Many of the flooded trees in Sparkleberry Swamp are decorated with license plates, signs and paint markings, showing routes that lead to places only those who placed them know. It’s one way folks have kept their bearings in this swamp for decades, and not too long ago, it was the only way for many. This kept many newcomers out of the swamp, and has led to many boaters — both new and experienced — getting lost over the years.
Luckily for outdoorsmen, hand-held GPS units are widely available and as affordable as a rod-and-reel combo. Sumter’s Ken Nutter, who learned his way around Sparkleberry Swamp before the invention of GPS, said it’s senseless to go into this swamp without one.
“I know my way around, and I mainly use my GPS to mark underwater stump fields and other good fishing spots, but I also feel much more comfortable knowing if the weather changes quickly and visibility becomes an issue, that I can easily find my way out,” said Nutter, who has the Sparkleberry Landing and Packs Landing boat ramps saved on his Garmin eTrex as waypoints.
In addition to having those boat landings saved, Nutter also starts a trip log when he launches his boat. This tracks his progress throughout the day, allowing him to travel freely even in places he’s never been if the water level allows, then follow his electronic trail back to the landing when his trip is done.
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