Popular Post Big Dave Posted March 10, 2021 Popular Post Report Share Posted March 10, 2021 My buddy @grovesnatcher was able to fly down to SFL from Greenville to get some salt spray in his face and see if he remembered how to catch fish in the backwaters of the Everglades National Park. We arrived at Flamingo Marina Friday morning, left all the camping gear in the 4Runner and launched out front at about 0700. It didn't take long for me to push Shannon around a small key out front and for him to hook a snook on a point with moving water. After spending an hour or so there, we headed out to Snake Bight. The water was jacked up from the wind, and while there were a lot of birds around and many mullet, we could not see clearly enough to find fish. So, we headed east in search of cleaner water. We found better conditions on the lee side of an island to the east of Snake Bight and poled the shoreline there for a couple of hours. There were many snook well under the mangroves, even in lower and cooler than normal water. At one point, we spotted three eagles being harassed in flight by a lone osprey--that was quite a sight. Since we planned to camp at Harney River Chickee, we figured we'd check in around 3:30, load up the skiff and re-launch in the backcountry. The run to the Chickee was nice--the winds laid down and I ran right up the middle of Whitewater Bay, through some cuts to the Shark River Cutoff, on to the Shark River, and then back down the Harney to the chickee. Friday night was beautiful--clear sky with more stars than one could count. Amos 5:8 says "He who made the Pleiades and Orion, who turns midnight into dawn and darkens day into night, who calls for the waters of the sea and pours them out over the face of the land— the LORD is his name.". We were thankful as we laid down to sleep Friday night after a wonderful meal. Saturday morning we woke before the sun rose--not sure if that was from the anticipation or from the sound of hundreds of mullet getting smacked on the mud flat just behind the chickee! After a quick breakfast, we launched and motored towards the mouth of the river. A flock of hundreds of white ibis flew overhead on their way to the backcountry. There we found a few more snook, and some fine speckled trout. After an hour or two, we made a short run to the north to fish the creeks between the Harney and the Broad River. I hoped to find tarpon and snook off of Highland Beach, but we found with the winds picking up significantly that the water was quite low and very choppy. Conditions were just poor for beach fishing, so we decided to head back to the Chickee for lunch. After eating and resting for a spell, we headed up to Tarpon Bay to escape the wind. It was fun catching small, dark snook and reds in one of the creeks way in the back. Although the winds picked up significantly as the day came to an end, we dodged any of the storms and only donned the rain suits for a brief period, and really did not need them at all. We headed back to the chickee as the sun was setting. Saturday night was overcast with high winds and cooler temperatures--good sleeping weather. We slept in Sunday morning, awaking around 0700. After relaxing over breakfast and coffee, since the skies looked threatening, we decide to pack up and head back to Flamingo. The winds were strong, mainly out of the north. I decided to run the Joe River back to Flamingo and I'm glad I did. Once we exited the Joe, we saw just how angry the bay waters were! But the Gordon handled the chop quite well and we arrived back at the ramp around 11:30, unloaded the skiff, and re-packed the 4Runner. It was a great trip and I'll always treasure the opportunities I have to spend time in the ENP. It's a magical place. Here are a few photos from the weekend. 7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
THE OUTLAW Posted March 10, 2021 Report Share Posted March 10, 2021 Great report Dave . Thats my favorite area . Been camping , on that cheekie , for years ! That’s gonna be me in two weeks ! Trailer wheel looks great ! 😛 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wanaflatsfish Posted March 10, 2021 Report Share Posted March 10, 2021 KILLER TRIP.....too bad on the weather situation..... My camping occurred from 1975 to 1978 (USMC Sgt)....a few too many nights in the field, wet boot, on the ground, and C-rats (LOL).... I now camp in the Holiday Inn's Looks like the new skiff is what you wanted....lots of room for your goodies with the side console. DC 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jh141 Posted March 11, 2021 Report Share Posted March 11, 2021 Great Report Dave, There is just nothing that compares to seeing God's night sky. Imagine how many people have never really seen what it looks like because of our light pollution. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greenbone Posted March 11, 2021 Report Share Posted March 11, 2021 Always an adventure in the back country. Beautiful area, thanks for posting your trip. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
THE OUTLAW Posted March 22, 2021 Report Share Posted March 22, 2021 Did my three days as well . It was nice to of met up with you Dave Nice to see there is another , who likes doing the solo , minimalist backcountry trips . Sorry about the poachers ! 😬 Logged 105 miles . 90% uncharted . #EPICADVENTURE ! 🇺🇸🏴☠️ 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jh141 Posted March 23, 2021 Report Share Posted March 23, 2021 Poachers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
classicfish444 Posted March 23, 2021 Report Share Posted March 23, 2021 Thanks for a great story. I could feel every moment of it 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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