Boreas Still Here, No Fishing. And Merry Christmas!
Last week I wrote about Boreas, god of winds. Boreas still here, and again, no fishing. The Econ gauge as I write this is just under 12 feet, the Haulover Canal gauge at 1.5 feet, so fishing would likely be a waste even if I were to brave the gale. I might be getting cabin fever…
Best wishes to everyone for a happy and healthy holiday season! Merry Christmas!
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Great Blue Heron, Orlando Wetlands Park.
It was quite the week, though. A visit to the dermatologist to have pre-cancerous lesions frozen off my face. I remember all the fun in the sun I had for thirty years every time that happens. The winter solstice was Thursday. I love the pagan holidays! I disassembled the old camper build in my van and took halting steps towards building the new one. Rodney Smith and I took a walk at the Orlando Wetlands Park. Susan and I bought a new window install for our abode- cha-CHING! And, we had a guest blog by Julia Mitchell, enormously different than anything I might write.
Black vulture, Orlando Wetlands Park.
Purple aster, Orlando Wetlands Park.
American shad, St. Johns River.
Those of you who need fishing-related activity can take solace in the fact that the first shad to be caught in the St. Johns River will likely be caught between now and New Years Day. Dust off the shad tackle and get your flies and lures ready! Along with the shad, crappie, bluegills, a few largemouths, and if we’re lucky, those striper hybrids that Florida calls sunshine bass will be caught too!
Black crappie.
Largemouth bass, a very aggressive little one.
“Sunshine” bass, St. Johns River.
That’s the Boreas Still Here Report. Thanks for reading!
Every day is a blessing. Don’t waste it- Go fishing! Go paddling! Go on 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 2023. All rights are reserved.
John:
I was made aware of your blog etc by a fellow Trout Unlimited member. On the TU website I had posted an inquiry into where to put in (kayak) in order to fly fish on either the Indian River or the Mosquito Lagoon. I’d only been in that area once before and it was just after a huge fish kill in 2017. I fish a lot in the Central Florida area primarily for bass but would really like to pursue Snook, Redfish, Sea Trout, and baby Tarpon
Having done some additional research, it now seems to me that the better place to fish might be the Banana River. Wondered if I could get your thoughts on that?
Also, from your posts it appears that baby Tarpon are not around during the winter months. Is that correct? How far south in Florida would I have to go to encounter them during Feb/March?
Really enjoy your blog, thank you for your time.
hi Steven-
I seldom fish the banana river lagoon any more, but i don’t know where you’re located. It makes sense to fish there if you’re in Cocoa.
Tarpon are tropical fish whose preferred water temperature is 79 degrees. You might find babies during the winter locally, but it’s going to take some creative searching. You might try Sebastian River, where you can at least cast to some. Don’t expect many bites!
jk