Sea Island Fly Fishers

General Membership Meeting - February 15th
2023-02-15 18:00 - 20:00 (America/New_York) | Bay Street Outfitters, 825 Bay Street, Beaufort, SC, 29902, United States
Membership Meeting – February 15, 2023
The meeting will be held at the Bay Street Outfitters, 825 Bay Street, Beaufort, SC between 6 PM and 8 PM. The agenda includes a social hour with refreshments and food, followed by our speaker.
During the month of January, 2023, the SIFF Board of Directors met and agreed upon changes to the present By-Laws (adopted November 8, 2017). These proposed changes will be voted on by the active members at the General Membership Meeting on February 15, 2023. For more information and to view a copy of the proposed By-Laws, please Click Here
This month, we are pleased to have Capt. Tuck Scott as our speaker whose presentation will focus on fly fishing in Cuba. The head guide at Bay Street Outfitters, Capt. Tuck started fishing and shrimping the Beaufort area 30 years ago with his grandfather. He has heavily fished South Carolina’s Lowcountry from Charleston to Savannah and has incorporated his fly fishing experience of twenty plus years to exclusively target saltwater species here in Beaufort, SC. Tuck targets redfish, seatrout, ladyfish, cobia, tarpon, and sheepshead on the fly as well as on light tackle from a 2020 Maverick HPX-S Carbon Edition. Because of its unmatched excitement, sight fishing is his primary method of targeting most species.
Plan on attending! Membership meetings are a great place to learn about your fishery and to mix with your fellow club members!

General Membership Meeting - January 18th
2023-01-18 18:00 - 20:00 | Bay Street Outfitters, 825 Bay Street, Beaufort, SC, 29902, United States
Membership Meeting – January 18, 2023
The meeting will be held at the Bay Street Outfitters, 825 Bay Street, Beaufort, SC between 6 PM and 8 PM. The agenda includes a social hour with refreshments and food, followed by our speaker. This month, we are fortunate to have as our speaker, Kevin Swain from the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, who will present “The Importance of Oyster Restoration and How Gamefish Utilize Oyster Habitat Throughout Their Life History”.
Kevin Swain is a biologist with the SCDNR South Carolina Oyster Recycling and Enhancement (SCORE) Program. Kevin is a Lowcountry native and has also lived in Louisiana, Florida, and the upstate of SC. After graduating from The Citadel in 2019 with a B.S. in Biology, he started working with the SCDNR Marine Gamefish Tagging Program where he tagged and recorded data for target gamefish species, primarily cobia. After finishing a joint MA master’s program through The Citadel and College of Charleston’s Grice Marine Lab, Kevin joined the SCORE Program in January 2021. When he isn’t knee deep in pluff mud building oyster reefs, Kevin can be found wading flats for tailing redfish, tying terrible crab pattern flies, or sight fishing off inshore oyster reefs.
Plan on attending! Membership meetings are a great place to learn about your fishery and to mix with your fellow club members!

General Membership Meeting - December 21st - Cancelled
2022-12-21 18:00 - 20:00 | SC
Due to the proximity of the holidays, there will be no membership meeting during December. Our next meeting is on January 18th.

SIFF Holiday Party - November 16th
2022-11-16 18:00 - 20:00 | Beaufort Yacht and Sail Club, 30 Yacht Club Drive, Beaufort, SC, 29907, United States
You’re invited to join your fellow members of the Sea Island Fly Fishers for the Annual Holiday Party to be held at the Beaufort Yacht and Sailing Club from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM on November 16th! Mingle with friends at a beautiful waterside setting, enjoy a delicious meal prepared by John Mathews, and take advantage of the Silent Auction and Raffle, the proceeds of which will be used to support conservation efforts in our immediate area.
Event Details:

Date: Wednesday, November 16, 2022
Time: 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm
Location: Beaufort Yacht and Sailing Club, 30 Yacht Club Drive, Beaufort
Attendees: SIFF members in good standing and their guests (2022 Dues Current)
Charge: $40 per single attendee, $75 per couple
Food: Assisted buffet service
Menu: By John Mathews
Drinks: Soft drinks, beer, and wine included

Please: Attendance is limited to 55 members and guests! Secure your spot by making your event contribution through our secure, on-line payment site.
Click Here to Register Now
Once again, we are excited to offer a Silent Auction and Raffle during the event. Scroll down to view just a few of the items that will be up for bid!

Looking forward to seeing you on November 16th! If you have questions, please send to info@seaislandflyfishers.org

General Membership Meeting - October 19th
2022-10-19 18:00 - 20:00 | Bay Street Outfitters, 825 Bay Street, Beaufort, SC, 29902, United States
Membership meeting – October 19th
This month, we are fortunate to have Capt. Shannon O’Quinn as our presenter. Capt. O’Quinn is a full time guide at Bay Street outfitters and has been salt water fly fishing in the low country for over 16 years. He is a certified casting instructor with Fly Fishers International and enjoys helping people become better casters and overall anglers. He tries to never stop learning, whether it be from a mentor, the river, the fish, or the student that he’s helping. In previous presentations to the club, Capt. O’Quinn spoke on strategies to find redfish in low country marshes and then provided insider tips on how to catch them once the fish have been located. This month, as requested by members, Capt. O’Quinn will cover a subject that doesn’t get a lot of attention, “mid-tide fishing strategies”. Don’t miss this presentation as it is sure to round out your fishing experiences!
The meeting will be held at the Bay Street Outfitters, 825 Bay Street, Beaufort, SC between 6 PM and 8 PM. The agenda includes a social hour with refreshments and food, followed by our speaker. Membership meetings are a great place to meet with your fellow club members!
See you there!

