Fly(fish)ing on Standby

A very good friend of mine is getting ready to go on one of my "bucket list" trips.  He's going to go out to Montana for a week of fly fishing for trout.  To say I'm jealous would be an understatement.  But good for him, that he is able to go.  As he isn't much of a fisherman, let alone "fly fisherman", he wisely took a few days and went up to Wintergreen, Virginia, to take a few fly casting lessons.  That way he won't spend precious fishing time, learning to cast his fly when he is out in Montana.  And, he said, he even caught four trout up in Wintergreen!

Shoot, I thought, I'd even like to go out to the mountains of Virginia for some fly fishing, myself.  I used to do it at least once a year.  But now that I live in Tidewater, I just don't make the effort to go to the mountains the way I used to when I lived up in Richmond.

Anyway, I told him that now that he has learned the basics, he can do what I do sometimes, and walk down to the lake and keep in practice fly fishing for bluegills.  It's wide open there, so you don't have to worry about low hanging trees.  It's simple and fun, and keeps your "10 to 2" casting skills sharp.  And every now and then, you might just catch a large mouth bass that makes it even more fun!

Just talking about it with him made me want to go.  Especially since lately the weather has not been cooperative for kayak fishing.  So last night I went down to the lake in the early evening, and fished for about 45 minutes.  More than half a dozen bluegills later, I had had my fill, and the bluegills were wise to my fly.  Unfortunately, once again my camera wasn't working, so you'll have to take my word for it.

Then again, tonight, I went down as well.  In 30 minutes, I caught about 4 or 5, and  this time even got a (bad) picture of me with one of them.  The bluegills were tough little scrappers, and a couple of them were even good "pan-sized", if I were so inclined.  I wasn't.  So they went back to their beds none the worse for wear.

Simple pleasures.  Simple fishing.  On a couple of simply beautiful evenings.  Who knows.  Maybe my friend will get sick and need someone to take his place....  I'll consider myself on "standby" for him.  I'm ready.   :)

Okay, so it's not the best photo, but this little guy was one of close to a dozen  bluegills I  caught the last two evenings keeping my fly casting skills sharp.  A simple way to have fun, that takes some skill.  Are you ready to "fly"?

Until next time,

(Fly) Fish on!

Dan

P.S.  Speaking of simple, and priceless pleasures and treasures, I came home from work last night and saw what my daughter had made for me in her art class.  Without a doubt, it's the best fish I've gotten all year!  I love it.

Without a doubt, the coolest, best flounder ever!  I love it and will cherish this priceless treasure.  Let alone, the detail and craftsmanship is amazingly accurate.  It looks real!  Thank you, Sheldon!

P.P.S  Another simple pleasure:  I went fishing with my younger son, Clayton tonight, and he caught a new world record crappie.  It had to be at least 12 lbs.  But we let it go, to fight another day.  Actually, it was a pretty crappie, and it was a good size, but I had to laugh when I saw the photo.  Clayton has taken my trick of holding a fish close to the camera, to the next level.  When you stick the rod right up to the camera, the fish looks simply monstrous!  Cast your eyes on the new world record 12 pound white crappie!  Ha ha.

You are looking at a world record white crappie.  It was 33" long, and weighed 12 pounds.  Well, not really.  But the photo makes it look that way.  Actually, however, it was the biggest crappie that Clayton has ever caught, and he truly did it all by himself.  I was casting the flyrod (to no avail tonight) when he told me he had a fish.  And this is what he caught.  Yay, Clayton!

The Long and Short (and Wide) of Fishing....

I haven't posted much lately, because I haven't had the opportunities to go fishing too often so far this spring.  New job and kids will do that to you.  (The job is new, that is... not the kids.)  I'm not complaining, just explaining.  Anyway, hopefully I'll be able to get out there more from this point forward.

I do have a few stories, however, from the last few weeks, so let's get up to date.

A couple weeks ago Clayton and I decided to go fishing down at the point of the lake near our house.  It was a beautiful Saturday evening, and the brim were more than cooperative.  We caught several bluegill, and even a small bass.  Turtles, ducks and geese were all around us, and when we walked home at dusk, we had had a good time.  Clayton even smiled for a photo of him with one of the fish!

"Wanted:  more fish, big fish, and more wonderful  Father-Son time."   We had a  great evening, and then went home and watched a movie with a big bowl of homemade popcorn.  

The following weekend, I was alone and had some free time, so after a full day of doing yard work, I decided to wet a line.  I was too tired to go kayak fishing, and it was cooler and windier than I like, so I went down to the point where I had been with Clayton.  The fish were not as cooperative as they had been the week before, but I did catch one monster....  Okay, well, at least the cigar was good.

I did have to forward this photo to my son Parke, as well as my brother Ted, and my good fishing buddy Mark, with the caption:  "I bet I caught a bigger bass than you did today", knowing that none of them had had the chance to wet a line at all.  I was right.  As short as it was, it was the biggest fish any of us caught that day.  But Ted would get the last laugh....

Even if I were to do my "hold the fish close to the camera to make it look bigger" trick, there is no disguising the fact that this was a small, short largemouth bass.  To its credit, however, the fish jumped four times, and fought hard for such a little guy.  Hopefully one day I'll catch him again, and he'll be a citation size.

Then one night later in the week, I finally had the opportunity to go out kayak fishing for the first time this year.  The evening was pretty, and there were several people fishing along the river bank as I paddled to the dam.  It was great to be back out on the water.  The ospreys were circling and crying out, and a great blue heron was never too far away, searching for his own fish.

I saw two older men fishing the dam from the riverbank, and paddled over to them to ask if they'd had any luck.  I'm not exaggerating when I say, between the two of them, they had two teeth.  (PSA ALERT:  Kids, brush and floss every day .)  Well, they had caught a couple of nice crappie on live minnows, so I went and fished the other side of the river by the dam, not to disturb their spot, and before long, my rod bent and there was a fish on!  I brought it to my plastic boat, and was pleased to see a 14" spotted bass (a first cousin of the large mouth).  Only the second one I've ever caught.  Unfortunately, my camera on my phone wasn't working at the moment, so you'll just have to take my word for it, but as dusk settled in and I paddled back, it was nice to know I wasn't skunked.  And I watched a couple guys land a nice sized blue catfish, too.

