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Memorial Day Orlando Fishing Report

May 27, 2017 by john kumiski · Leave a Comment

Memorial Day Orlando Fishing Report

Please take a moment right now for a small prayer for all the men and women whose sacrifices we should be remembering this weekend.

This Memorial Day Orlando Fishing Report details trips to the Mosquito Lagoon, St. Johns River, and Atlantic Ocean.

Sunday

Nile with one of the redfish he caught.

Matt and Niles Smith, father and son, joined me on Spotted Tail for a Mosquito Lagoon outing. Three tarpon rolled next to the boat as we idled through Haulover Canal, the first tarpon I’ve seen this year.

Not to be outdone, Matt got one, too.

We were happily fishing for trout when I spotted redfish tails. We got on them without attracting the attention of the many other boats around, getting five nice reds before they vacated the area. DOA CAL shad were the bait of choice. Oh yes, the trout fishing was pretty good, too.

Monday

Tammy shows off a mini-bass. It’s as big as they get that size!

Channel cat on fly!

Tammy Wilson led me on a St. Johns River excursion. The river is ankle-deep in many places. We did not get any big fish but got five different species of fish on mostly surface flies. We also found three dead cows. They stink is a most foul manner.

Got me sum bass, two!

The river valley has some exquisite places…

Tuesday

This silly fish ate an Alaskan fly.

John went back to the St. Johns River by himself in an attempt to capitalize on what he learned the previous day. He stuck to subsurface flies (a black egg-sucking bunny leech worked quite well) and got largemouth bass, bluegill and red-breasted sunfish, three channel cats (!), four bowfin, one spotted gar, and one tilapia. Didn’t get the crappie or Plecostomas.

The bowfin, a fish in need of some love.

A large, aggressive alligator get much too close for comfort. Something about that gar splashing attracted it. I left the area post-haste.

Bull bluegill on a purple bunny leech. I lost all of the egg-sucking leeches I had.

Speaking of gar, what they need is some good PR. From now on I’m referring to them as garlin in what might be a misguided attempt to make them more popular among anglers.

Mudfish need PR too. Anyone have a good, appealing, alternate name for the mighty bowfin??

Wednesday
Ray Rowe was my guest on Spotted Tail. Although it was windy the fish were biting well. We got a lot of slot seatrout, although the big ones eluded us.

Thursday
Ray Rowe was again my guest on Spotted Tail. It wasn’t as windy as Wednesday but it was colder. Fishing was tougher, but we still got about 20 trout, mostly slot fish. The best of the day measured 22 inches. Thank you again, Mr. DOA CAL shad. And of course Mr. Rowe, too.

Friday
Found John at the helm of Spotted Tail, searching the mighty Atlantic for denizens of the deep. In an ideal world he would have found gobs of big tarpon. As it was, eight hours of diligently searching turned up some northern sennet, a few bluefish, a couple ladyfish, the smallest little tunny I have ever seen, and to top off the day a mighty mongo jack crevalle. I tried to get one on the twelve-weight but they were not having that nonsense.

The jack crevalle, different from channel cats.

As always, I would like to thank everyone who fished with me this week.

That is the Memorial Day Orlando 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 2017. All rights are reserved.

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Filed Under: Fishing Reports, Mosquito Lagoon Fishing Report, Orlando Fishing Report, Photo Essays, port canaveral fishing report, St. Johns River Fishing Report · Tagged: adventure fishing, Bass fishing, DOA Lures, florida fishing, mosquito lagoon fishing report, Mosquito Lagoon redfish, orlando fishing, orlando fishing charter, orlando fishing report, Port Canaveral, port canaveral fishing report, seatrout fishing, St. Johns River

My Favorite Alaska Photo s- A Photo Essay

May 16, 2017 by john kumiski · Leave a Comment

Pink salmon fill the 108 Creek on Prince of Wales Island.

My Favorite Alaska Photos

This Alaska Photo Essay contains my favorite photos from the ten summers I’ve spent (so far) in Alaska.

“Count your blessings.” While actually doing just that, I realized how fortunate I was to have spent those ten summers working in Alaska. My debt of gratitude to Bob Stearns for recommending me and to Mike Gorton at the Goodnews River Lodge for hiring me back in 2007 is tremendous. I could never thank either of them enough.

For that matter I owe many thanks to Kevin Ryter at the Lodge at Whale Pass, where the last three summers were spent. Both places have filled me with awesome memories of people and places, landscapes and wildlife. I am a blessed individual!

In ten years lots of images were taken. Narrowing all of them down the three photos per year for a total of thirty that appear in this essay was difficult. The things I do for my readers!

Please take a moment to peruse. Feedback is welcome.

This waterlogged four-foot-long log put up an epic battle on Willie’s eight-weight. The fly pattern was not recorded, sadly.

Tyler Williams looks over the Goodnews River valley from the peak of an extinct volcano called Tsuktulig.

A TransNorthern Airways DC-3 approaches the runway in Goodnews Bay.

