Firstly! we are safe and our home is fortunately ok. So sit back and I will tell you a tale...Monday, September 26th was a full day fishing with friends. We caught it all in the pre storm bite. Snook, Redfish, limits of snapper. I finished the day in a light rain, fileting our catch. Ian is forecasted to hit Tampa bay area. I dropped off my boat and prepared it for the storm. I've always kept the boat on Pine Island, remove plugs, remove cushions, tied down to trailer, aim the boat south west. Tuesday, September 27th, Ian now forecasted to hit Sarasota. We are back in the cone. I spend the day in a light rain putting up shutters, clearing the lawn and porch, remove screens from our pool cage. Wednesday, September 28th, Ian track looks to pass just north of our islands, ominous storm surge forecast on the TV. 11:15 am winds reach 100mph, the wind continues, reaching 150mph. 2:30 pm the Sun comes out, the eye passes over Pine Island and Cape Coral. 7:30 pm , the wind calms and we are able to take a breath. October 7th,The Matlacha bridge is reopened and I am able to retrieve the Avenger from a fallen tree. There will be some repairs needed on the boat, but she will survive. The scheduled trips I have booked are cancelled for October, November. The marinas are currently closed, clearing debris and repairing. I will keep you posted on re-openings and the first trips we can fish. Thank you all for checking in on me, and my family.
Captain Dave
