The Hidden Coast by North Florida Media Service

Floridaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s

The Hidden Coast

July-August 2018

The Last of Old Florida

Scalloping Season is Here!

We Have You Covered. See inside for articles, maps, tide charts & more!

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The Florida Humanities Council’s free “Florida Stories” walking tour app transports you through the past and the present, step by step. Packed with photos and intriguing details, “Florida Stories” will open your eyes to many of Florida’s cities and towns in a way you’ve never experienced before. Download the “Florida Stories” app today, available in the iStore or Google Play Store. Come along with us on a journey through these unique communities. Need help downloading the app? Visit FLStories.org.

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2 • Florida’s The Hidden Coast

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The Last of Old Florida

July 2018

Volume 3 Edition 4

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ApalachicolaRiver Tallahassee

Pensacola

Jacksonville

SuwanneeRiver

St. JohnsRiver Gainesville

Orlando

Perry Steinhatchee

Daytona Beach

TAYLOR CO.

Cape Canaveral 4

DIXIE CO.

Melbourne 95

Tampa

Horseshoe Beach Suwannee

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LEVY CO.

Cedar Key

PeaceRiver LakeOkeechobee Palm Beach

Yankeetown/Inglis

Covering Over . 19! 100 Miles of U.S

Vero Beach

Florida's Tpk

Sarasota

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What’s Happening on The Hidden Coast? We Have You Covered from Perry to Yankeetown, and ALL in Between!

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Look for our next edition: SEPTEMBER 2018! thehiddencoastmag.com

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4 • Florida’s The Hidden Coast

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A Local Perspective

TISHA WHITEHURST Tourism Development Director Levy County Visitors Bureau

6470 SW 80th Ave • Trenton (352) 463-0800

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Over 600 Acres of Natural Beauty in Gilchrist County

RV & Tent Sites, Cabins • Electric, Water & Sewer •Heated Pool Hiking Trails •Suwannee River Access • Meeting Facilities Boat Ramp Nearby

The Hidden Coast is... is an outdoor adventurer playground, just waiting to be explored. While you are here... disconnect from the pressures of life and connect with you family. Levy County offers a wide variety of activities for an exciting weekend away from reality: fishing, hunting, swimming, diving, snorkeling, kayaking, and paddlboarding just to name a few. One of my favorite things... the “beautiful uniqueness” of this area. Levy County offers spectacular views of the Gulf Coast, awe inspiring sights on the rivers, and the wonders of watching wildlife. We don’t limit the adventures to land, take an underwater journey diving or snorkeling in one of the many springs. Locals know... you have to eat after a day packed with adventure, and there is not a better spot to stop for a bite than Levy County restaurants. We offer a wide variety of dining with fantastic views and an atmosphere that is unforgettable. To plan your next adventure with us: www.VisitLevy.com

Piddler’s Pointe RV Resort & Campground

(352) 498-5979 | piddlerspointerv@att.net 4802 SW HWY 358 | Steinhatchee, FL 32359

TheHiddenCoastMag.com • 5

FLORIDA’S MOSS

By: Toni C. Collins

any people today have forgotten that the moss that grows on trees throughout the South was once an economic asset serving a number of practical purposes. Along with its value as a cattle feed and cheap packing material for crates of fruits and vegetables, moss also had value as a processed product. A single tree may hold several tons of moss. The plant had an extensive range, all the way from Virginia to Florida, west to Texas, and down into South America. The moss always thrived best in humid climates since it receives its nourishment from the air and rain. It is not a parasite but rather a member of the pineapple family and one of the many epiphytes or “air plants” to be found in Florida. Over the years this abundant natural resource was used for a variety of purposes. The Indians met by early European explorers used the moss for clothing. White settlers in the same areas learned to use it for braid and cord which could be turned into a number of useful articles such as rope, nets, and bridles. In the 1850s a soldier stationed at Tampa described it as being “very valuable when properly cured, being commonly applied to all those purposes for which curled hair is used, such as stuffing mattresses, sofas and chairs.“ However, most of the earlier references specifically refer to the use of moss as mattress stuffing. Mattresses made with moss had several advantages: they were supposed to be cooler in the summer, they were extremely resilient, and they were unattractive to moths and other insects. Moss also was stuffed into saddles and horse collars and padded the seats of railroad cars. Even airplane pilots flew by the seat of pants resting on moss stuffed cushions. The raw material was gathered by the use of a long pole equipped with hooks which would be inserted into a dangling clump of moss. When given a good twist and pull, the long strands of moss would drop to the ground. Gathering moss was generally not a full time occupation. Instead it was a slack time activity which enabled subsistence farmers to obtain a small cash income. The moss itself was free for the gathering. Sometimes people even paid to have the growth removed from their trees, especially from pecan and citrus groves since a heavy overlay of moss would shade the trees and reduce production. Moss can be, and was, harvested in all seasons. The price paid for the moss depended on how well it had been cured and how far it had to be carried. In 1882 the cured moss piled high into an ox drawn cart that was brought to the mill at Gainesville would bring one-half to three cents per pound.

