One of Florida's few unspoiled gems.

The day started off on the wrong foot, literally. I woke up to find that my good Columbia water shoes had been stolen off my front porch. It put me in a bad mood and I had to grab a pair of backup shoes to protect my lifeless feet. The hour drive up I-95 and across SR46 to the launch spot had me pondering what may have happened or who stole my shoes and why. Once I got my boat in the water, I went barefoot for the rest of the day and didn't think twice about those shoes. Problem temporally solved.

The life of a camera phone photo can live outside of the camera.

 

Wiki says....."The Econlockhatchee River (Econ River for short) is a 87.7-kilometre-long (54.5 mi) north-flowing blackwater tributary of the St. Johns River that flows through Orange, Seminole, and Osceola counties in Florida. Its name means "River of mounds". It flows through the eastern portion of the Orlando Metropolitan Area (east of State Road 417)."

I recently read an article about a Miami-Dade , 140 acre critically endangered forest. It's considered one of the worlds rarest forest and South Florida's most biologically diverse habitat. Surveys for this rare piece of land currently sit in the hands of a developer for none other than a brand new Wal Mart. When I paddled the 12 miles of the Econ Sunday I didn't see a single Wal Mart. However, I can't help but imagine that this untouched Florida treasure will one day have houses lining each side and small relief bridges connecting neighborhood streets and shopping plazas. The width will be half of what it is now and every once in a while an old man will sit on the relief bridge and say, "I remember the days when we could paddle down this river and see so much wildlife".

My wife Stephanie and I with a big Cypress Tree in the background (August 2013).



I first paddle the Econ when I was about 7 years old. I would paddle it with my parents in a rented canoe from Hidden River canoe rentals off of SR50. We continued to paddle it from time to time as I grew up and it was truly one of my most favorite things to do. As I started to become a teenager I lost my connection with this Florida gem. I got a car and drove to Orlando a lot to skateboard and I couldn't help but smile every time I drove over the Econ relief bridge on SR50. It wasn't until earlier in 2013 that I was physically reconnected with the river. Tammy Wilson had asked if I wanted to paddle it and I didn't have to think twice about my reply. I have now been up this river four times since.

Tammy Wilson with a Red Belly (August 2013).

The portion I paddled as a boy is located south of the portion we paddle now. The difference is the south end is very narrow and is made up of mostly Florida hammock with the landscape staying about the same. The leg we have been currently paddling is 12 miles and it takes the greater part of a day to complete. It is one of few rivers that you can say you "paddle up the river" without going against the current. The day starts by dropping off all the gear and kayaks at the Snow Hill Rd. bridge and then everyone drives to the bridge at SR46 to drop the cars off except one. That one is used to drive everyone back to the gear that someone has so kindly been waiting with. Once that is done, you jump in and go with the flow.

Sometimes you catch small ones (Justin Ritchey-July 2014).

 

Sometimes you catch ones that eat the small ones (Jason Dewees-March 2014)

 

This leg of the Econ is the most scenic because of the variety of landscapes you paddle through. A hallway of big pines and palms create your path as the sun comes up and shines through during the morning trek. Sunglasses aren't needed during the first few hours. They only become a barrier between you and everything that is real, like the 100+ year old oaks that curl just inches over the ground like giant bonsai trees. A few miles into the trip and you start to see more and more big cypress trees that tower over the smaller cypress stumps that surround their base. If you're calm and patient you can spot wild orchids in the trees. If you're quiet and stealthy you can sit an observe American Bald Eagles while they observe you right back.

American Bald Eagle wondering what I'm doing in my plastic boat (July 2014).

 

With a steady float you can make it to one of the multiple places to stop and eat by 11:00am. When I was a kid I ate cold fried chicken with lots of salt. I still bring it for lunch because my trip is not complete unless I do so. If you put some work in you can catch enough fish for a fish fry. I always go for the packed lunch. It helps with the lazy altered state of mind that the trip has already put you in. 

 Lunch at the shack with the crew and me with a chicken bone (July 2014-photo courtesy of Frank Zarzour).

