For About Three Hours This Week, I Thought It Was the Old Days Fishing Report

For About Three Hours This Week, I Thought It Was the Old Days Fishing Report

Thank you for reading the For About Three Hours This Week, I Thought it was the Old Days Fishing Report. Hilarious, right? Not really, but you take it when you can get it.

Subscribers without photos- go to https://www.spottedtail.com/blog/, please.

On an amazing Tuesday weather-wise, the kayak took me to the Banana River Lagoon. I wanted a crack at the big black drum on fly. Wasn’t I surprised when they were right where I hoped they’d be! Would they bite? No.

The fish seemed to be making a circuit. While standing in the water waiting for them to come back, I looked behind me. Swimming between me and the shore was a nice redfish. I dropped a Clouser minnow in front of him, and he very cooperatively ate it. Fish was about ten pounds, too- a handsome fish. Certainly chased that skunk away!

Fish #1 was this big. File photo.

Here comes the school of black drum. I tossed the recently deflowered Clouser out in front of them, and one very cooperatively ate it. Ha! The joke was on me. Not a black drum at all, but rather a much larger redfish than the one just released.

Needless to say his thrashing kind of boogered up the rest of the fish. But I got and released that red, which was pushing 20 pounds!

Fish #2 was this big. File photo.

Several minutes of no fish followed. I was dinking the fly around when suddenly the school was right there in front of me. Since the fly was already in the water, I just gently started raising the rod. Bam! One ate it!

Ha! The joke was on me. Not a black drum at all, but rather a much larger redfish than the one just released. This one went into the backing, and put up whale-like resistance. It was pushing 30 pounds. So the black drum didn’t happen, but who cared?

Fish #3 was this big. File photo.

The school never returned, so after a while I went walking, looking for reds against the shoreline. I spotted one up ahead of me, going the same way I was. It disappeared over a patch of dark bottom. When I got close enough, the Clouser minnow flew over there. Bam! Far from a red, a snook came flying out of the water, pretty modest, maybe three pounds. A happy surprise!

The snook was this big. File photo.

On the way back to the kayak (patiently waiting, staked out all this time), there’s a monster trout, too close, maybe 15 feet away. While thinking there was no chance, I flopped that Clouser minnow out in front of it and watched him eat it. It was the best trout I’ve gotten on any tackle in a long time. That fly should go into the hall of fame.

The trout was this big. File photo.

The rest of the day produced two weener slot reds, blind-casting a DOA Shrimp. Who cared? Three trophy fish inside of an hour while wading, I’ll take that any time. And a slam besides. Awesome day.

Wednesday saw some errands, but when they were done it was early afternoon. The Econ is still too high, John, but you haven’t had that canoe out in a long time…

Next thing, I’m floating down the Econ with a fly rod. The mouse fly got one bite from a six-inch bass in about 90 minutes. It was traded to the fly box for a sexy bunny strip fly with a rattle. In another 90 minutes it produced a single spotted sunfish. This fly is tied on a 3/0 hook- that’s a pretty aggressive sunny!

I saw a monster gator, but it looked weird. When the vulture landed on it, I realized it was decomposing. Took a pic with my phone…

Then it was paddle back to the car. Promised the wife I’d be home for supper…

Thursday. Went back to the Banana River Lagoon. Could lightning strike twice? You would have thought it was a different spot. I found black drum, much more modest in size, and not schooled up. Definitely no redfish swimming with them. Got one on a Clouser Minnow, one on a yarn crab, and one on a jig. I was looking for a big black drum. I’m not complaining about three smaller ones, but while this equation makes no sense mathematically, any fisherman understands it:

1 x 30 pounds > 3 x 10 pounds

 

The one I wanted could not have been held in one hand…

Only saw a few reds, and no shots. As I was paddling back, enjoying the paddling, enjoying yet another amazing day, I reflected on how blessed I am that at 71 years old, I can still paddle and wade fish, putting in eight-hour days, in spite of that pesky (and ultimately fatal) lung condition. Yes, life is good.

