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Exploring Escalante

June 23, 2013 by · Leave a Comment

Exploring Escalante

No matter how extraordinary the scenery, sooner or later one must take a break from hiking.

Susan and I visited Kodachrome Basin State Park on Saturday. The park boasts magnificent, majestic scenery and wonderful hiking. However, it’s June and by mid-day it was getting rather hot. We decided to take a ride along Utah’s Scenic Highway 12.

Exploring Escalante

Susan still doing the hiking thing, at Kodachrome Basin State Park.

Ordinarily scenic drives do not excite me. I’d rather be out in the scenery than driving past it. I make an exception for this road, however. It’s extraordinary.

About 2 PM we came to the town of Escalante. Wanting a cup of joe, I parked the car and went on a search mission. The first stop was the Escalante Mercantile, a really nice natural foods store owned by a wonderful woman named Marcie Hoffman. If you need real food and you are in the area this is the place to stop. Marcie directed us to another store a short distance up the street, Escalante Outfitters. She also gave us some other information she thought we could use in order to enjoy her adopted town a little more.

Escalante had wildflower gardens along the sidewalks, in people’s yards, everywhere. Very nice.

So we get to Escalante Outfitters. The have a fly fishing guide there. The sell clothing. They sell jewelry. They sell books. They sell outdoor equipment. They have a topographic map case which is indexed. They play great music. There is a restaurant. I get my coffee, which (at 2:30 in the afternoon) is fresh and tastes heavenly, a really good cup. Susan and I check out the dinner menu and immediately decide to eat dinner there, even though dinnertime is three hours away.

Up the road a mile I had spotted an art gallery. Susan teaches art and will always be interested so we go there. It’s the gallery of David and Brigitte Delthony. He make art that doubles as furniture- spectacular, unique, for those with discriminatting tastes. He has won a plethora of awards and one look is all it takes to see why.

A rocking chair crafted by David Delthony.

A rocking chair crafted by David Delthony.

Brigitte is a potter. Her hands are covered in mud when we arrive. She graciously spends 40 minutes talking with us about her work, how she builds it, how she fires and finishes it. Every piece is absolutely exquisite. Like her husband she has won many awards. It was an awesome stop, well worth our time.

One of Brigitte's exquisite pots, if "pot" can describe something like this.

One of Brigitte’s exquisite pots, if “pot” can describe something like this.

We tear ourselves away and visit another gallery. When you travel and visit a gallery cold, you never know what to expect. Escalante Gallery has outstanding photography, handmade jewelry, pottery, and other very nice gift items. We spoke at length with the owner and photographer, Tracy Hassett. His work makes mine look like chopped liver. He gave us lots of good information- more than we could use!- that he publishes in the form of maps, available on their website.

I tell him I want to go to Bryce and photograph the full moon rising.He suggests I get up in the morning and photograph it setting. He tells me where to park the car in order to get the shot. I follow his instructions, and get the shot below. Stopping at Escalente Galleries was a much more than worthwhile stop.

exploring escalante

Moonset over Bryce Canyon

Escalante sits in the north side of the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, almost two million acres of wild, wild country. Bryce Canyon is gorgeous, but it’s a national park. It’s crowded. The national monument was the last place mapped in the lower 48 states. It’s vast, undeveloped, and very, very uncrowded. If you come out to southern Utah and you like solitude and adventure it’s the place you need to visit. The town of Escalante would make a very good base for that kind of adventure.

Nearly dinner time now, we make our way back to Escalante Outfitters and order chicken salad sandwiches. They are nearly heavenly, the first good food we’ve had since leaving Kansas City. Yeah, we had a wonderful time exploring Escalante.

Life is great and I love my work!

Life is short. Go adventuring!

John Kumiski
http://www.spottedtail.com

All content in this blog, including writing and photos, copyright John Kumiski 2013. All rights are reserved.

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Food Tyrants- A Review

June 10, 2013 by · Leave a Comment

food tyrants

 

Food Tyrants- A Review

Food Tyrants- Fight for Your Right to Healthy Food in a Toxic World, by Nicoles Faires, 242 pages, hardcover, Skyhorse Publishing, $24.95.

Human beings have several very basic needs. Clean air. Clean water. Healthy food. Love.

