Meeting Speakers

For 25 years the Brooks communities, including the BFC,  have enjoyed a cooperative relationship with the Conservancy of Southwest Florida (https://conservancy.org).  For 55 years they have been one of the region’s leading environmental organizations, with a mission to protect our area’s water, land, and wildlife. Their representatives have been frequent speakers at our meetings, and we have a record of annual contributions to the Conservancy.

We are pleased to welcome Tammy Ash, Senior Water Quality Advisor at the Conservancy. She will provide an update on their water quality score card for estuaries, including the Estero River and other estuaries affecting Estero Bay.

She will also cover the Conservancy’s partnership with Captains for Clean Water to publish a widely quoted economic study, which demonstrates the financial importance of water quality to our region’s economic prosperity. The study revealed that our beaches and fishing industry contribute millions of dollars annually to the area economy, underscoring the urgent need for ongoing conservation efforts.

The Conservancy, like many other SWFL environmental agencies, is facing funding and other hurdles in fulfilling its mission to protect our region’s long-term quality of life.  We will learn how we can help.

We are indeed fortunate to host Bob Beville, a director of Captains for Clean Water (“Captains”), a non-profit organization, dedicated to restoring and protecting our water resources.  In 2014, two charter fishing captains decided they’d “had enough” of Florida’s degrading water quality and decided to do something about it.  Since then, Captains has become widely recognized for their success in influencing the State legislature to act responsibly to improve our water quality. Dan Andrews, one of the captain founders has even been photographed at the microphone alongside Governor DeSantis.

Bob has been fishing in SWFL since the 1950s, learning to fish in the crystal-clear waters of Pine Island Sound.  His passion to improve and protect our waters ultimately led to his affiliation with Captains as a board member and frequent speaker.

Bob will update us on the “EAA Reservoir”  (Everglades Agricultural Area) which will reconnect Lake O to the Florida Bay.  Once operating, it will dramatically minimize the harmful discharges from the Caloosahatchee, one of the main causes of toxic blue-green algae and red tide in the Gulf.

Captain Chris Broome, born in Naples, has become a noted fishing charter captain specializing in the 10,000 Islands.  A dozen years ago, he got his captain’s license and opened Clean Sweep Charters (www.marcoislandcharterfishing.com).  Captain Chris is an avid tournament angler, a fan of catching snook, redfish and trout, and who enthusiastically shares his passion for fishing.

Some members expressed an interest in charter fishing outside the Naples to Pine Island stretch.   Captain Chris’s launch is just 75 minutes from Estero, offering us convenient access to the 10,000 Islands fishery.   He will provide tips for catching snook, redfish and trout in his native waters.

In January we are blessed to have two excellent speakers, both returning from previous appearances.

Estero’s Village Manager, Steve Sarkozy, will update us on commercial building developments within Estero.  He’ll highlight those of greatest interest to Brooks residents, including the huge Woodfield Development on 41 and Coconut, the planned Sports Park on Williams Rd and the River Park on Corkscrew, as well as the massive effort to convert aging septic systems to the public sewer.  He’s also expected to touch on the recently completed Estero traffic study.    

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Debbie Hanson, our most frequent speaker, returns in her new role as the Community Outreach Director for the southern Florida locations of Freedom Waters Foundation (www. freedomwatersfoundation.org). This year they celebrate 20 years of providing boating and fishing experiences for children and adults with life threatening illnesses and disabilities, at-risk youth and veterans.  With a limited staff but over 600 volunteers, last year they provided over 5000 on the water experiences.

Captain Greg Stamper, one of our two recommended Estero Bay charter fishing guides, will share his knowledge about picking the best days to go fishing, and the impact of tides, winds and water temperature on fishing in SWFL.  He’ll explain why fish are caught in a spot one day,  and why they may not be there on your next trip.

For more information on Captain Stamper, see: https://snookstampcharters.com/

Brooks of Bonita Springs CDDs

Our speaker will be BFC’s founding member and long-time  BFC President Joe Bartoletti.  Joe is Chair of CDD II Board of Supervisors. The Brooks has two CDDs  which are responsible for providing emergency stormwater management, water quality management, the removal of invasive cane toads from our lakes, and Three Oaks Parkway and Coconut Roads landscape, walkway, and roadway lighting system.  He is uniquely qualified to describe the Brooks water flows and how the CDDs maintain water quality to provide a healthy habitat for fish and wildlife.

Todd Dutro returns as our speaker for a second time. He owns Master Bait and Tackle, https://masterbaitandtackle.com/, a long-time full-service bait and tackle shop helping locals and snowbirds catch more fish with their world class live bait and world famous humorous shirts.

Todd spent 10 years as a management consultant for private equity firms traveling the Midwest before he decided to pursue his passion for fishing. In August, 2020 he purchased MBT on Bonita Beach Rd.  A year later Ian flooded MBT which decimated his shirt inventory and “released” his live bait.

In the morning Todd greets his loyal customers to provide their bait and supplies, and swap fishing experiences.  At our meeting Todd will talk tips and techniques for catching snook from the beach!

Chuck Avery is the Board President of the Calusa Waterkeeper, calusawaterkeeper.org, a not for profit organization dedicated to the protection of the Caloosahatchee River, Estero Bay, near shore waters of Lee County, and their watersheds.

