The Homosassa River, located in Florida, has been a place of tourism and recreation since the end of 1880. The head of the spring was once a “roadside attraction” and the site of many Hollywood-style films. The river attracted film actors, baseball players and athletes with its beauty, fish and game. Taking a pontoon boat or an aircraft ride is a pleasant way to learn about the history of this area.
Much of the story is centered around the communities of farmers and fishermen located on islands near the Gulf of Mexico. But there is much more! The railroad was called “the trip with the bulletin”, the experience of the civil war and Native American tales.
In winter, 72% of the upper reaches of the Gomossassa River become home to 80 manatees. Citrus County is the only state in Florida where you can legally swim with these docile and protected creatures. Locals hunted and fished, but it was also a source of fresh water for drinking, cooking and swimming.
The translation of the Gomossasi was many and varied, but the favorite is “The House of Many Fish”. In fresh water there is a large bass and many species of sea fish from the spring head to the Gulf of Mexico. Fishing is a favorite past and sport in Homosassa, where trophy-sized trophies are not uncommon. Red drum (perch), spotted sea trout, black-tipped shark, covia, mackerel, blue fish and perch are just a selection of fish species that you can find at the end of your line.
The planes were part of the history of Homosassa for over sixty years and were originally used for duck hunting. Most of the airfields these days are designed for fun and fishing. Shallow water is the norm in the Natural Coast region, where outfitters can take you to salt marshes and estuaries and abundant wildlife.
Birds everywhere you look. Many of the offshore islands (and several coastal) are literally covered with nesting birds, some of which live in Gomossas all year round, while others migrate to this area for the abundant food available to them. Osprey, Bald Eagles, Anhingas, Rosetta spoonbill, pelicans, American white pelicans, frigat bird, herons and herons, and more. And do not be surprised to see dolphins, alligators and manatees, walking along the river Gomossassa.
The rocky season opens every year from July 1 to September 10. Historically, scallops were collected in large numbers, landed on the beach for processing and transportation by train bullets to major cities. Collecting shells, shrimp, oysters, stone crabs and blue crabs helps the local people work and is very busy. Scallops can no longer be commercially collected, so people are going to the Gulf of Mexico in boats to demand their share of these succulent creatures. The experience is similar to the hunt
Easter eggs under water using a mask, snorkel and fins to help you see, breathe and get around. The plant and animal life that will be visible under the water are amazing.
Amazing for many visitors to Homosassa are the artists and artisans located in the community. Although the art and crafts of making clean and repairing, building crabs and fish traps and creating living on the islands can be largely lost, those people who want to learn can find it on and around the Historic Gomossas River.
