Started the day in the miidle of the night with Crazy Alberto Knie of  tacticalanglers.com we fished for a few hours but in all reality we spent more time catching up and taling about old times.

The trip down to Matlacha was a short one, that's what happens when you mix business with pleasure. If your down in SW Florida take a pass through the Matlacha area the quaint fishing and artist community.  Be sure to stop at Berts for great seafood and cold beer. One thing to mention is that most restaurants and bars only serve beer and wine, so ironically if you are looking for a pina colada in this tropical paradise they may be hard to find.

Tim C. Smith  

Today we fished with Captain Brion Darby of Action Boat Rentals. The cold weather that was up north worked it's way south with morning temperatures in the low sixties unheard of this time of the year. The wind that associated with the cold front limited our fishing as well but we did manage some great Seatrout action despite the wind. The  highlight of the day were the curious Manatees that came right up to the boat while fishing in the back country. This group of manatees stayed with us for about a half hour before moving on. Capt. Brion is very knowledgeable of the Pine Island area and was a great tour guide. There was also a Jack attack right off the dock today at the Bridgewater Inn, however I only had my video camera and no rod (video coming)

Tim C. Smith

We arrived early Monday in Matlacha Florida which is located about forty five minutes west of the Fort Meyers airport. Matlacha is a mix of fisherman and artists that reside on a small island called little Pine Island in the Pine Island national refuge. We are staying at the Bridgewater Inn that was originally as a fishing lodge about a hundred years ago. This motel was constructed literally on the water on pilings. This is the first place I have stayed where you can fish from your room.
Tim C. Smith
Bridgewater Inn

Now that fall is here you may want to explore one of Long Island's gems. Located on the middle of the island on the south shore. The preserve is 3473 acres of Long Island the way it used to be.  The property once belonged to the Southside Sportsman Club where New York city's elite would hunt and fish. The wildlife here is abundant you will see Deer, Foxes, Ospreys and Turkeys to name a few. If you are  a Long Island history buff this is a must see. For more information check out the links below.

http://nysparks.com/parks/8/details.aspx
http://www.friendsofconnetquot.org/

A word of caution, don't make the mistake I made, stay away from the high grass. I walked through a nest of Lone Star Tick larvae. The larvae are so small that you may just think they are specks of dirt. 24 hours later I was bitten from the waist down. Photo
Wear long pants and tuck your pant legs into your socks or wear high boots.
Click here for more information on Lone Star Ticks