Enhancing the Tourist Experience of Jax - Use the River!!

[Noone]

How accessible is Hogans Creek these days?

Public access totally CRUSHED. Open invitation to anyone who wants to kayak and fish under the brand new no fishing signs not before Waterways.

Join me.

Otherwise.

I am Downtown and why you aren't.

[Noone]

After yesterdays Jacksonville Waterways Commission meeting I went to Sidney Gefen Park and one of the parking signs was ripped from its base and just laying there. Monroes was there and I grabbed some food truck fare. City trucks were there and doing a cleanup. Was there this morning and the ripped sign is still just laying there in the parking lot.  Has anyone else noticed this? We are a joke.

Have another unbelievable fishing report from Berkman Plaza and fishing under the brand new no fishing signs not before Waterways. Will post more later. The Public Trust just crushed.

VISIT JACKSONVILLE
or
DON"T VISIT JACKSONVILLE

I am Downtown and why you aren't.

[Overstreet]

.......................Instead I'm getting ready to head back to the school board. Its an outgoing tide and a good wind that is giving the river some rolling swells. At this time there are a number of boats (3) that are just booking it and you wonder just where do the no wake and manatee zones are because now you see these waves in the distance and they are coming toward you. ........................I am Downtown and why you aren't.

It's 25mph in the channel between Main Street and the green bridge. Where the edge of the channel is varies.  Planing hulls will generally "wake" you more at slow speed. Big boats depending upon hull design can be a problem at any speed.

[Noone]

After attending the 6/13 Jacksonville Waterways Commission meeting which was another wake up call for this community I immediately wanted to take it back Downtown and illustrate for this community that we use to be a Great River.

My first stop was to Sidney Gefen Park to see if the parking pole  and sign that was ripped from its base was still there in the middle of the parking lot. Upon arrival there is a police car in the empty lot. His door is open and he is also parked by one of the street lights that has also been ripped from its base and is now being used as a garbage can. I park next to the parking pole and sign that is still laying in the middle of the parking lot. I walk up to the officer and asked if he was writing an incident report about these two incidents and he is not. I'm just thinking that its a good thing that there is an active piece of legislation for more surveillance cameras in high crime areas. Walk down to the kayak launch and I'm just looking at all the new garbage that is  just littering the bottom and moving forward are we going to do anything for this simple fix?

I've seen enough. WTF- Want To Fish?

I was originally going to put in at this location but decide that I wanted to take it to Mayor Brown's official kayak launch at Metro Park. I drive over and put in at the empty marina. Its about 9 and I'm ready to continue to attempt to show everyone in joining Mayor Brown in making Downtown a Destination and not a pass through. The water levels are still high and its still a slow deliberate incoming tide. The river is calm and no wind so it just makes for a safe paddle out and taking it Downtown.

I paddle by Hogans Creek and the total destruction of the bridge and  habitat that was and use to be a unique entrance to an Urban Waterway Destination.   MJ I bet you have all the pictures to illustrate this and none of this before Waterways. Great restoration project. So anyway I continue on and take it to the piers and wanted to hug the riverwalk to Berkman. Is it just me or do we now have some new giant tires for docking a boat on the most northern pier?

The paddle out and I'm tuned in to First Coast Connect and I'm listening to Melissa Ross. It was still an incoming tide with the water levels are high and I decided that I would try fishing around the no new fishing signs around the empty marina at Berkman. There was just one boat. I brought some poles and I was using live shrimp. My first hookup was a spotted trout about 19" and some people walking on the riverwalk stopped and watched as I got it in the kayak. The fishing was awesome.

The highlight for the trip was meeting a couple from Michigan who were staying at the Hyatt and the guy said that he had wished that he had brought his fishing pole. He is asking me why the marina is empty. He points to the pier and is just making the comment of how neat it would be to be able to fish on one of those piers. I said "sir you are preaching to the choir."  I said that is Shipyards III.

I told him that if it wasn't for the high tide that I'd be underneath Berkman and the Duval county parking lot which is next to the Hyatt. They were impressed with that. While I'm talking with them I still have the radio on and I'm catching part of the show with Speckman and Ross. Can't wait to take them one of these days. 

This trip was just a little over an hour. The wind has picked up and I needed to take it back. The slick calm of the river has been replaced by a slight chop. I arrive at the empty marina and for me this is another example that can be taken to our Regional Partners and to the Commissioners of FIND.

We are so LOST.

Who's next?

I am Downtown and why you aren't.

