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The Equinox Report

March 22, 2025 by · Leave a Comment

The Equinox Report

Thank you for reading this Equinox Report. I only got to fish Wednesday- not even on the equinox! As windy as it’s been all week, I was lucky to fish at all. All the photos this week are file photos. I didn’t take the camera out all week.

And now the length of daylight exceeds the length of darkness, at least until September…

Subscribers without photos- go to https://www.spottedtail.com/blog/, please.

Monday I got to take a lung function test. These are not a favorite, and it is my sincere wish that none of my readers ever have to take one.

Tuesday required a follow-up visit to the pulmonologist to discuss the function test. It was hardly different than the previous one, which is good. The visit completely tied up my day, but both Monday and Tuesday were windy anyway.

Wednesday I met Mike Conneen and River at the Mosquito Lagoon for some kayak fishing. While I was driving there the car thermometer registered 37 degrees! But there wasn’t much wind, and there were no clouds, and the sun was warm even if the air wasn’t.

Mike, River, and a redfish.

Fishing was slow all morning, and Mike and I split up. After eating lunch I was paddling and looking, and nearly ran over what had to be the stupidest redfish in the lagoon. After passing it, I turned around to look for it, a ploy that almost never works. But this time, the fish was still there, tilted down, apparently looking at or for something on the bottom. I cast and the fish took the fly. But I missed it. As I pulled the fly for another cast, the fish chased it almost to my bright yellow boat.

That certainly should have been the end, but the fish turned around and casually started swimming away. Leader butt in the rod, I just flopped the fly out there again and the fish nailed it, and this time it stuck. It wasn’t a big fish by any means, 22 inches or so, between two and three years old. I kissed it, unhooked it, and released it, amazed I had gotten it. Dumb, dumb fish.

Tammy, the inimitable.

The next fish was a couple hours later, also a redfish, but a larger one. Again, the leader butt was in the rod, and I watched the eat move (couldn’t see the fly). When I got the fish to the boat, instead of using the dehooker, I used a pair of forceps. Just as I was about to grab the fly, the fish shook. The leader got caught in the scissors part of the forceps which cleanly cut the tippet, and the fish made off with a new piece of jewelry, that it probably didn’t want and which I certainly didn’t intend to give.

Laurel, on a charter a long time ago.

The last fish of the day was tailing when I saw it. Then it started swimming on a course parallel to mine. Again, it was close and the leader butt was in the rod. I flopped the fly out there. Never felt the take. I saw the leader moving sideways and set. Fought the fish to the boat and it shook the hook, so no forceps accident there, good thing. Then I went back to the boat ramp.

Ken the Professional Fish Model.

I hadn’t gotten a fish with the leader in the rod in quite a while, and then got three that way in one day. Kind of amazing, and certainly great luck was involved.

Thursday and Friday were both real breezy again. The A/C in the van went out, so that gave me something to research. Hope it doesn’t cost thousands to fix!

That’s my Equinox Report. As always, thanks for reading!

Every day is a blessing. Don’t waste it- Go fishing! Go paddling! Go bicycling! Stay active!

John Kumiski
www.johnkumiski.com
www.spottedtail.com
www.spottedtail.com/blog

All content in this blog, including writing and photos, © John Kumiski 2025. All rights are reserved.

Filed Under: Fishing Reports, Mosquito Lagoon Fishing Report · Tagged: , ,

The Digital Nomad’s Secret to Free Rent and Better Travel

March 18, 2025 by · Leave a Comment

Image by Freepik

The Digital Nomad’s Secret to Free Rent and Better Travel

A Guest Blog by Julia Mitchell

For digital nomads, life on the road isn’t just about adventure—it’s also about logistics. Finding a place to live that doesn’t drain your budget, disrupt your workflow, or feel like a sterile hotel room can be a constant challenge. That’s where home swapping comes in. Instead of endlessly scrolling through overpriced Airbnbs or signing up for unpredictable short-term leases, more nomads are trading homes with like-minded travelers. It’s a cost-effective, sustainable, and surprisingly personal way to see the world while keeping a sense of home—no matter where you are.

Ditch the Rent, Keep the Comfort

The biggest expense for most digital nomads isn’t flights, food, or even coworking spaces—it’s housing. Paying rent in a new country every few months can add up fast, making long-term travel feel financially unsustainable. Home swapping flips the script. By exchanging homes with someone else, you eliminate rental costs entirely while still getting a fully furnished, lived-in space. That means a real kitchen, a comfy bed, and (if you plan it right) a strong Wi-Fi connection—all without dropping thousands of dollars every month.

