Islamorada Journal 2010...Day 19

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Another Day of Recovery

Saturday morning dawned full of promise...which was fulfilled as it warmed to the mid-70s with bright sunshine most all of the day. Winds were from the east so they blew over the house, over our heads, and then out over Florida Bay.

The sun and winds brought out the sailors en masse. We note that there seems to be increasing interest here in sailing as the years have gone by. Saw two boats, both catamarans, tip over during the day [probably were a lot more we didn't see]. When this happens, the occupants have to right the boat; this is often done by standing on the daggerboard [a type of keel] and leaning back while holding onto the hull or rigging. However done, both boats uprighted themselves after what appeared to be short struggles.

Cold-killed fish continue to float to the surface [see the article below: Three Florida Fisheries Closed as Authorities Deal with Effects of Cold Weather].

But a loss of some is a gain for others. Bluto el Buzzardo dropped in on our boat basin to see what had washed up on his shoreline dinner table today. From his sleek* look, I'd say ol' Bluto is eating pretty high on the hogfish these days.

Wayne came for a visit. He always manages to brighten the day...always has interesting stories to tell about the goings on in his Key Largo neighborhood. Today he told us about his encounter with a neighbor who tried to tell him not to let his dog, Turbo [about a ten-inch high shih-tzu and the least offensive doggie one can possibly imagine], off the leash so Turbo could have his daily 5-minute romp in the field...something he's done every day here since Wayne & Linda first acquired him. I would have paid good money to have been able to overhear that conversation.

Wayne went over to Hanson's to help with a gas-filter replacement on Hans's Maverick [boat]. Caryl and I fell asleep; she in the hammock-chair on the porch, I on the couch in the screen room off the porch. So another day in paradise drew to its exciting close.

It's supposed to rain on Sunday, but the sunset says otherwise. Hope all our readers are having a great weekend. We hope to be back on the water with some fishing stories early this coming week.

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Three Florida Fisheries Closed as Authorities Deal with Effects of Cold Weather

“The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission on Friday afternoon issued an executive order to extend the closed season for snook statewide until September and to impose temporary closures for bonefish and tarpon until April. The order also suspends some saltwater fishing regulations to allow residents to collect and dispose of dead fish. The measures take effect at 12:01 a.m. Saturday, and are set to expire Feb. 1 unless repealed or extended.”

MiamiHerald.com

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Don’t forget, a saltwater fishing license is now required to fish the marine waters of Connecticut. You can purchase one from your local bait & tackle shop, such as Newtown Bait & Tackle, or at Town/City Hall. Check these links for more information: Connecticut Tourism; Long Island Sound Resource Center; Housatonic Valley Association; Stratford, Connecticut; Milford, Connecticut

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*well-fed