344 



FOREST AND STREAM. 



.0, 1883. 



FLORIDA FISH AND GAME RESORTS. 



Tallowing information, being up to dato, will be 

 found reliable. It is contributed bv out-correspondent-, 

 •■Al Fresco," to a bund book, "South Georgia and Florida," 

 published by the Savannah, Florida and Western Railway, 

 The editor of the handbook savs: "We aiv indebted I" OUf 

 Mend, Dr. 0. J. Kenworthy, of Jacksonville. .'•, Fresco 

 ol Forkst and Stream reputation, for the subjoined items 

 respecting sport in Florida, than whom there is no better 

 either in finished skill as a sportsman or angler, 



or in that happ 

 achievements a 

 The mere refereo 

 is a Buffieii i: s 



To the wing -l 

 Quail can be fc 

 extra spurt the g 

 Tallahassee, At tl 



gift of description which lends to bis 

 iceful attraction peculiarly their own. 

 of his name as the author of this article 

 la entire reliability." He says: 

 8 presents unequaled attractions, 

 d in every portion of the State, but for 

 ner must visit Madison, Monticello or 

 former localities good board can be 



obtained ou reasonable terms. In Tallahassee a new hotel 

 is in course ol completion, and will be ready for the re- 

 ception of guests at an early day. Snipe exist around most 

 of hi lakes and marshes, ami on the takes ducks are found 

 in countless numbers. 



I lucks, geese etc.. can be found in every bay. lake. riveT 

 and lagoon, and owing to ihr climate and' character of the 

 food they are as fat as squabs. Those who aspire to the no- 

 ble Sport of bagging "honk bonkers," should visit the ruouih- 

 of Suwannee River, Dead Man's Bay, west of the Suwannee, 

 and James Island. In addition to" geese at the points re- 

 ferredto, the waters swarm with ducks, and the beach ami 

 ie, -ii i bars at many points are covered with snipe and cur- 

 lew. In addition to shooting, the rivers emptying into the 

 Qulf arc alive with shecpshcad and sea trout, channel basj 

 and large-mouthed black bass. If disposed the gunner can 

 leave camp, and in the bmnaks and pine woods find good 

 , deer and turkey shooting. To reach the points indicated 



lould 



sportsmen si 



from five t< 



The captain provides st 



one skiff; and the chart 



visions. These boats w 



of four. If extra skiffs 

 chased at Cedar B 



t. Cedar Ke; 



at fr 



% ill only 



ifortabh 

 ■sired lb 

 r tbiitei 



nd charter a sloop of 

 ix dollars per day. 

 nsils, bedding arid 

 re to furnish pro- 

 , oinmodate a party 

 •mi be built or pur- 

 fifteen dollars, in- 

 Persons desiring 



g the S. F. 

 and driving 



a be obtained 



eluding row locks and one pair of oars. 



imfoi tiiation regarding the charter of a boat or the building 



of skill's should communicate with J. Ira Gore, Esq., Cedar 



Keys. 



My friend, Col. Clinch, recently informed me that at his 

 plantation on the Sut ilia River, very line striped bass fishing 

 can be secured during March and April. The fishing point 

 is about one mile above his house. Patties desirous of en- 

 gaging in bass fishing would be compelled to camp out. 

 The Clinch plantation can be reached by leaviii 

 & \\\ Railway at Folkston, hiring a team, 

 twenty-three miles. A supply of provisions ca 

 at the depot. Col. C. informed me. thai the 

 large anel gaudy fly, as well as the minnow. This point has 

 been annually visited by a noted tiy-fisber, and we have 

 reason to believe that we shall incur jits displeasure by open- 

 ing lip a new field to the craft. 



To those who wish to indulge iu fishing or shooting and 

 at the same time enjoy the pleasures of a busy winter resort, 

 the comforts of first-class hotels, and at the same time be 

 within the reach of the telegraph and daily mails, Jackson- 

 ville presents a suitable location. By taking the morning 

 train on the S. F. & W, Railway, or the F. 0, & W. R. R., 

 and proceeding thirty or forty miles, sportsmen can enjoy 

 eight hours of quail shooting and return in time for supper. 

 Arrangements may lie made for the stoppage of trains be- 

 tween stations. Early in the season the river for many 

 miles below the city is literally covered with ducks. By 

 taking the steamer 'Mabel F, in the morning a number o'f 

 hours can be devoted to ducking, and parties can return to 

 the city on any of her trips, which are two hours apart. 

