john kumiski, Author at the spotted tail

Back in Maine Again

July 15, 2023 by john kumiski · Leave a Comment

Back in Maine Again

Thanks for reading this back in Maine again report. The intrepid reader will remember last week’s report came from Winthrop, Massachusetts. We spent Sunday and Monday there (and I got no more striped bass), and left for Maine on Tuesday.

Winthrop Beach.

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The blueberries are ripe now. Time spent picking berries is always time well spent.

I’ve been spending much of my fishing time in shallow places with lots of weeds. I get lots of bites there, many from chain pickerel. I thought I’d brought a sufficient number of bass bugs, and if they negotiated the weeds well I probably did. But the face of those gurglers I like to use in Florida catch the weeds. I only had a couple bullet-shaped surface flies, and pickerel cut them off.

Some creativity would be needed to replace them, since I didn’t bring any fly-tying gear with me.

A piece of closed cell foam found lying on the ground could be cut into slider heads. Got two from it. Then another piece of foam was found and I made two more heads. Crude? Yes. Ugly? Oh, yes. I needed hooks to put them on, and something for a tail.

Ugly? Yes indeed.

We went to Bridgton on Friday to get lobster rolls. Next to the lobster place was Unc’L Lunkers Bait and Tackle. Wasn’t expecting much when I went in, but they had #2 Aberdeen hooks and some fly-tying materials, and bunches of other stuff. I bought the hooks and a green calf-tail. Larry (the owner) gave me a tube of super glue. I was ready to make some flies!

Close-up of Ugly Bug.

After a trial with carpet thread that gave unsatisfactory results, I used dental floss for tying thread for the other three flies. It worked much better. After finishing the tying, weedguards were super-glued into the flies.

Ugly Bug wurk gud.

A few bass were caught with one during the first test. No big ones, but the flies work, which I thought they would. So next I have to go to the weedy place and really fish them. I guess that will be in next week’s report.

A fatter specimen on the plastic shad, caught over a rock pile.

When I was here in Lovell earlier this summer, I caught a bass that was missing part of its gill cover. I caught it again this week. All largemouths look pretty much the same, but a missing gill cover is fairly distinctive. All this proves is that catch-and-release works.

The weeds hold lovely things, other than fish.

Dusk comes to Kezar Lake.

That’s the back in Maine again report. Thanks for reading!

Every day is a blessing. Don’t waste it- Go fishing! Go paddling! Take 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, copyright John Kumiski 2023. All rights are reserved.

Filed Under: Fishing Reports, Flies and Fly Tying, travel blog · Tagged: bass fishing maine, blueberries, fly fishing for bass, Kezar Lake, ugly flies, Unc'L Lunkers, winthrop beach

A One Striper Report

July 8, 2023 by john kumiski · Leave a Comment

A One Striper Report

Thanks for reading this one striper report. Susan and I spent the week in Winthrop, with a rocky beach literally a minute’s walk away. I spent at least a little time every day on that beach with a spin rod in hand.

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We kicked the week off with a walk around Deer Island, the site of a state-of-the-art sewage treatment plant (the second largest in the country) that handles the poop from Boston and 43 other communities. Are you listening, Florida? Boston Harbor has clean, fish-filled waters because of this plant. Sure wish we had one or more on the Indian River Lagoon.

There’s a hill in Winthrop, the top of which has a water tower. Having caught stripers from the beach below this tower in the past, that’s where I went looking for fish. The only one I saw caught was by a guy who was wearing a wet suit, way out in the water, past where I could cast to, who was casting even farther out. Then, Friday afternoon, I got one, a modest specimen, on a DOA Cal jig. I haven’t seen any bait, any diving birds, and certainly no breaking fish.

There are oystercatchers nesting there, though. The bird with the number 25 tag has nested here for the past ten years. A woman who works for Mass. Audubon told me the oldest one recorded in the state lived 28 years. The are such cool birds…

Scott Deveau and I went to Plum Island and tried fishing there, Scott with a spin rod, me with fly gear. I hooked, and lost, a large American shad, the only bite we got. We talked to a guy with a Hobie kayak who had just come in. He said they were swimming all around him, but he only got one. But one is so many more than none!

We saw the full moon rise one evening, quite spectacular.

We went to see the Winthrop fireworks on a foggy Fourth of July night. They started over an hour late, but we stayed and watched.

That’s the one striper report. Thanks for reading!

Every day is a blessing. Don’t waste it- Go fishing! Go paddling! Take 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, copyright John Kumiski 2023. All rights are reserved.