Slightly more coppery in color, with a slightly smaller mouth, the spotted bass can easily be confused for its more well known cousin, the "large mouth bass", but for the fact that it's lateral side is more spotted than lined, and its mouth is slightly smaller (though not nearly as small as a "small mouth bass".   It's kind of like 3/4 largemouth, and 1/4 smallmouth in its looks. 

I look forward to getting out there again, for more bass, and maybe a bowfin or big blue cat, myself.  As I stated, it was great to be back out on the water in my "Agent Orange" kayak.

Then, Friday afternoon, I was in my office doing paperwork, when I got a text message from my brother.  "What have you caught today?"  Was the text.  And this was the photo:

Nothing makes you more jealous than, while you're at work, getting a photo of this -- Ted holding a beautiful 43" striped bass caught from the surf of Fenwick, Delaware.  He and Buckley (his Golden Doodle in the foreground), had gone down for the day, ahead of the rest of the family, and it had been worth it.

I called Ted to get the details of the catch.  He had gone down ahead of his family for the weekend, to surf fish for the day, and had his hands full, catching skates, rays, and three large dog fish.  When suddenly, his rod bent, and he fought the fish, not knowing it was a striper until seeing its silvery sides with stripes as it came to the surf.  Then the big cow shook her head and started really fighting.  Caught on a big bunker head, he said he was the only one he saw up and down the beach catch anything worth keeping. It's a great feeling, when YOU are the one that everybody else sees catch a fish, when they aren't....

When he took it to the bait shop at the end of the day, it weighed 25.5 lbs., so it was probably around 27 pounds when he first caught it, as it was too big to fit in his cooler. It was the biggest fish he's ever caught, from the surf or anywhere.  A wonderful achievement.

And then, the next day, the guy fishing next to him brought in a striper every bit as nice as his.  Hopefully the schools of stripers will still be around in a month when I go up there for the weekend.

I forwarded his photo to our fishing buddies, and got a call from Mark.
"Dan, what are you doing this weekend?"
"Nothing, why?"
"Let's go to the river house for the night and fish the high tide tonight and tomorrow morning.  We need to catch a fish, too."
"Okay."
"High tide is at 8:45 tonight, and with the Super Moon this weekend, the fishing should be good."
"I'll meet you there around 7:30."
"See you then."

The "Super Moon" was this weekend.  The moon, at its "Perigee" was the closest it will be to the earth until 2029.  Appearing 14% larger, and 30% brighter, it would also affect tides... and fishing... we hoped. 

It was a beautiful evening on the river, even if the only thing biting was one skate that I caught, as well as 100,000,000 mosquitoes.  But there was always the morning tide.

The next day, we were back at it, and the fishing was still slow.  Mark finally hooked into a nice sized "horse' croaker, but that was it.  Then, of course, right when I had to leave, I brought in my rod and hooked a big cow nose ray.  This would be a good test for my equipment, I figured, so the fight was on.  The thing ran, and my reel started spooling.  Then it tired some, and I reeled it in.  It ran to the side and around the pier we were fishing, threatening to wrap and cut the line on the pilings.  I stayed a step ahead of it, keeping the line away from the pilings as the ray continued to run from side to side.  Mark got his net and waited for it to tire.  Finally after about 10 minutes, I was able to bring it to the dock where we were, and Mark netted it, scooping it up.  It was nice to see my equipment held up after a long winter, without having changed the line....

This 3 foot wide beast barely fit in the net.  Tonight we'll see how  it tastes.   When hooked, they like to run, and definitely test the drag on your reel, and your line test strength.  But this time, I won.  Schools of them were everywhere this morning, and I'm surprised we only hooked and caught the one.

The Cow Nose ray is overtaking the Chesapeake Bay, eating more crabs, oysters and shellfish than is healthy for the ecosystem of the bay; so there is an effort now to encourage people to catch and kill them when possible. And similarly to the Patagonian Tooth Fish (which is now called the Chilean Sea Bass, even though it is not from Chile, and definitely not a Bass), there has also been a name change to encourage people to eat them.  (The Patagonian Tooth Fish used to be considered a "trash fish", was discarded, and perceived to have no economic value.  Now it is a staple on many restaurant menus.  In fact, most of the time when you see "Sea Bass" on the menu, it is this, not the far superior "Black Sea Bass", which is native to the the waters around here, and known as "Black Gold" by the fishermen who catch them.)

Is there anything"Bass-like" about the Patagonian Toothfish, aka Chilean Sea Bass?  No, but it tastes better with that new name.  So, hopefully, will the Chesapeake Ray....

So, now the rays are seen on menus, as the "Chesapeake Ray", which sounds far more appetizing than a "cow nose".  As these rays are difficult to land, and more often break off (or I purposely break them off), however, this was my first chance to put them to the test.

I called up good friend, and chef-extraordinaire, Randy, and asked if he wanted me to bring him "Chesapeake Ray wings" to prepare for dinner.  He said, absolutely!  So we killed the ray, sliced off the wings, skinned them and put them in a bag on ice.  I delivered them to Randy, and we'll see how they taste tonight.

Meanwhile, I got a text message from Ted right as I'm going to church, and he just had to one up me, again.  "I caught one, too," was the message along with this photo.  But I'm thinking mine was a better fight, because I wasn't using heavy surf casting heavers and equipment.  So there.

Ted caught and landed a cow-nose ray, as well.  The difference between his ray and my "Chesapeake  Ray", is that I'm going to try eating mine tonight for dinner,after Randy prepares it.  It has a reddish-pink flesh, and is supposed to be similar to veal or flank steak in its texture (unlike skates, which have white, sweet, firm flesh, and can be prepared similarly to scallops.)  Anyway, we'll see how it fares for dinner.  I'll add a postscript later, if it doesn't kill me, as I'm sure if anyone can make it delicious, it's Randy.

