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Annual Everglades Area Tours.com Paddle-In
February 11th 2012
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!)
2012 Schedule of Events
Thursday Feb 9th - 11th ; THREE day - Four Night Kayaking/Camping Trip the ends at the Paddle-In Event
Friday Feb 10 @ 10:00 - ENP Grand Heritage Tour
@ 1:00 - Guided Swamp Walk
Saturday Feb 11th EKF Paddle-In - 6:00 Launch @ ENP Gulf Coast Ranger's Station - Conch Chowder, Brats and Goodies
Saturday Feb 11th 4:00 -- ???? Party @ JT's Island Café and Gallery - BYOB or Donations
4:00 - 6:00 -- Happy Hour
5:00 Live Music 4:00 to ???
5:30 - 7:00 BBQ - Dinner ($12)
6:00 Fire Ring
Sunday February 12th; 7:00 - 3:00; Guided Kayak Fishing Trip aboard the Yak Attack
2012 Event information
This year's event is scheduled for Saturday, February 11th and we are looking forward to another great day. This year's event will be the same informal format as in the past ... 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 always try to raise money for a local charity. This year's beneficiary will be the Friends of Fakahatchee.
Like last year, we will be paddling with the assistance of the tidal current to a beach site on "Indian Key" in Indian Key Pass. The low tide at Indian Key is about 9:45. The means current flow stops and reverses directions between 11:00. We have to leave early this year … 7:00!! You should allow two to two and one half hours for the paddle, but that depends on your pace. (I go slow and let the current do the work!) We will be at the launch at 6:00 to provide assistance at the launch.
Once on the beach, Everglades Area Tours will be serving Vickie's famous conch chowder, bratwursts and other goodies.
This year's After Paddle-In Festivities will be Saturday evening at JT's Island Café and Gallery on Chokoloskee Island. Live music will begin about 5:00 and will be serving Scott O's world famous pulled pork BBQ sandwiches ($12). Scott is a nationally ranked BBQ competitor, a very experienced kayak angler and good friend.
It is important to RSVP so we know how much food to prepare. Please let us know if you will be staying for the after- event party as well.
We will be have event tee shirts made again this year … still working on the design … last year went fast!!! These will be long sleeve and $20 (as always). Send me your quantity and size. We will have them at the launch site for your to wear at the event if you choose. NOTE: We can't collect $$ there per the Park regulations. You will need to pre pay for these (credit cards are fine)
Email me if you wish to RSVP ... click here
Rental Kayaks will be available, but you do need to reserve them in advance.
Sunday the 12th, we will be going guided Yak Attack kayak fishing trips deep in Park. There is limited availability so reservations are required for these trips.
For the more adventurous, a three day two night tour leaves Thursday the 9th. This culminates at the Paddle-In for lunch on Saturday. Reservations required.
Like last 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 11:00 and begin flow against you. It is just shy of six miles to Indian Key, but until about 10:00 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.
To take advantage of the current, you do need to leave early. I suggest riding the tide out the pass and wait to fish until you are near Indian Key. 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.
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 great. 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 for privacy, as well as, offering some good exploring.
If you have fishing rod on your yak, please make sure that you have a fishing license.
We no longer do a raffle ... it makes things too commercial in our opinion.
PLEASE RSVP with the number in your party so we will know how much food to prepare. As well, please let us know if you will be coming to dinner Saturday night and if you would like a hat and/or tee shirt... Please RSVP click here
Last year things went off without a hitch because everyone was be respectful and courteous. As with last year, we must operate within the constraints of our permit or we are not 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 ... Try to Car Pool!!!
The Park usually 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 kayak, you must let us know in advance.
In about 1.5 - 2.5 hours of leisurely paddling, you should pull up on the island beach where we'll have lunch. Bratwursts 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 10:30 to 11:00 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 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.
Parkway Village Motel and Marina (Bill/Geri) 239-695-3261
Chokoloskee Island Park 239-695-2414
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
The Island Cafe opens at 6:00 for breakfast. 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 Camilla Street Grill or the Seafood Depot. We will be having our get together at 4 pm at JT's on Chokoloskee Island.
While you are here, be sure to visit the Museum of the Everglades and the Smallwood's Store. For your fishing tackle needs, Win-Car Hardware is the place.
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