Sea stars in a tidal pool on Indian Creek, Prince of Wales Island.

Rick Ross, a true personality in Goodnews Bay before his untimely death.

The technical weather window at Yute Airways world headquarters in Bethel.

South fork, Goodnews River.

Making an early morning baggage run on the Goodnews River.

Rodney Smith wanted me to take him to catch a rainbow trout. Mission accomplished!

Son Alex looks over the Goodnews River from Tsuktulig.

Ross looks over the south fork of the Goodness River.

Michaela Chloe on Tsuktulig.

Son Maxx on Lookout Mountain, looking over the Goodnews River valley.

Me, Judy Uhde, Ross.

M/V Thorne is dwarfed by the LeConte Glacier face.

Chuck holds a fat, fly-caught king salmon, Goodnews River.

Jim Vinalyk and a high flying silver salmon at the Swallows, Goodnews River.

Jacob’s ladder grows in the Goodnews River valley.

Humpback whales feeding in the Clarence Strait.

A glorious, fish-filled afternoon on the Goodnews River.

Jim Vinalyk fly casting on the Goodnews River.

Son Alex battles a silver salmon on the Goodnews River.

Notice the tiny speck of M/V Etolin, a 24 foot vessel with kayaks on the roof, in the lower right corner of this photo of the LeConte Glacier.

The Devil’s Thumb looms over fishing vessels near Petersburg, Alaska.

I taught Christian Ontaje how to tie a bunny leech. This king salmon is the first fish he caught on his first fly.

Brown bear eating a chum salmon, Goodnews River.

Paddling a kayak next to an iceberg near the LeConte Glacier.

Dr. Jenny on the bow of the M/V Blashke, near the LeConte Glacier.

Mr. Bill fights a jumping silver salmon on the middle fork of the Goodness River.

A float plane takes off near the mouth of the LeConte Fiord.

And that is my Alaska photo essay, ten summers in Alaska. Thank you for your time!

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 2017. All rights are reserved.

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Filed Under: Photo Essays · Tagged: adventure fishing, Alaska fishing, alaska photos, Goodnews River, Goodnews River Lodge, LeConte Glacier, lodge at whale pass, prince of wales island, salmon fishing, whale pass

Solo Chokoloskee Fishing Report- A Photo Essay

May 5, 2017 by john kumiski · Leave a Comment

Solo Chokoloskee Fishing Report

We could have called this report, “Last White Man Without a GPS Goes to the Everglades.” I have been to Chokoloskee before of course, but not for a long time. I took my skiff and a kayak, by myself. Thus the Solo Chokoloskee fishing report.

No GPS. These are my navigational aids.

Last Saturday I checked the calendar for the coming week. Holy cow! I have no work! What to do?

“Go to the Everglades,” said a voice in my head. My bride said, “You’re going by yourself?!” “I don’t know anyone who could just take off for four days on the spur of the moment,” I replied. Sunday I packed my stuff. Monday morning about 4:30 I was on the road.

The ranger at Everglades City was a cute redhead with lots of freckles. I should have gotten her picture.

Kenny Brown is still behind the counter at the Outdoor Resorts, probably in his third decade there. Talk about a rock of stability!

That Kumiski guy about to leave the dock at Outdoor Resort in Chokoloskee.

I had a magnificent campsite, waterfront with a view of the sunrise, on the Gulf of Mexico. While there were mosquitos, they weren’t anywhere close to what I thought they’d be. Minor problem.

This was an awesome campsite, but there wasn’t much in the way of shade.

The Mitzi and the OK wait patiently to go fishing.

This black skimmer was one of my neighbors…

…and the terns were in the high rent district.

All of my Everglades camping has been during the winter. A solar day in May lasts much longer than one in December. Just sayin’. And it was hot at the end of the day, which was a bigger problem than the bugs.

Unloading the skiff in my temporary home in Paradise.

Construction of the Taj Mahal…

Monday afternoon I tried fishing. The tide was high. The wind was out of the west, blowing like it was in a hurry to get somewhere. The water was dirty. I wasn’t quite sure of where I was (no GPS), and certainly had some self-doubt creeping into my consciousness. Fatigue and lack of cooperation from the fish did not help.

Casting in high water did not work for me.

I took some time to smell the bay beans…

Beat up from the travelling, fishing, and heat, getting horizontal in my hot Taj Mahal of a tent felt heavenly. An extended rain shower cooled things off. I still love the sound rain makes on my tent fly!

A good night’s sleep and a good cup of joe made the morning much brighter.

Tuesday morning, newly optimistic, I headed for Lostmans’s, hoping to work out the 12-weight. Halfway there the sea was getting rough. Discretion spoke up. “If it gets any worse…” He didn’t need to finish the sentence. I pulled in to the nearest shore line and started looking.

First fish of the trip. Nice little fishy!

There’s a shark. Oh, there’s a snook! And another one! It’s a little pack of them! I managed to scare them all with a large hair bug. It got switched for a streamer that produced two strikes. The second fish was healthy and took the fly with him. A second streamer fooled several more snook. I was pleased with the start.

