TREASURE COAST BOATING
YACHT CLUBS
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Pelican Rod and Reel Club has been formed. “I want to see the
club blossom,” says DeGraw. “The rod and reel club will help
us get on the map both nationally and internationally. Within
five years, we hope to be sending teams to compete all over the
world in billfish tournaments.”
A native of Miami, and now hailing from Vero Beach, Peter
Tyson grew up around the water and, particularly, fishing.
He was twice the president of the world-renowned Miami
Beach Rod and Reel Club and is well-known in local and
international fishing communities, having frequently taken
teams to fish in South Africa, Central and South America
and the Caribbean. This past year, he chaired the successful
four-day fishing event the 31st Annual Invitational Billfish
Tournament hosted by the Pelican. “Despite mostly unfavorable
westerly winds all week and a particularly nasty day in
the middle, crews put anglers on a near-record 377 releases
from our 30-boat fleet,” says Tyson.
“For our new rod and reel club, We plan on having fishing
clinics and casting exercises on the back lawn of the clubhouse,”
Tyson says. “Clinic subjects may include fly tying,
offshore lure rigging and wire twisting, bait rigging, reel
repair, rod building, Key West fishing tactics, and casting lessons.”
Membership to the Pelican Rod and Reel Club is open
to the public. On the calendar for the upcoming months are
events including a Dolphin Derby in July and a Chocoloskee
Snook Outing in September.
DeGraw is optimistic about the future of the club. “The biggest
thing that I want to accomplish is to continue on the path
of fiscal responsibility,” she says. “We are exiting this recession
stronger than when we entered it. We are poised to go!”
ED DRONDOSKI
Now Vice Commodore of the club, Peter R. Tyson was twice the president
of the world-renowned Miami Beach Rod and Reel Club and has fished the
world. He recently started the Pelican Rod and Reel Club, which is open to
the public.