[Backwater]

For those who didn't get a chance to see it.

As we come into the warmer months here in Florida, this has relevance on both coast of Florida that has been effective from all the environmental issues we've had on our waters over the past couple of years, especially from Red Tide and the algae blooms and the things that caused it.

Please support those groups that are petitioning our government and trying to make a difference to help stop the causes of such environment disasters effecting our waters and the fisheries.

 

[Boatbrains]

Great video, never get tired of watchin and listening to Flip! Thanks for sharing! Let’s clean this mess up!

 

[sjrobin]

Good story and the same degradation of habitat is happening here in Texas.

 

[Boatbrains]

Good story and the same degradation of habitat is happening here in Texas.

I think the problem is everywhere! Look how much polluted water comes down the Mississippi from corn fields all in the name of ethanol! Then all the crap that flows from our polluted streets and makes it’s way into the water. The area I live is called “The Nature Coast” and day by day it is turning into the trash coast. I pretty much blame tourism on this as that is about the only “business” here anymore! My point is there is so much at stake and so many things that need fixed that we need to stay focused but not get blinded by the trees.

 

[Capnredfish]

I can’t say why it is bad everywhere. I do question why it is worse than ever in my area. One of the three ingredients in fertilizer is no longer allowed. Example NPK ratio is 10-0-2. Silt fences for every project, retention ponds everywhere. Drainage projects to clean up and slow runoff in many areas. Cars and Harley’s don’t even leak oil like they did in the past. I still say a switch was turned on here in central Florida when we got hit by Charley, Frances and I believe Jean(correct names?) That very next warm season thing changes dramatically and have never improved in the Mosquito Lagoon.

 

[Boatbrains]

I can’t say why it is bad everywhere. I do question why it is worse than ever in my area. One of the three ingredients in fertilizer is no longer allowed. Example NPK ratio is 10-0-2. Silt fences for every project, retention ponds everywhere. Drainage projects to clean up and slow runoff in many areas. Cars and Harley’s don’t even leak oil like they did in the past. I still say a switch was turned on here in central Florida when we got hit by Charley, Frances and I believe Jean(correct names?) That very next warm season thing changes dramatically and have never improved in the Mosquito Lagoon.

It’s just bad, and not getting better anytime soon I fear! To many politics involved to make things happen at the rate they need to unfortunately!

 

[lemaymiami]

For central and south Florida - we're seeing the end story of 80 years of decisions made - by us.... In almost every case the bad things that happened were from decisions made by our legislature (state) and all the local jurisdictions from north of Orlando all the way down to the Keys....
Remember the Corps of Engineers didn't just show up by magic - everything that was done - was done at our request...

Yes, there's a good bit of a few getting things that favored them and hurt everyone else - but the basics, flood control in particular, were done in the early fifties when no one realized the potential consequences.... Add tremendous population growth (that really went on fire after WWII...) and here we are at the end of the party - and the bill is coming due....

There is some good news in all of this - almost every one of our mistakes can be corrected - but it will cost a ton of money. It will take all of us pushing our legislature to get the ball rolling - but we can clean up our mess (If the Hudson River up north can be cleaned up - there's nothing we aren't capable of doing.....). It will take years to achieve - and at every point the folks working to bring needed changes will need our support.

Who knows? There might just be hope for us yet....

 

[State fish rob]

We can ruin something overnite ,that will take 50 years to correct
Fertilizer run off a problem everywhere. Very surprised they dropped an ingredient in fertilizer, it won’t perform the same. That being said ,what are they adding to make up the difference ?not much simpler than nitrogen, potassium and pot ash. It’s all about application. I imagine home owner applied fertilizer is a mjr culprit as well ,especially on waterfront property there are two water supplies in Hillsborough North Carolina one is fairly new ,one is about 50 years old ,one is green ,the other is normal freshwater color. The green lake is fed by a stream that runs thru a sod farm golf course and several tobacco farms. Is it any wonder ?
I did catch a bream on an east lake 2wt last nite. Hand full. Lol

 

[State fish rob]

Ive got an aunt in clewiston , she’s been there since 1953. Have been working on lake since she arrived. I would think the constant construction would have a marked impact on the environment as well

 

[Boatbrains]

We can ruin something overnite ,that will take 50 years to correct
Fertilizer run off a problem everywhere. Very surprised they dropped an ingredient in fertilizer, it won’t perform the same. That being said ,what are they adding to make up the difference ?not much simpler than nitrogen, potassium and pot ash. It’s all about application. I imagine home owner applied fertilizer is a mjr culprit as well ,especially on waterfront property there are two water supplies in Hillsborough North Carolina one is fairly new ,one is about 50 years old ,one is green ,the other is normal freshwater color. The green lake is fed by a stream that runs thru a sod farm golf course and several tobacco farms. Is it any wonder ?
I did catch a bream on an east lake 2wt last nite. Hand full. Lol

Rob, they took out most/all the phosphorous. Potassium and potash are the same. Florida soil has sufficient phosphorous “at least every soil sample I’ve sent has”. The problem is when people start adding this and that and “lock up” nutrients that are otherwise readily available then just dump on more. I blame the pesticides as much or more than the fertilizers. The pesticides kill all sorts of microbial life that otherwise could probably handle the nutrient load for us but we kill these little guys off to keep chinch bugs and mole crickets out of our non native lawns! Go figure!