Food Tyrants only discusses food. Most of us trust corporate America to supply our food. In Food Tyrants author Nicole Faires makes a compelling argument that trusting Monsanto, other large food corporations, and the USDA is a really bad idea.

Monsanto is the company that brought us Agent Orange, Round-Up, and genetically modified seeds. Their goal is nothing less than complete control of the world’s food supply. They are scarily close to attaining that goal.

Most of the meat in your grocery store is produced by what Faires calls factory farms. Let’s just say that neither humane treatment nor hygiene are high priorities in these establishments. Read the book.

Most eggs sold in the United States are produced by hens in small cages. These eggs cause between 650,000 ands 3.8 million cases of Salmonella poisoning every year. Free-range egg-producing chickens cut salmonella down by 98 percent.

The USDA does everything it can to help large food corporations. “Their goal seems to be to protect the big farms from too much fallout when they sell contaminated food.” Less than one percent of cattle in the United States are tested for mad cow disease every year.

But the USDA has the manpower to send undercover agents out to harass and arrest farmers who are producing wholesome, locally grown, non-corporate foods.

Think about all the unhealthy people you know. Obesity, allergies, cancer- all of these illnesses and more are linked to the types and quality of the foods we eat.

OK, so there may be problems with our access to healthy food. What do we do about it? Faires advocates buying locally produced foods, starting local farms and farming cooperatives, urban neighborhood farms, backyard vegetable plots, etc. Take control of your access to healthy food as best you can, by whatever means necessary! As an example Faires uses the Victory Gardens that were in such widespread use during World War 2.

Food Tyrants offers step-by-step solutions to the problem of access to healthy food that anyone can follow. The book is very well written, with excellent documentation of everything she states (it has a 29 page bibliography) and an index.

Everybody who eats needs to read Food Tyrants, the most important book I’ve read in at least five years. I recommend it without reservation.

Visit Nicole Faires website at this link…

John Kumiski
http://www.spottedtail.com

All content in this blog, including writing and photos, copyright John Kumiski 2013. All rights are reserved.

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Bonefishing Crooked Island, Bahamas

June 2, 2013 by · 1 Comment

Bonefishing Crooked Island, Bahamas

A Guest Blog by Michelle M. Yelton

bonefishing crooked island bahamas

Guide Shakey shows off a bonefish.

Shakey. The name, not the fly-fishing. The fishing is spot on.  Standing atop a powder white flat seasoned with a gray-toned rock bottom, Shakey points his finger with the confidence of a military sniper and commands, “ten o’clock, 30 feet, cast it now.”

To the untrained eye, even donning a pair of polarized lenses, one might think Shakey is off.  But, he couldn’t be more precise.  Hidden in clear sight is a bounty of bonefish.

To someone listening in, one might mistake Shakey for an intense gym trainer.

“Cast it again! Now, now! Go! Aww, shit, you missed it.  Dropped it too hard. Try again, man.”

It’s no wonder these stunning fish, nearly transparent and adorned with sterling silver tiger stripes, are also known as the “ghosts of the flats.” It’s the unlikely scenario where camouflage meets pristine beauty giving fly fisherman and guides the challenge of first spotting, then landing one.

But after 18 years as a fly-fishing guide on the Crooked Island of the Bahamas, make no mistake, Shakey’s eyes and judgment are not a reflection of his nickname.

Born Elton McKinney, Shakey remembers the first time he witnessed the sport of fly fishing.

“In 1994 this guy came to the island to fly fish, and I thought it was the craziest thing I’d ever seen,” Shakey recalls.  “But after watching him a while, I asked him to teach me.”

That was just the beginning.  His family thought he was foolish for spending gas money to boat around the islands looking for bonefish, but Shakey knew he discovered a gem that could profoundly impact his town’s economy.

“I told them to relax; that this was my money and my time. Knowledge is power and I just keep pushing on.” 

And he was right. Before guiding for bonefish, Shakey and his father hauled in bonefish commercially. Once Shakey realized the fish had more potential as a tourism draw, he took action to stop that practice.