Streamers worked well.

Red mangroves, the unofficial plant of the Florida Everglades.

I ran to a spot closer to camp and started looking again. Pop! A snook hit some bait in really skinny water. “That’s why you brought the kayak, John.” I paddled over, saw the fish, and tossed a little foam popper at it. He had an argument with himself about whether or not he should hit it. Unfortunately I lost that debate.

I flushed at least two dozen snook in the half mile of shoreline I paddled, scraping bottom much of the time. I just could not see them first. But I knew where to fish the next day.

At one spot I stopped all I caught were some photos.

When the tide got right the next morning me and the fly pole went paddling again. The bite was good, producing several snook, a nice red, several missed strikes, and a couple of break-offs. Then the water got really skinny again, and the fish stopped biting.

Snook on a gurgler, always exciting!

This red was my first on a fly rod popper in several years.

Breaking down camp took minutes. On the way back to Chokoloskee I learned where to look for tarpon, for future reference. I felt my way through Rabbit Key Pass with a Top Spot chart, managing not to break anything, or even really hit the bottom. Slept in my own bed Wednesday night, after what was a really enjoyable, if somewhat short, trip.

The sun sets on my mini-vacation…

I enjoy fishing with that John Kumiski guy. He has a weird sense of humor, but he also has a good heart.

—————————————-
Last week I wrote, “One of Benjamin Ashworth’s birthday presents was a day with me (?!), fishing in Mosquito Lagoon. Girlfriend Chely was along too.”

I emailed Benjamin’s mom a thank you note. This was her response-

“They were so pleased with the fishing and had a wonderful time. They raved about you and how it was such a great fishing trip. As well as the bonus of seeing a good variety of wildlife! They felt you were a great and knowledgeable guide and would love to go fishing with you again. Thank you again for making it a special birthday gift for Benjamin and Chely.”

Once again, I would like to thank everyone who fished with me this week. John, thank you for fishing with me!

That is the Solo Chokoloskee 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 2017. All rights are reserved.

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Filed Under: Fishing Reports, Fishing Stories, Photo Essays, travel blog · Tagged: adventure fishing, chokoloskee fishing report, everglades fishing report, florida fishing, fly fishing, fly fishing for snook, kayak fishing, redfish, snook fishing

Big Bend Paddle Fishing Report

December 5, 2016 by john kumiski · Leave a Comment

Big Bend Paddle Fishing Report

Mike Conneen and I just wrapped up a seven day, 60 mile paddle along Florida’s Gulf coast, from the Aucilla River to Steinhatchee. So this is a Big Bend paddle fishing report.

Tough Going
This was the most physically demanding trip I’ve taken in at least 30 years. Generally when taking an extended trip you want to take it easy the first day, to shake out the kinks and settle in. The wind punched us in the mouth from the start. We had two relatively easy days (one because we took it off) and fought the wind every other one.

This is what I looked like when we started.

This is what I looked like when we finished!

In spite of that we caught some fish, including redfish, seatrout, flounder, bluefish, ladyfish, and even the coveted lizardfish (sorry, no photo).

A brief rundown-
We left home Sunday morning and drove to Sea Hag Marina http://seahag.com in Steinhatchee, where we spent the night in a charming little fishing cabin. We even got to watch some football.

Russ McAllister of Suwanee Guides http://suwanneeguides.com picked us up Monday morning and gave us a shuttle to the boat ramp on the Aucilla River. Shortly after launching Mike caught the trip’s first fish.

First fish of the trip, a ladyfish. He got two in a row here, then no more for the duration.

We paddled against the current (incoming tide) to the Gulf and against the wind to the Econfina River, where we camped at a FWC campsite.

On the Econfina River.

Tuesday we again fought the wind all day as we paddled south to the FWC campsite on Rock Island.

This is what we dealt with most days.

You need a permit to camp here.

At sunset Mike went fishing…

…and got a couple handfuls of bluefish.

Since the wind was still howling out of the south on Wednesday, and since we were basically spent from fighting it the first two days, we spent Wednesday night here too. It was quite a lovely place, remote enough we did not see another human for two days.

Campfire on Rock Island

Thursday we had the best weather and best fishing day of the trip, going from Rock Island to Spring Warrior Creek. We hit reds most of the way on a variety of lures. We camped at the FWC campsite on the creek.

Typical of the reds we got.

Again, a typical redfish.

The trout likewise were nice, but not large.

Another Big Bend redfish.

Friday we had a 13 mile day. While windy, it was coming off the shore instead of up the coast, so it was not as rigorous as the first couple days. However, the distance involved meant we had very little fishing time. I got two reds by dragging a DOA CAL shad behind the kayak as I paddled. We camped on Sponge Point, another great site.

Mike caught this trout with his hands. The fish had been dragging the float around for a while.

