1971 Russ Smiley Pictorial Fishing Map of South Florida

This is a 1971 Russ Smiley pictorial fishing map of South Florida. Depicting from Fort Lauderdale to Key West, Smiley pays particular attention to coastal regions and the Florida Keys. Keys are labeled throughout with pink overprinting marking lighthouses, beacons, and buoys. Pink overprinting also identifies prime fishing areas and seasons for snook, bonefish, and tarpon. Special zones north of Key West are labeled as 'Prohibited' and 'Danger'. Black dashed lines highlight the John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park. An 'inset' of Key West appears at the top center just below the title. This includes a detailed depiction of the waters around the island, but very little discernible detail is included on the island itself.

Pictorial Elements

Vignettes of fishermen, fishing boats, and fishing gear populate the map. Smiley was a talented artist, and these elements add considerable charm. The most eye-catching are the colorful swirl of fish that encircle the map, among which are marlin, barracuda, tarpon, and sailfish. Each species is identified and symbols indicate where it can be found and best practice fishing methods.

Publication History and Census

This map was created and published by Russ Smiley in 1971. We have located two other cataloged examples, both of which are recorded in OCLC. One example is at the Library of Congress and the other is part of the collection at Florida State University. An example is part of the Touchton Map Library at the Tampa Bay History Center. We note at least once previous example on the private market.