 Al .Girl's and Pottsburghs creeks, within three miles of the 

 city, furnish fine bass fishing, 

 bail boats and good oarsmen i 



A fast steamer leaves the 

 at, Burroughs's hotel fishermei 

 and a square meal at one dolla 

 creeks and bavous in the neifi 



ducks. At- the jetties, two miles from Mayport, supcri 

 sea trout and sheepshcad fishing exist. Fishermen, w 

 will provide boats and bait, can be hired at $2.50 per da. 

 On Several occasions I have secured the services of a fisher- 

 man named McMullen, and I can recommend him as honest, 

 reliable and industrious; as be fishes for a living, he i 

 quaiuted with the points where fish do most congregate. 



Sportsmen desirous of engaging in deer shooting should 

 veil the head of St. Sebastian Creek (a tributary of the 

 Indian Riven, Banlbal Island, the upper Caloosahalcl; 

 the Southwest Coast south of Punta Rosea, or the lower 

 i i in, ,,;re country. A railroad is in operation from 



, -. I to Kis.T.humee City on Lake Tahopekaliga, 

 Dec. 1 two or more steamboats will be plyingon the 

 mre Kivcr to Lake Okeechobee. Lake Istokpoga li< 

 twenty miles northwest from Lake Okeechobee, 

 reached by Istokpoga Creek, which empties into the Kissi 

 nice River, nbout twenty miles north of Lake Okeechobee. 

 Lake I, is about twenty miles long and six wide, and is the 



At .1 



raes' boi 



t, \ 



ard White- 



i he 



fired tit 



ill 



imes. 





Iv t 



or Mayi 



ion 



daily 



and 



1 CI 



n seeur 





good 



bed 



r an 



d a half 



pe 



• day. 



The 



hborbood a. 





tocked 



with 



nd b- 



s a bo. i 

 and i 



n transport a boat from 

 re a tow I o the mouth of 

 d the lake has not hei 

 Hence, oilers a superior 



home of the alligator. ' Sport: 

 Sanford to Kissitnmee City, ai 

 Istokpoga Creek. The regio 

 visited by sportsmen, and, in 

 field for 'gator killing, lurk< 

 hunting. Cattle owners who 



country around the lake have assurcu me mai u in 



exists i'u great quantity. Based upon our observations and 

 experience in lakes further south, we have reason to believe 

 that ducks exist in countless numbers, and that the fishing 

 must be excellent. 

 Al Lake Istokpoga sportsmen will find an untrodden Hold, 



•el t. 



,'d that they ' 



and 



As a comer grocery or stor 

 dred miles, a stock of food 

 South of Lake Monroe tl 

 sive marshes and seve 

 this section informed 

 quantities, and thai the watei 

 the woods and prairies adjo 

 turkey shooting can be obtained 



doi 



Hakes; 



e that si 



. i ol 



idfi 



with sport, 

 exist within one hun- 

 ansporlcd to the camp, 

 passes througl 



Kb 



iddu 

 rally al 

 the lal 

 Ml 



o bav 



exist in t 



with fish: 



isited 



In 



distei 



rle; 



Jacksonville every Saturday for the upper lakes. As a boat 

 is indispensable one should be purchased in Jacksonville 

 and transported on steamer's deck. 



This river, or more properly speaking, salt water bayou, 

 Inn, to a certain extent, been 'inaccessible in the past. To 



reach it sportsmen should take steamer to the upper lakes 

 slid proceed to Titusville or Rock Ledge where, suitable 

 boats, with experienced captains, can be chartered on reason- 

 able terms. On the river fiats good duck shooting will be 

 found, and in the hamaks and on the highlands adjoin- 

 ing lb,- 1 1'ibutarv streams, Lor deer and lurkc v shooting em, 

 be obtained. At, the mouth of the river the angler and 

 hand-line fisherman can oeoupv their time until musclcscry 

 Out peccati in the capture of bluefish, sheepahsad, davajli 

 channel bass, mangrove snapper, and many other varieties 

 too numerous to mention. 