Saturday the wind blew again off the shoreline. Much of our paddle was on a low tide. When the tide goes out along this coast it goes WAY out. I had to drag my boat for a ways, an option not available to Mike. We found a fish-filled hole in an otherwise almost waterless flat, where we caught all of our fish for the day. Our campsite this night was at Dallus Creek, where the feral pigs roam. Fortunately my yelling at them scared them off.

Sunday we had nine miles to go to reach Steinhatchee. The first seven were gorgeous, with light south winds and steady progress. When we stopped for a break I said, “This weather couldn’t be any nicer.” As soon as we started paddling again, BAM! Fifteen to 20, right in our faces, the waves coming over the bow of the boat, and miserably tough, slow going. Mother Nature just kicked our butts one last time before we finished.

The crew, tired but happy, back at Sea Hag Marina.

Paddle Trip
This was not a fishing trip where we paddled. It was a paddle trip where we fished as time allowed. I brought a fly rod and used it about 15 minutes over the course of a week, blind casting without success. Many of the fish I caught came by trolling the shad as I paddled.

Having said that, the habitat here is probably the best remaining in the state- lots of oysters, the thickest seagrasses I’ve seen in a long time, and nice clear water (Fenholloway River mouth excepted). The fish did not run large but there were plenty of them- when we were able to fish.

Permits
Anyone wanting to use the FWC campsites needs a permit. Visit this link for more information- http://myfwc.com/viewing/recreation/wmas/lead/big-bend/paddling-trail/camping-permits/

And that is the Big Bend Paddle 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 2016. All rights are reserved.

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Filed Under: Fishing Reports, Fishing Stories, Paddle Fishing Florida, Photo Essays, travel blog · Tagged: adventure fishing, big bend fishing, big bend fishing report, big bend paddling, DOA Lures, florida big bend, florida fishing, kayak fishing, seatrout fishing

Bahia Solano Fishing Report and Photo Essay

October 28, 2016 by john kumiski · Leave a Comment

Bahia Solano Fishing Report

This is this week’s Bahia Solano Fishing Report and Photo Essay.

Flying over Medellin.

Any doubt about us being in the tropics was shattered when we got off the turboprop in Bahia Solano. Soldiers, heat, mud, dogs, chickens, the smell of meat charring over charcoal, lush vegetation, trash, vultures, beautiful, hospitable brown-skinned people, conversations at the speed of light. I was back in the jungle and it was awesome!

View from my balcony at Playa de Oro Lodge.

We took a truck to a boat to the Lodge Playa de Oro. Our hostess was the gracious and charming Isabel Palacio. The rest of the group consited of Rodrigo Teixeira, a production coordinator for FishTV, Ricardo Canali, owner of Real Pesca, Johanna Garavito of ProColumbia, and our guide, Alejandro Linares, who also owns the El Pez fishing tackle store in Medellin. As an English speaker I was linguistically challenged.

From left clockwise: Isabel, Ricardo, Rodrigo, me, Johanna

We ate a delicious lunch- fried wahoo steaks with fixins. As wonderful as it was, the birds stole the show. One hundred five species of birds have been identified on the lodge property alone. They are beautiful, brilliantly colored, and not at all shy. I hadn’t even touched my tackle yet, but everything was fantastic.

The birds stole the show.

A two hour boat ride straight out into the Pacific under a sky threatening rain started our first day of fishing. We planned on trolling for sailfish, tuna, and mahi at what Alejandro told me was the Panama Current. We trolled without success long enough that I took a nap on the boat’s deck.

The boat ride out.

Alejandro finally gave up on the trolling. We went to a point of land where huge boulders pierced the surface of the sea, providing habitat for frigatebirds, boobies, and other seabirds. Alejandro handed me a large spinning rod with a giant popper attached. When I asked what we were fishing for he said, “Pargo. Atun.” Cubera snapper and tuna. OK. I’d never caught either so it was fine with me.

We fished around these rocks.

This plug weighed four ounces. Tossing and working it was WORK.

Using that outfit was serious work. After a while it was rest time for me. Ricardo had a bite, something that screamed line off against a very tight drag. But the hooks pulled lose and we never saw the creature.

Alejandro battles a pargo.

Alejandro was like a machine, tossing the popper a mile and working it back with powerful sweeps of the rod. A fish finally came up and ate it- what a fish! Pargo, muy grande! The snapper weighed close to 70 pounds, the biggest one Alejandro had ever gotten. After we photographed it, to my surprise and relief, he released it.

It was a beast.

It wasn’t my fish!

Even after that it was a bit of a shock when a fish nailed my plug. Against a tightly set drag the fish made a powerful run. It was a tuna, not even a very big one. Man, such power!

The tuna weighed less than 10 pounds, but they were all business.

That fish was not released. Nor was the next one I got. Alejando got a third.

One of Alejandro’s tackle boxes.

We had tuna sushimi and tuna ceviche as appetizers at dinner that evening. They were both heavenly.

The weather the second day could have been better.

