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| My friend Steve !! From Ft Pierce |
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| 3-29-08 16iN!!!! |
| EVEREST BORKOSKI!!! FEB 08 |
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| GREAT CATCH GREAT CUSTOMER!!! |
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Wednesday, November 28, 2007
Latest fishin report!!!
 Yesterday, we hosted Terry Miller (Baltimore, MD) and his father-in-law, Lee Fleishman, from
Davenport, FL. Terry had been out with us before and knew that we sure catch a LOT of bass in the Farm 13/Stick Marsh impoundment.
I had forewarned the guys of the dark water and ‘iffy’ conditions, but they were raring to go. So, with shiners in the well,
we ventured into the unknown for a half day of fishing (and, we hoped, catching!!).
We actually went 2 full hours without as much as a strike. But, knowing the waters intimately gave us a big advantage.
We knew one area of clean water and had caught fish there well a couple of weeks earlier (with Bob Clark and Mike Esposito;
see trip report below). Floating the shiners out in that location, we got to keep on waiting for a strike. 15 minutes went
by and the shiners were doing the backstroke and just on vacation. 30 minutes passed and I had to wake Lee up. It was that
exciting! 45 minutes came and Lee got a hard strike – a big blow-up on the shiner. He missed it. Then, Tim got the same type
strike and missed his. A few minutes later, the strikes started coming. Then, they came faster. And, faster!! I got caught
trying to hook a new shiner and having to stop and grab the net numerous times. It was good there were only 2 fishermen aboard.
I would have never kept up with 3.
When our four dozen shiners finally ran out, it was close to dark. 22-23 bass had
made it to the net. There were no giants in the crowd, with Lee having one that pushed 5 pounds being on top. But, a really
nice thing was that nearly all the bass were 3 to 4 pounds, a truly fine average size. Even for a windy day with a lot of
dirty water around. Plus, we got our egos stroked at the ramp when other bass anglers reported not even getting a strike!
17 November 2007
 The Farm 13/Stick Marsh impoundment was still very dirty as of three days ago. Fishing is poor under those conditions. All
the people I spoke with indicated little action. I would forget it until possible the Monday or Tuesday before Thanksgiving.
Sunday, November 25, 2007
Happy Thanksgving!!!
Hi all today was the Garcia Tournament Larry won with 12 lbs 2nd place was Jr. with 11lbs the wind was up and we have
had several cold fronts plus it is full moon, so we are looking forward to some warmer temps and less wind, Stick Marsh has
been rough due to the wind but speck are still being caught in the south end of the farm and right in the center, hope
to get some reports back this week from my regulars, I have some folks here from KY doing well with shiners at the Farm,32
were caught yesterday, average weight 3-6lb range, take care and keep fishin!!!
Friday, November 16, 2007
2:24 pm est
Fishing Garcia With Randy Sanders @ Fish on
Subject: Garcia Reservoir, Florida
Submitted by Randy Sanders
Date Fished: 11/10/2007
Water Temperature: 65
Water Clarity: 2-3 feet
11-9-07 Garcia again with Gary Geisel and cousin Tom from Minnesota and as predicted, due to the weather things had slowed
dramatically.It took us 6 hours to catch 18 fish up to 5#'s on shiners and only 3 were caught on lures but these guys were
as happy as could be after catching a 5 and several 4's, I guess I'm just spoiled..
11-10-07 I was meeting Jim from Wisconsin and Jerry from Winter Park,Fl today but I just knew it would be very tough
due to high pressure and a tournament in progress, I was right as we caught 9 fish on shiners in 5 hours, we had many more
bites but the fish were lethargic and did not want to eat making hook-sets tricky at best. I talked to numerous other boats
and friends but couldn't find anyone that did well so don't feel bad if you didn't either.
11-11-07 Tournament Sunday at Garcia. I was downright wore out and wanted to catch some sleep so my partner Bart went
into battle alone, 14 boats entered and 5 weighed fish, no surprise as the weather was still way to pretty for good fishing.
