January Sawfish Trip, 2009

Protected Species Permit # SEFSC-NMFS-13330
Everglades National Park Permit # ENP-2009-SCI-0002

Monday, January 26
Met at 5 am. We’d packed the gear on Friday, but fitting in luggage and groceries for 4 girls for a week before I had the proper amount of caffeine required some mad Tetris skills. Rolled out around 5:30 am. Hit I-10 before 7 am. Note to self: the gas stations at the I-10/Hwy-231 exit are not open before 7 am. First stop, lunch at Arby’s. I think we were in Ocala. Second stop, Micanopy for gas. Boat trailer was riding well. Wheels were warm, but not hot. The nice lady at the gas station counter was quite interested in our research. She’d never heard of a sawfish before. Back on the road, traffic was light. Picked up a pretty cool Classic Rock station and afternoon radio show out of Tampa. I began to really wish the F-350 had cruise control because my lower back and knee were starting to ache. Stopped again in East Naples for gas before the final push down US-41 to Everglades City. Sun was going down and there was a light, warm breeze. Saw several alligators in the canals along the road. Lots of ibis and heron, too. Even though I know we’re only 45 minutes from civilization, this area is wild and remote. Checked into Captain’s Table Lodge. When I asked the lady at the counter where we could park our truck and boat, she said, Just have him back into one of the long spaces at the end of the building. Him, I asked? The two men in the back office chuckled. The lady turned red and apologized. I told her it was ok, we get that all the time, and we don’t mind. Unpacked the truck before sustaining too many mosquito bites. Made a mental note to book an apartment with a screened-in porch for next time. Walked over to the Everglades Seafood Depot for Taco Night. I would have eaten my shoe at this point. Got to know the interns a little better over a couple beers. In recounting my excursion with Mote last spring, realized that I forgot to pack the push pole. Decided not to let it ruin the trip. Vowed to have Steve, the maintenance and repair specialist, install brackets on the boat so it would never happen again. Looked at the chart, tides, and planned the next day. Paid the $10 fee for internet use for the week. Prepped tomorrow’s Crock-Pot dinner, Barley and White Bean Soup. Exhausted from the drive. Passed out before 10 pm.

Tuesday, January 27
Up at 6 am. Made turkey sandwich for lunch. Sunrise at 7 am. Drove to Chokoloskee Island. Called the ENP Ranger and left a float plan. At the dock, spoke to some local fishermen about our research. On the water by 7:30 am. Outgoing tide. Followed the Wilderness Waterway all the way to Last Hudson Bay, looking for new born and young-of-the-year sawfish. No sawfish, but the scenery is so beautiful. And quiet. Alicia, my technician, remembers a lot about the area from her time spent here last year as an intern with Mote Marine Labs. Her pointers are invaluable. Boat drives like a dream. Got stuck once because I panicked and came down off a plane. Pushed us off and sliced my foot on a shell in the mud. Ouch! Played around with the trim and jack plate, getting to know the boat’s limitations better. Taking corners is exciting, but requires coming off the throttle a bit to minimize drift. Fished the slack tide at Crooked Creek. Fished the incoming tide at Mud Bay. The interns are awesome, trudging through thigh-deep mud and cold water at my every whim. No sawfish. Saw lots of mullet jumping. Air is warm (72 oC), but water is still cold (19 oC). Headed back to the dock at 5 pm. Local guys from the morning were at the dock and asked how it went. Called the ENP Ranger. Pulled the boat out, hosed it down, paid for two bags of ice and two day’s launch fee. Spoke to a local charter fisherman about our research. Said he sees the 4-5 ft juveniles at the mouth of Rogers and Broad Rivers. Took his card and gave him mine, telling him I would check it out. Asked JC, my supervisor and co-PI, to please get in touch with Joana at UF and have her FedEx us some posters and brochures to pass around. Back at the apartment. Pilates. Shower. Quick trip to the small grocery across the street for a few supplies. Wrote a post card to the PC Lab. Looked up the difference between red, black, and white mangroves. Dinner. Looked up where the Rogers and Broad Rivers meet. Entirely too far a steam from where we are this trip. Planned the next day, deciding to wait until 11 am to launch and fish the incoming tide at Hurddles Creek and Mud Bay all afternoon. Prepped tomorrow’s Crock-Pot dinner, Italian Chicken. Watched FRINGE. In bed by 10 pm.

