Fisherman's memoirs chronicle a fascinating life

MIAMI — Last Mother's Day, the Islamorada fisherman who once ran a skiff called Mom's Worry turned 79.

But Stu Apte — professional angler, tackle designer, guide to the stars, former fighter pilot, cancer survivor and author — hasn't slowed a bit. He still loves to search the flats for his favorite fish — the mighty tarpon. And he's constantly busy promoting products at fishing expos and appearing on television shows, such as ESPN Outdoors Saltwater Series and FoxSports' Southwest Florida Outdoors.

Most recently, Apte published his autobiography, "Of Wind and Tides," a fascinating memoir that chronicles a life plying the fish-rich waters of South Florida and the world. But more than fishing, Apte gives readers a taste of what it is like to fly a combat mission aboard a Navy jet and provides some rare and intimate insights into angling and sports celebrities, such as late baseball great Ted Williams and outdoors television pioneer Curt Gowdy.

Apte doesn't shy from the intimate details of his personal life, such as a recent bout with cancer; his painful divorce from his wife of 33 years that nearly caused him to take his own life; and his joy at finding new love in his late 60s.

His life struggles will resound with most readers, and fishing enthusiasts will be keenly interested in the "tarpon talk" that provides the backdrop for virtually the entire memoir.

As a youngster growing up in Miami; then as a U.S. Navy pilot at home on leave; then as a captain for now-defunct Pan Am Airlines living in the lower Florida Keys; and as a successful flats fishing guide, Apte's life goal was to catch big fish and guide others to share that experience.

Since the 1950s, Apte has left his mark on everything from tackle to tactics, offshore to inshore, spin to fly fishing. He still serves as consultant and designer for manufacturers of fishing boats and fly rods and reels. His tarpon fly once graced a U.S. postage stamp. He is credited with discovering the Keys' mysterious palolo worm hatch, which drives typically squirrelly tarpon into a frenzy of idiotic carelessness, and which he explains in detail in the book. He showed anglers how to defeat large "silver kings" quickly on fly rod and light spinning gear in videos using the "down-and-dirty" technique of pulling the fish in the opposite direction of where it wants to go.

Along the way, Apte fished with celebrities such as Gulf War hero Gen. Norman Schwarzkopf; Chicago Bears great Dick Butkus; and the Boston Celtics' John Havlicek. He explored virgin fishing waters around the world, such as Panama, Guyana and the Arctic — long before they became fashionable fishing destinations.

Fishing the flats of the lower Keys several weeks ago, Apte showed he can still cast a 12-weight fly rod with accuracy and make a tight loop. Reading his book might help his readers do the same.