Blind casting in a blind spot.

I was able to explore a new place this past weekend on the west coast of Florida in Citrus County. This same place may one day become my local waters. This trip was intended to be the initial exploration of the town and waters for the wife and me. With an arrival time of noon on Friday and departure again at noon on Monday, we worked with limited time. I knew I was only going to have a small window to fish and I needed to make the best of it.

I do my best fishing alone and knowing that I was going to be in a new place, I needed to be extra careful. There was a place across town that was suggested to me by a new friend that’s lived in the area since 78’. The intell was brief with only the location of the ramp so the rest was going to be on me. I knew the tides in my head already and a pre-trip Google Earth session gave me a great layout of the waters. After a 15 minute drive, I unloaded my boat with about 20 minutes to kill before first light. Typically I would be out in the dark paddling to my first spots but I was not about to do that in an unfamiliar area. Safety comes before fishing so I sat in my kayak at the edge of the street/boat ramp and ate my breakfast until first light. It was difficult to maintain patience with the light slaps of small bait fish flopping around in the shallows with the occasional SMACK.

 

 Once I paddled off the edge of the street I was amazed at the unpredictable directions the water was flowing in. The bottom consisted of rock structure, holes, oyster beds, grass and sand flats. The patterns of the water flow were enough to paint a picture and I took it all in while riding the incoming tide to the east. The hypnosis of the calm morning quickly wore off after a 26" snook counted to 3 on my fourth cast.

 

After I released the snook I looked over my shoulder and caught the sun peeking up over the mangrove shoreline. By the time I got my hands dry and camera out, it managed to be all the way up.

 

The winds started to pick up early but that wasn't much of a big deal considering the amount of small islands I could find sanctuary in. I quickly paddled through some light chop in order to drift the same shoreline I watched the sun breach. It was there on a mangrove point that I found a healthy and beautiful 32" red waiting to give me a tow. I was able to snap a sloppy shot with the dirty wide angle of my DSLR but it was a shot nonetheless. The least amount of stress I can put on a fish while being handled the more healthier it's release will be. I'm sure the red doesn't mind me not taking 20 more photos to get it right.

 

 

I got that fish back in the water, paddled around the next corner and I was greeted by a bigger snook than the first one. It was at this time I felt I could brag a bit with a snook selfie on FB. It was also at this same time that the morning bite bit the dust. It could be blamed on both bad juju or slack tide. I really didn't care because I appreciate what a treat it was to catch these three fish within an hour of each other.

 



I say I fish alone a lot but in reality, I'm never alone. There are always eyes on you while you're out. The next hour or so was spent making random casts and exploring new places. A crabber was the only other human to share the areas I paddled and it was a quick visit. With such a rocky bottom the crabber used high tide to run his traps because otherwise these water would not be as accessible by boat. I could have easily spent the entire day here but I wanted to get back to the wife.

 

 

 Grateful, happy, content, amazing.........these words could describe my morning but there's nothing like experiencing it first hand. The work I put in paid off and I can't wait to return. The wife and I will make a few more visits in the near future and take it from there. The Conneen's would fit in just fine in this small town but like everything, good things take time.

 

 

After getting back to camp and discussing the plans for the rest of the afternoon, it was decided that Stephanie was going to catch some zzz's before I met her at the beach. The beach is 6 miles from the camp so she would drive but I opted for the outgoing tide. This was an impromptu trip but I figured I needed to explore a bit more. Opposite of the morning, I definitely was not alone. The water was loaded with Labor Day boaters so I navigated far from channels and blind spots. I had no clue what I was in store for next.

 



 

 95+ degrees out at 2:00pm and I pull this over slot snook off a flat. Boats drove by as this small beast put on a show for both them and I. With every thrash of its tail the snook would erupt from the water with that giant mouth open wide. My day was capped at 10:00am but I guess the Universe had other plans. The only thing that was missing was a gator trout but I couldn't find even a small one to save my life.

 

Four healthy and beautiful fish was all I caught Saturday and I couldn't have asked for more. Almost 10 miles of shoreline was paddled and I was amazed that I didn't see another avid kayak angler all day. I made it to the beach just after 3:00pm and cooled off with my better half.

 

 

My wife, my kayak, my poles. That's all I need.

