Pine Island Road cuts across northern Lee County through an undeveloped area of palm and pine trees, but with the appearance of the first bait shop just outside Matlacha, the environment quickly changes. The tiny island community lies in the middle of Matlacha Pass, about 12 miles southwest of US 41 on Pine Island Road. The town of art galleries and funky, colorful, Florida architecture boasts a pier and good fishing from the "world's fishingest" bridge that leads from the mainland to the island. Fishermen catch grouper, snapper and even catfish from the pier and bridges that traverse the Matlacha Pass Aquatic preserve. Even at night, the bridge attracts a large complement of anglers relaxing " on island time." After a passing thunderstorm, the deep blue sky flashed the remnants of a rainbow, which was framed by the fishing poles of a family from Cape Coral who were trying their luck at the Matlacha fishing pier in the small-but-very-accessible Matlacha Community Park.