No More Airbnb Roulette

If you’ve ever booked an Airbnb that looked perfect in photos but turned out to be a noisy shoebox with spotty internet, you know the struggle. Home swaps offer more reliability. Since you’re exchanging homes with another traveler, there’s a built-in level of trust and transparency. People tend to be honest about their spaces because they expect the same in return. Plus, you get to live in a real home, not a generic short-term rental designed for tourists. That means no surprise cleaning fees, no rushed checkouts, and no hosts popping by unannounced.

A Built-In Local Experience

One of the downsides of the digital nomad lifestyle is that it’s easy to get stuck in a tourist bubble. If you’re always staying in hotels or short-term rentals, you’re often surrounded by other travelers, not locals. Home swapping drops you into a real neighborhood. You’ll be shopping at local markets, grabbing coffee at the corner café, and maybe even getting to know the neighbors. It’s an entirely different way to experience a new place—one that feels less like passing through and more like actually living there.

Workspaces That Actually Work

Ask any digital nomad what they need most in a home, and they’ll probably say: “Good Wi-Fi and a decent desk.” Unfortunately, a lot of vacation rentals aren’t set up for remote work. Tiny café tables, bad lighting, and unreliable internet can turn a dream destination into a productivity nightmare. Home swaps are different because many of them happen between remote workers. That means you’re more likely to find a setup that’s already designed for work—think ergonomic chairs, second monitors, and fiber-optic internet.

Peace of Mind While You Travel

Leaving your home for weeks or months at a time can be stressful, especially when it comes to unexpected repairs. The last thing you want is to return from a trip only to find a broken water heater or a failing electrical system waiting for you. That’s where a home warranty steps in—it’s an annual renewable contract that can cover breakdowns in your heating, cooling, electrical, and plumbing systems, as well as major appliance repairs. When you understand what a home warranty is, you realize it’s not just a backup plan; it’s a way to ensure that while you’re out exploring the world, your home is still taken care of.

A Global Network of Like-Minded Travelers

At first, home swapping might seem risky. After all, you’re letting someone you’ve never met stay in your home. But the reality is, home swapping platforms are built on trust. Websites such as People Like Us have verification systems, reviews, and even optional insurance coverage. Once you complete a few swaps, you start to build a network of people you trust—fellow digital nomads, remote workers, and slow travelers who get the lifestyle. Over time, it can feel less like swapping homes with strangers and more like trading places with friends.

How to Get Started with Home Swapping

If you’re curious about home swapping, the best way to start is by listing your own place. Whether you own a home, rent an apartment, or even have a long-term stay somewhere, you can often find someone willing to swap. Be honest in your listing—highlight the perks, but don’t hide the quirks. A solid description and good communication with potential swap partners go a long way. Some platforms operate on a direct swap model (you trade homes at the same time), while others use a points-based system, allowing for more flexibility. Either way, the key is finding someone whose lifestyle and needs align with yours.

For digital nomads, home swapping isn’t just a way to save money—it’s a way to make travel feel more like home. It removes the stress of constantly finding new places to live, cuts down on expenses, and offers a more authentic experience in every destination. Whether you’re a seasoned remote worker or just starting your nomadic journey, home swapping could be the missing piece that makes your travels easier, cheaper, and a whole lot more rewarding.

 

Julia Mitchell, incredibly passionate about the activities that fill her days, wants to share her adoration for her favorite lifestyle topics with the world and encourage others to turn their INspiration into OUTspiration.

Filed Under: Guest Blogs · Tagged: , , ,

Oklawaha River Report

March 15, 2025 by · Leave a Comment

Oklawaha River Report

Thank you for reading this Oklawaha River Report. I wanted to leave Wednesday. Circumstances prevented that. So this report covers only Thursday and Friday.

Subscribers without photos- go to https://www.spottedtail.com/blog/, please.

Paul McInnis met me at the Eureka East ramp Thursday morning. I was talking to a local who suggested we leave our vehicle at the Eureka West ramp instead. We took his advice. From there we loaded almost all of our gear into Paul’s pickup, and drove to Ray Wayside Park. There I discovered I’d left my tent in the van. I had to go back and get it, setting us back an hour. Arrrggghhh.

After loading gear into the kayaks, a short canal put us into the Silver River. I wanted to see otters, got cormorants instead. Once we reached the Oklawaha, we had the river to ourselves, with the brief exception of some canoe racers who came tearing by. The weather was exceptionally nice.

The water was fairly clear. The river flows through bottomland woods- lots of beautiful cypress trees, red maples, ash trees, willows, sabal palms, and other plants I didn’t know. Poison ivy likes it there, a lot! It was all along the banks.