“After I started guiding I told my old man, ‘We aren’t hauling no more bonefish,'” said Shakey. “And he wasn’t happy about that. Then, I went to the police and told them these fish mean more to us than the nets, and the police agreed with that.”

Shakey and his team of seven anglers guide all year round.  While prime season is October through May, the fishing is still worthwhile the entire year.  Trips can be booked through Crooked Island Lodge.

Lodging
A group of four-room bungalows that a few yards from the beach complete with restaurant, gift shop and bar make up Crooked Island Lodge. Built in the late 1960s, the rustic and serene lodge offers the only commercial lodging option on the island. Accommodations are air-conditioned and comfortably simple, yet a good night’s sleep is never a challenge with the rocking cadence of ocean waves right outside your window. Maxing out at 12 rooms, action and adventure are only found on the water. On land, it’s all about relaxation whether it is lying beachside underneath shaded hammocks or strolling the immaculate shoreline.

Activities
In addition to the excellent fly-fishing, there are a variety of incredible spots for diving, deep sea fishing, swimming and snorkeling.  Better yet, hire a guide boat or rent kayaks and head across the bay to the old, abandoned lighthouse.  While there, learn how to catch conch or spear fresh lobster, and watch in awe as the guide transforms it into a gourmet seaside meal with just a knife, some foil and a hand-built fire. For an added treat while fly-fishing, ask Shakey to make the dolphins jump.

Dining
Meals are cooked to order three times a day at Crooked Island Lodge, and lunch coolers are packed for excursions. Dinners are the highlight of the dining experience where everyone is served the same meal, which is always a surprise of freshly caught seafood. The food is divine.

Local Tips
UV tops and pants recommended to fight the daytime sunrays, especially if going out on the water.  Pack some lightweight, long-sleeved shirts and pants or bug spray to ward off the mosquitoes and sand fleas while on land.

How to Get There
Bahamas Air flies to Crooked Island early on Saturdays and Wednesdays, which requires an overnight stop in Nassau the night before. Likewise, Pineapple Air flies in early on Mondays and Fridays.  Otherwise, hire a private charter and fly straight to Crooked Island Lodge, which has its own seaside runway.  Travelers on charter boats often make pit stops at Crooked Island Lodge where they can find food, drinks and wireless Internet.  Anchor in the bay and use a dinghy to come ashore.

Learn More
To learn more about fly-fishing in Crooked Island, Bahamas, contact The Granddaddy Fly Fishing Experience at info@granddaddyflyfishing.com or 828-288-1221 or visit their website at www.granddaddyflyfishing.com.  Additional information about Crooked Island Lodge and Crooked Island, Bahamas can be found at http://crookedislandlodge.com/.

North Carolina resident Michelle Yelton works for a public relations firm. She enjoys fishing in the Bahamas.

All content in this blog, including writing and photos, copyright John Kumiski 2013. All rights are reserved.
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Cockpit Confidential- A Review

May 19, 2013 by · Leave a Comment

cockpit confidential

 

Cockpit Confidential- A Review

Who amongst us hasn’t looked at a jet aircraft at one time or another and been overcome with wonder? Who amongst us hasn’t been angry and upset while trying to fly on a jet aircraft from point A to point B?

Cockpit Confidential: Everything You Need to Know About Air Travel, by Patrick Smith, paperback, 304 pages, Sourcebooks, Inc., $14.99, was eminently readable from the first page. Much of the book is presented in a question and answer format. Almost any question you have ever had about any aspect of commercial flying is addressed. Smith is extraordinarily comprehensive and just as extraordinarily lucid in his explanations.

The many anecdotes give the book a very personal touch, too. Since Smith has been fascinated by aircraft since childhood, since he’s been an airline pilot since 1990, he certainly has the qualifications to write this book. Luckily for readers, he’s also a gifted writer, unafraid to tackle controversial subjects like airport security, flight delays, and airline customer service (or the lack thereof). He’s a talented researcher, giving a brief history of airline disasters. He discusses the people who fly the planes, who make up the crew, and how they are trained. The book is very thorough.

I didn’t know fully a third of the cost of a plane ticket is government taxes and fees. Is Uncle Sam trying to discourage us from flying? Airlines only make a few dollars profit per passenger on a cross-country flight.

