Route #12: June 29, 2008
Double Branch Creek to Safety Harbor

“Anticipation” – Since being on the water for my last leg, a lot of things have been going on in my life. I had my left eye operated on to correct my vision and make both eyes equal. I had a cataract removed from my right eye and the change in vision was so great, my doctor recommended it. It went off without a problem. Just before my surgery I had another bout of a recurring health issue with my blood pressure and overall health. So my doctor ordered a stress test and echocardiogram of my heart be done. I thought how ironic it would be that someone who is trying to raise money for heart research would be diagnosed with a heart ailment. Since heart problems run very heavily in my family, I’ll tell you, I was sweating out the results. Needless to say I was greatly relieved to here from doctor that everything with my heart was OK.

I haven’t tried to preach much on my reports for each leg, but I feel I would be remiss if I didn’t say something. Take care of yourselves, please. Get your blood pressure checked regularly; watch your diet, especially your salt intake. If you are prescribed medication for your blood pressure, take it. Try to exercise if you can. Whatever you can do to make your heart healthier, do it.

The further north that I have traveled, the earlier in the morning I have to get up, this mornings wake up came at 4 am. On the road by 4:30, I was on my way to meet today’s paddling / fishing partners. Joining me today once again was my good friend Ken and first timers Todd and Mark. Todd and Mark have been responsible for organizing several well run kayak fishing tournaments here in Tampa Bay and having fished with them before I was anticipating a good day. After dropping off the vehicles at Safety Harbor, we all met up at Double Branch Creek.

With no wind and very little current in the creek, we headed out.

It was a very hazy day making for a surreal sunrise.

Mark (Yellow T160) and Todd (Red T160) working some of the back bays of double Branch.

The mangroves are about ready to drop their seed pods. Pretty soon there will be hundreds of them out on the flats, which can drive you nuts when looking for tailing redfish.

We came across a mother dolphin with her baby, and when I say baby, it was a baby. Maybe 40 inches or more long.

The two dolphins didn’t spook, and just moved along keeping pace with us.

We ran across some wading birds. These Rosetta Spoonbills were one of my Moms favorites. She would have enjoyed seeing these very much.

Ken is always trying to get in the picture somehow.

Once out on the flats we suddenly realized it was going to be a tough day fishing wise. Nothing was moving on the flats at all. We did see some fish hanging around the mouth of the creek, but when you have a long way to go, at some point you just have to keep moving in the right direction. We did see some nice pushes and I had a couple of fish turn and strike my topwater lure, but no one connected.

Todd working a section of the flats.

I was drifting right towards these two guys, usually I’m not ready, but this time I had my camera in hand. I really like to get these guys in flight.

About mid morning it was like someone turned on a light switch and the wind started kicking up. Not real bad, but just enough to make it annoying.

Ken working a dock not to far from our destination.

As we pulled into the marina, this sailor was up on his mast doing some work.

Safety Harbor has a very nice Marina; I wish I had taken some pictures. Very clean with a fishing pier and a small park. They have a good boat ramp with plenty of parking. It wasn’t very busy, which makes it a great place to launch a kayak from.

Well, we did 8.2 miles today and only one fish was caught. The fishing was very poor, but the company was outstanding today. Thanks guys for joining me. Looking at a chart of Tampa Bay, I can say that I will be heading downhill from here and it won’t be to long before this adventure will come to a close.