The current was surprisingly swift for a Florida river, and it was much deeper than I expected. The combination of current and depth, combined with plentiful downed trees, made it difficult to fish. If you tried to fish deep, you hung up. If you fished shallow, there weren’t a lot of bites.

spotted sunfish, a.k.a. stumpknocker

Using a tiny jig, Paul did well on the sunfish. My first fish was a bass, on a Culprit worm (red shad), that was all of 10 inches. It was quickly followed by a warmouth. Quite a while later, I got what turned out to be the best fish of the trip, a bass of 2-3 pounds, on the same worm.

After switching to a small fly rod, the bites started coming much more frequently. Of course, the fish were much smaller, too- redbellies, stumpknockers, and bluegills. The fly that produced the best was a black wooly bugger. Of course I lost it to a root. That’s OK, I’ll make more.

redbreast sunfish, a.k.a redbelly

We spent the night at Gores Landing, a small and mercifully quiet campground. The loudest thing there were the birds. Owls hooted all night, limpkins screamed, and at dawn the chorus of songbirds was a wild symphony of bird calls. All especially cool!

bluegill

Day two was largely a repeat of the first, except there were fewer fish. The water was browner, too. By about 1030 we’d stopped fishing and were just paddling, or peddling, in Paul’s case.

We were at Eureka West about 1430, at which point we loaded up, made the shuttle, and went our separate ways homeward.

In all it was a very pleasant if not particularly fish-filled trip.

That’s my Oklawaha River Report. As always, thanks for reading!

Every day is a blessing. Don’t waste it- Go fishing! Go paddling! Go bicycling! Stay active!

John Kumiski
www.johnkumiski.com
www.spottedtail.com
www.spottedtail.com/blog

All content in this blog, including writing and photos, © John Kumiski 2025. All rights are reserved.

Filed Under: central florida destinations, Fishing Reports, Paddle Fishing Florida · Tagged: , , ,

Beware the Ides of March Report

March 7, 2025 by · Leave a Comment

Beware the Ides of March Report

Thank you for reading this Beware the Ides of March Report. Fished two days, took pictures part of another one.

Subscribers without photos- go to https://www.spottedtail.com/blog/, please.

Monday found me launching the kayak at the Snow Hill Road Econlockhatchee launch. I floated downstream casting a mouse gurgler fly and hooked two bass before the bridge was out of sight. Then, I couldn’t buy another bite. The switch to the spin rod was eventually made.

A black shad Culprit worm was the bait of choice for a long while. It got bit sporadically, by junior-league-sized bass. The best one was the first one I got, on the fly, and he was only 13 or 14 inches.

The river looked strangely quiet. There were no alligators (!). There were very few fish in the water that I could see. In five hours I saw a single, small catfish and a single Plecostamus, and one small school of mullet. Not a single bass did these eyeballs spot.

What there was, was a lot of chainsaw-cut branches. Some over-zealous individual(s) cut away lots of blowdowns to make the river accessible to motor vessels. To my way of thinking, more traffic = fewer fish. Or perhaps it was that day, or me. Either way, I don’t think I’ll be visiting that stretch again any time soon.

Purple gallinule

 

soft-shell turtle

 

Yellow-rumped Warbler

 

common moorhen

 

humans with cameras

 

pileated woodpecker

 

great egret

 

american alligator

Tuesday, 20-knot winds. Visited the Wetlands Park for about an hour, and learned birds don’t much like the wind, either. I still shot close to 300 frames, with my old, three-frame-per-second camera (The expensive new ones can do thirty.). The Park is going off, bird-wise, though. Lots of nesting birds, sandhill crane colts, etc. Good time to visit now.

Wednesday, had a meeting. Tied up a windy rainy day, so no problem there.

Thursday, 20-knot winds. Tied some flies.

Friday, an incredibly nice day, found me in the kayak, wearing waders on Mosquito Lagoon. I paddled quite a distance before getting a bite from anything other than a puffer. That last spot gave up a dozen trout and five or so reds, all fairly modest in size, all on the plastic shad. One or two trout may have exceeded 20 inches.

News Flash! People are boneheads! While I was standing there, a school of redfish swam almost right into me. As this was happening, four goobers in a big jonboat pulled up about 50 feet away, blowing all the fish out. They never knew. One guy put down the trolling motor and another said, “Don’t get too close to that guy [meaning me].” Too late, but thanks!

On the way back to the put-in I waded a sandy spot with the fly rod and one of the flies I’d tied the previous day. A redfish (maybe two?) swam by. I put the fly on him, he didn’t bite it. There must have been two, though, because the line came tight and minutes later I was releasing a red that was four or five pounds, best fish of the day. Never took the camera out.

Ten minutes later the boat was atop the van, and I was outta there!