And that, folks, is the For About Three Hours This Week, I Thought it was the Old Days fishing report. Thanks again for reading!

Every day is a blessing. Don’t waste it- Go fishing! Go paddling! Go walking! Stay active!

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

All content in this blog, including writing and photos, © John Kumiski 2024. All rights are reserved.

Another Tough Week Fishing Report

Another Tough Week Fishing Report

Thank you for reading the Another Tough Week Fishing Report. Only two days were spent fishing, because fishing is always more enjoyable when the fish participate, and they didn’t wanna play much this week.

Subscribers without photos- go to https://www.spottedtail.com/blog/, please.

A rumor came my way, something about guides posting on Facebook pictures of fish caught in Mosquito Lagoon. To which my response was, if you believe social media, most guides never have a bad day. But Monday, the weather looked not terrible, so with a late start, I took the Bang-O-Craft out for some scouting.

Found some clean water, breathtakingly clean. Found some dirty water, not very far from the clean water. Saw quite a few boats, more boats than fish, probably. Did not get a shot at a fish all day. But at the last spot, blind-casting with the spin rod and a soft plastic shad, I got a solid thump, which turned out to be a fine seatrout, 25 inches or so, the only bite in six hours. I considered trying to get a photo, but released it without removing it from the water. That fish is too valuable to risk for a photo. I’ll use a file photo!

File photo of a seatrout.

Thursday Caleb Vogl joined me for some kayak fishing on the Indian River Lagoon. Although we got a few small trout, we saw very little. After almost three hours, we pulled the boats and tried Mosquito Lagoon. Didn’t see a whole lot more there, but at least the water was cleaner. I hooked a snook (caught him) and a redfish (lost him) on  an olive slider fly. Caleb got a snook, a solid trout, and a couple snapper on spin tackle. We ended up putting in nine hours, paddling literally miles. Mucho trabajo, poco dinero…

File photo of a snook.

Both days were dee-lightful, weather-wise. But it’s a good thing I wasn’t looking for groceries.

And that, folks, is the Another Tough Week fishing report. It will be better next week! Because hope springs eternal in the heart of a fisherman! Thanks again for reading!

Every day is a blessing. Don’t waste it- Go fishing! Go paddling! Go hiking! Stay active!

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

All content in this blog, including writing and photos, © John Kumiski 2024. All rights are reserved.

Bamboozled by Bass Fishing Report

Bamboozled by Bass Fishing Report

Thank you for reading this Bamboozled by Bass Fishing Report. Expectations- one thing you should never bring on a fishing trip.

Subscribers without photos- go to https://www.spottedtail.com/blog/, please.

Sunday I went to Buck Lake. I brought no expectations there, haven’t ever since the FWC went on their wild herbicide spraying spree and ruined the fishing there. But I still feel compelled to check it once or twice a year to see if it’s recovered at all. It has not. I got three dink bass and what turned out to be the fish of the week for me, a bowfin of three pounds or so. It declined to be photographed, but I have a photo of my feeble attempt. At least the weather was awesome.

Attempting to corral a mudfish. Didn’t happen.

Monday morning I drove to Ocala National Forest, which is where I carried my expectations. Having visited twice before and done well, the assumption was that history would repeat itself. Caleb Vogl came up Tuesday to fish with me. Wednesday he caught the fish of the trip, a two-and-a-half-pound largemouth. He was happy!

Caleb on Alexander Springs Run.

In three days of fishing, I got two dink bass on fly and a number of other dink bass on soft plastics. To no one’s surprise, my expectations were not met. You would think after a lifetime of fishing, I would know better.

Caleb again, with the fish of the trip, 2.5 pounds on his scale.

The coolest thing that happened? A dragonfly naiad climbed onto my boat to emerge. I photographed the beast swelling its wings next to the exuvium. It sat there until it could fly; then, ZOOM! Off it went. I had always wanted to see that.

A freshly molted dragonfly, with the discarded exuvium. Sorry about the background, but my kayak is yellow.

The trip was certainly enjoyable. The weather was wonderful, the lakes gorgeous. Got to see some stars! And Caleb is pretty entertaining! Not discouraged, I’m already planning another trip there.

