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Free and Fearless: The Amazing Impact of One Precious Life- A Review

February 3, 2021 by · Leave a Comment

Free and Fearless: The Amazing Impact of One Precious Life- A Review

Powerful True Story Inspires Others to Seek Adventure, Turn Each Day into a Gift

I found Free and Fearless inspiring, and not a bad read. The story, although not without tragedy, is fantastic.

Philip Moser is not a writer. That shows, particularly in the first half or so of the book. He’s a proud dad who shares a connection with his daughter, and he says that several times. It gets a little redundant.

But his daughter dies young (the tragedy), and they have unfinished business.

“This book is not about the grief of losing a child, but about making the most out of what we are given and living our lives positively and not out of fear,” Moser writes. “Brittany inspired me, an ordinary farm boy, to explore life, to climb mountains and to write a book.”

Free and Fearless is an honest, poignant account of Brittany’s legacy and the ripple effect that her outlook on life had on everyone who knew her. Philip hopes that by hearing her story, readers will be inspired by Brittany’s contagious spirit and unwavering desire for new adventures and experiences — even in the shadow of an incurable illness.

Among Brittany’s valuable life lessons that Philip shares with readers are:

1. How precious life is and how we can affect the people around us;
2. How an open mind and a positive attitude can inspire us to do things we never thought possible;
3. How to move out of our comfort zones and into a challenging existence that can turn each day into an exciting gift to be explored;
4. How to not let fear control us, and to use our abilities to seek unique, positive and inspiring adventures;
5. To embrace change as a natural part of life;
6. And finally, that we won’t be remembered by our things or our savings accounts, but by how we made other people feel.

“I want to share the same inspiration that I received for 32 years,” Philip added. “In the end, love truly does conquer all, and Brittany wanted us to know that.”

Once I got into the second half of the book, I did not want to put it down. It’s powerful!

Mr. Moser did a great job. I’m glad I read Free and Fearless, and if you read it you will be too.

-John Kumiski

For more information, please visit www.freeandfearlessbook.com or connect with the author on social media at https://www.facebook.com/philip.moser.73?ref=bookmarks.  A portion from the sale of each book will be donated to the National Adrenal Disease Foundation.

Free and Fearless: The Amazing Impact of One Precious Life
ISBN-10: 1733086404
ISBN-13: 978-1733086400

Available from Amazon.com, BarnesandNoble.com, BooksaMillion.com and other online retailers

Filed Under: book reviews · 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: ,

Van Conversion Update, Fishing and Sunset

January 31, 2021 by · Leave a Comment

Van Conversion Update, Fishing and Sunset

Thank you for reading this week’s post. It’s certainly not exciting from a fishing standpoint, but I am excited about progress on the van conversion.

Since the weather forecast showed a front coming through Monday night, with cool temperatures and blustery winds Tuesday and Wednesday, I went to Mosquito Lagoon on Monday. It’s like a ghost town over there! You can always tell how the fishing’s been by the number of trailers in the lot.

A pair of my sliders.

Even though I didn’t start until noon, I had a couple shots and actually caught a redfish, still using the brown slider. I almost spent more time watching birds than fishing, though. Looking for fish gets tiring when you’re not seeing many.

The sun set, and then the colors came out.

It looked like it would be an awesome sunset, so I knocked off from fishing and got the camera out. I believe it was a smart decision…

Some kayakers came.

 

Then they went!

Tuesday through Sunday I worked on the following items on the van-

Interior view, from the rear. The mattress is not in the vehicle.

-cabinet upgrade. The camping trips we’ve taken showed us that my original idea for the cabinets was flawed. I removed the fixed doors, added shelves inside the cabinets, and added hinges to the doors. The upgrade allows way better use of the space within.

Hinged doors and a shelf allow better use of available space.

-Water box. I built a box for carrying bottles of water. It holds four one-gallon bottles and one five-gallon bottle, and fits just behind the seats.

The box will securely hold nine gallons of water containers.

-Headboard. Across the roof of the van, just behind the seats, I installed a headboard. This will be a mounting point for interior lights, clothes hooks, and interior fans.