That’s my Beware the Ides of March Report. As always, thanks for reading!

Every day is a blessing. Don’t waste it- Go fishing! Go paddling! Go bicycling! Stay active!

John Kumiski
www.johnkumiski.com
www.spottedtail.com
www.spottedtail.com/blog

All content in this blog, including writing and photos, © John Kumiski 2025. All rights are reserved.

Filed Under: Fishing Reports, Mosquito Lagoon Fishing Report, Paddle Fishing Florida · Tagged: , , ,

Your Step-by-Step Plan for Remote Work Freedom

March 4, 2025 by · Leave a Comment

Your Step-by-Step Plan for Remote Work Freedom

A Guest Blog by Julia Mitchell

The idea of working from anywhere in the world sounds like a dream, right? No more cubicles, no more long commutes—just you, your laptop, and the freedom to explore new places while still making a living. The digital nomad lifestyle isn’t just about switching locations; it’s about rethinking how work fits into your life. Thanks to technology, remote work is more accessible than ever, and people are realizing they don’t have to be tied to a single spot to build a career. Whether you’re drawn to buzzing city streets or quiet beach towns, your next workspace could be anywhere with a decent Wi-Fi signal.

Find a Backpack That Won’t Drive You Crazy

When you’re constantly on the move, a good backpack is your best friend. You’ll want something lightweight but sturdy, with padded straps so your shoulders don’t hate you. A separate laptop compartment is a must, and water-resistant material will save you from panic attacks when you get caught in the rain. A bad backpack can make travel way more exhausting than it needs to be, so do yourself a favor and get one that actually supports your lifestyle (and your back).

Get Ready for Remote Work with an IT Degree

If you want a career that actually lets you work from anywhere, tech is one of the best fields to be in. Getting an online degree in IT, cybersecurity, or software development can open doors to remote jobs that pay well and offer flexibility. The best part? You can work on your information technology degree while keeping your current job, so there’s no need to put your life on hold. A solid IT background not only makes you a strong candidate for remote gigs but also gives you skills that will always be in demand. If you’re serious about making this lifestyle work long-term, investing in your education can be a game-changer.

Don’t Let a Dead Battery Ruin Your Workday

Nothing kills productivity faster than a dead laptop and no way to charge it. If you’re hopping between countries, a universal travel adapter is essential. Get one that works with multiple plug types and has USB ports so you can charge multiple devices at once. If you use power-hungry gear like cameras or external monitors, make sure your adapter can handle the load. A little planning goes a long way—there’s nothing worse than realizing your adapter doesn’t work right when you need it most.

Use Remote Job Platforms to Land Work That Fits Your Lifestyle

Finding the right remote job can take time, but specialized job boards make it way easier. Sites like We Work Remotely, FlexJobs, and Upwork are full of opportunities that let you work from anywhere. Setting up alerts for jobs in your field can help you apply before everyone else does. Whether you’re freelancing, consulting, or looking for a full-time remote job, these platforms can connect you with companies that actually support the digital nomad lifestyle.

Pick a City That Works for You

Not all destinations are great for remote work. Some have amazing internet and thriving nomad communities, while others are more of a headache than they’re worth. If you’re just starting out, cities like Bangkok, Lisbon, and Medellín are popular for a reason—they have fast Wi-Fi, affordable living costs, and plenty of coworking spaces. Some places even offer special visas to attract remote workers. Before you book that one-way ticket, think about what you need in a home base: good internet, reasonable rent, and a vibe that matches your personality.

Make Sure You Have Health Insurance That Covers You Everywhere

No one wants to think about getting sick while traveling, but it happens. A solid health insurance plan is essential if you’re living and working abroad. Some policies even include telehealth services, so you can talk to a doctor from anywhere. If you’re applying for a digital nomad visa, insurance is often a requirement. Getting coverage that works in multiple countries gives you peace of mind so you can focus on enjoying your travels instead of worrying about medical bills.

Choose a Plan That Actually Works for Your Lifestyle

Not all travel insurance plans are created equal. Some only cover emergencies, while others offer full medical coverage no matter where you go. Make sure your plan includes hospitals in the places you’re visiting so you’re not stuck paying out of pocket. If you travel to remote areas, look for coverage that includes emergency evacuation. A little research upfront can save you a huge headache later on.

Living as a digital nomad isn’t just about finding a job that lets you work remotely—it’s about creating a lifestyle that works for you. With the right skills, the right gear, and a little bit of planning, you can build a career that lets you work from anywhere. Whether you’re chasing adventure or just looking for more freedom in your daily life, the digital nomad lifestyle makes it possible to turn the world into your workspace.