 

 



Your lost lure cost much more than $5.

600, let that number sit in your head while you take in what is below.

There’s a Yozuri Minnow on a branch about 20’ in the air tucked back in creek located in Melbourne, Fl. There is no way you would know it’s there unless you put it up there yourself. That’s exactly what I did. As an angler for conservation, I do my very best to retrieve all of my lures from trees or obstacles when I get one stuck. In this case, there was no way possible to get this lure back unless I cut the tree down. Instead of making firewood from this tree, I put a glove on, wrapped the line around my hand as high as I could reach and broke the line off at the leader. It irks me to know that because of one bad cast I have left a lure in our environment that will stay there for years.

When I was a child I would go golfing with my parents and usually by the 2^nd nine I was bored and would start looking for golf balls. I highly enjoyed this part of “golfing”. It was like a game to me. I would find different colors, different brands and some would have personal markings on them. Most golf balls would be found in the bushes closer to the tee box because of shanks and slices that would cause the ball to derail the fairway and enter the hazards close by.  Now that I’m a grown child, this game of finding golf balls still applies but the balls are replaced by lures.

 

Prior to 2013, any fishing line, lures or trash I would find would be discarded in the proper receptacle. My personal rule every time I go fishing is to collect at least one piece of litter and always leave the water with more than I came with. On February 10^th, 2013 while fishing in the Sebastian Inlet, one piece of litter was a heavy green nautical net. This was pretty cool looking and I decided to keep it. Little did I know it was going to become the backdrop of my crazy collections.

 

I'm always intrigued at the different ways people rig their tackle.

It started with one lure. I figured if I kept that lure it would make up for the one that hangs high in a tree back in the creek. I wasn’t about to reuse this lure as I believe these discarded treasures are jinxed. I decided to hang this jinxed lure on my nice pre-owned green net but there was only one thing wrong with this, the lure looked funny by itself. I knew this wouldn’t last long because I’d be out fishing again soon and I would find more to accompany this lone soldier. Like a kid with pockets of found golf balls, I wanted more lures.

 

Every now and then I'll find a rare one

 

and some are brand new.

The game of finding lures has become just as fun as fishing. Most people say that I’ve got a great eye for spotting lures in the bush and while I do have excellent vision, it’s the fishing line I usually see first. I would say about 40% of the time you see fishing line you will find a hook or lure at the end. As with golf balls, these lures come in different colors, different brands and some are personalized. Most are found close to docks or bridges due to bad casts and not having proper access to get them back and my kayak provides me with the unfair advantage.

 

This Rapala has grown shells and barnacles and the hooks were rusted out.

Lures, hooks and line don’t only cause a threat to our environment; they cause a threat to the reputation of anglers. When one sees a lure hanging from a bird their inner rage builds and automatically blames the angler. In most cases it is the anglers fault but the bird might not have even been there to begin with if he hadn’t been fed by the general public. Wildlife will typically fear humans but when we introduce these other elements, an entire chain reaction happens. There is nobody to blame but ourselves when we see wildlife in danger because of fishing line or the many other hazards we continue to introduce to them.

 

An Ibis hangs from fishing line.

It’s with pride that I collect these lures because I know that I’m leaving an impact in many ways. The only thing that concerns me is how many more people like me are out there? For every lure I find how many are lost? These questions will remain unknown but I will continue to do my part and build my collection.

 



These were found within 10' of each other and tied with the same knots.

 

This rusted spoon is one of my favorites.

The Yozuri Minnow in the creek was lost in mid 2012 and still hangs there today. It will always haunt me. 

 

600 is the amount of years it takes for monofilament fishing line to decompose. Preserve what we have today so future generations can enjoy it as much as we do.

 

Check out Anglers For Conservation to get more involved and "Like" us on FB .

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.

Long Key, it's like a beautiful resort if there were no buildings.

Sometimes the reality of being spoiled by living in Florida sinks in. Like being able to get out of bed, have breakfast on the comfort of your couch then take a drive in order to make it in time for lunch in the Florida Keys. This is only one example and I really don’t know how I could live in any other state and I’m very fortunate to be born in this beautiful place.