So now, we head into the middle of May, when the inshore fishing should really start to pick up.  Hopefully that means I'll be able to get out on the water more, and have more fishing stories, too.  I look forward to my next entry -- and my postscript with the critique of the "Chesapeake Ray" dinner.  Until next time,

Fish ON!

Dan

POSTSCRIPT:  Okay, so here's the scoop on dinner being a "Chesapeake Ray".

As I mentioned, I gave the wing fillets to Randy yesterday, as he had an idea of how he wished to prepare them.  He did the following:

He brined it last night, soaking them in salt water and orange juice, to get rid of some of the blood and strong flavor.  Then he marinated them in milk during the day today. The fillets were then coated lightly with salt, pepper and House Autry seasoning and then sauteed in a thin layer of olive oil until golden brown.  Then he drizzled them with a homemade basil beurre-blanc and caper sauce, and placed them over eggwashed scalloped potatoes.  Spinach was the side vegetable, and (because it was a darker seafood, like salmon, tuna or blackened redfish) I brought a nice Pinot Noir to serve as the wine.  It was absolutely delicious, and I look forward to the next opportunity I have to eat another one.

So how about that!  The next Chilean Sea Bass has officially been created, I believe.  It's all in how you prepare it and "market" it.  Even my daughter (who two years ago, hated all seafood) ate hers and liked it, as did Randy's wife, who admitted ahead of time she was nervous about eating it.  And Randy's boys had second helpings, and even thirds -- as did Randy and me.

"Chesapeake Ray", marinated, lightly sauteed, and served on a  scalloped potato, with a  basil beurre-blanc and caper sauce.  Paired with a nice Pinot Noir, I would absolutely eat this meal again, and would highly recommend it to whoever catches a cow nose ray!

So save our crabs and oysters, and eat a cow nose, er, Chesapeake Ray, today.  Until next time, Eat ON!

APRIL IS AUTISM AWARENESS MONTH

The puzzle piece ribbon that symbolizes the puzzling disorder that is Autism.

And today, April 2, is Autism Awareness Day, or more specifically, World Autism Day.

I took my son Clayton down to the lake yesterday for a little Sunday afternoon fishing, and he caught this bluegill.  We also saw turtles, ducks, coots, geese and seagulls.  It was a beautiful Palm Sunday we enjoyed together....  I can only imagine what it would be like to spend a day with my son, should he one day be "cured"....

If you are able to do so, please contribute to any of the fine organizations that help fight this disorder.

Clayton smiling for the camera (for once!).  Unfortunately, the bluegill spun around so all you see is its belly.  We  let him go, and laughed as he swam off, back to its bed.  It was a beautiful day.

Some of the organizations that help fight autism, or help those that suffer from the Autism Spectrum Disorder are:  Autism Society of America; Autism Speaks:  Defeat Autism Now; National Autism Association; and there are numerous others, and there are even special schools for those afflicted -- perhaps even locally in your area.

In case you didn't hear last week, according to the CDC, the incidence of autism among boys is now 1 in 54!  ONE IN FIFTY-FOUR!    And overall, among children, it is now 1 in 88.  We must do something to stop this disorder.  Please contribute time, money, whatever you are able, to help these special people.  The children struggling with ASD today, are tomorrow's adults; and we MUST find a way to help cure this epidemic!  We certainly want to help them learn to be contributing members of society.  Early intervention is the key, because there is no cure!  And we still don't even know what causes it!

Every parent worries about what will happen to their child one day when they are gone.  What will they do?  Will they be okay?  Our society is simply not capable of handling all these children once they become adults -- and certainly if these statistics continue to worsen, they will just create a large burden on our society.

Please research whichever organization may be in your area, and be generous in your gift.  And let's help those people and those families that live with this everyday.  My prayer is that one day there is a solution to this problem -- a cure for all these kids, and of course, Clayton.

Thank you.

And until next time,

Fish on!

Dan

With Spring Coming Early, Here's an Early Fishing Report....

Okay, the last three months we had here in Virginia was hardly one we could call "Winter".  Little to no snow, and really not that many cold days, even.  Global Warming?  Climate Change?  Just an anomaly?  Who knows.  I'll leave that debate to the experts who can't even agree on anything.  This post is about fishing....  (And I will say one thing about having a milder winter -- at least there were no fish kills of puppy drum or speckled trout like Eastern North Carolina and Tidewater has had the last couple of winters.

Parke has gone out in his john boat several times, either alone or with a friend, when he's not in class, and with the milder temperatures, not only have the flowers been blooming about three weeks earlier than normal, but the lakes have been warming up, too.  And that has triggered an earlier bass bite and spawning season.  But even when the fish weren't biting, Parke was out taking photos of amazing sunsets, and beautiful nature scenes.  One was so outstanding, it even made the front page of our local newspaper.  The glory and beauty of a sunset is absolutely captured in this amazing shot he took....

What an amazing mid-winter (really) sunset!  This photo was  on the front page of our  local newspaper, above the fold.

Shortly after this shot appeared in the paper, I noticed a painting in the reception area of our office.  It struck me as somewhat similar in composition and color, even if it lacked the silhouetted tree.  Still, now I can't look at the painting and not think of Parke.

Of course a camera doesn't do justice to nature or even a painting, but there's no denying that Parke's photo is quite amazing in its composition and color.

When Parke had his Spring Break a few weeks ago, a good friend of his from college came to visit him for a long weekend of fishing.  Their first day out on the lake proved to be quite successful, as I later received this photo of a couple of bass that Parke caught on rubber worms.  It made me jealous that I hadn't gone with them.  Fortunately both bass were released to live and fight another day.  (We never keep largemouth bass, as they just aren't good tablefare, and really do deserve to grow bigger.)