 

Julia Mitchell, incredibly passionate about the activities that fill her days, wants to share her adoration for her favorite lifestyle topics with the world and encourage others to turn their INspiration into OUTspiration.

Filed Under: Guest Blogs, travel blog · Tagged: , , ,

Big Cypress Report

March 1, 2025 by · Leave a Comment

Big Cypress Report

Thank you for reading this Big Cypress Report. The weather was glorious, and fishing was good- once I figured it out.

Subscribers without photos- go to https://www.spottedtail.com/blog/, please.

Mangrove tunnel, East River.

On Tuesday I launched my kayak at the East River landing in Fakahatchee Strand State Park, a place I’d never been before, suggested to me by the Glades Fly Bum. Visions of snook and tarpon danced in my head. Another kayaking fly fisher was launching at the same time. He assured me that snook and tarpon were present in good numbers, even suggested flies to use and spots to try. I followed his advice.

The tunnel opened up into a cichlid-filled pond.

Did I catch, or even see, any snook or tarpon? No. What I caught were Mayan cichlids. I didn’t drive five hours to catch Mayan cichlids. Where are the snook and tarpon? Five hours of casting brought plenty of cichlids, but nothing else.

Mayan cichlid, a decent-sized one.

The next morning I launched at the Halfway Creek Kayak Launch. Again, I had never been there before, and again, the Glades Fly Bum had suggested it to me. Two fly fishers were launching a Gheenoe at the same time. One of them assured me there were plenty of snook and tarpon present, and suggested which flies to try and spots to try, even gave me a fly. Thank you!

Mayan cichlid, business end.

When I started fishing my way down the canal, all I caught were cichlids and largemouth bass. I didn’t drive five hours down here for cichlids and bass!

Lunchtime came. While eating my snack, I considered the situation. The weather was outstanding. Temperature in the mid-seventies, plenty of sunshine, poofy white cumulus clouds floating overhead, winds light and variable. I wanted snook and tarpon. In nearly ten hours of fishing, I had yet to even see one of either, much less catch one. I was feeling disappointment and frustration. On a perfect weather day! In a beautiful place I had basically to myself! What’s wrong with this picture?

On the other hand, bass and cichlids were plentiful and willing. Were those fish my fantasy species when I was planning my trip? No. Were they what was available? Oh, yes. Stop being dumb, John. Embrace the cichlid!

Another cichlid shows off their colors.

I fished for bass and cichlids all afternoon, catching fish after fish. It was fun! Cichlids pull hard! I tried a popper and dropper, getting both bass and cichlids on both flies (no doubles, unfortunately). I started thinking of cichlids as tropical bluegills. They’re as aggressive as bluegills, and have a similar body shape. They’re much more colorful, and tend to be larger, than bluegills. I was using a six-weight (snook and tarpon, remember) but found myself wishing for a four-weight.

It was amazing how much that attitude shift did for my enjoyment of those wonderful fish. It was the best thing I could have done. When life gives you lemons, yada yada yada.

Dusk falls at Monument Lake.

That evening the Glades Fly Bum showed up at my campsite, as planned. We’d never met before, and chatted about people we knew, and stars and planets, and fishing, and specifically about snook and tarpon, and cichlids. He asked me, “Have you ever eaten a cichlid?” I admitted I had not. He said, “Once you eat one, you’ll never release another one. They’re awesome eating!” I’ll have to try that sometime, but not this trip.

Dawn at Monument Lake.

 

More dawn. Good cell service there!

 

More dawn.

 

And finally, the sun!

 

A yellow-rumped warbler chirped at us.

 

Irises in the cypress head.

After an incredible sunrise and a morning walk through a cypress head, we launched at a spot the Glades Fly Bum made me promise not to mention. Glades Fly Bum said, “The water is low. The fish will be trapped in here.” The cichlids and bass were even more aggressive than the previous day. I got a red-eared sunfish. I got a sizable spotted gar. I jumped a tarpon. I caught an oscar. I even got a little snook. Had I spent more time I could have easily had a fifty fish day. But I had to drive home (it was a short trip), so I happily settled for whatever I got in three hours, including plenty of bass and Mayan cichlids. It was a blast.

An oscar, another tropical panfish.

I suspect most of my readers already have the tackle needed to catch cichlids. A four-weight would be perfect, although you might want to go heavier than that- remember those pesky snook and tarpon. I used a floating line with a ten-foot leader tapered down to 20-pound test. I didn’t break off any fish, but remember those pesky snook and tarpon! Unweighted Wooly Boogers may be the perfect flies, but they need to be tied on saltwater hooks- yes, you may get bit by snook or tarpon. I also had luck with feather streamers like Seaducers and Cockroaches, but my impression was that the fish were not very fussy. Poppers? Oh, yes, absolutely. And, snook and tarpon will hit poppers, too.

