Tagged Bass in Harris Chain of Lakes

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) biologists are requesting angler assistance with a research study focusing on largemouth bass in the Harris Chain of Lakes, which includes lakes Griffin, Eustis, Harris and others, in Lake County. The results of this study will provide critical information needed to improve largemouth bass fisheries. 

To carry out this project, biologists have attached yellow tags along the back of the largemouth bass, just below the dorsal fin.  These tags carry information detailing the reward value, a printed telephone number, e-mail address and a tag number.

So what can you do to help? If you catch one of these tagged fish, please cut the tag from the fish close to the fish’s body, then harvest or release the fish as you would normally. Please report your tagged bass by calling the number found on the tag. 

Biologists would like to know the tag number, date and time of capture, where the fish was caught, fish length, and whether the fish was kept or released. Receiving this information is important for the success of this project, and rewards will be distributed to anglers who report complete capture information and return the tags to the FWC.

If you have any questions or would like more information about the largemouth tagging study, please contact basstags@MyFWC.com.

To view the most current fishing regulations for Florida, please visit MyFWC.com/Fishing.

For more information on fish and wildlife research and management in Florida, please visit us at MyFWC.com.

Vintage Planes, Fast Cars & Fast Boats

Bring the family out, or come with a friend to Fantasy of Flight’s Roar n Soar, Nov. 13 & 14th! 

Dale Earnhardt's famous "pass in the grass" car will make a rare appearance both days. In this car, Earnhardt made his famous move in the grass to pass Bill Elliott and win the 1987 All-star race, creating one of the most famous moments in NASCAR history. 

This two-day, signature event is an All-American themed, family-friendly celebration that includes:

Dale Earnhardt's famous "pass in the grass" car will make a rare appearance both days of the event. In this car, Earnhardt made his famous move in the grass to pass Bill Elliott and win the 1987 All-star race, creating one of the most famous moments in NASCAR history. 

This two-day, signature event is an All-American themed, family-friendly celebration that includes:

• Car and motorcycle show featuring rare, classic and exotic vehicles, including Dale Earnhardt's "pass in the grass" car on display
• Slalom car racing
• Racing boat regatta, with non-stop splash and speed
• Aerial demonstrations of rare vintage aircraft
• Hang gliders and paragliders
• Stilt walkers
• Games and contests

This event will be a stunning display of extreme sports rounded out with food, entertainment and a day of family activity. 

In honor of our troops and Veteran's Day weekend, Fantasy of Flight is attempting to break the Guinness World Record for the World's Largest Awareness Ribbon, that will be on display at Roar n' Soar. The ribbon will later be broken down, and the individual pieces will be mailed to the troops with a special message in time for the holidays. 

More than a museum, Fantasy of Flight takes guests to An Attraction on a Higher Plane. 

Home to the World's Greatest Aircraft Collection™, the facility is conveniently located at exit 44 off I-4, halfway between Tampa and Orlando, 1400 Broadway Blvd. S.E. in Polk City, FL 33868.

863-984-3500  |  www.fantasyofflight.com.

Ziplines, Via Ferrata thru the Canyon

Soar with the birds from treetop to treetop. Glide through a canyon over breathtaking waterfalls or climb a sheer rock face. I was first introduced to ziplining and rock climbing, via ferrata by Francois Guy Thivierge, up in Canyon Sainte-Anne, in Quebec, Canada.

Welcome to Parc des Chutes Coulonge Aerial Park, one of Quebec's awesome adventure parcs. Strap on a harness and lock your carabiners onto a steel cable, then hang on as you zip from tree to tree more than 30' off the ground. Take a slow breath as you get a bird's eye view of the parc and river. Enjoy eight ziplines and a 10 meter Himalayan foot bridge before embarking on the giant 805 feet long giant zip across the canyon. Look down at the Coulonge River and rapids, where logs used to float. This site is a tribute to the great log drives and a 3,000 feet wooden log slide. Explore the Coulonge Falls on pedestrian trails and footbridges with lookouts along the interpretation trail. Or, after gliding along the Canyon Zip, work your way back along prehistoric rock face, via ferrata, which is Latin for "iron roads". The Via Ferrata run 500 meters (1,640 ft) up the gorge towards a natural waterfall. Cross on a 46 m cable tightrope over the chasm, then exit through the steepest and sheerest section of the rock wall in a slanted forest. (www.chutescoulonge.ca)

Need another adrenaline rush? Visit Cap Jaseux in the woods along the Saguenay Fjord. (www.capjaseux.com) This is an adult, jungle gym, extreme, multi-sport destination. They offer rustic and developed camping, sea kayaking, sailing, via ferrata course, mountain biking, and you can spend the night in a tree house, 30+ feet above ground!