Wayne and Matt won with 3 fish at 6.4#'s, Santos got 2nd with 2 fish at 6.3#, Bart got 3rd with 1 fish weighing 2.11# and
it just got worse from there. Santos got big fish with 4.7.
Its the weather, not the reservoirs fault, many of the fish were under the floating mats of hyacinth but some mats are
alive, some are dying (SJWM sprayfest) and some are dead, the dead ones are best during cold fronts as they hold more heat
but there are so many to choose from its a needle in the haystack thing. On the other hand the fish at the Stick Marsh are
much more catchable during a front because there are no mats (very few anyways) to hide under so they usually just suspend
making it tougher but they are still catchable with a trap or jerkbait IF you locate them, thats where local knowledge comes
into play and this stuff always sounds easier than it is. Things will pick back up by mid week. Thumbs up to wwf on the Veterans
Day salute.
Randy Sanders
Saturday From: Mike (70.118.89.163), Florida
Randy, Might have just been the home turf advantage,and our secret
weapon, but my partner and I wound up doing decent saturday, 24 fish to about 4lbs. however, contrary to typical mornings
on Garcia, our first fish was caught at 9AM. once things started warming up, the fish got a little more active. Our total
was a little lower than our normal, and there were definitely less bites. we also did notice that a lot of the other boats
around wern't catching, but we chalked that up to the club (out of patrick) being inexperienced on that particular water.
anyway, good luck out there, and tight lines.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
nice
work From: Randy Sanders (74.167.113.173), Florida
that's awesome for the conditions, bet you wish you were in the tournament.
I was stuck fishing shiners with the unexperienced, no telling what me and Bart would have done with artificials, maybe better,
maybe worse.
Randy Sanders
------------------------------------------------------
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
Jim Porter Nov 4 Report
4 November 2007  This report will cover the fall turn-on of smallmouths and spotted bass in the North Carolina reservoirs and the present fishing
situation in Florida.
It was a long time coming, but fall conditions finally made it to NC. After an unseasonably
warm summer in the NC mountains, an unseasonably warm introduction to fall came along. Normally, it is expected that the summer
disappears and fall starts in September. This year, it did cool down a bit around 10 September, but it never did get really
cool until around 20 October. That was a 1.5-month delay, with the cool down being very gradual. The question we consider
is if ‘global warming’ is a reality.
 The gradual cool down, though, did wonders for the fishing in the high reservoirs such as Hiawassie, Burton, Blue Ridge, Nottley
and Chatuge. With the waters very low due to local drought conditions, we were able to target good structure easily. The blow-down
seen in the picture (now 40 feet out of water!) was a great location for both smallmouths and largemouths back in May and
June. Now, it is a bit too 'shallow' for them.
 The gradual weather cooling caused a similar gradual transition of the fish to their fall feeding binge patterns. Smallmouths
and Kentucky Spotted Bass all go on a major feeding spree when the high reservoir waters cool to 65-70, and it continues until
the water gets down to 50 degrees. There is a LOT of surface action, as the baitfish school out over deep water and the bass
coming to pick them off. We saw 20-30 bass in 4-5 hours normally. Most were 1.5 to 2 pounds on the average. But, we did run
across a few 3-4 pound fish. Our best lure for the breaking fish was a fluke rigged with a treble hook trailer. We would never
miss a strike when using the treble add-on hook. Fishing out over 40 feet of open water meant we’d never run a chance of getting
hung up, so the treble was great.
The next best lure was, remarkably, the Swimming Worm. We found the bass were chasing
the baitfish up onto shallow flats and bars adjacent to deep water. So, we figured the bass must have been holding just off
the flats over the deeper areas and waiting for the baitfish to come by. We simply ran the Swimming Worm at about 4-5 feet,
very slowly and parallel to the drop from the flats to the deep zones. It worked great.