6 • Florida’s The Hidden Coast

The driver of the milling machine made seventy cents an hour and the final product sold for about four dollars per 100 pounds. Most sources indicate that the commercial moss industry began in Louisiana after the Civil War and in Florida about 1910. Several descriptions of moss factories exist from different periods. An 1882 mill in Gainesville was described as “very crude.” The factories were constructed of local materials which usually meant pine. The moss mills, which were in common with Florida’s naval stores and lumber industries ran a great risk of fire. The most notorious fire in a moss factory is undoubtedly the one which broke out in Cleaveland’s Fiber Factory in Jacksonville around noon on Friday, May 3, 1901. Sparks from neighboring chimneys ignited some of the material spread out in the yard to dry. When the factory, which is described as constructed of pitch pine with a shingle roof, caught fire it collapsed. The brisk wind which had blown in the original sparks now picked up thousands of pieces of flaming fiber and blew them all over the city, starting what is known as the Great Fire which destroyed much of the city and killed seven people. How many moss factories were there? An “industrial survey” of Florida published in 1928 found five moss factories, one each in the counties of Duval, Gulf, and Putnam counties, and two in Alachua. In 1937 there were approximately a dozen factories in Florida but by 1957 this number had dwindled to two - the Vego Hair Company in Gainesville and the Florida Moss Company in Ocala. However, by 1969 no companies existed and a long-lived Florida industry had finally succumbed to the competition offered by foam rubber and plastics. Want to learn more? Readers can go to levycountyhistorical society.com to learn more about the Yulee family and also historian and author, Toni C. Collins. You may also email her directly at toniccollins@att.net.

Feeling Small

By Capt Brian Smith, Big Bend Charters Steinhatchee

Monday Lil B and I had a party of six locked in battle with the ‘reef donkeys’, a.k.a. amberjack. Strangely, activity ameliorates the discomfort of August heat. Somehow the buck of any fish can make one forget their brain is baking inside their bone bucket. On the port side, one of the fellows had his live bait get frantic. A second later the little fish was given a mouth ride by an energetic amberjack. After a minute or so of rough tussle, the amberjack was given a mouth ride by a goliath grouper. “I’m hung up!” Lil B went over and pulled some serious tugs and gave a puzzled look. “The fish is still on there, I can feel it” said Lil B. After handing the rod and reel back, more heaving tugs were applied until miraculously the big jew fish coughed up the amberjack. “Alright! Oh no…” The amberjack was whisked away to the bow, under the anchor rope and one hundred yards off the starboard bow. Lil B had jumped to the bow and passed the rod under the anchor line and handed it back. I stood on the bow and watched the line rise in the water. A triangle fin came up. A big fin! It cruised, at will, left and right. During the twenty minute tug of war, I had time to think. Why hasn’t that huge shark cut the fish in half or parted the monofilament leader? Then the rod snapped straight and the line slacked. Relief and let down at the same time. We watched as the head was reeled in from some seventy five yards out. As the head became visible a large brown submarine mass came from behind and took it. Ten more minutes of unwanted struggle and the line finally gave way. Well, well, well, that was entertaining for all of us. “Let’s do it again, but this time let’s be equipped to handle the job.” Lil B put a fish carcass out on a string as chum as I rigged a ‘mongo’ 9/0 reel, spooled with 200 pound test, with a cabled ‘meat’ hook and hung a half an amberjack on it. The bait made a big splash and sank as it floated back behind the boat. I set the reel drag tight but not locked down (I mistakenly had a mongo reel locked down in the past and found out fiberglass breaking is like fingernails across a chalkboard), put the clicker on and set the monster trap in the stern rod holder. Twenty five minutes passed with nothing happening. Then a shadow appeared deep off the stern. And nothing happened! After a few long minutes, Lil B lost patience and grabbed the rod and started jerking and reeling. Just as we could start seeing the bait come up, it disappeared in the caverness mouth of a brown submarine. Bang, bang, bang, the hook was set and the rod passed off. For twenty some minutes the war was on. The two hundred pound test, beef stick rod, with a full load of determination lead an eight foot, 200 pound

