Swamp Fly 0 Report post Posted June 7, 2023 I've been hitting the local creeks for the last couple of months, sometimes on foot and sometimes in the canoe. I should post an overview soon. One of the creeks I like to fish is Fisheating Creek, it empties into Lake Okeechobee. It's somewhat of an odd creek in that the channel disappears into a marsh for a while so you can't actually run the length of it (major flood stage being the exception). like many creeks around here water flow drops to a trickle or even stops altogether during dry season. Only holes and bends hold water then. Rainy season got a real boost to start with this year with the tropical low that moved through. We went from zero flow and a gauge height of 0.03 ft to 223 cuft/s and 4.5 ft gauge height in less than three weeks. I've actually never been on the creek with water this high since the fishing is better when it's lower. I wanted to see what it was like. It was tough so I actually spent very little time fishing. I decided to just explore the creek. I spent the day 16 miles of paddling 8 upstream and 8 back down. The entire 8 miles downstream I raced a thunderstorm back to the ramp, it took 2 hours. I'm going to feel that tomorrow. Who am I kidding? I already feel it! If I had spent the time to fish more I'm sure I would have figured it out but I've been wanting to explore further upstream for years. The pesky act of catching a lot of hungry fish in a confined area always got in the way! When I got back to the ramp and finished loading up, the sun came out. Typical Florida, Sun + rain together = normal... For all the folks that want to rush down and see what a South Florida cypress creek in paradise looks like you should know I saw a lot of friends on the creek today, all of them gators. I saw at least 50-60, less than a dozen were less than 8'. I didn't see any real monsters, but a couple were pushing at least 12'. I could smell the dominant boar gators before I saw them. It's a distinct odor and I don't wade when I smell it, I stay on the bank or in the canoe. Frankly I usually just move on, plenty more creek. I'm thinking it's time for a couple of fingers of single malt. That is provided I can un-cramp my hands long enough to not have to use a straw. I will only stoop but so low! Swamp Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
niveker 0 Report post Posted June 13, 2023 On 6/6/2023 at 10:57 PM, Swamp Fly said: If I had spent the time to fish more I'm sure I would have figured it out but I've been wanting to explore further upstream for years. The pesky act of catching a lot of hungry fish in a confined area always got in the way! Sometimes its just nice being out there on the water. Sounds like a good day to me. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Swamp Fly 0 Report post Posted June 13, 2023 We think alike! While I could have done without the mad two hour dash back to the ramp, I really enjoyed it. I plan on going back as soon as water levels drop some, water is up almost another foot since then. I just bought replacement batteries for my camera so I think I might spend most of a day taking some photos. On a surprising note I was not sore the next day. Not sure why, I really should have been. It must have been the scotch! I'll have to test that theory again sometime. LOL Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