I’m never crazy about getting in a big tube packed with strangers, operated by people I don’t and never will know. But flying is the cheapest, fastest, and safest way to travel long distances. After reading Cockpit Confidential I have much more appreciation for the people and companies that make my travel possible.

Whether you love or hate air travel Cockpit Confidential is an ideal book for anyone who flies, a handbook for airline travelers. I recommend it without reservation.

 

John Kumiski
http://www.spottedtail.com

All content in this blog, including writing and photos, copyright John Kumiski 2013. All rights are reserved.

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Save The Mosquito Lagoon!

April 21, 2013 by · Leave a Comment
Gopher tortoise
Gopher tortoise (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

ENVIRONMENTAL ALERT!!!! DANGER! DANGER!

Save The Mosquito Lagoon!

Oppose the Proposed MINWR Launch Site!

Space Florida and Governor Rick Scott want NASA to give the State control of 150 acres of Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge property. They want to build a commercial launch site outside of NASA so they don’t have the red tape and regulations of working with NASA.

If you bird, fish, hunt, or paddle the lagoons I probably don’t need to explain the negative impact this would have on your recreation.

The 40 endangered species that make their homes here probably think it’s not a good idea either. They can neither vote nor write letters.

Obviously, a massive publicity and letter writing campaign (sample letter below- feel free to copy/modify) needs to start immediately so we can keep this complex on either the NASA property or Canaveral Air Force Station.

If you think a new space complex on what is now national wildlife refuge property is a bad idea, send a letter or email to Governor Scott, Senators Bill Nelson and Marco Rubio, your congressional representative, and your state senator and state representative to let them know. You can find them at these links:

http://www.flsenate.gov/Senators/Find

http://www.myfloridahouse.gov

 

Dear PERSON TO WHOM YOU ARE SENDING THE EMAIL,

I am very strongly opposed to Space Florida building any type of launch facility within the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge. One million people a year visit this refuge to bird, fish, hunt, kayak, see manatees, and other outdoor-related activities. Those people could easily go elsewhere, depriving the surrounding communities of badly needed tourist dollars.

Forty threatened and endangered species make their homes here. It’s not like they can go elsewhere. The remaining wild areas that could be occupied by them already is.

The NASA property has more than enough space for the proposed 150 acres that Space Florida says they need. Let them purchase the property from NASA if they want to avoid NASA red tape.

A commercial launch facility is not compatible with the stated mission of the national wildlife refuge: “To administer a national network of lands and waters for the conservation, management, and where appropriate, restoration of the fish, wildlife, and plant resources and their habitats within the United States for the benefit of the present and future generations of Americans.”

I look forward to hearing your views on this important topic.

Respectfully yours,

YOUR NAME HERE

I sent this letter to Layne Hamilton, Administrator at the MINWR. She responded:

“Thank you for your comments concerning the Space Florida launch pad proposal.  Because the refuge has secondary ownership rights to the refuge land that overlays Kennedy Space Center (under an interagency agreement between NASA and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service), land use decisions related to space-related activities are solely NASA’s.  In response to Space Florida’s proposal for NASA to excess 150 acres to the State for development of a commercial space port, NASA informed the State they will not excess any land, although they are willing to discuss leasing facilities/land to the state for commercial use as a space port.  As part of the decision-making process, an environmental study will be completed (Environmental Impact Statement – EIS) by either NASA, FAA, the State, or a combination of agencies.  At this point we do not know if a launch site will be approved for Space Florida, or if approved, where it will be located.

“We have a 50-year partnership with NASA and have worked closely with them to protect the natural and cultural resources on the refuge and Kennedy Space Center.  The environmental review process (under the National Environmental Policy Act – NEPA) that will be initiated for any proposal for use or lease of NASA property will require public meetings and input.  Public comments will be solicited throughout the process.
“We share your concerns regarding the potential impact from a proposed commercial launch facility to the refuge’s wildlife, habitat and visitors. We anticipate that NASA will work closely with us during the environmental impact review to determine the best alternatives for potential future commercial launch pads and to assure that impacts to refuge visitors and the environment will be a minimized. However, the final decision will be NASA’s and not the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s.

“Again, thank you for your concerns and please feel free to contact me if you want to discuss further.”