Filed Under: Fishing Reports, Photo Essays, travel blog · Tagged: deer island massachusetts, fly fishing, plum island masachusetts, striped bass, surf fishing, winthrop beach

A Better Kezar Lake Report

June 30, 2023 by john kumiski · Leave a Comment

A Better Kezar Lake Report

Thanks for reading this better Kezar Lake Report. More days spent fishing means more fish caught. Plus the loons, a bald eagle, ravens, and other winged creatures greatly enhanced the experience. And, we had some rain!

Best wishes to all for a safe and enjoyable Independence Day weekend.

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

Because my wife is awesome, she said to me, “We should go out in the kayaks.” Mind you, she’s not interested in fishing, but doesn’t mind if I do. I got a few fish, none better than this one-

We went to an art gallery in Bridgton. They had photography on the wall that makes mine look like the work of a rank amateur. Visit this link- https://darylannleonardphotography.com/home

After we got back from our soiree, I went out paddling in the rain. Got a bass who was missing his gill cover, and a chain pickerel.

These fish are so awesome!

A couple non-fishing photos I got in the places I was fishing:

This is a damselfly, insect order Odonata, but I don’t know the species. Beautiful creature, though.

Our last day in Maine I got to fish in the rain again, and got a few bass and pickerel, none nicer than this one:

That’s the better Kezar Lake report. Thanks for reading!

Every day is a blessing. Don’t waste it- Go fishing! Go paddling! Take 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, copyright John Kumiski 2023. All rights are reserved.

Filed Under: Fishing Reports, travel blog · Tagged: Kezar Lake, kezar lake bass, kezar lake fishing, kezar lake pickerel

A Poor Kezar Lake Report

June 24, 2023 by john kumiski · Leave a Comment

A Poor Kezar Lake Report

Kezar Lake at dusk.

Thanks for reading this poor Kezar Lake Report. Only two days this week were spent fishing, because we had to drive to Maine from Florida, five glorious days spent in the van.

Needham’s skimmer (I think) at Okeefenokee NW Refuge.

At Lackawanna State Park in Pennsylvania.

Hope everyone enjoyed the solstice.

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Our plan was to visit the Canadian Rockies. Then Canada caught fire. Didn’t they know we wanted to visit? Anyway, we cancelled all our reservations, which was a pretty good financial beatdown. I hope the parks get some of our money.

Ralph Tedesco had a cabin he mostly didn’t rent this summer, and said we could use it! Talk about saving our vacation! Bless you Ralph, and now we’re at Kezar Lake.

I bought my fishing license Friday morning, then put my gear together, dragged a kayak down to the lake, and went for a spin. Nothing like starting a fishing trip in the heat of the day. Predictably, the bite was off. I got a single strike, from a chain pickerel. I saw two fish examine my flies and say no. And that was that, at least for the afternoon.

Dragonfly exuvium, on a pine tree.

Saturday morning I got up at 0530 and tried again. I got a few smallmouth bass on a surface fly, and hooked and lost another nice pickerel. Done at 0830.

That’s the poor Kezar Lake report. Thanks for reading!

Every day is a blessing. Don’t waste it- Go fishing! Go paddling! Take 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, copyright John Kumiski 2023. All rights are reserved.

Filed Under: Fishing Reports, travel blog · Tagged: fly fishing, kayak fishing, Kezar Lake, kezar lake bass, kezar lake pickerel

Looking for Tarpon Report

June 17, 2023 by john kumiski · Leave a Comment

Looking for Tarpon Report

Thanks for reading this Looking for Tarpon Report. Only two days this week were spent fishing, but I paddled one day, and walked another.

Happy father’s day to all the dads. The solstice is this week. Pagans, get ready to celebrate!

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Monday I took the Bang-O-Craft (which had been very lonely) and launched at Port St. John, with intent to go looking for tarpon. It was a long shot, but I have found them around there in the past. When I went to put the trolling motor on the boat, I realized the battery was still in the garage, on the charger. At least it was fully charged! With more breeze than I expected, I did not find the tarpon this time, and didn’t find much else, either. There was nothing at the power station.

I pulled the boat and drove up to Titusville, where I launched it again. I poled a long way and did not see much, except at one spot, where I managed to get a nice red on a plastic shad, and two snooklets on fly. No skunk for me this day.

Tuesday morning Tom Van Horn picked me up, then drove to Port Canaveral and launched his boat. We went north up the beach, looking for tarpon. We found and netted menhaden, which was the highlight of the trip as far as fishing goes. Although we saw a handful of tarpon roll, we drove home reeking of skunk.

Wednesday morning I paddled my canoe around Lake Mills. The cypress trees are gorgeous, and I spend a couple minutes observing an otter. Didn’t see much rooted vegetation (other than trees) in the water, or any fish. Wasn’t expecting tarpon there, though.

Wasn’t expecting tarpon at the wetlands park either, where I went walking Saturday morning.

Green heron.

White ibis, adult and juvenile.

