|
|
Forth Annual Everglades Kayak Fishing Paddle-In
February 23rd, 2008
Please RSVP ... click here
In 2006 we had about 70 boats. In 2007, more like 170. (Below is Slade Key, as folks were showing up!)
2008 Schedule of Events
Feb 18th - 23rd Five day - Four Night Kayaking/Camping Trip the ends at the Paddle-In Event
Feb 22nd 7:00 - 3:00; Kayak Fishing Trip aboard the Yak Attack
Feb 23rd 6:30 - ~ 2:30; Fourth Annual Everglades Kayaks Paddle-In; Launch @ Gulf Coast Ranger Station; ENP; Lunch served~ 11:00 -Noon
Feb 23rd 5:00 - 6:00; Happy Hour; Triad Seafood - Cash Bar (beer/wine)
Feb 23rd 6:00 - 8:00; Fish Fry; ; Triad Seafood in Everglades City
Feb 24th 7:00 - 4:00; Kayak Fishing Trip aboard the Yak Attack
2008 Event information
This year, scheduled for Saturday, February 23rd, we are looking forward to another great day. This year's event will be the same informal format as the last three year's ... very casual. It is a social event to bring together paddling folks for a day of family-oriented fun. It is a great opportunity to meet new friends who enjoy the paddling the area, learn a bit of the colorful local history and experience a wonderful part of Florida.
There is no cost for the event. However, we are looking to help out the Museum of the Everglades, so a donation ($10?) to the Museum would be appreciated ... we'll have a donation box on the island and at the event.
We will be paddling with the current to a beach site on "Indian Key" in Indian Key Pass. Once on the beach, Everglades Kayak Fishing will be serving Vickie's famous conch chowder and pulled pork sandwiches. If Vickie has her way (and she usually does), you can count on some good deserts, as well.
Saturday evening, at 6:00 pm, we will have a seafood dinner/party in Everglades City at Triad Seafood on the river. Happy hour is 5-6 pm with a cash bar. (Beer and wine only). The have a great assortment of seafood including an all-you-can-eat stone crab special
Friday, the 22nd, the day before the Paddle In, Capt. Dean "Slowride" Thomas was scheduled to be in from Texas to host a one day Kayak Fishing Class. This is an abbreviated version of his normal three day class. This seminar is invaluable for those who wish to learn more about the sport ... Dean has a lot of energy and will pack a lot of information into a short time. We will be re-scheduling the Fishing Clinic for date in the future. Details to follow very soon... Email me if you wish to register ... CaptWright@EvergladesAreaTours.com
Friday, the 22nd and again on Sunday the 24th, we will be using the Yak Attack to fish deep in the Park. There is limited availability so reservations are required for these trips.
For the more adventurous, Tuesday 2/19, a five day; four night kayaking/camping tour leave in the morning. This trip culminates at the Paddle-In on Saturday. Reservations required.
This year we will be launching from the Park Launch at day-break. The tide will be falling that morning from Chokoloskee Bay out to the Gulf. The tides move fast here ... faster than most Florida paddlers are used to. Indian Key pass, especially, has strong currents. If you leave early, you will have the current at your back, so "drifting" to the lunch site is quite possible. However, you must leave early as the tide flow will reverse about 9-30 and begin flow against you.
It is just shy of six miles to Indian Key, but until about 9:30 in the morning the current will be flowing 1-2 mph in your favor,. After that it will turn around and begin flow back towards Chokoloskee Bay.
There are some considerations with this year's paddle.
- The paddle is about 50% longer than last years, but there is also more current. To take advantage of it, you do need to leave early. I suggest riding the tide out the pass and then fish the outside areas once you are there. You can then fish your way back with the tide as it rises.
- There are several nice shell beach areas to take a break along the way out to Indian Key. These are shown on the chart below.
- Once you leave Chokoloskee Bay you will be in deep water. EVERYONE needs to be wearing a PFD. The last stretch is in open water, please be sure that you have an appropriate kayak. . .i.e., no 9' SIT's please.
- Indian Key is much larger than Slade Key. This island has a very nice sand beach on one side that does not fully submerge at high tide. There is also lots of vegetation on the high elevations of the island and offers some good exploring.
- If you have fishing rod on your yak, please make sure that you have a fishing license.
- We are not doing a raffle this year.
- PLEASE RSVP with the number in your party so we will know how much food to prepare, Please RSVP, as well, please let us know if you will be coming to dinner Saturday night ... click here
- This is our first year launching from the Park HQ and everyone must be respectful and courteous. We must operate within the constraints of our permit, or we are going to be invited back. PARK ONLY IN THE DESIGNATED AREAS. Some of us will be there to assist with the parking. We will have a couple of yak trailers shuttling your kayaks to the ramp. PLEASE DO NOT PULL UP TO THE RAMP and clog the launch area … PLEASE! Car Pool!!!
- The Park has a interpretive tour leaving a 10:00. PLEASE BE CLEAR OF THE LAUNCH AREA BETWEEN 10:00 and 10:20. PLEASE!!
- The launch site will be muddy, you may want to put an extra pair of shoes in your vehicle.
- If you need a rental boat, you must let us know in advance.
In about 1.5 - 2 hours of leisurely paddling, you should pull up on the island beach where we'll have lunch. Pulled BBQ pork sandwiches and cold soft drinks will be available as will Vickie's famous conch chowder. If you wish to have anything special for lunch or for your kayak ... please bring it.
The tide should start moving in by 10 am and the beach will begin covering with water. The tidal flow now will be back towards our launch site and you should be able to ride it in.
If you are fishing, I would suggest a very early launch ... It is winter, fish slow and thorough. Once the tide starts to flow in, the speckled trout should move in around all of the outside islands. For those interested in kayak fishing some of the remote areas of the Park, we have a kayak fishing trip aboard the "Yak Attack" scheduled for the Friday before and the Sunday after the Paddle-In.
We will have rental kayaks available, but you need to let us know in advanced. Also, PLEASE RSVP with the number in your party so we will know how much food to prepare, Please RSVP ... click here
We suggest that if you wish to have overnight accommodations that you make reservations early. There are a few places on Chokoloskee Island and more in Everglades City 3 miles away.
- Everglades Spa-fari & Lodge (Ester) 239-695-1006
- Rod-N-Gun Club (Barbara) 239-695-2101
- Chokoloskee Island Park 239-695-2414
- Bank of the Everglades B&B (Cheryl) 239-695-1006
- Everglades City Motel 239-695-4224
- Outdoor Resorts (Kenny) 239-695-2881
- Captain's Table 239-695-4211
- River Wilderness 239-695-4499
- Ivey House Inn 239-695-4299
For the campers, the choices are few
- Chokoloskee Island Park 239-695-2414
- Outdoor Resorts (Kenny) 239-695-2881
- Trail Lakes Campground 239-695-2275
Triad Seafood and the Rod and Gun Club open for breakfast at 6:00 and The Seafood Depot Restaurant opens at 7:00. For lunch in Chokoloskee, try the Havana Cafe'. The Triad Seafood is the place to get stone crabs. For lunch in Everglades City, enjoy the Rod-n-Gun Club, the Camilla Street Grill or the Seafood Depot. We will be having our get together at 5 pm at Triad's.
While you are here, be sure to visit the Museum of the Everglades, the beneficiary of this event. For your fishing tackle needs, Win-Car Hardware is the place. At the Everglades Spa and Lodge, you can pamper yourself to a massage or browse their gift shop. For interesting gift and curio items, visit Rebecca at the Coco-Plum.
Last year's event caught by "yak angler"!
|
|