Inclement Weather

Rain greeted us the next morning. Near the lodge we cast lures for tarpon and roosterfish. An hour’s work netted no results, so we went back to the pargo spot. The rain just got heavier, the wind windier. I broke out the ten-weight. Carrying it to Colombia would have been stupid had I not used it. I got one blue runner, not exactly the fish I had in mind. But it was a fish on a fly in a country that was new to me. Score!

Johanna had never caught a fish before.

Although there were three tuna caught with plugs, there were no pargo this day. With the weather deteriorating and the fishing slow we decided to bag it early in the afternoon. The ride back to the lodge was memorable for all the wrong reasons- big seas, heavy rain, everyone soaked and miserable.

Atun! Johanna is a happy girl.

Last Day at Bahia Solano

The next morning I had some time before our flight back to Medellin. I used it to photograph some of the birds and sights around the lodge.

My trip to Bahia Solano was way too short, unfortunately with uncooperative weather and fairly uncooperative fish. I’d made some new friends and had a chance to catch some new species, an altogether great trip. February is supposed to be the best month for fishing there. I’m looking for a way to clear my calendar for a couple of weeks.

For more information on Bahia Solano and the Playa de Oro Lodge, visit http://www.hotelesdecostaacosta.com/bahia-solano. Find the English link for the site at the top left.

———————————————————

FOR SALE
Still trying to find a good home for my old EZ Loader Trailer- http://orlando.craigslist.org/bpo/5764303987.html

===============================

And that is this week’s Bahia Solano 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 2016. All rights are reserved.

Filed Under: Fishing News, Fishing Reports, Photo Essays, travel blog · Tagged: adventure fishing, bahia solano, fishing, fishing in Colombia, Fishing tackle, Pacific Ocean

July Whale Pass Fishing Report

August 2, 2016 by john kumiski · Leave a Comment

July Whale Pass Fishing Report

Please enjoy the July Whale Pass fishing report, and accept my apologies for not getting the reports out more regularly. I can’t do much about the lack of internet service here.

The biggest news as concerns the fishing here is that the silver salmon run has been sad. There have been very few silvers compared to past runs. Lots of time has been spent by lots of people speculating on why so few fish have showed up this year. The fact is that no one really knows. What we do know is that silver fishing has been close to terrible.

Trolling for king salmon out by the Triplets has been producing a legal sized fish and several “shakers” most every trip. Son Alex has been running his downriggers as deep as 100 feet for these fish.

Fishing for cutthroat trout up in Sweetwater has been excellent when we’ve been able to get up there. Small minnow patterns have worked well.

Daniel with a Sweetwater cutt.

While in Sweetwater, if the trout aren’t biting you can kiss a sea star.

The pink salmon are starting to run up into 108 Creek. Daniel spent 50 minutes up there yesterday and hooked five fish, landing two. Small pink flies work best. Trollers out by the Triplets have been getting limits of pinks every trip.

Lastly, bottom fishing has been consistently good. Halibut and black cod have been mainstays, with Pacific cod and rockfish rounding out catches. As always, sculpins are very dependable!

All that having been said, this reporter has not been fishing much. My days have mostly been spent transporting guests to the LeConte Glacier, a fantastic if somewhat chilly place. There is no doubt that the glacier is receding. The change in the position of the glacial face from last year’s position is obvious.

Nate at the glacier.

I don’t understand how they don’t get cold.

The amount of ice there is enormous.

I love to photograph the icebergs.

So do the other visitors!

A few weeks ago I got to do a fly-over of the glacier in a float plane. Wow! That added an entirely new dimension to my glacier experience, getting the big picture. The glacier stretches back into the mountains for over 20 miles and reaches a thickness of over 4000 feet.

The glacier by air.

Where the glacier meets the sea.

I love doing the glacier trips.

I got to take a trip to the west side of Prince of Wales Island, the Pacific side. I operated the boat, chef Rhys did the cooking, and Rowen and Eliza, two guests from Australia, intended to do some wildlife watching, including whales.

Rhys did the cooking, a bang-up job too.

We stopped on a little island out in the bay, where I negligently let the boat dry up. Our two hour stop out there ended up taking four hours, since we had to wait for the incoming tide to float the boat again.

High and dry.

I can think of worse places to be stuck than on a beautiful, deserted island along Alaska’s coast, with seals, otters, and whales swimming by!

Not such a bad place to be stuck!

Were they curious, or laughing at us??

Another job I’ve had is running the whale watching excursions. The word incredible fails, as do any other adjectives, to adequately describe the magnificence of humpback whales. “PHOOOOoooo!!” On a calm day you can easily hear them blow from a mile away. You see the spout and five seconds later hear the blow.

Whaleage!

Of course it’s much more exciting when they’re 100 yards from the boat. And it gets really exciting when they start doing tail slaps, fin slaps, bubble net feeding, and breeching! Again, it’s hard to describe the thunderous crash a 40 ton animal makes when hits the water after leaping clear of the surface. And through it all they manage to look utterly dignified.

This one was close!

Since they spend most of their time underwater, and guessing where they will appear is an inexact science at best, photographing whales is hard to do. When not running the boat I keep trying. I love doing the whale watching trips too.

