Two Days Out of River Breeze Report

Two Days Out of River Breeze Report

Hi everyone, thanks for reading this Two Days Out of River Breeze report. Thanks to everyone who bought some fishing rods! I’ll be donating the unsold rods to some charity, I suspect.

The talented Patrick Young has sent me another guest blog piece, about kids and camping. Read it here…

Last week I wrote, “Tuesday was even more exciting search for tile, orchestrated by Susan!” Needless to say, that story did not end there. I also wrote last week, “Thursday, more car maintenance.” That story did not end there, either.

Monday and Tuesday I started emptying everything out of my office to prepare it for the tile installers. There is no better way to clean a room, or a house, than by completely emptying it. My office is not completely empty yet, but it’s getting there. The installers come Monday, so I know some of what I’ll be doing over the weekend.

I botched the maintenance job I attempted on the van. The gents at Pep Boys made it right on Tuesday. As long as the van was there, I had them do the other job, too. Car should be good to go for a while.

Wednesday, a beautiful, crisp, cloudless day, I put the kayak in the water at River Breeze and paddled to Marsha’s Pond, where I intended to fish. When I got there, there were already two boats there. I pulled up on a shoreline anyway.

A small black drum on a white slider fly.

I was pleasantly surprised how clear the water was. I was also pleasantly surprised to see some fish! The water was cold and clear, there were other boats around, and the fish were not biting very well. I got a small black drum on a white slider, then spooked fish occasionally for a couple hours.

Then I saw something I never expected to, perhaps never again, in the Mosquito Lagoon- a school of redfish.

Granted, it was a small school, maybe two dozen fish. And unfortunately, I moved them by not-quite-running them over. I circled around, staked out the boat, grabbed the fly rod, and went wading, hoping they sat right down again.

They did not. After 30 minutes of looking, I gave up and got back in the boat. Standing with the spin rod in my wader belt, I went looking for them again, now standing in the kayak. Pretty amazing, I found them. A good cast with a DOA Shrimp garnered an immediate strike. This caused the school to vaporize, but I sight-cast to a school of reds and got one, by gar!

Redfish on DOA Shrimp.

Later, I got a rat red on the DOA Shrimp by blind-casting. That was it for the day.

Thursday I went back to River Breeze. Lots of trailers were parked there. I decided that Marsha’s Pond might be too crowded- the water is still high enough for skiffs to go anywhere.

When I got to the first spot I wanted to fish, there were three kayaks there.

When I got to the second spot I wanted to fish, there was a boat anchored there.

When I got to the third spot I wanted to fish, there was a boat anchored there.

When I got to the fourth spot I wanted to fish, there was no boat anchored there. Yay! There were no fish there, either. Boo!

I worked my way into a small tidal creek. Good current was flowing, and this place has been good to me. I got were two redfish which, laid to end, may have made one legal-sized fish. Yes, they were small. But they did take that white slider.

Yes, it defines “dink”.

There were no fish at the next spot. I crossed an empty flat to another small creek, deeper than the first. Good current, again. Wadable. I staked out and went wading, after tying on a Clouser Minnow. I’d cast to the far bank and swing the fly, like fishing for salmon. I kept getting “pinfish bites.” I finally stuck one, a small ladyfish. There were lots of them- I probably caught fifteen. I wore out three Clousers in that creek. The ten-inch reds were in there, not thick, but enough I got ten or so. So I was getting bites, if all small fish.

This was a real one, though.

Then a real fish took. It actually pulled drag! It was the first of a pair of five-pound trout I got. Made my day! Got four or five smaller, in-the-slot trout, too.

The barb on all my fly hooks is crushed down, so I’d like to think I didn’t hurt any of the fish too much. I did not take either of those big trout, beautiful fish, out of the water. Better a live fish and a crappy photo than a great photo and a dead fish!

The weather was awesome, I found a place that had fish, I had it to myself. Fantastic! When the current stopped running the bite stopped. It took me an hour and a half to get back to River Breeze. Aye, ’twas a full day, laddie…

Friday Susan and I went to Blue Spring State Park. The sign at the entrance said there were 431 manatees there that day. I thought one of the rangers had a weird sense of humor (something I know quite a bit about), but there were actually that many there. Incredible, beautiful.