General Membership Meeting - September 21st
2022-09-21 18:00 - 20:00 | Bay Street Outfitters, 825 Bay Street, Beaufort, SC, 29902, United States
On September 21st, our first membership meeting after the summer hiatus, we welcome fellow SIFF member, John Holbrook. John is an accomplished fly tyer, fly caster, and one of the club’s premier flats authorities. John remembers catching his first tailing redfish during the “Tide is Right Tournament” in 2008 and has since spent countless hours researching and fishing the flats in Beaufort County. His presentation covers gear to take on the flat, how to research potential flats (Google Earth), and casting techniques to entice tailing fish. Attending this meeting will be critical for all members interested in fishing the flats in our area. Save the date!
The meeting will be held at the Bay Street Outfitters, 825 Bay Street, Beaufort, SC between 6 PM and 8 PM. The agenda includes a social hour with refreshments and food, followed by our speaker. Membership meetings are a great place to meet with your fellow club members!

Fly Tying Workshop - July 21st
2022-07-21 17:00 - 19:30 | Port Royal Sound Foundation, 310 Okatie Hwy, Okatie, SC, 29909, United States
Please join us at our regular fly tying workshop held on the third Thursday of each month from 5:00pm to 7:30pm. We meet at the Port Royal Sound Foundation classroom located at 310 Okatie Hwy, Okatie on the banks of the Chechessee River. Please make a note to check our Event Calendar periodically for information on the monthly fly tying workshops and other upcoming club sponsored events.
Tiers of all levels are welcome from beginner to expert! Registration is not required and there is no fee to participate in the workshop.
July’s pattern is to be determined.

Fly Tying Workshop - June 16th
2022-06-16 17:00 - 19:30 | Port Royal Sound Foundation, 310 Okatie Hwy, Okatie, SC, 29909, United States
Please join us at our regular fly tying workshop held on the third Thursday of each month from 5:00pm to 7:30pm. We meet at the Port Royal Sound Foundation classroom located at 310 Okatie Hwy, Okatie on the banks of the Chechessee River. Please make a note to check our Event Calendar periodically for information on the monthly fly tying workshops and other upcoming club sponsored events.
The fly pattern for June will be Del Brown’s Merkin Crab:
Del Brown (1918-2003) was known as the king of Permit fishing with over 500 Permit caught in his lifetime — a feat that will probably never be matched. It was a special fly, the Merkin crab, that Del developed and perfected that led to his success at catching one of the most elusive flats species. Crabs will migrate from one area to another by swimming near the surface using the tides and wind to propel them. This fly mimics a small or juvenile crab trying to escape by swimming to the bottom when predatory fish approaches. It is the crab swimming to the bottom that Permit key on. What makes this fly so special is the way it ‘swims’ to the bottom. A crab folds up its claws and non- swimming legs and swims sideways with its two swimming legs — the legs on the back of the crab. Because of the shape of a crab and the way the swimming legs move, a crab cannot swim straight down to avoid a predator — they swim to the bottom at an angle. The lead eyes, shape of the fly, and rubber band legs all combine to make this Merkin crab look like a small or juvenile crab as it swims at an angle to the bottom. Crabs, such as a juvenile blue crab (Callinectes sapidus), are a favorite food of many species besides Permit including Red Drum (redfish), Black Drum, speckled seatrout and Sheepshead. This pattern can be tied with different color yarn and rubber bands to mimic several different species of crabs. The pattern described below uses the traditional colors tied by Del Brown.
MATERIALS LIST:
Hook – Tiemco 811S size 4 or equivalent
Dumbbell eyes — medium silver or grey ( adjust size for sink rate)
Thread – Danville 3/0 thread or equivalent — fluorescent green
Tail – Krystal Flash and 2 brown hackle feathers
Body – Light brown, tan, or multi-colored yarn (the color of the yarn should vary depending on the species of crab but should be muted earth tones of brown, tan, gold, green or gray). Original material for the body is Aunt Lydia rug yarn 🧶 in tan and brown.
Legs – White round rubber band legs marked with Red marker
Tiers of all levels are welcome from beginner to expert! Registration is not required and there is no fee to participate in the workshop.
Questions? Contact Ken at 610-999-9897

Fly Tying Workshop - May 19th
2022-05-19 17:00 - 19:00 | Port Royal Sound Foundation, 310 Okatie Hwy, Okatie, SC, 29909, United States
Please join us at our regular fly tying workshop held on the third Thursday of each month from 5:00pm to 7:30pm. We meet at the Port Royal Sound Foundation classroom located at 310 Okatie Hwy, Okatie on the banks of the Chechessee River. Please make a note to check our Event Calendar periodically for information on the monthly fly tying workshops and other upcoming club sponsored events.
The fly pattern for May will be a Cobia Fly!
We plan to tie the fly in red and white. These are materials that we have in our inventories from other patterns we have previously tied.