And that, folks, is the Bamboozled by Bass fishing report. Thanks again for reading!

Every day is a blessing. Don’t waste it- Go fishing! Go paddling! Go camping! Stay active!

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

All content in this blog, including writing and photos, © John Kumiski 2024. All rights are reserved.

No Fishing Report

No Fishing Report

Thank you for reading this No Fishing Report. Small craft advisories, cold, and workmen at my house kept me off the water. On the bright side, I did tie, and test, some new flies.

Subscribers without photos- go to https://www.spottedtail.com/blog/, please.

I watched a video in which the narrator used an offset bass worm hook to tie a fly. I was, “Why haven’t I thought of that??” I got to work, making a few bunny strip eelworms, among other things.


A trip to the local retention pond to test the fly brought an immediate strike and a small bass to hand. Well, dang! This thing seems to work!

To make this fly, you need the hook, of course, and some magnum bunny strips, and some tying thread. After that, everything is an option.

I put the hook in the vise and started the thread. The hook I used didn’t have much of a neck, so the thread was wrapped around the bend. Then, I measured the bunny strip against the hook, and used an awl to poke a hole in the strip. The hook point was then inserted through that hole. The strip was cut at the tie-in point on the neck of the hook, and then tied in. Whip finish, finis! A true five-minute fly!

To some I added bead chain eyes, or a hackle collar. To one a rattle, to one a willow-leaf spinner. I haven’t tested the variants, but intend to next week.

A half-dozen bass gurglers got tied up, too. I already know how well those work!

Saturday, I joined the Oviedo Photo Club for a field trip to the Orlando Wetlands Park. It was good. I learned some stuff and met some nice new (to me) people. And I got some photos, too. See below.

As usually happens in places like this, you can get a severe case of lens envy.

 

Red-shouldered hawk.

 

Pied-billed grebe.

 

Great blue heron, roosting.

 

Dabbling ducks.

 

A poser!

 

This is what all those guys in the first shot were shooting, a sandhill crane and its chick.

And that, folks, is the no fishing report. I promise, there will be some fishing next week. Thanks again for reading!

Every day is a blessing. Don’t waste it- Go fishing! Go paddling! Go camping! Stay active!

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

All content in this blog, including writing and photos, © John Kumiski 2024. All rights are reserved.

Not So Hot Fishing Report

Not So Hot Fishing Report

Thank you for reading this Not So Hot Fishing Report. Good thing I philosophized about enjoying your time on the water last week. This week, only a few small fish distracted me from that enjoyment.

Our friend Michelle Hartman has another guest post this week. Please read it here…

Subscribers without photos- go to https://www.spottedtail.com/blog/, please. Oh- there aren’t any photos this week.

Weather kept me off the water Monday and Tuesday. Of course the van got worked on, minor electrical stuff. Wednesday was Valentines Day. My valentine and I went to Lake Mills Park and had a picnic by the lake, gorgeous, warm sunshine, pleasant breeze, sublime company. A lovely little celebration it was.

I’ve been tying some articulated streamers for a trip to Montana. (If any readers have tips about fishing Montana in September, I would love to hear from you!) After the picnic, a trip to the local retention pond followed. I wanted to see how the flies look in the water. Frankly, I was disappointed.

I’ve tied three unweighted ones, which is what I tried. The damn thing sat on the surface like a dead moth. I globbed all kinds of saliva on it, trying to convince it to get wet. Didn’t work. Once it got forced it under by stripping it, it didn’t look particularly good, either. Although a bass did hit it. I missed it. Back to the drawing board on that.

Thursday, under a solid overcast, the kayak and I visited Mosquito Lagoon. There weren’t a lot of fish around. When I was sitting, I couldn’t see them. When I was standing, they all saw me first. I did not get a shot.

I visited a number of my blind fishing spots. Finally, four hours in, the skunk was chased- by a puffer. Does that even count??? At the last spot of the day, a few trout and reds fell to the DOA Shrimp, which ended up being shredded by more puffers. All the fish were modest, although the trout would be in the slot. It beat no fish.