Layne L. Hamilton
Refuge Manager
Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge Complex
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
P.O. Box 2683
Titusville, FL 32781

Ted Forsgren at CCA wrote:
“Thank you for contacting us on the Shiloh launch complex. CCA Florida is gathering information and will be monitoring the project as it goes through the process just as we did in the previous launch site issue several years ago. As before we believe that the best solution is to examine the abandoned sites at the existing Canaveral launch area. The best thing that you can do right now is to send an email to US Senator Bill Nelson and voice your concerns. Please let us know the response you receive from Sen. Nelson. Thank you for your interest and concerns. “
Two Facebook pages are trying to organize opposition to the launch site:
Opposition to Proposed Shiloh Launch Facility

Save The Mosquito Lagoon! Oppose the Proposed MINWR Launch Site!

John Kumiski
http://www.spottedtail.com

All content in this blog, including writing and photos, copyright John Kumiski 2013. All rights are reserved.

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Solo Skiff Review

March 23, 2013 by · 1 Comment

Solo Skiff Review

solo skiff review

The chance came along today for me to “test drive” a Solo Skiff in the Mosquito Lagoon. I jumped on it.

The fertile boating mind of Tom Mitzlaff gave birth to the Solo Skiff. Tom brought us the Mitzi Skiff (I own one and could not be happier with it) and the Inshore Power Boat. So I was expecting wonderful things.

The boat delivered.

From a purely aesthetic standpoint, it looks cool. It’s tiny (14 feet, 40 inch beam), with very clean lines. There’s no transom. When (and it’s when, not if) a wave comes over the bow, it just runs right off the stern.

solo skiff review

Tom carries the boat rigged and ready in the back of his pickup.

The boat weighs a whopping 120 pounds and drafts a mere one inch of water when empty, maybe two with someone on board. For those who think this has to be BS, Tom poled his skiff through places where my kayak ran aground. It literally draws less water than the kayak. If you can’t get there in a Solo Skiff, you need a bicycle.

Tom has a 3.5 HP Tohatsu on the boat we used. He assures me you can easily push it with an electric motor. He carries the spare fuel for the Tohatsu in a one quart bottle. The gas in the fuel tank combined with the spare quart gives him a running range of 10 miles, more than adequate for a day’s fishing in most places.

The motor sits on a motor mount forward of the stern, which has two sponsons (Tom calls it a “split tail”). The boat really has a clever, well thought out design.

solo skiff review

The split tail of a Solo Skiff.

Tom launched the skiff unassisted out of the back of his Frontier. Watch the video  launchsoloskiff! We tied the kayak painter to the stern rail. Then I got in the skiff with Tom, cranked the Tohatsu, and off we went.

 

So immediately we maxed out the load capacity of the vessel, running the Solo Skiff down the Intracoastal Waterway with the two of us aboard and with my kayak in tow. It worked fine. We didn’t set any speed records but it was lots faster than paddling.

 

solo skiff review

The author running the skiff with kayak in tow.

When the water got too shallow for us to run I trimmed up the Tohatsu, then used my kayak paddle and paddled it. We were both still in it, and the kayak was still being towed. It did not paddle as easily as my kayak does. No surprise there- I ride in the kayak by myself. It was paddle-able, though.

I wanted to pole it, so we untied the kayak. Tom got in the ‘yak and off I went in the skiff.

The Solo Skiff poles more easily than my canoe. It poles more easily than anything I’ve ever poled. It was easier to pole the Solo Skiff than paddle a paddleboard.

Wow.

You could effortlessly pole it all day. You almost have to make a conscious effort to not go too fast. And it is silent as it moves through the water. My kayak makes more noise.

solo skiff review

Tom poles the skiff through a mosquito canal.

Tom wanted to show me it could be fished with two in a pinch, so I moved to the front of the cockpit and he stood in the stern and poled me. The sponsons were under the surface of the water. My feet were really too close together for me to feel comfortable. It could be done in a pinch, but the boat is not designed for two.

It’s a SOLO Skiff.

Storage space is more than adequate. A single, watertight hatch amidships gives access to the interior of the vessel. Required safety gear, spare fuel, water, tackle, phone, raincoat, etc., will all fit in here if packed carefully.

