Python Challenge Update

By Bob Bramblet

Everglades hunt proves tough but valuable.



The first full week of the Python Challenge is over and Team Florida Sportsman has yet to bag a python. It's not for lack of trying, however. This past weekend Chris Patricella, Ethan Patricella, Eric Bramblet and I logged many trail walking miles and many more miles driving on asphalt, dirt and sometimes no roads.

Several pythons have been caught by competitors all over the Everglades. We were encouraged by reports of catches in Big Cypress. So Chris, Ethan and I began the weekend working our way across the state early, stopping by a few remote rock piles and canal banks on the Collier side. Soon we were in Big Cypress and Eric met us from the east coast side after taking the long way around. We spent the mid to late morning walking levees and trails and finding many snakes trying to warm themselves in the sun along the edges, including several Everglades racers.

On the way back to the vehicles we ran into a team from St Pete. Joe Rufin, Ron White and Matt Shapiro were carrying out their second python of the Challenge. They caught the 10-plus footer on the side of a levee where it was stretched out along the bank warming up. Joe told me the three have no previous experience catching pythons but have bagged two in the two times they have been out. He credits their success to “putting in the miles,” referring to the hours of walking back to the remote areas where

the pythons were found. These guys are serious anglers as well and are competing mainly because their love of the outdoors.

After lunch we split up and covered more ground. Eric and I walked more trails until I nearly gave out. Exhausted, we made our way to camp. We drove a few asphalt roads that evening hoping to catch a few snakes trying to get the last bit of warmth in the chilly air with no luck. Cold and tired, we hit the tents to the sounds of distant owls calling.

The next morning brought more cold. After a hot breakfast and copious amounts of coffee, we broke camp and headed out again. Chris and Ethan drove east to check out the levee tops while Eric and I walked more miles. We finally gave up for the weekend and headed back.

During the drive I reflected on why we were doing this. I recalled the previous evening laying in the tent and listening to the owls and looking across our camp bathed in the light of a full moon. I thought about what Joe told me about the love of the outdoors and smiled. That sounds like a good enough reason for me.