 Returning to Florida recently (and when the NC temperature got below freezing a couple of mornings in a row!!!), we found
a late tropical storm cum Hurricane named Noel heading at us. Talk about not being able to win. But, a high pressure pushing
a good cold front into Florida steered Noel out to sea. We did have about 6 days of rain and 30-40 MPH winds from Noel. However,
it turned out that the east and northeast winds were from directions that did not mess up the Stick Marsh/farm 13 badly. We
had a guide party scheduled for Friday, 2 November, and it was ‘iffy’ as to whether we could make the trip safely and effectively.
 We pre-fished on Tuesday and Thursday, finding the winds horrific, but the water not too dirty. Working some sheltered areas,
we actually did very well.
Any ideas that the numbers and sizes of bass in
the Farm 13/Stick Marsh impoundment have been depleted are just untrue. Stan Daniel recently took our old regular customer,
Bill Molen, from Florida's west coast. Bill brought his Father-in-Law, Russell and said he wanted Russell to 'catch the giant
fish'. Stan and the bass cooperated beautifully, with 30+ bass being caught, including Russell's 11 lb. 4 oz. giant!!
On Tuesday, we only hooked 12 bass. We used the Swimming worm as a slow 'sreach and tease' lure and then a deep Fat
Free Shad in front of the pump station. One minute it was blue skies and the next another of Noel's rain bands moved through.
But, you could see the rain coming, so it was easy to grab a FroggToggs and stay dry. The rain and low light at times messed
up some of the pictures (see the one where the orange rain suit is saving my skinny tail from being washed away!!) we tried
to take with the automatic timer, just not having enough light to focus properly. On Thursday, we caught well over 20 bass
(with a 7 and an 8-pounder at the top end) and then about 40 crappie (PERFECT Jig, Hot Momma color). With high hopes, we advised
our party members, Bob Clark and Mike Esposito, that we were optimistic about a successful trip. They were ready to go, rain
or shine, so it was decided we’d give it a try.
Friday found Tropical Storm Noel at near hurricane strength, but turning
away from Florida and out into the Atlantic Ocean. That was the good part. The bad part was that the 3-40 MPH winds shifted
to the NW and North and blew straight down into the Stick Marsh and the farm 13 impoundments. The winds also blew out our
successful fishing location of the previous days. On top of that, it dirtied the water terribly.
Never give, the man
said. So, Bob, Mike and I ventured out into the 3-foot swells and pounding wind to try and harelip a bass. Fishing in the
brunt of the wind, we managed 3 fish. What a bummer. Dirty water, getting beat to death by the wind and waves, and no fish.
What luck!! The only protected place left was the ‘Back 40’, the shallow area to the north of the boat ramp and along the
canal that carries water to the exit gate of the impoundment.
 We got a bit drenched by the high waves and winds running back to the ramp area. But, we found the back 40 reasonable stable.
With all the summer rains, the impoundment is now full of water and the back 40 is at normal level. Trying to recall where
certain brush piles and structure features were in the Back 40, we laid out two anchors and floated shiners over where we
though the fish might be. I still say I am the luckiest fisherman I know! The first place we stopped turned a pot load of
bass, up to 5-pounds!! It was like a feeding holiday, with bass chasing and blowing up shiners all over the place. Those surface
blow-ups are what really make shiner fishing great! Talk about falling into it and coming up smelling like a rose. Bob and
Mike burned up nearly all the shiners in that one location.
We tried a couple of other locations in the back area
to no avail.
 Then, we went to what Stan Daniel and I reverently call ‘The Mudfish Hole’. This mucky, shallow ‘nothing’ of a spot has turned
a LOT of big bass for Stan and I when the main impoundment waters were muddy. It saved many a fishing trip for us. We don’t
know why the bass are there at times, but it always seems to turn a good one, or two (sometimes a LOT more, too!). Mike had
maybe five blow-ups on his shiner, but never had the fish take the bait sufficiently to get hooked. Mike had some chase his
around and not take the shiners, too. I suspect they were catfish or mudfish. But, their surface blow-ups sure looked like
bass. Eventually, Bob got one to take his shiner. It was not a giant bass, but we were happy with whatever we caught this
rough day.