Another whale, complete with barnacles.

The whales kept me awake all night!

And that is the July Whale Pass 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 2016. All rights are reserved.

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Filed Under: Fishing Reports, Photo Essays, Whale Pass Fishing Report · Tagged: adventure fishing, Alaska fishing, Alaska fishing report, Whale Pass Fishing Report

Summer Solstice Whale Pass Fishing Report

June 23, 2016 by john kumiski · Leave a Comment

Summer Solstice Whale Pass Fishing Report

To such fans as I have, my apologies for the lack of fishing reports lately. My current location lacks internet and I have been working too much to get to where there is a connection. I’m in Whale Pass, Alaska again, at the Lodge at Whale Pass.

The Lodge at Whale Pass

In my last report I asked for prayers for Steve Baker and T.C. Howard. Please add Rodney Smith to that list.

Buttercups (Ranunculus) at Ketchikan.

The halibut fishing here as been excellent, lots of fish with some fairly large ones in the mix. Although the big boys are a catch and release deal, they still make for great fish stories.

Halibut fishing with Don Askew.

A small eater halibut.

We have had some wonderful guests so far, and some awesome trips to the LeConte Glacier, Petersburg, and Wrangell.

Sandy battles a halibut.

Steve poses with a top of the slot ‘but.

The salmon fishing has been slow across the board. Neck Lake Outlet has only seen a few fish. Mooching and trolling in the Inside Passage has produced very few salmon. I’ve yet to pick up any of my fly rods. At least they are together and ready to go!

Dall porpoises put on a show in the Inland Passage.

Sorry for the lack of meat in this report, but that’s really all I’ve got to this point. I have no doubt the salmon fishing will improve in a quantum leap.

A sea lion scratching an itch.

On the way to Wrangell.

And that is the Summer Solstice Whale Pass 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 2016. All rights are reserved.

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Filed Under: Fishing Reports, Photo Essays, Whale Pass Fishing Report · Tagged: adventure fishing, Alaska fishing, Alaska fishing report, halibut fishing, salmon fishing, Whale Pass Fishing Report

Jackzilla Port Canaveral Fishing Report

May 22, 2016 by john kumiski · Leave a Comment

Jackzilla Port Canaveral Fishing Report and Photo Essay

Four days fishing out of Port Canaveral this week led to some outstanding catches, particularly if you consider a 30 pound plus crevalle jack an outstanding catch. The fishing out there was fairly sizzling. So we have the Jackzilla Port Canaveral fishing report this week. Still trying to sell that EZ Loader- Details at this link- http://www.spottedtail.com/sale-rebuilt-aluminum-ez-loader-trailer/

For sale!

The Indian River Lagoon is not the only great Florida waterway suffering from gross mismanagement. See this link about Lake Okeechobee- https://jacquithurlowlippisch.com/2016/05/15/sucking-in-the-algae-bloom-lake-okeechobees-s-308-slrirl/. We desperately need a new governor and an almost entirely new legislature. Not that I have strong feelings about it! Monday was not about the Port, though. Monday morning found two gentlemen from Jacksonville in the Mitzi, Mr, Jeff Weir and his friend Marinis. We were out on Mosquito Lagoon, looking for redfish. We found decent numbers of fish, although they were uncooperative enough that they only got one each. We had a good time!

Jeff with his only redfish of the day.

Tuesday Scott Radloff and I went out of the Port. It was snotty at first and I almost turned around. Jim Ross gave me a bunch of menhaden and invited us to follow him, which was really nice of him. We did. It took a while to get a bite, but when we did it was a double of mongo jacks. Quite a way to kick off the action. Jackzilla!

Scott’s hands were full for a while with this beast.

Soon there were jacks swimming all around us. One day several years ago Scott and I hooked 14 of the beasts, but we’re older (and maybe wiser) now, besides the been there done that aspect. So after he got his second one it was time to look for some other action.

He’s happy it’s no longer on his line!

The wind layed down, and the sun came out. The weather just continued improving all day.

Jackzilla!

We found some tarpon rolling. They were scattered and I didn’t think we’d hook one, but a fatty came up and ate my pogy. It proceeded to jump all over the Atlantic trying unsuccessfully to dislodge the hook. What it did succeed in doing was to saw through the #80 fluorocarbon leader. So it got away. And the rest of the fish disappeared. While we soaked baits hoping a stray was still around the biggest, baddest, meanest jackzilla of all bit my bait and proceeded to cause me some serious pain. No kidding, that fish kicked my alpha, you know what I mean?

This fish caused me some pain. Although it does hurt so nice…

Now I was really done with the jacks. We were still seeing them all around, but neither of us wanted anything else to do with them. I saw some activity and went to check. Breaking tunny! I love tunny! We fired jigs out. Bam! I was on. Still trying to recover from the jack, now I had the tunny. Tunny are awesome but compared to a crevalle pushing 40 pounds it was pretty easy. We got a couple more before we were done.