You may have done ropes courses, but not like these. They have an extreme course with 33 mentally and physically challenging puzzles and eight zip lines, so difficult, that no one has finished without grabbing for a safety rope. There are rope swings, suspension bridges that roll under your feet, trapeze bars and tight ropes. If that's not enough, at one puzzle you unclip from your safety-line belay and trust the net, just like Cirque du Soleil. 

Looking for more adrenaline rushes? Follow this blog for more; white water rafting and bungee jumping!

Holiday Food Drive, Fantasy of Flight

Fantasy of Flight's Holiday Food Drive

                      Oct 1- Nov. 12, 2010   10:00 a.m.- 5:00 p.m.

Fantasy of Flight is pleased to offer visitors who donate non-perishable food items $5 off full-priced adult general admission for each donation, Oct. 1 – Nov. 12, 2010. The month-long food drive will benefit The Mission in Winter Haven. Although all non-perishable food items will be accepted, the food banks are in greatest need of rice, pasta, canned fruits and vegetables. Every person in a group must bring a food item to qualify for the discount at Fantasy of Flight. The donated foods must be presented at the attraction’s admissions counter to qualify for the discount. Not valid with any other offers or discounts.

Cost: $5 off Fantasy of Flight full-priced adult general admission per donated food item.  General admission - Adults $28.95, Seniors $24.95, Children 6-15  $14.95, Toddlers 5 and under free.

Take Aim at Breast Cancer, Paintball Tournament

Fantasy of Flight: "Take Aim at Breast Cancer"

                     Oct. 23-24, 2010     10:00 a.m.- 4:00 p.m.

During the 2010 Paintball Sports Promotion (PSP) World Cup Paintball Tournament held at Fantasy of Flight, guests can contribute to the fight to find a cure for breast cancer. For a small donation, guests will be able to fire a round of pink paintballs at a canvas that will eventually become a work of art.  A portion of the funds collected will be donated to the Orlando Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure. Local Winter Haven artist, Tony Trotti, has agreed to donate his talent to creating art out of the paintball splattered canvases which will be donated to the Cassidy Center at Winter Haven Hospital to be auctioned off at their annual gala on Nov. 4th, 2010.  Community partners include Paintball Sports Promotion (PSP), Off the Wall Adventures, Inc., Procaps Direct and Artist Tony Trotti.

Cost:  Spectators receive free entry to the PSP World Cup.  $10 donation for each round.

Take Aim at Breast Cancer, Paintball Tournament

Fantasy of Flight: "Take Aim at Breast Cancer"

                     Oct. 23-24, 2010     10:00 a.m.- 4:00 p.m.

During the 2010 Paintball Sports Promotion (PSP) World Cup Paintball Tournament held at Fantasy of Flight, guests can contribute to the fight to find a cure for breast cancer. For a small donation, guests will be able to fire a round of pink paintballs at a canvas that will eventually become a work of art.  A portion of the funds collected will be donated to the Orlando Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure. Local Winter Haven artist, Tony Trotti, has agreed to donate his talent to creating art out of the paintball splattered canvases which will be donated to the Cassidy Center at Winter Haven Hospital to be auctioned off at their annual gala on Nov. 4th, 2010.  Community partners include Paintball Sports Promotion (PSP), Off the Wall Adventures, Inc., Procaps Direct and Artist Tony Trotti.

Cost:  Spectators receive free entry to the PSP World Cup.  $10 donation for each round.

POW Experience, Fantasy of Flight

Fantasy of Flight's Living History Symposium Series "Airmen in Captivity: The POW Experience"

                      Oct. 8-9, 2010   10 a.m. - 5 p.m.   

World War II created 93,941 prisoners of war.  However, life in the prison camps bore little resemblance of what is depicted in the movies and on television. Before the prison gates closed behind them, these fierce young airmen survived catastrophic flying trauma only to be captured and imprisoned by the enemy. What lay ahead was a psychological battlefield armed with a barrage of interrogation, isolation, and brutal conditions.

What did they experience? What did they learn? How did they manage not only to survive but to triumph over these real-life traumatic experiences? Learn about facing the enemy without as well as the enemy within, from these true American heroes.  This event features an open-forum/question-and-answer format with WWII prisoners of war.

Cost: Living History Symposium free with Fantasy of Flight General Admission - Adults $28.95, Seniors $24.95, Children 6-15  $14.95, Toddlers 5 and under free. See web site for details