Don’t forget the pesky snook and tarpon.

Next time I drive to south Florida, visions of snook and tarpon will still be in my head. They are my favorite fish, and are species that are not terribly common in my central Florida waters for much of the year. But I will have a four-weight with me, too. For I have learned to embrace the cichlid.

This guy came right by the kayak, and splashed me.

Saturday (!) I went kayaking with a group from the Central Florida Freethinkers, at Ramp Road in Cocoa Beach. We went through a series of mangrove tunnels I had no idea existed. Of course the radar was turned on, and I saw exactly zero fish. But a dolphin swam by my kayak at close range and splashed me with water, so that’s something.

That’s my Big Cypress Report. As always, thanks for reading!

Every day is a blessing. Don’t waste it- Go fishing! Go paddling! Go bicycling! Stay active!

John Kumiski
www.johnkumiski.com
www.spottedtail.com
www.spottedtail.com/blog

All content in this blog, including writing and photos, © John Kumiski 2025. All rights are reserved.

Filed Under: Fishing Reports, Paddle Fishing Florida · Tagged: , , , ,

Fished One Day Report

February 21, 2025 by · Leave a Comment

Fished One Day Report

Thank you for reading this Fished One Day Report. That day was Tuesday. I probably should have gone Monday, too, but let the chance pass. The rest of the week was tied up with errands or less-than-optimal weather.

Subscribers without photos- go to https://www.spottedtail.com/blog/, please.

Econ Update

Last week, writing about the Econ, I wrote, “I need to call Oviedo. No one answered, so I just sent an email.” A response came back, the same day! I reprint it here in its entirety-

Good evening, yes there was a sewer line break that could have potentially impacted the Econ River. The signs posted are a precautionary measure and the city continues to do water sampling for e. coli impact. The line has been fixed but as a precautionary measure we will continue to sample the water so the signs stay in place until we finish sampling for two more weeks. Again, this is a precautionary measure that we do anytime a water body could have been impacted for the safety of residents and visitors.

Regards
Amanda Kortus, CFM

I drove over the 419 bridge this afternoon. The poop sign was gone and folks were launching paddle vessels. Guess we’re good to go.

Tuesday’s Fishing

Went kayaking on Mosquito Lagoon. Went from partly cloudy to completely overcast, but the wind was light. Found reds, one here, one there. They either trashed the fly or fled in terror, so I got a few. Also got one slot trout on a plastic shad at the end of the day.

Your reporter has a copy of George Leonard Herter’s Professional Guide’s Manual that he bought from Herter’s some time in the 1960s. Weeks like this one, where not much fishing gets done, will see some content from this and other old books being used in this blog, pieces similar to the one reprinted below…

LUNAR PHASES, BAROMETRIC PRESSURES AND WATER TEMPERATURES

Contrary to common belief, the various phases of the moon have very little effect on fishes feeding habits. Reports from groups of ichthyologists state that fish strike when they are hungry or excited, regardless of the position of the moon. However, tides do affect the feeding of certain salt-water fish which follow the rising tide into the shallows.

Likewise, barometric pressure has very little to do with fish habits. According to the same groups of ichthyologists, feeding habits of fish are not determined by barometric pressure, although fishing after a hard rain will sometimes produce better fishing because of natural foods which have been washed into the lake by the rain.

On the other hand, water temperatures have a great deal to do with fishing. A water temperature indicator is a must to any fisherman. When the water is cold for a fish, it will lie dormant and feeding activity will be reduced to a minimum. When the right temperature range is found, fish tend to be active in feeding and better fishing will result. The best fishing temperatures for various fresh-water fish are listed below:

Atlantic Salmon, Trout .. 55-70degs. F
Chinook Salmon………….50-60 degs. F
Lake Trout ………………….40-50 degs.F
Pickerel……………………….60-75 degs. F
Landlocked Salmon……..40-55 degs. F
Pike, Muskellunge………..60-70 degs. F
Smallmouth Bass ……,….60-70 degs. F
Walleye ……… …………….55-65 dees. F
Largemouth Bass ………..65-75 degs. F
Yellow Perch ………………65-75 degs. F

What do you think? Do you agree with Mr. Herter’s assertions?

Saturday

Went on an Oviedo Photo Club field trip to the Southern Oaks Training Center in Sorrento. They train standardbred horses there. A little out of my line, but with challenge comes growth. Anyway, here are a few photos from the place.

 

 

 

That’s my Fished One Day Report. As always, thanks for reading!

Every day is a blessing. Don’t waste it- Go fishing! Go paddling! Go bicycling! Stay active!