A phalanx of blacktips.

We saw another bunch of activity and went to check. It was a school of sharks, sharpnose and blacktips, up on the surface, on a ball of anchovies, with Spanish mackerel and tunny blasting through them to get at the anchovies. Neither of us wanted anything to do with the sharks as far as a fishing rod was concerned, but I wanted photos. I got the camera out and started firing, resulting in a couple good shots.

Sharks and ‘chovies!

So the day started slowly, and ended up being my best day out of the Port this year. Lots of big fish, hungry, and awesome weather. Yeah, it was good. Thursday found me back on the Atlantic, this time with Tom Finger in the Mitzi. Tom’s biggest crevalle to date was about eight pounds- I’m not sure he believed me when I told him there were 30 pounders out there. Again, it started slow and just kept getting better. His first fish was a small shark, which did nothing to prepare him for the second fish- a 30 pound crevalle. Jackzilla! He fought it hard, and in only 25 minutes or so had it boatside. I pulled it in and photographed him with it, and off it went.

Tom with a small shark, one of many.

The sharks were almost a nuisance. The tunny never showed up. We hooked several more jacks, and then found some tarpon. Tom jumped a smallish one, and then another fatty ate my bait. This fish, well over 100 pounds, jumped only once and proceeded to kick my alpha. Twice in two days! He got down on the bottom, and despite using every trick I know I could not lift him. After 20 minutes I broke him off.

Tom met jackzilla, too.

Tom got one more shark and we called it a (great) day. Friday Mike Conneen and son Alex joined me, hoping for some big fish, especially tarpon. Alex started off the festivities with a big tunny that smoked some line off the reel before succumbing rather easily, at least compared to some of the other fish we would hook.

Alex and Mr. Tunny.

Then Mike hooked and got butt kicked by a big shark that in 30 minutes we only got a couple glimpses of. Finally the fish, tired of toying with Mike, bit through the leader and made his getaway.

Mike got a hand from Alex so he could boat his fish.

Mike then hooked a massive crevalle. Jackzilla! When he finally got the fish released he said, “I do not want another jack today.” OK!

You can’t really blame him for not wanting another one. Jackzilla!

We found some breaking tunny. Alex got one on a jig. I love tunny but it was as a minnow compared to everything else we got. We went looking for tarpon. We saw a handful but nothing that was really targetable (is that a word?) But we did find another school of jacks. Alex cast a menhaden in front of them and they raced each other to get there first. Alex hooked and caught the winner. Unless you compared it to the one Mike had caught it was a giant.

What is this again? Jackzilla!

We spent the rest of our day searching without success for tarpon. We got in just before the sky cut loose with torrential rains and winds. Saturday Dr. Jacob Garrett of Fort Worth joined me on the Atlantic, hoping to meet some sharks, some big jacks, some tarpon. He fought the first creature he hooked for 30 minutes. It broke off without us ever seeing what it was, not even a flash of color.

Dr. Garrett was thrilled to catch this shark.

Without going into the sordid details, he got a small hammerhead, a large jack, hooked and lost two tarpon and got broken off a few times, just an outstanding day. Thank you for fishing with me, sir, and I hope to see you again!

Jacob was certainly not to be outdone by my other anglers.

Still have open days this month. Give me a call if you want to go fishing!

Dr. Garrett, hooked up again.

And that is the Jackzilla Port Canaveral fishing report from Spotted Tail. 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 2016. All rights are reserved.

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Filed Under: Fishing Reports, Orlando Fishing Report, Photo Essays, port canaveral fishing report · Tagged: adventure fishing, crevalle jacks, florida fishing, Jack Crevalle, Orlando Area Fishing Report, orlando fishing, orlando fishing charter, orlando fishing report, Port Canaveral, port canaveral fishing report, tarpon fishing

The Rest of the Kayaking Louisiana Fishing Report- a Photo Essay

December 8, 2015 by john kumiski · Leave a Comment

The Rest of the Kayaking Louisiana Fishing Report- a Photo Essay

This is the rest of the Kayaking Louisiana Fishing Report. The astute reader may recall we were getting blown out by a nasty cold front while we were in Cocodrie. But now that I’m home and have access to my computer I can post the photos from part A of the trip, too.

Upcoming Events
-Space Coast Birding and Wildlife Festival- the largest birding and wildlife festival in the United States! January 20-25 at Eastern Florida State College – Titusville campus, 1311 North US 1, Titusville. http://www.spacecoastbirdingandwildlifefestival.org

Fishing!

As was stated last week, we started in Venice, fishing with Capt. Brian Sherman and Capt. Carol LeCompte, staying at Reelivin Lodge in Empire.

Capt. Carol kept us well fed.

The lodge is elegant and comfortable.

For the non-fishermen…

A little redfish pizza!

Through the dead cypress forest.

The scars from Katrina have not fully healed, even in the marsh.

I had a magic moment with a flock of purple martins.

And of course some nice fish were caught.

