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Not Much Fishing This Week

November 19, 2022 by · 2 Comments

Not Much Fishing This Week

Thanks for reading this week’s post, Not Much Fishing This Week. The weather has still been iffy, and other projects take my time on marginal weather days.

I bought plans for a canoe build from Cape Falcon Kayak. I’ve been prepping in order to start the actual canoe building process- building sawhorses, purchasing needed tools and materials, etc. So when a cold front comes through, like happened this past week, I have another outlet for my nervous energy.

Also, I’m writing for the Global Outdoors Blog , and Rivers and Feathers . Gotta pay for that canoe!

On a different note, 15,000 redfish fingerlings were just stocked into the Banana River Lagoon. Read the press release here- 

For subscribers- if the photos don’t load, click this link- www.spottedtail.com/blog.

Tuesday I went kayaking on Mosquito Lagoon. The water is so high! I found a load of baby tarpon- true babies, like yearlings. Many couldn’t get the fly in their mouths. I was WAY overgunned with a four-weight. Got four babies, and three snooklets, and two slot reds, on a mix of fly and spin. I wanted a trout to finish the symmetry, but it didn’t happen.


Wednesday I took the Bang-O-Craft to Mosquito Lagoon, different spot. Did not touch a fish with the fly rod, but got two snooklets and a trout that maybe could have held batter, by using the rubber shad. Pretty slow fishing, and then the front came.

As another public service announcement, in the area I fish around the Kennedy Space Center, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission has closed all taking of red drum, effective July 2022. Seatrout season is closed all of November as well. Read the regulations here… Don’t get caught with illegal fish! The lagoons need those fish more than you do, anyway.

Best wishes for a Happy Thanksgiving. Remember to count your blessings…

That’s Not Much Fishing This Week. 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 2022. All rights are reserved.

Filed Under: central florida fishing report, Fishing News, Fishing Reports · Tagged: , , , ,

What’s in Your Fishing First Aid Kit?

February 3, 2021 by · Leave a Comment

What’s in Your Fishing First Aid Kit?

Guest Post by Justin Walker

Bass in Michigan. Salmon in Alaska. Rainbow trout in Canada. Cod in the United Kingdom. Carp in Thailand.

Across the globe, fishing is a popular outdoor activity. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations estimates the global number of recreational anglers ranges from a minimum of 220 million to a maximum of 700 million. In the United States, the International Game Fish Association estimates 8.5 million recreational anglers took 194 million fishing trips in 2018.

What’s the appeal? Fishing is a great way to connect to nature and a safe way to get outdoors during a pandemic.

Whether you are new to the sport or a long-time angler, medical and fishing experts have recommendations for the essential you need in your fishing first aid kits.

Patrick Pendergast at The Fly Shop, a leading outfitter, travel agent and retail store said he carries the Northwest River Supply Paddler Medical Kit with him while fishing. “It comes in a waterproof dry bag and has most of the essentials you would need,” he said.

Amy Ray, president of The Sisterhood of the Outdoors, recommends bringing something wire snappers on fishing trips in case you have to push a barb through your finger. “Where we go, you can’t walk out,” she said. “Although we’re most often dealing with cuts and scrapes — a slip of a knife is the most common injury — it’s important to have the basics with you at all times.”

Fishing isn’t as high risk as some sports. “The most frequent injuries are hook related, or falls,” said Jeffrey Weinstein, medical operations supervisor at Global Rescue. He explained that people may be on prolonged fishing expeditions, at sea or in remote areas. “Minor injuries can become big issues if left uncared for while trying to get out of a remote area,” he said.

So what are the essentials for a fishing first aid kit? Here are the top four categories from experts in the field: 

  • Basic Wound Cleaning and Care: alcohol wipes, Steri strips, saline rinse, gauze, tape and adhesive bandages, and an ace bandage wrap. 
  • Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): for protection from COVID-19 include non-latex gloves, an appropriate mask, hand sanitizer, and eye protection.  
  • Splinting and Hemorrhage Control Equipment: tourniquets, rolled gauze, triangular cravats, a SAM splint, and finger splints. 
  • Over-The-Counter Medications: nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs like Ibuprofen), Antiplatelets (aspirin, for possible heart attacks), anti-diarrhea medications, laxatives, rehydration salts, topical creams/steroids/triple-antibiotic, toothache ointment (Orajel), antihistamines, aloe for burns, motion sickness medication, an epi-pen (for anaphylactic emergencies), antiemetics (for nausea – and may require a prescription)

Weinstein recommends vacuum sealing different modules within your fishing first aid kit to protect it from water exposure. “I would vacuum seal a medications module, a bandaging module, and so on. Then I would vacuum seal all the bags. This way if you open one module for something everything else is still protected. I would also carry extra zip-lock bags to seal an opened module,” he said.

