Plenty of letters, comments and article submissions come across my desk on a daily basis. This one gave me a good chuckle, however, so I figured I'd share with you.

In a letter with no phone number or email address, a gent from California named Gaston Chan sent a pair of rather interesting shrimp patterns (yes, as you can see in these pics I snapped, they're tied from a drinking straw). The witty Gaston writes:

Recently returned from the Flyfishing Retailer Expo in Denver, Colorado. Exhibitor space may have been down about 25 percent from last year's show, but there is no question that some serious business was being conducted in the halls of the Denver Convention Center.

Matter of fact, I think it's safe to say that virtually everyone in attendance was rather shocked at the volume of orders being taken. I'm not sure anyone has a clear vision of what lies ahead in 2010, but hopefully, some of the robust commerce on display in Denver will bode well for the coming year.

Just returned from a three-day trip to Flamingo with none other than Flip Pallot. What a wonderful time. Met up with Flip here in central Florida and we drove south to Florida City the "back way" - down through the heart of the state.

Returned to the States recently from Belize. Toured the coastal area from north to south. An awfully pretty country, but the wind was quite fierce for May. The last two days of the weeklong adventure were almost unfishable, as it howled a consistent 25 mph and gusted to 35.

Made the trip down to IGFA headquarters in Fort Lauderdale last week for the final public-comment meeting related to the new general management plan (GMP) for Everglades National Park.

As expected, a wide range of opinions were spouted on which direction the park should take. Some argued for no change (Alternative 1) to current park policies and direction. A couple environmentalists, meanwhile, argued in favor of Alternative 4, which would close off huge areas of Florida Bay to boaters.

In the ongoing development of a new general management plan (GMP) for Everglades National Park, administrators have opened up another public-comment period encompassing the park's revised management alternatives through May 15. A host of public meetings also have been scheduled for later this month and into April.

This marks anglers' last chance to make their voices known, as a "preferred alternative" will be selected this fall, pending the outcome of these meetings and comments. So comment - and attend!

It's official. The country of Belize has formally designated its stocks of tarpon, bonefish and permit under a strict "catch-and-release-only" status. Now the question begs: Could Florida be next?

It's no secret to Florida fly-fishers that some of the best saltwater action to be had in winter happens far from the actual brine. Instead, it occurs in the bass-laden sweet waters of the famed St. John's River, where American shad make their annual pilgrimage.

Just came from the second annual Fly Fishing and Rod Building Fair this past weekend at Renzetti's in Titusville, Florida. What a great event!

Lily and Andy Renzetti have managed to put together a wonderful little outing for Florida fly fishers, replete with some of the biggest names in the sport. Who was there? Among others, Lefty Kreh, Bob Popovics, Flip Pallot, Bob Clouser, Chico Fernandez, Jay Murakoshi, Ken Hanley and Jon Cave!

The boating and fishing industry in Florida scored a big win in the Nov. 4 elections.

By a margin of 70.5 percent, Floridians voted in favor of Amendment 6, effectively putting into motion action that could lower taxation rates on waterfront entities such as marinas, boatyards, public boat ramps and boat dealerships.