The following editorial about Everglades activist Wayne Nelson was posted to the blog “Eye on Miami” after Nelson’s death last week. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial …
Bisbee’s Black & Blue Starts Today!
19 Oct 20106:06 PM
Bisbee’s Black & Blue Marlin Tournament kicks off today in Cabo San Lucas. Now in it’s 30th year, the event is one of big game fishing’s grandest – and richest – tournaments.
It is also one of the most recent to convert to a “circle hooks only” policy when fishing with natural baits. This is a signifcant move in that several studies have shown survival rates after release are much higher for billfish caught on circle hooks as opposed to standard J hooks.
The fishing runs from Wed, Oct 20th – Friday, the 22nd. You can follow live scoring here and check in on the action with live video here.
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![](mailto:?subject=Wayne Nelson: An Everglades Warrior Lays Down His Shield&body=The following editorial about <a title="Everglades National Park web site" href="http://www.nps.gov/ever/index.htm" target="_blank">Everglades</a> activist Wayne Nelson was posted to the blog "<a title="Eye on Miami blog" href="http://eyeonmiami.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Eye on Miami</a>" after Nelson's <a title="Wayne Nelson's Obituary" href="http://www.tributes.com/show/Wayne-L.-Nelson-93742562" target="_blank">death</a> last week. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial contributions may be made to the <a title="GHOF web site" href="http://www.guyharveyoceanfoundation.org" target="_blank">Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation</a>, 10408 West SR 84, Suite 104, Davie, FL 33324.
<a href="http://guyharvey.files.wordpress.com/2012/05/wayne.jpg"><img title="Wayne Nelson Photo courtesy of the Sun-Sentinel)" src="http://guyharvey.files.wordpress.com/2012/05/wayne.jpg" alt="" width="428" height="286" /></a>
By gimleteye:
When Wayne Nelson, 88, died this week, the liquid heart of Florida - <a title="About Lake Okeechobee" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lake_Okeechobee" target="_blank">Lake Okeechobeee</a> - lost a fierce and knowledgeable advocate. Wayne was of a generation of modern-day Everglades activists; including, recently, the late Johnie Jones and his wife, Mariana, who were young in the 1940's and 1950's and experienced the Everglades firing on all cylinders.
Wayne was Korea War veteran and a retired air conditioning contractor whose advocacy for Lake Okeechobee led <a title="Nelson's Supreme Court Case" href="http://www.eswr.com/docs/courts/ussc/01-196/FOEpetition.pdf" target="_blank">all the way to the US Supreme Court</a>. He began fishing in West Palm Beach and Lake Okeechobee in the 1960's. He organized one of the first bass fishing clubs in Florida and was the organizer of the small group, Fishermen Against the Destruction of the Environment (FADE) that was a co-plaintiff in federal Clean Water Act litigation challenging the South Florida Water Management District and Big Sugar. Wayne was at the first meeting of the Everglades Coalition at Port of the Islands in 1984 and was once a member of the board of <a title="Friends of the Everglades web site" href="http://everglades.org" target="_blank">Friends of the Everglades</a> <> (of which I am now president).
Friends of the Everglades, Nelson's FADE, and other conservation groups brought citizen suits under the Clean Water Act against the US Environmental Protection Agency to require the South Florida Water Management District to obtain permits in order to discharge polluted canal water into Lake Okeechobee. (FADE and Friends of the Everglades have been involved in several federal CWA lawsuits, with important implications for the nation's water policies, not just the Everglades.)
This practice is known as "back-pumping" and its purpose is to make sure that the 700,000 acres of the Everglades Agricultural Area -- dominated by Big Sugar-- are never too wet in rainy season. Back-pumping controls water levels on sugar land and through the extensive canal system, forcing water uphill as it were, against gravity, into Lake Okeechobee.
At the same time, the water management practices that deliver immense benefits and profits to sugar barons like the billionaire Fanjuls also deprive the natural system of the rainfall cycle that nourished the Everglades and Florida Bay with clean, fresh water at the right time of year.
He launched his boat in Belle Glade and would fish through the weekend. "To get to the Lake," Nelson testified in a Friends' affidavit filed with federal court in 2011, "you have to cross the rim canal and enter the Lake through one of the cuts. I would typically see the pumping while I was going out to fish or coming back in from fishing and was traveling in the rim canal to the boat ramp. You can see the turbulence and tinged color of pumped water all the way across the rim canal and into the Lake."
Wayne Nelson was a fierce supporter of grass roots environmentalism. His friend, Jim Harvey, says, "If people were classified like naval ships, Wayne Nelson would be the Warrior Class. He never faltered to say it like he saw it. He believed in watching the ass not the lips to ascertain where things were going. You didn't go fishing with Wayne. He went, listening to him. He loved Lake Okeechobee and held no quarter or gave no quarter when it came to saving the Lake."