Whether you’re fishing close to home or abroad in a remote location, smart anglers will carry a complete fishing first aid kit before their first cast. 

 

 Justin Walker is Global Rescue’s Fishing Manager and has fished all over the world. 

 

Filed Under: Fishing News, Fishing Product News and Reviews · Tagged: ,

Paddle Fishing and Hiking Report

January 16, 2021 by · 1 Comment

Paddle Fishing and Hiking Report

Thank you for reading this Mosquito Lagoon paddle fishing and hiking report.

For the small audience that was interested in my Sienna van conversion, I have renewed that project, since the holidays are past. I posted a link about the start of the second phase (solar power installation) here-
https://www.spottedtail.com/blog/sienna-camper-van-conversion-phase-2-starts/

FISHING

I’ve had better weeks catching.

Monday- I went fly fishing by kayak on Mosquito Lagoon on Monday. I hoped the cold would have cleared the water. It did not. But it was low, 0.4 feet on the Haulover Canal gauge, so I could see a little.

I had three shots. Got the first fish, a red, on a brown slider, was ignored by the other two. Good thing the weather was awesome. Long day getting only three shots otherwise.

Thursday I took a five mile walk on the Florida Trail, from Barr St. to Snow Hill Road. Beautiful walking day, temperatures in the 50s. Trying to keep moving, so I can keep moving.

Friday I launched the kayak at River Breeze for the first time in almost a year, I had heard that the water was clean up there, and for the most part it was. There was no grass anywhere.

I paddled pretty hard, covering ground, looking for fish. I hit many of my favorite spots. I was thinking I’d be running another picture of Pepe le Pew in this post when, to my utter surprise, I got a bite while blind casting into a hole. It was a trout, close to 20 inches. A few minutes later I got another, smaller, one. I was spin fishing, using the 3″ shad.

Not huge, but it chased the skunk.

That was it for the day from a catching standpoint.

There was very little life in the water. I ran over a single redfish. Mullet were scarce. There were no crabs, no baitfish. All my favorite holes (with that one exception) were barren.

But the water was clean in most places I passed.

I passed a gentleman in a motorboat who told me the water temperature at that spot was 59F, the warmest he’d found that day. He hadn’t see much either. Now 59 is cold, but I’ve found and caught reds in colder water than that. I think that after six years of algae, no grass, etc, the food supply is mostly gone. No food, no fishies. Sad.

So it’s not an encouraging report, but that’s life and fishing in Florida in 2021.

Thank you for reading this Mosquito Lagoon paddle fishing and hiking report.

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.

 

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

Part Mosquito Lagoon Fishing Report, Part Information

November 28, 2020 by · Leave a Comment

Part Mosquito Lagoon Fishing Report, Part Information

Thank you for reading this part Mosquito Lagoon fishing report, part information. I did not intend to post a blog this week, but surprised myself with my industriousness.

FISHING

Sunday I took my bride for lunch (Sunrise Bread Company) and a drive on Biolab Road. There were quite a few truck fishermen soaking shrimp there. They were all catching fish, black drum, trout, catfish. So there’s that. Not my cup of java, but if it works for you there are fish there.

Alfred Hitchcock would love this.

Tuesday I went kayak fishing with a fly rod in Mosquito Lagoon, in spite of high, dirty water and a fairly stiff wind. I figured it would be tough fishing. It was cool enough that I wore my chest waders, quite a delightful day actually.

Nice tail.

In six hours of hunting I saw a handful of fish. Managed two bites, both on the redfish worm, the last coming right before I left. I caught, photographed, and released that fish, and went home happy.

The release.

Information

Florida butterflies are in danger. The fluttering species that inspire wonder, pique curiosity and support our natural environment need protection. More than any other state on the east coast, Florida is home to 178 different species of native butterflies. Sadly, many of these species are imperiled, with some already now gone.

You can help! Click this link for more information on how!

The US Department of the Interior, which has crapped all over the country the last four years, has loosened up some money for Florida finally. Read about it here…

Have you ever seen an exploding whale? This is laugh-out-loud…

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OK, it’s black Friday weekend. Books make wonderful gifts! Here are a few suggestions!

