www.Everglades Area Tours.com
"Guided Adventures in Florida's 10,000 Islands & Everglades National Park"
Third Annual Everglades Kayaks
Paddle-In
Feb. 24th, 2007
Schedule of Events
Feb 23rd 8:00 - 5:00; Capt. Dean Thomas' Kayak Fishing School; Upstairs @ City Seafood Cafe'
7:00 - 4:00; Kayak Fishing Trip to Wizard Creek aboard the Yak Attack
Feb 24th 9:30 - ~ 2:30; Third Annual Everglades Kayaks Paddle-In; Launch @ Smallwood's Store Museum
5:00 - 6:00; Happy Hour @ City Seafood Cafe' -- Beer is a available or BYOB
6:00 - 7:30; Fish Fry @ City Seafood Cafe
Feb 25th 7:00 - 4:00; Kayak Fishing Trip to Lostman's River aboard the Yak Attack
This year, scheduled for Saturday, February 24th, we are looking forward to another great day. This year's event will be the same informal format as last two year's ... 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 are looking to help out the Museum and thank them for letting us use there facility. A $10 donation to the Museum would be appreciated ... we'll have a donation box on the island.
We will be paddling with the current to a beach site "Slade Key" in Chokoloskee Pass. Once on the beach, Everglades Area Tours will be serving Vickie's famous conch chowder. Saltwater Sports Florida has graciously donated the bratwursts this year. If Vickie has her way (as she usually does), you can count on some good deserts, as well.
Legacy Paddle Sports has donated Heritage Redfish 14 to be raffled off on the beach. Heritage's, Jim Meador, will have some of their newest kayaks for you to try out. There will be other raffled prizes, as well ... details to follow.
Saturday evening, at 6:00 pm, we will be have a fish fry at the City Seafood Cafe in Everglades City. Last year we had a blast with Richard, Virgil and the crew... Budget about $10 for the fish fry
Friday, the 23rd, the day before the Paddle In, Capt. Dean "Slowride" Thomas will be in from Texas and hosting a one day Kayak Fishing Class. This is an abbreviated version of his normal three day class. This seminar will be invaluable for those who wish to learn more about the sport ... Hang on, however, Dean has a lot of energy and will pack a lot of information into a short time. The cost for the class is just $75 and is limited in size. Details to follow very soon... Email me if you wish to register ... CaptWright@EvergladesAreaTours.com
We will be launching from Smallwood's Museum on Chokoloskee Island at 9:30 am. The tide will be falling that morning from Chokoloskee out to Chokoloskee Bay. The tides move fast here ... faster than most Florida paddlers are used to. You will have the current at your back, so "drifting" to the lunch site is quite possible. I would arrive early and get ready so we can ease away on time.
There is a nice little launch area just to the left of the museum. Please unload your kayaks and gear and then move your vehicle up to the parking area so others can have room. Please be courteous and be sure to park well out of the way of the parking for the museum patrons. The water will be deep through most of the route, so everyone is asked to where their PFD's.
In
about 1 & 1/2 hours of leisurely paddling, you should pull up on the island
beach where we'll have lunch. Bratwurst 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 1pm 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 wish to fish, I would suggest an very early launch ... (park way up the hill out of the way!). The fishing for snook and reds will be best around the oyster bars and islands of Chokoloskee Bay. It is winter, fish slow and thorough. Once the tide starts to flow in, the speckled trout should move in at Slade Key. For those interested in kayak fishing some of the remote areas of the Park, we have a kayak fishing mother-ship trip on board the "Yak Attack" scheduled for the Friday before and the Sunday 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 We will know how much food to bring, 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.
* Everglades Spa-fari & Lodge (Ester) 239-695-1006
* Rod-N-Gun Club (Barbara) 239-695-2101
* Chokoloskee Island Park (Ben or Carrie) 239-695-2414
* Bank of the Everglades B&B (Cheryl) 239-695-1006
* Everglades City Motel 239-695-4224
* Outdoor Resorts (Kenny) 239-695-2881
* Captain's Table 239-695-4211
* River Wilderness 239-695-4499
The Seafood Depot Restaurant opens for breakfast at 7:00. For lunch in Chokoloskee, try the Big House Coffee or the Havana Cafe'. The City Seafood Cafe' or Triad Seafood, both in Everglades City, are the places to get stone crabs, as well as a good lunch. The Rod-n-Gun Club and the Seafood Depot are great for dinner!.
While you are here, be sure to visit the Museum of the Everglades and the Smallwood's Museum. The Big House Coffee, formerly JT's, has an excellent collection of unique books and gift items ... Yes, coffee, too (and smoothies). For you fishing tackle needs, Win-Car Hardware is the place. At the Everglades Spa and Lodge, you can pamper yourself to a massage or browse their gift shop. Take a "Flight-Seeing" tour over the area in an Alaskan float plane with Wings, it will truly amaze you to see the Everglades from the air.
Last year saw about 60-70 boats show up ... the weather was perfect for the event. Bring a good attitude, meet some new friends and have a great time again this year. I hope that you have as much fun as I do!!!
Last year's event caught by "yak angler"!
239-695-9107
Email
Captain Charles Wright