As rivers go, the Chassahowitzka doesn't compare in size to the St. Johns or the St. Lawrence. It's certainly not as long as the Mississippi, nor as wide as the Amazon.

But, from the standpoint of pure, unadulterated beauty and tranquillity, the Chassahowitzka certainly outshines any of the aforementioned giants and most smaller ones too.

Bounded on the north and south by heavily wooded areas, the river begins modestly at a little community just off U.S. Highway 19, with a spring pouring millions of gallons daily into a shallow river bed.

As it continues its short westward trek, the river expands from additional gin clear water gushing forth from the subterranean aquifer until reaching the brackish estuary areas of the 30,500-acre National Wildlife Refuge which was established in 1943 by the U.S. Department of the Interior.

A winter home for migratory waterfowl, the Refuge is also home to several rare, endangered, or threatened species including the brown pelican, wood ibis, bald eagle, and Florida black bear.

For those driving north or south along U.S. Highway 19, the place is easy to miss. Located about 7 miles south of Homosassa and about 10 miles north of Weeki Wachee, the Chassahowitzka is bordered at its beginnings by homes.

Further along, the permanent-type residential abodes stop and houseboats anchored to shoreline trees or cabins built on stilts begin, until reaching the Refuge entrance.

In the freshwater portions of the river, anglers can take a shot at largemouth bass and several varieties of bream. As you get into brackish waters, you'll be rewarded with migrating redfish, an occasional snook or trout.

During the spring and summer months, tarpon invade the area in substantial numbers.

When reaching Homosassa Bay, anglers will connect with most of the saltwater game fish species peculiar to this section of the Gulf of Mexico.

During the waterfowl season, hunters can bag ducks after obtaining a special permit at Refuge headquarters. Bird watchers and photographers can enjoy the scenic and wildlife abundance year round.

A little Chassahowitzka community has a couple of excellent restaurants, a smattering of small, clean "mom and pop" motels, the Chassahowitzka River Lodge, a grocery store, and a post office. The Lodge also has a launching ramp, rental boats, and canoes.

A word of warning, however. The river is quite shallow in spots and full of rocks, so don't get caught in a remote area during a falling tide. During the winter months, the river offers excellent fishing for trout, drum, sheepshead, redfish, and mangrove snapper.

In the spring, summer, and early-fall season, there'll be redfish on high tide at nearly every outside point. Also, the nearby Homosassa flats is the area where numerous fly rod tarpon records have been set in recent years.