The headboard is for fan mounts, clothes hooks, and lights.

 

Interior view from the driver side door. It’s shaping up!

-Solar panel. I’m figuring out how to attach the solar panel to the roof rack. I think I have it worked out, but that test will happen later.

If the weather is favorable this week I’ll fish a day or two. If not, there’s a lot of wiring to be done!

Thank you for reading this week’s blog post about the van conversion!

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: Mosquito Lagoon Fishing Report, Sienna Van conversion · Tagged: , , ,

Ode to Cabbage Palms Report and photo essay

January 23, 2021 by · 4 Comments

Ode to Cabbage Palms Report and photo essay

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

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

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

The noble sabal palm photographs beautifully.

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

They’re so Florida!

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

Silly John, you can’t photosynthesize!

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

Palms at sunset.

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

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

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

St. Johns sunset, fantastic.

 

SR 46

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

Note the brown slider. Eyes are bead chain.

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

The Release!

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

The spoonbills are still at the wildlife drive.

 

Telephoto sunset.

 

Wide angle sunset.

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

Life is great and I love life!

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

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

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

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

Filed Under: central florida destinations, Fishing Reports, Mosquito Lagoon Fishing Report, Photo Essays, St. Johns River Fishing Report · 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: , ,

Sienna Camper Van Conversion- Phase 2 Starts

January 16, 2021 by · Leave a Comment

 

Hi Ken-

Hope this finds you and Cindy well. Hope you’ve been paddling!

Well, I bit the bullet! I’ve been talking about the Sienna van conversion and how I was going to install a solar powered electrical system. Yesterday I finished my research, and last night I gave the credit card a serious workout.

The first thing I bought was the necessary wiring diagram. You can see the web version at this link- https://www.explorist.life/2000w-520w-60a-budget-friendly-camper-wiring-diagram/#parts-list

I couldn’t fit the batteries in the screen shot. They are below the bottom of the diagram. My setup only uses one. Click on the diagram to see the full-sized one.

I need one I can print and have with me while I’m doing the work. Considering the work Nate did putting it together, ten bucks seems pretty reasonable anyway. His website, https://www.explorist.life, has all the resources a complete idiot like me needs in order to pull off a project like this.

The system in the diagram stores 400 amp hours. My needs are more pedestrian, so I’m only using 200 watts worth of solar panels and a single 100 amp hour battery. Through the Explorist Life website (I got everything but the wire through them) I got the 200-watt solar collector kit from Rich Solar- https://richsolar.com/products/200-watt-solar-kit-20a-mppt-controller. I’ll still have a little room on my roof for carrying the screen tent Sue wants to get.

Next I needed the battery. I got the Battle Born lithium one, https://battlebornbatteries.com/product/12v-lifepo4-deep-cycle-battery/. It was on sale, $100 off! Yippee!

Renogy supplied some big parts- the inverter, in case we want to use 120 volt items https://www.renogy.com/1000w-12v-pure-sine-wave-inverter/, and the DC-DC charger, so we can charge the lithium battery off the van’s alternator https://www.renogy.com/12v-dc-to-dc-on-board-battery-charger/

I’m also putting in a shore power inlet (just made that word up) so we can charge the battery or run our stuff off the grid when it’s available.

All the fuses, circuit breakers, bus bars, distribution block, etc, I got off the shopping list under the wiring diagram. Once it all gets here I’ll be ready to get to work. And it has started coming in already!

Once all that stuff is installed I’ll have to put the wiring in for the 12-volt plugs, USB ports, fans, lights, refrigerator. A different project, another day.

Given your engineering background I thought you’d be interested in all this. I’d be interested in getting your thoughts after you digest it all.

And that’s it for now!

All the best-

JK

Filed Under: Sienna Van conversion · Tagged: , , , , , , ,

Alafia River State Park Report, more

January 8, 2021 by · 2 Comments

Alafia River State Park Report, more

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

Upcoming Event– Lake Monroe Cleanup, Jan. 23 

Click the link now to reserve your space!

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

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

Tuesday Sue and I packed for a little camping trip.

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

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

We walked one of the equestrian trails.

