade and throw a quarter ounce “limper” to catch redfish. He also showed me how to catch snook and trout on a spinning rod using the Johnson Sprite or Johnson Silver Minnow. I became pretty proficient using these lures and fishing the flats around St. Petersburg from 1965-1970. After that, I fished Tennessee and Pennsylvania until I moved back to Florida in 1985 and picked up where I left off until I retired in 1998. My son gave me a fly rod for retirement. Early efforts at fly tying (without a vise) were worthy of publication (in the comics).
Suncoast Fly Fishers came to the rescue. Alan Sewell talked about how to catch snook under the docks while Ken Doty taught me to tie killer snook flies. A fly inherited from Mike LaChance resulted in my first snook on a fly rod. The real education came as members taught me how to cast, what to cast, where to cast, how to rig, how to retrieve, and how to land fish. As I learned more, I had more fun, caught more fish, and got better at fishing both fresh and saltwater. Charlie Most taught me how to tie better flies and Paul Sequira kept me supplied with good instructions in SFF newsletters. Pat Damico helped me improve my skills in casting clinics. After winning a kayak in our club Pig Roast raffle, I learned how to fish out of a kayak and that opened up a new field of fun. An annual highlight is still fishing the Everglades from a canoe. Fishing the flats is done from my 20 ft. Scout.
Vice President: John Zientarski
Phone: 727-391-1480
John is famous for being the host of Suncoast Fly Fishers annual Pig Roast. This popular social event is a great time for all (except the pig). As vice-president, John steps up to whatever challenge presents itself. His performance as “auctioneer” at a recent club auction drew rave reviews. Stacy, John’s wife, brought delicious stew and auctioned it off by the bowl—with proceeds going to the club.
John can be found writing checks when necessary, and tying great flies at education events such as fishing shows. His spontaneous wit makes people wonder if fly fishing is really such a serious sport after all. New members find John always ready to help with advice and direction. Board members know that John can “get ‘er done.” And of course, fish tremble at the mention of his name.
Secretary: Joe Dail
Phone: 727-725-7638
New Member Committee
Joe Dail serves the club as Secretary and pinch hits as Treasurer when necessary. He played a crucial role in guiding us through the application process for the Federation of Fly Fishers. Because of his attention to detail, Suncoast Fly Fishers is a tax exempt, non-profit organization affiliated with the Federation of Fly Fishers. We have current by-laws and a club charter. Joe steered us through the process of securing insurance for everything except terrorism (fish can’t sue us).
Joe took on additional responsibilities in maintaining an up-to-date membership list, and serves on the membership committee. When he’s not pouring over club paperwork, he catches lots of fish from kayak and boat. He is a survivor of the infamous Withlacoochee River outing. That’s why we have insurance.
Treasurer: Tom Gadacz
Phone: 727-360-8030
Casting Committee
Tom was introduced to fly fishing when his youngest daughter, Alissa, was assigned as a Park Ranger to the Tetons. In the summer of 1991 she arranged for him to get a fly fishing lesson and said the guide was supposed to be pretty good. At the time he knew nothing about fly fishing except that it seem to be a neat sport. Tom's first lesson was with Jack Dennis. He was great and only later did Tom find out how great he really was. Tom loved the sport - the skill that it required to catch fish, the great places that fly fishing took you, and the total concentration and relaxation that the sport provided. For him it was exciting and a great diversion from occupational stresses. He has fly fished Alaska for silver salmon, the Keys for bone fish and permit, as well as several of the western trout streams. Tom's major interests include fly tying, rod building and improving his casting technique.
Tom enjoys the camaraderie and talents of the Suncoast Fly Fishers. Tom says the opportunities and variety of fly fishing in this part of Florida are excellent and very enjoyable.