Plenty of beef in the spring run!

The spring run looks great. The water was almost limpid. There were loads of fish in there, including tarpon and snook. There were also tilapia and Plecostamus. There were many hominids on the bank, too.

The entire run comes from this boil.

 

I could not tell what these were.

 

Knew this one, though!

 

 

Kayak tours and rentals available.

After walking to the spring and back, we had a little picnic, trying to plot our next move. We decided to go to nearby Hontoon Island State Park, somewhere we had never been.

We walked three miles.

 

A short ferry ride (free!) took us out to the island. We took a three-mile loop, walking to an Indian mound at the far end of the island. It was a fine day for a walk, partly cloudy, not too hot. And after all that, we hopped in the van, and were home for supper. Another fantasmalyshtical day!

That’s my Two Days Out of River Breeze Report. Thanks for reading!

OH! I have a box of flies (a couple hundred at least) that belonged to the late Bob Stearns, many tied by Bob. It’s a mixed bag of saltwater streamers and poppers, with lots of classic Keys-style tarpon flies! I’m offering them for sale, $25 for the batch. If you can’t come get them, I’ll mail them if you pay the shipping. Contact me if you’re interested, please. home phone- four zero seven nine seven seven five two zero seven

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

John Kumiski, author of Fishing Florida by Paddle- An Angler’s Guide

Purchase a signed copy of Fishing Florida by Paddle- An Angler’s Guide at http://www.spottedtail.com/fishing-florida-by-paddle/

All content in this blog, including writing and photos, copyright John Kumiski 2022. All rights are reserved.

Econlockhatchee River Fishing Report

Econlockhatchee River Fishing Report; Rods for Sale

Hi everyone, thanks for reading this Econlockhatchee River fishing report, and my attempt to sell some more fishing rods. Like last week, subscribers get first shot at these rods, both spin and casting models.

First, a call to action!

The Tongass National Forest, of Southeast Alaska, is America’s Salmon Forest, one of the last few places on earth where wild salmon, steelhead and trout still thrive. Join us in urging the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s to reinstate roadless protections on the Tongass.  www.americansalmonforest.org/takeaction   #AmericanSalmonForest   #TongassNationalForest   #Tongass77   #AKroadlessrule

Son Alex with a coastal cutthroat trout in the Tongass.

These roadless areas are the underpinnings of Southeast Alaska’s robust fishing and tourism industries, important recreation and subsistence lands, and are essential to the local way of life. This year, the U.S. Forest Service has announced they have a new vision for Southeast Alaska, and that includes putting an end to industrial scale old growth logging. To begin this effort, the USDA Forest Service has launched a 60-day public comment period to reinstate the Roadless Rule on Alaska. The last day to submit comments is January 24, 2022.

Susan with a silver salmon, also in the Tongass.

Take action NOW, please! http://www.americansalmonforest.org/takeaction.html

This is how thick the salmon get in the Tongass! Please take action to help keep it this way!

Now, the week including fishing.

Monday was an exciting day at Autonation Toyota Winter Park. Rocinante needed maintenance!

Tuesday was even more exciting search for tile, orchestrated by Susan!

Wednesday, I put the kayak in the river and started casting a new (for me) floating snakey-looking-foam-and-bunny-strip fly, in spite of the cool temperatures. Many casts were made where the thought was, “That one should get a bite.”

Over an hour went by- no bites. Saw a big alligator. Saw an otter- we had a bit of a staring contest, most extraordinary. But no fish. It was time to change the fly. Went for an ugly hackle fly that had been collecting dust in the box for years.

The ugly fly quickly caught this fish.

Of course, it quickly caught a fish, a nice little bass. Then a redbelly hit it. Then I got a big tilapia! Then, another bass! And then, because it sinks, it got caught on a submerged branch and was lost.

Tilapia on a fly.

It was the only one of those I had, but the box had quite a few wooly buggers. A black one was tied on. Several more redbellies, and a truly dinker bass. Time to paddle back.

