May Day Central Florida Fishing Report Thank you for reading this Mat Day central Florida fishing report. I hope you enjoyed your May Day! I forgot to put a fishing quote in last week, so we get a double scoop today. A fisherman is always hopeful- nearly always more hopeful than he has any right to be. -Roderick Haig-Brown FISHING! Monday On Saturday Mike Conneen called me and asked me to join an Econ party on Monday. I didn't see how to maintain social distance while doing the shuttle between Snow Hill Road and CS Lee Park, and regretfully declined. Monday morning the weather was great, though, so I asked Susan to give me a ride to the river crossing and drop me off. I'd call when I got to CS Lee. I started paddling at 0900. If you're looking for Plecostamus, the Econ is the place to be. I don't know that they've affected the native fish, but I do know there are a lot fewer natives then there used to be. Took a break and saw a hummingbird looking for flowers. I could not have been more than three inches long. Also saw an eagle and a blue heron in the same place, just for size contrast. The birding was pretty good, and there were some reptiles too- gators, and cooter turtles, and slider turtles. No snakes though. I found a dead fish. A catfish with a big lesion behind its head swam past me. I didn't fish hard, since I got a late start and had a long way to go. Fishing was not good though, with two bass and two stumpknockers coming to hand, all on a mousy gurgler. I got to where the trees end and the pastures start and caught up to Mike and Tammy. We paddled together for a few minutes, then I went on ahead. Susan picked me up about 1630. Tuesday- went to Mosquito Lagoon for some kayak fishing. Went to a new spot. Got two nice reds on the redfish worm fly (haven't typed that in a while). It was another spectacular day weather-wise. I am re-wiring the Mitzi myself, and working on a book. That took up some of the rest of the week. Keeping me sane while I remain in self-quarantine. Friday- took Susan to Mosquito Lagoon in the Bang-O-Craft for a little island hopping. We brought folding chairs to sit in, watching the passing boats in the ICW. God had brushed the sky free of clouds, amazing weather again. I fished a little bit with the DOA Shrimp. I had been using the same one for a month or so. A puffer ended that streak, the only bite I got. I saw a bonnethead shark swim by, the only fish other than mullet that I saw. We saw a hog, and three manatees, and a couple dolphins, along with the usual bird life. An appropriate quote for the time of year- Anyone can be a fisherman in May. - Ernest Hemmingway Life is great and I love my work! Every day is a blessing. Don't waste it- Go Fishing! John Kumiski, author of Fishing Florida by Paddle- An Angler's Guide Purchase Fishing Florida by Paddle- An Angler's Guide at http://www.spottedtail.com/fishing-florida-by-paddle/ All content in this blog, including writing and photos, copyright John Kumiski 2020. All rights are reserved.