Anhinga.

Four-spotted pennant on pickerelweed.

Four-spotted pennant on arrowhead (Sagittaria).

That’s the looking for tarpon report. Thanks for reading!

Every day is a blessing. Don’t waste it- Go fishing! Go paddling! Take 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, copyright John Kumiski 2023. All rights are reserved.

Filed Under: central florida destinations, central florida fishing report, Fishing Reports · Tagged: Indian River Lagoon, orlando wetlands park, Port Canaveral, tarpon fishing

North Brevard County Fish Report

June 10, 2023 by john kumiski · Leave a Comment

North Brevard County Fish Report

Thanks for reading this North Brevard County Fish Report. Only two days this week were spent fishing, but I did get my car’s AC fixed, had an MRI and blood work done, saw a dentist and a chiropractor, and enjoyed other, similar fun activities.

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Tuesday saw me and my kayak (and no camera) at Mosquito Lagoon on a fabulous morning. Since no bites were forthcoming (except for the puffers, who were biting much too well), I paddled across the ICW to Tiger Shoal. There the water was clean and crisp, with plentiful grass, and lots of bait. There were breaking fish! I got several trout and big ladyfish on both spin and fly before the breeze came up and ended it, at which time I picked a lee shoreline to explore. I saw a few reds, had shots at none. The water was deep, with the gauge over 1.5′.

Playalinda sunrise.

Sargassum on the beach.

Thursday morning Tom Van Horn picked me up, then drove to Playalinda, where we met Rodney Smith, Earl Gillespie, and Warren Wnek. There was sargassum, but reasonable amounts, not like I’d read about. Between the five of us we got a small jack and two hardheads, not exactly scintillating fishing.

We weren’t the only ones not catching fish.

Off the beach a ways, pelicans were diving on menhaden, lots of them. We’d see a blow-up in the bait now and again. I wished I had a boat…

As it was I had to settle for a beautiful morning on a beautiful beach with my aging but beautiful friends. Easily enough done! Thanks, boys!

That’s the North Brevard County Fish Report. Thanks for reading!

Every day is a blessing. Don’t waste it- Go fishing! Go paddling! Take 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, copyright John Kumiski 2023. All rights are reserved.

Filed Under: Fishing Reports · Tagged: beach fishing, Brevard County Fish Report, Canaveral National Seashore, florida fishing, kayak fishing, mosquito lagoon fishing report

Indian River Lagoon Report

June 2, 2023 by john kumiski · Leave a Comment

Indian River Lagoon Report

Thanks for reading this Indian River Lagoon Report. Only one day this week was spent fishing, but I did paddle the Econ and get a walk in at the wetlands park.

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The Econ

Last week’s rains have raised the water level in the Econ. I paddled it Monday. The Snow Hill Road gauge read 5.5 feet. I didn’t bring a fishing rod, just a camera…

Buttonbush.

Wildflowers in a small meadow.

Seeds from a dandelion-like flower, waiting for the wind.

Indian River Lagoon

Last week’s rains have raised the water level in the lagoon, much higher than I like. I went kayaking in a spot that’s an old friend, one I hadn’t been to for a while. One red on fly, a couple trout, and no reason to rush back. The water is just too deep. You can’t see anything.

From there I went to another spot where I have been fishing lately, with some success. I tried wading. The water, formerly knee deep, now tickled the jewels. I got right back in the kayak. I did get a black drum on a 3″ plastic shad, to my surprise. Beautiful day, great paddling, tough fishing because of the water depth.

Orlando Wetlands Park

A walk in the wetlands park followed. Who cares about the water level? It was cloudy. I got some nice photos.

An old and beat-up four-spotted pennant.

A young and virile four-spotted pennant.

Great blue heron. Looks a little silly from this angle.

Needham’s skimmer, male.

Needham’s skimmer, female.

Tilapia.

Eastern pondhawk, male.

Doctor for me, doctor for the van, week over. Enjoy your weekend, see you next time.

That’s the Indian River Lagoon Report. Thanks for reading!

Every day is a blessing. Don’t waste it- Go fishing! Go paddling! Take 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, copyright John Kumiski 2023. All rights are reserved.

Filed Under: Fishing Reports, Photo Essays · Tagged: alligators, dragonflies, Econlockhatchee River, Indian River Lagoon

Mosquito and Indian River Lagoons Report

May 26, 2023 by john kumiski · Leave a Comment

Mosquito and Indian River Lagoons Report

Thank you for reading this Mosquito and Indian River Lagoons Report. There was rain and lightning every day this week, making fishing more interesting. Nothing like playing hide-and-seek with giant sparks to make fishing seem less important! In spite of that, a few fish were caught.

