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Last Cast for Dedicated Conservationist
Bonnie Beall
Hard-Fighting Everglades Advocate
also was Expert Fly Fisher
In the early days of fighting to stop
commercial overfishing in
the Everglades National Park, a key player was a young and energetic
gal in
the Florida Keys who earned the respect of fellow anglers and officials
on
all levels. Bonnie Beall (pronounced Bell) leaves a legacy of outstanding
service through the Everglades Protection Association, which was the
key
non-profit group that convinced government to eliminate commercial netting
from Everglades National Park close to a quarter-century ago.
After those long park battles, Bonnie
went on to help merge the
Everglades organization into the new Florida Conservation Association
(now
Coastal Conservation Association Florida) which joined Florida Sportsman
to
achieve the historic no-sale status for redfish in 1989. Bonnie also
was an
expert fly caster and instructor, though she was troubled by a lingering
illness. She died Sunday at age 53 while on a camping trip. Friends
said she
wanted her ashes to be spread on a bonefish flat in the Keys, and a
memorial
service is planned for sometime after January 1st.
Bonnie was an Islamorada resident for
27years before moving to
Jacksonville in 2002. When not fly fishing her home waters, she plied
her
fly fishing skills around the globe, from Alaska to the tropics. She
consistently won or placed high in flyfishing tournaments, and was an
expert
fly tyer and fly fishing instructor as well.
"I'll always remember Bonnie's
enthusiasm, humbleness,
dedication and talent, and her smile absolutely lit up a room"
said Florida
Sportsman Managing Editor Mike Conner. "When we enjoy the wonders
of the
Everglades backcountry and its outstanding regulations and fishing,
we
should tip our caps to Bonnie. She made a real difference."
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