Without a scale or tapemeasure on him, we can only estimate these two fish.  But my comment to Parke was that the one in his left hand looked about long enough (22") to qualify as a release citation.  They are both beautiful bass.

Finally, I had had enough and I told Parke he had to take me to his spots on the lake.  I've lived here for over 18 years and have never caught two bass like that.  So, last Friday afternoon after I got home from work, he took me.  A front was getting ready to go through the area, so we had to be mindful of the weather, but I was excited.  And I made sure I had a tape measure and a scale.  Unfortunately, they were not needed for the one fish that we (Parke) caught.  A barely legal bass....

Usually an impending front means good fishing.... Not that evening.  This was all we caught before the threat of rain, lightning and heavy winds chased us off the water....

Still, it meant we weren't skunked.  And seeing two bald eagles, a river otter, two great horned owls, buffleheads, wood ducks, a kingfisher, mallards, geese, and hearing a big old Tom turkey somewhere in the woods beyond the waterfront added to an enjoyable time on the water, while we were there.  But we did learn something that had occurred since Parke had been on the water two weeks earlier with his friend.  The bass were now in shallow water, beginning to bed.  We could see them in three feet of water or so, and the bigger the nest, the bigger the bass.  We started looking for beds about three feet in diameter, but cast toward any.  Then the thunder and lightning came.  To be continued....

The first clouds of the coming front weren't a problem....  It was those that came later that made us get off the water sooner than we had wanted.

Heading back to shore didn't stop Parke from getting refreshed dipping his head in the water, as the boat moved along with its 9.9HP motor.  Odd boy, that Parke....

As we searched for bass beds, using our polarized lenses, Parke would stick his head down in the lake.  (I worry about that boy sometimes....  Ah, not really.)

The next day we went out again.  It was a beautiful day, and we were hopeful, but again the bass didn't cooperate.  Maybe it was the temperature change (it was cooler now), maybe we were using the wrong color worms and spinner baits, but the time on the water was still beautiful.  The cypress trees and smells and sounds were all signalling the beginning of spring....  And we found an area that was the mother lode of bass beds....  For next time.

Carefully moving among some "flats" filled with cypress trees, we continued searching for the tell-tale signs of bass beds....  open circles, cleared of debris and vegetation, protected by the bass that cleared it.

We fished for a few hours, talked with some other boaters, and learned what else we need to get.  So this week, I've gone ahead and gotten a few more colors and shapes.  So that next time, we won't get skunked again.

Even if the fish aren't biting, time that a father and son spend fishing together, is time well spent....  But I look forward to posting a photo of me like that first one of Parke with the two bass....  (To be continued.)

So I'm ready to go again with him when I get the chance.  But in the meantime, I'll have to console myself with  this plaque that came in the mail today.  I finally received the Virginia Citation for the large 42 pound Striped bass I caught last year.  I guess that not only am I not only am I a pretty good angler in my own right, but I'm a darn good teacher, too.  And I absolutely enjoy the fact that my son is now able to teach ME a thing or two about fishing.

It only took 13 months since I caught the giant rockfish, but I finally received my first official citation.

Just in case you don't remember this fish, here's the 42 lb. cow I enjoyed catching last year.  This past winter, there  was no better fishery for striped bass AND bluefin tuna, as Virginia Beach.  And it was all within the first 3 miles of shore.  It was certainly a winter fishing season to remember.  And the humpback whales that winter here are still around.

We are entering the time of year when largemouth bass fishing is at its peak.  Here's hoping we can both add another citation to our walls in the upcoming weeks.  I'll have my tape measure and camera on me, just in case....

Until next time,

Fish ON!

Dan

Epilogue:  I received this photo from Parke late this afternoon.  It may not be a bass, but it's pretty much the biggest bluegill I've seen in a long, long time.  I'd say it's a citation....  What do you think?

Okay, so the tape measure is curved around the fish, and unreadable.  But here in  Virginia, a sunfish just has to be 11" to be a citation.  And Parke's size 11 shoe is shorter than the fish.  I'm thinking it's 13".  Regardless, it, too, was released to live (and fight) another day.

It's the Sunday after I first posted this blog, and on a rainy afternoon, Parke and I went out again for a little more than an hour.  Not having a lot of gas, and dealing with threatening storms limited our outing, and apparently there was also a tournament on the lake.  Boats were everywhere, including our "hotspots".  Most of the bass were not on their beds....  Were they hiding?  Were they in someone's livewell?  Who knows.  We only saw a few.  But we did see a few.  And a few minutes after spotting this one, Parke was holding it in his hands.  Not a bad fish.  We'll get some more gas, and go out later this week, again.

Even wearing a goofy hat, Parke knows how to catch a bass.   We saw this one on its bed, and kept casting toward it, irritating the heck out of it, until it finally couldn't stand it anymore and attacked Parke's jig.

The Beaches of the OBX: NEVER FORGET THE ORIGINAL NAME AND ITS ORIGINAL PURPOSE...

The future of the Outer Banks of North Carolina is at stake.

That sentence is not hyperbole.  First link to and read this:

Cape Hatteras National Seashore Recreational Area

Pay attention to those last two words.  "Recreational Area."  This is important.

Island Free Press Editorial about the new restrictions

I am very upset by this new law.  Read this in-depth article on the Island Free Press website for more details.  In a nutshell, the Enviro-wackos have taken over the beaches.  What has been a right for all has now become an expensive privilege that only a few will be able to do.  And that is, drive on and enjoy the beaches of the Cape Hatteras National Seashore.  It's a shame.  And it's a travesty.  It shows how much power the left has attained in this country, and that individual rights no longer matter.  The Outer Banks beaches were given to the Park Service long ago, under the condition that ALL would be able to enjoy and appreciate them.  This is the latest step the leftists have taken to ensure that eventually NOBODY will be there.  Yet, ironically the original name of the park left no doubt as to what the intentions were to those who gave up their ownership of the shoreline to the government so that All could enjoy the beaches.  And suddenly, it has become very elitist and almost non-existent.  So much for the "common man or woman" being able to enjoy a day at the beach.

