Big Bend Road Trip, Part 1: Natural North Florida–Yankeetown to Suwannee Town

Florida’s Big Bend has long been a preferred destination of travelers and tourists. This unspoiled region we call “Natural North Florida” encompasses the Gulf of Mexico coastline, and has developed largely along the spine formed by US19 and US98. On it’s interior US27, US90, US 301, US441 and Interstate Highways 75 and 10 have attracted …

Small Town Escape: Follow That Dream Down Highway 40 to Yankeetown, Florida

If you’re driving north or south on US19/98 and find yourself in the village of Inglis, near the highway’s intersection with the Withlacoochee River, be sure to turn west on SR40, locally known as “Follow That Dream Parkway”.    Yes, Elvis was there in 1961 filming Follow That Dream, one of his most successful movies, putting …

Southbound To Yankeetown (Florida, That Is!)

I remember my first encounter with the waters near the mouth of the Withlacoochee River. It was the mid-1980s and my Mom and Dad had just moved from St. Pete to Yankeetown. Our boat, a Boston Whaler Montauk, was well suited to drifting the flats off Pinellas Point or for trolling for Spanish mackerel near …

“Customer Fish”: Catch Fish–And Let Someone Else Cook Them!

Yes, you’ll still have to clean your catch, but in many coastal settlements and towns along our Natural North Florida coast, there are restaurants with “customer fish” on the menu.  There’s nothing quite like fish, fresh from the Gulf, served in the comfort of a restaurant, and usually accompanied by side dishes like grits, butter …

Looking For A Guided Fishing Adventure in Natural North Florida? Visit Ross Hammock Ranch in Levy County!

Call 352 447 0296 NOW for information or to book your hunting and fishing adventure of a lifetime! Many visitors to our Natural North Florida prefer professionally-guided adventures, especially saltwater fishing.  That makes sense for many, as navigating our waters can be difficult, and there’s a decided advantage to fishing with a guide who fishes …

Pretend You’re Elvis–On Levy County’s “Follow That Dream” Parkway

The sleepy little town of Yankeetown was re-awakened in 1961 when Elvis Presley arrived to film segments of the movie, “Follow That Dream”.  Yankeetown is located on the Levy County, FL coast, just west of Inglis and US19/98.  It’s a quick trip on Hwy 40 through Inglis and into the heart of Yankeetown, where several …

Dine Riverside in Yankeetown, FL–At The Riverside Inn at The Izaak Walton Lodge

The “old” Izaak Walton Lodge at Yankeetown, Florida was quite a place.  That is, until it burned down in 1999.  But that’s what happens to many almost-100-year-old pine framed buildings!  The fire was devastating and local residents were horrified to lose the lodge, a landmark and gathering place.  Frankly, it was just about “wore-out” and …

Shrimp Landing Restaurant–A Fast Food Alternative in Inglis, FL

If you’re traveling through the lower end of Levy County and happen to be in Inglis, at the intersection of US19/98 and SR40, don’t miss an opportunity to eat at Shrimp Landing Restaurant.  It’s one of the few places to eat between Crystal River (12 miles south) and Chiefland (30 miles north) and it hardly …

Captain’s Cove Outfitters–Tackle and Bait in Inglis, FL

I recently visited with Jim and Nicole at Captain’s Cove Outfitters on SR40 in Inglis.  If you’re headed to Yankeetown or any of Levy County’s great fishing spots, you’ll find the store just off US19, marked by the BIG ice plant out front.  And in addition to some excellent advice on the local bite, you’ll …

Headed South? Be Sure To Stop at Captain’s Cove Outfitters in Inglis for Tackle, Bait, and Ice!

Captain’s Cove Outfitters, located just off US19/98 on SR40 in Inglis (in southern Levy County) is the perfect stopping place for anglers headed to Yankeetown, Lake Rousseau or points south.  They have an extensive tackle selection, live bait (pinfish and shrimp), fresh bait (mullet) and frozen bait.  They also have a big 24-hour self-service ice …