When the dust finally settled (and the rains passed on), Bob and Mike had managed enough action and fish
caught to use up five dozen shiners. When we looked back at the day, there were actually a LOT of bass caught. One went five
pounds and the rest 3-4 pounds. Not bad at all for a storm day with high winds.
Tuesday, November 6, 2007
Fishing reports!!!!
 October 2007 Submitted 10/7/07 The season has arrived and the results that some people are
having on the Marsh/Farm is quite dynamic. A witnessed report from two anglers: 90+ bass to the boat including several 5-7
pound fish. I fished relatively near these guys and in an hour and a half boated 15-20. Last year at this time we were spending
a fair amount of time on Blue Cypress. Water levels were still good there but were receding. When we weren't there, we had
limited time on the Marsh due to winds and was spending a lot of time on Ansin/Garcia because of the afforded wind protection
that lake offered. In addition the water levels were dropping quickly which made working the staging bass, (south end of the
Farm) difficult to work anytime the wind blew due to the heavy wood found there. This year the scenario is completely different.
Water levels are at or above previous seasonal levels which will allow us to work the south end using wind socks this year.
For any that have fished this area previously in late fall to early winter you know how exciting this fishing can be. In addition
there is always a strong possibility of moving water as the continuing rains flood the marshes to the south which can only
move north through the Stick Marsh. Stick Marsh/Farm 13 is part of the Blue Cypress Conservation Area, and one of 5 areas
that make up the head waters to the St Johns River. As you know, the St Johns runs north. All or most of the Ft Drum marshes,
and the three areas of Ansin/Garcia have to flow through the Stick Marsh, and with the continuing rains that we are experiencing
this means a fairly reliable and constant flow. To add to this northward flow is water from a private reservoir that is just
south of us. Anyone that has fished the current on the Marsh/Farm knows that these current flows means a phenomenal number
of fish caught in a day, and size to go with the numbers. Typical of October's fish when current is running. Some of the scenes
that we encounter on the Marsh/Farm are quite spectacular. This exception shot of a double rainbow was captured a couple of
days ago by Don Wills, (AKA Don the Worlds Worst Fishermen). So far this month we have seen in excess of 4" of water in this
area. It seems however that much of the rain stops before reaching the inner areas of the state so inland lakes are not coming
up as we have. Okeechobee is reporting 10 feet (above sea level) which still leaves them down by as much as 5 feet. Hopefully
some rain will reach them a bring their levels up. There is nothing like spending a family day doing anything, however there
is a magic to doing it fishing. The Fletcher family found it to be so and I am sure you will also. Bookings are coming in
a bit faster this year for this season. To ensure you get dates of your choice get on the phone and give me a call. We will
fish shiners or artificial bait, but artificial is preferred. If needed we supply rods and reels. (Shimano) We do not supply
bait or terminal tackle but will give you a list of what is working just prior to your days. The boat is 20' and ready to
carry you to what in most cases is a trip of a lifetime. See you on the water - say hi if you get the chance. Submitted 10/17/07
by George Every year at this time the fish start getting quite predictable and not only is this year following the patterns,
but the volume of fish make the forecast look like it's going to be a banner year. Days of catching over fifty, and yes, over
100 bass have been seen in the last week. Shad busts are happening and if you get in the right spot and use the right bait
that's what you will see. Being in the right spot will make the difference between catching almost nothing and catching the
big numbers. In addition, get in the right spot and see multiple fish 6-pounds or better. I have had several e-mails asking
about Don Willis and Steve P. Yes people, they are still very active out there and yes they have been spot dead on them. Their
lack of reports are for the same reason: they are sick of the internet rebuttal crap, and they don't wish to inform some where
they are fishing. I know for both they have had multiple days over the last week with huge numbers and jumbo bass. Booking
a trip for the upcoming season is going to be a bit tougher if you don't get your desired days in earlier this fall. With
the last years drought, the ensuing difficult fishing because of water levels and conditions, and the high gas prices, the
numbers of guides out here has dropped drastically. Safe navigation on the lake presently is of little concern as unlike most
Florida lakes, we have plenty of water. Drifting the south end of the Farm with drift socks will pose no problem this year,
so breezy conditions will be far less of a concern. The road coming in is in fair to good shape. Baits that have been working
best: rattle traps - small crank baits - hard jerk baits - Swim Senkos - Carolina rigged plastics. Plastics are dark, traps
are chrome/blue. Watch for shad busts: realize that you are not watching for a single bait/prey situation but rather substantial
top water activity. I you start chasing the single events you will be running all over the place and not having much success.
