Author: Guest Columnist

SW Florida Fishing: Spring has sprung?

BY CAPT. WILL WATERHOUSE It’s starting to feel like spring here in Boca Grande, and the cold weather fishing patterns are starting to move on. The water temperatures have risen quite a bit over...

SW Florida Fishing: Nature’s reality check

BY CAPT. JOE LACLAIR When spring comes the world is new again and the great outdoors speaks to us in so many ways. This spring has been full of rain and the nesting birds have are missing many...

Kelly Shore talks flower farms at Garden Club march meet

COURTESY LAMAR TOOLE, BOCA GRANDE GARDEN CLUB Flower farms are my passion. With this heartfelt sentence, floral designer and flower farm advocate Kelly Shore greeted members of the Boca Grande Garden...

SW Florida Fishing: Spring is almost here

BY CAPT. WILL WATERHOUSE The weather has been great the last two weeks and the fish are on the move in the back country. We are starting to see the snook come back in numbers along with some...

SW Florida Fishing: Redfish, bluefish, I tie to fish

BY CAPT. JOE LACLAIR No, this is not a political conversation, I am talking about my flies for snook and redfish. With the clear water and clear skies, the fish have been easy to spot but hard to...

EcoWatch: Unruly trained dog

BY HARRY KALAJIAN As a dog owner, sooner or later you will opt for some obedience classes. Owners must realize professional dog trainers are not magicians, they just know the proper steps needed...

Boca Grande Sea Turtle Association seeks mule to speed recognition

BY ARLENE HALL, BOCA GRANDE SEA TURTLE ASSOC. Although there is still a bit of morning chill in the air and in the gulf waters along the beaches of Gasparilla Island, sea turtle nesting season will...

SW Florida Fishing: Trout Time …

BY CAPT. SANDY MELVIN Last week was a good one for big speckled trout in the backcountry. We also saw some nice redfish scattered around as well. On these warmer days, we saw some big snook that...

SW Florida Fishing: It’s time for a day on the water

BY CAPT. JOE LACLAIR Spring fishing is so great, I love it. Big snook, reds, trout, and suicidal pompano on the shallow grass on windy days all makes for a great day! We don’t normally see large...

Remarks on the Bridge Authority’s early years

BY GINGER WATKINS Editor’s Note: At her last meeting as chairman last month, outgoing GIBA Chairman Ginger Watkins assembled facts and history about the Gasparilla Island Bridge Authority. We have...