Materials List:

Hook – Saltwater safe sz 2/0 or 3/0
Thread – black 210
Tail – magnum rabbit strip white over white bucktail
Body – magnum rabbit strip wound to form body
Head – red deer belly hair spun and clipped to shape.
Eye – 3/8 or largest you can find
Glue for eyes – e6000
Having a cauderizer helps setting the eyes

A substantial hook is needed that will not be bent by a large cobia. The black and grey version in the picture are mounted on TMC 600SP. The downside to using this hook is the cost. About a buck. This color combination was successful in landing a cobia last May. Other good combinations include tip dyed rabbit strips with a dark head. And chartreuse can be incorporated in the pattern to your liking. See you on the third Thursday, May 19th! – Ken
Tiers of all levels are welcome from beginner to expert! Registration is not required and there is no fee to participate in the workshop.
Questions? Contact Ken at 610-999-9897

General Membership Meeting - May 18th
2022-05-18 18:00 - 20:00 | Bay Street Outfitters, 825 Bay Street, Beaufort, SC, 29902, United States
General membership meetings are held on the 3rd Wednesday of each month from September through May. They are held from 6 pm to 8 pm at the Bay Street Outfitters, 825 Bay Street, Beaufort, SC. Each meeting includes a social hour with refreshments and food, followed by a speaker.
On May 18th, our last membership meeting until September, we welcome fellow SIFF member, Will Stephens. Will’s presentation will be focused on wetting the appetite of anglers for fly fishing experiences beyond the low country. He will be providing a snap shot of the locations, the logistics of getting there, accommodations, gear, tactics and a bit about the target species.
Will is an avid fly fisher hailing from New Jersey where he was introduced to the salt at an early age on the Jersey shore hunting for Stripers in Raritan Bay, Sandy Hook and out to Montauk Point on Long Island. Serving in the US Military and 35 years in Corp life always seemed to get in the way of pursuing a fishing passion. Planning for retirement coincided with him publishing a list of species to catch and places to catch them using international job assignments to successfully check them off. Fly fishing for over 25 years and logging thousands of miles in Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean, the challenge was always finding far flung places untouched by anglers with a focus on the elusive, the largest and hard to catch. Along the way, a natural appreciation for the environment and the cultures of people around the world always factored into finding the next best place to fish. Will currently resides in the South Carolina Low Country where he is co-owner of Southern Drawl Outfitters a vintage fly and tackle shop supplying the communities surrounding Hilton Head Island and where he enjoys teaching and advancing the sport of fly fishing.

Will’s presentation will definitely be of interest to all members! Save the date!

Fly Tying Workshop - April 21st
2022-04-21 17:00 - 19:30 | Port Royal Sound Foundation, 310 Okatie Hwy, Okatie, SC, 29909, United States
Please join us at our regular fly tying workshop held on the third Thursday of each month from 5:00pm to 7:30pm. We meet at the Port Royal Sound Foundation classroom located at 310 Okatie Hwy, Okatie on the banks of the Chechessee River. Please make a note to check our Event Calendar periodically for information on the monthly fly tying workshops and other upcoming club sponsored events.
Marsh Banger
Our April 21st fly pattern will be the Marsh Banger, the third of a three part series presented by long time SIFF member John Mathews. This fly is just one of the flies John has developed for fishing reds in the tidal marsh and is part of the pack of flies given to attendees of the club’s very popular Marsh Sense Clinic.
The Marsh Banger is similar to a Bob’s Banger (Popovic) with a weed guard. Instead of a 4X Long 34011 hook, we use a 2″ fish joint and a short shank, wide gap hook with a collar of red deer body hair at the back of the foam body. The wire weed guard gets tied in first with the loop to the front of the hook. When the foam body slides on, pushing the weed loop back and leaving it at a 90 degree angle to the hook shank and in front of the hook point. The Marsh Banger is intended to be used with a “dropper” fly which will be attached later with leader material.
Those who attend the workshop will not only learn to tie a highly effective fly, but they will also have a chance to give back to the club. One goal for this fly tying class is to teach as many people as possible how to tie this fly and then tie as many as can be tied for the purpose of meeting the Marsh Sense Clinic’s demand. See you there!
PLEASE NOTE: All of the materials to tie this fly will be supplied by the club. If you have some or all of the following materials and equipment, please bring it along. If not, we have a number of kits, tying vises, and craft lights in the “club box” for your use.
Suggested Equipment List:

Red, white or black thread
Thread bobbin
White bucktail
Chartreuse bucktail
Red deer body hair
Crystal flash clear/white
Vise
Scissors
Bodkin
Glue
Light
18 or 20 pound test titanium leader wire

Tiers of all levels are welcome from beginner to expert! Registration is not required and there is no fee to participate in the workshop.
Questions? Contact Ken at 610-999-9897

General Membership Meeting - April 20th
2022-04-20 18:00 - 20:00 | Bay Street Outfitters, 825 Bay Street, Beaufort, SC, 29902, United States
General membership meetings are held on the 3rd Wednesday of each month from September through May. They are held from 6 pm to 8 pm at the Bay Street Outfitters, 825 Bay Street, Beaufort, SC. Each meeting includes a social hour with refreshments and food, followed by a speaker.
On April 20th, we welcome fellow SIFF members, Renee and Rob Mathai. Renee and Rob will be presenting “Do It Yourself Fly Fishing Adventures”.
Renee has been fly fishing for more than 20 years, and has called Beaufort home since 2016. Renee has planned and hosted women’s trips to Beaufort for the past 5 years. Working at Bay Street Outfitters has allowed her to meet and develop many fly fishing friends. She & her husband, Rob, are happy empty-nesters which has allowed Renee to do more casting instruction, fish the local waters, and pursue more hosted women’s trips.