John Kumiski
www.johnkumiski.com
www.spottedtail.com
www.spottedtail.com/blog

All content in this blog, including writing and photos, © John Kumiski 2025. All rights are reserved.

Filed Under: Fishing Reports, Fishing Stories, Mosquito Lagoon Fishing Report, Paddle Fishing Florida · Tagged: , , , ,

An Ocala National Forest Report

February 14, 2025 by · Leave a Comment

An Ocala National Forest Report

Thank you for reading this Ocala National Forest Report. Spent three days and two nights up there this week. Heard lots of barred owls and woodpeckers. Very cool.

Subscribers without photos- go to https://www.spottedtail.com/blog/, please.

Some readers may remember that, when I went to the Econ last week, there was a sign saying the water had been contaminated by sewage. I called the Seminole County Health Department, the Department of Environmental Protection, and the St. Johns River Water Management District, got no answers from anyone but did spend a lot of time on hold. Gave me some time to think.

It’s happened twice that, while paddling the Econ, I came upon a group of women in waders doing environmental studies on the river. They work for the Seminole County Watershed Management Surface Water Quality Program. I called Michelle Shelton, a Senior Environmental Scientist there. Bingo.

What I understood her to say was that an old sewage pipe in Oviedo started leaking into a wetlands area adjacent to the Econlockhatchee. Any rainfall could move the poo into the river, which was signed as a precautionary measure. She did not know the timeline for when the river will be safe to use, but promised to keep me informed.

I need to call Oviedo. No one answered, so I just sent an email. I’ll report next week.

OK, since I had a meeting Monday evening, I couldn’t leave for Ocala Forest until Tuesday. I rolled out in the fog (take that however) at about 8 AM, got to Hopkins Prairie Campground and launched the kayak.

On the water at Hopkins Prairie

Expecting great things, I was miffed that it took an hour to get a bite. Twelve-inch fish, on a 3″ shad. Picked up the fly pole. Literally next cast, got a two-pound bass on my mouse gurgler. With a single exception, that was the best fish of the trip. Also, it was the only fish on fly that day. But, I owned the lake!

Worked it hard until 1300, then took a couple hours off. Went back out at 1530 and fished until after sunset, got one more fish. Kind of a tough day.

Dusk, same area

The campground has vault toilets and lacks a water source, but my site was in the shade of big live oak trees that owls hooted from a lot after dark. Very cool spot.

Wednesday morning I went to Farles Lake, still expecting great things. It looked great. Took me an hour to get a bite, a 12-inch fish. Then the wind came up, just to make things easier.

I stayed on the pond’s weedy margin, using friction with the vegetation to keep me from blowing away. Got a little one here, a little one there. Very slow fishing.

Started working a lee methodically, tossing a Senko into the deeper water. Nothing. Nothing. More nothing. A bite?! I set up and it was a real one, pulled drag and everything. One jump- a monstah! Then it came right in. I couldn’t believe it. Is that all you got? It was.

It was a real one, even if it was a wuss.

 

I pulled out the camera, got a few pics, unhooked it and let it go. What a wuss fish. A snook or redfish that size would have been embarrassed with that kind of performance. Anyway, it was, BY FAR, the largest black bass I’ve ever caught. Yay me. Other than that, a tough day. But that fish made the trip.

Mike Conneen was at my Alexander Springs campsite when I got there. It was good to see him and River Dog.

Thursday we fished the Alexander Springs Run. Expecting great things, I was again disappointed. Am I ever gonna learn not to have expectations when going fishing? It took an hour to get a dinker, and it was the only fish I got. The wind kept blowing me upstream, and I just was not feeling it. I wanted it to be easy, it was not. By noon I was done.

Mike and I found a mediocre (but expensive) restaurant and had lunch, then we got into our chariots and headed back to our respective abodes.

During my drive home, I found myself thinking that on my first trip to the Forest, I had done well. I checked this blog’s archives and discovered that trip happened during the second week in April. Maybe I need to make another visit in eight weeks or so…

That’s my Ocala National Forest Report. As always, thanks for reading!

Every day is a blessing. Don’t waste it- Go fishing! Go paddling! Go camping! Stay active!

John Kumiski
www.johnkumiski.com
www.spottedtail.com
www.spottedtail.com/blog

All content in this blog, including writing and photos, © John Kumiski 2025. All rights are reserved.

Filed Under: Fishing Reports, Paddle Fishing Florida · Tagged: , , ,

Getting Back Up Report

February 7, 2025 by · Leave a Comment

Getting Back Up Report

Thank you for reading this Getting Back Up Report. Last week I wrote, “…before a bug got me- then I really was down. Doc says I should be OK by Monday.” Doc was optimistic.