On the way back, an enormous alligator slid off the bank as I approached. Some of these Econ gators must be pushing 1000 pounds.

Yes, it was very stanky.

Then I noticed a dead and decayed alligator carcass hanging from the branches of a blown-down tree. Macabre. Took a pic to share. Not a beautiful photo by any means.

Thursday, more car maintenance. Couldn’t afford to have it all done at AutoNation. And there’s still another job to do.

Friday, took a short before-lunch hike on the Florida Trail.

Glorious FT morning!

 

Love the mud bridges!

Then I took an after lunch paddle on the Little Econlockhatchee, where I found an abandoned golf club. You really have to love winter in Florida. I lost two flies to snags, did not see or touch any fish other than guppies.

That’s my Econlockhatchee River Fishing Report. Rods are below! Thanks for reading!

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

John Kumiski, author of Fishing Florida by Paddle- An Angler’s Guide

Purchase a signed copy of Fishing Florida by Paddle- An Angler’s Guide at http://www.spottedtail.com/fishing-florida-by-paddle/

All content in this blog, including writing and photos, copyright John Kumiski 2022. All rights are reserved.

Fishing Rods for Sale!

All rods have been used- many were my guide rods. Priced to sell!

Spin Rods

Daiwa Sealine Graphite SG624, 7.5′ Medium Heavy Saltwater, Lure 1-3 oz., Line 12-30 lb.
I have two. Great rods for big tarpon, big jacks, sharks, etc. $50 for the pair.

Daiwa Sealine Graphite SG623, 7′ Medium Heavy Saltwater, Lure 1-3 oz., Line 12-30 lb.
Great rod for big tarpon, big jacks, sharks, etc. $25.

Daiwa Sealine Graphite SG213H, 7′ Medium Saltwater, Lure 3/4-2 1/2 oz., Line 15-25 lb.
Sporty rod for big tarpon, big jacks, sharks, etc. $25

Striker Graphite SPR704, 7′ Light saltwater, Lure 3/8- 3/4 oz., Line 8-17 lb. Redfish, trout, snook, largemouth bass, etc. $25

Daiwa Power Mesh Procaster PR213, 7′ Medium Light Saltwater, Lure 1/2- 1 oz., Line 6-17 lb. Redfish, trout, snook, largemouth bass, etc. $25

Shimano Stimula SI-070PMB, 7′ Light Saltwater, Lure 1/8-1/2 oz., Line 8-17 lb. Redfish, trout, snook, largemouth bass, etc. $25

Shimano Compre CPS70M, 7′ Light Saltwater, Lure 3/16-1/2 oz., Line 8-17 lb. Redfish, trout, snook, largemouth bass, etc. $25

The El Rod Custom-Built Spinning Rod, 7′ Light Saltwater, Lure 3/16- 1/2 oz., Line 8-17 lb. Redfish, trout, snook, largemouth bass, etc. $25

Casting Rods

Daiwa Power Mesh Procaster PR52-T5, 6 1/2′ Extra Heavy, Lure 3/4- 1 1/2 oz., Line 14-40 lb. $25

Browning Gold Medallion Graphite MC-56M, 6 1/2′ Medium, Lure 1/4- 3/4 oz., Line 8-17 lb. $25

Lew’s Laser TXS, 6’10” Medium Heavy Freshwater, Lure 3/8- 5/8 oz., Line 10-20 lb. This baby almost glows in the dark! Shows signs of wear. $10

Rhino Titanium RHTC 602M, 6′, two-piece, Medium, Lure 1/4- 3/4 oz., Line 8-17 lb. $10

Thanks for looking!

Went to Cape Coral

Went to Cape Coral

Thank you for reading this week’s Went to Cape Coral post.

Saturday found Susan and I in the Sienna, going to Cape Coral on a bit of a shake-down, and to visit Alex and Allison. We went to Cape Coral!

We arrived around supper time, and after dining on Susan’s chili, we watched Coming 2 America. As could be expected, it was silly. It was also well-done and pretty entertaining. I’m glad we watched it!

Went went to the Six-Mile Slough.