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

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

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

Susan on the hiking trail.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Life is great and I love life!

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

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

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

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

Filed Under: central florida destinations, travel blog · Tagged: , , , , , ,

New Year’s Report from Me to You

January 1, 2021 by · Leave a Comment

New Year’s Report from Me to You

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

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

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

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

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

Yes, I have been trying to keep busy.

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

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

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

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

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

Thank you for reading this New Year Report blog!

Life is great and I love life!

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

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

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

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

Filed Under: central florida destinations, Fishing Reports · Tagged: , ,

Seminole County Wilderness Areas- A Review

December 31, 2020 by · Leave a Comment

Seminole County Wilderness Areas- A Review

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

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

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

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

All the areas have attractive features.

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

Red maples know it’s winter!

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

No way can this be called wilderness.

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

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

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

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

Trees are living things, in some cases centuries old.

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

There are benches for resting, a good thing.

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

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

John Kumiski

Filed Under: central florida destinations, opinion · Tagged: , ,

Christmas Report from Me to You

December 25, 2020 by · Leave a Comment

Christmas Report from Me to You

Thank you for reading this Christmas Report. I trust and hope everyone is having a lovely and safe Christmas.

Blog post this week- Baggage- Confessions of a Globe-Trotting Hypochondriac, by Jeremy Leon Hance – A Review

This is an awesome book with my highest recommendation.

Monday– cold and windy, I stayed home. It was the solstice, a day I usually try to get out, too. In the evening we went out to see the conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn. It was cloudy.

My solstice fish.

Tuesday– went fishing by paddle at Mosquito Lagoon. Had shots at three fish, got one. The other two spooked off the slider. Then I got this from Dave Caprera-

“After three weeks of futile searching, I finally caught one. I also missed approximately 29 others. It was one of the best days I have ever had on the lagoon.

“It was ‘cold’ (48 degrees) and breezy (8-10) when I ventured out at 9am. I first stepped outside with shorts and a t-shirt, returned for a sweatshirt, went outside and returned again for a windbreaker. I wore them both all day.

“Two things were immediately apparent. The water was down about a foot from what it had been. Water level in the lagoon is not just tides but wind patterns. It had been unusually high and I would say it is back to normal. Because of the cold spell this past week, the water was so clear that you could see through the ice all the way to the bottom. The sky started out clear blue with some cirrus clouds as the morning progressed.

“I did the Cedar Island loop ending in the Roach Motel. I had been there twice previously with little success. Today there were fish everywhere. 1’s, 2’s, 3’s, 5’s and 8’s (What’s the next number in the series? What is the series called?) So, it raises an imponderable question, why?
1. They were always there. I just couldn’t see them in high dirty water.
2. The change in water level, clarity and temperature caused the fish to change location.
3. Christmas is coming and the fish wanted to be good little boys and girls so Santa will bring them presents.

“Clear visibility is a blessing and a curse. Fish were seeing me from 50 feet away. They wouldn’t blow out. They just would not eat. I had a number of follows and chases, I even saw one open its mouth, a couple of tugs, but trouble getting a hook set (size 4, laser sharpened.) I started with a Borski slider, went to a Kwan bunny, but caught my fish on a Chico’s snapping shrimp. My belief has been that pattern doesn’t matter much, it is about the presentation, but the snapping shrimp has a much smaller profile so it may have been about the size.

“The fish was 21 inches and among the smaller fish I saw.

“Happy holidays. Stay safe.” Amen to that. And David, thank you for writing most of my blog. 🙂

Two of the dozens of spoonbills we saw.

Wednesday– Took my bride to MINWR to see the wildlife along Black Point Drive. Same as last week- freaking spectacular! Saw four redfish in the ponds with the birds. They were near the “NO FISHING” signs.

A pair of reds, pushing.

Thursday– finished getting my little trolling motor ready for the Bang-O-Craft. Time to take her for a spin. I read Christmas eve that Leslie West had passed. Mississippi Queen! Life goes on for the rest of us.

Our Christmas cactus bloomed just in time!

Friday– MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Thank you for reading this Christmas Report blog!

Life is great and I love life!

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

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

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

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

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