Ed Mitchell Outdoors

Art Drinkwater is an Amazing Angler

Posted on March 29, 2022 by Ed Mitchell

Art Drinkwater is an Amazing Angler

I’ve never had the privilege of meeting Art, but he is a friend of my friend Pete. So, I’ve been hearing stories about Art for years. Art is 96 years old, lives in Florida, fly fishes in both fresh and saltwater, makes his own fly rods, and ties his own flies. Get you some of that!

Amazing Art Drinkwater with a big landlock salmon

Among many other spots, Art is a regular at Grand Lake Streams in Maine, where he fishes the fall run of landlock salmon. Yes, that is quite a haul from his home in Florida, but there is no stopping Art. It’s a great fishery. While at Grand Lake Streams this fall, Art was with his son-in-law Ron Smith, and widely known outdoor writer Bob Leeman.

In the picture Art is holding a 25″ male landlock salmon, weighing approximately 5 pounds. He caught it on a custom fly tied by his son-in-law. Now the average fall fish here is 16-18″ with a few going 20″ or a crack more. So, this is a rare and wonderful catch, he was immediately released. Great going Art!

Posted in Fly Fishing in Freshwater | Leave a comment

Rescuing a 1987 17′ Aquasport: Part 5

Posted on March 25, 2022 by Ed Mitchell

Rescuing a 1987 17′ Aquasport: Part 5

With the weather improving, my son is again hard at work on his rescued 1987 Aquasport. This journey began back in March of 2021, when we located, with the help of my friend Phil, this boat sitting in a backyard. Having been out in the weather for at least a decade, it was in tough condition, but the price was right. Soon after we had it back at my son’s house.

March 2021

In the previous post, back in August of last year, my son removed the damaged, old transom. It had to go, folks. We both realized that this was likely the biggest structural issue we had to face in restoring this boat. We built a replacement using a 1.5″ thick Coosa board core, sandwiched in between several layers of fiberglass. It turned out pretty good!

New Transom

With a new transom in place, the next significant issue was to remove and replace the deck. Unfortunately it was spongy and not useable. So last week, using a reciprocating saw, my son cut out the existing deck. The cavity you see is the well that originally held a 25 gallon gas tank. The original deck had a rotten plywood core. Lighter, waterproof, synthetic materials will be used instead.

Its going to take time to put in a new deck. And the hull liner is next to be removed. But after that the remaining work on this old Aquasport is cosmetic for the most part, as well as customizations my son wants to do. Not saying those things are going to be quick to accomplish. But they should be simpler.

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Some Fish are Weird

Posted on March 16, 2022 by Ed Mitchell

If you fish in the same area, year after year, you pretty much know all the local fish. Face it. There are only so many species you’re apt to cross paths with. And you get familiarized with them one and all. Nothing surprises you.

If you decide to try fishing a new part of the coast, however, I suggest getting a fish identification book. One you can carry in your boat, kayak or tackle box. I’m not joking.

When I lived in Florida, I quickly learned that lesson. It’s for your own good. Some fish are nasty in one way or another. Take the leatherjacket. It’s a small Florida fish, looking harmless enough, but the dorsal and anal fins carry a strong venom. Ouch. Be careful with those guys. In fact, be careful with any fish you can’t identify right off.

My friend Pete is down in the Keys right now. A day ago, he sent me the picture above. Now that is a weird look fish. Right? It looks like a fugitive from a Mars. But any Key’s angler would know it immediately. Just a parrotfish.

Posted in Environment, Wild Things | Leave a comment

Nice Snook from Florida’s Atlantic Side

Posted on March 13, 2022 by Ed Mitchell

Nice Snook from Florida’s Atlantic Side

Recently, well-known wildlife artist Dann Jacobus sent me a few snook photos. He fishes for snook, along with several other species, on Florida’s Atlantic side beaches.
Here’s Dann’s description of the snook fishing. Sounds might nice! “The fly fishing for snook is absolutely spectacular. We don’t have as many snook as the Gulf side but they are larger. Again, when things are right in summer, you can spot and cast to cruising fish, most of which are above slot. The mullet run this year was unbelievable and I think that made the snook fishing what it was. Of course, we blind cast to them as well, but nothing compares to seeing four or five big snook leisurely moving parallel to the beach and being able to cast to them.”

Posted in Fly Fishing in Salt Water | Leave a comment

March Fishing on Florida’s Gulf Coast

Posted on March 2, 2022 by Ed Mitchell

March Fishing on Florida’s Gulf Coast

If you live on Florida’s Gulf Coast, you know that March is a corner in the year. The alluring winter weather that attracts millions of people down to the land of palm trees is fading. Up ahead lies the rainy season and the heat and humidity of summer. And by April 1st the roads north will be jammed packed with cars and RVs as the snow birds hit the trail home.

Dave with a Redfish

But there is good news too. In March the fishing on the Gulf Coast is picking up. As the waters warm, snook, who have been hiding in the backcountry all winter, begin to drop out to open water. Shivering in deep hole since late fall, spotted seatrout are doing likewise, headed to the grass flats. Tarpon are slowly arriving daily. And forage fish return as well. Yes indeed, March fishing on the Gulf Coast is a time for anglers to rejoice.

Pete with a Redfish

Redfish are only fish that never really seem to feel winter’s wrath. Even in the chilliest days they are out and about. Why? Well Florida is the southern end of the redfish’s range. So, they doing okay down here. Check out these photos of my friend Dave – aka the redfish whisper- and his buddy Pete. Wow! Those are some nice reds on a fly rod.

(2/9/2025 A large red tide bloom may ruin things this year)

https://edmitchelloutdoors.com/2025/02/28/dave-got-a-nice-redfish/