 

                                                                  Long Key Bite Flats

 

On Sunday, June 22^nd my wife and I packed the truck and were joined by the Billings Family as we took that drive south towards the clear waters and sandy beaches of Long Key, Fl. This would be the third year in a row that we have made the trip. It has become a summer thing for us. At the last minute I booked an extra day so we would stay for 6 days total. The balance between fishing and quality time with our loved ones is hard to maintain but we do the best we can.

 

                                              There's an Ocean Kayak in there somewhere.

The first year we stayed at Bahia Honda and the second year we stayed at Long Key. We liked Long Key so much we decided to stay there again. The best part about staying a second time is you’re able to dial in the fishing the first time and know what you’re up against the next time around. While we knew the go-to spots, it still proved to be difficult. One of the hottest tarpon spots around the Key is a mere 100 yards from camp. Mornings and afternoons guides would line the coast and pole the flats in search for these monster silver kings. It’s times like this that I sit and observe the patterns of locals and try to pick up some knowledge. At the end of the day when I see almost zero hook-ups happen by local guides, I don’t feel bad getting the skunk by the giant tarpon. This is exactly what happened the last two years in a row. However, simply seeing these massive fish swim in these clear waters is enough to make you appreciate them.  

While the tarpon fishing was the same as always, there are plenty of other fish in the Keys to target. As much as I don’t care for catching them, sharks are everywhere and take zero effort to catch. After putting a hook in a nurse shark I decided I wasn’t going to catch one the rest of the trip. But while out kayaking with the entire group I couldn’t help but to show Cat Billings and my wife Stephanie a shark up close. So without a hook and line, I set out to catch one with my bare hands (I don’t condone this).

                                                             Hand caught Nurse Shark

After handling that small shark I was able to find a tidal pool reef loaded with mutton and mangrove snapper. It was a very low tide and this reef pool was its own little ecosystem. With a Paul’s Dinkum Unfair Lure Shrimp I was able to catch a few with one mangrove being of size to take back to camp to add to our breakfast. Snapper is not on the top of my list of favorite fish to eat but fresh fish was requested multiple times so I was happy to provide it.

 

The 2013 trip to Long Key was a busy one. It was packed with filming for "Everyday Push" and I even asked my girlfriend to marry me. She said yes and we got married last October. At the wedding we had floating sky lanterns that people could write us a wish on with a black marker. We held on to them until the perfect time and on the fourth night of this trip we let them fly away. We were on the Gulf side of the island and the water was glassy with a calm east wind. It couldn't have been a better night. We lit the fire block of the 100% biodegradable lanterns and let them go. The first lantern took off quickly and the second lantern dove towards the water. It came within four inches of complete catastrophe before it took off following the first one. We watched until the far distant lights went out. I have photos of all the wishes but I never read them and probably never will. They were not for us to read.

 

We all had a great time between relaxing, snorkeling, fishing, kayaking, paddle boarding and eating. I was even able to fly a kite. You’re never too old to fly a kite. By day six we were ready to get out of there. The sand in my wheelchair started to finally get on my nerves and the sargassum was starting to stack on the beach and begin to smell a bit. I have often wanted to live in the Keys and almost moved there years back but I really think the Keys need to be enjoyed in small dosages. They should also be respected and we should leave nothing but footprints.

 

                                                                Long Key in a nutshell.

Father's Day weekend recap.

"Heroes On The Water serves our Nation’s warriors by providing healing and rehabilitating kayak fishing outings that are physically and mentally therapeutic through our nationwide community of volunteers and donors."

The Space Coast Chapter of Heroes On The Water was created about one year ago by Bob Harvey. Shortly after it was created I took over as coordinator and I've been fine tuning it ever since with the intentions on finding someone who is able to take my place. It's a great organization and it changes the lives of Veterans. Kayak fishing also changes the lives of typical civilians with disabilities. I know because it changed my life and I'm not sure where I'd be without my kayak.

On Friday, June 13th five chapters of HOW came together to hold one large camping event, the First Inaugural Florida HOW Summit. This event would spread over a weekend and consist of eating, fishing, eating, making friends, fishing, camaraderie and eating some more. The Summit would be held in my own backyard of Merritt Islands No Motor Zone of the Banana River. The Banana River is 1/3 of what makes up the Indian River Lagoon, Americas most diverse estuary. The other two parts include the Indian River and Mosquito Lagoon.