If you find a school of bass, sit still as the shad will come back through the area again and re-excite the bass. You have
to be ready, you have to be fast, and you need to cast accurately. Basically this time of the year finds the bass south of
the E/W ditch on the Farm. However don't forget to check those ditch edges! Running water can be a real producer, but so far
this year the spillway area has not been a hot and heavy area. However, it is an area to check as it can change anytime there
is running water. The pump house has been good if you know what to do in there, and how to set up. November has always been
a good month on this lake. Yes, she is over 10-pounds. As you can see, sometimes it can get cool. Another November monster.
Again, another chilly day. This one went over 12. As you can see we also have nice warm weather also. Over 10 and fell for
a deft presentation of a Senko/watermelon. Mark caught this one in the 1st 1/2 hour on the lake. This lake is a producer,
and we know where to find them and how to fish for them. It's early enough for me to have quite a few days open, but that
isn't going to last. Give a call and book now. See you on the water.
HEY ALL SORRY SO LONG SINCE LAST REPORT!!!! Yes we are stiill open and we got shiners, minnows
crickets, worms!!! We got through the droght and long hot summer and fishin is comin back!!! Sunday Sept 30 Garcia Bass tournament
proved to be awesome even though winds were blowing 20 miles an hour we had 5 boats due to the wind all caught fish, WINNER
HAD OVER 18POUNDS!!! Last place had 16.5 pounds!!! Big Bass was 8.5 2nd place 7.5!!!! Great Fishin Day!!!! My Web site has
been down and so is my e-mail Please call me to book guide trips or order bait at 772-571-9855 or just for info, we are always
here to help!!! We are still operating under our summer hours until time change, which our wed, thur, fri, 7-10:30 and 4-6
pm sat and sun 7:00- 12:00-noon please give us a call to book your trip today or for special orders!!! God Bless Tina
Hi all sorry i havnt posted in a while!!! Water levels down so not alot of fishing been going
on, Top water has been the ticket and if you have a airboat Santories is the place to go!!! south end of the Farm is great
to if the wind is not blowing!! Blue gills are numberous on crickets and wigglers!!! if you have a small boat and you dont
mined pushing at times in Garcia!!! Very Low Thanks to St.Johns . We will be reducing are summer hours sooner this year after
Memorial Day June 5th we will be open tues, wed, thurs and possibly Fri from only 4-6pm if you want to order crickets or worms
in bulk you can pick them up on those days, not enough business to set here all day and propane sales is mostly at night.
