The Sea Island Fly Fishers
A Retrospective of the Club From It’s Founding to 2004
By Donald Traskos
Curiosity:
A group of members, including some of the present officers, were all sitting around a table at Plum’s on Bay Street in downtown Beaufort, South Carolina. We were having a bite to eat and a beverage or two while talking about fly fishing, sharing stories, as is the standard practice following the conclusion of one of our regular monthly meetings.
“Tell me about the origination of the Sea Island Fly Fishers,” I asked? There was some silence and head scratching as people searched their memories. “I really don’t know,” was the most common reply. The only general agreement was that Tony Royal and Captain David Murray were a part of it all and that Tony was the only “common thread” capable of piecing the missing links of the club’s history together.
The Past:
In addition to being a southern gentleman, Tony Royal is an avid, as well as very competent fly fisherman who moved down to Beaufort from Atlanta, Georgia. He conceived, opened and is the owner of Bay Street Outfitters (BSO). Since Tony was presently out in Wyoming near Jackson Hole, at his Spotted Horse Ranch and would remain there for another four or five months of prime fishing time, (some guys have all the fun), I would have to wait for his return in able to question him, confident that his answers would fill in the missing links regarding the formation of the SIFF.
So in the meantime, playing Sherlock Holmes, I decided to start my sleuthing by calling on Captain David Murray. I asked David, “what are you able to tell me about the early formation, or birth, of the Sea Island Fly Fishers?” David is a top rate fishing guide, and expert fly caster. As David quietly mused to himself reflecting back in time, jogging his memory, he chuckled and said, “ahhhh, let’s see…Tony Royal was opening BSO. It was around Thanksgiving, 1995 or 1996, but I think it was ’95
Now, with special thanks to Tony Royal for his astute memory and great record keeping, Capt, David Murray, as well as many others mentioned that follow, here is the rest of the story about the Sea Island Fly Fishers.
Tony opened BSO in November 1995, just prior to Thanksgiving. Captain David Murray was the only active guide… he had brochures and rack cards. The locals kind-of laughed and made fun of the idea of fly fishing for red fish since, except for David, no one had fished for reds on the flats. In that respect, David Murray pioneered the local fly fishing scene.
It was during the winter of 1995 that Tony got a call from Dick Green, owner of Bud Lilly’s Fly Shop in West Yellowstone, Montana. During his “off seasons,” in January, February and March, Dick would make presentations around the country, including Atlanta where he met Tony. Dick said that if Tony was interested he would be happy to give a presentation to Tony’s fishing club at Bay Street Outfitters. Tony said that would be great, but there is one problem, we don’t have a fly fishing club.
Thanks to Tony Royal, Capt. David Murray and Jason Farmer (Tony’s first employee), all associated with BSO, together with Capt. Doug Gertis, local fishermen and friends Jerry Nerad, Sally Mayse, Sam Jewel, Bernie Vinoski, Dee Renwick, Steve Mitchell, Joe Cronley, and Carl Pauldon, the thoughts of a fly fishing club was born. Special thanks to Jerry Nerad for sharing his information on club activities, beginning in 1996.
The first informal meeting was held on Tuesday, March 5, 1996. Interested locals were called to attend Dick Green’s slide presentation about fly fishing the area around Yellowstone National Park. After that get together, Tony along with David Murray and Jason Farmer thought BSO should have a fly fishing club. They talked about where to hold meetings. Jason Farmer called Frank Gibson at the Beaufort Yacht Club about the possibility of having the club’s meetings there. That met with disfavor, since Frank thought BSO should have its own club. Shortly thereafter, Frank Gibson formed a club that would eventually be named the Beaufort Fishing and Diving Club, whose meetings were to be held at the Beaufort Yacht Club.
The first organized meeting of the fly fishing club (informal, still unnamed, and without a Charter and By-Laws) was held on Tuesday, April 2, 1996 at Harry’s Tavern across Bay Street from Tony’s Shop. Snacks and pop corn was to be served during the meetings. David Murray usually hosted the meetings and often was the speaker as well. Meetings were held at Harry’s several times, but eventually didn’t work out.
The Sea Island Fly fishers were officially incorporated as a Non-Profit Corporation in the State of South Carolina on April 3, 1996. The original incorporators were Steve Mitchell and Joseph Cronley, with Cronley serving as Treasurer. A checking account was opened on April 2, 1996. A deposit of $425 was made to the club’s account consisting of $325 in membership dues (13 Members) and a $100 donation from Bay Street Outfitters. The first year membership
included: Joe Cronley, Steve Mitchell, Carl Paulson, Rob Christian, Clyde Turbeville, Horace Turbeville, Chris Coulter, Sam Jewell, Chris Weber, David Krestner, David Murray and Alex Colonna.
Josh Brant and Bob Minke worked at Bay Street Outfitters at this time and handled club mailings, which included a newsletter that was sent to about 80 people on the club mailing list. There was little formal organization within the club. However, Tony Royal and the rest of the staff at Bay Street Outfitters always made you feel welcome. There was never any pressure to join, just attend a few meetings, have some snacks and refreshments, and then if you thought it worthwhile, join.
On May 17, 1997 the club staged a casting clinic at the ball field by the old National Guard Armory near the National Cemetery. A nice turnout of around 20 fly casters practiced, received helpful instruction and participated in accuracy and long-cast competitions. The club awarded prizes purchased at Bay Street Outfitters.