The event started on Friday and with a new Ocean Kayak Big Game 2 in my possession I was too excited to wait. I wanted to get my new boat wet ASAP so I packed up my truck and heading for the campground on Thursday night at 9:30pm. There were a few leaders from other Chapters already set up and I was happy to have Butch Newell and Charlie Ganoe help me unpack and setup. By the time we were finished I set my alarm and managed to get five hours of sleep before I set off again.

Friend and fellow HOW Team Member, Wade Hollowell met me at the south end of the Mosquito Lagoon and we launched by 6:30am. This was a little pre-event fishing we intended on doing. With the wind and a few storms closing in early it made chasing tails a bit hard. We chased more mini whitecaps than anything and ended the late morning with a few trout. We made a quick stop by Kayaks By Bo on the way back to the camp in order to get some new gear for my BG2. By the time we got to campground there was a significant amount of new faces and tents. Dinner shortly followed and was hosted by the Central Florida Chapter and after that everyone got some shuteye for an early Saturday start on the NMZ.

 It's not often that a photo of me kayak fishing pops up. I tend to be the one behind the camera and I don't often fish with people. The majority of the photos of me were taken by me. With that said, Tammy Wilson was able to snap a nice one while the sun was getting us ready during the event on Saturday.

As you can see from the sunrise above, it was a very welcoming morning. The thoughts in my head were more concentrated on the setting full moon and how productive the day of fishing would be. People travel from all over to fish the Indian River Lagoon for it's wide variety of fish including massive red drum and the last thing I wanted was for people to leave with no good fish stories. It's bad enough the IRL gets a lot of bad publicity due to the media and pollution. The IRL has a reputation to keep up and it needs every bit of positive support it can get.

The morning pressed on as Vets, guests and guides scattered throughout the NMZ. I guided my Vet and guests close to the launch ramp because of the mid-morning storms I knew were coming. I was happy to get his guests on some fish but unfortunately he didn't catch anything. His one guest caught a puffer fish that I gladly inflated for him and another reeled in a catfish I was able to hook up. The word was out that the only thing being caught was puffers, small trout and catfish. I was just fine with my group catching just that because my Vets guests were his son and daughter. They had nothing but smiles all morning.

Lunch was served by the local VFW and I couldn’t help but to watch the clock and count all the people coming to the lunch pavilion with no great fish stories. As much as I was trying to keep hope alive, I was watching the fishless day draft the hour hand. And with the last group of Vets and guests coming in the vibe of the day quickly changed. That last group was late only because guest Jeannie Dickman hooked into a 46” red drum that wore her out. Her Veteran boyfriend Chuck Miller was second on deck to tussle with this beautiful red until it wore him out and HOW Guide Donnie Leeper jumped in to bring the red to the boat. A successful mission was had in the backyard of NASA and the reputation of monster reds in the Indian River Lagoon will carry on.

                     Jeannie in the background with guide Donnie. One healthy released red drum.

The day ended with the North East Florida Chapter cooking dinner and the Sarasota Chapter woke everyone up bright and early with the breakfast bell. With close to 100 people in attendance I’m happy to say the Florida Chapters of HOW conducted a great first event of it’s kind. There was only one problem, I wasn’t able to catch one decent fish in my new boat.

My final stop for the weekend was a Father’s Day picnic at a local park. It just so happen to be a park where I spent a lot of time fishing as a kid. With family members of my wife, brothers wives, our closest friends, family and my parents, we took over the park. It’s great to have so many special people in one place at one time. We dodged the summer storms as they came and went and when they finally left for the day my fishing brother Jon Billings and I pushed off the shore for a bit. My weekend just wasn’t complete without that one fish so we went to find him and close out the end to a fantastic weekend.

Special thanks to Kayaks By Bo, VFW Post 8116, Merri Cakes, Harry Goode’s Outdoor Shop, Ocean Kayaks, Indialantic Seafood Company,  KARS Park, all Florida HOW Chapters, HOW National and Mother Nature for taking it somewhat easy on us.

I hope it was a great Father's Day and my thoughts are with you if your Father is no longer with us.

                                Matt Conneen, Joe Conneen, Mike Conneen, Chris Conneen