Last weekend was our 42nd Annual Seafood Festival here in Apalachicola and every year the festival is officially opened with the Blessing of the Fleet. Gordon Middleton and Bob Burkett fished with Capt. Chris Robinson on Friday November 4th, coming in just in time to participate in the festivities. Arriving just before 4:00 pm, they were the second boat in line behind the big shrimper carrying King Retsyo (Oyster spelled backwards) and the new Seafood Festival Queen. It thoroughly confused the priest, who didn't have them on his list of boats. Chris said they should wave to the crowd, which they did, and the blessings surrounded them. In Gordon's words, "It is truly a rare day when you catch big, beautiful redfish, come home to the standing ovation of a crowd, and get blessed by clergy in the process - a day we will long remember!". How's that for a full service guide service?

After months of emails and letters and meetings protesting the grouper closure November & December in the Gulf, we received one email from the National Assn. of Charterboat Operators that a judge overturned the emergency rule for grouper other than red grouper. It seemed so anti-climatic after all the hype & worries but Frank Sargeant of the Tampa Tribune reported it on November 2nd so I believe it must be true. Read his comprehensive article at http://tampatrib.com/Sports/columns/MGBUWO21JFE.html Will the offshore captains that scrambled for other work to get them through the winter be fishing regularly? I certainly hope so, as the conditions offshore have been pretty fantastic with up to 80 foot visibility and fairly calm seas.

OK, I've been on the red tide soap box enough for one fishing season. It seems as if there are still traces present and they are still regularly monitoring and testing the water and the oysters. The following are official websites to help keep you informed.

http://research.myfwc.com/

www.FloridaAquaculture.com

My 2006 calendar is getting daily work-outs. Keys & Everglades trips are still available so please contact me if you have an interest. If you fished with us this summer and a) would like to fish the same days in 2006 or b) know for certain that you aren't going to make it, please help me with my scheduling task.

Hope you are enjoying your Veterans day holiday - looks like a beautiful weekend to get out on the water!

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