As the trees start to become sparse, you gradually enter what is true Florida wetlands. Depending on the time of year will depend on how much farther your paddle will be. This past weekend we knocked off an hour because the normal switchbacks were nonexistent. We're obviously in the rainy season so this gives you the ability to paddle right over what is normally hard ground. On the edge of these wetlands is where you will find a lot of resting wildlife.

Roseate Spoonbill stretching and relaxing in the shade (March 2014)

Horses and cows take residence on the edge of the wetlands (March 2014). 

 

I can't speak more highly about the Econ. Florida's untouched land is getting smaller and smaller every single day. As I worry about paddling down the Econ one day with houses on each side, I can't help but  think about the day SR50 didn't span across it's southern leg. I'm very fortunate to be living in this generation and I do my best to take it all in. If you are intrigued about making this trip with me one day, don't hesitate for a second. Say the word and I would be happy to get you in a kayak to share this trip with you and chances are, Tammy will join us.





 

They built homes long before we did.

Put a little boat in a big boat and take it far out into the ocean.

It was Monday, July 14^th and the first of three weekends of Atlantic Red Snapper season had closed as soon as it opened. I had zero plans to make it out this year but after all the volunteer hours I had been putting in lately; I figured I would give it a shot. I needed a break and I knew I deserved a great day of fishing. So I decided to give my friend and local captain, Alex Gorichky a call. Alex said he had a spot open the following Friday and it just so happened to be with another Johnson Outdoors Watercraft teammate. Allen ‘Bushy’ Bushnell is his name and he is from Cali and was here for ICAST. After meeting Bushy I found out we had a lot more in common than just fishing. It’s always great to meet like minded people.

I don’t typically get excited about much but when I rolled out of work on Thursday evening, I did just that. I could feel it in the air. The rain had stopped, wind died down and the sky was starting to clear. I knew both the fishing and weather was going to be perfect the next day. A good night sleep, loading the truck and a 40 minute drive was all that separated me from my first red snapper in 15 years. Technically this was a whole new type of snapper fishing anyway. My legs worked just fine back then and I caught them from the comfort of a large boat.

Not a red snapper but a red grouper from my throwback days of offshore fishing.

With the tiny boats loaded in the bigger boat, Capt Alex and First Mate Jeramie got us to the spot after getting ice and netting live bait. It didn’t take long for me to get into the water and before the 2 minute mark had hit, I was hooked up. Pulled the first snapper up for the morning and right after that I pulled up another, and another and another and……the fishing was on fire and it was obvious that I hadn’t lost my touch.

First hook-up of the day.

Alex had done everything that he could do and I did everything I could do. Together it worked out to be a banner day on the Atlantic Ocean. I feel as if I have been fishing with Alex since I was a kid. We both grew up fishing in the Indian River Lagoon, just in different locations. I’m sure there were many days we had our feet in the same water at the same time. It’s awesome to see someone doing something they are passionate about and be able to provide for their family. I highly recommend checking out Capt Alex and Local Lines Guide Service if you need some help whether it is inshore, nearshore or offshore.

 

I don't always take home many fish but when I do I make it a good one.

 

Every once in a while Mother Nature throws a picture perfect day at you and if you just so happen to have that day off, it makes for an unforgettable time. Friday was one of those days. I’d like to believe it had a little to do with good Karma coming back to me but whatever the case may be, I’m very thankful. I’m also thankful that I can continue to stay sober because a day like this would never have been possible in my old shoes.

At times the wind was nil and the ocean became a mirror. Alex drops a buoy and that marks the spot we stick around.

It was great fishing with you, Bushy. I hope our paths cross again one day.

Thanks to fellow teammate Zack Rece for letting Bushy use his Predator while in town.