Because hope springs eternal in the heart of a fisherman, Friday I tried the Indian River Lagoon. There were high clouds, enough to cause a lot of glare. Again, such fish as there were saw me first. Then a yahoo ran his boat the entire way down the flat I was fishing, taking particular care to get close to me. Thanks, you jerk.

I did manage two small trout and a small red on the plastic shad. Once the wind came up, I bailed out. Boat was on the roof by 1PM. Altogether, the day was beautiful, the fishing not so hot.

And that, folks, is the not so hot fishing report. Thanks again for reading!

Every day is a blessing. Don’t waste it- Go fishing! Go paddling! Go on a walk! Stay active!

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

All content in this blog, including writing and photos, © John Kumiski 2024. All rights are reserved.

Ways to Brighten Your Mental Landscape

Ways to Brighten Your Mental Landscape

A Guest Blog by Michelle Hartman Photos courtesy John Kumiski

In our increasingly fast-paced world, maintaining mental health can be challenging – but it’s also crucial. While therapy and exercise are beneficial, there are other, less conventional strategies worth exploring. Today, John Kumiski Outdoor Communications shares methods to brighten your mental landscape, offering a fresh perspective on achieving a healthier, happier you.

Embracing Mindfulness: A Path to Inner Peace

Mindfulness and meditation are potent tools for achieving mental tranquility. By practicing mindfulness, you can manage stress, diminish anxiety, and enhance your overall emotional health. Allocating a few minutes each day to quiet your mind and concentrate on the present can significantly improve your mental state. This practice helps in developing a deeper understanding of your thoughts and feelings, leading to greater self-awareness and emotional regulation.

Rethinking Caffeine: A Subtle Influence on Mental Health

Caffeine, often overlooked, plays a significant role in mental health. Excessive caffeine can heighten anxiety and disrupt sleep patterns. By reducing your intake, particularly from hidden sources like certain sodas, you can maintain a calmer mind. Switching to caffeine-free options or herbal teas can provide refreshment without the negative mental health impacts. This small change can lead to better sleep quality, reduced anxiety, and overall improved mental well-being.

Cast Your Line: Appreciate the Calmness of Fishing

Fishing offers significant mental health benefits, such as providing a peaceful escape from daily stresses, enhancing self-esteem through the mastery of skills, improving concentration by focusing on the task at hand, and promoting physical activity which in turn boosts mood and mental well-being. Moreover, spending time outdoors during fishing increases vitamin D intake, which has a positive impact on mental health, helping to alleviate depression and improve overall emotional well-being.

Reconnect with Old Friends: The Benefits of Staying Social

Reconnecting with old friends and acquaintances after years of lost contact can be a heartwarming experience, often bringing a sense of nostalgia and joy. In the digital age, the process of finding these long-lost friends has become easier than ever. By utilizing a search engine, one can simply input a name, graduation date, and school to swiftly locate fellow high school graduates. This efficient method provides quick results and various options to reach out, paving the way for rekindling friendships that once seemed lost to time.

Volunteering: A Path to Emotional Fulfillment

Volunteering can significantly improve mental health by providing a sense of purpose and fulfillment. Engaging in community service fosters social connections and offers the satisfaction of positively impacting others. This altruistic activity can reduce feelings of loneliness, boost self-esteem, and provide a sense of belonging, all of which are vital for mental health.

Learning New Skills: A Mental Health Booster

Acquiring new skills or hobbies can have a profound effect on mental well-being. Whether it’s learning a musical instrument, painting, or exploring new culinary techniques, these activities provide mental stimulation, a sense of accomplishment, and joy. They not only break the monotony of daily life but also enhance cognitive function and self-esteem, contributing to better mental health.

Walking: Therapy for the Mind

Walking is a simple, yet effective activity for mental and physical health. Regular walks, especially in nature, offer numerous benefits. They provide exercise, fresh air, and a change of scenery, which can uplift your mood and reduce stress. Walking also offers an opportunity for reflection and mindfulness, further enhancing its mental health benefits.

