John Kumiski, Panhandle

Pensacola Fishing Report
Wishing everyone a blessed Easter.

I’m writing this from a motel room in Pensacola, thus the Pensacola fishing report. I did fish at home two days before travelling.

Ode to a Great One
I learned this week that Lefty Kreh passed away a couple of weeks ago. I’m sure like everyone else he had trials, tribulations, and frustrations, but from the outside looking in what a great life he had! What a great person he was! Everyone who fishes, especially fly fishers, owes the man a tremendous debt of gratitude.

I hope his last days were peaceful. I doubt if he had any regrets.

Monday

pensacola fishing report
Not a monster!

Son Alex was home for a visit and we got to fish together on Mosquito Lagoon for a few hours. Neither the weather nor the fishing were particularly good, but spending time together certainly was!

pensacola fishing report
But better than no fish.

Tuesday
The long awaited Florida Fly Fishing Association meeting presentation was finally realized. They wanted Redfish on the Fly. I hope they were happy with what they got!

Wednesday
Jodi and Tanner Smith, a mother/son combination, joined me in Spotted Tail for a half-day on Mosquito Lagoon. The weather was beautiful, the fishing less than great. We got a bunch of short fish and laughed quite a bit. They were both awesome. I hope I see them again. Jodi and Tanner, thanks for fishing with me!

pensacola fishing report
Jodi and her redfish.

Thursday

pensacola fishing report
Ready for the road!

The chariot took me all the way to Gulf Islands National Seashore‘s Fort Pickens campsite, where I camped two nights. Spring break = romper room at the campground! The kids were having loads of fun. All their noises were happy ones. It warmed this reporter’s heart to see them playing outside without e-devices.

The Blue Angels put on an airshow that I stumbled onto. The precision with which they fly is breathtaking.

pensacola fishing report
Blue Angels, on the go.

The children and their parents were at Fort Pickens too, watching just like I was.

pensacola fishing report
Blue Angels fans, at Fort Pickens.

I fished fairly aimlessly in Santa Rosa Sound on three separate occasions in three different spots over Friday and Saturday, finally finding some trout and redfish I could not get to strike.

Sunday

pensacola fishing report
The sun has risen.

Jim Tedesco and I watched the sun rise through pine trees from our kayaks on East Bay, guided by kayak guide extraordinaire Nick Lytle. My primary aim was photos, although I carried a six-weight and did stick and lose two redfish. Nick did the heavy lifting for me so I got some pictures. Nick, thanks for an awesome morning!

pensacola fishing report
Jim through a frame.

pensacola fishing report
Nick did the heavy lifting.

pensacola fishing report
Heart-shaped spot, by Nirvana.

And that is the Pensacola fishing report!

Life is great and I love my work!

Life is short- Go Fishing!

John Kumiski
www.spottedtail.com