Captain’s Corner: Pat Damico

By Pat Damico

The Tampa Bay Times

Capt. Pat Damico, Captain’s Corner for April 28, 2019
Fly fishing is one of the few sports, maybe the only one, where you get better as you age. This depends very much on how you do it. In saltwater we use heavier equipment, must cast further with accuracy, and are constantly confronted with adverse wind conditions, a combination of issues that if not approached properly will cause physical deterioration of muscles,  ligaments and joints. Younger sports enthusiasts in tennis or golf often are plagued with these issues that can be debiletating. Tennis elbow and golf wrist are frequent results. The reason is usually poor execution of fundamentals. Someone who never fly fished can have an advantage over a veteran who has many issues with poor, “Muscle memory.” Watching any accomplished sports enthusiast perform looks easy because flaws are eliminated. An excuse I often hear is, “Fly fishing is too much work!” Do a search of Fly Fishing Clubs in your area and you will find a group of fly fisher’s that share the same interests at many different levels. There are capable instructors that will be only to happy to get you on the correct path to make this an enjoyable pastime.

Fly fisherman Pat Damico charters Fly Guy in lower Tampa Bay and can be reached atcaptpatdamico.com and (727) 504-8649.