Huge python , some gators and a tarpon 1/14/10

Tuesday , wednesday and thursday I was supposed to participate in an African Rock Python search and destroy mission at the eastern edge of the Everglades . My friend Dennis has found one area that has a large population of rock python as opposed to the Burmese python. It was cold tuesday and wed. , the temperature never got out of the low 50's so I opted to stay on the west coast thinking it was to cold for snakes . I was wrong ( as was everyone ) . They found 4 rock python , 11,12,13 and a 14 footer along with one Red tailed boa. Wish I would have went . I left today to head over but when I got halfway I heard things were slow . I decided not to waste the gas and check out the fish activity in the Big Cypress National Preserve. The water was cold but it got up to 75 (air)today so I was hoping to see some tarpon. When I got to the water I saw quite a bit of small fish rolling . They actually wanted to eat , I jumped a couple and landed one . There was a guy fishing near me that jumped six on fly , they would not touch a live bait only artificial , mostly fly.The only fish i saw dead were the tropical invasive species and a few hardheads ( yes!) . Gators were everywhere but very lethargic , they stayed out of the water . Most of the grass and foliage was dead and brown from the freeze . I'll have alot more snake pictures I'll add tomorrow but this is the beast.........