Natural Stress Reducers: Soothing Mind and Body

Natural remedies like chamomile tea or lavender oils can be effective in reducing stress and promoting relaxation. These substances have calming properties that help in managing anxiety and improving sleep quality. Incorporating them into your daily routine can be a simple yet effective way to maintain good mental health.

To brighten your mental landscape you don’t always require conventional methods. By embracing these unique strategies, from working from home to walking every day, you can make significant strides toward a happier and healthier life. Each approach offers a different path to improving mental well-being, allowing you to find what works best for you in your journey.

 

Michelle Hartman is a lifelong nature lover. Her love for nature inspired her to start Summer Camper. Summer Camper provides children ages 8 -16 with amazing summer camp experiences that are designed to create lifelong memories. The Summer Camper team is dedicated to offering high-quality programs that promote personal growth, friendships, and a love for nature and the outdoors.  At Summer Camper, we believe that camp should be a safe and welcoming place where everyone can feel like they belong. Summer Camper aspires to provide programs that meet the ever-changing needs of families and allow children to explore their world in new and exciting ways. Visit their website here…

A Gift from God Fishing Report

A Gift from God Fishing Report

Thank you for reading this Gift from God Fishing Report. The theme here is, if you learn to enjoy just being out around the water, watching Nature do her work, any fish you catch are a bonus. How much of a bonus? A gift from God, obviously. Food for thought, especially when the skunk follows you home.

Subscribers without photos- go to https://www.spottedtail.com/blog/, please.

-Public Service Announcement-
IF you have a valentine, save yourself some headaches and aggravation by going and getting that card, etc., RIGHT NOW. You can thank me later.

Fishing and Other Bits

Monday it was cold. Tuesday and Wednesday we had gale warnings, small craft advisories, the whole nine yards. I worked some on the van, but Wednesday afternoon found me needing some movement. I went for a walk along the Econ, just to walk. Beautiful afternoon if a bit blustery. Spring is here. The red maples have already gone to seed, the willows are completely leafed out, and many of the other trees are breaking their buds and growing new leaves. There are wildflowers blooming. It’s gonna be new green around here for three or four weeks!

An Econ resident suns himself along the riverbank. Taken with my phone.

From a fishing perspective, the Econ is still high, with the gauge at about four feet. If it doesn’t rain, it might be fishable in a couple weeks.

A cloudy Thursday found me at the Banana River Lagoon, in a different spot than last week. It may have been wind-caused, but the water looked terrible. I paddled a long way before seeing a fish. But when they were found there were a lot of them, big black drum, tailing. Not real interested in my fly. In fairness, it was impossible for me to see what was going on. After 30 or 40 frustrating minutes I got a bite. The fish was on just long enough to stampede all the other ones. Then he came off.

This is what I was looking for. When I found some, I couldn’t seal the deal.

I waited 30 minutes, hoping. I left and came back, something I almost never do. The game was over. After tying on a DOA Shrimp and inserting a rattle into it, I made a cast. Bam! First cast, nice trout, pushing five pounds, a great skunk chaser.

Fat trout on a DOA Shrimp.

Unfortunately, that was it. The next four hours was, for the most part, casting practice. I enjoyed a few ospreys and a bald eagle. There was no bait, no grass, and very few fish. It will probably be a while before I try that spot again…

Friday morning the kayak and I visited Mosquito Lagoon. The water there is amazingly clean! A qualifier- I was north of the canal. No idea what it looks like down south. Anyway, I was just getting started when here comes a fish, right at me. I hadn’t even uncorked the fly pole yet! I threw the DOA Shrimp in front of it and got the eat, but missed it.

It was a while before another chance came.

That chance came in the form of a tail, up and down. Made my best guess and let the slider fly. That never works, but it did this time, a black drum of eight or ten pounds, decent fish. Skunk chaser!!

A skunk chaser!

The next chance had two fish tailing within 10 or 12 feet of each other, the closer clearly a redfish. After at least two handfuls of casts (that didn’t spook the fish!!!) it finally ate the slider. I even took its picture.