Rob was introduced to fly fishing on a NOLS trip and has fished off and on for the past 25 years. While his fishing days have been limited, he has done a DIY bonefish trip in the Bahamas with his brother each year for the past 12 years. In February of 2022, Rob and Renee also did a DIY trip to Inagua. Rob and Renee are happy to share lessons from the school of hard knocks on DIY in the Bahamas for bonefish.

Renee and Rob’s presentation will be of interest to all members! Save the date!

Casting Clinic - March 19th
2022-03-19 08:30 - 16:00 | John Paul II Catholic School, 4211 N. Okatie Hwy, Ridgeland, SC, 29936, United States
The Sea Island Fly Fishers is pleased to announce that registration is now open for this year’s Casting Clinic. The clinic will be a one day event on Saturday, March 19th, and will be held on the John Paul II Catholic School grounds, 4211 N. Okatie Hwy, Ridgeland, SC. The clinic will begin at 8:30 AM and will conclude at 4:00 PM. A barbecue lunch, artfully prepared by John Mathews, will be provided at mid-day. Registration is required and a $40 contribution is requested to help defray the costs of the event. The cut-off date for registration is March 16th.
Please bring your rod and reel for saltwater (7 wt-9wt), including a saltwater leader and arrive early enough to have your equipment ready by the 8:30 AM starting time. There will be a limited amount of equipment available if necessary.
This clinic is open to all active members from beginner to expert. The clinic will focus on practical fishing casts and techniques.

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Fly Tying Workshop - March 17th
2022-03-17 17:00 - 19:30 | Port Royal Sound Foundation, 310 Okatie Hwy, Okatie, SC, 29909, United States
Please join us at our regular fly tying workshop held on the third Thursday of each month from 5:00pm to 7:30pm. We meet at the Port Royal Sound Foundation classroom located at 310 Okatie Hwy, Okatie on the banks of the Chechessee River. Please make a note to check our Event Calendar periodically for information on the monthly fly tying workshops and other upcoming club sponsored events.
John’s Thang
Our March 17th fly pattern will be John’s Thang, the second of a three part series presented by long time SIFF member John Mathews. This fly is just one of the flies John has developed for fishing reds in the tidal marsh and is part of the pack of flies given to attendees of the club’s very popular Marsh Sense Clinic. John developed this fly after reading an article about a fly called a Wee Wiggler that used the squishy toy tentacles as a tail and hackle as a body. This fly is the Wee Wiggler on steroids! It has been modified for reds and is designed to imitate fiddler crabs, the primary food source for redfish feeding in the marshes of the Lowcountry. Those who attend the workshop will not only learn to tie a highly effective fly, but they will also have a chance to give back to the club. One goal for this fly tying class is to teach as many people as possible how to tie this fly and then tie as many as can be tied for the purpose of meeting the Marsh Sense Clinic’s demand. See you there!
Materials List:
Hook: Mustad Classic O’Shaughnessy size 1 to 2/0 or other large eyed, wide gap hook
Weed Guard: Nickel Titanium Knot so Kinky leader wire, 18# test or 20# test
Eyes: Medium to Large Lead Dumbbell
Body: FTD Kraken Enhanced Dubbing(s) blend to your preference.
Flash: FTD Starburst Dubbing-Gold,Copper,Purple,Red
Tail: Tentacle from Squishy toy or Zonker Strip
Egg Sack: Thin slice of Foam Fly body, colored orange.
PLEASE NOTE: All of the materials to tie this fly will be supplied by the club. If you have some or all of the following equipment, please bring it along. If not, we have a number of kits, tying vises, and craft lights in the “club box” for your use.
Suggested Equipment List:

Chisel point black marker.
Black or dark thread and bobbin
Bodkin
Comb
Scissors
Vise
Light
Cement or glue

Tiers of all levels are welcome from beginner to expert! Registration is not required and there is no fee to participate in the workshop.
Questions? Contact Ken at 610-999-9897

General Membership Meeting - March 16th
2022-03-16 18:00 - 20:00 | Bay Street Outfitters, 825 Bay Street, Beaufort, SC, 29902, United States
General membership meetings are held on the 3rd Wednesday of each month from September through May. They are held from 6 pm to 8 pm at the Bay Street Outfitters, 825 Bay Street, Beaufort, SC. Each meeting includes a social hour with refreshments and food, followed by a speaker.

This month, we welcome Bay Street Outfitters’ Head Guide, Capt. Tuck Scott. Capt. Scott started fishing and shrimping the Beaufort area 30 years ago with his grandfather. He has heavily fished South Carolina’s Lowcountry from Charleston to Savannah and has incorporated his fly fishing experience of twenty plus years to exclusively target saltwater species here in Beaufort, SC. Tuck targets redfish, seatrout, ladyfish, cobia, tarpon, and sheepshead on the fly as well as on light tackle. Because of its unmatched excitement, sight fishing is his primary method of targeting most species.
You won’t want to miss Capt. Scott’s presentation on March 16th.

