"The Villages" Florida -- advice needed

We're going to be spending Christmas break with my Dad in The Villages, FL, and for a variety of reasons, I'd like to get him out of the house and re-involved in fishing, a pasttime he once enjoyed immensely. We lost Mom to congestive heart failure last month, and I really want to help Dad get out of the house and become more active.

Are any of you good FAOLers familiar with fishing in the immediate area in and around The Villages? My web searches have turned up public fishing piers in adjacent counties, which would seem to be an option given his limited mobility and our lack of a boat, but almost nothing about public access to fishing closer to his home. In past trips, I've noticed many ponds associated with The Villages' numerous golf courses; can they be fished? (Those would be ideal because he can get anywhere within The Villages in his golf cart.)

I'm not looking for anyone's "honey holes" or trophy spots, just someplace we can find a few decent panfish, or maybe a bass or two. Any advice, guidance, or suggestions would be deeply appreciated.

Thanks in advance.
--Rog

Maybe you could get him one of those raised "4wd"-look golf carts. That way he could use it on the golf courses and also drive it to a fishing hole.

My dad spends his winters in Dade City (south of the Villages) and my dad's best buddy lives up in the Villages. Neither of them are fishers (golfers, but not into fishing).

Dad suggested checking the area for state, county, and city parks. There are a lot of them in Florida and if they have a lake, it should be OK to fish. Be aware of alligators, especially on sunny days in the winter. They like to sunbathe on the banks of the lakes.

Jeff

I seem to remember one of their commercials where they showed a guy fishing there on one of their ponds, so I can't believe you would get in any trouble.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by jeffnles1

Be aware of alligators, especially on sunny days in the winter.

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Fortunately gators are not as active in winter or fall as they are in spring and summer.

Rog,

Wish I could help but I don't know that area. I'm sure you could find Bluegill and other bream and Largemouth Bass in most any golf course pond in Florida, most likely big fat ones from all the fertilizer run-off from the course and nearby houses but I wouldn't eat any out of those kind of ponds. If I want to eat fish I catch, I only keep ones from either flowing rivers, creeks, and canals or from lakes and ponds without houses or other agriculture activities around them. Hope this helps at least some. Best of luck.

Rog--

You might consider getting in touch with the golf pro on the course and find out what the Course Superintendent's name is. If there are fish in the ponds, he would know and could most likely get you on the right one to begin with.

George

http://www.myfwc.com/ The website should have a some info or links for the area. Too far south to know much about the area other than that there's a $$ fly tying seminar there Dec 1. 8)

There is a fly tyer named Oscar Feliu that lives in the Village's. See if your father knows him or can contact him. I 'm sure he will fill him in on the fishing there.


Knucks

Oscar is a fabulous singer, wonderful tyer, knowledgable flyfisher, and alround Great Guy! He would be well worth spending time with, if possible.

Bowfin47

Here's the info the Charlotte Harbor Fly Fishers ( http://www.chff.info ) recieved :

The Fly Tying Workshop Series

The Florida Council FFF presents
The Fly Tying Workshop Series

Date: Dec. 1, 2007

Place: The Villages High School, The Villages, Fl.

The Program: Inshore Flats Flies

Instructor: Oscar Feliu

Materials: provided

Costs: $70.00 ( $50.00 for FFF members)

Required Equipment: vise ( for 3/0 hook), bobbin, scissors, extended whip finisher, light wire cutters, notepad.

Reservation: Contact FFF Florida - captpete@floridaflyfishing.com or see www.fffflorida.org

Oscar Feliu is a Whiting Farms Master Tyer with the most incredible teaching skills. If you have not attended one of his workshops, do it now. You will be amazed at how well your flies will look when you finish. Pete Greenan, Florida Council president said," Oscar is a true national celebrity worth seeing as often as possible. The Federation and Florida are lucky to have him".As per my program; I will do a seminar called ?Inshore Flats Flies?.



Peter T. Greenan - Pres. Fl. Council FFF


captpete@floridaflyfishing.com
2416 Parson Ln.
Sarasota, Fl. 34239
www.floridaflyfishing.com
Tel: 941.923.6095
Cell: 941.232.2960



8)

Thank you, guys, for the advice and suggestions (and the caution about gators! :lol: ).

Oscar sounds like someone I'd enjoy meeting.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by OldBaldGuy

We're going to be spending Christmas break with my Dad in The Villages, FL, and for a variety of reasons, I'd like to get him out of the house and re-involved in fishing, a pasttime he once enjoyed immensely. We lost Mom to congestive heart failure last month, and I really want to help Dad get out of the house and become more active.

Are any of you good FAOLers familiar with fishing in the immediate area in and around The Villages? My web searches have turned up public fishing piers in adjacent counties, which would seem to be an option given his limited mobility and our lack of a boat, but almost nothing about public access to fishing closer to his home. In past trips, I've noticed many ponds associated with The Villages' numerous golf courses; can they be fished? (Those would be ideal because he can get anywhere within The Villages in his golf cart.)

I'm not looking for anyone's "honey holes" or trophy spots, just someplace we can find a few decent panfish, or maybe a bass or two. Any advice, guidance, or suggestions would be deeply appreciated.

Thanks in advance.
--Rog

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Rog,

There's both a fresh and saltwater club on the reservation. They meet monthly and invite speakers (mostly guides) to give seminars on the local fisheries. The clubs also stage trips to various destinations. The saltwater club has frequent outings to areas like Cedar Key where they charter several boats at a very reasonable rate. My dad belongs to both and he's met quite the crew for his boat...LOL. Everyone chips in for bait, fuel and clean-up. Ideal since my mother insists he doesn't venture out alone.

As for piers locally, I really can't help you there. Word has it that some of the older lakes within the Villages contain decent panfish and bass, but with the current drought-like conditions all the lakes in the area are very low. The Lake Griffin/Harris chain of lakes has a pretty good population of crappie and bass, but are best fished from a boat. There's also a river that flows out of the chain to the north that is accessible on foot and by looking at it there's promise when the conditions are right. Just watch out for snakes. Not sure what kind, but they scared the dickin's out of me :shock:

Try to convince your dad to join the clubs. Mine did and his dance card stays full. I've been visiting down there for the last 4 years, sometimes twice a month. Pretty cool place if one utilizes all of the opportunities and activities.

Good Luck and I might run into you at Xmas 8)

The TriCounty Fly Fishers meet in the Villages, it is a very active club.

www.tcflyfishers.com