FT. MYERS Event, April 13-14, 2002 - Another great success!

We were pleased to have a successful 3rd annual event in Ft. Myers. Thanks to the Ostego Bay Marine Science Foundation for helping with the classroom.

LLGF Fishing Report The ladies enjoyed calm waters for the half day of fishing. We're pleased
to report every boat caught or released fish. Seabreeze: When they first dropped their lines, almost everyone caught something. The women hooked into some big ones which got away. The women released several types of bottom fish: grouper, snapper and more. Black Dog: Two women who had never fished before caught the first two fish of the day. Margo Nichols caught the first fish, a spanish mackerel, using her Marsha Bierman technique to reel it in. The women went trolling and bottom fishing. Allison Kane, Cape Coral, FL caught two red grouper on the
same bait at the same time. The women learned how to bait their hooks. Capt. Sean Middleton: All three ladies, even though they have fished alot, caught their first snook ever, as well as several trout. Capt. Max Stanford: Helen Dallman, Ft. Lauderdale, FL, had never fished before, and caught the first fish of the day. The ladies released all their fish, including trout, jacks, snapper and ladyfish. Capt. Mark Sanders: Sue Noell, Wildwood, FL perfected casting techniques she learned on Saturday and caught several trout. Jane Uroda, Bonita Springs,
FL, who hasn't fished in 30 years and Sonja Hildrew, Sanibel, FL who has not fished since she was ten years old, caught trout and snapper. The only yelling on board was "We got one!" Capt. Dave Torrence: All three ladies caught trout and Cheryl Lefeber, who traveled from Fond Du Lac, WI for her first fishing experience in Florida,
caught a nice spanish mackerel. Capt. Skip Dunn, Tagger II: All women caught trout, some caught jacks and
catfish. Karen Mash, Ocala, FL who was experienced at offshore fishing but went on her first inshore excursion, experienced catching a crab. Capt. Merrily Dunn: Catch of the day were several trout and redfish. Marsha
Bierman, Plantation, FL enjoyed catching trout and a few weeds. Wade fishing: Stephanie Gordon, Coral Gables, FL was nicknamed "Knee deep"for stepping into a hole and getting soaked. Betty Bauman, Ft. Lauderdale,
FL released a trout and puffer fish and Lisa Steinberg, Ft. Lauderdale, FL released a hound fish.
Beach fishing: Kelly Dean/Ft. Myers, FL, Lori Frantz/Ft.Myers, FL and Patrece Remmel/Naples, FL learned how to use a variety of lures and how to read the water when wading, and thanked Ed Lohmann for his instruction.
Recipe Contest winners: Sandy Shofield, Ft. Myers, FL took first place with "Poor Man's Cassarole" and Susan Noell took second with "Broiled Crusted Dolphin."

Thanks to our Partners! Our valued sponsors help provide manpower and equipment for the skill stations as well as make it possible for participants to take their products
home. This provides the opportunity to become familiar with the best names in the industry. Special thanks to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Sport Fish Restoration, Mercury Outboards (presenting sponsor), Ranger Boats (Official Boat) /Gulf Shores Marina, Bass Pro Shops, (Wahoo Sponsor), BoatU.S. Marine Insurance (Insurance Sponsor), Penn, Marine Industries Association of South Florida, Lowrance Electronics and Gulfstream International Airlines (official airlines) for major sponsorships. Please let them and our other sponsors know how you liked the class: Annual partners include Magic Tilt Trailers, Maxima Line, H2Optix
Sunglasses, Yo-Zuri Lures, Eagle Claw Hooks, Saltwater Fly Fishing Magazine, Hook & Tackle Sportswear, Silverstar Jewelers, Pompanette, Reel Native Florida Fishing (reelnative.com), Treasure Cay Resort & Marina, The Islands of the Bahamas, Benchmark Business Systems and Printing Corp. of the Americas. Class partners: Sam Galloway Ford, Calusa Nets, Suremark Buoys, 3M, King & Bartlett Sport Fishing International. They are in the class book.
Thanks to our speakers: Jason Schratweiser, Capt. Merrily Dunn, Rob Sanford, Capt. Kevin Merritt,Twig Tolle & Mike McComas! They did a great job of showing how we can contribute to preservation of the environment.
Thanks to the Media! We thank the News Press and Ft. Myers Beach Observer for their fabulous
articles about LLGF! Great Prizes! We had some outstanding prizes to give away, thanks to our sponsors, including a trip to Treasure Cay Hotel Resort & Marina, Abaco, Bahamas,mairfare from Gulfstream International Airlines, a trip to King & Bartlett Resort in Maine, Kamalame Cay, art prints, tackle boxes from Plano and
Lurebox, Penn tackle, Suremark Buoy and more! Thanks to all auction and raffle donors!
Next Event: St. Augustine on June 1-2 Welcome, Ranger Boats, as the Official Boat of Choice for LLGF! Want to see more? Visit Gulf Shores Marina, or call 941-774-0222. Or visit www.rangerboats.com .
Remember how important you can be in preserving our marine resources for the
future!