[Noone]

The fishing was awesome.

On Fathers day my son and I made a scene at a Downtown Destination and participated in a Downtown River Activity that will want me to write to Mayor Brown and Dave Roman and say WTF-Want to Fish? We had a blast.

Earnest Street, May have to take you kayaking and fishing and we can do some early tailgating with some smoked trout. I'm surprised at how well it turned out.

I'm still rather new to this and don't consider myself to be an expert by any means but it was a back to back reality check on a window of opportunity that is closing fast. The Historic Promised 680' Downtown Public Pier. Shipyards III.

Our trip started at the empty PUBLIC marina at Metro Park around 9:30. It was an incoming tide and the paddle to the one boat PRIVATE marina at Berkman was very pleasent.   

My son has always outfished me and that is exactly what happened again. He had a nice 18 or 19" trout in the yak right away and we caught a variety of fish. Talk about a routine. The couple that was visiting our city from Michigan were taking a morning stroll and were leaving later in the day but it was nice to talk with them again.

We didn't stay long. with the slack tide and the start of the outgoing it was another effortless paddle back to the empty marina at metro park.

We are Downtown and why you may never be.

Who's next?

[Noone]

How accessible is Hogans Creek these days?

I am Downtown.

Billy, Hogans Creek is officially accessible. Somebody pinch me. Springfield, did anyone know?

5 days after attending Mayor Alvin Brown's press conference at Tillie Fowler Regional Park and his new announcement of People and Parks connection where the newest kayak launch at Catherine St. was on the List that was handed out by Dave Roman I had to start Independence day with a paddle at this location and share it with all of you.

I'm wearing Mayor Brown's new trail adventures t shirt. Low tide is around 4:30 and it's almost 3:30. A man with the city is there when I arrive and is checking out the place. The official kayak launch logo is there and a special shout out to Vivian Harrell and the Arlington Jaycees that recently did a major cleanup at this location to get it ready for everyone. What an awesome launch location in total shade with a tree canopy that you can only dream of.

With my kayak in the water an outgoing tide and the sandy bottom that has two wood storks feeding a few 100 yards up you wanted to get out to the river. The paddle out was OK with the only hesitation being the rapids. The shopping cart depth meter chart was showing two wheels and just above the handle bars.

The paddle out to the dredging and restoration project that was never before Waterways at the mouth of Hogans Creek was swift with the outgoing tide. In the river as was the case in the creek was the abundance of bird activity. Saw so many ospreys. The fun part of the paddle was taking it under the piers and creating a straight shot over to Berkman Plaza-Plaza at Berkman. Took it under Berkman and the Duval county courthouse parking lot and was fishing under the brand new no fishing signs that wasn't before Waterways.

Caught 3 trout, 1 red and 5 croakers. Just kept the two 20 inch trout.

The trip back was interesting and also a heads up on why if you do venture into the darkness of some of these cavernous depths of intrigue that you continually be aware of how the tide fluctuates. I wanted to get back underneath and that is why I planned the trip for a low tide. But the windows of opportunity can close fast.

The fishing was good but it was time to leave. The water levels are rising but the tide is still heading out. Full moon too. I emerge at the Riverwalk at the corner of Berkman just as the river taxi is making a loop. The pier is in front of me and instead of going through one of the openings I did coming out you are going around it. Mayor Brown, Dave Roman, Aaron Bowman just 5 days ago and all the TV stations were there to cover it but I hope that during the 2013 FIND grant cycle that we can all look at the first 25-50' of the Historic Promised 680' Downtown Public Pier Shipyards III as a safety zone and kayak launch.

I fished at the mouth of Hogans and caught some croakers. Taking it in with the incoming tide the shopping cart depth meter chart is showing one wheel exposed. The bird activity was strong and saw so many ospreys especially at the end of the piers. Taking the kayak out wasn't bad.

The challenge moving forward will be creating organic clusters of positive activity that will contribute to a holistic energy that will continue to tell everyone to VISIT JACKSONVILLE.

I am Downtown and why you aren't.

Who's next?

[billy]

Good news!

[Noone]

I am Downtown.

For the second time I put in at Mayor Brown's newest kayak launch on Hogans Creek at Catherine St. And had another memorable experience on our St. Johns River our American Heritage River a Federal Initiative.

It was an outgoing tide and the recent rains has brought back a lush green look to the area. The water was clear and had a nice paddle out to the river. The shopping cart depth meter chart was showing two wheels exposed. Lots of bird activity which was nice to see.