Wayne didn't seek out the spotlight. He could be cantankerous and prickly. But anyone who loved the Everglades, fought battles against industry pressure, endured endless delays by government, obfuscation, and false declarations of progress while the liquid heart of Florida turned into a sewer would be spewing comets and fury at the misdirection.
"Water transfers of polluted, nutrient-rich water to Lake Okeechobee results in increased nutrient pollution in the Everglades system,"
Nelson said in his affidavit. "Nutrient pollution is one of the biggest threats to the Everglades today. Nitrogen and phosphorous from the canal waters feeds algae growth that chokes out sea grasses and other native plants. Algae also depletes oxygen, resulting in "dead zones" below the the surface where few native Everglades species survive. Invasive flora and fauna are increasingly taking over the niches created by the degredation of the water quality in the Everglades."
It has been nearly forty years since the historic agreement between the federal government and state of Florida to end the pollution of the Everglades, and its results keep a permanent incumbency in place; from local county commissions, to the state legislature -- that still refuses to hold Big Sugar accountable for the costs of its pollution and won't even impose the most rudimentary system to honestly account for polluting farming practices -- to Congress and the White House.
"We don`t need any more studies of Lake Okeechobee or the Everglades,"
Nelson told the Sun Sentinel in 1988. "We know what the problems are and we know what the solutions are. We need action. The farmers are hiding behind (government agencies they control)." ("Lake Okeechobee Scientific Group Back In Business", Orlando Sentinel, July 14, 1988)
Wayne knew that the environmental warriors were badly outmatched by the Great Destroyers, and he understood the clock was ticking. He didn't stand for niceties; he wanted environmentalists to do more and he had no tolerance for waving banners. He strongly believed that grass roots organizations were the key. Jim Harvey says, "He was pure passion and "old school" on freedom of speech. He hated equivocation and figured political correctness was being accurate. Period. He was in the truest sense, an egalitarian warrior with little regard for large national environmental groups that danced around to keep the Everglades ball in play."
Wayne Nelson just wanted to go fishing, and it made him angry that pollution deprived him, Florida and the nation of that opportunity.
Nelson told the Sun Sentinel in 1990: "Reagan missed the boat when he called Russia the Evil Empire". Thrusting a finger toward the sugar cane farms ringing Lake Okeechobee, he said, "I'll tell you where the goddamn Evil Empire is... it's out there!" (A Sweet Deal Has Become The Source Of A Bitter Poison, The Sugar Dynasty, Sept. 16, 1990) And it still is. https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/wayne-nelson-an-everglades-warrior-lays-down-his-shield/){kind=link}
![](mailto:?subject=Name That Boat & Win a 3-day Dive Vacation with Dive Bimini!&body=<a href="http://www.biggameclubbimini.com/boat_name_contest.html"><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-75" title="Name That Boat!" src="https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/boat-banner1.jpg?w=300" alt="" width="300" height="107" /></a>
What’s in a boat name? Hemmingway tackled giant blue marlin on his “Pilar”. Quint pitted his “ Orca” against the legendary great white shark, JAWS, and Columbus had three - the “Nina” the “Pinta” and the “Santa Maria”. By the way, a little known fact is the “Pinta” was the fastest of his three.
It is a serious task, for sure, to name a boat - as it tells of her spirit, and sometimes even her destiny. It’s an even harder job to come up with something unique as there surely are many boat names as there are fish in the ocean. But we have a new 60 foot dive boat, and we have a job to do!
<a href="http://www.biggameclubbimini.com/boat_name_contest.html"><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-89" title="Click Here to Name That Boat!" src="https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/diveboat1.jpg?w=300" alt="" width="300" height="226" /></a>
<a title="Guy Harvey Inc. web site" href="http://www.guyharvey.com" target="_blank">Guy Harvey</a> and <a title="Neal Watson's web site" href="http://www.biggameclubbimini.com/boat_name_contest.html" target="_blank">Neal Watson</a>, who have teamed to form <a title="Dive Bimini Press Release" href="http://guyharveyoutpostnews.com/2010/08/21/guy-harvey-and-neal-watson-join-forces-with-dive-bimini/" target="_blank">Dive Bimini</a> at the <a title="BBGC web site" href="http://www.biggameclubbimini.com/index.htm" target="_blank">Bimini Big Game Club</a>, want your help. They’re looking for a boat name - a name that divers from around the world will immediately recognize and come to symbolize the most famed dive boat in all of the Bahamas.
So true to the <a title="Guy Harvey Outpost info" href="http://www.biggameclubbimini.com/aboutus.htm" target="_blank">Guy Harvey Outpost</a> sporting nature, we’re putting a little competition together to come up with the name of the new boat. It’s a two-part challenge:
First, send us your suggested names by filling out the form at the link below. Send as many as you can think of. There are no rules on the name you wish to submit, although we’re going to favor ones that are clever, entertaining, easy to pronounce and not too long. The others? We’ll toss them out...but, of course, we’re expecting yours will be in the “keeper file” pile!
