Alligator Tricks

[Rob Stevens]

   I need some advice on dealing with alligators in a two person canoe.

   Two weeks ago Allison and I were near the end of our trip and we were heading from Plate Creek Chickee to Sweetwater. The wind had been screaming all night out of the north. We got an early start (not as early as Connie and Vivian and their crew from Lostmans) In many ways the wind being out of the north helped us in our two person 17 foot Grumman. We meet Connie and Vivian and their crew at Darwins before tackling the Frenchman. It was great to meet people in person who we've only known by the Glades site before. Crossing the Frenchman we had the wind on our nose and could ballast our canoe down by the bow so in the stern I had little steering to do. I think the Frenchman took pity on us because we had been just reading about him in "Death in the Everglades" and moderated the wind. If we took it for granted and slacked off he would remind us this was a favor not to be abused and to get our butts to the opposite side of the bay. We went up the channel to the west of Deer Island at dead low tide with plenty of water. Don't know why,  its shown as shoal on the charts and we entertained the idea we might not be where we thought we were.

   Well we got to Sweetwater to be greeted by three fair size alligators sunning themselves. Set up our hammock and tent and headed up Sweetwater. The water was low and soon not much wider than our canoe. Here's where I need your advice. Allison paddles bow. We only had one more day so I think I could have got to Everglade City without her. We passed many, I think, alligator resting spots. Have any of you come upon an alligator just feet from your boat in a very narrow creek?  I made noise as we paddled hoping not to surprise a gator. The advice I need is this. If you lost Allison to a gator would you dump your extra water before heading to EC the next day or keep it just incase? 

[Jay]

.....I think I know those gators.   re: water - dump it? Depending on the fishing, you may be able to extend your trip! :)

[Kim Gass]

I would hit the PLB first and let the rangers come to me in this case.

Yes paddle Gopher Creek or Broad River Creek..or the many ways to get to Lake Ingraham.  You will have no choice but to pass less than six feet from the gator.