To the canoeist Florida offers unusual attractions. A 

 eauoe can be shipped by steamer to Savannah from Boston, 

 New York, Philadelphia or Baltimore, and by S. Flnridn & 

 W. Railway to objective point. The canoeist can arrange 

 Savannah for a passage in the caboose of a freight train, 

 and unload his canoe and impedimenta at the crossing of the 

 Suwannee RiveT north of Live Oak, or proceed to Rowland's 

 Bluff, SOUth of Lake City, and thereby avoid rapids and 

 log booms. The Suwannee River is a beautiful stream with 

 high bluff banks, and the Uttj/OffeUr can descend it to ths 

 Golf If disposed, he can traverse the bay and iuside pns- 

 B&grB to Cape Sable; or, if inclined to prolong his trip, he 

 ean use. nd tin- f'sloosnliatchie Rivcrto the Falls, puddle up 

 the canal iu course of excavation south of Okeechobee, and 

 when tii • dredge boat b reached, work to Lake Okeechobee. 

 Before the first of January it is probable that a navigable 

 canal will be completed from the falls to the lake From 

 I .ske Okeechobee the Kissimmce can be ascended to KiEsim- 

 mee Citv, and at that point the eauoe can be placed in a car 

 and transported to Sanford, at which point the canoe can 

 lie launched and the noble St.. Johns descended to Jackson- 

 ville. If disposed, the canoeist can prolong his jaunt by 

 sailing or paddling his canoe through the inside passage to 

 Fernandiua and Savannah. 



East of Waldo the canoeist will find an interesting lake 

 region, for within fifteen miles of thai place forty-two lakes 

 from 200 yards to 7 miles long exist. These lakes vary in 

 elevation from 70 to 130 feet above tide water. The paddler 

 will find the end of the Santa Fc Canal within SOU yards of 

 the depot at Waldo, which will lead him into Lake Alto, and 

 from Lake Alto a short canal will conduct him to Lake Santa 

 Pe, a beautiful sheet of water covering about 80 square miles. 

 At the easterly end of Santa Fe Lake the village of Melrose 

 will be found', with stores and post, office. At this point a 

 conveyance can be obtained to transport canoe and impedi- 

 menta" a distance of two miles to Five Mile Lake. In many 

 cases a portage of a few hundred feet will enable the canoe- 

 ist to reach another lake. The land adjoining the lakes is 

 elevated, (by, and remarkably healthy. Duck, snipe, anrl 

 plumage birds are plentiful, and every lake, creek, and pond 

 is wellsuppiied with bass, perch, and bream. When tired of 

 lake exploration, the wanderer can descend the Etoneah or 

 Black creeks to the St. Johns River. When we consider the 

 healthfulness of the State, its accessibility, its uurivaled 

 climate, and its thousands of miles of placid waters, emi- 

 nently adapted to canoeing, we can only express our surprise 

 that so few engage in canoe trips in Florida, 



No portion of the world presents so fine a field for the 

 fisherman as the southwest coast of Florida. Mr. E., of 

 New York, captured, with the fly, within a few weeks, on 

 the Homosassa River, ten distinct species of fish. Last 

 Spring my friend Dr. F.. of New York, visited me, and 

 stated that he had fished in the far West, in the tributaries 

 of Lake Superior, in the Adirondacks, and in Canada, but 

 no place equaled Southwest Florida for fly-fishing, lie enu- 

 merated eleven distinct species of fish that he had captured 

 with the artificial fly— among the number were channel bass, 

 brown snapper, eifvallii, ravallier, seatrout, large-mouthed 

 black bass, and skipjacks. And 1 will ask, where else but in 

 Florida can such a number of fish be captured with the fly 

 on one stream but ten miles in length? On the southwest, 

 coast the fish have not been educated, and they will not re- 

 fuse anything in the shape of an artificial fly so long as it is 

 large and gaudy. One of the best of biters and a plucky 

 fighter is the eavallii. At certain points, more especially on 

 the Oflloosahtttchie River, above the islands, they ran 

 very larg^ occasionally attaiuing a .weight of sixteen 

 pounds. , 



As a winter cruising ground this coast cannot be equaled. 

 The climate is nil the most exacting can demand. During 

 the winter rain seldom falls, storms are very infrequent, surl 

 and undertow do not exist, health is beyond question, the 

 coast line is shallow, duck and beach bird shooting caunot 

 be equaled, and the fishing is superb. 



For a cruise on this coast a boat of from five to eight tons, 

 accommodating four to six persons, can be chartered at from 

 five to seven dollars per day. The charter will include 

 captain, boy, skiff, stove, cooking uiensils and bedding. 

