| Trip Photo Album January 12-15 2003 This fishing trip began the same as most do. We watch the weather, and to no surprise the forecast is for cold nights and windy days. So knowing full well the fish would be in total shock again from another cold front, we loaded up and headed out to give it a try. After all, we have never been that far into the backcountry and exploring this area was a major part of the plan. So after a short time making reservations in the Ranger Station, we headed back up the park road to the Hell's Bay canoe trailhead. Scott Baker and Scott Everett loaded up the canoe and set out for the chickee. Steve Broad put his carolina skiff in at the marina and left to meet us...... Sunday evening: We went out before sunset and saw four or five redfish, and around 7 or 8 snook. Did not catch anything this evening. Most of the fish we have seen have been very flighty, looking as if they have been spooked by the weather. Tonight we barbequed some jerk chicken and had a few beers before bed. Monday morning: We awoke with the sun and cooked up some eggs, bacon and hot chocolate. It's pretty windy this morning, and cool ( in the low 60's). 7:00 am, 62 degrees. We fished due North of the Chickee in an area with many dotted islands. We spotted one redfish hanging out under a sunken log. Took a few shots at him but no takes. We poled around a bit more and only saw a large school of jacks crashing baits. So Steve cranked up the motor and we explored an area further north and ended up in a creek which led to a closed (seasonally) Rookery. We decided to give an area to the south of the chickee a try. We saw some nice waking reds, but they were on a mission, and we were not part of it. Then suddenly out of nowhere, a school of 15 to 20 redfish flew by us followed by 5 or so snook. These fish appeared and disappeared in seconds. But to at least see some schooling activity has made us feel better about the day. It was time to head back to the chickee and relax awhile. While Steve and Everett took a nap, Scott Baker headed out solo in the canoe to do some fly-casting practice. Monday evening: After a late snack we drifted a short creek which led into what we named, "lady lake". Here we entertained ourselves with some tight lines of ladyfish and jacks until dark. And right before sundown, Steve caught a 17" sea trout. At least we would have dinner for tomorrow night. We cooked our pork chops and listened to some "Phil Hendry show" on am radio. Right now the wind is still, 0 - 5 knots and it's 69 degrees. A few bugs have found us, but overall it is very pleasant out here. Tuesday morning: I awoke this morning (5 am) to the side of the tent being caved in by a 20 knot NNE wind. It is time for some breakfast. As the sun came up, it is cloudy and windy. So far the only rain we have had was for a couple hours last night. Our thermometer says it's 59 degrees right now. We spent the first part of today exploring the area North of the Rookery. We poled some shorelines, some edges and creeks but saw nothing again. So we headed back to camp to use the port-o-let. After relaxing for a few, we fished close to the campsite and saw a few fish. Just after getting Everett's lure out of a tree, we spotted 3 slot sized fish laying in the mud 20 or so feet away. As soon as we cast, they bolted. It is getting frustrating how spooky these fish are. We decided to explore further south to an area on the edge of our map. As we entered the final creek we came upon a 8 to 10 foot Python!! Before we could get any good photos of the whole snake it went underwater. But shortly reappeared and entered the mangroves. We got a few decent pics of the snake here, it was the largest snake we have ever seen in the wild. Most likely used to be someone's pet, or the offspring of another pet released into the wild. Didn't see any fish in these lakes either. So now we're back at the chickee relaxing before the evening sesh.... Tuesday Evening: This evening found us again in Lady Lake catching junk fish for fun. These ladyfish and jacks were the only dependable tight line we have found so far given the chilly conditions. We fried up some sea trout and some corn/rice mash for dinner this evening. Another 5 star meal in the glades. Tonight we broke into some Barbados rum and toasted the evening. The wind has let down a little bit, probably 10 15 knots right now ( at 10:15 pm) and it is 58 degrees. Tomorrow we're planning to wake up and fish, then pack up camp and head for civilization. Time has flown by this trip. 7:00 am Wednesday morning: Very windy and cold this morning. NNW at 15 knots and gusty. 50 degrees, wind chill around 45 or so. We decided to skip breakfast and start packing things up this morning. Captain Dave Sutton stopped by the chickee for a bathroom break on his way into the deep backcountry. We packed up the boats, said our good lucks and departed on our different paths back to Flamingo. We had to deal with some head on wind and whitecaps in Pearl Bay, but otherwise was an easy paddle back to the road. Total Distance traveled: 26.1 miles Total Canoe distance: 12 miles |
| Hells Bay E.N.p 1/12/2003 |
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