(3.91) FISH and/or FISHING - Old Fishing Photos Ocklawaha River 1930s to 1960s Before Rodman Dam
Old Fishing Photos
From the
Ocklawaha River, Florida
1930's to the 1960's
BEFORE RODMAN DAM
Photo Memory Gallery
Photographs For This Webpage
Graciously Provided by the
Parramore Family of
Eureka, Marion County, Florida
Who Have Lived Near the Ocklawaha River
Since the Late 1860's
After Moving from Southern Georgia
Their "In-Law" Families
Settled in the
Ocklawaha River Valley
Even Prior to "The War Between the States"
An Information, Opinion, & Photos Report
Compiled by Ocklawahaman Paul Nosca
With the assistance of Captain Erika Ritter
Created: 29 July 2013
Last Revised: 03 December 2023
INTRODUCTION
The 30 September 1968 completion of Rodman Dam caused the loss of 21 river miles of free-flowing riverine ecosystem. Florida's peninsula was blessed by the Creator with thousands of lakes but very few swift-flowing streams of any considerable length. The pre-Rodman Dam 56-mile long Silver-Ocklawaha River system was unique in this state by virtue of having one of the world's greatest-flow 1st magnitude artesian spring groups (73 degree F Silver Springs) as its supreme headwaters with unimpeded access for migratory fish and other aquatic life--located more than 50 miles above tidewater influence (St. Johns River estuary).
The Ocklawaha River, prior to Rodman's construction, would most likely have ranked among the top-five best largemouth bass fishing rivers (25 miles or more of continuous length) in Florida. This list of five, back then, would probably have included the: St. Johns River, Ocklawaha River, Withlacoochee River (south), Suwannee River, and Apalachicola River. RIVER ANGLERS experienced at fishing its cool, swift currents had been skillfully catching bass from the natural Ocklawaha River for a hundred years or so before Rodman Dam was ever built.
"There are lake fishermen, and there are river fishermen,
And seldom do the twain agree!"
Original author is unknown
Largemouth Bass
Largemouth Bass
Largemouth Bass
Largemouth Bass
Largemouth Bass
River Bream
River Bream, Largemouth Bass, & Catfish
River Bream
Largemouth Bass
Channel Catfish
Channel Catfish
Largemouth Bass
Largemouth Bass
Largemouth Bass
Largemouth Bass
Largemouth Bass
Channel Catfish
American Alligator
Largemouth Bass
Channel Catfish
Largemouth Bass
Largemouth Bass
River Bream
Largemouth Bass
Captain Erika
Captain Erika & her sister with a stringer of their uncle's Largemouth Bass
Summer of 1968: Captain Erika Ritter & "THE MONSTER"
300-ton+ Crusher-crawler machine that was used to destroy the Ocklawaha River's floodplain forest for the construction of Rodman Pool (a.k.a. Lake Ocklawaha or Rodman Reservoir).
The Johnson-Humphrey Administration was moving for the closure of Rodman Dam before the November presidential election. Florida's electoral votes would be very crucial to the outcome.
REFERENCE AS: Nosca, P. 2023. "Old fishing photos from the Ocklawaha River, Florida 1930's to the 1960's before Rodman Dam" webpage report. "Ocklawahaman Paul Nosca reports" website. Paul Nosca, Eureka, FL.
Email: ocklawahaman1@gmail.com
End.