plus bull shark to the port gunnel for a Kodak moment. I had a moment of insanity. The hook was slightly lodged in the right jaw and my mind said silently ‘Hey, Brian that hook cost three bucks; get it back’. And I reached down. But before my hand had touched the water, the shark turned, opened its mouth and my body took over for itself. My hand had taken itself behind my back. Lil B cut the cable with bolt cutters and the big mama slipped back into the depth. WOW! That was awesome. Not only the battle, which was amazing, but just watching such a magnificent fish function in its environment. The thirty two by twelve foot fiberglass environment we were on seemed pitifully small. The vastness of the water and the size and grace of the creatures therein can pop a pride bubble if you think about it, even briefly. Scallopers are gleeful. Limits are common on the grass beds north of the river. Just look for the flotilla. Be careful those are live moms and dads and children and grandparents and an occasional dog bobbing around those boats and they don’t fair well against hard boat hulls and motor props. I mean, what’s the rush anyway? Slow down and enjoy a family day on the beautiful Gulf of Mexico. Thanks for reading and take care of yourself and the tackle. – Capt B “Science, art, and magic are all good; a fishing attitude that squeezes out any of them is the worse for it.” -DATUS PROPER (1988)

TheHiddenCoastMag.com • 7

Crystal Sea Charters Inshore Fishing & Scalloping

What are scallops? What is scalloping?” Get these answers and have an exciting time, too!

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Riverside Spirits ‘N Wine Shoppe 1312 S Riverside Dr. • Steinhatchee, Florida

(352) 498-2942 Riverside Spirits is a family owned and operated liquor, beer, and wine shoppe. We also carry fine cigars and beautiful sterling silver jewelry.

Catching the Captains Drift

In Horseshoe Beach

By: Brett Selph

Scallop season is in full swing and lots of good limits are being picked up here in Horseshoe Beach so get your dive gear and give us a call Up The Limit has Captains on stand by ready to show you how to and where to.. Summer is officially here with the 85+deg days and no wind. .So what to do to keep cool? Get your snorkel, mask Or dive gear and jump in the water after some taste scallops. You can give us a call We have the boat’s and # of good locations to pick up scallops. In need an offshore trip out of one of our neighboring river ports just let us know we will be glad to accommodate from Suwannee to Steinhatchee we have all required permits, so your not required to have a license, as well all gear, bait and tackle is provided. Bring your food and beverages. If it is a spear fishing trip your after Well we offer that also. With regulations we deal with spear fishing is the selective way to fill the box with good #’s of great mixed bag for awesome table fair. Our normal spear gun hunting selections this time of year are as follows, red snapper and Gag Grouper (as long as season lasts) hog snapper, mangrove snapper, lion fish, Red Grouper, king Mackerel & Cobia. Divers if you have Never tried spear fishing you just don’t know what your missing till you do!

Catch the Drift, Capt. Brett Up the Limit Fishing Adventures

Mark & Cathy Majors with a 15 # triple tail. while on charter with Up The Limit Fishing Adventures and Capt Brett Selph.

HOURS Mon-Thur: 10-8:30 Fri-Sat: 10-10 Sun: 10-8

8 • Florida’s The Hidden Coast

This young angler was all smiles after a day of pulling Red Snapper aboard Up the limit fishing adventures and Capt Tyler Futch.

