John grew up in a fishing family on Narraganset Bay, spending his summers on Prudence Island, an idyllic time of fishing and fishing and more fishing. While Attleboro became his home as a young adult, he found himself on Cape Cod most of the time, fishing, so in 1979 he moved to Bourne and worked for the US Postal Service for many years. After beginning saltwater fly fishing in the early nineties, he became known as the "fly fishing mailman of Buzzards Bay." A few years later he included Martha's Vineyard in his fishing spots, later moving to the Vineyard, continuing to fish Cape Cod and MV. John has fished in the Bahamas, Florida Keys, Montana, North Carolina and Texas. He has met with many species of fish, including tarpon, bonefish, redfish, snook, but striped bass remain his true fly fishing passion.

During the off season, you can find John at the TFO booth at the northeast fly fishing shows. He is an active member of the Martha's Vineyard Rod & Gun Club Monday night fly tying, volunteers at the Island middle schools, along with Cooper Gilkes, III and Bob Yapp, teaching fly tying to enthusiastic youngsters. This year the school fly tying sessions has extended to casting instruction for the 7th and 8th graders. John also has given casting clinics at shops around the northeast and in Montana.

Sandra Demel , Captain USCG License # 1149178

Fly Fishing Instructor and Guide

(508) 693-6338

"Martha's Vineyard became my home in the eighties and I have been fishing here for the last twenty years. Fly fishing became my passion in 1992 and all my spinning gear is gathering dust. It rests on their racks, waiting for an occasional interested visitor to use. I have been hooked on fly fishing the saltwater shores of the Vineyard with occasional forays to Cape Cod fishing sites."

North Shore Beauty!

sandra@buzzardsbayflyfishing.com

In 1998, Sandra decided to help others, especially women, experience the joy she has found fly fishing the salt. She, along with John, held their first fly fishing clinic; this one exclusively for women. The response was so positive and the clinic so successful that the two decided to partner and have continued to teach both small groups and individuals. The fly fishing school now includes men and an occasional youngster, but teaching women and getting them out on the water using a fly rod is still a high priority. At least one student left that first class, got herself outfitted with fly gear and caught her first fish on a fly rod the next day. She has been loving it ever since and is a great example of the joy of saltwater fly fishing.

In 2006, Sandra became licensed a a USCG Master Captain, through Massachusetts Maritime Academy and expanded the guide service of Buzzards Bay Fly Fishing to include boat charters.

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