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Outdoors

Environment, Outdoors

The Cruise Port: A Cautionary Tale

Feb 4, 2026 – Rusty Chinnis
January 13, 2026
By Rusty Chinnis
Reel Time: Why Mullet Jump

Reel Time: Why Mullet Jump

While I was sitting by the bay the other day a mullet jumped right in front of me. That’s not unusual if you spend anytime near the water, and it elicited memories of stories I’ve heard over the year…
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January 6, 2026
By Leslie Lake
Mullet fishermen reporting a good season

Mullet fishermen reporting a good season

CORTEZ – Fish house employees and fishermen are calling this mullet season one of the best in recent memory as Cortez fish houses are filling up with mullet brought in by private fishermen.  Two of…
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January 5, 2026
By Rusty Chinnis
Reel Time: A New Winter Strategy

Reel Time: A New Winter Strategy

Winter can have a chilling effect on local anglers and limit their quarry, but those who know how to mine the riches of any season turn their attention to the species that actually thrives in cold wa…
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January 2, 2026
By Leslie Lake
Derelict boats concern Palma Sola Bay residents and boaters

Derelict boats concern Palma Sola Bay residents and boaters

PALMA SOLA BAY – As captain of Anne’s Calmwater Charters, Anne Huber enjoys sharing her knowledge about manatees, dolphins and the local waters, but there is one question she’s often asked that’s di…
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December 30, 2025
By Rusty Chinnis
Resolutions that bear fruit

Resolutions that bear fruit

New Year’s resolutions are an annual ritual that goes back over 4,000 years. The earli­est known resolutions come from the ancient Babylonians. During their Akitu New Year festival (held in March), p…
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December 22, 2025
By Rusty Chinnis

Reel Time: Rebuilding oyster habitat

On Dec. 20, Oyster River Ecology (ORE) board member Rob Brown and I participated in an ORE rag pot installation in the upper Manatee River near Redfish Point. The volunteer event, a partnership with…
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December 16, 2025
By Rusty Chinnis

Reel Time: We protect what we love

Several years ago, I remember watching a tribute to the late John Lewis, the Black American politician and civil-rights leader. Lewis encouraged people to speak up and act when they see wrongs that n…
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December 16, 2025
By Leslie Lake
Leffis Key Preserve remains closed pending FEMA review

Leffis Key Preserve remains closed pending FEMA review

BRADENTON BEACH – Manatee County’s Leffis Key Preserve remains closed following damage from the 2024 hurricanes and a county spokesperson said the timeline for reopening is dependent on an ongoing re…
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December 9, 2025
By Rusty Chinnis

Reel Time: Double digits

Fly anglers generally don’t need to catch a lot of fish to consider a trip satisfying. Permit legend Del Brown said it best when I interviewed him in the Florida Keys. He told me never to let the num…
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December 2, 2025
By Rusty Chinnis

Reel Time: Winter fishing- slow and low

When winter arrives with cold winds and plunging water temperatures, it’s time to change your angling strategies. While winter fishing can be challenging, there are opportunities for some excellent a…
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Upcoming Events

April 9, 2025
11:45 am

The Off-Stage Ladies of the Island Players, April luncheon meeting