Fly Tying Workshop - February 17th
2022-02-17 17:00 - 19:30 | Port Royal Sound Foundation, 310 Okatie Hwy, Okatie, SC, 29909, United States
Please join us at our regular fly tying workshop held on the third Thursday of each month from 5:00pm to 7:30pm. We meet at the Port Royal Sound Foundation classroom located at 310 Okatie Hwy, Okatie on the banks of the Chechessee River. Please make a note to check our Event Calendar periodically for information on the monthly fly tying workshops and other upcoming club sponsored events.
The Marsh Shrimp by John Mathews
Our February 17th fly pattern will be The Marsh Shrimp. This month’s presenter, long time SIFF member John Mathews, borrowed from other successful shrimp patterns and incorporated some different and new materials to produce a shrimp imitation that works extremely well at fooling Reds in our tidal marshes. This fly is just one of four of John’s flies he has developed for fishing Reds in the tidal marsh and is part of the pack of flies given to attendants as part of the club’s very popular Marsh Sense Clinic. Not only will you learn to tie a highly effective fly, but you also have a chance to give back to the club. One goal for this fly tying class is to teach as many people as possible how to tie this fly and then tie as many as can be tied for the purpose of meeting the Marsh Sense Clinic’s demand.
PLEASE NOTE: All of the materials will be precut and packaged for tying 4 of the flies while we’re there. Each person will get a pack with the tying instructions. If you have some or all of the following equipment, please bring it along. If not, we have a number of kits, tying vises, and craft lights in the “club box” for your use.
Suggested Equipment List:

Chisel point black marker.
Black or dark thread and bobbin
Bodkin
Comb
Scissors
Vise
Light
Cement or glue

Tiers of all levels are welcome from beginner to expert! Registration is not required and there is no fee to participate in the workshop.

Questions? Contact Ken at 610-999-9897

General Membership Meeting - February 16th
2022-02-16 18:00 - 20:00 | Bay Street Outfitters, 825 Bay Street, Beaufort, SC, 29902, United States
General membership meetings are held on the 3rd Wednesday of each month from September through May. They are held from 6 pm to 8 pm at the Bay Street Outfitters, 825 Bay Street, Beaufort, SC. Each meeting includes a social hour with refreshments and food, followed by a speaker.
On February 16th we welcome Dr. Al Segar who retired from the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources having had a distinguished career as a veterinarian and wildlife biologist. Dr. Segar has dedicated his time tirelessly addressing how plastics have taken a toll on our marine mammals, sea turtles and fisheries. Dr. Segar is also a Board Member at the Beaufort County Land in Trust. Dr. Segar will present “The Human Impacts on Wildlife”. He will discuss ways we impact our wildlife and waters, both positively and negatively and what we can do to minimize negative impacts.
You won’t want to miss this presentation on an important subject given by a popular speaker.
.

Fly Tying Workshop - January 20th
2022-01-20 17:00 - 19:30 | Port Royal Sound Foundation, 310 Okatie Hwy, Okatie, SC, 29909, United States
Please join us at our regular fly tying workshop held on the third Thursday of each month from 5:00pm to 7:30pm. We meet at the Port Royal Sound Foundation classroom located at 310 Okatie Hwy, Okatie on the banks of the Chechessee River. Please make a note to check our Event Calendar periodically for information on the monthly fly tying workshops and other upcoming club sponsored events.
On January 20th, with assistance from our presenter Ken Prager, Chair of the Fly Tying Committee, we will tie the Fish-Skull Fantastic Tail Forage fly in white. Tails are available in white, black, chartreuse and tan. A highly versatile streamer fly effective for targeting most saltwater species.

Materials List

Hook – saltwater sz 2 (suggest Kona UMS streamer)
Fish-Skull Fantastic tail white – one of 4 available colors
Fish-Skull baitfish head or fish mask
Eyes – Living eyes or other to fit head or mask depression
Thread -140 denier color to compliment color
Body – cross cut rabbit strip white to match tail
Flash – optional
Over Wing – optional

These materials are available at our local fly shop or can be ordered directly from Flymen Fishing Company’s web site. Frantic Tails are made of nearly indestructible, ultra-light synthetic suede that cannot be bitten off, will not shrink, and provides lifelike texture and movement when wet. Each suede body is precision laser cut, making each 100% identical and allowing for fine detail. – Ken
Tiers of all levels are welcome from beginner to expert. If you are so equipped, don’t forget a craft light and your tying gear. There is no fee required for participation. We encourage tiers to seek out the listed materials at their favorite fly shop. However, we have an adequately stocked “club box” to supplement the tiers’ supplies. For beginners, we also have a number of tying vises and craft lights for your use.
Questions? Contact Ken at 610-999-9897

General Membership Meeting - January 19th
2022-01-19 18:00 - 20:00 | Bay Street Outfitters, 825 Bay Street, Beaufort, SC, 29902, United States
General membership meetings are held on the 3rd Wednesday of each month from September through May. They are held from 6 pm to 8 pm at the Bay Street Outfitters, 825 Bay Street, Beaufort, SC. Each meeting includes a social hour with refreshments and food, followed by a speaker. This month, we are fortunate to have Capt. Shannon O’Quinn as our presenter. Capt. O’Quinn is a full time guide at Bay Street outfitters and has been salt water fly fishing in the low country for about 16 years. He is a certified casting instructor with Fly Fishers International and enjoys helping people become better casters and overall anglers. He tries to never stop learning, whether it be from a mentor, the river, the fish, or the student that he’s helping. In a previous presentation to the club, Capt. O’Quinn spoke on “How to find and catch redfish”, with the main concentration being on finding them. On January 19th, he will concentrate on catching them once you’re there. Approach, casting, gear, flies, etc. Don’t miss this presentation as it is sure to up your game on reds!

