olcaptain
Senior Member
History
As you sit on the east bank of the Apalachicola River in Chattahoochee, Florida and look to your right you will see three structures in or over the river. You will see a dam as well as a bridge and a half. The half bridge is the original Victory Bridge which opened in July, 1922 which was 93 years ago. The second structure is the present Victory Bridge which was completed in the 1990’s and finally the Jim Woodruff Dam which was constructed back in the 50’s to produce electricity and to form Lake Seminole.
Recently the local newspaper shared photos as they celebrated the 93rd Birthday of the opening of the original bridge. Not only did the bridge connect Chattahoochee to neighboring Sneads, Florida but it also provided a vital link in the Old Spanish Trail which ran all the way (3,000 miles) from St. Augustine to California . As I sat and read this newspaper article my mind went back to days of old. I thought about how cool it would have been to be a lad on the bank that day when that first Steamboat made her way through the draw of the bridge and then south to Apalachicola Bay.
As I looked down to my right on the bank I could see the remains of old wooden barges that for many years have been abandoned and resting along the shoreline. I couldn’t help but wonder what type of cargo had they carried and what manner of men worked on board. As I looked downstream to my left I was equally intrigued by the old railroad trestle.
This whole area fascinates me each and every time I go down there and this trip was certainly no exception. As I reflected on the history of the area and wondered just who and what might have travelled the river in the past my gears quickly changed to what might be travelling the river on Wed through Friday of this week. As the Crew and I gathered around midday on Wednesday I wondered what kind of history would we be putting into the books this week. Did we put some Gold on the bank or did we simply bake in the relentless July sun? I thought you’d never ask…….
I was joined this week by three of the finest crew members than money can’t buy! Mr. O.D. Forrester of nearby Sneads, Florida was in the house along with Tim “Cool Dad” Gill and the ever popular Maximus Relaximus (The Ultimate Carp Hound.)
We fished half a day Wed & Friday and all day on Thursday. Although the heat was almost unbearable at times we still managed to make some fine catches!!
But the highlight of the trip was when 73 year old O.D Forrester put this personal best 29 pound lump of Gold on the mat in the pouring rain late Thursday!!! Folks, talk about history!! This is what memories are made of!
We had a ball but I will confess. It sure was good to get home, get cleaned up and chill out here in the air conditioned Captain’s Quarters. You just never know where the road might take us next but rest assured we will be anticipating our next opportunity for Lick and Release real soon!
As you sit on the east bank of the Apalachicola River in Chattahoochee, Florida and look to your right you will see three structures in or over the river. You will see a dam as well as a bridge and a half. The half bridge is the original Victory Bridge which opened in July, 1922 which was 93 years ago. The second structure is the present Victory Bridge which was completed in the 1990’s and finally the Jim Woodruff Dam which was constructed back in the 50’s to produce electricity and to form Lake Seminole.
Recently the local newspaper shared photos as they celebrated the 93rd Birthday of the opening of the original bridge. Not only did the bridge connect Chattahoochee to neighboring Sneads, Florida but it also provided a vital link in the Old Spanish Trail which ran all the way (3,000 miles) from St. Augustine to California . As I sat and read this newspaper article my mind went back to days of old. I thought about how cool it would have been to be a lad on the bank that day when that first Steamboat made her way through the draw of the bridge and then south to Apalachicola Bay.
As I looked down to my right on the bank I could see the remains of old wooden barges that for many years have been abandoned and resting along the shoreline. I couldn’t help but wonder what type of cargo had they carried and what manner of men worked on board. As I looked downstream to my left I was equally intrigued by the old railroad trestle.
This whole area fascinates me each and every time I go down there and this trip was certainly no exception. As I reflected on the history of the area and wondered just who and what might have travelled the river in the past my gears quickly changed to what might be travelling the river on Wed through Friday of this week. As the Crew and I gathered around midday on Wednesday I wondered what kind of history would we be putting into the books this week. Did we put some Gold on the bank or did we simply bake in the relentless July sun? I thought you’d never ask…….
I was joined this week by three of the finest crew members than money can’t buy! Mr. O.D. Forrester of nearby Sneads, Florida was in the house along with Tim “Cool Dad” Gill and the ever popular Maximus Relaximus (The Ultimate Carp Hound.)
We fished half a day Wed & Friday and all day on Thursday. Although the heat was almost unbearable at times we still managed to make some fine catches!!
But the highlight of the trip was when 73 year old O.D Forrester put this personal best 29 pound lump of Gold on the mat in the pouring rain late Thursday!!! Folks, talk about history!! This is what memories are made of!
We had a ball but I will confess. It sure was good to get home, get cleaned up and chill out here in the air conditioned Captain’s Quarters. You just never know where the road might take us next but rest assured we will be anticipating our next opportunity for Lick and Release real soon!
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