The "Graveyard of the Atlantic" for ships, may very well become the same for  tourism....

Now the Outer Banks of North Carolina will be like any other beach that restricts access.  And so consequently, it will not be any different from any other beach; and I suspect that tourism on the OBX will drop drastically.  And the OBX economy will suffer tremendously.  And that is just not right... or fair.

Virginian Pilot Article About CHNS(RA) Restrictions/Fees

Anyone who has ever been to the Outer Banks of North Carolina has immediately understood the attraction of what makes these Barrier Islands unique from others around the country.  Not the least of which, has been the freedom to be able to drive on the beach in certain areas, so that you can sunbathe, swim, surf or fish in relative peace and quiet, while having the comfort of your vehicle and your belongings nearby.  While there is always 1% of the population that will take advantage of ANY right, without question, the majority of the people who love and live on the Outer Banks are good stewards of the beautiful natural resource that is the Carolina beaches.  Somehow both man and nature have survived for generations just fine, until 2007, when the National Audobon Society decided to raise a stink about what had been a non-issue.

Now the piping plover, (which ironically seem to breed more successfully when people are around, so that feral cats and other egg/chick eaters don't invade) the oyster catcher, and various other non-endangered birds will have these beautiful beaches more and more to themselves.  And so will sea turtles.

Such a cute little bird, that has caused such a great deal of ugly controversy....

Don't get me wrong.  I love animals, and truly am a good steward of all of God's creation.  I believe the best thing we can do is ensure that all of nature is around for future generations.  But there are limits as to what extremes we need to go to, to ensure these beautiful creatures' survival.

For the record, I don't have a problem with there being some sort of "Fee", tax, cost, whatever you want to call it, to drive on the beach.  Other National Parks charge an "entrance fee", so why shouldn't the CHNSRA.  (You could make the argument that Teddy Roosevelt created the "National Park" so that ALL people could enjoy the natural beauty of these United States, therefore there should be NO fee for any of them.... but I grant that that may now be unrealistic with today's population.)

But $150/year, to me, seems extreme... especially since this is the first time they are implementing the fee.  Also, there need to be more exceptions made to those who aren't able and privileged enough to enjoy a "year's worth" of being on North Carolina's Outer Banks.  Daily, weekly and monthly options should all be available.... At reasonable costs -- especially to out-of-towners, you know, "tourists"... i.e. those that drive the economy of vacation areas with their dollars....

Also, making all permit buyers watch a video (once) is fine, especially if they have never driven on the beach before... That has been the case for hunters for years, that new ones must pass a course; but only making the video available at three locations, and not having it accessible on line is ridiculous -- especially in this age.  Come on, are you serious?  The only reason I can think that this has been implemented, is because they want beach access even more restricted, because people won't be able to go to the locations to watch the video in the first place.  It will create inconvenience and long lines, that will only discourage more potential vacationers.  So put the damn thing online, already....  After all, isn't that why Al Gore invented the internet?  So that everybody could have access to information and education?  (Sorry, I guess I'm getting fired up....)

So is Al....

Then, the fact that the permit follows the vehicle and not the driver?  That doesn't seem to make sense either.  If I've bought a permit and watched the video, but before the weekend I plan to go to the OBX my SUV breaks down, and I take my wife's or my son's, or neighbor's, I need to have a permit for any of those vehicles, even though I've paid and seen the video.

And the flip side of that is,... what if I have a brand new 16 year old driver who takes my SUV down to the beach.  It has the permit on it, and therefore this driver may never get questioned about whether he/she is able/allowed to drive on the beach.  And that's not right, either.  There are just too many variables about driving on the beach.

I believe the permit should follow the driver, not the vehicle.  Let the National Park Service check the driver's permits, not just assume the permitted vehicle is being driven by the driver who watched some seven minute video to learn the ropes.

Personally, I've been driving on the beach for over 26 years.  I've seen it all.  But I would be willing to watch whatever video the NPS wants me to see, if it means I may still continue to do so.  As I've stated, I want our natural resources to be around for my children, their children, and so on; and I recognize that there are more people now, and that wildlife may be feeling pressure in certain areas.  But I also realize that in many areas, wildlife is doing just fine with the encroachment of man.  And I'm not just talking about the brown pelicans that I have interacted with the last two Boys' Weekends.

I have literally had piping plovers run around and through my legs, with no fear.  Yet the snakes, foxes or feral cats that feast on their young and their eggs will have nothing to do with me.  They stay faaaarrrr away when "man" is around.  So in a bizarre way, "man" is a piping plover's best friend -- especially because these birds don't build protective nests; they just lay their eggs in the sand and watch them -- hoping the camouflaged eggs don't get detected by the aforementioned predators.

You could make the statement that Darwin's "survival of the fittest" theory would mean that these birds that have never learned to disguise or cover their nests and young deserve whatever fate they get.  But I won't go that far; because the OBX is not even one of the piping plover's primary nesting habitats.  So come on, if a penguin came and nested on the Hamptons would the NPS declare those beaches off limits?  (OK, that's extreme, but you get my point....)

"I'm sorry everyone, you have to leave the beach.  Happy Feet has nested here.  And we don't want any drama."

And sea turtles?  The females beach at night, bury their eggs in holes, cover them up, then return to the sea.  When nests are discovered, they are marked off, and a perimeter is established so that the nests are undisturbed by humans.  (Ironically, those that disturb turtles and turtle nests the most are those that "want to help them".  The "rules" don't seem to apply to them.)

Yes, I know they only want to "help" the turtles.  And I'm all for that.  But most people leave them all alone, altogether.

