I had the pleasure of taking Jane out for a half‑day inshore trip from Chokoloskee on the morning of August 3, 2026. We launched at 7:00 a.m. from our usual ramp and spent the next four hours working the nearby backcountry as clouds drifted overhead and the possibility of afternoon showers lingered in the forecast. The tide had crested just a short time before our departure, so we spent most of the morning fishing a falling tide that moved water out through the creeks and around the flats. Conditions were mild and humid, with temperatures climbing from the high 70s at first light into the upper 80s by our return at 11:00. Winds were light, starting ESE at about 4–5 mph and easing out of the southeast before shifting a bit more southerly by late morning, which made presentation and boat positioning comfortable for sight‑casting and working shallow structure. With the sky mostly cloudy and only a chance of storms, we focused on reading water and current changes, shifting locations as the tide drew down and the fish patterns adjusted. Throughout the trip I worked with Jane to dial in presentations and to keep our approach stealthy around shallow edges and mangrove points. We used quiet, deliberate moves to avoid spooking fish in the calm shallows and concentrated on areas where the outgoing tide was funneling bait and creating ambush points. Jane stayed patient and engaged, and we covered a variety of productive stretches as the morning progressed. We wrapped the trip and were back at the dock by 11:00 a.m., having enjoyed good conditions for an inshore outing despite the forecasted chance of showers. It was a pleasure guiding Jane — thoughtful angling and good company made for a relaxed, focused morning on the water. If she’d like to get back out during a different tide or try an early‑season push, I’d be glad to plan another trip to continue exploring these productive Paradise Coast waters.