A year or so ago a photo of a python that ate a gator down in the Everglades – and apparently exploded a day or so later from a serious case of indigestion – was all over the Internet. What some may not know is that, primarily due to limp-brains who have released exotic snakes into the wild, pythons now pose a serious threat to endangered species such as native mangrove fox squirrels and wood storks. A recent article in the St. Pete Times claims that experts believe “tens of thousands” of the big snakes are now found throughout the Park. Not sure if I agree with that estimate – over the years I’ve seen many moccasins and rattlesnakes and even a few coral snakes, but no pythons. But it’s clear that they are a prolific species we need to contend with. This excerpt from the article grabbed my attention: (more…)

Hurricane-in-training Fay is bearing down on us in SW Florida, with tornado warnings blaring on the boob tube and the wind starting to bend the trees in our back yard. The crappy weather gives me time, though, to document a recent post-work trip to DependaBay with my buddies Joe and Marty Sullivan. Marty — a walking comedy routine — seldom gets out anymore, so we were hoping he’d score. And score he did. He and Joe bagged two 30+-inch reds on softbaits, pulling them out of a school that was rednecking its way across a big grass flat. (more…)

When we first created Shallowfish, our goal was to create and operate an online gallery featuring a select group of talented artists whose work is inspired by shallow-water angling. Life has taken some crazy turns the last year or so, which has delayed that effort. But we’re on the case. In late October, Shallowfish.com will be revamped to feature incredible paintings, sculptures (see sample above), gyotaku prints and other angling-inspired artwork. Beginning in mid-September and each month thereafter, this blog will feature a sneak peak at some of the artwork that will be featured in the new gallery. So check back often, and keep sending us your helpful feedback.

I didn’t enjoy near as much free time as I’d hoped on my recent (bidness) trip up north, but I did get a chance to sneak out for a half day of fishing with my good buddy Quinton. “Agent Q” is a native Vermonter, and he’s passionate about his trout. He took me and my friend David deep into the woods to a healthy, scenic little mountain stream that courses through a dark canopy of trees. We scared up some nice brookies and whiffed on some nice strikes, but it was the way the trip started that is memorable. While Quinton and David pulled on their boots and rigged up atop a small bridge, I made a short, casual cast into the water below.

A large fish rose from a deep cut, sucked down the fly and headed to parts unknown. We all scrambled down the bank as one, rods and tackle flying everywhere. The trout battled hard, testing my little 4-weight, but after a few minutes it slid into Q’s net for a quick pic or two. My first Vermont brown trout — a bonafide 19″ native (a fly fishing feat for such a small stream, I’m told), it’s butter-yellow sides stippled with red and black markings. She was released unharmed. I’ve done my best since to pass off blind luck as consummate skill. No takers so far.