Having perimeters that are off limits, and restricting (head)light usage, especially when you are nearing the time of the hatchings is understandable.  But there is no need to restrict a huge area.  Anybody who knows baby sea turtles knows that they hatch, dig out of the sand, and head towards the "light' of the ocean at night.  It's pretty much a straight shot.  You don't have to have a quarter mile off limits around a nest.  Just several yards around it, and the path to the ocean.  Seagulls, foxes and the aforementioned other predators will be happy to pick off any of the other unfortunate (Darwinian) hatchlings that don't have the common sense to head straight to sea.  And yes, I am aware that that is why there must not be any unnatural light near the nests....

So, what does all this mean?  It means that left wing nut jobs are running and ruining this country, by taking away our rights and privileges.  I'm no right wing extremist nut job.  I see that as our population grows, we need to take into consideration what must be done to allow nature to continue to thrive.  But what these laws have done is destroy an economy, and ultimately a way of life.  And THAT is neither right, nor fair.  So please, let your voice be heard regarding these measures.  For what may ultimately become extinct, are our rights, and a culture that has made the Outer Banks the paradise that millions think they are.

Thank you.

Until next time,

Fish ON!  (If you can....)



("The above opinion IS that of the management of this blog....")

A Look Back at 2011

It's New Year's Eve, so with the year coming to a close, I figured it was time to have a look back at some of this year's fishing highlights, as I certainly did have a memorable year from a fishing standpoint.  So let's go down down Memory Lane (or River) together, shall we?

First, some appropriate accompanying music, of course:
Auld Lang Syne

It started out in February, when I was invited last minute, to be part of a fishing charter for striped bass, out of Virginia Beach.  A long day ended with me catching the biggest fish on the boat -- a beautiful citation cow, 42 pounds (44 when it was still fresh).  A hell of a fight that gave me something to remember for a long time.  And over 20 pounds of beautiful fillets provided delicious dinners for a while.  My freezer was happy, because I love rockfish!  The year had started off great!

There was no way I was going to let the deckhand clean my fish!  I wanted to show it off at home, first!  Biggest  fish I've ever caught.  A nice way to start the angling year.

When springtime finally came, it was time to hit the upper river for kayak fishing again.  Usually the time for bowfin, bass and catfish, it's a nice way to "break back in" to fishing after a long, cold winter.  But gizzard shad were all I caught this spring, so no photos of anything worth posting here.  As always, however, it was nice just to be back on the water after not being able to for several months.  Early spring is a great time for fishing the lake, here, too.  And that provides easy opportunities to go fishing with Clayton -- something we both enjoy on a cool, spring evening.  Even if he did throw goose poop at me.

The only new thing worthy of note that occurred, was in May when I drove to nearby Smithfield, and took advantage of their "new" kayak launch on the Pagan River.  A day without catching any fish was still memorable, for the beauty and scenery of the area.  I need to go back there again, this next spring, and more often.

Easy to get in and out, the Pagan River kayak launch makes kayaking easy for everyone.  Now I just have to learn the river, and where the fish are....

June brought the opportunity to go to upstate New York --- the Finger Lakes region, outside Ithaca on Cayuga Lake.  So I took Parke and Sheldon up for a short week/long weekend, where we got to relive old, favorite memories from years ago, and fish all the time.  We had a blast, and had some priceless quality time together.  Hopefully we can go again, this year, too.  Parke was the fisherman of the week, and we certainly caught enough yellow perch to feed the family, but there were enough other fish to add excitement to the trip, too -- including attempts at large trout and pike....  Maybe next time.

Parke and Ted with a stringer of fish from an afternoon of rowing around the lake shore.  I took my kayak up there, and thoroughly enjoyed kayak fishing, too.  I will always take my kayak from now on....  It's such a beautiful area.

Fishing the lakes around Suffolk didn't prove very fruitful for me, but Parke certainly had his share of success, catching a personal best 6.5 lb. largemouth from his kayak, in addition to several others up to 5 lbs., and a couple of small stripers, too.  No photos posted here, however, because I wasn't with him for those....  (Maybe that will give him motivation to go with me more often.)

Summertime means hot and humid around here.  And this summer was no exception.  Unfortunately, it also meant no puppy drum this year.  We've had a couple of harsh winters that probably killed off a lot of the juveniles that stay in the waters here where we fish, so hopefully they'll recover in time for 2012.  Still, there were plenty of nice croaker to be caught, and we kept several stringers of 6 or so, to give to my father-in-law, if nothing else.  And it is always beautiful to be on the water at dusk, especially with loved ones....

Even a "bad day of fishing" is beautiful and memorable when the conditions are like this.

The 4th of July Weekend gave me the opportunity to go to Mark's cottage on the mouth of the York River, and while I took my kayak and caught some croaker and such from it, the best fish were the flounder we caught in Mark's john boat.  My personal best for the year, was a nice fat 22" summer flounder.  Interestingly enough, Mark caught an 18" winter flounder.  So we ate well that night.

Summer flounder or winter, we caught them both around July 4th Weekend.

August brought the opportunity for my 30th high school reunion, and while it didn't involve fishing, it did involve going back home to upstate Delaware, and reliving days of my youth -- including fishing with Joel.  Perhaps one of our better days fishing when we were growing up involved catching several largemouth we were encouraged to keep, due to overpopulation in the pond we fished.  And yes, Joel did look like a young Bruce Springsteen way back when.

Summer before our Senior year in high school proved to be a great time to fish with Joel.  Many fond memories of those times came back to me this August.

After the kids were back in school and settled in to their routine, I had the opportunity with Mike to go up to Fenwick Island with Ted, for a nice weekend of fishing the Delaware shore.  It had been years since I'd done so, so it was neat to get back there for the first time in decades.  While the fishing wasn't anything spectacular, it was a beautiful October weekend highlighted by all the small taylor blues you could want.

The iconic photo from our "mini" Boys Weekend up in Delaware.  Mike with a "monster blue".  Gotta love the tongue wag.

As autumn was in full swing now, it was officially striped bass season, and the speckled trout were also in the local waters in force.  While the stripers weren't in thick the way they had been in years past, I've never caught so many larger specks pushing 20 inches, as I did during a few weeks in the middle of Autumn.  Perhaps no day was better than this day, when I caught three beautiful keeper fish, and a monster oyster, to boot.