From there we went to Cocodrie, staying at Coco Marina. Bebe McElroy befriended us and took us on a cold boat ride.

Our new friend Bebe, a delightful woman who holds the Louisiana state record for southern stingray.

It was a COLD boat ride.

Our last night there promised better weather.

Then we went to Grande Isle, where we fished in marsh duck ponds with great success in spite of the cold and wind.

Coming on to Grande Isle. Fishing is important here!

Mike fishes in a tiny “pond”.

The marsh was full of fish.

I got this red on a Hootchie Fly…

…and this one on a blue and white Clouser Minnow.

Another red falls to the fly.

I got fish on every fly I tried. If I made the cast, the bite followed.

We fished until late in the afternoon.

The drive home took for-eh-vur.

And that is the rest of the Kayaking Louisiana Fishing Report!

Mike Conneen made a video of the trip, you can see it here- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uaoxYVpa6to&feature=youtu.be

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 2015. All rights are reserved.

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Filed Under: Fishing Reports, Fishing Stories, Paddle Fishing Florida, Photo Essays, travel blog · Tagged: adventure fishing, fishing cocodrie louisiana, fishing grande isla louisiana, fishing louisiana, fishing venice louisiana, fly fishing, fly fishing louisiana redfish, kayak fishing, kayak fishing louisiana, photography, redfish

Venice LA Fishing Report and Photo Essay

December 2, 2015 by john kumiski · Leave a Comment

Venice LA Fishing Report and Photo Essay

Some readers undoudtedly want to know what happened to last week’s report. I wrote it and never posted it, since Mike Conneen and I rolled out of central Florida at 4 am last Saturday morning. Since I did not fish that week there waren’t a whole lot to report anyhoo!

—————–

Upcoming Events

-Ocean Reef Beach Festival- December 5. The ORB returns to Pelican Beach Park, Satellite Beach. Celebrate the ocean lifestyle with exciting conservation and recreation displays, activities and hands on learning! Food trucks, local ocean artists, live music and more! The event is free and will be held from 10am-5pm. Proceeds to benefit Surfrider Foundation and Anglers For Conservation.

-Space Coast Birding and Wildlife Festival- the largest birding and wildlife festival in the United States! January 20-25 at Eastern Florida State College – Titusville campus, 1311 North US 1, Titusville. http://www.spacecoastbirdingandwildlifefestival.org

—————–

Mike did the driving, aiming his Nissan towards Empire, Louisiana. Besides the two of us, the truck carried two kayaks and accessories, assorted fishing tackle, a variety of cameras, camping and cooking gear, a smattering of food, some clothing and personal items, a computer, a smartphone (not mine!), and odds and ends.

We got to Empire about four in the PM. Capt. Carol LeCompte at Reelivin Fishing Charters was our unbelievably gracious host. He had told me over the phone he would take care of us. He was more than true to his word, going way beyond what was needed, feeding us oysters, crabs, fish, gumbo, jambalaya, and other Cajun specialties the names of which escape me. It was all very delicious! The lodge was elegant yet comfortable, really nice, five stars from this reporter.

We kayak fished two days out of Venice with Capt. Brian Sherman at kayakvenicela.com. I wanted to fly fish. The water was way too dirty for sightfishing, so the first morning I just chucked it. Mike used spin tackle with a variety of lures. The catching started almost immediately and really just kept getting better. I foolishly brought my old computer with me. It doesn’t talk to my new camera so the best pics aren’t even here. Let the pictures do the talking!

Captain Vudu, Carol LeCompte. Vudu, bay-bee!

Capt. Brian Sherman, Kayak Venice LA

Mike Conneen with his first Louisiana redfish. He’d get a few more!

Mike has another fat redfish.

Same fish…

Fish in hand…

…and posing for the photeaux!

I got into the act too, with a DOA CAL jig.

Not a release shot, the fish is still hooked!

It doesn’t matter where they are, reds love the DOA CAL shad tail.

After two days of fishing in Venice, we went to Cocodrie. Our arrival coincided closely to the arrival of a strong cold front. We got in a few hours of fishing on our own, close to Coco Marina, our base during our stay here. We got a couple reds, a few trout, and one black drum. All but one were caught on soft plastics.

We did not fish the following day due to strong winds, rain, and lightning. It looks like the next couple days might get blown out too, so I am going to post this now.

That is this week’s Venice LA Fishing Report and Photo Essay.

Life is great and I love my work!

Life is short. Go Fishing!

John Kumiski
www.spottedtail.com
www.spottedtail.com/blog
www.johnkumiski.com
www.rentafishingbuddy.com

All content in this blog, including writing and photos, copyright John Kumiski 2014. All rights are reserved.

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Filed Under: Fishing Reports, Photo Essays, travel blog · Tagged: adventure fishing, Capt. Brian Sherman, DOA Lures, kayak fishing, kayak fishing Venice LA, kayakvenicela.com, paddle fishing Venice LA, redfish Venice LA, reelivin charters

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Venice LA Fishing Report and Photo Essay

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