Fly Tying Workshop - December 16th
2021-12-16 17:00 - 19:30 | Port Royal Sound Foundation, 310 Okatie Hwy, Okatie, SC, 29909, United States
Please join us at our regular fly tying workshop held on the third Thursday of each month from 5:00pm to 7:30pm. We meet at the Port Royal Sound Foundation classroom located at 310 Okatie Hwy, Okatie on the banks of the Chechessee River. Please make a note to check our Event Calendar periodically for information on the monthly fly tying workshops and other upcoming club sponsored events.
This month, our Fly Tying Chair, Ken Prager, will be the presenter. Ken will assist us in tying a top water fly, The Saltwater Popper.

Saltwater Popper
This fly uses a preformed popper body that is made of high density (hard) white foam. Our presenter will be Ken Prager, an expert fly tyer and chairperson of the SIFF Fly Tying Committee.

“Hard poppers are used in applications where a floating fly is needed to create commotion. With a jerk strip the popper will push water and with a hard pull will throw water and pop. The splash and popping sound will call the fish in, and since the popper will float after each strip, you can see the strike on the surface. Use a weight forward fly line and a shortened leader to turn over a popper with better accuracy. Long casts are more appropriate as this allows for a longer strip before pick up. Adjusting the color of the back will help imitate sardine, anchovies, or finger mullet bait fish. Use a hook length that supports the popper body length you choose. Use a waterproof glue to fill in the slot in the popper body on the underside after positioning the popper body over the hook.” – Ken
Materials List:

Hook – kinked popper hook with straight eye
Thread – white 140 or 210 denier
Body – solid popper body
Tail – Four white saddles and bundle white deer tail
Eyes – stick on yellow with black dot
Color – blue, olive , or gray applied to top
Gill – red marker
Glue – E6000 waterproof adhesive

Tiers of all levels are welcome from beginner to expert. If you are so equipped, don’t forget a craft light and your tying gear. There is no fee required for participation. We encourage tiers to seek out the listed materials at their favorite fly shop. However, we have an adequately stocked “club box” to supplement the tiers’ supplies. For beginners, we also have a number of tying vises and craft lights for your use.
Questions? Contact Ken at 610-999-9897.

General Membership Meeting - December 15th
2021-12-15 18:00 - 20:00 | Bay Street Outfitters, 825 Bay Street, Beaufort, SC, 29902, United States
General membership meetings are held on the 3rd Wednesday of each month from September through May. They are held from 6 pm to 8 pm at the Bay Street Outfitters, 825 Bay Street, Beaufort, SC. Each meeting includes a social hour with refreshments and food, followed by a speaker, typically one of our local guides or other experts who present information relating to club purposes.
This month, it is our pleasure to welcome Kristen Marshall Mattson who will be presenting “The Natural History of Ospreys and the Status of Ospreys in the Lowcountry”. Kristen is an environmental educator for the Spring Island Trust/LowCountry Institute, where she co-teaches the LowCountry Master Naturalist program, presents educational programs to the public and local students/teachers, coordinates citizen science research projects, and acts as the staff fundraising coordinator. She holds a bachelor’s degree in environmental science and Spanish from Stetson University (DeLand, FL) and a master’s in ecology from the University of Florida. She has been in the field of science education for more than fifteen years, having started her career as a biology instructor at Coastal Carolina Community College in North Carolina before relocating to Beaufort in 2008. Her emphasis is on plant ecology in the southeastern coastal plain and astronomy.
Please plan to attend as during December 2021 and January 2022, just prior to nesting season, the Sea Island Flyfishers, in partnership with the Low Country Institute of the Spring Island Trust, will once again be seeking volunteers from our membership to monitor osprey nests throughout Beaufort County.

Fly Tying Workshop - November 18th
2021-11-18 17:00 - 19:30 | Port Royal Sound Foundation, 310 Okatie Hwy, Okatie, SC, 29909, United States
Please join us at our regular fly tying workshop held on the third Thursday of each month from 5:00pm to 7:30pm. We meet at the Port Royal Sound Foundation classroom located at 310 Okatie Hwy, Okatie on the banks of the Chechessee River. Please make a note to check our Event Calendar periodically for information on the monthly fly tying workshops and other upcoming club sponsored events.
This month, our Fly Tying Chair, Ken Prager, will be the presenter. Ken will assist us in tying a fly which targets bass, a freshwater species.

As water is cooling, bass become aggressive to take advantage of the food available. Fly anglers know that they need to match the hatch for baits typically used by baitcasters. I recently met a fly fisher while fishing a Disney pond in one of their properties in Orlando. He showed me this pattern which brought a brace of fish to hand. I will have all the materials available to tiers that attend the session on November 18, 5:00-7:30pm at the PRSF classroom. See you there. – Ken
Tiers of all levels are welcome from beginner to expert. If you are so equipped, don’t forget a craft light and your tying gear. There is no fee required for participation. We encourage tiers to seek out the listed materials at their favorite fly shop. However, we have an adequately stocked “club box” to supplement the tiers’ supplies. For beginners, we also have a number of tying vises and craft lights for your use.
Questions? Contact Ken at 610-999-9897.