There aren't too many times I can say I limited out on Striper, while also catching a beautiful  19+" speckled trout.  But for a couple of weeks I was catching either or both.

Of course, once November came, it was time to get ready for our 25th Boys' Weekend.  Eight of us were able to go, including Joel all the way from Alaska, and wouldn't you know it, the fish really didn't cooperate the way we would have liked.  Still, it's not for the fish that we go and do this every year.  And we all had a blast -- and we certainly ate and drank well, thanks to Jeff and Mark.  But the weekend wasn't a total bust, fishing-wise, as I caught a new personal best drum, a 33"er that was as fat as any I've seen.  That, and plenty of taylor blues down on the Point made the weekend a fun one, too.

A personal best drum was the first fish I caught with my new surf rod I had just gotten.  Not a bad way to break in a new  rod, if I must say.  I hope there are plenty more -- and bigger, too....

Of course after Boys' Weekend was over, I had the opportunity to go back out kayak fishing (without Ted, Joel, or even Mike), and what happens?  But I caught the biggest striper I've caught this year in my kayak.  (I've caught larger in my kayak, just not this year.)  A fat and healthy 27.25" fish was 9 lbs., 5 oz., and was a delicious entree for a post Thanksgiving meal.

Less than an inch longer, and I would have had to throw this bad boy back, due to the unusual limits and restrictions that exist for striped bass here in the fall/winter season.  Still, I'm not complaining.  I love these fish, and am thrilled they are plentiful with healthy populations again.

In December, the opportunities to go fishing were fewer and farther between, and the fish seemed to be fewer, too.  But I did catch a few more gizzard shad (yuck), while Mike hooked into a nice fat 24" rockfish late one morning.

Mike's rockfish, caught on a yellow perch "storm" lure.  Go figure.

Then the channel seems to have "dried up", at least as far as the fish were concerned.  So on the second to last day of the year, Jerry and I launched from Bennett's Creek Restaurant, and explored that section of Bennett's Creek, all the way out to the Route 17 Bridge over the Nansemond.  No fish were caught, but it was a nice, long paddle that I had been wanting to do -- and anticipate doing again when I know the fishing would be better.  A couple of highlights were the great number of bufflehead ducks we saw, as well as an eagle soaring high above us.  It was a beautiful afternoon, and a good workout, regardless of the (lack of) fishing.

Jerry out at the mouth of Bennett's Creek.  If the equipment looks familiar, it should.  The only thing he's using that's his, are the fishing rods.  Everything else is borrowed.  Time to get your own kayak, Jerry....

Coming back into Bennett's Creek.  No fish on my stringer, but a fun ride, none-the-less.  Glad to have finally done it.

This morning, Mike and I gave it one more valiant effort to see if there was anything going on in our channel; but alas, the water was too cold, and so after less than an hour, we called it a day -- a season -- and a year.  A few oysters for a New Year's Eve appetizer made the trip worthwhile, but I must admit as I paddled around one last time, I realized it would be Springtime before I got in my kayak again, and took a moment just to take it all in, and enjoy being out on the water.

We have yet to have any snow, so far, so maybe that's a good sign for the recovering puppy drum in the area.  And while the fall Striper season wasn't as good as I could have hoped, I still caught my share, so I can't complain.

So 2011 comes to a close; and 2012 promises new beginnings.  I'm sure there will be more fishing posts; and perhaps now that the winter is upon us, I will have time to continue my grandfather's story that I began last winter.  That's just one of my goals for the new year.

I wish you joy and prosperity in 2012.  May you find happiness, love and peace every day, and may you have more than your share of opportunities to yell,

"Fish ON!"

Thanks for reading.  God Bless, and see you next time, next year.

Dan

My Grown Up Fishing Christmas Wish List (And My E-Card to All My Fishing Buds)

This is what Santa does starting December 26th.  Can't say I've ever given ice fishing a shot.   It's not cold enough around here.  And I like my fireplace when it is....  Oh well, on to the Blog Post.

As we are here at the Winter Solstice, in the last few days before Christmas, I have been reflecting on the year, and all of my friends and loved ones that I fish with from the Spring time through December.  Since I don't have all the money in the world, I've decided I would give them "virtual gifts", through my blog post, so without any further ado, here are my special gifts for the special people I fish with during the year.  I love you all, and here is to an even better, more successful 2012!  Regardless, my Christmas shopping is done!  And I don't need to wrap any of these....

This is why I like my kayak.  It's never too crowded.  Merry Christmas to all my Fishing Friends and Family! 

But first, before we get started, let me give you a link to listen to while you read the rest of this post:

My Grown Up Christmas List


(Please ignore the typos if you watch the beginning of the youtube video.  You're supposed to be reading the blog, anyway.)

On to my Wish Gift List.

To Mike:

Mike, with his first (and so far, only) rockfish of the fall -- a beautiful, fat 24"'er.  Caught on a "storm" lure.

     Mike is the best friend with whom I fish the most.  Kayak fishing, fresh water fishing, surf fishing, whatever.  Chances are fairly high, if I'm fishing, then Mike is with me.  He's been a great friend for over 25 years, and he is a competent fisherman in his own right.  He has a NC Citation for red drum, and is perhaps the guy who is the subject of more of my blog posts than anyone.  (Good thing he has thick skin and doesn't take too much seriously.)  His Christmas present is a pair of chest waders with lifts in them (or heels), and a trip this spring up into the mountains for some trout fishing.  We are way over due to do that again, my friend.  (By the way, how does it feel to officially be the shortest person in your family, now that even the kids are taller than you?  Damn those growth spurts.  I love you, man.)

To Mark:

I couldn't find any photos of Mark with a decent fish this year (zing, ouch!) so here's one of him with his favorite beverage.)