 Provisions can he purchased on reasonable terms at Cedar 

 Keys. For a trip on this coast a sharpie from twenty-five 

 to thirty feet long with a large cabin would fill the bill. A 

 boat could be shipped by sailing vessel from New York to 

 Jacksonville, and by train to Cedar Keys. My first trip on 

 the coast from Cedar Keys to Charlotte Harbor and the head 

 niVhe Caloosahatohie was made in a flat bottomed boat, 

 twenty-one feet long and seven feet six inches beam. My 

 last trip from Key West, to Cedar keys was made, in a cat- 

 boat sixteen feel long and six feet, beam. At the passes 

 (entrances to bays and lagoons) along the entire coast 

 supcriour fishing will be found. 



A party of two can enjoy a trip on this coast if they pro- 

 vide themselves with a boat similar in model to a Delaware 

 River bafteau. She should be twenty feet long and seven 

 feet wide, six inches higher in the sides than usually built; 

 deeked over for at least six feet forward ; cabin, eight feet 

 long, and clear cockpit of six feet; wash board, eight, laches 

 wide. Withcentcrboard and cat rig, such a boat would answer 

 an admirable purpose; her draft would be light, and she, 

 could be rowed and poled in an emergency. Instead of 

 seats, movable boxes could be constructed and used for the 

 stowage of provisions, arms, ammunition, firewood, etc. At 

 ui'dit these boxes could be stored in the cockpit or on (lie 

 cabin and ample sleeping room would be provided. With 

 it canvas tent to pass over the boom at night and fasten to 

 screwoyes on each side, the cockpit and cabin could be pro- 

 tected from rain and dew. Before parties indulge in a cruise 

 on this coast, tbev should peruse ■'Camp Life in Florida." 

 published by Forest and Stream Publishing Company, New 

 York. [Out of print. — Eu>. F. and S.] 



Until recently this portion of Florida was almost a l<rrn 

 incognita, and the first extended notice of it was published 

 iu the FoitusT AKU Stiieam and republished in "Camp Life 

 in Florida." . „ , ■ 



Saving spent nearly two months in the region referred to, 

 enjoyed the equable temperature, balmy atmosphere, refresh- 

 ing breezes, and unrivaled sporting attractions. Ave sincerely 



trust that the. adventurous tourist and sportsman may be in- 

 duced to follow in our wake. 



Nearly seven years have elapsed since we navigated Clear 

 Water Harbor. Tampa and Sarasota bays, coasting the main- 

 land from Sarasota P;t>s toGasparilbi Pass, wandered among 

 the islands of Charlotte Harbor, ascending the Caloosa- 

 hatchie River to Fort, Thompson, and sitceceded in reaching 

 the almost unknown Lake Okeechobee. Often has memory 

 carried u&hack to the pleasanl seem-- of that trip, and we 

 sometimes sigh for an opportunity toxe\ fsit the many charm- 

 ing spots found tit route, and to tight over again our battles 

 with sharks, alligators, devil fish et til. 



Persons desirous of visiting and camping out at Charlo'te 

 Harbor should have one or more battcaux, fourteen feet in 

 length, built a Cedar Keys, costing, with oars, rowlocks and 

 one coat of paint, about #1 5. A large and comfortable 

 steamer leaves Cedar Keys twice weekly for Punta Rassa; 

 excursion ticket, $18. Arrangements can be made for the 

 transportation of the boats on the steamer's deck. By mak- 

 ing arrangements with Mr. Mitchell, store-keeper at Cedar 

 Kevs. a li'i-ii supply of provisions can be obtained as often 

 mi 'in , rs -si", ■ frei'.jbi aiioul -It) cents per 100 pounds. Fort 

 .Mey, ■■■:-:, distant from Punta Rassa about twenty miles, 



possesses three larce stores, where a supply of provisions 

 can he secured. The steamer Spitfire plies between Fort 

 Meyers and Punta, Rassa twice weekly, and Captain Nelson 

 would execute commissions. At Punta Rassa there is a 

 post office and telegraph .station, and although out of the 

 world the Wanderer can conmraniente with home. A good 

 point for eampinc would be Sanibal Island, and if an A tent 

 were pitched on'the beach no inconvenience would be ex- 

 perienced iiow insects. Deer are plentiful on the i- land, 

 superior oysters exist in some of the lagoons, beach birds 

 can be found in great numbers. Jacob Sumincrlin has an 

 extemporized hotel near the dock, where sportsmen can 

 board and obtain a good meal. Al the dock they can enjoy 

 the best sheepsheading in the United States, and if they seek 

 larger game they can indulge in the capture of fish ranging 

 from 50 to 300 pounds. If disposed to try camp life in 

 Estero Bav or at Gorden's Pass, parties can engage u small 

 sloop at Punta Rassa to remove them and their effects.. 

