October in Apalachicola

We've already had nights in the high 40-low 50 degree range. These changes trigger the movements of birds and fish, such as the increase in the number of wood storks in the last couple of weeks. I see very few during the summer, but now we are seeing them daily.

 

Our local herons and egrets are also more active, due to all the pogies and shrimp that are moving with the cooling waters.

The tarpon are also following the schools of pogies . It's not uncommon to see large schools of tarpon crashing into the migrating pogies.

The cooler weather also brings the southbound butterflies. The gulf fritillaries are coming through by the 1,000's and will soon be joined by large flights monarchs.

 If you've never visited the Panhandle in the fall, you're missing a wonderful experience. Fishing, photography or just sight seeing, now is the time.

Tarpon time in the rivers

We've had a strong invasion of tarpon in the last 3 weeks and fishing will only improve since the cool fronts are most likely history. There are a lot of fish on the beaches and in some of the rivers. If you haven't booked your days yet, give me a call or email me so we can get your days on the books.

 I spend a lot of time looking for tarpon, when I'm not fishing for them. One of the nice things about cruising rivers and creeks are all the great flowers we see!

Spider lilies

String lilies

Dog roses

 

Water lilies

Button bush

Obedient plant

 And of course the magnolias!!

This is a great time of the year to be in the Panhandle. If you want to catch a tarpon or take pictures of our plentiful wild life, we can accommodate you.

Fall in the Florida Panhandle

We had our first major cool front this weekend coupled with "big" negative tides. 20-30 kt.  north winds with tides averaging 1 foot lower than normal equals more trouble than it's worth to fish, so I took a ride through Tate"s Hell State Forest and Apalachicola National Forest.

Wright Lake in Apalachicola National Forest

Who says we don't have seasons?

An interesting clover...not sure what it is.

The  deer tongue or wild vanilla still had some good color.

 

The soft greeneyes were in scattered clumps and still in good color. Overall there are still a number of wildflowers in bloom. I'll post some more later in the week. I'm fishing in the morning and it's my bed time.