I know from experience that it also has strong tidal flows from Fakahatchee Bay and plenty of saltwater as a result. The good water on the East is inaccessible by motorboats and requires a 45-minute paddle through winding mangrove tunnels as well as a permit under a newly instituted reservation system. Then it hit me after a couple of glasses of the magical mystery elixir, also known as Yuengling Amber Beer-the East River in nearby Fakahatchee Strand State Preserve was a prime candidate. After having been skunked on the upper reaches of the Barron River where the water was very fresh and seeing almost 100 boats lined up at the local marina ramp a few weekends ago, most from out of the area, I figured the honey hole had to be a place where I could taste some saltwater that was also away from the invading forces of angler from the coasts. So I put my thinking cap on and tried figure out where the big snook and baby tarpon are hiding. It’s been hit and miss with regards to location, one day I’ll be catching a bunch of smaller snook, ladyfish, and trout, the next having to pound the water for a half dozen fish. I have been having decent days interspersed with mediocre, have yet to land a redfish, and recently was the recipient of a dreaded skunk on the North Fork of the Barron River, my first one in decades. My personal experience has been a mixed bag so far this year.

What’s behind this odd state of affairs? Theories vary: Too much fishing pressure, too much freshwater coming down from Lake Okeechobee and unexpected winter rains, die off from the series of bouts of red tide experienced on the west coast of Florida this past year, or a January cold spell that dropped water temperatures into the low 60s? Take your pick. Snook have been few and far between in the backcountry, especially the big mamas, and reds and juvenile tarpon seem to be AWOL. Guides and experienced local anglers say it has been some of the most challenging in the last 20 years. The early months of 2022 have been a bit of a conundrum from a saltwater fishing perspective in the Everglades around Everglades City, Florida. For a recount of one of my earlier outings on the East River, see: Note: There is a new reservation system in place to paddle and fish the East River.

Instaling Old Snook