Tom’s skiff is anchored with a Wang Anchor. Stoppage is instantaneous.

So the vessel is beautiful, highly functional, and very affordable.

I told Tom I loved the boat today but will hate it in 10 years, when everyone is using one to get into my farthest-back, most secret fishing spots.

If you’re a fan of small boats you gotta check out the Solo Skiff. Visit their facebook page or their website at http://www.soloskiff.com.

And that is my Solo Skiff review.

John Kumiski
http://www.spottedtail.com

All content in this blog, including writing and photos, copyright John Kumiski 2013. All rights are reserved.

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Celebrating World Water Day by Reducing Water Use in the United States

March 20, 2013 by · Leave a Comment

Celebrating World Water Day by Reducing Water Use in the United States

by Danielle Nierenberg, Co-founder of Food Tank: The Food Think Tank (www.FoodTank.org)

Water Conservation Hard Hat Label (Photo credits: www.myhardhatstickers.com)

The United States is one of the world’s biggest users of water. Many Americans use as much water as approximately 900 Kenyans. As a result, water resources in the U.S. are shrinking. In the last five years, there have been water shortages in almost every part of the country. The worst drought in at least 25 years hit 80 percent of the country’s farmland in 2012. Even worse, the damaged land won’t fully recover this year. At least 36 states are expecting local, regional, or statewide water shortages, even without drought.

The Natural Resources Defense Council expects water scarcity to affect the American South, West, and Midwest the most. Fourteen states in these regions already have “extreme” or “high” risk of water scarcity. Arizona, Florida, Idaho, Nevada, and Texas face the most danger because they are expected to see some of the largest increases in population by 2030. Water scarcity is about more than lack of water, it’s about lack of drinkable water. It is estimated that as many as 53.6 million Americans have contaminated tap water.

But as eaters and consumers, we can profoundly reduce water waste and water consumption through the food choices we make. Recent research from the Barilla Center for Food & Nutrition (BCFN) shows that a healthful diet and environmentally sustainable diet can go hand in hand.

Here are five steps to save water in the United States:

Eat a little less meat. Switching from a meat-centered weekly menu to a diet rich in vegetables and grains could save 2,500 liters of water a day! Eating grass-fed and locally-raised meat, eggs, and dairy products can also save water.

Steam veggies instead of boiling. In general, steaming vegetables uses less water than boiling. According to a study in the Journal of Food Quality, steamed vegetables are more nutritious. For example, boiling corn on the cob in a large pot may use 6-8 quarts of water, whereas steaming only uses 1-2 quarts. If you must boil, save the water for your garden, soup stock, or use it to clean pots.

Provide support for small-scale, family farms. Agricultural subsidies in the United States disproportionately support large-scale agribusinesses over the small-scale producers. They are more likely to be engaged in sustainable food production, and may be challenged by drought or commodity price fluctuations. Changes in government support services could reduce this deficit and improve food and water security.

Streamline water use in home gardens. During the summer months, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reports that nearly 40 percent of household water is used for watering lawns and gardens. National Geographic suggests incorporating native plants into your garden that are adapted to the local climate and often require less water. Manually watering plants, instead of using automatic sprinklers, cuts water use by 33 percent, according to a report by the EPA. Consumers can also buy self-watering planters, or construct rain barrels that can save you up to 1,300 gallons of water.

world water dayReduce food waste. The U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization reports that nearly one third of all food produced for human consumption is wasted throughout production, storage, transportation, consumption and disposal. Learn about your food’s shelf life and how long you can store food in your freezer. Other ways to reduce food waste are only buying what you plan to eat, using leftovers to create new meals or donating food you can’t use to soup kitchens.

It’s more important than ever that this World Water Day Americans find ways to save every drop.

The Earth flag is not an official flag, since ...

Danielle Nierenberg is a food and agriculture expert and co-founder of Food Tank: The Food Think Tank (www.FoodTank.org).

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Paddleboard Fishing in Mosquito Lagoon

March 19, 2013 by · Leave a Comment

Paddleboard Fishing in Mosquito Lagoon

An email led to my going paddleboard fishing in Mosquito Lagoon today.