Subscribers without photos- go to https://www.spottedtail.com/blog/, please.

PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT! Friday is Valentine’s Day. Need I say more???

Tuesday found me trying a shore-fishing expedition to the Econ. This greeted me-

Not exactly awesome. I called the number, got a message, left a message, did not get a call back, and left it alone. I will get back on it in the coming week.

I went upstream of the confluence with the Little Econ, where the poo was coming from. In an hour and a half, not a bite. Saw one bass. It was in the eighties and I was melting. Came home and took a two-hour nap. Definitely not OK. On top of that, Susan had gotten the bug, too. There was a lot of snot flying around!

Thursday morning found me at the Orlando Wetlands Park. An easy walk with a camera, get some pictures, see how I feel- good plan. I felt fine.

spoonbill

 

green heron

 

little blue heron

 

needs no introduction

Thought about my wife, home sick all week. I went home and got her, then we drove out to the Black Point Wildlife Drive. There were lots of beautiful white birds there! We had lunch at Sunrise Bread Company, best sandwiches in town.

Friday, an amazingly beautiful day, found a yellow Ocean Kayak with me sitting in it floating on Mosquito Lagoon. I went to a place I don’t often fish. You need to do that sometimes. It gave up eight trout, increasing in size as they went from 12-inch to the 24-incher. Only saw three reds. Had a good shot at the third, he said I don’t think so. All on the 3″ shad. At any rate, I don’t need to go to that place again anytime soon.

So I think I’m getting back up, feeling better. And as always, thanks for reading!

Every day is a blessing. Don’t waste it- Go fishing! Go paddling! Go for a walk! Stay active!

John Kumiski
www.johnkumiski.com
www.spottedtail.com
www.spottedtail.com/blog

All content in this blog, including writing and photos, © John Kumiski 2025. All rights are reserved.

Filed Under: Fishing Reports, Paddle Fishing Florida · Tagged: , , ,

Down and Up and Down Report

February 1, 2025 by · Leave a Comment

Down and Up and Down Report

Thank you for reading this Down and Up and Down Report. Got out three days this week before a bug got me- then I really was down. Doc says I should be OK by Monday.

Subscribers without photos- go to https://www.spottedtail.com/blog/, please.

I have, for your perusal (and hopefully action) a pair of petitions to consider. The first-

-The largest money lender in Africa, Standard Bank, and Japan’s Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation (SMBC) will fund a 1,443-kilometer crude oil pipeline that will cross Tanzania and Uganda. A large number of people will be displaced and wetlands, water sources, and protected ecosystems in Tanzania and Uganda would be in jeopardy. See the petition here…

Stop Mountaintop Removal Coal Mining in Tennessee’s Protected Forests
Mountaintop removal coal mining is a destructive practice that devastates our landscapes, contaminates our water, and harms our wildlife. In Tennessee, Hurricane Creek Mining LLC is seeking a permit to mine 650 acres of protected forest. How protected is the forest if it can get strip-mined? When is the last time anyone you know used coal??? See the petition here… 

OK, FISHING!

Son Maxx and his lovely bride were supposed to visit. After we spent the day waiting, they called and said they were coming Tuesday. So we got to wait Tuesday, too.

Wednesday

Maxx and Cat and I took the Bang-O-Craft out onto Mosquito Lagoon. Rejoiced in the fact the water is ridiculously clean. But no fish, no fish, no fish, ran a few over, ran a bunch over, then found a school of black drum with a few reds mixed in. They behaved like they have been pounded for a while, and we did not get a bite in spite of several excellent shots. A skunk, for sure.

Thursday

I took the kayak out on Mosquito Lagoon. You would have thought it was a different planet. Tailing fish much of the day, and mostly willing eaters on the fly. Which was good, since it made up for both Wednesday and…

Friday

I took the kayak out on the Banana River Lagoon. I saw exactly six redfish in six miles of paddling. If you see one fish per mile, your catch rate is going to be small. Didn’t get a shot- another skunk.

Maxx said I should have gone back to Mosquito Lagoon. I don’t think it’s good policy to beat up the same fish day after day. It teaches them hook avoidance.

So it was truly Down and Up and Down. As always, thanks for reading!

Every day is a blessing. Don’t waste it- Go fishing! Go paddling! Go for a walk! Stay active!

John Kumiski
www.johnkumiski.com
www.spottedtail.com
www.spottedtail.com/blog

All content in this blog, including writing and photos, © John Kumiski 2025. All rights are reserved.

Filed Under: Mosquito Lagoon Fishing Report, Paddle Fishing Florida · Tagged: , ,
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