Going solo means you can leave whenever you choose and fish wherever you care to be.
LOGISTICS
EVERGLADES TRIPS WORK BEST
Although fishing alone can be risky, it brings rewards. In the Everglades, the author found great campsites and plenty of willing fish, including baby tarpon, snook, and redfish— and he had them to himself.
between Thanksgiving and Easter. You want to avoid the crowded times—the week between Christmas and New Year’s Day, and during spring break. No matter when you fish the Glades, you’ll need a boat, either your own or a rental, available from these outlets, among others: https://iveyhouse.com/everglades-adventures/ canoe-kayak-rentals/ https://www.evergladesnationalpark boattoursgulfcoast.com/canoe.php http://evergladesadventuretours.net/ everglades-canoe-rentals/
approach to every day, every moment, must be this: don’t screw this up. Every situation requires realistic risk assessment, because every problem is bigger when there’s only one head and two hands to solve it. Take an extra paddle, an extra fishing rod. Take a good first aid kit and know how to use it. Don’t take unnecessary risks. When in the slightest doubt, wear your life jacket. Two days of my trip were spent exploring nooks and crannies in the vicinity of Tiger Key. I didn’t find any other sure spots, but I took some photos, watched some clouds, observed the cycles of moon and tide, and lived by them each day. I was thrilled to the sight of soaring ospreys, crashing dolphins, rolling tarpon. I cast at and stuck a couple of houndfish, the only sight fishing I found on this trip. I fished a single pattern that worked—an unweighted minnow imitation tied with
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synthetics. A deep satisfaction derived from autonomy settled into my bones. The inevitable departure time rolled around. Proper planning had the tide flowing in the same direction as my travel. The day was overcast, windy. Rain threatened. My return route kept me in the lees as much as possible. However, there was no hiding from wind or waves crossing Chokoloskee Bay, and I arrived at the boat landing soaked from head to toe, and quietly loaded my gear. Although solo trips don’t help you learn to schmooze at parties, the confidence and self-reliance you develop on an excursion like this seeps into all the other parts of your life. The most important by-product may be that you learn to trust your judgment. Going solo is good for you. Going solo surely beats staying at home, looking at a telephone or computer screen. —John Kumiski
Preliminary trip-planning information is available from the National Park Service: https://www.nps.gov/ever/planyourvisit/ canoe-and-kayak-trails.htm. For navigation, you can go old school with a chart and compass, or new age with a GPS or telephone. The phone requires a solar charger. Even with the electronics, take a chart. A compass is recommended. You’ll need a fishing license: https:// gooutdoorsflorida.com. If you haven’t been to Florida, you may have concerns about reptiles. You’ll see some. They won’t bother you. Your automobile is an enormously greater risk to your safety than critters that live in the national park. Everglades gamefish eat small fish, shrimps, and crabs. Your fly selection should reflect that. Flies should range from size 4 to 1/0. Some need weed guards. Carrying some poppers is a good idea too. The equipment list I use when preparing and packing for any trip can be found at this link: http://www.spottedtail.com/ trip-equipment-list/.
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