West side of Pensacola representing and glad to be here - thanks to all who made this happen.
I primarily fish my neighborhood bayou (Grande) and Big Lagoon from the Johnson Beach side, splitting time between kayak, wading and my `14 Delcraft. At this stage, I’m equally inept in all three, but gonna keep on trying and absorbing what is shared here.
Thank you, Capt., I’ve enjoyed reading your work over the years. And I’ll def keep an eye out for you and your sled. And if you or anyone ever launches from the Navy Point ramp, let me know ahead of time, that’s ground zero for me, it’d be great to say howdy in person.
The Goat Farm, otherwise known as my grandparents place on the Rappahannock River, was heaven on earth for 5 yr old me. It took its name from the heard of goats my Pop bought to keep the brush down on the ~30 acres of their place (or maybe it was a million, who can measure at 5?). When we’d go tromping through the woods the dogs would follow, the horses join up behind them and then the goats - I kid you not - would fall in line for the day’s exploration. Docks and chicken necks for catching crabs, a 25 ft Bertram hardtop for running to The Tide’s Inn and an old Bay Oyster boat for when the whole family was there where the platforms that made me fall in love with trying to pull live things from the water (I was better at it back then). It’s been gone from the family for over 50 years, but since it’ll never leave me, seemed like a good name to use.