SIFF Holiday Party - November 17th
2021-11-17 18:00 - 20:00 | Beaufort Yacht and Sail Club, 30 Yacht Club Drive, Beaufort, SC, 29907, United States
You’re invited to join your fellow members of the Sea Island Fly Fishers for the Annual Holiday Party to be held at the Beaufort Yacht and Sailing Club from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM on November 17th! Mingle with friends at a beautiful waterside setting, enjoy a delicious meal prepared by John Mathews, and take advantage of the Silent Auction, the proceeds of which will benefit your club.
Event Details:

Date: Wednesday, November 17, 2021
Time: 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm
Location: Beaufort Yacht and Sailing Club, 30 Yacht Club Drive, Beaufort
Attendees: SIFF members in good standing and their guests (2021 Dues Current)
Charge: $35 per single attendee, $60 per couple
Food: Assisted buffet service
Menu: By John Mathews
Drinks: Soft drinks, beer, and wine included

Please: To help determine attendance numbers, we are encouraging pre-registration prior to November 8th by making your event contribution through our secure, on-line payment site.
Register Now
Looking forward to seeing you on November 17th! If you have questions, please send to info@seaislandflyfishers.org
Auction Items Wanted
We are holding a “Silent Auction” during our Holiday Party on November 11th. In the past, auction items have been donated by SIFF members as well as outside merchants. The club’s fly tiers have always lent their generous support as the flies have been popular auction items. However, your donations are not restricted to flies. Also popular are books, tools, new and lightly used equipment, etc. Making a bundle of similar items will sometimes work out very well. Please donate and support your club. If you have questions or wish to advise us of your donation, please contact auction@seaislandflyfishers.org.

Custom Rod Building Class
2021-11-01 17:00 - 19:00 | Hargray Community Room, 870 William Hilton Parkway, Hilton Head Island, SC, 29928, United States
The last custom rod building class for 2021 is scheduled for:

November 1
November 8
November 15
Skip a week, then
November 29

Each class starts at 5:00 pm till 7:00 pm at the Hargray community room – 870 Wm Hilton Parkway on Hilton Head Island. The class is open to reservations by calling Ken at 610-999-9897 and remitting the $110 fee for the class and components.
Only the first four (4) members to reserve a spot will be able to chose the rod blank and components from the existing inventory to build their custom rod. Please be aware that some popular size rod blanks may not be available. Call Ken to reserve your spot and chose your rod components!
Regards,
Ken Prager, chair for tying SIFF
610-999-9897

Fly Tying Workshop - October 21st
2021-10-21 17:00 - 19:30 | Port Royal Sound Foundation, 310 Okatie Hwy, Okatie, SC, 29909, United States
Please join us at our regular fly tying workshop held on the third Thursday of each month from 5:00pm to 7:30pm. We meet at the Port Royal Sound Foundation classroom located at 310 Okatie Hwy, Okatie on the banks of the Chechessee River. Please make a note to check our Event Calendar periodically for information on the monthly fly tying workshops and other upcoming club sponsored events.
This month, on October 21st, our presenter is fellow SIFF member, Tom Sferlazzo. Tom’s love of fly fishing began some 20 years ago, and his interest in fly tying started when moving to the Oldfield Community. He spent a good amount of time at the Outfitters Center there and, with guidance from a dedicated team of guides and other fly fishers, gained an appreciation for making a catch with his own fly creations and handcrafted fly rods.
In keeping with this Fall’s flats fishing opportunities (tailing reds), Tom will lead us in tying a simple pattern that features a flat feather that replicates the top shell of a large fiddler crab. It uses a recipe that includes materials most of us have in our inventory. It is a simple tie that casts and performs well when casting a 6,7 or 8wt rod.
Materials List – Tom’s Fiddler Crab Fly

Hook -Mustad C70S D size 2 or equivalent Thread – 140 denier light green or brown
Pheasant feathers or Guinea hen feathers or equivalent flat feather – can be found @ craft stores
Congo Hair or EP Fibers – medium brown & light green
Raccoon tail pieces
Hareline Pseudo eyes – small nickel chartreuse or equivalent
Weed guard – 40lb. hard mono or wire equivalent

Tiers of all levels are welcome from beginner to expert. If you are so equipped, don’t forget a craft light and your tying gear. There is no fee required for participation. We encourage tiers to seek out the listed materials at their favorite fly shop. However, we have an adequately stocked “club box” to supplement the tiers’ supplies. For beginners, we also have a number of tying vises and craft lights for your use.
Questions? E-Mail info@seaislandflyfishers.org

General Membership Meeting - October 20th
2021-10-20 18:00 - 20:00 | Bay Street Outfitters, 825 Bay Street, Beaufort, SC, 29902, United States
Get together with fellow SIFF members at the monthly membership meeting on Wednesday, October 20th. The meeting will be held from 6 pm to 8 pm at the Bay Street Outfitters, 825 Bay Street, Beaufort, SC. The meeting includes a social hour with refreshments and food served up by SIFF Executive Chef, John Mathews, which is then followed by a speaker.
This month, it is our good fortune to have Capt. Jack Brown presenting “Tides and Redfish on the Fly“. Capt. Brown came to Beaufort in 1990’s from retirement as a police chief and fishing guide in New Jersey. He credits Doug Gertis with his intro to Lowcountry fly and light tackle guiding. He is a certified fly casting instructor and an expert on shallow water reds. He was a favorite guide with Bay Street Outfitters for many years and now operates his Predator Guide service from home. In addition to his guide skills, Capt. Brown is an expert in fly tying and has created several Lowcountry favorites. His Electric Chicken and Bay St. Bunny are still in demand for reds and his Bozo Bunker is a proven Striper and Cobia killer. Capt. Brown fishes in a Maverick flats boat and specializes in the Harbor River area. His talks to the club are always popular and you would be wise to take notes to up your game on reds.