 

ATAC- round two. July 12-13

In 2012 and the beginning of 2013 I was doing a lot of fishing, a lot. It was almost as if I was trying to catch up for all my lost time on the water. It was all great and I was having fun but with the condition of our Indian River Lagoon, I wanted to do more than fish. I wanted to get involved. Now it's mid 2014 and I'm more involved than I ever thought I would be. I have traded in all my extra fishing time for volunteer duties and trying my best to support our community and things I'm passionate about. I have spent enough time during the last six months doing my best to fine tune my commitments and I'm happy to say that I can see the light and my ducks are lined up in a nice little row. I'm going fishing soon.

Thanks to the Marince Resources Council for letting Anglers For Conservation hold both camps at the Ted Moorhead Lagoon House.

The second installment of ATAC (Advanced Teen Anglers Camp) was very successful. We had a total of 8 anglers in June and this month we had 12. Again I was happy to see all 12 show up the second day. These young men were focused and excited to be there. I knew this because they all stayed awake during a slide show with the lights off after eating lunch from Long Doggers and being in the sun all morning. ATAC hit a home run in the summer of 2014.

Working the seine net. Species included pogies, mojarra, lookdown, puffers, mullet, blue fish.

 1 of over 3500 reasons the IRL is the most diverse estuary in the United States.  

 

The goal for this two day camp was to help teens learn more about advanced fishing techniques and how to be a better angler. One of the biggest parts of being a better angler is understanding our environment as well as conservation. As I'd love to break down the two day camp station by station, I fear the WWW and would like to protect the hard work that was put in to the syllabus. Let's just say a group of very experienced anglers tossed everything they had at these teens in a matter of 12 hours per camp. It was a lot to take in at the end of the day but they were all keeping up just fine.

Boating, kayaking, safety, etiquette. They all loved kayaking.

Impact. I thought of one word that would describe the 24 hours I spent with these 20 future leaders and that was it. Not only did we make an impact as a group, we will make an impact simply by the ripple effect. Together WE made enough oyster mats to cover over 25 square feet of estuary floor. Together WE planted over 40 new mangroves that will help establish a more stable shoreline. Together WE all learned something new and will share it with someone. Together WE made an impact.

Oyster Mats-Thanks to Jody Palmer and the Brevard Zoo's Oyster Restoration Project.

 

Mother Nature was kind enough to keep the storms away during both camps but she sure did bring the heat. We all stayed hydrated and kept a good balance of inside/outside activities. This in itself is a great learning experience as you always have to take care of your body first before going out fishing. Lack of water on the water in the summer months in Florida will leave you ill in a very bad way. 

As we wrapped things up, each one of these young men came to shake my hand to say thanks. I couldn't help but to be a bit sad to say bye to all my new friends. As I fit in with most adults, I fit in better with younger people because I refuse to grow up. On the second day during Da Kine Diego's lunch, I couldn't help but laugh as they were shooting each other with rubber bands while Capt Rodney Smith and I talked about sustainability. The rubber bands held the insane burritos together. Without killing too much fun, Rodney and I regained control. We also had a pretty comical post lunch conversation about farts because the burritos came with beans. It was all exactly what I would have wanted in a camp when I was 13. Sad but yet happy and confident to see these guys complete Advanced Teen Anglers Camp.

There was one angler missing in this photo because he had to leave early.

ATAC would not have been possible without the help of volunteers and sponsors.

Volunteers-in no particular order
Karen Smith
Capt Rodney Smith
Tammy Wilson
Capt Gary Brown
Tyler Brown
Capt Mark Wright
Cindy Pless
Marc Krsek
Capt Ricky Banks
Capt Alex Gorichky
Bill Grady
Nick Sanzone
Jody Palmer and the Brevard Zoo Crew
Marine Resources Council staff and interns

Sponsors-
Keep Brevard Beautiful
Long Doggers
Da Kine Diago's
Harry Goode's Outdoor Shop
Pro-Cure Bait Scent
Capt Mark Wright
D.O.A. Lures
UNFAIR Lures
Capt Rickey Banks Lures
Grand Slam Baits
Jeff Hanson
Shallow Addiction Magazine
Capt Rodney Smith
Orvis Fly Fishing
Environmental Learning Center
The Marine Resources Council
JJ's Screen Printing


Advanced Teen Anglers Camp, see you in the summer of 2015.