Now if I could get a trout I would have not just three fish, but a Mosquito Lagoon Winter Slam, which sounds way more badass than “three fish.”

That trout was hard to find. Several reliable winter trout spots were checked. None produced a fish. Running out of time, I tried one more spot.

It would be awesome to say, “They were stacked in there like cordwood!” Reality was, one bite, one seatrout, all I needed, on a black and purple Clouser Minnow. O, successo!

This fish represents slammage.

Even though I only got three fish, I got more than three fish. I got the Mosquito Lagoon Winter Slam! And got to enjoy a simply superb weather day on the water in the process, which, when you think about it, makes those three fish a gift from God. Every fishing trip should be a day of thanksgiving.

And that, folks, is a Gift from God Fishing Report. Thanks again for reading!

Every day is a blessing. Don’t waste it- Go fishing! Go paddling! Go on a walk! Stay active!

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

All content in this blog, including writing and photos, © John Kumiski 2024. All rights are reserved.

How to Run Your Company from a Campsite

Combining Business and Pleasure: How to Run Your Company from a Campsite or Camper

A Guest Blog by Michelle Hartman

 

You might have dreamed of combining your love for the great outdoors with your work. While it might sound like a daunting task to keep your business running while roughing it out in the wilderness, it’s definitely possible with the right planning and resources. Here are some tips from John Kumiski Outdoor Communications, including how to choose the perfect campsite and camper and prep your business for working in the wild, so you can run your company from a campsite!

Operating a Virtual Business

Of the challenges of running your business while camping, one practical solution is understanding how to get a virtual business address. A virtual business address is ideal for entrepreneurs who are often on the move but still require a stable and professional address for their business operations. Working with a Virtual Business Address service is an effective way to maintain this professional facade. These services provide a credible, fixed address for handling business correspondence, which is crucial for maintaining client trust and managing official documents.

Before embarking on your camping trip, setting up a virtual business address ensures that your business communications are uninterrupted, and your mail is securely managed and accessible online. This not only adds a layer of professionalism to your mobile business but also offers the flexibility to manage your business from any location, be it a mountain, a forest, or a lakeside campsite.

Staying Connected in the Great Outdoors

The right digital tools will make it easier to stay connected and manage your business remotely from a campsite. For example, if you’re managing projects involving multiple people or teams, look for tools to streamline document sharing. Saving your files as PDFs keeps all your documents organized and easily shareable. You can even combine files into single PDFs to keep everything in one place.

Keep an Eye on Home

Smart home systems like security cameras, motion sensors, and automated lighting can be invaluable for monitoring your home remotely. Before setting off on your camping adventure, it’s important to ensure that all these systems are functioning optimally. Thankfully, troubleshooting and fine-tuning your smart home setup can be easily done using free online resources. These resources provide step-by-step guides and tips to ensure your smart technology is connected correctly and working as intended.

By doing this, you can have peace of mind knowing that you can monitor your home from your camping site, using your smartphone or laptop. This not only adds a layer of security to your home while you’re away but also allows you to fully immerse in the camping experience, knowing that your home is safe and under watchful eyes, even from afar.

Necessary Amenities for a Work-Camping Trip

There’s a lot to consider when choosing a campsite for remote working online. First, consider your connectivity needs. Research the campground’s wi-fi availability before you book, or consider bringing your own internet connection in the form of satellite internet or a mobile hotspot.

You’ll need a reliable power source, so look for campgrounds that provide electrical hookups. You’ll also need to consider campground privacy, noise levels, scenery, and proximity to amenities like grocery stores and restaurants. Access to running water and clean bathroom facilities are also important.

If You Need a House

Should you find yourself in need of a house while camping, using a rental search filter for finding short-term lease options on nearby houses. There may be times when you need a break from camping or require a physical space for a short period, perhaps for a business meeting, a stable internet connection, or simply to recharge in the comfort of a home. Utilizing a rental search filter allows you to tailor your search according to specific criteria such as location, size, price, and amenities.