Then a group of us at Guy Harvey Outpost, including Guy and Neal, will rally up and review the “keepers”, from which we’ll create a shortlist of four names. These four names will then be posted to our <a title="Guy Harvey Page on Facebook" href="http://www.facebook.com/DrGuyHarvey" target="_blank">Guy Harvey</a> and <a title="Guy Harvey Outpost Page on Facebook" href="http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Bimini-Big-Game-Club/127094040665962?ref=ts" target="_blank">Outpost</a> Facebook pages and be put to a vote by our fans.
The name with the most votes wins and becomes the new name of our dive boat. And if it’s the name you submitted, not only will you get a personal “high five” letter of thanks from Guy and Neal, we’re going to give you a complimentary 2 night stay at the resort and include a two tank dive on “your” dive boat. Sure, there’s some fine print, but nothing that should stand in the way of entering and having some fun - remember, this is how a legend begins!
<a href="http://www.biggameclubbimini.com/boat_name_contest.html"><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-78" title="Name That Boat!" src="https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/boat-banner2.jpg?w=300" alt="" width="300" height="107" /></a> https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/name-that-boat-win-a-3-day-dive-vacation-at-dive-bimini/){kind=link}
 Endless Fish on Endless Summer){kind=link}
![](mailto:?subject=Vet to Vet: Dive, Dive, Dive!&body=Retired U.S. Navy Petty Officer Seth Wade likely will have to get around using a wheelchair for the rest of his life-- a daunting prospect at the age of 26. After losing use of his legs in a 2014 auto accident that damaged his spinal cord while on deployment in Europe, Wade is adjusting to civilian life in his hometown of Tampa. But instead of being depressed about what he can't do as a paraplegic, Wade has decided to focus on what he CAN do-- snow and water skiing, sailing, and, just recently, scuba diving.
"Being in the water gives you a sense of freedom," Wade said between pool training sessions in Clearwater recently. "I love it. I can't wait to get to the good stuff."
Wade was trained by Scott Crawford, a U.S. Air Force retiree and owner/instructor at Rock Bottom Divers near Tarpon Springs. Crawford has been donating his time to teach and certify military vets-- both disabled and able-bodied-- as scuba divers for the past three years. He works with several non-profit veterans' groups to help defray costs for the dive boat, equipment and instructional materials.
"It's called 'adaptive diving'," Crawford said of how he trains his students. "It's based on what the candidate can do -- not what he can't do."
Crawford was introduced to Wade by Nelson Corbin, executive director of the North Carolina-based Wounded Veteran Retreat Program. Corbin, a U.S. Army Rangers veteran, began organizing outdoor outings for wounded vets about three years ago after his son, who served in Special Forces, lost both legs in Afghanistan.
Corbin helped out with Wade's dive training sessions in the pool and an inland spring. But neither he nor Crawford cut the young man any slack. Wade lowered himself from his wheelchair to pool side and in and out of the water. He had to perform the same skills as any other open-water dive candidate-- removing and clearing the mask underwater; executing out-of-air drills and emergency ascents; donning his buoyancy control device and many others-- all while swimming with webbed gloves and no fins. He took to the skills easily-- probably because he grew up fishing and snorkeling in Tampa Bay.
<a href="https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/P1010485.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-4206" src="https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/P1010485-1024x768.jpg" alt="P1010485" width="1024" height="768" /></a>
"Good work, man!" Crawford congratulated Wade.
The student earned both an open-water and Nitrox scuba certification through the SSI agency. Nitrox is a breathing gas containing less nitrogen than regular compressed air-- important for Wade because it means less nitrogen accumulating in the scar tissue on his spine. Too much nitrogen in the blood and tissues can lead to decompression sickness, or the 'bends' -- a painful and serious medical condition.
"It's nice having two vets [in training sessions]," Wade said. "Doing it with non-vets from a local dive shop would be not as comfortable."
The new scuba diver reflected back on the dark days of his post-accident recovery at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center near Washington, D.C. where he was treated by several psychologists, some of whom he "fired". But one who he called 'Lieutenant Dan' stood out as particularly helpful.
"Somehow, he was hooked up with Guy Harvey," Wade recalled.
'Lieutenant Dan' got Wade a limited-edition print of a tarpon signed by Harvey, along with a tee shirt. Today, that tarpon hangs over Wade's bed at home in Tampa.
"I never did get to thank Guy Harvey," Wade mused. "If you see him, tell him I said thanks."
