Author: Tommy Thompson
Have An October Adventure On Taylor County, Florida’s Flats
Taylor County doesn’t have the “flats market” cornered. In fact, on the Big Bend we have just one huge grass flat along our Natural North Florida coast. . Taylor County’s 40-mile stretch, from Steinhatchee north to mouth of the Aucilla River, is just a fraction of the available fishing territory. And, if I had to …
Dudley Farm HIstoric State Park in Alachua County is a Florida Gem
When driving on SR26 (Newberry Road) between Gainesville and Newberry, Florida, the casual observer is likely to overlook the less-than-imposing entry and driveway that leads to Dudley Farm Historic State Park (For your GPS: 18730 W. Newberry Road, Newbery, FL 32669). What lies at the end of the quarter-mile drive is astounding in terms of …
Sugar Refined: Cupcakes Take Center Stage in Newberry
In my humble opinion as a food writer, there’s nothing quite like a properly baked cupcake. And if you add buttercream icing and some sprinkles, it gets even better. Sugar Refined Bake Shop is located in downtown Newberry at 25345 Newberry Road. There are always plenty of cupcake and pastry choices in the cases, and …
Welcome to London!…at Gainesville’s Harn Museum of Art, E.O. Hoppé Photos on Exhibit Thru 9/16/15
Now’s your chance to visit London, England while you’re still in Natural North Florida! The University of Florida’s Harn Museum of Art is showing the work of influential photographer, E.O. Hoppé through September 16, 2016. This is a “don’t-miss” opportunity to see images of royalty, street life, movie stars, circus performers and everyday Londoners, taken …
Snook On The Big Bend? You Bet–Provided We Have a Warm Winter!
Snook are probably the most fun and abundant gamefish in Florida. They run, they jump, and if you want to keep one for dinner during open season, they’re delicious to eat. However, they’re also highly susceptible to cold water temperatures and are some of the first fish to be found floating dead after a hard …
Heading To The Water? Use Florida Boat Ramp Finder For The Best Access
If you’re heading to the Gulf, the rivers or the lakes in our Natural North Florida region, be assured we have plenty of boat ramps with public access for your use. And the best way to find them is to use the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s Boat Ramp Finder. It’s a complete listing, …
Summering in Simmering Suwannee Sound, Levy County Fishing At It’s Best!
Many anglers write off fishing our Big Bend waters in summer, simply giving in to the crowds of scallopers who invade our coastal ports, boat ramps, restaurants and motels. But we do have excellent summertime fishing opportunities in our less-busy darker waters. And Suwannee Sound, between the towns of Suwannee and Cedar Key, tops my …
Floating Grass Slowing Your Fishing This Summer? Try a Weedless Frog Lure!
On our Natural North Florida Big Bend, floating grass seems to take over our coast during late summer months. And there are numerous conspiracy theories as to why huge mats of grass clog the intakes of outboard motors and make fishing for redfish and seatrout with topwater lures almost impossible. It’s not that our grass …
Tips For Successful Scalloping During Rainy Season on Florida’s Big Bend, 2015
In the late summer, water visibility can hinder and slow the harvest of bay scallops. This year, they’re plentiful along our coastline, but are often hard to see. We’ve had more than our fair share of rain on the Big Bend, too. Mornings have been calm, but with high humidity and high air temperatures, thunderstorms …
Take a Ride in Bicycle-Friendly Lake Butler, in Union County, Florida
If you’re looking for a quiet, low-key place to have a leisurely bicycle ride, head to Lake Butler, in Florida’s Union County. Union County is small and rural, but there are plenty of sights to see from either the Palatka-Lake Butler State Trail or the not-very-busy city streets. The trail’s western terminus is in downtown …