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Sunrise Park at Sunrise
Justin and I launched the canoe just after 7:30 and caught a perfect sunrise to start our day. I kept the phone in the Aqua-Pac the entire time, so this is the only picture from the water, but it pretty much does the job.

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The Haul
Fish weren’t biting and an approaching thunderstorm chased us back to shore by 10:30. Saw a perfect slot sized Redfish by the boat but not really much in the way of bites. I was able to harvest about 15 Hardshell Clams of various sizes.

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Locally Gathered
I picked up some mussels, chopped a locally grown yellow onion and tomato, and grabbed some Lakeridge Southern White Wine (also locally produced.) I decided to make a quick and easy Florida Cracker Paella. I think I’d like to in the future use a key lime here instead of normal lime juice. Some chopped garlic to bring it all together.

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Melt Wet Ingredients
Melted butter spread with a dash of the wine and lime juice.

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Shellfish and Veggies
Added all the clams and mussels, garlic and veggies and let simmer until all the shellfish opened. I only had 2 clams that didn’t open so I made sure to remove them and toss.

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Shells Out, More Seafood
After a bit of siimmering the clams and mussels just give up their shells, falling right out. I carefully made sure to remove all shells and then added some shrimp and crab leg meat.

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Simmering Meat Goods
This time I used alaskan king crab leg meat because it was on sale real cheap, but to make this even better I want to use Blue Crab that I also catch. Can’t get any fresher than gathered by hand. I think you could also through in some cuts of fish fillets if your trip happens to yield some.

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Grain and Spices
I tossed in cous cous (probably about a cup, just 2 scooper fulls) along with a dash of hot sauce and a sprinkling of dried red pepper flakes. You could use any kind of grain here, yellow rice or maybe even grits would be an interesting take. When the grain is cooked, the meal is done.

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Portion and Leftovers
Made enough for one epic meal and a sensible lunch the next day. It would easily be enough for 2 or 3 people, probably would need a bigger pan to make enough for 4 or more, but I have a large cast iron I could call on to do the job.

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On the Plate in 30 Minutes
I was suprised at how fast I was able to get this seemingly complicated meal to the table. It was exactly a half hour on the nose. Pairs Nicely with Yuengling.

Recipe Timeline

Why should I vote for any of the people stumping on national TV right now? None of them have solid stances of any real consequence, just typical willow in the wind jelly spined politicians. But Frank seals the deal for me because he’s a Brevard County resident and a proclaimed angler. Every President should fish, especially the flats, at least if they fish I can be a little more sure they are more than a puppet in a suit. Would the Presidential limo have a redfish sticker in the back window? I can dream.

Looking forward to Deadwood tonight. Dan is supposedly going to kick hell out of the son of a bitch captain that hangs by Hearst’s side. I love that show. My wife went to high school less than an hour from the real Deadwood, so it’s always a treat to go there and be a tourist when we visit her parents. I suggest if you are going, go during the Sturgis Rally. There is something fiting about being in the main strip of Deadwood with the roar of hundreds of Harley’s in your ear and drunken biker drifters gambling their total financial holdings at the tables.