Wednesday, January 28
Up at 8 am. Walked around, taking photos. Purchased bungee cords and a pad lock for the dry box at the local hardware store. Spoke to the lady behind the counter about our research. Checked on prices for an airboat ride. Surprised they are so expensive ($40 per person!). Back to the apartment. Everyone else is just getting up have been woken by the maid. Made turkey sandwich for lunch. Drove to Chokoloskee Island. Called the ENP Ranger and left a float plan. On the water by 11 am. Made our way to Mud Bay, still looking for newborn and young-of-the-year sawfish. Hung out for an hour, then motored back to Hurddles Creek. Fished the incoming tide. No sawfish. Moved back to Mud Bay and continued to fish the incoming tide. Water was a bit warmer, but likely due to it running in over the warm, sun-exposed mud. No sawfish, but we did catch 4 hardhead catfish and a couple mullet. Back at the dock at 5 pm. Local guy from the previous day serenaded us while we put the boat back on the trailer. Called the ENP Ranger. Hosed boat down. Back to the apartment. Did Alicia’s 20 minute Turbo Jam video. Showered. Dinner. Posters and brochures came FedEx. Left some with the lady at the hotel’s front desk. Planned to launch early at Port of the Islands and fish the incoming tide closer to the coast, possibly catching the larger juveniles or adults. Watched LOST. About dang time they had a super awesome episode. In bed shortly after.

Thursday, January 29
Up at 6 am. Out the door by 7:30 am. Gave posters to hardware store, airboat ride gift shop, and restaurant. Saw several alligators sunning themselves at the edge of the marsh along the road. At the boat launch by 8 am. Spoke to a local man at the dock. He was very kind, wondering if we had the proper charts and knew the area. Also commented on how nice the boat and engine are. He asked if we had cell phones and noted that we had a VHF radio, commenting that we didn’t want to spend the night on the water. I assured him that NOAA was quite safety conscious and told him about our EPIRB, too. Signed in at the gift shop and gave lady some posters and brochures. Launch fee was waived because we are a government entity. 45 minute motor down Faka Union Canal at idle speed, watching for manatee. No manatee. Fished the outgoing and slack tide in Faka Union Bay. No sawfish, but saw a bonnethead cruising the mud flats. Fished the incoming tide around Marker “17 between Faka Union Bay and Panther Key. The current was really ripping. Scary how strong and fast it is. Note to self: don’t fall in. No sawfish, but 1 gafftopsail catfish. Reminded myself to not get frustrated because, afterall, we are looking for an endangered species. Air temperature warm (75 oC). Headed back to Faka Union Bay and fished the incoming tide. Two sets on north side of channel across mud flats between two larger mangrove islands – 1 southern stingray. No sawfish. Two sets on south side of channel around several smaller mangrove islands – 1 southern stingray, 1 gafftopsail catfish, and 1 young-of-the-year bull shark. No sawfish. Sun was getting low and decided to head back to dock. Made great time up Faka Union Canal with the incoming tide. Alicia drove. No manatee, but lots of ibis and heron. Drove back to the apartment feeling victorious over a week well spent. Excited about getting a tag on that bull shark, too. Texted JC to let him know we were off the water. Made dinner, Chili. Showered. Decided not to work out, cracked a cold one, and toasted to everyone making it through with all fingers and toes and no real hang-ups with the boat or gear. Ate, hung out, talked, and watched some TV. Packed up our stuff. Made plans to get up early and get back on the road.

Friday, January 30
Up at 5 am. Packed the truck. Checked out. On the road by 6 am. Heavy fog. Breakfast at the Cracker Barrel in East Naples. Bacon, eggs, and biscuits and gravy. Coffee was strong. Waitress was sweet. Couldn’t get out of the store without purchasing some sour Jelly Belly jelly beans. Never can. Back on the road to light fog and drizzle. Interns sleeping in the backseat. Alicia talking and helping me stay awake. Stopped for gas in Tarpon Springs. Note to self: don’t stop at this exit again as the gas station is far from the interstate and in a heavily congested area. Weather cleared up and temperature dropped. Lunch at a Wendy’s in Gainesville. Again wishing for cruise control. Lower back is very tired. Quick stop at a rest area for a bathroom break and a DDP. Merged on to I-10 west around 2:30 pm. Consuela, the front office secretary, called about my timesheet and asked if we would be at Theo’s, our acting lab director’s, going-away party tonight. I told her I was tired, but would pull it together to hang out for a bit. Stopped in Tallahassee for gas at a Flying J. Watched a huge RV back into a smaller RV. If you can’t park it, don’t drive it. Final push down Hwy-231 and back at the lab by 6:30 pm. Parked the truck and boat up top and decided to come in tomorrow to clean everything. Drove down below to see what was up with the party. Two slices of cold pepperoni pizza saved my life. Good news! Katie, a colleague, had been admitted to the hospital around 5:30 pm and her contractions were 7 minutes apart. It was nice to see everyone smiling and having a good time. Spoke to several people about the trip. Shook Theo’s hand and told him how much of a difference I thought he has made at our lab. Also got to say goodbye to JC before he leaves for his 2 month rotation at the Miami Lab. Left the lab tired, happy, and ready to sleep in my own bed.