Florida or Wisconsin? Ask these Badgers
You know those retired guys and ladies who wallow on the beaches and boats of the deep south for months fishing and catching rays, literally and figuratively all day long while we freeze and shovel day in and day out like my brother, father-in-law and long lost friends from Wisconsin? I hate those guys, even though Becky is a girl. I feel much better now.
Really, we’re happy for them… right? I mean we celebrate their good fortune, especially during a mild, global warming- inspired winter like this. What are you complaining about? Ice-off is virtually guaranteed by July 4th.
Anyway, we can always live “vicariously” through them, without the cost. I have to. They send me photos and notes and stories and tell me they wish I was there. Now I can relate to that. I can honestly say I wish they were here too. And you thought I was a nice guy….
First up; Dick Henske. My 78 year old father- in- law and tough nut who we focused on after he fell out of a tree last fall is wintering with mother-in-law Mariel on the “Forgotten Coast” of the Panhandle in Florida. You may remember he cleanly broke 11 ribs, collapsed a lung and broke his arm in the way-back country of Vilas County, then walked out. Well, let’s just say he shook it off…after a week in the hospital and a few months of rehab. Connect on this website to “Inland Fishing”, (where we posted Dick’s Florida story to hit the most traffic) and read his entire report on how to do this extended trip inexpensively.
Better yet, he will tell you how to catch fish from the beaches and jetties. You can fish sheephead all winter, enjoy steady whiting action and catch red fish and sea trout depending on water temperature. Dick, seen below with son Steve Henske of Sevens Point, knows what he’s doing.
Steve & Dick Henske with a typical catch
of great-tasting Florida Sheephead.
Second up, and on deck; Becky DeWitt. This Marinette County native, long time bed and breakfast proprietor and past Director of Marinette County (the Real North) is visiting Mom on the Florida Gulf, spending time searching the beaches for shark teeth and gaining an introduction on the piers to shark fishing. Find Becky’s entire story on "Inland Fishing", and watch for her story submissions on this site more often. No photos from Becky this time but we’ll bug her.
Third up, and in the hole; Jim Weix. This founding member of the Wisconsin Waterfowl Association now lives in Stuart, Florida and owns the Real Estate Company-Treasure Coast (www.realestate-treasurecoast.com). In the March-April issue of On Wisconsin Outdoors now on stands everywhere and posted on this site, Jim invites us all down to fish (that’s one big boat) “The Treasure Coast” known as the Sailfish Capital of the World. Read Jim’s whole story on “Inland Fishing”. By the way, without Jim’s work in Wisconsin a decade ago, you would never have a Wisconsin Mourning Dove season. Google that.
Wisconsin native and current Florida
Captain Jim Weix knows how to tangle
with the sailfish on the Treasure Coast of Florida
Batting cleanup; Jim Ellis. He and Colleen head to the Florida Keys after the Holidays to chase rays, sharks, and the great eating fish too. We’ll post Jim’s story as soon as I can track him down for an interview. I already did that once but I don’t trust my scribble notes and now I can’t track him down. He’s probably in his kayak or waist deep hunting gamefish with one eye on the lookout for sharks. (Photo of Jim below by Coleen Ellis). Regardless…he’s always catching Rays.
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| Jim Ellis catches another stingray and heads out on the Florida Keys to hunt gamefish. |
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Thanks for connecting with On Wisconsin Outdoors. Shoot straight.
Dick Ellis