My host, or I should say my gracious host, Tim Baker, is principal at East Coast Paddle. Before we went fishing Tim explained his company’s focus to me:

-first, they build the world’s highest quality paddleboards in Edgewater, supporting 15 families right here in central Florida;
-they build various types of paddleboards for fishing, surfing, and ecotouring;
-they are a paddleboard service company, providing guided fishing, guided ecotours, and rentals;
-they give paddleboarding instruction to everyone using their services.

Tim has a specially built pontoon boat he uses to transport paddleboards and paddleboarders to the destination at which their activity will take place. I stepped on and off we went.

paddleboard fishing in mosquito lagoon

Tim Baker with his paddleboard transport vessel.

As he was explaining the hows and whys of paddling a paddleboard, Tim took note of the fact that the wind (at 10 to 15 out of the south) was really a bit strong for paddleboard fishing. Having been forewarned, I hopped on the board.

I was a little shaky at first, for all of 30 seconds. Then it was fine.

Like any smart paddler, Tim went upwind first. He chugged right along. I got on my knees to lower my wind resistance.

Tim looking for fish from his paddleboard.

Tim looking for fish from his paddleboard.

I saw a redfish tailing in a lee. On the approach I hit the board with the paddle. The fish stopped tailing. You still need to be quiet.

We paddled upwind a while. Tim told me ordinarily they drop the fishermen off with a guide, then move the big boat to a position downwind. That way the paddleboarders never have to fight against the wind.

It was windy, and we sailed. Always the sight fisher, I looked for fish to which I could cast. Tim opted to just cast into potholes. His strategy worked better, as he caught the only fish we got.

Paddleboard Fishing in Mosquito Lagoon

Tim got this trout from his paddleboard.

I could see the potential for stealthy fish stalking when weather conditions were favorable were enormous. A paddleboard is a quiet, maneuverable platform from which you can silently approach wary fish.

Tim said big tarpon from the board were his favorite target. I can only imagine how exciting that must be.

Tim has made a video about paddleboard fishing for redfish in Mosquito Lagoon which you can find here http://youtu.be/Q7y5sUOfRYs .

After watching it I’m more than ready to go try paddleboard fishing  in Mosquito Lagoon again.

For more information about East Coast Paddle, or to inquire about a paddleboard trip, call Tim at 407.406.0742, or visit the website at East Coast Paddle.

Paddleboard Fishing in Mosquito Lagoon

Loading the board after the trip.

Life is short. Go Fishing!

John Kumiski
http://www.spottedtail.com

All content in this blog, including writing and photos, copyright John Kumiski 2013. All rights are reserved.

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Oppose the Proposed MINWR Launch Site

February 4, 2013 by · Leave a Comment
Gopher tortoise

Gopher tortoise (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

ENVIRONMENTAL ALERT!!!! DANGER! DANGER!

Oppose the Proposed MINWR Launch Site!

Space Florida and Governor Rick Scottl want NASA to give the State control of 150 acres of Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge property. They want to build a commercial launch site outside of NASA so they don’t have the red tape and regulations of working with NASA.

If you bird, fish, hunt, or paddle the lagoons I probably don’t need to explain the negative impact this would have on your recreation.

The 40 endangered species that make their homes here probably think it’s not a good idea either. They can neither vote nor write letters.

Obviously, a massive publicity and letter writing campaign (sample letter below- feel free to copy/modify) needs to start immediately so we can keep this complex on either the NASA property or Canaveral Air Force Station.

If you think a new space complex on what is now national wildlife refuge property is a bad idea, send a letter or email to Governor Scott, Senators Bill Nelson and Marco Rubio, your congressional representative, and your state senator and state representative to let them know. You can find them at these links:

http://www.flsenate.gov/Senators/Find

http://www.myfloridahouse.gov

 

Dear PERSON TO WHOM YOU ARE SENDING THE EMAIL,

I am very strongly opposed to Space Florida building any type of launch facility within the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge. One million people a year visit this refuge to bird, fish, hunt, kayak, see manatees, and other outdoor-related activities. Those people could easily go elsewhere, depriving the surrounding communities of badly needed tourist dollars.

Forty threatened and endangered species make their homes here. It’s not like they can go elsewhere. The remaining wild areas that could be occupied by them already is.

