44 replies to this topic

[mikez]

Sounds like a blast! Good on you for having the gumption to try it. I hope to try something similar someday.

I've never slept in a hammock but unless you're sure you can get complete protection from Skeeter's, I'd reconsider and bring a tent.
Fear of gators and snakes is way over played. Basic caution, watch were step, put your hands etc.
Chances of a mishap with critter is very low but sqeeters can spoil a trip. And sleeping slathered with bug spray sucks.

[Isaac Szabo]

so, does anyone know any small springs along river? how do I get a species list?

 

Besides the Rainbow River, the only one I know of is Gum Springs/Gum Slough, NE of Inverness. Here are a few links on kayaking it:

 

http://www.adventure...es-about-1.html

http://5-staryakpak....ore/gum-slough/

http://davesyaktales...gum-slough.html

 

Here's FishMap's species list for the Withlacoochee watershed: http://www.nanfa.org...ml?huc=03100208

[don212]

been there, it's a day's paddle there and back, about 8 miles each way, 

[Betta132]

You'll want to find out if tiger mosquitos have invaded. They're half an inch long, very persistent, don't care about most bug sprays, and can bite right through thinner clothing. Horrid little things.

[don212]

 

Besides the Rainbow River, the only one I know of is Gum Springs/Gum Slough, NE of Inverness. Here are a few links on kayaking it:

 

http://www.adventure...es-about-1.html

http://5-staryakpak....ore/gum-slough/

http://davesyaktales...gum-slough.html

 

Here's FishMap's species list for the Withlacoochee watershed: http://www.nanfa.org...ml?huc=03100208

thanks for the list

[Mysteryman]

I wouldn't worry much about gators, but you'd better snake-proof your hammock. Moccasins like to climb trees.

[don212]

thanks mysteryman, I'm wishing for a Vietnam era jungle hammock now. anyway I have a little tent ordered that I can use if I find solid ground, which is sometimes not easy

[Isaac Szabo]

... but you'd better snake-proof your hammock. Moccasins like to climb trees.

 

Nah, that's a myth. Cottonmouths seldom climb trees. Most people who think they see one in a tree just don't know the difference between them and similar-looking nonvenomous snakes. For cottonmouths, you mainly just need to watch your step - especially at night. I agree with Mike, you shouldn't have to worry about snakes and gators too much if you use a little caution and common sense. Biting insects are much more likely to be an issue. If you sleep in a hammock, I would think a mosquito net would be a must.

[don212]

if I wake up in the dark with a snake in my lap it won't matter if it's a cottonmouth.

[don212]

well everything is ready , my canoe barely has room for me with everything I am taking, see you in a week  if the canoe can float

[Mysteryman]

Good luck, and have fun!!!

[don212]

thanks.

[Doug_Dame]

When you get near to the Gulf, I'm the house immediately right before the Coast Guard station.

 

Have fun!

[don212]

made it to nobleton yesterday, had to take today off , going out tomorrow,los of gators silver lake through hog island

[Doug_Dame]

Never been to any of those places, but I found them on the DeLorme. Where did you put in ?

[don212]

started in lacoochee on sun 3rd. first night camped near sr50 bridge, 2nd night nobleton, next day had to go see eye doctor, checked out ok so resumed wed morning, got to shell island near floral city, thurs crossed wysong dam , stopped at small spring for a dip, had lunch with wife at rt 44 bridge, in rutland, camped at potts preserve north of inverness, Friday stopped at Citrus blue, did some snorkeling and dipnetting then pressed on to 2 mile prairie campsite in citrus springs . sat paddled to Dunnellon, met wife and her friend kayaking to meet me for lunch at boat launch on river. completed florida paddling trail of 76 miles. decided to stop there since it would take 2 more days , and had run out of time , will have to get down your way at a later date 

[smbass]

Any photos to share from the trip?

[don212]

pictures coming soon , a few fish photos,and mostly landscape, had a terrible time trying to take wildlife pictures while paddling, and using digital camera, screen is unusable in bright sunlight, camera has to be turned on , pointed, zoomed, then wait for auto focus, of course by then animal is gone, and I don't even know it since i can't see anything in screen, I need a camera specifically for wildlife snapshots. 

[Doug_Dame]

Cows will usually hang around until you are actually ready to take a picture, but most other "wildlife" won't. It's hard even when hiking, when you can have the camera in your hand, ready to go. In a kayak where both hands are on the paddle and the camera needs to be stowed somewhere, the odds are really stacked against you. Plus most wildlife photographers have a monster zoom lens, which you might not want to be hauling around in a kayak, since they sometimes turn upside down and/or get wet. 

 

You know all this, of course. Just pointing out that we understand the difficulties.

 

In my town, we just hosted a kayak fishing tournament this weekend. I can tell from the photos that it is really difficult to take a decent picture, in a kayak, of a fish in your lap.

[don212]

some things I learned this week: in the evening of the sixth day God saw all he had created and it was very good, and in the evening when you are surrounded by creation with no trace of man , it is still very good.

on the Withlacoochee don't look for your own campsite, almost all ground is either someone's yard, swampy and covered with cypress roots, or high and dry but covered with thorns.

never take down your tent till you're ready to leave, storms can arrive at any time.

louisianna swamps may have snakes everywhere, but I only saw 2 harmless snakes in 6 days on the river.