Sunday morning, Susan, Allison, and I went to the Six-Mile Cypress Slough Preserve, someplace I had always wanted to visit. The boardwalk wanders through the slough for about a mile-and-a-half loop. We took it slow, barely strolling. There were only a few flowers, and not a lot of wildlife, but the walk is pleasant. It was a good thing to do.

The boardwalk…

 

…a blue flag iris…

 

…a reflection of an old cypress tree…

 

…the woods…

 

…and a white ibis. Good walk!

Afterwards we went to Cafe Brasil for lunch. We all split the muqueca- yum! There may have been a caipirinha involved as well…

Alex and Allison’s neighbors, the burrowing owls.

That evening I went and photographed the owls, little burrowers that live down the street from Alex and Allison.

Their eyes! Pretty amazing!

Monday Alex and I went kayak fishing off Bunche Beach. He used spin, I used fly. He got more trout than me, I got more fish then him. My take, all on Clouser Minnows, included 2 small gag grouper, five mangrove snapper, a dozen or so trout to about 24 inches, and more ladyfish than all three of those others, combined. I stayed pretty busy, and was glad I had a de-hooker! Nothing very exciting, but it sure was nice getting bite after bite.

Didn’t bother taking pictures of fish. This is what was left of the first two flies, mangulated by the fishies. Yes, I did make up that word.

Tuesday morning I went out and shot a few photos of a Plumeria tree.

Frangipangi!

Then we drove home. On the way we got hungry, and stopped in Winter Haven at a dive called Tacos My Friend. Oh, my, for eight bucks we had plenty of belly-filling deliciousness. I recommend the Gorditas!

Tacos, My Friend

 

The menu.

The rest of the week was spent cleaning the van and the house, and testing the electrical systems in the van. So far, so good. It’s almost ready!

Thank you for reading this week’s Went to Cape Coral post!

Life is great and I love life!

Every day is a blessing. Don’t waste it- Go fishing! or walk on a trail! or eat tacos!

John Kumiski, author of Fishing Florida by Paddle- An Angler’s Guide

Purchase a signed copy of Fishing Florida by Paddle- An Angler’s Guide at http://www.spottedtail.com/fishing-florida-by-paddle/

All content in this blog, including writing and photos, copyright John Kumiski 2021. All rights are reserved.

Wetlands Park Post

Wetlands Park Post

Thank you for reading this week’s Wetlands Park post. Lots of pictures this week!

The Wetlands Park visit happened Monday. The winds, like today’s, made it too hard to fish. So I took a couple cameras and went for a walk, about two miles, and a little more.

It was Gatorama.

Surprise! There were lots of cars there when I got there- President’s Day. Didn’t bother the wildlife at all.

It was Gator-ama. And of course there were birds there. Saw a mudfish and some gar, no bass, although I’m sure they are there. Perfect place for them, protected from human predation.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thursday afternoon, another blowy day, I visited the Econ on foot. Got one redbelly on a crappie jig. Then I lost that on some lumber. Tried the plastic shad and plastic worm, cast for about two hours, for a couple gar bites.

Friday afternoon I fished another section of the Econ, again it was blowy (it was blowy all week), and again I was on foot. Again tried the shad and the worm. Did not touch a fish.

So I put five hours or so into the Econ with a single redbelly to show for it. Not very good catching there.

Van update- wired the fans and the inside lights, and finished wiring the DC side of the distribution panel. Ran a wire from the battery to the DC-DC charger. The prediction, and goal, was to have the wiring completed by month’s end. It looks like that will happen. Hopefully nothing will catch fire when I flip the power switch to “ON”!

Thank you for reading this week’s Wetlands Park post!

Life is great and I love life!

Every day is a blessing. Don’t waste it- Go fishing! or walk on a trail!

John Kumiski, author of Fishing Florida by Paddle- An Angler’s Guide

Purchase a signed copy of Fishing Florida by Paddle- An Angler’s Guide at http://www.spottedtail.com/fishing-florida-by-paddle/

All content in this blog, including writing and photos, copyright John Kumiski 2021. All rights are reserved.

Ode to Cabbage Palms Report and photo essay

Ode to Cabbage Palms Report and photo essay

Thank you for reading this Ode to Cabbage Palms Report. There may be a couple fishy mentions in here too!