Please check my answer machine at the store i will be out of town for Horse show and vacation several times this summer and
hopfully fishin my self , please let me know if you need a guide or any thing i need to order ok. Thank You God Bless Tina
Submitted by George: The first half of April has been one of continuing fluctuation of fishing
due to winds and conditions. However, I am happy to be able to announce that the Marsh is showing a considerable level of
improvement in both water conditions and fish concentrations. Our last 11 trips have for the most part been pretty good. Big
fish for the period has been 9.5 pounds, with a fair amount 5 pounds or better. We were only blown off one of the the last
11 trips. Fish are concentrated in the lower reaches of Farm 13 in the heavy stump fields with both quantity and quality be
produced. Top bait for the better part of the day is Senkos and Senko Swim worms, however we have had considerable top water
action on both Chug Bugs and Spooks. The best locations seem to be the center south areas of Pin Ball Alley with some production
also just to the west of this area. The southwest area is still pretty muddy and has not been producing. On the Stick Marsh
side we have been finding fish in an around the stands of bulrush, and in around any visible brush. Again, as with the Farm
side, the best bait has been Senkos weightless, and the Senko Swim worm. Working the Senko Swim worm: We are rigging this
bait with an 1/8 to 1/4 ounce weight and skin hooking the bait. The consistency of the bait is a bit tougher than the regular
Senko and we find we get a better hook set if we skin hook the bait. Swim the bait as you would a spinner bait, varying the
speed until you find the speed that produces. For the most part, the speed for us has been slow, working the bait just above
the brush. Pausing the bait has been good, but don't let it sink to the bottom as the brush is dense and you will leave your
rig behind most times. Working the 5" regular Senko will allow you to get to the bottom if you rig it weightless and of course
slow is the way to work this bait. Watch for the shad busts both on the Farm and the Stick Marsh side. With a shad bust you
are looking for multiple bass coming up, not the single fish chasing a shad or shiner. If you are lucky enough to observe
this phenomenon get the Chug Bug or Spook going. After the shad pass through and move on, drop back to the Swim Senko or the
regular Senko to continue catching. If you stay put in the area, the busts will occur again. Don't try to follow the shad
as you will spend your time chasing and you will miss out on the catching. Shiners have been producing, however in order to
keep them out of the wood because of the shallow water conditions, trolling is necessary. Trolling is difficult due to the
submerged wood. Be careful of either side as the water levels are at a bad level right now. Wood is just below the surface
and with the water conditions due to wind seeing the wood is most difficult. Move slowly when in the wooded areas. I recommend
you remove your transducer from the trolling motor when working in the heavy wood if you don't wish to buy another. Also operate
that trolling motor just deep enough to get a bite in the water or you may be buying a new shaft. If you get on a stump and
need the big motor to get off, turn your boat to the side that the stump is on. This will spin the boat off the stump a lot
easier. I have seen many people end up going into the water because of an attempt to rock the boat off. I definitely do not
recommend rocking the boat. Use common sense and keep it slow in known wooded areas and you will not only come out unharmed,
but you will have some really good fishing. Look for top water to increase rapidly now and look for bigger fish to come on
top water. See you on the water. Say hi if you get a chance. Remember, if the wind gets up, be very careful in the wood: you
don't want to punch a hole through the boat! Submitted by George - 4/23/07 Putting it as simply as I can: The top water bite
is here!!!!!! Chug Bugs reign supreme on the Farm. You have to be in the wood and it can be tough going, but that's where
the fish are. If it gets too windy for the wood on the Farm move to the Stick Marsh and get out the swimming worms, and the
Senkos. Find brush and you will find bass to play. Submitted 4/30/07 The bite that everyone has been waiting for is here!
Top water players are on the prowl. It will take persistence, patience, and a bit of boat maneuvering, but the results are
well worth it. Don Willis - into the Chug Bug bite - Farm 13 I can handle this kind of excitement any day. Note that the wind
is calm. In the area that we are fishing the calm wind is important as the place is loaded with stumps just below the surface.
With the tannic stained waters seeing those stumps to avoid them is almost impossible. Yep, the Boga Grip is the only way
to be sure that you have accurate weight on that trophy that you catch. I think that Greg is happy with his Chug Bug bass.
If you are looking for action and you want that action to come on the top give us a call now. It is only going to get better
and better as we get more and more days of calm winds and active bass. See you out there.