     Mark is the guy with whom I have fished for about 30 years.  Fraternity brother and dear friend, the only thing bigger than his gut is his ego -- and his heart.  In all fairness, I must state that Mark also has earned citations in fishing, too, and prides himself as being quite accomplished.   (May I point out, however, that he has been skunked the last two Boys' Weekends, and even three BW's ago, didn't catch any fish until Sunday.)  His Christmas present is a BW that is actually 3 days long -- without any other (hunting) obligations going on.  And a boat motor that actually works for your Grady White.  (Maybe then, Mark, you have a chance at catching a fish or two.  I did outfish you this year.  Oyster toads don't count.)  Heck, I'll even throw in some fishing lessons....  (That'll go over well.)   And you can come trout fishing with Mike and me, too.

To Joel:

Dr. Birdman, Joel is our resident ornithologist, so this photo seemed appropriate for him.

     Joel is my friend with whom I have fished the longest.  My best friend growing up, we've been fishing together for about 40 years, and some of my best and favorite memories are of fishing with him.  Having not shaved since his junior year in high school, and not needing a haircut since his early 30's, (yes, he's bearded and bald now), he lives in Alaska -- the fishing paradise -- and just needs to have more excuses to go fishing for salmon, halibut, cod, trout, whatever.  His Christmas present is a week with all of us up there visiting him on the Kenai Peninsula, so that he can go fishing with us for these wonderful fish.  (That may not be a present for his wife, but oh well....  You can't please everybody.  Besides, he doesn't want Rogaine.)

To Ted:

I could have used the photo of you with the nice smallmouth you caught; but being that I wasn't with you when you caught that, I figured this photo was more appropriate....

     Ted is my brother, so there's nobody with whom I've fished longer -- ever since I picked up a rod.  In fact, it was Ted who first got me into fishing when I was very young.  I've had the pleasure of spending more time with him this year than any time since we were growing up.  Fishing together in upstate New York, the Delaware shore, and the OBX, it has been a real pleasure and treat to have had this extra time with you.  My present to you, is that we are able to do this every year, from this point forward -- and, if it looks like we are going to do a "trout fishing" weekend in the spring, you come down for that, too.

To Parke:

Not a big, impressive fish, until you realize that was your first fresh water striper.  And it impressed me.

     My older son.  I don't get to spend as much time with you as I used to, but the time we spend fishing, I cherish.  Whether it is upstate New York, the OBX, or the lakes and rivers around here, I absolutely love being with you, and sharing moments together fishing.  You have been with me during some of my coolest fishing moments (like when I caught that 31" drum in my kayak), and it is so neat, now that I no longer need to "tend to you" when we're fishing (like when you were two years old, catching 4 lb. bass).  You are fully capable on your own, now, and it is neat to see the young man you are becoming.  My present to you, is more quality time.  That we both make the effort to continue a tradition between Father and Son, that will go on for generations....  Even Father, Son, ... and Grandson?  (One day.  I'm not in that much of a hurry for that.  Take your time, still, and finish that education.  Then you can worry about finding the right girl.)

To Sheldon:

You caught the biggest perch up on Cayuga, beginning with this one.  And when it was raining,  it was you and Uncle Ted, determined to keep fishing, regardless of the conditions.

     My daughter.  I didn't get to fish with you that often this year.  Part of that is because you are a 15 year old caught up in all that teen-aged girls do, I get that.  But if there is one thing I know about you, is that I don't care how "girly-girl" you appear on the outside, there is that fishergirl side of you that loves the feel of a fishing rod when a nice fish is pulling on the other side.  Camouflage and pink go together with you, as do perfume and fish guts.  And I mean that as a compliment.  Your present, in addition to more quality time, is a prayer that you always have the love of nature and God's creation, that you have for all things "designer label".  After all, HE is the ultimate "Designer", and his works are the most beautiful of all.  You are my favorite daughter, you know.

To Clayton:

The simple joys of even catching smaller fish, are never lost  with Clayton.  You may not want to touch the fish, but you have no problem picking up goosepoop and throwing that at me.  Go figure.

     My special son:  You have taught me so much.  And when we go fishing down by the lake, the joy that you exude when you catch a fish (even if you won't touch it), or see a swan, or turtle, or any other animal, makes me remember the child-like wonder that I used to have.  And helps me regain it again, at least for a little while.  My gift to you would be that you maintain that innocence and joy of life, while gaining more independence in your life -- that you may experience more in this life.  I will always be here for you, and I love you for who you are.  Never forget that.

To Randy:

Inside our igloo we made last winter.  Another year will not pass without us fishing together, again.  I promise.

To my best friend, with whom I did NOT go fishing this year:  Part of that is my fault, I know.  But my wish for this next year, is that you are able to get away and fish.  Maybe in the spring for trout, maybe in the summer for puppy drum -- and definitely in the fall for BW!  It has been too long, and you are too good a friend to not enjoy being near the water with.  I love you, man, and I appreciate all that you do!

To Jerry:

An "action shot" of Jerry:  which was quite rare this past BW.  Unless by action, you meant sleeping, lounging or napping.

 Jerry, my gift to you, God willing, is that you get sick and tired of seeing me.  We need to fish more, together; you need to get your own #@$%&^*+ kayak!  And maybe, just maybe, I'll see you during the week, too.  'Nuff said.

Jeffrey:

This photo seemed appropriate, because I never see you during the year!

Jeff, dude.  You live five miles away from me, maybe, and I only see you on Boys' Weekend!  That's just wrong!  My wish for you is more freedom in 2012, where we can enjoy each other, and you're not just cooking.  (Though I'm never going to complain about your cooking, or food preparation.  You are the best!)  But seriously, dude.  I miss you, man.

And lastly, to Jeff J., Johnny, Frank, Dennis,Michael D., and all the other people I enjoy fishing with through the years, and didn't get the chance to this year, my wish for next year, is more quality time fishing, and enjoying your presence, with each and every one of you.  May you have a blessed and joyous Christmas, and may 2012 be a great, wonderful, and prosperous year for us all!  Until next time, for each and every one of you....  May you all say,

"Fish ON!"

Dan