It will get better. 9-14-04 report We have caught fish and had fun when we’ve been able to get out. The weather has been hard on us and of course horrible on fishing. We got luck and not torn up by Ivan, I think, but our area did get beat up by Charlie and Francis. From Placida north we did not get beat up as bad as they did down in Boca Grande and Pine Island. The back country around Bull and turtle bays are very different. The mangroves are defoliated by high winds. They should bounce back but it will take some time. The fish shacks got whipped out too. Snook are hard to get most of the time right now but should be right soon after the winds abate. Reds are keeping things going and trout are available. A few tarpon were even teasing us. It seems we get to start figuring out where the fish are and it blows again. This is good for fishing in the long haul because it flushes the estuary and cleans the system up. Plus the fish get a nice rest from anglers. Yes we got our tails kicked but things will bounce back. Please plan on coming down and enjoying our great fishing when we get settled back to near normal. Which should be soon we hope. The communities fishing businesses will need a jump start after the hard times we have endured. At the same time some of us were hit much harder and lost homes. I am thankful and saw how bad others got hurt. Captain Phil Dugger and Carolyn for example lost most of their home. Come down and enjoy the great fishing Charlotte Harbor has to offer and help distract us from the damage while we entertain your family and friends. The bait shops and marinas could use some customers. Let’s Go Fishin’ soon.