Manny About Town
An Old-fashioned Hootenanny at Jimbo’s

By Manny Meland

Manny Meland on harmonica and Billy Georgette on piano

A visit to Jimbo’s Fishing Camp is an anthropological experience. It is situated in Virginia Key on the road to Key Biscayne. Turn left at the Mast Academy then right at the sewage treatment plant. Pass what used to be called “Black Beach” which was the only beach permitted to African Americans during the bad old day of racial segregation. You are almost there. Oh yes. Tell the toll collector at the Virginia Key toll booth that you’re going to Jimbo’s and he will waive you through without having to pay the toll.

Jimbo’s camp was not always situated in Virginia Key. In 1954, he set up his shrimping business at the site of the present day Miami Herald newspaper on the shore of Biscayne Bay. When the City of Miami sold this land to the Miami Herald, Jimbo refused to move, claiming squatter’s rights. By then, he had occupied this parcel for approximately 10 years. The City and Jimbo resolved this dispute by moving him to his present location on Virginia Key.

Manny and Jimbo

Jimbo’s camp belongs to another time. You won’t find this kind of fishing camp anywhere in Florida. There are maybe a couple around in Georgia, Louisiana or the Carolinas. The same could be said for Jimbo himself. He is a friendly old coot. You’ll find him sitting on a beat-up old recliner with the inevitable stogie stuck in his mouth. There may be a game of bocce ball taking place on a court next to the main cabin. If you are in the mood for a beer, squeeze into the cabin where you’ll find a beer barrel swimming in ice. Dive in for your favorite brand. If you are not successful at first, toss it back and try again. The beer is a buck. It used to be 50 cents, but hey, that’s inflation. You can also buy some tasty smoked fish. There is a picnic table near the pier behind the cabin where you can enjoy your simple repast. There, you can look over the water to Fisher Island or enjoy an idyllic view of some limping boats moored to the shore. If you find this description depressing, you will be surprised to see the fancy cars and Rolexes visiting from Key Biscayne. Also, filmmakers show up from time to time who find this locale a great place to shoot. Some Sundays, bands come and play free concerts.

Happy Birthday Jimbo

I brought my musician pal Billy Georgette to see Jimbo’s while it’s still around. He volunteered to play the piano that was propped up against the cabin under the awning. When Billy saw that a loose piano leg was tied up with rope, he asked Jimbo if the piano had any scales. A chap with a cup collecting change for a tooth fund replied that the only scales around here are on fish. Fortunately, I brought my harmonica along and Billy and I played an old fashioned hootenanny. The clam diggers song, “East Virginia”, “I Ride an Old Paint”, among others. We were rewarded with free beer.

The deal that the City of Miami made was that Jimbo could occupy this Virginia Key site for as long as he lives. Then it will revert back to the City. Jimbo celebrated his 80th birthday a year ago.