Personality Profile

DON AVONDOLIO

By Frank Abbate

This month we feature Don Avondolio, whose efforts on behalf of the club warranted the nomination to the Hall of Fame. Many of the current membership are the beneficiaries of the public relation activities and teaching sessions directed by Don throughout the last two decades.

1) Don Avondolios name is synonymous with saltwater flyfishing on Long Island, my question to you is the obvious one, when did first get started in saltwater flyfishing?

1968 was my start, prior to that I was flyfishing in Fresh water for trout. I actually started my fresh and saltwater fishing at age 12.

(2) What was the saltwater flyfishing scene like on Long Island in the early days?

Mostly blues and weaks were objectives, bass were not as common. Flyfishing was not even mentioned.

(3) Did you ever think that this sport would ever get as popular as it has in the past ten years? What do you see as the factors that helped fuel this popularity?

I could see the interest expanding as more and more innovations in tackle, plus articles, TV Coverage, books, and more tying materials became part of the fishing scene. The new materials added to the creative aspects of fly fishing in salt water.

(5) Where do you see this sport, in relationship to other forms of sport fishing, in say, another ten years?

I see it continuing with more and more technical advancements. If fish species are readily available due to intelligent conservation measures, this will fuel the interest.

(6) Of all the places you have fished on Long Island, which are your favorite spots, or more specifically, those areas that gave you the most personal enjoyment.

Crab Meadow and Sunken Meadow beach are my favorite LI spots. Robert Moses and Jones beach, plus Shelter Island come in a close second.

(7) You used to teach a class on flyfishing at Kings Park, I believe, for

many years. How did that come about?

I taught Saltwater fishing, and a Fly Casting course (Adult Ed) at Northport HS from 1980 on, continuing to an instructional course of my own on Saltwater Flyfishing ending in 1998 when I moved to Delaware. I found the teaching very interesting and really enjoyed the students' reactions to their success.

(8) You recently moved to Delaware. What's the prognosis for saltwater flyfishing there?

Delaware saltwater fishing is quite good. I am still green but learning the areas. Flyfishing has only interested a handful of natives, but seems to be increasing with time and education.

(9) You were with and still are a member of the "Saltys," and one of the first inductees along with Lou Rossi, to the "Salty's" Hall of Fame. What do you see as the role of clubs such as ours in the grand scheme of things, concerning our sport?

Education and promotion of a great challenging activity coupled with efforts to conserve our fishery.

(10) If you had a single bit of advice to give to a novice, just getting started, what would that be?

Practice patience and try to pick the brains of knowledgeable pros. My club mentors were Lou Rossi, Joe Falke, the late Hammond Fox, and Dom DeSalvo all early officers and active members of the club who shared their experiences.