Chuck is a resident of Pelican Landing where he chairs the Pelican Landing Ecology Club and participates in the Lee County Pond Watch program. He also collects water samples monthly from the Estero River, Imperial River, and Spring Creek as part of the Calusa Waterkeeper testing program for fecal indicator bacteria.

Chuck will present information on the Eco Club’s focus on excess nutrients in the ponds that flow into Spring Creek and ultimately into the Estero Bay. The Club is striving to make a positive impact on the state of the Bay through reducing nutrients, adding vertical oyster gardens, and participating in seagrass protection programs.

Captain Tony Fontana, our long-time recommended Naples back-bay guide will be describing current fishing conditions in Rookery Bay, with particular emphasis on pompano and sheepshead.

For more information on Captain Fontana, please visit: https://www.naplessaltwaterfishing.com/

Our club’s friend and always popular speaker, Captain Debbie Hanson, returns to provide an update on the impact of recent hurricanes on our local waters and fishing conditions.   Also, she will provide tips and tricks for fishing the Brooks and Common’s Club’s ponds.  She’ll also discuss Largemouth fishing opportunities in the Everglades. 

Debbie, an Estero resident, is a popular freshwater spin and fly fishing guide specializing in largemouth bass and peacock bass. She’s authored many articles, covering both freshwater and saltwater fishing techniques, that have appeared in Florida Game & Fish Magazine, Salt Water Sportsman Magazine, BoatUS Magazine, USA Today Hunt & Fish, and Gulfshore Life Magazine. Last February, she was the subject of the cover story of Estero Life Magazine and was formerly the host of Reel Talk Radio on ESPN SWFL. She is also a weekly contract blogger for TakeMeFishing.org.

Her passion for fishing has led her to appearances on nationally televised shows such as Lunkerville, George Poveromo’s World of Saltwater Fishing, and A Fishing Story with Ronnie Green.

For more information on Captain Hanson, see https://www.shefishes2.com.

Joseph Bonasia is the Operations and Communications Director for www.floridarighttocleanwater.org, whose mission is to amend the Florida constitution with a fundamental right to clean and healthy waters for all Floridians.  A resident of Cape Coral since 2016, he is an active member of Protect Our Wetlands in Cape Coral. He writes about clean water, climate change, and other environmental issues.  Joe will present information about the proposed amendment, provide examples of its application in SWFL, and discuss what it will take to qualify the amendment for inclusion on the 2026 ballot.

Chuck Avery is the Board President of the Calusa Waterkeeper, calusawaterkeeper.org, a not for profit organization dedicated to the protection of the Caloosahatchee River, Estero Bay, near shore waters of Lee County, and their watersheds.

Chuck is a resident of Pelican Landing where he chairs the Pelican Landing Ecology Club and participates in the Lee County Pond Watch program. He also collects water samples monthly from the Estero River, Imperial River, and Spring Creek as part of the Calusa Waterkeeper testing program for fecal indicator bacteria.

Chuck will present information on the Eco Club's focus on excess nutrients in the ponds that flow into Spring Creek and ultimately into the Estero Bay. The Club is striving to make a positive impact on the state of the Bay through reducing nutrients, adding vertical oyster gardens, and participating in seagrass protection programs.

Captain Tony Fontana, our long-time recommended Naples back-bay guide will be describing current fishing conditions in Rookery Bay, with particular emphasis on pompano and sheepshead.

For more information on Captain Fontana, please visit: https://www.naplessaltwaterfishing.com/

Our club’s friend and always popular speaker, Captain Debbie Hanson, returns to provide an update on the impact of recent hurricanes on our local waters and fishing conditions.   Also, she will provide tips and tricks for fishing the Brooks and Common’s Club’s ponds.  She’ll also discuss Largemouth fishing opportunities in the Everglades. 

Debbie, an Estero resident, is a popular freshwater spin and fly fishing guide specializing in largemouth bass and peacock bass. She’s authored many articles, covering both freshwater and saltwater fishing techniques, that have appeared in Florida Game & Fish Magazine, Salt Water Sportsman Magazine, BoatUS Magazine, USA Today Hunt & Fish, and Gulfshore Life Magazine. Last February, she was the subject of the cover story of Estero Life Magazine and was formerly the host of Reel Talk Radio on ESPN SWFL. She is also a weekly contract blogger for TakeMeFishing.org.

Her passion for fishing has led her to appearances on nationally televised shows such as Lunkerville, George Poveromo’s World of Saltwater Fishing, and A Fishing Story with Ronnie Green.

For more information on Captain Hanson, see https://www.shefishes2.com.

Joseph Bonasia is the Operations and Communications Director for www.floridarighttocleanwater.org, whose mission is to amend the Florida constitution with a fundamental right to clean and healthy waters for all Floridians.  A resident of Cape Coral since 2016, he is an active member of Protect Our Wetlands in Cape Coral. He writes about clean water, climate change, and other environmental issues.  Joe will present information about the proposed amendment, provide examples of its application in SWFL, and discuss what it will take to qualify the amendment for inclusion on the 2026 ballot.