The river was calm and after making it around the first pier I took it underneath the other piers on my way to the caverns of Berkman Plaza - Plaza at Berkman and the Duval county courthouse parking lot. I was using live shrimp and fishing under the new NO Fishing signs. I'm trying some new spots and within 10 minutes I' hooked up with what I thought was a 30" red. What a fight. I was going to release the fish so when I netted it I had it on the side of my kayak so my net was precariously laying on the side of my kayak. I'm getting ready to measure the fish. And my net falls into the water. Oh Well. The red measured 26" so in the cooler.

Caught another 26" that I let go. Had another big hit that broke my rod tip on one of the poles. Finished with 3 croakers, 3 catfish and one 18" drum. Some of these were caught under the Shipyards/Landmar  680' Downtown Public Pier.

The trip back was pleasant. Spent more time under the various piers this time out. There is a lot of work being done right now to connect the Riverwalk at the end of Berkman. FOOD truck rally. With a long distance frisbee throw contest next to Bay St. Pier Park Park. Why not?

The trip back wasn't too bad even though the wind had picked up slightly. The tide had turned and it was now an incoming. The shopping cart depth meter chart is showing two wheels exposed. Same as the trip out. I ended up keeping the red and drum.

Who's next?

[Know Growth]

When in the mood and capable of visual and intellectual assault I head for Downtown Jacksonville Waterways via small craft.

Understand there is an event this weekend.

Probably about time to follow up on certain McCoys "homeless" camps.

[Noone]

Just filed a police report with JSO.
Had 5 kayaks stolen from my residence.
They were single seat sit ins.
Field
Miss Fixit
Capt.
Peejayess
Other MJ'ers if you have pics let me know with a PM.
These were some of the ones that we used together to make a scene Downtown.
If any of you have some pics please hold on to them.
There are some identifiable things and I hope an arrest is generated.
just targeted the sit in single seat and passed on the tandems sit on tops.
Thanks MJ'rs will keep you posted.

[Noone]

Two days after attending the signing by Mayor Brown of the creation of another Authority and the focus is Downtown I wanted to see for myself if I will be able to say with confidence Visit Jacksonville or don't Visit Jacksonville. Do I still have concerns? Yes.

So in continuing to join Mayor Brown in making Downtown a Destination and not a pass through I brought my tandem kayak and put in a River City Brewing. I was greeted at the ramp with the train whistles blowing and a 4engine Norfolk Southern. Very impressive. Two guys were throwing a cast net for some finger mullet to do a little fishing before they had to go to work.

I brought my poles and some fiddler crabs. There were a number of things that I wanted to check out given the tides and the recent conditions of rainfall and continue to focus on the safety issues that I can take to Dave Roman and the commissioners of FIND.

before I started I traded some fiddlers for some finger mullet. The guys were super and so off I went. departure was around 3:50. It was a strong outgoing tide. You are immediately being pulled into the RCB marina. Once in the river I took it over to the caverns of Berkman Plaza-Plaza at Berkman and the Duval county courthouse. This should have been low tide but with all the rain it creates a false sense and you just need to be aware of it. tried some different fishing spots and some exploring. It is without a doubt a Downtown Destination River Activity.

After emerging next to Berkman and again just staring at SHIPYARDS III the Historic Promised 680' Downtown Public Pier you just want to tell the world why have we continued to destroy the Public Trust in this community. The reason I'm saying that is because storm clouds have gathered and I'm again in a precarious situation. I put in at River City Brewing and the river is getting choppy. Again what a safety issue to just know that if we had a pocket pier next to the Riverwalk and The Shipyards/Landmar Pier I could immediately get out and be safe. But that's not the case.

The tide has changed and its an incoming. where do you go if you happen to be in the heart of this Northbank area. Options are few. I'm not going to Hogans Creek or the marina. I need to get back to RCB. The rain is approaching. The piers that are Downtown each have unique characteristics. The 680' although close is not the better option. I opt to Take it to the second pier and when the rain started falling about 6 Downtown I was in a safe place on the water. Had the fishing pole out while I was waiting for the shower to pass and had a super hook up. Lost it in the pilings but there was a lot of screaming off that reel.

Again for me it was another eye opener in kayaking Downtown and understanding the safety zones that are needed when things go bad. And if you think for a second that they never will you are so wrong. It was awesome to share this shelter with the pigeons that were occupying the underneath nooks and crannies. When the sun started to shine again it was now safe to take it back to RCB.

I am Downtown with Mayor Brown.

