The month of May heralds the arrival of tarpon along the beaches of Florida's west coast. To coincide with their migration into our waters, TBFFC proudly presents this month's speaker, Rick Redd, an expert in catching these magnificent game fish on flies.

Rick moved to this area in 1957 and started tarpon fishing in 1959. In the 1960's he set two world records recognized by the International Spin Fishing Association and five world records on fly recognized by the Salt Water Fly Rodders of America. These organizations were the predecessors to the International Game Fishing Association, the current sanctioning body for sport fishing records.

Rick's normal fishing territory ranges from Chokoluskee to the south and Homosassa to the north. On his best day there while fishing with guide Al Dopirak, he landed five tarpon in excess of 150 pounds.

Currently Rick works as a manufacturer's representative for several fishing tackle companies. He is also a superb rod builder and has supplied customers with custom rods since the late 1960's. Because of their quirky nature combined with the immense fishing pressure upon these fish, tarpon are one of the greatest fly-fishing challenges. Their beauty, size and leaping ability make them one of the most spectacular catches on fly. Rick will share some of his tarpon fishing methods and fishing experiences with us this evening.

In addition to his talk, Rick will be our featured fly tier, and will demonstrate how to construct some of his favorite tarpon flies.

If you plan or hope to catch tarpon, this will be an important meeting to attend.