This might sound strange but is there any freshwater fishing in downtown Naples? I really want to catch a bluegill or other sunfish or bass on the fly. Would be nice if there was some place close to the hotel I am staying at.

I have caught one once while flyfishing on a mall property in Fort Lauderdale. Alas no pictures. I was kicked of the property because appearantly there where "no fishing" signs everywhere. I did not see them, honestly.

hi marcel, we'll be able to figure somewhere for you to go when your here. i took the kids fishing east of naples a few weeks ago along highway 29 i think it was. we caught blue gill, oscars, small bass, etc. saw lots of gators etc. a fun trip. where are you staying?
thanks
mark

I will be staying at the Seashell, that's close to sunshine ace.

This time I have convinced somebody else that Florida is flyfishing heaven.
My German fishingbuddy who does not speak a word of English is coming too. I have a ball scaring him with stories of sharks and so on.

Last fall I have been on a road trip with one of my pier fishing buddies from TN to the 10K Islands. We went from Marco, Goodland to Chokoloskee. Just a sight seeing trip. Where is 29 at? I think we drove on a road that was the dividing line between fresh and salt. Somewhere near Port of the Islands, is that 29 ?

he marcel,
highway 41 is kind of the dividing line between fresh and salt. 29 is the road south to chokoloskee, it also runs north of 41. actually i think i was east of 29, maybe on wagon wheel road
dave teper is here. he will be in the netherlands in a couple of weeks. maybe he could bring the rod and you guys could do the swap
what do you think?
thanks
mark

That would be absolutely perfect ! If he would be willing to do that !
Then he will still be able to fish !. If he let's me know where he will hang out in the Netherlands we could arrange something. But... what about the deadline of July 15th ... ?

i just read through the program and it will not be a problem. it also applies to reels. here is how the program reads from my end

thanks - mark

From Orvis:

***Last year we rejuvenated a wonderful tradition known as the annual Rod Swap. This promotion allows anglers to trade in their unused rods toward the purchase of a new model. The used rods are donated to the Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts and other children’s charities to allow these young men and women to enjoy their first experience with fly fishing.

This great tradition was started years ago when Duckie Corcoran owned the company and continued successfully for years. For much of the 1980s and 1990s, demand for our rods was high and we didn’t feel we had sufficient inventory to support the additional sales. Now is the time to bring it back.

From June 1 to July 15, 2004, customers will be able to come in to any Orvis store, participating dealer, or ELOG operation and purchase a new rod at 25% off with the donation of a usable fly rod of any brand or model. We have extended the program to run through July 15 this year to accommodate Western Dealers' later season. The offer is good on any premium Orvis rod in the T3, TLS or Superfine Series. Clearwater rods, Streamline rods, Frequent Flyer rods and Bamboo rods are not included.

This year we are expanding the reel exchange as well that will allow 25% off the purchase of any Battenkill reel, including Standard, Bar Stock and Large Arbors in exchange for a usable fly reel. Dealers are not required to participate, but we are promoting this program through our stores, web site, outgoing e-mails, and press releases, so we urge you to take advantage of a great opportunity to move some rods and reels and improve your cash flow.

While we will be donating our rods and reels (that come through the Orvis stores) to Boy Scouts and Girls Scouts, we want you to reap the benefit of that good will as well. Therefore, we are asking you to donate your rods and reels to local charities that will benefit and allow children to enjoy the fly fishing experience. Here are the details:

· Dealers will be required to send in a list of rods and reels sold to customers. Please include the make and model of the rod and reel that you sell. Please use the form enclosed.
· For each item sold we will need the customers name, address and phone number as well as the make and model of the rod or reel turned in.
· Dealers will have 10 days to send this list to Carol Gaffney c/o The Orvis Company, Rte. 7A – Tennis Way, E. Dorset, VT 05253. Carol will compile the information and forward it to Roanoke. No lists will be accepted and no credit extended, after August 1, 2004.
· The Roanoke operators will then call each dealer who will then be reimbursed at retail with the T3 rods or Battenkill reels of their choice.
· EXAMPLE: Dealer sells $4,000 at full price through the program which means he receives $3,000 from customer payments and gives up $1,000 in discount. We will send him whatever combination of T3 rods and Battenkill reels necessary to offset the discounted margin. Dealers will therefore not take a loss of margin on this promotion (We will allow a slight percentage above to make sure each dealer is fully compensated.)
· All used rods and reels should be donated to a worthy cause in your community.