Fishing Florida by Paddle– Sprinkling colorful history throughout, author John Kumiski highlights the state’s best paddle fishing destinations, both freshwater and saltwater, including the bass of Farm 13, the redfish and trout along the Big Bend Paddling Trail and the snook and tarpon of the Everglades. Learn the locales and what to do when you get there, including launch points, shuttles, rentals, tackle, techniques and more.

The Indian River Lagoon Chronicles- On December 1, 2013, five intrepid paddlers launched their vessels at JB’s Fish Camp in New Smyrna Beach, Florida. Their destination? Jupiter, Florida, 160 miles distant. During their nineteen-day voyage of discovery they travel the length of the Indian River Lagoon, meeting birds, snails, manatees, and mangroves, dolphins, scientists, restaurateurs, and seagrasses, other paddlers, the ghost of Henry Flagler, and much more.

Into the tale of their journey is woven the forgotten history of the people who lived along the lagoon’s banks- Indians, soldiers, settlers, agriculturalists, fishermen, treasure hunters, entrepreneurs, dredgers and many others.

What They’re Saying About This Book-
“Found a copy of the Indian River chronicles…couldn’t put it down, well done sir…thank you!” -Steve Betts

“Wow! really enjoyed the read. You did a fantastic job of catching the spirit and adventure of the trip. I especially enjoyed the historical notes along the way. At the end I had tears in my eyes…” – Darryl “Bones” Benton

Pura Agua, by Rodney Smith- Smith’s passion for clean water, for a healthy planet, shines on every page, as does his love of surfing.

Proceeds from the book go to the Marine Resources Council of Central Florida and to Anglers for Conservation, making a purchase of Pura Agua a donation to two important, water-centric charities.

If you’re aware of your surroundings and you’ve been in Florida more than 10 years, you don’t need Pura Agua to tell you there are water quality problems here. For those who have been here five years or less, though, Pura Agua should be required reading.

Get a copy of Pura Agua. It just may change your life.

NOTE TO READER- I could not find a way to order this title today. When I get that information I will include it an another post.

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In my last post I asked that readers follow me on Instagram. I’m @spottedtailflyfish and would still appreciate it if you would follow me.

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As soon as this is posted I’m leaving for a week-long paddle-fly-fishing trip to Everglades National Park. Even with a cold front coming through, there should be a decent report next week.

I hope everyone had a safe and blessed Thanksgiving!

Thank you for reading this Part Fishing Report, Part information blog!

Life is great and I love life!

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

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.

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

No Fishing Report, and Things Change

October 31, 2020 by · Leave a Comment

No Fishing Report, and Things Change

Thank you for reading another no fishing report. And, things change! And, Happy Halloween!

Due to COVID, I worked as a charter captain perhaps five days since March. Given the current quality of the water where I fish, that is not necessarily a bad thing. It did hurt the bottom line in a huge way though.

The USPS brought my commercial use permit renewal form from the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge. I’m not renewing it.

Last Wednesday I brought the Mitzi to Jam-Up in Sanford to get the gel coat nicks fixed. I picked it up Monday. Looks great! I’m getting the Yamaha painted and then I’m putting the rig up for sale. I will have details in a week or two.

The nature of this blog will change as a result. I will still be fishing, but not trying to sell trips. There will be more travel. Fishing from different places, should be great! Photos of mountains and deserts, I can’t wait!

Back to the present. Didn’t fish this week. Wednesday Susan and I had some errands to run. One of hers involved the Sewing Studio on 17-92 in Maitland. When we got there, I put my mask on and got out of the car. “You’re going in?” she asked, surprised. “Fly tying materials, babe!”

A small sample of the goods at the Sewing Studio. Those are all spools of thread.

I didn’t buy anything. But a creative fly tyer with some disposable income could have a party in there. Every imaginable color of thread, all kinds of metallic and holographic appliques, beads, sequins, etc. If you’re in the neighborhood it’s definitely worth checking out. And you’ll be the only guy in a store full of women.

Thursday I had to be domestic, and had more errands.

Friday I had an 8 o’clock with chiropractor David Demetree (HIGHLY recommended) to get my spine straightened out. And then it was prep time for my upcoming trip to St. George Island State Park. So there should be an actual fishing report next week! Redfish and seatrout and macks, oh my!

Redfish…

 

…and sea trout…

 

…and macks, oh my! All caught at SGISP on previous trips.

