The Forest Matters Another Seabreeze Publication VOL. 31 NO. 7
www.seabreezecommunications.com
JULY 2024
FPOA President’s Update Our property manager John Paul Siervo and his wife, Christine, welcomed a son, Roman, to their family on May 23. All are doing well. John Paul will have returned to his position on June 3 when you read this. A female alligator decided to set up a nursery on your correspondent’s property well within the setback lines. Having birthed several eggs she became aggressive towards anyone approaching her nest. Florida Fish and Wildlife was called and all seven and a half feet of her were captured to be moved to the Everglades for release. The picture nearby shows her boxed and ready to be moved. Her boyfriend was also caught and will be moved with her. The eggs
will be retrieved and moved to a state hatchery for birthing and safe keeping before also being released in the Glades. We have received reports of modified golf cart vehicles not licensed to drive on roads being used on Forest streets. This is prohibited by our rules and state law. Please cease this practice. Regular golf carts can only be used on our roads to travel between holes when necessary and from a finishing hole to the clubhouse. June 1 officially marked the first day of hurricane season. Now is the time to start plans for preparing your home for when a hurricane strikes The Forest or close by. There are suggestions for preparing for such an event on our website https://theforest. connectresident.com. The community’s Hurricane Preparedness Guide provides important information such as important contacts and shelter information (if needed). Please consult them. As a reminder the FPOA board of directors does not meet during the summer and the Executive Committee takes over the day-to-day responsibility of operations necessary
Catch The Action
Fourth Of July Events In Southwest Florida
July On The Water By Capt. Bill Russell July is the month summer weather settles in bringing hot humid days, often with little wind until early afternoon as a sea breeze kicks in, followed by thunderstorms. Most anglers opt for an early start to take advantage of calm seas and avoid the mid-afternoon heat and storms. For those looking to bring home fish dinner, mangrove snapper is a good choice through the summer. No need to make a long run offshore, as snapper are caught throughout the inshore and nearshore waters. Fish for snapper under docks, bridges, piers, or about any type of structure. Many anglers do very well from shore without the expense of a boat. After Ian, shore fishing locations are limited, but there are piers and bridges open to fishing. From boat, fish under deeper mangrove shorelines, oyster bars, sand potholes and rock ledges or structure in and near the gulf passes. Mangrove snapper is one of our tastier fish and fight hard for their size. They make a great summer target. Often leader and hook shy if the water is clear, it’s often necessary to lighten the tackle. Inshore, I go with 3 or more feet of 12- to 20-pound fluorocarbon leader and a 1/0 circle hook. Redfish and sea trout are caught throughout the summer. High tides give the best opportunity for redfish as they are foraging under the shade of mangrove shorelines. Sea trout often run in schools with the best bite often coming over the morning incoming tides as cooler water moves over grass flats. Grass flats with clear or clean water in 4- to 8-foot depths are favored areas. Calm summer mornings give good opportunities to run offshore. American red snapper season is open in The Forest Matters
regarding our community. The committee meets on the second to last Monday of every month. Any questions for the committee to answer need to be communicated to the main gate office at (239) 482-1109. Our treasurer, Fred Lepard, sent me the following report on our financial condition and other matters for which he is responsible. Our annual audit was completed in May and our auditors found no irregularities. We are in a sound financial position, and we are in compliance with generally accepted accounting principles. Our insurance policies were renewed with a reduction in vehicle insurance cost. Landscaping chair, Michael Murphy, tells me the summer flowers will be in soon to decorate our community for the season. Stay well, Chuck Patten, President, Forest Property Owners Board of Directors
2024 Fort Myers Beach – Fourth Of July Festivities
gulf waters for recreational anglers through the month of July for those willing to spend the fuel money for a long run offshore. Not sure of the reason but both gag and red grouper seasons are closed. To get updated grouper, snapper, and fishing regulations go to www.myfwc.com or download the Fish Rules app. Closer in, within sight of land, reefs and wrecks can be productive with everything from snapper to goliath grouper. You will not hook any big red snapper, but you can fill a cooler with tasty filets and save a lot of fuel money. Anchoring up current of structure with a fresh chum bag is preferred. A variety of baits is a good idea as well as an arsenal of rods rigged and ready from light to heavy action. Keep a lookout for speedsters such as bonito, Spanish mackerel and king mackerel harassing bait schools in depths from 20 to 90 feet. Small spoons or Tuna Jets in various colors can bring instant hookups when trolled around feeding activity. PRSRT STD Watch for birds and surface US POSTAGE commotion to locate the PAID FT MYERS FL fish. If you have a live PERMIT 751 well full of baitfish, a little chumming may quickly get the action started. Artificial reefs are a natural attractant for baitfish followed by predators. Catch The Action on page 4
The Fourth of July parade and fireworks are back for the first time since Hurricane Ian! Come celebrate our great nation and town pride as the Fort Myers Beach Fourth of July parade makes it way down Estero Boulevard with its colorful floats and costumed participants! The parade starts at Bay Oaks Recreation Center at 10 a.m. and continues down the boulevard to Times Square. Don’t miss this Fort Myers Beach tradition! Be aware that Estero Boulevard will be closed from 9 a.m. until noon for the parade. The Fort Myers Beach Fourth of July fireworks show begins at approximately 9 p.m. at Times Square. You can bring a beach chair and enjoy the show as the beautiful fireworks light up the night sky! Starting at 8:30 p.m. the Matanzas Pass Bridge will be closed until approximately 11 p.m. Consider taking the Beach Trolley to Fort Myers Beach to enjoy Independence Day! Paid parking is available in the Times Square area. You can also park at one of the Town’s beach accesses. The accesses are in various states of repair post Hurricane Ian.
Cape Coral – Red White And Boom The City of Cape Coral Parks and Recreation Department is proud to bring you the largest single-day event in Southwest Florida. Thursday, July 4 from 5 to 10 p.m. “Red, White, and Boom” is a free event for attendees. Join us for Southwest Florida’s best fireworks display, national entertainment and fun for the whole family! The event takes place on Cape Coral Parkway at the foot of Cape Coral Bridge. To ensure everyone’s safety, please remember; no pets (service animals okay), no fireworks and no outside alcohol will be allowed. Lawn chairs are highly encouraged! For more information, go to capeboom.com.