The NASA property has more than enough space for the proposed 150 acres that Space Florida says they need. Let them purchase the property from NASA if they want to avoid NASA red tape.

A commercial launch facility is not compatible with the stated mission of the national wildlife refuge: “To administer a national network of lands and waters for the conservation, management, and where appropriate, restoration of the fish, wildlife, and plant resources and their habitats within the United States for the benefit of the present and future generations of Americans.”

I look forward to hearing your views on this important topic.

Respectfully yours,

YOUR NAME HERE

I sent this letter to Layne Hamilton, Administrator at the MINWR. She responded:

“Thank you for your comments concerning the Space Florida launch pad proposal.  Because the refuge has secondary ownership rights to the refuge land that overlays Kennedy Space Center (under an interagency agreement between NASA and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service), land use decisions related to space-related activities are solely NASA’s.  In response to Space Florida’s proposal for NASA to excess 150 acres to the State for development of a commercial space port, NASA informed the State they will not excess any land, although they are willing to discuss leasing facilities/land to the state for commercial use as a space port.  As part of the decision-making process, an environmental study will be completed (Environmental Impact Statement – EIS) by either NASA, FAA, the State, or a combination of agencies.  At this point we do not know if a launch site will be approved for Space Florida, or if approved, where it will be located.

“We have a 50-year partnership with NASA and have worked closely with them to protect the natural and cultural resources on the refuge and Kennedy Space Center.  The environmental review process (under the National Environmental Policy Act – NEPA) that will be initiated for any proposal for use or lease of NASA property will require public meetings and input.  Public comments will be solicited throughout the process.
“We share your concerns regarding the potential impact from a proposed commercial launch facility to the refuge’s wildlife, habitat and visitors. We anticipate that NASA will work closely with us during the environmental impact review to determine the best alternatives for potential future commercial launch pads and to assure that impacts to refuge visitors and the environment will be a minimized. However, the final decision will be NASA’s and not the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s.
“Again, thank you for your concerns and please feel free to contact me if you want to discuss further.”

 

Layne L. Hamilton

Refuge Manager
Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge Complex
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
P.O. Box 2683
Titusville, FL 32781
321-861-2278
Ted Forsgren at CCA wrote:
“Thank you for contacting us on the Shiloh launch complex. CCA Florida is gathering information and will be monitoring the project as it goes through the process just as we did in the previous launch site issue several years ago. As before we believe that the best solution is to examine the abandoned sites at the existing Canaveral launch area. The best thing that you can do right now is to send an email to US Senator Bill Nelson and voice your concerns. Please let us know the response you receive from Sen. Nelson. Thank you for your interest and concerns. “

Oppose the Proposed MINWR Launch Site!

John Kumiski
http://www.spottedtail.com

All content in this blog, including writing and photos, copyright John Kumiski 2013. All rights are reserved.

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

Life is Short

January 28, 2013 by · 2 Comments

Life is Short

My fishing reports end with the admonition, “Life is short- go fishing!”

I was talking to an old friend on the telephone this week. When I first moved to Florida this guy took me under his wing and taught me how to fly fish here. He introduced me to several of the old school Florida Keys guides- Tommy Busciglio, Lee Baker, Nat Ragland. We went fishing with Tommy off Duck Key one morning and jumped a couple big tarpon. We fished in the Everglades. We fished in the lagoons. He showed me how to tie flies that would fool redfish and tarpon. He is a friend and a mentor and I owe him a lot.

Now he has neuropathy. His feet are dead and he can’t fish any more.

It’s all too easy to assume your health will last forever. It won’t. Age, disease, or a stupid accident is all it takes for your precious health to be lost forever. It can happen in a blink.

Take the time to do what you enjoy, today. Take some kids outdoors, if not fishing, then hiking, or paddling, or camping. They don’t often get the opportunity. Everyone now is too hooked on their devices.

Be spontaneous! Have fun! Enjoy yourself!

“The future’s uncertain and the end is always near.” -Jim Morrison

Life is short. Go fishing.

John Kumiski
http://www.spottedtail.com

All content in this blog, including writing and photos, copyright John Kumiski 2013. All rights are reserved.

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