 

[State fish rob]

Roger that They were called beneficial years ago. Everything has a purpose

 

[State fish rob]

The greatest change is going to come from sites like Microskiff
40 years ago outdoor folks didn’t have the voice they have now.
We ARE making a difference, may be actions , may be conversation, either way the awareness level is the key ,and it is on the rise .God bless Microskiff!!

 

[Boatbrains]

Well, you are right... there wouldn’t be a chicken in every pot without them. I just feel like folks should go back to growing at least some of their own food.

On the pesticides thing, I used to fight caterpillars, and stink bugs with my veggie garden. I would use the common things such as sevin to help combat them without much luck. I went full organic with my garden and w/in two years the problem corrected itself. I learned things like wasps are good and have a purpose! They are predatory and kill caterpillars. I learned about a little bug called a soldier bug that resembles a stink bug in looks but actually preys on stink bugs! After going full organic all these critters made a comback and I now have ladybugs, wasps, preying mantis, etc... doing my pest control and no longer have a problem or the extra labor and expense!

 

[Boatbrains]

The greatest change is going to come from sites like Microskiff
40 years ago outdoor folks didn’t have the voice they have now.
We ARE making a difference, may be actions , may be conversation, either way the awareness level is the key ,and it is on the rise .God bless Microskiff!!

AMEN!!!

 

[State fish rob]

Now you got it. Mother Nature needs a hand from time to time. But like all moms, she’s a tuff ol’ girl “ A place for everything and everything in its place “ , not much better than a home grown tomato !!

 

[Capnredfish]

A thought came to me recently. All of the antibiotic soaps in use today. We know many items do not break down for a long time. How much of this stuff is in every store, used everyday and rinsed down the drain. When it reaches the water sources could it have an impact on good bacteria? Cause an imbalance? What other damaging products have we started using by the tons in past decade or two? Chemically everyone we use seems to cause harm down the chain while benefiting us directly and not appearing dangerous. So yes what we did 80 years ago may be showing up now. What flipped the switch? Again, every area may have different issues. My area does not have the huge runoff as South Florida May have.

 

[Capnredfish]

Ah ha. Just came to me. It’s piss from all this nasty craft beer that’s become popular. 99% of that stuff is terrible.

 

[Dustin1]

I think Capt. Lemay hit the nail on the head in that we're reaping the consequences of ACOE projects from many decades ago. Specifically speaking for the IRL, the marsh lands (i.e., nature's filtration system) along virtually the entire east shore of the river have been cut-off by dykes in the name of mosquito control. Add to that the countless "land-bridge" causeways (particularly in the northern IRL) that completely stop the natural north-south water flow. It's been a disaster waiting to happen for decades. These errors can be corrected, but it will take serious $$$ and lots of time.

 

[State fish rob]

As a nation ,we’ve used our waterways as sewers since its inception. Is it any wonder they are in the shape they are in. Mr Lemay is dead on. If the Hudson River can be cleaned up. ( there’s a fishing show where they fish the Hudson River, the Potomac River etc. seems like mike iconelli is the host) anything can be cleaned up. I’m sure folks in Pamlico County North Carolina remember what the Oriental harbor looked like in the 1970s we have a river basin program in North Carolina for the Piedmont area and it really seems to have helped downstream . not sure anything will ever be able repair the damage that Dupont and Gen X have done to the Cape fear. they have found the gen x chemical both upstream and downstream from the Fayetteville plant. Reading between the lines ,that tells me that it has gotten into the evaporation cycle .I wonder if anybody will test the soil within the river basin ?

 

[SomaliPirate]

Rob, they took out most/all the phosphorous. Potassium and potash are the same. Florida soil has sufficient phosphorous “at least every soil sample I’ve sent has”. The problem is when people start adding this and that and “lock up” nutrients that are otherwise readily available then just dump on more. I blame the pesticides as much or more than the fertilizers. The pesticides kill all sorts of microbial life that otherwise could probably handle the nutrient load for us but we kill these little guys off to keep chinch bugs and mole crickets out of our non native lawns! Go figure!

A flock of guineas are the only pest control you'll ever need too.