This focused approach ensures you find a rental that perfectly suits your business and personal needs. Whether it’s a cozy studio close to nature or a spacious house with high-speed internet and office space, filtering your rental options allows you to seamlessly transition from your tent to a temporary home, ensuring your business runs smoothly without skipping a beat.

Choosing the Perfect Campsite

Once you’ve chosen a suitable campground, it’s time to pick a campsite. It’s a good idea to book in advance, especially during peak seasons, so don’t put this off! Research the campground online to get an idea of what each campsite looks like. You can also call the campground to ask questions about specific campsites or request recommendations based on your remote work requirements.

Keeping Your Devices Charged

Keeping your phone and laptop charged is incredibly important if you’ll be working from your campsite. If you book a site without an electrical hookup, be sure to bring a power bank or portable charger that you can plug into your camper’s or car’s USB port. Solar chargers are ideal if you’ll be camping in a remote location.

You can also bring a generator to power your devices. Just keep in mind that some campgrounds don’t allow generators, and others prohibit their use during quiet hours. If you do decide to bring a generator, make sure you know how to use it safely and responsibly!

Making Time for Rest and Relaxation

Besides work, be sure to schedule time for other activities, like fishing, relaxing, and hiking. Set specific work hours and stick to them so have time for your favorite outdoor activities. Since you’ll be storing valuables at your campsite, take care to protect your things before heading out. Bring a safe where you can store your laptop and other valuable devices. Be sure to also use a lock to secure your tent or RV! Ideally, find a campground with safe storage areas where you can lock up your valuables for the day.

In Summary

Believe it or not, it’s possible to smoothly run your business from a campsite. All it takes is choosing the perfect location, having access to the necessary amenities, keeping your devices charged, and following a few best business practices like keeping a virtual address.

 

Michelle Hartman is a lifelong nature lover. Her love for nature inspired her to start Summer Camper. Summer Camper provides children ages 8 -16 with amazing summer camp experiences that are designed to create lifelong memories. The Summer Camper team is dedicated to offering high-quality programs that promote personal growth, friendships, and a love for nature and the outdoors.  At Summer Camper, we believe that camp should be a safe and welcoming place where everyone can feel like they belong. Summer Camper aspires to provide programs that meet the ever-changing needs of families and allow children to explore their world in new and exciting ways. Visit their website here…

 

A Tale of Two Fishing Trips

A Tale of Two Fishing Trips

Thank you for reading this Tale of Two Fishing Trips. With the weather around here, you’d think it was winter or something. Wah-wah, woe is me- at least there’s no snow.

Subscribers without photos- go to https://www.spottedtail.com/blog/, please.

The astute reader may remember that, about a month ago, I mentioned seeing sponges growing in Mosquito Lagoon. Since I was there Thursday, and since the sponges were still there, and since I had a point-and-shoot camera with me, Boom! Here’s your sponge photo:

A small, not-very-pretty sponge, growing in Mosquito Lagoon. My guess is it filters 25-30 gallons of water a day. Give me more!

A biological database I visited says sponges are superior water filters- up to 24,000 liters of seawater per day for a 1-kg sponge! Guess my guess was low.

Wanted to fish Monday and Tuesday. Temperatures and winds nixed those ideas. Worked on the van conversion, building a couch/bed, nearly done with the frame. I’m pretty happy with the way it’s turning out so far. If anyone out there knows of someone who does upholstery for boats in the central Florida area, I would love to hear from you.

In the bed position.

 

In the couch position.

Wednesday’s forecast was NW at 5-10, high about 65 degrees. I went to the Banana River Lagoon, launching the kayak at 8 am. In two hours saw one fish, by running it over, of course. A few minutes later there was a tiny “blip” on the surface. It was a red, swimming in shallow water, it’s fins intermittently disturbing the water’s surface. I tossed a plastic shad in front of it and the bait was crushed. Pretty nice to get the fish on the first shot of the day!

Nice skunk chaser!

A while later a similar scene played out again, with the same result. Feeling pretty good, it was time to use the fly pole.