By: Savanna Barry

Recreational Scalloping Season 2018

Recreational bay scallop season is quickly approaching! Thousands of residents and visitors will flock to the shallow coastal areas of Florida’s Big Bend to go scalloping and seek out their limit of the sweet and tasty meat. Recreational boating in the Nature Coast reaches peak levels during scallop season, so expect congestion at boat ramps. What’s New In 2018? Zone-Specific Open Seasons: Just like in 2017, the FWC decided to open certain zones along the Big Bend to scalloping at different times, including a new open area in Pasco County. This makes the rules more complicated for scallopers, so be sure you understand the open and closed seasons and areas. For example, it is illegal to land or possess scallops outside open harvest areas. If you caught scallops in Zone 2 while Zone 3 was still closed, you could not possess those scallops outside of Zone 2 (e.g., it would be illegal to launch a boat from Cedar Key, scallop in Horseshoe Beach, and return to the boat ramp in Cedar Key with scallops aboard unless both Zones 2 and 3 were open at that time). See the FWC’s Scalloping Regulations page for more, including details about GPS coordinates for harvest lines. The earlier opening in Zone 2 (Dixie County line to Fenholloway River) means that the scallop meat may be quite small. Best practice would be to only harvest scallops that are at least 1.5 inches across. We suggest that you shuck a few scallops on the water before you collect your limit to see if the muscle meat is large enough to eat. If you feel the meat is too small to be worth your while, you can still have a great time scalloping and release the scallops alive to be caught another day! New Recreational Scalloping Resources: This year, a new scalloping brochure

is available for Pasco County (pdf) and the Big Bend Shellfish Trail map was recently released! These resources orient visitors to the boating and recreational resources in local areas, including Wakulla, Jefferson, Taylor, Dixie and Levy Counties. Check them out and share widely!

Responsible Boating Reminders Be Seagrass Safe: Be aware of seagrasses while boating in shallow areas! Many species, including bay scallops, depend on seagrasses and damage from propellers and boat anchors (called seagrass scarring) reduces habitat quality and resilience of seagrasses over the long-term. Please visit the Be Seagrass Safewebsite for more information and take the pledge to be a seagrass safe boater! Operation Dry Water: A national weekend (June 29 – July 1, 2018) of heightened enforcement of impaired boater laws. The aim is to increase awareness about the dangers of boating under the influence and reduce alcoholrelated incidents. For more see: http:// myfwc.com/boating/operation-drywater/ or http://www.operationdrywater. org/. Photos courtesy UF/IFAS stock photos.

To read entire article see link below or scan the QR code to the right. http://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/ncbs/2018/06/07/ recreational-scalloping-season-2018/

TheHiddenCoastMag.com • 9

Bay Scallops

2018 Bay Scallop Season Information

Bay scallops (Argopecten irradians) live in shallow, nearshore waters along Florida’s Gulf coast, from Pensacola to the Florida Keys. These bivalves are usually found nestled in seagrass beds and are easily distinguished from other bottom-dwelling animals by their electric blue eyes. Bay scallops are capable of swimming by opening and closing their shells rapidly to generate thrust, which can make catching them more challenging.

Information and graphics courtesy: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission For more information: http://myfwc.com/fishing/saltwater/recreational/bay-scallops/

10 • Florida’s The Hidden Coast

Bay Scallops

Bay scallops (Argopecten irradians) live in shallow, nearshore waters along Floridaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Gulf coast, from Pensacola to the Florida Keys. These bivalves are usually found nestled in seagrass beds and are easily distinguished from other bottom-dwelling animals by their electric blue eyes. Bay scallops are capable of swimming by opening and closing their shells rapidly to generate thrust, which can make catching them more challenging.

TheHiddenCoastMag.com â&#x20AC;˘ 11

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We offer guides for fishing & scallop season, vacation, boat and kayak rentals and restaurants for both Jena and Steinhatchee.