Who's next?

[Noone]

The new DIA Board was announced.

So today making a scene and joining Mayor Brown in making Downtown a Destination and not a pass through was me and North Miami (KG). We launched at RCB. I arrived about 7:35 for our 8 o'clock launch. Brought two tandems. Brought the cast net to try and catch some finger mullet and was successful in getting some bait. Are you ready for this at the boat ramp about 25'out is a manatee. How cool is that. Dolphins are breaking the surface just outside the marina and an osprey is perched on a pole next to RCB and we aren't even in the water yet.

The arrival of NM is a reunion of spirit to get out and celebrate our St. Johns River our American Heritage River a Federal Initiative in our new Downtown Authority zone.

The river is a sleek calm and when you do anything with NM I know for me it's a feeling like we are on Spring Break and let's get this river party started. And that what we did. I have been desperately wanting to take him over and show him my favorite fishing spots. It's an incoming tide and you have to continue to paddle to get to your destination.

We immediately took it over to the brand new no fishing signs that was never before Waterways next to Berkman. Its 9 o'clock and I've got First Coast Connect on with Melissa Ross. Talk about Making my day. I'm just getting set up and two guys are walking by and ask "any luck?"  At that point the rod is bent over and it's a respectable 17" trout.

NM is about 50 yards away and it's not long and he is landing his own trout. At this point of the show Melissa Ross is interviewing the group that wants to bring the USS Adams Downtown and they are talking about the Shipyards/Landmar Pier III that we are just staring at.
It's not even an hour and we have two trout. We take it to the pier and try our luck in some spots with little results. We take it around by the Riverwalk and go over to the second pier that is a safety zone in an emergency if you find yourself stuck on the water.

The rest of the trip was trying different spots and techniques. NM caught a nice flounder. And on the way back to RCB I went back to my go to spot and had a nice catfish. Again with people from the Riverwalk watching. It's a spectator River.

The tide was still coming in and it was a relaxed float back to RCB. Another adventure with NM and it was like we had the whole Downtown to ourselves. Boat traffic for a Friday holiday weekend was manageable.

We are Downtown with Mayor Brown.

Who's next?

[Overstreet]

YOu want a downtown river story?

Last weekend I went fishing. But not the usual way.  Time was carved out for the day on the boat, I decided in favor of running the boat to my fishing spot instead of driving the truck. So off from Mandarin I went at a cool 35mph.  Stopping along the way to look for shirmp and mullet for bait I came up wet from cast netting but not well fixed for bait.  I slowed for downtown and the 25mph channel restrictions.  Arriving later than usual at the Browns Creek Fish Camp I got some live shrimp and proceeded to catch fish in my local honey holes.  A nice redfish decided to follow me home form Redfish Bend.

So with fish in the cooler I started back. The wind and wave and tide combined into a short chop that really beat the boat and the driver. It was uncomfortable.............until I got downtown. The chop disappeared. The wind was blocked.  It was better. I cruised through downtown to the Arts Market dock pausing to watch three swimmers and their escort kayak head out for the Main Street Bridge.  I landed at the dock and secured the boat. I found some superb peaches at the Arts Market and some fish and chips for lunch. 

Back at the dock I lounged under the bimini and enjoyed the rest of my fruit punch.  I got a call and had a nice conersation with a lady Gator at the beach.  The swimmers returned. People walked along the river walk. A few asking questions and making small talk.  It was nice. 

So around three o'clock I headed back to Mandarin with a full belly, fish in the box, some great peaches and a date for Sunday. It was a good day downtown.

[Noone]

^Nice post

[Noone]

Today was a beautiful day to make a tactical kayak paddle in a yet to be identified zone under a new Authority in an attempt to transform previous failed Downtown promises was a conductor assistant that will be joining Mayor Brown in telling the world to VISIT JACKSONVILLE?

Put in at the new kayak launch at Bee and Utah with an outgoing tide. The bird activity was strong and being rather new at this location it was a pleasant surprise. Great Blue herons, Ospreys, red tail hawk, green herons, bait fish everywhere.

With the recent rains there was always enough water to make a paddle in and out to the river. tried a different strategy and didn't venture to far from this location which is right across from the stadium. Caught an 18" red on the incoming tide on a shrimp close to shore.

Did a Vivian Harrell 1 blue bag cleanup and left the shoreline a little bit cleaner.

Beautiful day to promote, celebrate, and access our St. Johns River our American Heritage River a Federal Initiative.

I am Downtown with Mayor Brown.