On May 10, 1998, the club held its first “social” function at Sargent Jasper State Park. This was planned as a picnic with a fly fishing opportunity in the pond located near the picnic shelter. Regarding guest speakers, Dr. Charles Wenner from the DCDNR gave a presentation based on the Department’s study that was published in its Educational Report No. 17, Red Drum: Natural History and Fishing Techniques in South Carolina. A casting clinic put on by David Murray was held at Waterfront Park in Beaufort.
The year 1999 was a bust. Leadership was lacking and the fellows at Bay Street were finding it difficult to find time to do their jobs and to maintain mailing lists, prepare and send out newsletters. Remember, this was before e-mail became the communication of choice. This was also about the time that Tony Royal purchased the Spotted Horse Ranch and spent a significant amount of time out west. Despite these problems, there was still interest in having a fly fishing club.
The year 2000 effectively kicked-off the “modern” era of the club. A more formal organization was established. David Murray became President; Diane Petrie, Vice President and Membership Chair; Doug Gertis and Phil Dunning, Co-Chairs Activities; Jerry Nerad, Treasurer; and Rochelle Smith, Secretary. A committee headed by Dee Renwick was appointed to develop a Charter and By-Laws for the Club. Dee contacted other fly fishing clubs and received copies of their charters, then drew up the initial Charter and By-Laws of the Sea Island Fly Fishers. Minutes of the meetings were recorded and published. SIFF had its first big time guest speaker, Capt. John Kumiski, who gave a presentation on Mosquito Lagoon Fishing for Red Drum. An oyster roast was held at the home of Phil Dunning in November to end the year.
During 2001 David Murray continued to serve as President and Jerry Nerad, Treasurer. Meetings were held in February, March, April, May, June, August, September, October and November. In December a holiday party was held at the home of Lanny Kraus. There were 17 paid member for the year.
In January 2002, Ric Brown became the first elected President of the SIFF, Lanny Kraus, Vice President & Secretary, and Jerry Nerad, Treasurer, each serving a two year term. Jerry continues on as Treasurer to this date. Membership swelled to 44 this year. Another year ending party was held again at the home of Lanny Kraus. Events during the year included guest speaker Capt. Ed Humphries in February, a casting clinic and picnic held at Dataw Island in June with Capt. David Murray serving as instructor. During the year Bay Street Outfitters donated various items, which were raffled off at meetings and also awarded as prizes at the casting clinic. Capt. Jack Brown generally held fly tying clinics during the social hour prior to the meetings.
Very instrumental in the club’s activities were the Committee Chairmen. Dick Carling was the first Program Chairman, followed by Jack Baggette. Jim Hawkins will follow as Program Chair in 2005. The first Social Chair was Sally Mayse, who continues in that capacity to this date.
The Present:
Present officers of the club, elected in January 2004 serving two year terms are: Lanny Kraus, President, Jim Hawkins, Vice President, Jerry Nerad, Treasurer and Don Traskos, Secretary.
Club Meetings: As of November 2003, the club voted to hold their monthly meetings on the second Wednesday of every month, rather than the second Tuesday of each month. Meetings are held at Bay Street Outfitters – Social Hour at 6:00p.m., Guest Speaker at 7:00p.m.
Club Activities: The aim of the club is to have guest speakers give audio visual presentations with question and answers either during or after their presentation. Programs should cover the how, when and where to fly fish (and spin cast) for the such inshore species as Red Drum (a.k.a. Spot Tail Bass, Red Fish, Cannel Bass), Black Drum, Spotted Sea Trout, Flounder, Tarpon, Ladyfish, Cobia, Tripletail, Jack Crevalle, Sheepshead, and Sharks as well as some near offshore species such as: Cobia, Tarpon, Spanish Mackerel, Bluefish, False Albacore (Bonito), and Dorado (Dolphin). In addition, programs covering the more exotic species (not found locally) such as Bonefish, Permit, Snook and Tarpon fishing in the Bahamas, Belize, Mexico Yucatan Peninsula, Honduras, Seychelles, Christmas Island and elsewhere. Finally, fresh water trout fishing and salmon fishing, here and around the world.
The following are some of the typical programs the club has had during the last year: Robert Wiggers, Marine Biologist and head of the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources’ “Red Fish Tag and Release Program”; Tony Royal, “Trout Fishing in Wyoming”, Al Stokes, Manager of the Waddell Mariculture Center informing us about their exciting “Research Programs” as well as their “Red Drum and Cobia Tagging and Stocking Programs”; Captain Jack Brown, “Extreme Red Fishing in the Carolina Lowcountry”; Captain Fuzzy Davis, “All About Tarpon”; Captain Marty Pinkston, “Fly Fishing the Carolinas Year Round”; June Cookout and Fly Casting Instruction and Contest”; “July Skinny Water Boat Show and Demo”; Captain Chris Chavis, False Albacore Fishing off Moorehead City, NC; Captain Danny Rourke, “Locating and Catching Spotted Sea Trout”; Captain John Gribb, “Fly Fishing for Stripers in New England”, and finally ending the year with our annual Christmas/Holiday Party.
The Future:
The Sea Island Fly Fishers are looking forward to another exciting year for its members and guests. We vow to respond to our member’s wishes and continuing to have high quality programs for our members and their guests.
Sincerely,
Donald M. Traskos, Secretary
December, 2004