Monday and Tuesday must have been pretty dull, for I don’t remember what was done. I did repair our clothes dryer in there. My brain must have blotted out that terrible memory! On the other hand, the dryer does get hot and dries our clothes now.

Wednesday afternoon found me in the Bang-O-Craft, launching at CS Lee Park. Target, shad! Went to the mouth of the Econ, where casting commenced. The weather was fantastic. There were some signs of life in the water, and before long I had a fat crappie. A while later I got another. Shortly after I got a little one. And finally, the first shad (for me) of 2021, a little buck, which took a pink crappie jig, right next to the boat. All fish were released.

The noble sabal palm photographs beautifully.

I had been wanting to photograph some palm trees against the setting sun. The sky was spectacular, the light was golden, and I had my cameras.

They’re so Florida!

I went to a stand of sabal palm (Sabal palmetto) trees. Out came the camera. I may have gotten carried away, even trying imitate a palm tree myself.

Silly John, you can’t photosynthesize!

Would life be easier for us if we could photosynthesize? Imagine if we were green and could stand in the sun and make sugar!

Palms at sunset.

You can eat the heart of the sabal palm tree. Only once, though, as removing it kills the tree. Sabal palms are also called cabbage palm because of this edible heart.

Reflections of palms. It’s an ode to cabbage palms!

The Bang-O-Craft lacks lights, so I left before I wanted to, but got some more shots of the sky as I made my way back to the boat ramp.

St. Johns sunset, fantastic.

 

SR 46

Thursday played out in similar fashion, except I went to Mosquito Lagoon, and the photos happened at Black Point Wildlife Drive.

Note the brown slider. Eyes are bead chain.

Two black drum ignored my flies, and a redfish did not. I’m still using the brown slider. The water was quite low, and dare I say it looked a little cleaner? Some green stuff, that exotic algae from the Pacific Ocean (I can’t find the name right now), is starting to grow on the bottom of the lagoon. When that gets established we can be sure we’ll never see manatee grass there again.

The Release!

Friday began the process of installing the solar electrical system in the Sienna, which is probably how much of next week will be spent. At the moment I’m trying to figure out where all the components will go, and how to best mount the solar panel on top of the van.

The spoonbills are still at the wildlife drive.

 

Telephoto sunset.

 

Wide angle sunset.

Thank you for reading this Ode to Cabbage Palms Report blog!

Life is great and I love life!

Every day is a blessing. Don’t waste it- Go fishing! or walk on a trail!

John Kumiski, author of Fishing Florida by Paddle- An Angler’s Guide

Purchase a signed copy of Fishing Florida by Paddle- An Angler’s Guide at http://www.spottedtail.com/fishing-florida-by-paddle/

All content in this blog, including writing and photos, copyright John Kumiski 2021. All rights are reserved.

Alafia River State Park Report, more

Alafia River State Park Report, more

Thank you for reading this Alafia River State Park Report. Did a couple other things, too.

Upcoming EventLake Monroe Cleanup, Jan. 23 

Click the link now to reserve your space!

Sunday– tried my luck shad fishing in the St. Johns, launching at CS Lee and fishing around the Econ River mouth. Cast for three hours, only met this guy again-

Monday– Drove to Stuart to fish with Rick DePaiva in the Indian River Lagoon. Hadn’t seen him since last year! We fished for pompano, and it was s-l-o-w. That having been said, I got two pompano on a pompano jig. Also got a bluefish, a redfish, several crevalle jacks, a ladyfish, and a tiny mutton snapper. We worked it hard all day.

Tuesday Sue and I packed for a little camping trip.

Wednesday through Friday we were at Alafia River State Park in Lithia (Hillsborough County) on a fact-finding mission. I’d never been there nor heard much about it. And really, we went there because I couldn’t get a site at Hillsborough River.

The park sits on an old phosphate mining site. There are phosphate pits full of water there, as well as the Alafia River. The river is small and shallow, but looks like it should hold some bass and bream. We checked it out from a bridge at the park’s south entrance. The only fish we saw, and were hordes of them, were Plecostamus. If I had brought a paddle vessel, I would have explored it. But, didn’t bring a boat.

