- December 13, 2025
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At Jiggs Landing Preserve and Outpost, mornings begin with the splash of paddles on the Braden River and end with live music drifting across the water. In between, visitors can fish, birdwatch, boat or simply relax in a lakeside cabin with a front-row view of Old Florida’s natural beauty.
But Jiggs’ appeal runs deeper than its peaceful scenery. More than a park and commissary with modern comforts, this ecological and cultural landmark has deep roots in Manatee County. Tucked along the Braden River where it widens into the Evers Reservoir, it connects nature, community and history in ways that are increasingly rare today.
In 1944, Al “Jiggs” Metcalf and his wife, Agnes, purchased 7 acres at 6106 63rd St. E., and opened a modest fish camp in 1945. Al, reportedly a large man, resembled the character “Jiggs” from the comic strip “Bringing Up Father.” The couple used the waterfront property as both a homestead and a camp for fishermen, according to his niece, Sandy Metcalf, who lived with them as a teenager in one of the four cabins Al built.
For decades, the landing was a hub of Old Florida hospitality, with cabins for rent and long tables under the pines for family-style meals. But over time, the property changed hands multiple times, fell into disrepair, and by the early 2000s seemed destined for condo development.
That changed in 2007, when Manatee County’s Parks and Natural Resources Department stepped in.
“The destiny of this property before Manatee County intervened was another multistory condominium,” recalls Charlie Hunsicker, now the department’s director. “What we have today is a peaceful retreat to an earlier time, with modern conveniences and an opportunity to see some truly incredible sunsets.”
Three years after the purchase and following major improvements — including new seawalls, an upgraded boat ramp and reconstruction of the original four cracker-style cabins — the county reopened Jiggs Landing as a public preserve. The decision was as much about ecology as recreation: the 7-acre site borders the Evers Reservoir and the Braden River, which supply Bradenton’s drinking water. By protecting this land, the county helped ensure the sustainability of that vital resource for generations to come.
Preserving the land and water was only the first step; restoring its spirit took longer. That’s why Denise Kleiner, then (and still) owner of Florida Boat Tours, helped launch the Braden River Historical Society in 2007, to encourage preservation of Jiggs Landing’s cultural and historical legacy.
The society initially aimed to save the historic cabins, but they were too far gone. Its next mission was to encourage the county to build a replica cabin to serve as a museum and reminder of the past. Before the originals were torn down, photographer Niki Butcher — wife of renowned landscape photographer Clyde Butcher — documented one of the old shacks. “It was covered in vines and bushes,” she recalls.
Butcher later painted the photo in her signature style and donated it to support the replica project. “I really feel it’s important to keep some of your history of a place so people in the future know what it took to build a community into a major city,” Butcher says.
With funds raised, the replica cabin was furnished with period pieces, including a Kelvinator fridge, porcelain sink and enamel-topped table, Kleiner explains. In 2010, it opened as a tangible nod to an earlier time.
In 2016, Kleiner was named general manager of Jiggs Landing’s commissary, “The Outpost” where, over time, she improved amenities and created the community hub you find today. That included reviving the bait shop and adding a café that served breakfast, lunch and snacks — where seniors gather for morning coffee, families arrive later for ice cream and sandwiches, and anglers come for a cold beer after fishing.
Kleiner also coordinates waterfront cabin rentals, which she upgraded to earn the name “glamping” rather than camping and, in addition to running the kayak rentals, she suggests three DIY experiences on the water: “Morning Glory” for sunrise and birdwatching; “Linger Lodge Expedition” for exploration; and “Sunset Kayak Paddle” for a “magical kayaking adventure.”
Live music has also been part of the Outpost’s charm since 2016. The singer and songwriter Raiford Starke was the first to play at Jiggs, offering what’s been called “good, old-fashioned, homemade music,” as well as “Southern swamp boogie.” Starke says he’s “like a human jukebox. I just want to make people happy and play music.” Starke was also the first to play at Jiggs once it reopened from the Covid-19 pandemic shutdown.
Today, during season, visitors will find a diverse roster of performers playing music most evenings, starting at sunset.
“I can hear the music from my house,” says wildlife photographer Janis Parker, who lives nearby. “What I like best about Jiggs is that kids can have an adventure here without really having to travel. The cabins, the playground, the barbecues — it’s perfect for families.”
Kleiner continues to view her core role as keeping the site’s history alive. “Jiggs Landing’s roots as a 1940’s fish camp are vital to preserve because they’re one of the few remaining threads of visible history in this part of Manatee County,” she says. “Protecting that history keeps the spirit of Old Florida alive and gives the community a sense of place that’s rooted in something real.”
Fishing remains a central part of Jiggs Landing’s allure. Anglers can enjoy a variety of freshwater fishing opportunities from land or by boat. Their freshwater catch can include largemouth bass, bluegill, crappie, bowfin, shellcracker and gar, says Andy “Doc” Lee, a retired forest ranger and longtime angler who has reeled in all of the above. He also reveals that he’s caught many a tarpon and snook — saltwater fish that have made their way into Evers Lake and the Braden River. “Most saltwater species can live in freshwater, but they can’t reproduce here. Still, they’re in there, and that’s part of what makes fishing in Jiggs so special.”
Lee also values access to the only free boat launch in Manatee County where nighttime anglers, like himself, can buy a $30 annual G.T. Bray Park card to access the river after sunset. “Three in the morning is when you’ll find me there,” he says. “It’s peaceful, with no light pollution. I’ve turned my head east and actually seen rocket launches from Cape Canaveral.”
Jiggs is also a hotspot for birding; just ask wildlife photographer Parker. Herons, egrets, ibis, hawks, ospreys and even roseate spoonbills appear regularly. Alligators, otters, turtles and raccoons are also common, she says.
“Easy access to the lake, fishing, nature education, Florida fish camp history and entertainment — it’s all here,” says Parker. The combination has made Jiggs not just a destination but a community hub, hosting fundraisers, private concerts, holiday parades and even a Halloween “Haunted Fish Camp.”
People love Jiggs for different reasons. For many, it’s hobnobbing with familiar faces at the Outpost and the sense of stepping back into an earlier, slower Florida. Kleiner sums it up: “From the beginning, Jiggs Landing felt like a community treasure, a place with soul, stories and the kind of charm that draws people together. It wasn’t just about restoring a place, it was about reimagining it as a hub for connection, recreation and shared memories.”
Her hope — and the county’s goal — is that Jiggs continues to be a place where families return, generations connect and the spirit of Old Florida thrives alongside the new. Charlie Hunsicker is right with her.
“Jiggs is a community asset in every sense,” he says. “We’ve preserved a wonderful river and lake environment for this generation and the next. Right here in Manatee County, people can experience the Old Florida tradition of fish camps, with modern conveniences.”