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Steinhatchee is the place to settle for a night, a month or longer. TheHiddenCoastMag.com • 13

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14 • Florida’s The Hidden Coast

YOUR BUSINESS HERE! Restaurant & contact information

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386-719-1354 TheHiddenCoastMag.com • 15

16 • Florida’s The Hidden Coast

The Hidden Coast

Find Your Way Around

TheHiddenCoastMag.com â&#x20AC;¢ 17

Map Courtesy: River Graphics Maggie Valley, NC 2875 | Tel. 828.944.0134

The Last of Old Florida

Scalloping Out of Sink Creek Poking Around Like a Kid Sink Creek Road off CR 361 (“The Road to Nowhere”) at Jena takes you to a wonderful Hidden Coast preserve. You should bring your kids or bring your “kid-side” and poke around the actual sinks just a few yards from the parking and launch area. As the tides rise and fall, the sinks fill, then drain. Small fish and crabs move through passages between sinks and the creek itself. To some of us cave divers… a twinge of jealousy gives rise to foolish thoughts of dropping down in larger shafts to explore. The low visibility and the sharp “line cutting” karst keeps the urges short. For some, scalloping is the goal, for others it is an excuse to go exploring. This spot serves those with either inclination. The road is well maintained but has a couple of low spots that, depending on the tide, may require driving through some shallow

18 • Florida’s The Hidden Coast

By: Jeff Cary

brackish water. Trucks, Jeeps and other vehicles with reasonable clearance and tire size should be able to go through fine. The road bed is solid with steel mesh and rock providing firm ground at these points. A short paddle out gets you to a popular scallop ground. Time your trip to paddle out either side of high tide to avoid having to walk some portions of the creek back at low tide. A good rule of thumb is to start 2 hours before high tide and be back within 2 hours after high tide. As you frequent an area, adjust your times longer as you gain more knowledge of the specific waterway. Sink Creek Road itself is about 1.8 miles long winding through pine forest and low lands. From the launch area to the Gulf is about a 0.6-mile paddle. From there you can explore north, south

Jeff Cary, Cary On Destinations, Inc., Dixie County (352) 440-2056 | Jeff.Cary@CaryOnDestinations.com and west in shallow grassy waters ignored by sharp eye will spot a flounder camouflaged on the boaters… until they spot you filling your bucket bottom. with scallops. Bring a dive flag. This familiar So, whether you are site-seeing or planning to nautical signal alerts distracted boaters. paddle or boat out to the Gulf, a visit to Sink Photos show the aerial view of the creek mouth, Creek is always a good stop to explore for a few back into a small patch of woods. Sink Creek Road minutes or for a day. The Hidden Coast, a nature comes into the same patch of woods from the lover’s delight. center of the photo. Two trips out a couple weeks apart show you can enjoy the paddling even with a little rain or sunshine. The launch area is a gentle, slope into the creek where the bottom is small gravel and firm for trailers and for wading. To the left of the parking area when you drive in you will find sinks like these two ground level photos. The crab and the pebbled bottom are in the ramp area of the creek. Watch your toes! Out in the scallop grounds you’ll see the scallops in the grass. Be careful walking or standing on the bottom, some years sea urchins are present. In bare areas a

TheHiddenCoastMag.com • 19

Defeat of Leper Colony Untold news story of how and by whom the location of the National Leprosarium in Florida was defeated twenty-five years ago. -Levy County Journal | October 11, 1945

edar Key, Levy County and the State of Florida at large is due Captain T.R. Hodges a debt of gratitude that can never be paid. Twenty-five years ago Congress authorized the establishment of a National Leprosarium at some point in the United States most suitable for the care and medical treatment of persons afflicted with that dreadful disease of leprosy. The United States Public Health Service was authorized to locate the proper site and establish the institution for the care and treatment of the lepers scattered over the United States. Congressman Frank Clark advised Captain Hodges, who had just returned from War I and built a home in Cedar Key, that the U.S. Public Health Service had selected North Key, about three miles from the city of Cedar Key, as the most suitable location. Realizing the serious danger that threatened the welfare of the entire State of Florida as well as Levy County and Cedar Key, by the location of such an institution, Captain Hodges took over the fight against its location in the State. In order that the citizens of the State should realize the danger he opened up a campaign through the state press in opposition to the location of the Leprosarium and kept the wires hot. The entire press of the State gave free space of the many articles written except one paper in an adjoining county to Levy, who approved the location. Two stenographers were employed and over two thousand letters written to the Florida Senators and Congressmen and signed by prominent citizens of the State, protesting the location of a leper colon in Florida. The fight was on and Captain Hodges realized in order to win it would be necessary to invoke a political situation. Mr. John Trice, representing the Times-Union at Tallahassee during the session of the legislature, said in his news story that Captain T.R. Hodges was the most persuasive and astute politician that ever operated in the State Capital building. Governor Sidney J. Catts was an avowed candidate for the U.S. Senate to succeed Senator D.U. Fletcher, who was known to be very close to the President and thereby hangs a tale. Governor Catts was invited to come to Cedar Key to speak in opposition to the location of the colony in Florida and promptly accepted the invitation and spoke to a large audience in a manner that thoroughly aroused the people as to their danger. Due publicity was given to his address by the press of the State. A neat appearing individual came to Cedar Key, representing himself as a Presbyterian minister, to assure the people that there was not danger and all the

