Tail Fly Fishing Magazine is proud to welcome an innovator, a legend, a gentleman, and IGFA Hall of Fame Member, Chico Fernandez to the editorial team.
If you don’t know who Chico is, then you probably just starting fly fishing about an hour ago, because it doesn’t take more than that to discover him and all of his achievements.
“The addition of Chico is a big deal for us,” states publisher and editor, Joseph Ballarini.
“I have known Chico for many years and welcome his knowledge, professionalism and enthusiasm to the team. It is a true honor to work with him.”
Chico will be directly involved in overall content and direction of the publication, as well as writing his own original work in each issue. He has dusted off the Leica and will be sharing new photos to accompany his work. We can’t wait.
A little bit about Chico:
After working as Budget Director for Burger King in Miami, he quit in 1974 to dedicate his time to the outdoors. He has have taught saltwater fly fishing schools for over 35 years.
Chico has been fishing since he was six years old and has actively fly fished for over 60 years. His journey began in Cuba in 1956, and to the best of our knowledge and research, he was the first Cuban fly fisherman. In the early 1960s, he helped make the first clear fly line – out of 200 pound mono and sandpaper.
His books, fly patterns and other memorabilia are in the permanent collection of the American Museum of Fly Fishing, Manchester, Vermont. He has fished in most of the lower 48 states, Alaska, Central America, South America, Cuba, Cayman Islands, Bahamas, Bermuda, Mexico, New Zealand, Canada, Spain & other locations.
Chico has also broken several world records. Most notably, the largest redfish taken with a fly rod, at 42 pounds 5 ounces, in 1980. (I.G.F.A. record on 12 pound test tippet) And he was the third person (1981) to land a white marlin on a fly rod.
His articles, over 700 and counting, have appeared on most mayor outdoor publication in U.S., Japan, Argentina, Spain and France. He has also written three books: The FisHair Saltwater Tying Guide, Fly Fishing for Bonefish and Fly Fishing for Redfish.
The movie, “Chico and the Kids” (teaching kids how to fly fish) won the Outdoor Writers’ Association of America’s Award in 1980. He has appeared on many TV fishing programs, and has produced five videos: two on fly casting, one fishing with kids, one on casting tackle and one on tying knots.
He has consulted for many national & international firms on fishing and fly fishing tackle, skiffs and canoe designs; and works directly with Hell’s Bay Boatworks. Chico is a Charter Member of the Board of Governors, Emeritus status and lifetime member of the International Federation of Fly Fishers and Director at Large of the Florida Council Board; Advisor to The Snook Foundation; editorial board of MidCurrent; founding member of Bonefish & Tarpon Trust [BTT] and life time member and representative of IGFA [International Game Fish Association] and also serves at the IGFA’s Rules Committee Advisory Panels. As mentioned i the opening line, he is a proud member IGFA Fishing Hall of Fame.
We are grateful to have such a powerhouse of fly fishing on our team.
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