ARM 13 / STICK MARSH FISHING REPORTS BOOKMARK THIS PAGE and come back often to see the latest
detailed Stick Marsh fishing reports available. 19 May 2007 We had the chance to take our young friend, Tyler Bray, out on
one of our North Carolina lakes for a day. A cold front had gone through and the bass were pushed back off their shallow water
spawning positions. So, we decided to target the big white crappie. White crappie differ from the black crappie species a
little. The white crappie have a much lighter body coloration, with the tendency to show some vertical striping. The white's
body is slightly more elongated, while also not being quite as tall. The white's snout also protrudes forward a bit more.
In general, their sizes are about the same, with the white crappie having a slight edge. The records are 4 lbs. 8 oz. for
the black and 5 lbs. 3 oz. for the white. Whites tend to stay more in open water and sparse cover areas. Blacks, while also
an open water schooling fish, stay more shallow than the whites and like thick shallow cover at times. Their preferences for
food are generally the same and they both make great fish fry material! Tyler and I proved, once again, that the cinnamon,
w/chartreuse tail PERFECT Jig works great just about everywhere in the Country. We did switch off to the Gray Ghost and the
chartreuse, w/blue tail for awhile. But, the catch rates were about the same. The cinnamon/chartreuse is just our 'confidence'
color. Working some wood features, we went 6-8 casts without even a missed strike. I was very close to moving to another location
when Tyler got the first big crappie. Then, he caught a second fish. That pretty well told us the location had crappie and
what we had to do was narrow it down to a couple of 'sweet spots'. We also had to adapt to one other peculiarity and that
was the feel of the strike. The crappie bit so softly that is felt like the lure simply brushed something. Not one first hit
the jig with authority. When we finished up, the livewell had a good limit in it and our Memorial Day fish-fry was now a sure
thing!! 12 May 2007 Lots of things have happened since the last formal fishing report was published: lower water levels, wildfires,
early tropical storms, good fishing, poor fishing, Kentucky spotted bass, smallmouth bass, ----. Some urgent family business
moved us out of Florida early. And, after settling the business, we went on to our North Carolina mountaintop. And, from the
looks of things, leaving Florida early actually worked out well for us. But, not worth a hoot for most in the Sunshine State.
There were a few wildfires here and there just before we departed. Now, they seem to be as many fires going as there are McDonald's
burger bins. Stan Daniel reported that the big south Georgia wildfire, coupled with the season's first tropical weather system
and it's counterclockwise winds, has put so much smoke into the peninsula that it is becoming a health hazard. That 'sub-tropical'
storm in the Atlantic brought high winds into the state for days on end, tearing up the waters and making fishing and boating
all but impossible. Being a low-pressure system, its counterclockwise wind flow brought those strong winds in at the state
from the north. As Stan says, any wind direction with an 'N' in it spells wipeout for the Stick Marsh, as well as most local
waters. Tropical disturbances usually have a lot of rain to dump and, boy, do we all need that! But, this turkey storm hasn't
brought a drop. All the rainfall has been on the east side of the storm and is just filling the Atlantic more. With the lack
of rainfall, Garcia Reservoir is now too low to launch and very hazardous to navigate. So, it is arguably no longer a viable
backup for the Stick Marsh. Water levels are now where both impoundments are becoming either inaccessible and/or dangerous.
Accordingly, the airboaters just about have the waters all to themselves. Due to the shallowness of the ramp area and the
levees of the farm area, Garcia is basically inaccessible to anything with a gasoline motor. The small boats usually don't
have trim on the motors and can't get them up high enough to operate the shallows. Boat that do have trim are normally too
large and pull too much draft. Add to this the many submerged levees out in the Garcia impoundment, many of which are now
right at the waterline or exposed, and there are navigation hazards. The Stick Marsh/Farm 13 impoundment is dangerous to negotiate
anywhere within its bounds. It is especially bad from the ramp to the first easternmost canal. Idling is the only safe way
to get to the still-navigable east and south canals, but the motors will still take a beating. Running above a slow idle is
dangerous and risks capsizing (small boats) and/or imp | | | | |