20 • Florida’s The Hidden Coast

talk was “only a matter of prejudice,” as letters from Washington termed it. The Methodist and Baptist churches refused to let him speak in their buildings and he was refused admittance on his arrival to the hotels and the barbers refuged to shave him, so he was entertained at the home of the U.S. Public Health officer, who controlled the picture show building and he spoke at a small audience. His theme was to overcome this unreasonable “prejudice” in the minds of the people, but he overshot himself when he told the following incident: He said he was on a railroad train in one of the NorthEastern States when the passengers learned that he had been at a leper colony. On the first stop of the train all the passengers got off except himself and at the next stop the conductor, engineer and train crew all got off. So much for “prejudice.” The next step was to attend a hearing before the State Board of Health at Jacksonville, who had been requested to approve the location to Florida. Governor Catts was duly informed of the meeting and Captain Hodges took a delegation from Levy County to back him up in opposition. While on the train en route to Jacksonville, when questioned, the self-styled minister owned up to Captain Hodges that he was not a minister but was employed by the U.S. Public Health Service. Just how far this so-called “prejudice” extended was indicated by one Dudley Williams, a fish dealer in Gainesville, who advertised in the Gainesville Sun that he did not sell Cedar Key fish when in fact every saltwater fish he sold was shipped from Cedar Key. The meeting of the State Board of Health was attended by Hon. John W. Martin, Mayor of Jacksonville. Mayors from other cities, who spoke against the location of the colony in Florida, were followed by Captain Hodges. When the arguments were made pro and con State Health Officer Green announced that the Board had received a telegram from Governor Catts and that the Board disapproved of the location of the Leprosarium in the State of Florida. Next step was to go to Washington to a final hearing. Governor Catts was wired at once and urged to be present and take with him State Health Officer Green and as many of the Cabinet as possible, which he did. The hearing was held in the Public Health Service building with Surgeon General Blue presiding and attended by Florida Senators, Congressmen, Governor Catts, and his Cabinet, State Health Officer Green and Captain Hodges. After prolonged argument General Blue announced that Cedar Key was the most suitable location and the Leprosarium would be located there. During the hearing Congressman Clark asked General

A Local Perspective

WENDY HUNT Owner Piddler’s Pointe RV Campground

The Hidden Coast is... a little bit of heaven. The HATCH.

 Blue if it would be possible for a mosquito to bite a leper patient and then fly the short distance to Cedar Key and bite someone else and infect that person. The answer was “yes, but there are no mosquitoes at Cedar Key,” Congressman Clark very aptly replied. “Well,” retorted Clark, “if there is any place in Florida that does not have mosquitoes I never heard of it.” All thought the battle was lost except Captain Hodges, who knew he held the winning card. Captain Hodges followed Senator Fletcher to his office in the Senatorial building and without any preliminaries asked the Senator if he was thoroughly convinced that the people of Florida did not want a leper colony established in the State (several hundred letters of protest having been sent to him by prominent citizens). Fletcher admitted he was convinced. Then, he was asked if he wanted to be re-elected U.S. Senator and he said he did. Then Captain Hodges said to the Senator that he know he had the power to prevent the location by taking the matter to the White House and asked if he would do so and he replied he would. Then Captain Hodges asked what he should tell the people of Florida on his return and the Senator replied “You may tell them there will be no leper colony established in Florida.” When Captain Hodges reached Florida he was met at the train by two reporters who asked what the verdict and he repeated to them Senator Fletcher’s message. Ten days afterwards it was announced by Senator Fletcher that the Leprosarium had been permanently located at Carrville, Louisiana, on the Mississippi River where the State already and such an institution. Want to learn more? Readers can go to levycountyhistorical society.com to learn more about the Yulee family and also historian and author, Toni C. Collins. You may also email her directly at toniccollins@att.net.

