Wow! So it’s been a minute since my last blog post.

Don’t you just love Florida in the winter? Honestly, you can’t beat this place. I haven’t been able to spend much time on the board picking up trash because of the wind and having to wear layers and all. But I have made it out there a few times and even started bringing my rod with me. Let’s talk about that for a moment.

If you’re a local you probably maybe you’ve heard of Calusa Custom Rods. If you haven’t, click on the link and check them out. Not only did they make me a fantastic spinning rod but my fly rod… I mean look at it. Go ahead, look below and marvel at the sexiness that is my custom fly rod with my name in script. Yea, now go get yourself one or two of these, trust me you need them!

For those times I have made it out to pick up garbage, let’s just say I’ve been rather successful. I’ve also seen some new things. Usually the only wildlife I find tangled in monofilament is birds, this new year has showed me many can get caught. I found a stone crab so tangled up it looked like someone tried to knit a sweater on him. I also found a small redfish hooked on a spoon with the line wrapped around a mangrove root. I cannot tell you how infuriating it is to see this. And why? There is always some excuse to not go get your stuff and I honestly don’t care what it is. Either get better at casting or go get your stray line! I, for example, suck at casting, so what do I do? I practice in the yard next to me and let the neighbors wander what I’m doing waving my magic stick around. Maybe it’s Harry Potter? Maybe she wants to be a circus ring leader? No, my fly cast is that horrendous.

What’s in the future? Aside from improving my fly cast… making Salt Collins a nonprofit! And… exploring more to the north. Spending time in Matlacha and up to St. Pete. Catch some fish, pick up come trash and enjoy every moment.