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A number of years ago, enthused about fishing and kayak fishing in particular, I started purchasing the slick, glossy monthly magazines filled with wonderful stories detailing Florida fishing adventures. Then, after a couple of years, the articles in these magazines all started to sound alike. The preponderance of them, in my opinion, said this:

“I traveled to (pick your exotic spot); caught a boat load of (pick your fish) and had wonderful weather. You can neither afford such a trip nor will you ever be so lucky.”

Well. I felt the need to write about the average bubbas’ days on the saltwater and felt the general tenor should sound like this:

“I traveled just down the road; charged $30 in gas and $20 in bait and tackle; the weather turned bad and we were skunked.”

That sounded more like my days, in any case. My personal experience is that I thoroughly enjoy any day on the water that I live to tell about.

The short pieces in the following pages fall, roughly, into four categories: essays, journals, “adventures of the yakeros” and then “Tales of the Fish Camp.” (coming soon). Most of the action is in East Central Florida, Mosquito and the Indian River Lagoons (saltwater estuaries), and the St Johns River.

All that you see here have been seen in various free regional magazines and/or in e-zines on the internet. I did not sell North American Copyright to these particular articles; therefore, I still own them and can do with them as I please.

The Essays are personal opinions and observations and mostly concern fishing and those who take up the rod and reel. There is a discussion of fishing theory, unusual fishing equipment, weather forecasting and so on. If asked to detail my methodology in the essays, I would have to say: “There ain’t none,” and leave it at that.

The Journals comprise special fishing and/or camping trips undertaken at great effort and expense with the usual results. You might read about bonefishing in the Bahamas, Florida Keys or a chase for snook in the Ten Thousand Islands. There’s a look at the famous Banana River No Motor Zone, and more.

The “Adventures” are just that. The characters, believe it or not, are real people and their nicknames are just as real. The events are mostly true as related by the various heroes but, then, you might want to read “The Reliability Factor” first to get the feel of the whole Yakero community. I was reluctant to put “Reliability” as the first piece in that section for fear you’d give it up as a lost cause.

The “Tales of the Fish Camp” (coming soon) are comprised of ten vignettes, or glimpses, of events during my failed attempt to make a living as a fish camp and airboat tour operator on the upper St Johns River. The “introduction” to those pieces says it well. Again: real people and true events. Well, I polished some of the happenings up, here and there, but not much.

I will add existing essays, adventures and the Tales of the Fish Camp as time and mood allow. This is an always under construction website, naturally.

I hope you enjoy the trip into my Florida .. read on….NEXT?