Want to get back. . .

[Mike Singleton]

Wasn't sure just where to post this, it really isn't specific to a particular region, at least not in the sense of the way the Forums are divided up, anyway. I suppose its mostly belongs in a "General" section.

In November of 2013, I took my Glade Skiff, built from the plans at the end of Glen Simmons' book, down to Mack's Fish Camp where I put it for about the best 3 days and 2 nights of my life. (So far, any way.) The highlight of that trip was the all to short period of time that I found myself poling through what looked to me like the very same type of "real estate"  that some of the pictures I'd seen of Glen poling thru, mostly in the Florida Memories collection. And just for the record, this was a solo trip. Most of mine are.

I live in the Northwest corner of Pasco County, in an area known as Spring Hill. What I know of the Everglades is all second hand, (or at least that was true until I made my trip down there.)  Now, I find I want to go back. OK, maybe its more like need to go back.

I'm just not sure how.

I have recently seen the fantastic pictures posted here of a trip into the Shark River Slough. That is exactly the kind of place I want to take my skiff! And to make matters worse, I'd like to find a place to camp a night or two (or more) while I'm at it. Not on a chickee, but a hammock or shell mound, or even in the boat, if need be. In fact, I'm working on that sleeping in the boat idea right now. Kind of a Glade Skiff meets Sam Pan sort of thing.

As I said in my "new member's post," I work weekends, Fri, Sat, & Sun. So I'm off during the week, Monday thru Thurs. anyway. But I can occasionally schedule a weekend off, to match the more "normal" schedule of others.

What I looking for is any advice on how I can get back out there. I mean, back into something as close to the River of Grass that still  exist today. It's kind of hard for me to find a launch site where I can leave my truck for a few days, and a place like I described, having no "local" knowledge myself. I'd love to develop that local knowledge, but that will take time. And who knows how much of that we still have?

I hang out with a group on-line that just loves camping, and it seems the more primitive, the better. They are currently planning a trip to the 10,000 Islands for some paddling and camping. I'll be going, but I'll be building a small flatiron skiff, as I think that would be more appropriate. But I've told them that isn't the area I think of when I think "Everglades." Not knocking it, at all. But I want to get back to "my" Everglades. The River of Grass.

So, any thoughts, suggestions? Have Glade Skiff, will travel!

Mike S.

Spring Hill, FL

[yakmaster]

Welcome Mike!

Our glorious leader has a skiff like yours. he made it from Glen's plans & even had it blessed by Glen!

If you put in at Macks (what a cool place, nice folks too!) You were in the Water Conservation Areas. This is still directly managed by human hands and is generally deeper than the "real glades".

The shark valley shots you saw as well as the east everglades and taylor slough stuff you'll see on the EDEN (Everglades Deep Exploration Network, not to be confused with, Everglades Depth Estimation Network, which is where you can find if there is enough water for your trip) is all past the last floodgate, which means that while upstream managers decide how much water to put in, once it's passed the tamiami canal or the C111, it's up to nature how much is left for paddling.

Therefore, all that stuff is early season paddling. You can't do it when you want, you gotta do it while the water's there, and I'd bank that it's gone for this year, at least on the top of the Shark. You might still be able to find some nice grass paddling in Craighead's pond east of Nine Mile Pond (check the other EDEN).

[Mike Singleton]

Thanks for the reply! You did shed some light for me. And I really would like to see Keith's Glade Skiff, I'm curious about some of the things I had to guess at and would like to see how my Skiff measures up. What little I've seen of it on this web site looks really good. I have to say that the book wasn't exactly a detailed building lesson. . .  But I enjoyed the build as well as  learning what the boat can do.

I'll be getting back in touch with Marshall at Mack's, again. I suspect that I should spend more time in that little corner, but I'll probably want to do it during their "off" season, as I don't want to impose on their hospitality too much. There was a video that was shot of the skiff moving through some high saw grass, just gliding along, into a beautiful sunset. But the video was lost when the  phone it was shot with vanished over the side of the airboat shortly thereafter. I only caught a breif glimpse of it, myself. What I saw looked great. Not only was that vid lost, but I think Marshal had a lot of business contacts and data on the phone, as well.

When I do get something going, and some pictures and some video, I'll post it back here. But in the mean time, I am still open to any other suggestions.

Mike S.

Spring Hill, FL

[Swamp Hunter]

 I dont know if there is enough water this time of year but you may try putting in at Mitchell's Landing airboat trail.  

Mitchells campground http://www.nps.gov/bicy/planyourvisit/mitchells-landing-campground.htm has a safe place to park and I dont think you have to pay.

The BCNP has designated camping spots on the hammocks http://www.nps.gov/bicy/planyourvisit/upload/20140801-SSU-Map.pdf    

The campsite coordinates  http://www.nps.gov/bicy/planyourvisit/upload/20140801-SSU-Trail-Det...

You need to be careful of airboats while using the designated trails but there will be few.

[Mike Singleton]

I appreciate the replies, And I'll put the info to good use.

In the mean time, I have gotten back in touch with Marshall at Mack's Fish Camp, and am now planning a return visit. As has been noted here, the folks at Mack's are great people, and I will be glad to see them once again.

Mike S.

Spring Hill, FL