I waded to three different tailing fish and spooked all three. Did not get a red on a fly that day. However…

…I found some black drum tailing. They were not bitey on my fly. A cruising single followed it (a wool crab). I was able to convince him to take it and I got it, about a 15-pound fish. I was wading away from the boat (and camera), no photo. It was just released when there was a viscerally loud, low-frequency rumble. The rocket was already a mile up. As I was wading, away from the boat, no photo. But as the earth rumbled I had the thought, “The fish ain’t gonna like this.” Spectacular day for a launch close-up, though!

Hardly any shots at fish forthcoming after the launch. Loaded up the boat about 1630.

Thursday, after the enjoyment of a pulmonary function test, I deluded myself into thinking it was a nice day, so I loaded up and drove to Mosquito Lagoon, launching the kayak at about 1230. On arrival I nearly turned around and went home. It was cold and windy out of the northeast, the lagoon with a nice patina of whitecaps. Already there, I went fishing.

In 10 minutes I had a redfish, then another. Switching to the fly rod, I got reds to 24″ and slot trout steadily at the first spot until it was worn out.

Slot trout, steadily.

Except for two puffers I got on fly, the second spot was barren.

The third spot again gave up numerous under-slot reds and slot trout. It took me an hour to paddle back, going with the wind, and I saw nothing the entire way. The leader on my fly rod needs replacement from all the knots I put into it casting into that breeze. We were on the road home about 1730, heat on the entire way back. My waders may have developed a couple leaks?

And that, folks, is A Tale of Two Fishing Trips. Thanks again for reading!

Every day is a blessing. Don’t waste it- Go fishing! Go paddling! Go on a walk! Stay active!

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

All content in this blog, including writing and photos, © John Kumiski 2024. All rights are reserved.

Van Conversion and Two Days Fishing, Again

Van Conversion and Two Days Fishing

Didn’t I use this title last week? Thank you for reading this post on Van Conversion and Two Days Fishing. The fishing was fair at best, but let’s look to the van first…

Subscribers without photos- go to https://www.spottedtail.com/blog/, please.

I’ve built the cabinet in the back of the van. Debating as to whether to put doors on the hatches. Will need to take a couple short trips to see if stuff falls out, I suppose.

Whenever I use the Bang-O-Craft, I always run all the gasoline out of the carburetor at the end of the trip. When I used it last week, I forgot to do that. When I finished working on the van Tuesday, it was about 1500 hours. I’ll run the gas out of the boat! I’ll bring a fishing rod!

I went to CS Lee Park. There was exactly one trailer in the lot, not a good sign. I ran the boat up to the mouth of the Econ. Saw no breaking fish at all- no gar, no mullet, and certainly no shad. Did not get a bite on tandem-rigged crappie jigs. A virtual biological desert! Floated down the river to the boat ramp, casting the entire way, solidly skunked.

There was an FWC creel survey dude there, who interviewed me. He told me no one has caught anything out of that ramp for at least three weeks. He further said such shad as were being caught were being taken out of the Cameron Wright ramp, near Sanford. Sounds like a poor shad season to me…

Friday under a heavy overcast I went back to the Indian River Lagoon, tailing black drum on my mind. Naturally, I didn’t see a one. I did get rained on. In my waders, with a raincoat on, it was not unpleasant. I did see a fair number of redfish. Unfortunately, all but two were flushed by running them over with the kayak, not a good technique for catching them.

The two I had shots at were bank-crawlers. I hit one on the tail with the RipTide shad, also not a good technique for catching them. The other spooked off my schmutz-coated fly (a wiry green algae collection guaranteed to offend any fish).

I got a trout and a small red blind-casting the shad to keep the skunk at bay. I have to think if I went there with good visibility I’d get a few fish. It doesn’t look like that chance will happen this week, though

And that, folks, is a Van Conversion and Two Days Fishing Report. Thanks again for reading!

Every day is a blessing. Don’t waste it- Go fishing! Go paddling! Go on a walk! Stay active!

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

All content in this blog, including writing and photos, © John Kumiski 2024. All rights are reserved.