We walked one of the equestrian trails.

The park’s main claim to fame are the mountain biking trails. They are supposed to be the finest in the southeast. I didn’t bring a bike either, and doubt if I’m healthy enough to ride any more, but the bike trail system is extensive, well-managed, and well-maintained. There’s a pro shop there (closed during our visit), a bike washing station, air pumps, and map boards. Trails are marked by skill level, from the turtle track for beginners to two or three double-diamond expert trails.

The pond I cast into. The banks were high and nearly vertical in most places.

The Turtle Track is a multi-use trail (the bike trails are dedicated- hikers not allowed). Susan and I walked it, and I carried a spin rod. The ponds we came to, with one exception, had such thick duckweed my shad just sat on top of it. Couldn’t get my lure wet for the duckweed! The no-duckweed pond got a few casts with no response, but access was difficult due to the terrain.

Susan on the hiking trail.

There are hiking trails that also use the old phosphate mining area, with abrupt elevation changes sufficient to get one’s heart pumping fast. We started on one and made it up one hill before turning around. The hiking trails map is hopelessly inadequate, unfortunately.

At the park’s north entrance is a phosphate pit you can drag a small boat into. Again, didn’t bring a boat. But it looks delicious…

Phosphate pit at north end of park, courtesy Google Maps.

The campsite was a state park campsite- electric and water hookup, nice clean bathhouse within easy walking distance. Most people there are in RVs so tenters or van life folks pretty much have the bathhouse to themselves.

I went out at night to make photos, and zombies came after me!

So, the park caters to bicycles, has equestrian, hiking, and fishing available, and is nicely maintained. I’d go back, but I’d bring a kayak with me.

Thank you for reading this Alafia River State Park Report blog!

Life is great and I love life!

Every day is a blessing. Don’t waste it- Go fishing! or walk on a trail!

John Kumiski, author of Fishing Florida by Paddle- An Angler’s Guide

Purchase a signed copy of Fishing Florida by Paddle- An Angler’s Guide at http://www.spottedtail.com/fishing-florida-by-paddle/

All content in this blog, including writing and photos, copyright John Kumiski 2020. All rights are reserved.

New Year’s Report from Me to You

New Year’s Report from Me to You

Happy New Year! Thank you for reading this New Year’s Report. I trust and hope everyone is not too hung over from wild revelry on New Year’s Eve. I was in bed at 10 PM myself…

The wind blew hard all week, cutting into fishing opportunities. You find other things to do.

I have a guest post about solo paddle fly fishing in the everglades at Fish Untamed. You can read it at this link- https://fishuntamed.com/solo-fly-fishing-in-the-everglades/

Also, I have been writing a series of mini-digital magazines on Magma Now. The latest is about the Lodge at Whale Pass .

You can see the collection and find new ones as they are posted at https://magmanow.com/@spottedtail/

Yes, I have been trying to keep busy.

Monday– I went fishing in the Indian River Lagoon, since I had not been in a long time. I had shots at two redfish. They both spooked off the fly, not that I could really see what was happening. Cold and with a solid north wind, it would have been a tough day anyway. Plus the water is pretty gross looking, with lots of Rhodophyta everywhere. I did get to meet this fellow, though, after a manner of speaking-

Tuesday– Honey-doooos. Got some quality time in with my bride at the Home Depot. Installed new track lighting in the kitchen.

Wednesday– Planned on fishing with Tom Van Horn, got blown out. Went for a walk with Susan at the improperly named Black Hammock Wilderness Area. Posted a blog about it- https://www.spottedtail.com/blog/seminole-county-wilderness-areas-a-review/

Thursday– Planned on fishing with Rick DePaiva, got blown out. Worked on the van, getting it ready for the solar install.

Friday– Happy New Year! Too windy to fish, again!

Thank you for reading this New Year Report blog!

Life is great and I love life!

Every day is a blessing. Don’t waste it- Go fishing! or walk on a trail!