Fly Tying Workshop - September 16th
2021-09-16 17:00 - 19:30 | Port Royal Sound Foundation, 310 Okatie Hwy, Okatie, SC, 29909, United States
Please join us at our regular fly tying workshop held on the third Thursday of each month from 5:00pm to 7:30pm. We meet at the Port Royal Sound Foundation classroom located at 310 Okatie Hwy, Okatie on the banks of the Chechessee River. Please make a note to check our Event Calendar periodically for information on the monthly fly tying workshops and other upcoming club sponsored events.
This month I want to introduce a fly, the Baby Dolphin, that uses materials we all have already purchased and used in SIFF tying in the past. Here is a good use of the special style ahrex hook. Add only one new material ( peacock sword) and we are ready to tackle this weedless attractive baby dolphin fly. Using the technique that we used for crab flies (tying small bundles (6) of long materials onto the hook) creates the full body. Adding a realistic top fin with a peacock sword completes this creative pattern. — Regards, Ken Prager
Baby Dolphin
Materials List
Hook – Ahrex PR380 Predator
Thread – 140/210 green
Eye – small dome
Body – green EP fibre or equivalent synthetic
Top fin – peacock sword
Colorings – black or dark green sharpie
Extra tool needed – comb/brush to form a full body
Tiers of all levels are welcome from beginner to expert. If you are so equipped, don’t forget a craft light and your tying gear. There is no fee required for participation. We encourage tiers to seek out the listed materials at their favorite fly shop. However, we have an adequately stocked “club box” to supplement the tiers’ supplies. For beginners, we also have a number of tying vises and craft lights for your use.
Questions? Contact Ken at 610-999-9897.

General Membership Meeting
2021-09-15 18:00 - 20:00 | Bay Street Outfitters, 825 Bay Street, Beaufort, SC, 29902, United States
Join your fellow SIFF members at our September 15th general meeting to be held at the Bay Street Outfitters, 825 Bay Street, Beaufort, SC. The meeting will be from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm and will include a social hour with refreshments and food artfully prepared by John Mathews, followed by a speaker.
This month’s speaker is David Fladd from Eye Strike Fishing in North Charleston, South Carolina. David is the founder of the conservation campaign Release Over 20″ which encourages fly fishermen to voluntarily release all Spotted Seatrout and Southern Flounder over 20″. In essence, creating an upper-slot for these valuable gamefish – even if South Carolina fishing regulations allows it. To read more, please click here.
In addition, we will be discussing upcoming conservation initiatives and club sponsored events.
All SIFF members and their guests are welcome to attend. We hope to see you there!
If you need to update your club dues contribution for 2021, please click here for secure online payment.

Fly Tying Workshop - August 19th
2021-08-19 17:00 - 19:30 | Port Royal Sound Foundation, 310 Okatie Hwy, Okatie, SC, 29909, United States
Please join us at our regular fly tying workshop held on the third Thursday of each month from 5:00pm to 7:30pm. We meet at the Port Royal Sound Foundation classroom located at 310 Okatie Hwy, Okatie on the banks of the Chechessee River.
Shrimp continues to dominate redfish food as the summer months continue. Tying shrimp in a bigger size better represents the summer period. Both white shrimp and brown shrimp are available to redfish and speckled trout in the summertime. These two medium sized patterns will match the hatch in size & color. You just need to add presentation and movement to close the deal once you have found the fish. Both of these patterns use material available at our local fly shops. We will tie both of these easily tied flies at the August 19th session at the PRSF classroom 5:00 pm – 7:30 pm. All welcome. Remember the club is in a position to help beginners with materials and tools to complete these two flies. Show support for your club by marking your calendar for the third Thursday of every month to attend fly tying. – Ken

Materials: Medium shrimp brown
Thread – tan or brown 3/0 , or 140 denier
Hook- Ahrex wide gap gammerus NS 172 sz 1, or 2
Eye – small or med lead dumbell
Tail – white or tan craft fur with black marking
Body – craft fur or other synthetic in a brush/dubbing loop
Head – brown hackle or synthetic tied in a loop
Weed guard- 30 lb. mason hard mono

Medium shrimp white
Thread – tan
Hook – Mustad 35007 or 34011 size 1 or 2
Tail – tan it light olive craft fur
Eyes – sm or med dumbell
Legs – clear speckled silli legs
Body – gold estaz
Weed guard – 30 lb. mason hard mono

Fly Tying Workshop - Thursday, July 15th
2021-07-15 17:00 - 19:30 | Port Royal Sound Foundation, 310 Okatie Hwy, Okatie, SC, 29909, United States
Please join us at our regular fly tying workshop held on the third Thursday of each month from 5:00pm to 7:30pm. We meet at the Port Royal Sound Foundation classroom located at 310 Okatie Hwy, Okatie on the banks of the Chechessee River.
This month, our Fly Tying Committee Chairperson, Ken Prager, will lead us in tying a proven shrimp pattern inspired by The St. Simons Scampi Red Fish Fly, a fly created by Capt. David Edens of Fly Cast Charters of St. Simons Island, GA.

St. Simons Red Fish Fly
Materials List by Ken Prager
Thread – Tan
Tail – root beer flash
Body – rough dubbed gold body
Head – gold dub over eyes
Wing – gold flash
Eyes – gold dumbell w/blk eye
Hook- 34007 or 34011 size 2
Weed Guard- optional
Fly will fish hook up

Tiers of all levels are welcome from beginner to expert. Don’t forget a craft light and your tying gear. Questions? Contact Ken at 610-999-9897
