Native Floridian and life-long nature lover, Captain Wes, the sole managing member of WET will take you on journeys into the Real Florida that will leave you with special memories and an even greater appreciation of nature and natural history.
Captain Wes has been exploring the Natural Wonders of Wakulla County since 1982 when he first visited Apalachee Bay and its’ freshwater tributaries. He was also a graduating student of the first TCC Green Guides Program class. Now as WET, Captain Wes is sharing this wonderfully exquisite environment by offering low impact tours and fishing trips designed to fit every clients’ specific desires. DO NOT OPERATE YOUR BOAT IN AREAS TOO SHALLOW FOR YOUR EQUIPMENT: Hundreds of marine species are dependent upon the health of the sea grasses and marine plants found in these shallow waters for nurseries and nutrition. Protecting this fragile shallow water system from destruction is essential to maintaining the fisheries we all enjoy and of paramount importance to FGA. Be aware of your depth and ever mindful your prop is not in contact with or in danger of damaging any marine plant or organism. Approach shallowest fishing areas with the care and stealth provided by these two methods which should yield better angling results. Professional anglers should not need to rely on disturbing another angler's success to provide their own. Choose another area or another time to fish rather than encroach on someone already fishing a particular area. Lead by example and don't follow another guide into a small area, yet expect others to "honor" this same area. Again, stagger fishing times in order to secure success. Use the slack times to find new, "unfished" areas of success rather than "hold" areas for other guides to fish later. Discovering a "new" productive area displays your talents to your clients as well as improves your overall skills. The laws protecting the marine environment are constantly changing. Keep apprised of all regulations, regarding both, FISHING AND ACCESS, pertinent to your regions and waters. Report fish and game violations to FFWCC promptly, complete with registration numbers, license plates, and precise descriptions. Spanish rule - In 1528, Panfilo de Narvaez found his way to what would be Wakulla County from Tampa, Florida camping at the confluence of the Wakulla River and St. Marks River. Narvaez would find this a very suitable spot for a fort. In 1539, Hernando de Soto followed with his soldiers establishing San Marcos de Apalachee. Early 19th century - The area to become Wakulla County was an active place in the early 1800s. A former British officer named William Augustus Bowles attempted to unify and lead 400 Creek Indians against the Spanish outpost of San Marcos capturing it. This provoked Spain and a Spanish flotilla arrived some 5 weeks later and assumed control of San Marcos. In 1818, General Andrew Jackson invaded the territory (Wakulla) taking control of San Marcos. Two captured British citizens, Robert Ambrister and Alexander Arbuthnot, were tried and found guilty of inciting Indian raids and executed causing a diplomatic nightmare between the United States and England. In 1821, Florida was ceded to the United States and the San Marcos was occupied by U.S. troops. In 1824, the fort was abandoned and turned over to the Territory of Florida. By 1839, the fort was returned to the U.S. and a federal marine hospital was built. The hospital provided care for victims of yellow fever in the area. Forts of Wakulla County Antebellum Wakulla - Wakulla County was created in 1843. It may (although this is disputed) be named for the Timucuan Indian word for "spring of water" or "mysterious water." This is in reference to Wakulla County's greatest natural attraction, Wakulla Springs, which is one of the world's largest freshwater springs, both in terms of depth and water flow. In 1974, the water flow was measured at 1.23 billion gallons per day—the greatest recorded flow ever for a single spring. Another possible origin for the name Wakulla, not as widely accepted, is that it means "mist" or "misting", perhaps in reference to the Wakulla Volcano, a 19th century phenomenon in which a column of smoke could be seen emerging from the swamp for miles. Civil War - During the Civil War, Wakulla County was partly involved. From 1861-1865 a Union squadron blockaded the mouth of the St. Marks River. Confederates took the old Spanish fort site known as San Marcos de Apalachee and renamed it Fort Ward. The Battle of Natural Bridge eventually stopped the Union force that intended to take Fort Ward. Etymology - The name Wakulla is corrupted from Guacara. Guacara is a Spanish phonetic spelling of an original Indian name, and Wakulla is a Muskhogean pronunciation of Guacara. The Spanish Gua is the equivalent of the Creek wa, and as the Creek alphabet does not exhibit an "R" sound, the second element cara would have been pronounced kala by the Creeks. The Creek voiceless "L" is always substituted for the Spanish "R". Thus the word Guacara was pronounced Wakala by the Seminoles who are Muskhogean in their origin and language. Since Wakulla was probably a Timucuan word, it is unlikely that its meaning will ever be known. It may contain the word kala which signified a "spring of water" in some Indian dialects. Geography - According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,906 km (736 mi). 1,571 km (607 mi) of it is land and 334 km (129 mi) of it (17.54%) is water.Wakulla County is part of the Tallahassee Metropolitan Statistical Area.
Member of the Florida Guides Association FGA Code Of Ethics
POLE OR USE TROLLING MOTOR IN WATERS TOO SHALLOW FOR MAIN POWER USE:
DO NOT CROWD ANOTHER BOAT:
RESPECT AND OBEY ALL STATE OF FLORIDA REGULATIONS:
Never allow glass bottles on board as they are dangerous to your clients and the environment. Plastics/petroleum litter violations and fines are much more severe for guides with commercial licenses and permits. Be cautious with, or disallow plastic bags on board and never discard any monofilament into the environment. Obey all petroleum products laws and prohibitions. Bring all trash back to the dock!
History of Wakulla
from: http://www.wakullacountychamber.com/Index.aspx
Prehistoric Wakulla - The ancient lands to be later called Wakulla County was home to Upper Paleolithic - Paleo-Indian over 12,000 years ago and were descendants of people who crossed into North America from eastern Asia during the Pleistocene epoch. Clovis spear points have been found at Wakulla Springs and would have been used in the hunting of Mastodon, Columbian Mammoth, Equus (prehistoric horses), Camelops (ice age camel), and other fauna. The spears would have also helped these ancient people defend themselves from Ice Age lions, Short-faced bear, and Saber-toothed tiger.