John Kumiski, author of Fishing Florida by Paddle- An Angler’s Guide

Purchase a signed copy of Fishing Florida by Paddle- An Angler’s Guide at http://www.spottedtail.com/fishing-florida-by-paddle/

All content in this blog, including writing and photos, copyright John Kumiski 2021. All rights are reserved.

Seminole County Wilderness Areas- A Review

Seminole County Wilderness Areas- A Review

Thank you for reading Seminole County Wilderness Areas- A Review.

Before anything else is said, I am very happy Seminole County acquired the properties listed below for the enjoyment of folks for whom Disney World is an anathema. All this land would be built out by now, otherwise.

The Black Hammock Wilderness Area is a 700- acre property.
The Chuluota Wilderness Area is a 625- acre natural area.
Black Bear Wilderness Area is approximately 1600 acres.
The Econ River Wilderness Area is a 240- acre property.
The Geneva Wilderness Area is a 180- acre site.
The Lake Harney Wilderness Area is an approximately 300-acre property.
The Lake Proctor Wilderness Area is a 475- acre property.
The Spring Hammock Preserve is an approximately 1,500- acre property.

I have visited Black Hammock, Chuluota, Econ River, Geneva, Lake Harney, and Lake Proctor areas. They all have attractive features that make them splendid places for walks or runs (especially with the dog), or bike rides. I highly commend Seminole County for maintaining these places.

All the areas have attractive features.

What bothers me about them, and I realize I’m being picky, is the use of the word “wilderness.” Wilderness they certainly are not. Outside of Everglades National Park there is precious little wilderness left in Florida anymore. Even the Everglades has been ditched and logged.

Red maples know it’s winter!

Wilderness includes the most intact, undisturbed wild natural areas left on our planet – those last truly wild places that humans do not control and have not developed with roads, pipelines or other industrial infrastructure.

No way can this be called wilderness.

Calling a 180- acre parcel (or even a 700- acre parcel) that most likely has been logged and farmed a wilderness area does a disservice to the word “wilderness.” It cheapens the word and degrades its meaning. Since I think we need to preserve true wilderness as defined in the preceding paragraph, the County ought to rename these areas as “Woods” or “Preserves.” Good job on the Spring Hammock name, Seminole County!

One other small complaint before I go. Susan and I took a walk today at Black Hammock area. The trail is marked by blue blazes. When I read this, I assumed the blazes were paint. They are actually small metal disks, each one attached to live trees by means of two deck screws.

Could we not come up with a better method of blazing the trail? This is barbaric.

Whoever did this clearly did not consider the tree’s feelings while driving those screws. Trees are living things- how about a little respect there?

Trees are living things, in some cases centuries old.

Other than this the Black Hammock trail was mostly lovely, until reaching the loop near the end of the area. Prior to this the trail meanders through palm-palmetto woods with some pines and oaks, with a few very nice trees. Long boardwalks keep your feet dry at the swampy parts. Once that loop starts, though, it’s open, sandy, a dirt road with tire ruts, and has recently been chopped and burned. Not pretty.

There are benches for resting, a good thing.

When I go back, I will turn around where the loop begins. Aesthetics matter.

That’s the end of the Seminole County Wilderness Areas- A Review. Please let me know your thoughts in the comments section.

John Kumiski

MINWR Fishing and Hiking Report

MINWR Fishing and Hiking Report- with some Florida Trail, too

Thank you for reading this MINWR Fishing and Hiking Report! Tried to keep busy this week!

Wishing everyone a Very Merry Christmas and a happy and healthy New Year!

Monday– Worked on some mini-mags for my Magma Now account. If you’re looking for something to do while you’re at work, please visit my page at https://magmanow.com/@spottedtail/

Fish on the first cast, not often a good thing.

Tuesday– Took the kayak to Mosquito Lagoon. You know, I like to think I’m all 21st century and past superstitions, but when I catch a fish on the first cast I just feel kind of jinxed, ya know what I mean? Then I didn’t see another fish until mid-afternoon. Got one more bite, pooched it. Still tossing the slider. Note to self- make some more.

I’ve been getting my fish on these sliders. I’ve been pressing the barbs down before using them.

