Three Old Salts!

Gary Ellis, Mark Castlow and Jimbo Meador after a cold day fishing in NC

Finally! A chance to catch the Dragon’s breath.

Dragonfly Boatworks & crew have been running hard lately (and loving it, I might add).

A series of Redbone Tournaments and local promotions kept us busy:  We started out in Key West for the SLAM Tournament in mid-September, happily enjoying wonderful weather along with the thrill of the hunt. Jimbo Meador fly fished the entire tournament (guided by Captain Jeff Johnson). They had shots but no connects. The tournament base was Hurricane Hole Marina with an ending banquet at The Double Tree. We have nothing but compliments for our accommodations along with the convenience of having our boat docked at Hurricane Hole. Both places had friendly staff and did everything to make you feel right at home.

Mark and Charlie fished the BayBone Tournament in Key Largo at the first of October while  Jimbo attended a Garden and Gun promotion in Birmingham.

White’s Inshore Tournament in Ft. Pierce followed later in the month. Both events were a blast and if you live near Ft. Pierce or just want to fish it, I highly recommend noting your calendar for next year’s tournament. White’s Tackle knows how to stage an event!

This is our second year participating at the Polo-at-the-Point in Point Clear, AL. Whether it’s polo or boating, here live some of the most enthusiastic folks. Add their innate southern charm, green grass, ponies and moss-covered oaks and who wouldn’t love to be here. Monies raised assist Point Clear Charities which, in turn, assists an assortment of charitable causes. We are so lucky to be at this event again and owe a special thanks to Dragonfly Boatworks’ Charlie McLean who did a smashing job of presenting our new line of paddleboards.

Jimbo Meador went on to St. Simon’s in Georgia to fish new waters with the 17 Grand Slam. The Red Trout Celebrity Classic is now one of Jimbo’s favorite tournaments and he returned with lots of stories and happy memories.

Then on to Charleston, SC, the following weekend where Jimbo and Mark fished with Captain Billy Glenn at the Lowcountry Red Trout Celebrity Classic. Fishing for reds in the Spartina grass flats is a hoot! We just have to say it:  Contact Capt. Billy Glenn at Speckdrum Charters for a taste of this type of fishing (speckdrumchartersllc.com).

The next Tuesday, Mary, Mark, Jimbo and Charlie had the pleasure of attending the IGFA induction of Steve Huff into the Anglers Hall of Fame. If there’s ever a man who could be called the “guru” of fishing, Steve is the one. He’s responsible for boat design, fishing technique, tackle design and conservation efforts from way back when and he’s still a down-to-earth, easy going, nice guy. Steve Huff embodies what fishing is all about and it was our pleasure to honor him.

Next morning, Jimbo and Mark were up at 5 a.m. and off to Wilmington, NC, to fish the Cape Fear Red Trout Celebrity Classic. After an eleven-hour drive we couldn’t wait to hit the water. Captain Drew Arndt was our guide and he couldn’t have done a better job in the 25-30 mph northwest winds and 40 degree temperatures. A bit cool for us and we looked like Pillsbury Dough Boys bundled up to the top of our heads and mighty grateful for that (except when casting). Capt. Ardnt showed us some really cool areas which we’d love to fish at a warmer time. Jimbo was showing our 13.6 Dragonfly Fishing Paddleboard to a group when Mark Anders (a local writer) tried it out paddling down the Intercoastal. “Thumbs up!” was the consensus.

And, just recently we fished the granddaddy of them all, the Redbone in Islamorada. We entered the tournament just in time for the first major cold snap of the year. Do you think it’s our destiny to have strong (25-30 mph) gusts of cold wind blowing when we fish? If it is then we’ll have to say it’s worth it just to meet the other anglers who don’t mind it! As always, each event is loaded with stories which we think is part of what makes fishing so fun.

AND, we just brought Captain Jarid Malone into the Dragonfly Boatworks Family! He’ll be fishing the Baton Rouge area in a 16 Emerger Center Console designed to his specifications. Check Jarid’s website at maloneflyfishing.com.

More later!  We’re at the 27th annual Fall Boat Show in Vero Beach this weekend (Nov. 20 & 21, 10-5).  More info at 772-562-7922 or verobeachboatshow.com.

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