The Quest for the Northwest Passage (Wakulla Beach 2/20)

[Charles]

Okay, so it may not have been quite that dramatic. But my quest for connecting tidal creeks so that I could fish up one creek and then back out another, instead of having to come back down the same creek, was fulfilled. Put in at Wakulla Beach, then went across to John's Creek. Went up John's Creek, and went up John's Creek, and went up John's Creek, until I finally reached a point where I wasn't going any further in a 12' kayak. The Creek continued; there just wasn't any water in it. I wasn't sure where I was, having the foresight to not reduce the sense of wondering by bringing an aerial photo and my GPS. Especially since the water was low enough that all I could see while sitting in the boat was the immediate marsh grass.

Note to self: It might be better to start a project like this when the water isn't low and falling. On the other hand, low water makes it easier to find the holes and rocky areas.

So I got out and started slogging through the mud pulling the boat. By now it was 4:45, and not being really lost, but not being really sure where I was, how much further I had to go, or if I was even in the right creek, I decided that at 5 I would start seriously considering whether I should turn around. Shortly after I pulled the boat through to where there was enough water to get back in and paddle, I came upon a familiar stretch and realized I was in the creek I had been looking for, that I don't know the name of, that connects to East Goose Creek. I guess since this creek connects to John's Creek, it's John's Creek all the way through from John's Island to East Goose Creek? Mission successful.

Fished my way through, and a few places in East Goose Creek, but never did find any reds. There were several instances coming through the passage where I was pushing fish out of some of the holes. Mostly mullet, I'm sure. But some of the swirls and wakes were left by some pretty dang big mullet. The water was murky enough I never did get a positive ID on most of these fish.

[TallyFish]

Like the exploration angle and the resulting success of finding the "passage" even a little envious. But slugging through the Wakulla Beach mud...toooo much leg work.

What is your estimate of the distance traveled up and down the circuit ?

No Reds, no worry they'll be there another day!

[Charles]

Well, by then I was ready to get out and stretch my legs anyway.

Using the distance measuring scale on Google Earth it was about 5 miles for the whole circuit. Probably a little more for the meandering I did.

[tin can]

Charles, your posts wear me out.

[Bow'd Up]

Glad you found your way out...you'll get'em next time

[Littoral]

...having the foresight to not reduce the sense of wondering by bringing an aerial photo and my GPS.

I figure you're not quite serious but it's true.
Cameras also get in the way.
And so do boats.

[Charles]

Charles, your posts wear me out.

Aw heck, think of it this way, John. People paddle from Lower Bridge to Upper Bridge all the time, just ask Bakertize, and that's about 3 1/4 miles, 6 1/2 round trip. And most of them... <glances about and whispers furtively> most of them are tourists.

[Hula Popper]

Oh, man ... I used to have a small canoe, many years ago. Me and my buddy used to love doing stuff like that.

Didn't always work out so well ... but exploring new territory, up close and personal, can't be beat.