The Sanibel FlyFishers Club mourns the loss of our founding member, Norm Ziegler, who died on April 13, 2024 after a long illness.
Norm is an iconic figure in the world of fly fishing and it is not hyperbole to say that his name is synonymous with fly fishing for snook on Sanibel and SW Florida. Having spent years traveling the globe as a journalist and trout fisherman, Norm and his family landed in Sanibel in 1994 moving to a warmer clime for health reasons. At first despairing the lack of trout streams, Norm figured out the bounty of fly-fishing opportunities that Sanibel had to offer. As he recounts in his classic book “Snook on a Fly”, “I spent so much time wondering whether I would ever again wade a trout stream that I could not see the wonders of a whole new fly fishing world that awaited my discovery.” But discover it he did, embarking on a love affair with snook and the rest is Sanibel history.
In 1995, Norm designed a fly to catch snook on the beach and “Norm’s Crystal Schminnow” (looks a bit like a shrimp and a bit like a minnow) was born. This fly is legendary in fly fishing circles, now having caught over 70 different species of fish. In 2009, he opened Nom’s Fly, Bait and Tackle Shop on Periwinkle Way, which quickly became “the” place to stop if you contemplated fly fishing SW Florida. A visitor to the shop might find Norm behind the register, sitting on a well-worn couch with some buddies, talking and tying up Schminnows for sale. After moving to Sanibel as a neophyte fly fisherman, I recall using any excuse possible to drive by Norm’s so I could soak in some of his wisdom and the special ambience of the place.
Walking into Norm’s shop you were greeted by a man with a hint of New England about him (he grew up on Cape Cod), a sophisticated, well-read world traveler who could handle a pithy conversation on most any subject, a favorite being politics. You also met a man who freely shared his knowledge (not necessarily a characteristic of many fisherman), garnered from deep personal experience, which was often a bit at odds with the common wisdom. It was an education on many fronts!
Our Club, Sanibel FlyFishers, was established by Norm and a few friends in 2002 and at its outset was that same little group sitting around the couch in
his shop. It has grown organically over the past twenty years and now has over 150 members from SW Florida and beyond. We meet fall to spring to enjoy each other’s company, share our knowledge with everyone, and fish.
Norm’s intellect and love of the environment led him to understand early on, the threats to our waters and the inextricable link between healthy water and an abundant fishery. Our Club has followed Norm’s lead to make conservation part of our mission. We advocate, educate, and make grants to local conservation group–all part of his legacy.
To know Norm was to know a man of great character, intellect, and passion. He has left a legacy that we trust will carry on for generations. Rest in peace our friend.
Jeff Grossman
President, Sanibel FlyFishers
Wishing I had known Norm. He sounds like a wonderful man. My condolences go out to his family, friends and associates.