Going fishing where fish actually bite sometimes, should be GREAT!

Life is great and I love life!

Every day is a blessing. Don’t waste it- Go Fishing! or travel!

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

Filed Under: Fishing News, Fishing Reports · Tagged: , , , , ,

New Book No Fishing Report

October 26, 2019 by · Leave a Comment

New Book No Fishing Report

Below are a couple last photos of Connecticut. You won’t see this on the crowded highways. They were shot in Indian Well State Park.

 

Susan and I got home in the wee hours Wednesday morning. Between the mountain of correspondence, a doctor appointment, yard work, and a small craft advisory I did not get out to fish. But six copies of my new book arrived! So we have a new book no fishing report.

We flew Frontier. There was no entertainment provided. I had a book and an ipod, so I was good. And the flight was short, only from Connecticut. Frontier ain’t frilly, that’s for sure.

My new book, Fishing Florida by Paddle, is now available. I am certainly biased but it looks great! If you buy it from me I’ll sign it! Click this link for more information!

I found twenty copies of Fishing the Everglades in the attic. If you’ve been wanting one of these long-out-of-print gems, this is your big chance!

That’s this week’s New Book No Fishing Report. Thanks for reading!

Life is great and I love my work!

Every day is precious- Go Fishing!

John Kumiski
www.spottedtail.com
http://www.spottedtail.com/blog
www.johnkumiski.com
www.rentafishingbuddy.com
https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/jkumiski

All content in this blog, including writing and photos, copyright John Kumiski 2019. All rights are reserved.

Filed Under: Fishing News, Fishing Product News and Reviews, Fishing Reports · Tagged: ,

The Last 2019 Alagnak River Fishing Report

September 1, 2019 by · 1 Comment

The Last 2019 Alagnak River Fishing Report

Fellow guide Karl Baird with a nice king salmon.

Thank you for reading this last 2019 Alagnak River Fishing Report from Katmai Lodge- written from the comfort of my desk at home!

With the exception of one day it did not rain all summer. There are fires everywhere, with lots of smoke in the river valley much of the time. Anchorage was the same way- you could not see the mountains from town.

Last year’s silver salmon hotspots are dry now. We kept catching fish, but fishing remained tough to the end. Everyone had to switch to jet boats since the river was so shallow.

In spite of tougher than usual fishing, it was a good season. The lodge and the folks I worked with are great, and so is the river. I look forward to returning next summer. That ride home, though, is so looonnnnngggggg. And I get here just in time for a hurricane!

Last week I promised some exciting news- I have a new book coming out! It’s a guide book to fishing Florida by paddle craft. Click this link for more information, or to order!

That’s the last 2019 Alagnak River Fishing Report. Thanks for reading!

Life is great and I love my work!

Life is short- Go Fishing!

John Kumiski
www.spottedtail.com
http://www.spottedtail.com/blog
www.johnkumiski.com
www.rentafishingbuddy.com
https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/jkumiski

All content in this blog, including writing and photos, copyright John Kumiski 2019. All rights are reserved.

Filed Under: Alagnak River fishing report, Fishing News, Fishing Product News and Reviews, Fishing Reports, Paddle Fishing Florida · Tagged: , , , ,

New Book- Fishing Florida by Paddle!

August 31, 2019 by · 1 Comment

Announcing a New Book on fishing Florida by paddle craft!

FISHING FLORIDA BY PADDLE- AN ANGLER’S GUIDE

By John Kumiski

From Pensacola to Jacksonville to the Everglades, fishing by paddle craft in the Sunshine State offers seemingly endless journeys. Whether in the cypress dugouts of the Calusa, Dimock’s wood- and-canvas tarpon fishing canoe or in modern fiberglass and plastic, humans have been paddle fishing in Florida for thousands of years. Sprinkling colorful history throughout, author John Kumiski highlights the state’s best paddle fishing destinations, both freshwater and saltwater, including the bass of Farm 13, the redfish and trout along the Big Bend Paddling Trail and the snook and tarpon of the Everglades. Learn the locales and what to do when you get there, including launch points, shuttles, rentals, tackle, techniques, guides, and more.

Foreword by Doug Olander, editor & content director, Sport Fishing Magazine.

FISHING FLORIDA BY PADDLE- AN ANGLER’S GUIDE, published by the History Press, will retail for $21.99. Publication is set for October 28 or thereabouts.

Check back for ordering information!

