Rod & Gun on Land & Sea
By Christine Patton
By now, you’ve heard about the abundance of fish in our waters — with record-setting one-day catches of sailfish, huge schools of bonefish, and pods of tarpon rolling slowly, spring seems to be bursting on land and sea! It’s time to prepare your gear and practice your casting. Fortunately, there is a new, perfect spot for such activity — the Casting Park out on Sunrise Cay. Located just over the bridge on the bayside of Sunrise Cay Drive, it offers plenty of space for back casts, accommodates various wind conditions and has been set up with yardage markers and targets, just right for casting practice. This is where the demonstration of Jude De’Niese’s dogs is set to take place on Monday, March 18 at 3:30 p.m. Don’t miss it! Please arrive in golf carts and park on either side of the Casting Park, on Sunrise or Pelican.
Jude De’Niese, Dog Training Event
Jude is in town for a few days and available for private consultations with dog owners. Reach out to him via text or call 705-241-0196. Better yet, join us for dinner that evening at the Cultural Center and hear Jude speak on the topic of Positive Canine Citizenship. Tickets are available from the Bonefish Bonnies or Rod and Gun (events@rodandgun.org). Act fast, the final headcount is March 15.
“Pick Any Three” Fishing Competition
The Rod and Gun’s fishing competition, Pick Any Three, has ended for January/February but is just getting started for March/April. Participating is simple: email Fishing@RodandGun.org the night before your fishing excursion or even while you’re out on the water, and report your tally at the end of the day to the same address. Three days of your choice, and compete in two categories, Flats and Offshore — with cash prizes!
Congratulations to the winners of the first period: first place, Carmen Sferrazza, followed by Carl Tallardy, and Tom Grote in third. In the FLATS division, there were no entries, but the weather has turned and the prize money has doubled, so competition is expected. For details see our website RodandGun.org and click on Events Calendar.
Rod & Gun Off-Property Trips
Rod and Gun members are on the move — following last week’s sporting clays road trip, the quail hunters are off this week. A fly-fishing trip to the Bahamas is on the docket. It’s amazing how a few days of total immersion can clear your mind, improve your skills, and invigorate you. Join your fellow Members, renew old friendships and make new ones. Contact range@rodandgun.org for shooting or fishing@rodandgun.org for fishing trip opportunities.
Reef Cup!
And last, but not least, it’s Reef Cup time — March 12 to 16 — and by the time you read this, it will be well underway. Don’t miss the chance to watch the boats come it, flags flying, and to salute the victors with a beverage at The Point off Buccaneer Island.
And go practice your Fly Casting at Sunrise Park Casting Field. Markers are set up for testing your accuracy ! Check out Card Sound’s Head Golf Professional David Sandberg.. working on his “game”.