It’s Memorial Day weekend. Spend a moment or two silently, thinking about how lucky you are that thousands and thousands of Americans died fighting for your liberty. They deserve that much, at the very least.

The week started with a walk at the Orlando Wetlands Park. Wildlife doesn’t come any more accessible than at this artificial wetlands, where there is no admission fee.

Bullfrog.

Cooter turtle.

Night heron.

Great blue heron.

Roseate spoonbill.

Four-spotted pennant, ♀︎.

Sandhill crane.

Scott Radloff joined me for a paddle day on Mosquito Lagoon. I was hoping for great things. It was not to be. Scott got a couple trout. I stank like a skunk all afternoon. Lightning drove us off the water. We took the opportunity to cruise Biolab Road, the first time I’ve seen the south end of the lagoon for a long time. The water was fairly clear, but we did not see any fish, or fishermen.

I went solo to the Indian River Lagoon one day. Since I was greeted by a rainbow, you could guess what the weather was like. A red on fly, another on spin, and jumped a small tarpon with a fly. Off the water by noon, more than slightly damp.

Met some folks crabbing while checking out some old fishing spots. They were having good luck!

Passionflower, Merritt Island Wildlife Refuge.

Who can tell me what this is?

That’s the Mosquito and Indian River Lagoons Report. Thanks for reading!

Every day is a blessing. Don’t waste it- Go fishing! Go paddling! Take 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, copyright John Kumiski 2023. All rights are reserved.

Filed Under: central florida destinations, central florida fishing report, Fishing Reports · Tagged: Indian River Lagoon, kayak fishing, Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, orlando wetlands park, wildlife photography

Indian River Lagoon and Econlockhatchee Report

May 19, 2023 by john kumiski · Leave a Comment

Indian River Lagoon and Econlockhatchee Report

Few things in life get a fly fisher more worked up than seeing tarpon rolling all over the place. Except hooking a couple, of course! Welcome to this week’s Indian River Lagoon and Econlockhatchee Report.

A walking, bank-fishing Econ trip with a spin rod started the week. I’d love to fish that stretch of river with a fly pole, but I lack that kind of skill. The fish were biting well, the song birds were singing, the Cooper’s hawks were shrieking, and I got some photos of otters. Fantastic day!

Next, Mike and River joined me for some Indian River Lagoon quality time. Redfish, black drum, and seatrout fell for our offerings. Water looked pretty good. That invasive exotic, grassy-looking stuff is taking over the bottom, though. We have a new exotic mussel, too. If they were larger, I’d eat them.

I returned to the scene of the crime a couple days later, hoping to cash in on what I’d learned from the day with Mike. That’s when I found the tarpon rolling! I hooked two, one on a streamer that jumped off, one on a gurgler that I unhooked and released. I got five other species (seatrout, jack crevalle, ladyfish, black drum, and redfish) for a total of six altogether. What was weird is, I got only one of each! All but the red were caught on fly.

Some serious jacks were showering mullet. It looked like the good old days! I love the jacks, I hope they stay around until after the mullet run.

Our governor and legislature keep passing one horrible, hateful, hurtful, and un-Christ-like law after another. It’s making me sick.

That’s the Indian River Lagoon and Econlockhatchee Report. Thanks for reading!

Every day is a blessing. Don’t waste it- Go fishing! Go paddling! Take 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, copyright John Kumiski 2023. All rights are reserved.

Filed Under: central florida fishing report, Fishing Reports, Paddle Fishing Florida · Tagged: adventure fishing, Bass fishing, Black drum, Econlockhatchee River, florida fishing, Indian River Lagoon, kayak fishing, redfish fishing, tarpon fishing

Short Indian River and Mosquito Lagoons Report

May 12, 2023 by john kumiski · Leave a Comment

Short Indian River and Mosquito Lagoons Report

Only a single day on the water this week, split between two locations. Thus, a Short Indian River and Mosquito Lagoons Report.

Happy Mother’s Day to all the moms, and everyone else, too. Mother’s Day and Earth Day have something in common- every day should be mother’s day, and every day should be earth day.

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Got up early Tuesday. Launched the kayak behind the Education Center in the Wildlife Refuge, paddled out of Dummit Creek. Beautiful morning, but the water looked lifeless- no birds, hardly any bait. Once I cleared the creek the water cleared and looked good. Grass is starting to grow back there, too. But in two hours I did not see or touch a fish.

I loaded up and moved to Mosquito Lagoon.

It wasn’t exactly gangbusters there, either. I got one redfish and a nice trout on fly. Tiring of fighting the wind, I broke out the spin rod and got a handful of trout and – drum roll, please- a jack crevalle on the plastic shad. I suspected there were jacks around, as the mullet were showering sporadically. The only photo I took was of the jack, it’s become such an unusual catch in the lagoons. Maybe they’re making a comeback!