Wednesday– A front came through, mostly stayed home.

The woods were dark, and lovely.

Thursday– Went to Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge. The Visitor Center is closed, because of COVID I suspect. Fished with a spin rod along Gator Creek road for about an hour, did not touch one.

The resurrection ferns were happy because of Wednesday’s rain.

Went hiking on the Palm and Oak Hammock trails, on which I had never been. It was cold and overcast, so there were no bugs. The woods were lovely and dark. I saw an otter, but did not get a photo.

The maple leaves have changed colors and the trees are mostly bare.

Went hiking on the Scrub Ridge trail. Did not see much there.

Lots of birds on the Black Point Wildlife Drive!

Drove the Black Point Wildlife Drive. There were SO MANY birds there, just awesome. All kinds, even pink ones. Very worth going.

FT trail head.

Friday– Took a hike on the section of the Florida Trail from the Flagler Trail head on Snow Hill Road to Brumley Road. It was chilly and nice for hiking! Started about 0900, got home 1330. A lovely walk it was!

The trail looked great!

 

Got to cross this bridge.

 

Found some pitcher plants, in bloom no less.

Thank you for reading this MINWR Fishing and Hiking Report blog!

Life is great and I love life!

Every day is a blessing. Don’t waste it- Go fishing! or walk on a trail!

John Kumiski, author of Fishing Florida by Paddle- An Angler’s Guide

Purchase a signed copy of Fishing Florida by Paddle- An Angler’s Guide at http://www.spottedtail.com/fishing-florida-by-paddle/

All content in this blog, including writing and photos, copyright John Kumiski 2020. All rights are reserved.

Florida Trail and Mosquito Lagoon Report

Florida Trail and Mosquito Lagoon Report

At a Florida Trail head…

Thank you for reading this Florida Trail and Mosquito Lagoon Report.

If you want the fishing report, please scroll down past the hiking.

Tuesday– Regular readers of this blog know that my Mitzi Skiff was up for sale. It sold on Tuesday. While I still have a jonboat and three paddle vessels, I am now skiffless. I am out of the fishing guide business!

Mills Creek was full of water.

 

While waiting for the transaction to take place, I went for a stroll on the Florida Trail. Not too worried about ticks and chiggers when the temperature is in the 40s! Walked from Curryville Road to Brumley Road. Hawk, sandhill crane, and songbird calls filled the air. I saw, but was not able to photograph, a flock of about 15 turkeys. At least three had beards.

A designated FT campsite.

 

The trail was in good shape. Clearly a crew had been working recently. While the weather is cool and the bugs are knocked down, get out for a walk! It’ll do you good!

Unlike other seasons, there were not many flowers- a few purple asters, a few goldenrod. Most of the flowers had gone to seed.

 

I love the way the light plays through the cabbage palm leaves.

 

Wednesday– I visited the Orlando VA Medical Center at Lake Baldwin to see the optometrist. Always a good time! Yeah, I still need glasses. And it only took three hours or so.

Thursday– My mantra for winter fishing has always been, the best day is when the wind stops blowing after a cold front. This was the day! Would the water be clean?

The water is not close to clean.

The water, while fairly low, was not clean. At all. But I still managed to find a few happy fish, and even caught a couple. The fly was an old slider with rusty bead chain eyes. The fish didn’t seem to mind the rust.

Still got one on fly. Note the awesome beanie! Off the Trail Apparel.

Friday– another day filled with great weather. I went paddle fishing at Mosquito Lagoon again at a different spot. I had several hours of searching before finding anything, but managed to again catch a redfish on the same beater fly from yesterday. I should have taken a photo of it.

Today’s fish.

Thank you for reading this Florida Trail and Mosquito Lagoon Report blog!

Life is great and I love life!

Every day is a blessing. Don’t waste it- Go fishing! or walk on a trail!

John Kumiski, author of Fishing Florida by Paddle- An Angler’s Guide

Purchase a signed copy of Fishing Florida by Paddle- An Angler’s Guide at http://www.spottedtail.com/fishing-florida-by-paddle/

All content in this blog, including writing and photos, copyright John Kumiski 2020. All rights are reserved.