The Chambliss family

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The small town (less than 2,000 people) of Wewahitchka, Florida is at the center of the finest honey produced anywhere. The Apalachicola River basin holds an abundant supply of white tupelo trees which grow up to 75 feet tall. Starting in April of each year, these trees bloom for a short time (2 months at the most). Prior to the bloom, beekeepers in the area prepare their “bee boxes” for the premium honey by cleansing the hives of all other honey to avoid a mixing with poorer grade honey. Tupelo honey from this area will never granulate and is favored by many for its very pleasant mild flavor.

John D. and Bea Chambliss live at the edge of a large river swamp that connects with the Dead Lakes. Huge white tupelo trees dominate the swamp, growing right next to their boat dock which is completely out of the water due to the prolonged drought.

John David Chambliss was born in Eustis, Florida on June 21, 1951. The son of John Roscoe Chambliss from Early, Georgia and Bertie Canada from Illinois, the family moved to Wewahitchka in 1960.

Beatrice “Bea” Strange was born in La Rochelle, France on December 28, 1957. Her mother, Yolande Farve from Congac, France married Tommy Strange from Wewahitchka. Yolande lives with her daughter and son-in-law.

John Chambliss has enjoyed 2 careers. He worked at the St. Joe Paper Company box plant for over 26 years, and then worked as a correctional officer at Gulf Coast Correctional Institute for almost 8 years. He retired in 2006.

A passionate fisherman, John began making flyrod lures in 1991. He also made larger lures, mostly for his own use. He bought 100 cork bodies and 100 hooks for his first batch. From this first attempt, John learned to buy cork bodies that were slotted and to use a #10 kink shanked hook. He used epoxy glue to attach the hook and hand painted each lure with a brush. The earliest lures had no red dots on the belly.

In 1992, on the advice of a local old timer, John began applying red dots to the bottom of his flyrod lures. Later that year, he made some without the red dots. Fishermen would bring them back to John to add the red dots.

The first year, John made 1,000 flyrod lures. He sold them primarily at the bait & tackle store Sign of the Shiner in Wewahitchka. His market now ranges from Enterprise, Alabama to Tampa, Florida. He sells about 12,000 flyrod lures a year.

In 2008, John began making his Bea-Bea Bugs out of the root of the white tupelo tree. He harvests the roots from fallen trees. “The bee boys would get mad at me if I cut down one of their trees”, he says with a smile. In order to do this, he had to invent and build some specialty tools. He has adapted old CD’s, a George Foreman grill rotisserie motor, and other items in creating his tupelo wood flyrod lure production system! John starts by cutting the tupelo wood into wafers about ½’ thick. He then uses a die he made to cut out the rough lure bodies.

John then uses a custom set up Dremel tool to shape the head. The lures are airbrushed using sign painters or polyurethane paint. The eyes are hand painted by John – round eyes looking forward.

Finally, each lure is hand tied using a variety of materials, including rooster hackles from Dominic chickens.

The flyrod lures are sold in a cellophane bag with tag. From 1991 – 1995, John used a rubber stamp to make each tag. In 1996, he began using pre-printed labels. He now uses a computer to print on 2”x2” labels which he cuts in half to make 2 labels.

When a flyrod lure does not meet John’s standards, he put an “OOP’S” label on them and gives them away.

John also makes salt water flyrod lures in 2 styles. One style has a round body made from maple craft beads and a #1 stainless steel hook. They have proven virtually indestructible – even on blue fish. The second style consists of a red hand tied body with sequins glued on the sides and a crystal flash tail.

John also makes larger lures for his own use. He gives some away to his friends. These lures are made from either tupelo or local juniper wood. He adds a red skirt to look like blood.

John has created another use for the white tupelo trees in his area. He and Bea plan to enjoy their retirement years with their family and friends in beautiful Wewahitchka!