While you are here... ,besides great fishing in the Gulf, a must for outdoor adventurers is to take kayaks to Steinhatchee Falls and paddle the Steinhatchee River back to town... a fun time! Plenty of good seafood of course and the marinas are top notch. Don’t forget President’s Day weekend is the Fiddler Crab Festival. One of my favorite things... is taking golf cart rides around the beautiful town and on the trails. So much to see!

Locals know... this is the best place to be!

In the woods or on the water

We strive to supply ALL your outdoor needs

The Deer Camp

Archery Sales & Service Hunting/Fishing Gear

Local Fresh Seafood, Oysters, Clams Mullet & More

490-4868

306 S. Main St., Chiefland Open Thurs. - Mon. 10am-6pm

TheHiddenCoastMag.com • 21

July in Steinhatchee

By: Capt Mike Farmer

Once you have arrived to your scalloping area of choice then comes the remainder of the safety rules, regulations and etiquette that come into play. More than likely you will be surrounded by an armada of other vessels which contained 4-10 other people of all makes, models and sizes, many of which have never had this experience before and are now swimming in the water. Here is a place where much of the danger lies and precautions need to be taken. Here in Steinhatchee things are jumping and moving. Scallop season is in full swing and Dive flags are an important and mandatory life is good. The month of July will bring more item that must be on your boat to participate. tourism and traffic to our little town than any This flag is known as a divers down flag and other month of the year. There are no traffic is red with a diagonal white stripe. It must lights or railway crossings here so we aren’t real measure a minimum of 20” x 24” with a wire accustomed to any waits in traffic much less stiffener to keep it attention when there is no any waits in line at the store. But July changes wind present. It must be raised to a position things up, it’s a whole different world. The which is beyond the highest point of the boat and remain there at anytime boat ramps aren’t immune from Slow down, relax you have people in the water these issues either, be prepared and be lowered anytime you are on the busiest of days to have an and enjoy the moving or have no swimmers extended wait there as well. madness because it’s in the water. All swimmers With all of this traffic in town just part of July in must stay within a 300’ radius of the flag. It is good practice comes the traffic on the water Steinhatchee. to instruct your crew to even where the groups of boats stay a bit closer because it is very easy for them sometimes take on the appearance of small floating cities from a distance. Don’t let any to wander away as they become enthralled by of this bother you, just get mentally prepared the world that lies beneath the waters surface. for the waits and congestion. Slow down, relax Many become completely oblivious of there and enjoy the madness because it’s just part of surroundings at this time and I myself have been guilty so it’s a good idea to try and keep July in Steinhatchee. a lookout on your crew intermittently just to With all of this being said the one thing I would keep a check on everyone’s position. Then like to stress is safety. Our area has had very there will also be those in another boat that limited amounts of accidents on the water over seem clueless on just how far away that 300’ the years and we like to keep it that way. Please really is, so keep an eye out for them as well. help it stay that way by following the rules and Drink plenty of fluids during the day to keep regulations as well as just keeping an eye out yourself hydrated, you don’t realize how much for the others that might just not be as safety fluids you loose while you are staying cool in the water swimming around but it is much oriented as you are. 22 • Florida’s The Hidden Coast

If you follow these rules and regulations this can be a safe and fun sport for the whole family. more than you think. Speaking of hydration... Adult beverages are enjoyed by many and are actually a part of the sport. But please drink responsibly while on the water and definitely the captain needs remain sober and limit their intake.

heard of are a few sunburns, jellyfish stings and the most common being the next mornings hangover from too many adult beverages.