 Gorden's Pass is about twenty-eight miles south of Punta 

 Rassa, and furnishes a line field for fishing, ducking, beach 

 bird shooting and bear unci deer hunting. In this section 

 bears are very plentiful, and if sportsmen lmuker after a 

 hug they may be accommodated. From Gorden's Pass in- 

 side channels can be followed to Galleran's Ray, and from 

 this bay to Cape Sable the coast, line is very Shallow, and 

 among" the islands uurivaled sport can be obtained. Iu the 

 fall of '81 a correspondent contributed a series of eight let- 

 ters to the Ame-rifn.it Fidd, of Chicago, descriptive of the 

 southwest coast of Florida, and parties who propose visiting 

 this section should receive the numbers. 



Whitehall boats can be purchased on reasonable terms at 

 Jones' boat yard in Jacksonville. Batteaux will lie built to 

 order in Cedar Keys at about %\h each. They can be ordered 

 through J. Ira Gore of Cedar Keys., Small sloops of foul 

 to six tons burthen, suitable for cruising on the Southwest 

 Coast can be chartered at Cedar Keys at from $5 to $0 per 

 day. At St. Augustine and Titusville suitable boats can be 

 secured on reasonable terms. Parties who wish boats built 

 to suit their views should communicate with Mr. Chapped, 

 boat builder, Jacksonville. He built two oruisans bgats 

 tor me, and I can recommend him and his work, If persons 

 ship lioats by schooner to Jacksonville, they can consign 

 them to the care of John Clark, Esq. 



During the winter months the climate of Florida cannot 

 be equaled by any portion of the Union; rain seldom falls 

 and stoTms are very infrequent. The health of the State is 

 remarkable, the late census showing that the mortality is 

 only 10.6 per thousand— less than that of any State, east of 

 the Rocky Mountains. The bugbear, malaria, merely ex ist.s 

 in the brains of those who wish to deflect travel from 

 Florida. 



During the winter months insect pests are not troublesome. 

 Snakes need not be feared, for, in all my wanderings in the 

 State, I have met with but one rattler. 



To those who: are seeking health and recreation, andean 

 appreciate a superior winter climate, enjoy good hunting, 

 excellent shooting, and unsurpassed fishing, we will say, 

 from actual experience, indulge in a boat cruise in the Land 

 of Flowers. 



On arrival iu Jacksonville, sportsmen should receive the 

 statement of steamboat and railroad runners cum grano salit, 

 mid consult some person who has no axe to grind, and who 

 is faniilifu with the sporting resourw s of the State. By 

 inquiry of Pitman of the " Sportsman's Companion," or 

 Mr. Campbell of the St, James, Mr. Foster of the St. Marks, 

 Mr. Lee of the Duval, or Mr. Davis of the Everett House, 

 gentlemen will be furnished the mimes of those who will 

 cheerfully give reliable information, and who will smooth 

 the way for the uninitiated. 



fyhqal S$farg* 



GROUSE ON MARTHA'S VINEYARD. 



A correspondent of FoTii-'.ST ami Sthkam inquires iu a 

 recent number about the pinnated grouse on the 

 island of Martha's Vineyard. 



Fifty years ago. while ou a bunting and fishing tour, 1 

 landed on that island, then owned by the Bowdoiu family, 

 and was told that Ihe grouse were' there in considerable 

 numbers, but that tbev were protected, and that, shooting 

 was not allowed except by special permission from Ihe 

 owners. Marti as Vineyard was llieu mostly covered with 

 thickets of brush which' afforded a refuge lor the grouse, 

 and it is said that these birds had been protected there Irom 

 early limes These 'bealheocks,'' as they were called, oc- 

 curred in New Emdand and the Middle Stales, as far South, 

 at least, as" Vin-inia An early work called "A Perfect De- 

 scription of Virginia," (London. Kiltl) mentions among the 

 birds of that plantation "the healhcoek." in the early part 

 of the century an act was passed by the General Court ot 

 Massachusetts to piolect certain animals of the chase, 

 amine them "the heath-hen." which was written bv the 



clerk '"heathen," and was supposed by many to refer to the, 

 Indians, some of whom lingered within the State; and com- 

 ment was c-yoked on the supposed brutality of the Yankees, 

 whichclassed the red men with the beasts, and rendered it 

 necessary to give them like protection from extermination. 

 In still earlier times these birds were, so abundant in >w 

 England, that the story goes that apprentices made it an 

 article of their contract with their masters, thai, they should 



