The last time I was on that stretch of the creek (about a month ago), as I was paddling point, with Dan and his friend about 40 yards behind me, I looked down to the left side of my yak and saw the head and shoulders of a big alligator. It was literally next to my yak and so close that I could have reached down and touched it. Before I even realized what I was looking at, the gator slowly sunk into the water and was gone from view. It was only after it disappeared that I fully realized what I'd just encountered. Didn't even have a chance to be scared until after it was gone, and even then it was more an awareness than fright. I scanned both sides of the creek while waiting for Dan and his friend to catch up. I told them of the sighting and then we continued on with the paddle to the blue hole.

Two take-aways for me:

1. The gator was big (about 3-4 feet just of head and what part of the shoulders I could see). I knew there were gators in the nature center, but I always thought they'd be smaller; I was wrong.

2. Although I will continue to fish this creek, I don't think I'd want to paddle there at night, and I definitely won't be pulling a stringer of fish in that water.

Brother BRod speaks the gospel.
U have been warned!

Oh I have donated a few things at the creek rods, prescription glasses, & car keys. Last time I lost a rod there, I went in after it & actually got it back. Exact spot was just under 10 mile bridge. Thank goodness I never encountered any gators the 2 times I fell in & the 1 time I went in voluntarily

Yes, I know that feeling all too well B_Rod... We were out there a few months ago and the winds were really strong. We put in at the Nature Center and paddled down stream. The winds were strong that day so our intentions were to paddle into the wind then use it at our backs to fish the whole way back. As we passed one area I recalled seeing alot of movement in the water along the edge of one of the island areas out in the water.

So as we turned around and headed back up stream I focused my attention on that little island area. I casted right to the area that I saw the movement in. Well, the winds were really strong and they carried my boat right into the foliage I was fishing near. As I got ready to paddle out, I looked thru the tall grasses and saw this area that had been flattened down and thought.. "um.. looks like something could live in there..."

Then as I took my focus off that section and looked at the water next to my boat I saw two eyes, then the head and then the jagged teeth and thougth.. well they would censor that on here but I think you get the picture.. I too was so close that I could have reached out and touched it. Guess I am glad I wasn't fishing with something that he was interested in latching on to!. Here I was thinking the movement in the water was some great bass but no it was that darn gator. I too had heard the stories, but us lucky few can now tell the story and know it is not just fiction.

I have gone back out there a few times since then and now I look at the water alot differently! Heck, just the other day we were out there and I paddled over what I guess was a submerged tree stump but at first I thought it was a gator under my boat, good news is that adrenaline rushes are good for ya!

Enjoy your next adventure to the Nature Gator Center!