Filed Under: Fishing News, Fishing Product News and Reviews, Paddle Fishing Florida ·

An Angler’s Journal- A Review

March 6, 2019 by · Leave a Comment

An Angler’s Journal- A Review

My friend Rodney can tell you what he caught on this date 10 years ago, where he caught it, how he caught it, what the weather was like, where the barometer and moon phase were, and more. I’ve never had the self-discipline to record all that information- until now.

An Angler’s Journal (Quiet Fox Designs, 160 pages, paperback, $12.95) provides me with a space for everything a fisherman needs to remember in one organized place, including locations, companions, weather, equipment and lures used, and size, number, and species caught. The illustrations are beautiful.

The main feature of the journal is the expedition log. Every new entry in the log has two pages. On the first you record key facts about your trip- date, time, weather, air and water temperature, where you fished, who you fished with, fish caught and how you caught them, and any other information you care to add. The second page has space where you can draw or place a picture of your fishing spot. You can annotate this picture with important information like water depth, current flow, water temperature, shoals, hot spots, etc. When you’re finished you have a comprehensive record of your fishing trip.

The journal also contains a life list, and has plenty of space for photos of your catch and your friend’s.

When the journal is full, you’ll have a wealth of data to refer to on future trips, and a scrapbook of your favorite angling memories. Keeping a log book is an essential part of successful fishing. An Angler’s Journal is a great piece of equipment– you won’t find a better log book.

-John Kumiski

Filed Under: book reviews, Fishing News, Fishing Product News and Reviews, Fishing Tips · Tagged: , ,

Creek Week Central Florida Fishing Report

February 10, 2018 by · Leave a Comment

Creek Week Central Florida Fishing Report

I paddle fished solo three times this week, at three different creeks- the creek week central Florida fishing report.

The Indian River Lagoon Chronicles is now available as a paperback book, either from me or from amazon…

Upcoming Events-
-Fishing Seminar, Kayaks by Bo, March 17. In case you missed the first one. Please call to make a reservation (321) 474-9365
-Mosquito Lagoon On-the-Water Show and Tell Seminar, March 18. Learn the Mosquito Lagoon by boat! See this link…

Tuesday
My charter cancelled at the last possible minute. Within minutes the kayak was tied to the car roof and I was heading to St. Johns county, to Faver-Dykes State Park.

Last time I was there the boat ramp was mud. Now there’s a real boat ramp with a dock!

The boat was launched into Pellicer Creek and pointed east. The water was dark, not moving. It was quiet and no bites were forthcoming. An otter and several raccoons were observed, though.

I reached Pellicer Flats, where slimy filamentous green algae was found in clumps. The oysters looked healthy but I did not see a fish, or get a bite.

As I returned to the creek the water was moving, an incoming tide. After three hours of nothing, the first bite surprised me and I missed it. The second bite prompted a drop of the anchor. For an hour action was steady on the plastic shad, seatrout and a couple reds, nothing big, but all appreciated after staring down the skunk.

Wednesday
I’ve lived in central Florida since 1984, had at least one paddle vessel that entire time, and had never been on Turnbull Creek. That changed Wednesday.

It’s a beautiful little creek, winding through cordgrass marsh, surrounded by oak woods. The wind was blowing hard enough that just a few minutes out the road noise from US 1 was gone.

My first bite was a seatrout about six inches long. My second bite was a snook about eight inches long. My third (and final) bite was a redfish about 12 inches long. So it took four hours of paddling but I got some kind of miniature slam, again on the plastic shad.

Thursday
Deciding to keep it real local, I went to the Econlockhatchee. The plastic shad did not produce a fish. The fly fooled several fish- a stumpknocker, a redbelly, three bluegills, and a six-inch largemouth bass.

I was testing out a new (for me) mouse pattern I saw in Fish Alaska magazine, which is what the bass came on. It needs some modification but I think it will be good.

Another fly I’m working on is a foam caddis fly imitation. I’m tired of my dry flies sinking. A foam fly won’t need floatant, either.

the foam caddis fly

And that is the creek week central Florida fishing report.

Life is great and I love my work!

Life is short- Go Fishing!

John Kumiski
www.spottedtail.com
http://www.spottedtail.com/blog
www.johnkumiski.com
www.rentafishingbuddy.com
https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/jkumiski

All content in this blog, including writing and photos, copyright John Kumiski 2018. All rights are reserved.

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Filed Under: Fishing News, Fishing Reports, Fishing Tips, Flies and Fly Tying ·
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