<a href="http://www.guyharveyoutpost.com/dive-packages/"><img class="aligncenter wp-image-4200 size-full" src="https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/ad.jpg" alt="ad" width="737" height="301" /></a> https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/vet-to-vet-dive-dive-dive/){kind=link}
![](mailto:?subject=Open Letter to the Lauderdale Yacht Club&body=<a href="http://www.biggameclubbimini.com/"><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-65" title="Bimini Big Game Club, a Guy Harvey Outpost Resort & Marina" src="https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/final-resort-logo2.jpg?w=300" alt="" width="300" height="159" /></a>
Dear LYC Members,
On behalf of <a title="Guy Harvey Inc. web site" href="http://www.guyharvey.com" target="_blank">Guy Harvey</a> and the entire Guy Harvey Outpost team, I want to thank you for participating in this year's Bimini Blast at the <a title="Bimini Big Game Club web site" href="http://www.biggameclubbimini.com/" target="_blank">Bimini Big Game Club, a Guy Harvey Outpost Resort & Marina</a> - or Outpost Bimini, as we like to call the Club.
As a resident of Fort Lauderdale for 25 years, and as a longtime member of the LYC, I am particularly proud of our efforts to bring the Big Game Club back to life and reestablishing the Club's relationship with the LYC. It will be my personal agenda to ensure we have continuing programs and promotions for LYC members.
Some of you may know that Guy spent many years living in the Las Olas Isles area and, like me, puts significant weight in the opinions and goodwill of the LYC membership base. As a result, we welcome any comments you might have regarding this event, or any future visit.
We are excited to know that LYC has already made plans to return to the Club again next year. We have some exciting plans in store for the LYC in the near future, and we are certain next year's event will be even more enjoyable. Until we see you again in Bimini, remember -
From the Oceans, Comes Life - enjoy the Journey!
Mark Ellert
President, Guy Harvey Outposts Ltd.
<a title="2010 Bimini Blast Photo Album" href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Bimini-Big-Game-Club/127094040665962?v=photos&ref=ts#!/album.php?aid=13362&id=127094040665962" target="_blank">2010 Bimini Blast Photo Album</a> https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/63-2/){kind=link}
![](mailto:?subject=Guy Harvey Outpost’s Popular “Burning Wahoo” Bonfire Series Tournament Returns to Old Bahama Bay For February 2016&body=<a href="https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/obb-wahoo.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-2923 alignleft" src="https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/obb-wahoo.jpg?w=300" alt="OBB Wahoo" width="300" height="182" /></a>WEST END, GRAND BAHAMA ISLAND—SEPTEMBER 28, 2015— The Bonfire Fishing Tournament Series, created and managed by Guy Harvey Outpost Resorts, today has announced dates for the Second Annual Burning Wahoo Tournament , scheduled for February 25-28, 2016 on West End, Grand Bahama Island.
Chasing wahoo along West End’s Wahoo Alley and beyond this February will be top anglers looking to take home cash, prizes and bragging rights for the newest edition of the popular “Burning Wahoo” Bonfire Series tournament hosted by Old Bahama Bay Resort and Yacht Harbour.
The two-day tournament will kick off with a Captain’s meeting and barbecue on Thursday, February 25th and will then offer private party events (including a traditional Bahamian Junkanoo), a beach bonfire with a burning wahoo sculpture, and an awards ceremony dinner during the course of the tournament.
This past February, anglers in 23 boats competed for the largest wahoo and aggregate total over the two-day Burning Wahoo tournament off West End. St. Augustine’s Fishin a Loan team emerged as the tournament champion, landing the largest wahoo at 63.9 lb on Day 1 and a 60.5 lb wahoo on Day 2 for a cumulative total of 448 lbs. Cash and prizes totaled $30,000.
For the 2016 edition, Tournament Director Cliff Jensen said early bird pricing (prior to December 31) is $300 per angler with a minimum of four anglers per boat. Also the first 25 boats registered and stay at the hotel will receive a $200 credit.
Jensen said cash, trophies and prizes will be awarded to the top teams. Go <a href="http://www.bonfireseries.com" target="_blank">HERE</a> to register online.
Sixty miles east of Palm Beach, Old Bahama Bay has 70 luxury guestrooms, a 70-slip deep-water marina with fuel and on-site customs, and a full array of resort amenities.
Available for tournament charter will be legendary Bahamas/Walker’s Cay Captain Billy Black and Dutchess, his 50-foot Hatteras, as a Guy Harvey Expedition Fishing Outfitter.
Guy Harvey Outpost Resorts, as part of its “Travel With a Purpose” mission, which combines a unique celebration at Outpost Destinations while promoting conservation, awareness and education, is again partnering with The Bahamas and Old Bahama Bay to benefit the West End All Age School with an end of tournament donation. https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/guy-harvey-outposts-popular-burning-wahoo-bonfire-series-tournament-returns-to-old-bahama-bay-for-february-2016/){kind=link}
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