Come see us and enjoy what Steinhatchee has to offer, If you would like to have a guide then please give me a call. God Bless and I hope to If you follow these rules and regulations this see you soon. can be a safe and fun sport for the whole family. Besides all the legal rules, just a little Capt Mike Farmer common sense also goes a long ways. We like Salt Addiction Charters for you to return home safely without incident 352-210-1551 all still having all of the body parts intact that www.saltaddictioncharters.com you came with. The only injuries that should be

TheHiddenCoastMag.com â&#x20AC;˘ 23

Saltwater Scallop Trips Shrimping Trips

Licensed & Insured

Captain Jason Lowe 352.362.0656 www.JLowesGuideService.com | Jason@Jlowesguideservice.com

Dive Flag must be at least 20 inches by 24 inches with a stiffener and displayed above the vessel’s highest point. Courtesy The Steinhatchee Community Projects Board.

Cedar Key Marina II & “Hooked Up” Charters

12780 SR 24, Cedar Key, FL

352-543-6148

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24 • Florida’s The Hidden Coast

Withlacoochee Gulf Area Community, home of Yankeetown & Inglis and the beautiful Withlacoochee River designated as one of Florida’s Outstanding Waterways. Our small towns are located at the south end of Levy County and are part of the Nature Coast of Florida. We consider our beautiful “old Florida” towns your gateway to the Gulf of Mexico where you can actually “Follow That Dream” to an abundance of outdoor activities including boating, sailing, fishing, camping, hiking, bicycling, paddling, and birding on the river or on the Gulf. When you visit Florida, be sure to come see our neck of the woods as Florida was meant to be.

inglisyankeetownchamber.com

331 Dock St. Cedar Key, FL (352) 543-9992 (Pet Friendly)

do you have Photos from a recent visit to the area that you would like to share with our readers?

Send over what you have and we will post it on our social media sites! Please include a date and location. sales@nfmservice.com

OUR LOCATION:

Upcoming Events:

450 2ND ST. CEDAR KEY, FL

• Scalloping Season July 1 through Sept. 24

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• Independence Day / Fireworks July 4

Monday - Saturday 10-4 Sunday 11-3

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TheHiddenCoastMag.com • 25

CEDAR KEY, FLORIDA

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26 • Florida’s The Hidden Coast

AUGUST 2018

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TheHiddenCoastMag.com â&#x20AC;¢ 27

HORSESHOE BEACH, FLORIDA

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JULY 2018

28 • Florida’s The Hidden Coast

AUGUST 2018

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TheHiddenCoastMag.com â&#x20AC;¢ 29

Steinhatchee Village RV Park

352-498-5450 850-371-1021

850-686-5813 850-686-5814

Scalloping, fishing or boating questions?

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490 Dock St., Cedar Key (352) 543-8004 OPEN 7:30AM–10PM Daily

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Cedar Key Country Store 598 2nd Street | Cedar Key, FL | 352.543.9697 Hours: 10-5 Thur, Fri, Sat, Mon, 11-3 Sun

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thehiddencoastmag.com Follow Us on Facebook for a Chance to win a $25 Gift Certificate from Beautiful Located inr Key! a Ced

Locally Made Items, Island Home Décor, Memorabilia, Jewelry, Unique Finds & So Much More! 30 • Florida’s The Hidden Coast

Offering B Lunch & reakfast, Dinner!

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WELCOME TO THE ISLAND! PelicanRealty.com Small Town Realtors Big Time Results Caryn Stephenson, Broker Ann Young & Julie Vandegrift, Realtors Phone: 352.543.5581 598 2nd Street, Cedar Key Cedar Key, FL 32625

Come see us for

ALL Your Scallop Supplies!

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Capt. Tom Cushman | 386-623-0243 captcush357@hotmail.com

Runnin’ Out Fishing Charters

levy county visitors bureau

VisitLevy.com 800-387-5673 TheHiddenCoastMag.com • 31

The Marina

Florida’s Last Frontier 262 3rd St. • Horseshoe Beach • (352) 498-5405 www.themarinainhorseshoebeach.com

Featuring Jake’s Waterfront Pub and non-ethanol gas. Open Fri. and Sat. 4-12 with live music weekends. We rent bicycles, golf carts, fishing poles, crab traps plus a full line of scalloping supplies. We also rent and sell Wilderness Systems kayaks!

Kayak Our Beautiful Shoreline!

32 • Florida’s The Hidden Coast

DEPARTMENT

The Only Boat Lift in Horseshoe Beach!