Photo courtesy of Russ PylantWe all met at the launch ramp Saturday morning at “0700” for a quick safety brief (also referred to as “Bacon”) given by our safety coordinator, Chip Gibson aka “Treehugger”.
Photo courtesy of PaddlingFanThen we were off for the day’s adventures and fishing. Folks went out in pairs and groups. Some headed towards the mouth of the Turner River, while others headed straight for the oyster beads and on to the mangroves.
After a full day of fishing, we all met up in the pavilion for a pot luck dinner, which was followed by the raffle put together by Charles Levi aka “Redfish Chuck”.
Photo courtesy PaddlingFan
Photo courtesy PaddlingFanThe food was delicious and the raffle was awesome! So many companies and people contributed items for the raffle, and we would like to give them special thanks! Please show your support to these folks by purchasing their products from their stores, or just simply shoot them an email and say thank you.
The following brands and stores contributed items:
• Bloodydecks
• YETI Coolers
• Bending Branches/ Aqua-Bound paddles
• Harry Goode’s Outdoor Shop
• Handler Fishing Supply
• Strike Zone Fishing
• TackleWebs
• Elusive Tails Fishing Apparel
• Fly Life Outdoor Addict Apparel
• Deep South Fishing Rods
• Pure Fishing
• Scales
• The Loziers
• Z-Man
• River Palm Cottages & Fish Camp
• Trigger X
• Fishing Florida Radio
• YakAttack
• Fly Fisherman
• Chuck's Kayak Adventures
• Kayak Kevin
• Chad Hoover
• Shallow Pockets
• Fly Tooth
• Ty Gy's Custom Lures
• Florida Sportsman
• Dennis Spike
Sunday was a little more relaxed when it came to fishing. Some folks got out early, some of us a little later, and some just decided to hang around the docks and fish. The wind was really cranking, and that made paddling and finding wind protection a bit of a challenge. It was still a great day on the water. Most of us came in early due to the wind, and fished around the docks. Several snook, redfish, mangrove snapper, and stingrays made the afternoon very relaxing and entertaining.
Sunday evening was the delicious low country boil, which started about 6:30. The boil included several types of sausage, crab, shrimp, potatoes, peppers, and I’m sure several other things that are slipping my mind.
Photo courtesy PaddlingFan
Photo courtesy PaddlingFan
Dessert was a cake supplied by Geri aka “Paddlingfan” and a cobbler supplied by DDolson.
Photo courtesy PaddlingFan
We wrapped up the evening with a 50/50 raffle won by Bob aka “Bonita Bob”. Between the 50/50 raffle and the keg donations collected by “Treehugger”, we managed to come up with a little over $200 to donate to our friends at “Heroes on the Water”.
On Monday morning most folks began to pack and hit road, leaving behind a few stragglers that went back out on the water for one more day of fishing. Overall I believe that we ended up with 55 people joining us for the Chokoloskee Boondoggle.
Photo courtesy PaddlingFan
This was a terrific event, and I can’t wait for the next Boondoggle, slated for Columbus Day weekend in Virginia Beach, VA.
If you stayed at Chokoloskee Island Park, please take a few moments to fill out the survey at this link
There will be a short film made of this Boondoggle. Please check out the trailer created by Rob Devore aka “abadbackcast”
Thanks to all of you that joined us and showed your support.
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