Redemption Derby
 

What an extended weekend we had. Spent 4 nights on the Vineyard with our friend Offshore 24. We stayed two nights with Rick Hern also. To say the fishing was tough would be an understatement. We had to deal with torrential rains for 24 hrs living out of my jeep. So everything was completly drenched. A constant SW/SE Wind that was always in the 20-30 mph bracket. Made fishing tough but there is always a leeward side of the island. It was crazy to have 5 footers rolling in on you only to drive 10 minutes and fish in what seemed to be a pond.

Since the Bass fishing was very slow with only small fish showing themselves to needles, eels and swimmers we decided that we would make it our goal to chase them funny fish. With nothing else to do we decided to camp out at a less popular fishing local than most. The first day we had fish blow up just to our left and when Kacie went to cast into them she got snagged on a carelessly discarded rusty hook attached to a wire leader and mono caught up in the seaweed. Needless to say she missed out. The albies then broke the surface right in front of me about 8 feet out. I flicked my fly right into the mix and was immediately on...as I said "I'm on!" I was immediately off. The first day went to the Albies.

Second day we were mentally prepared (or so we thought). Blind casting was producing the most fish. I hooked up within 10 minutes of arrival. As my line ripped from the reel, I was in total amazement at their power and speed. Just as I was feeling confident, I noticed the fly line leave the reel and the fish stop. I then reeled a couple cranks and the fish decided to make a second run. As soon the spool reached knuckle busting speed I heard a heart-sickening POP. I looked up at my rod tip to see only backing blowing in the wind. Kacie and Steve had a few bumps and strikes. Kacie managed to hook up but in her excitement somehow forgot to set the hook. and lost it when the line went slack. Day two goes to the Albies...Just in case you're keeping score its 2-0 Albies.

We planned ahead for day 3 with another trip to the tackle store. When I got home we were checking my backing and it kept breaking, so I went to have it changed. They attempted to break it at the shop and could not. They said it may have had a rotten section of backing in it. So I left with my original backing and a new tippet. Twelve pound fluro leaders tied direct to maria jigs for Kace and Steve was their plan of attack. We went there with a great outlook...
Blind casting was the situation again. Only a few busts on the surface throughout the morning. Many more people started to show in the spot and space was getting slim. This time the bad luck went to Kacie. As she stood to my left I heard her drag start to sing. I see her fumbling with the rod and I begin to tell her to leave her reel alone when her line went SNAP. We were beginning to think we were doomed to have a terrible first derby together. Albies 3-0. As a continuance to our bad luck earlier in the day I was casting eels that night off a rock when all of a sudden my lami arra 1204 exploded in half. I was depressed beyond the point of return with a 930 ferry the next morning and no good derby moments to share.

A trip to Coops and some kind words from the proprietor would have significant impact the next morning. I began to notice our luck would turn as we were driving home at 4am when we pulled in the driveway and I looked up at my roof rack and noticed that somehow the ski racks were never closed. Steve's personally built 1201M and new VS 200 were sitting in the rack unscathed. I had driven with speeds up to 55 mph for 20 minutes or so back to the house and the rod did not fall off of the roof. While Steve and Kacie went to get some sleep, I opted to stay up and pack the jeep for one more quick trip before our 930 ferry and try to get success over these fish.

We showed up to our spot and immediately noticed one of the fly guys hooked up. I hastily got my new fly, that Kacie picked out, into the water. It only took 2 false casts to get my fly out into the zone and have my line jerked from my hand and I was on! As I worked my way down to the fish, I looked up in astonishment that my wife and Steve were not around to take a picture of my first fly albie. I made a quick release and headed back up to my spot where I see an albie sliding up on the beach. I did not realize it was attached to Kacie's line. We had doubled up in the first 2 minutes and 2 casts of the morning! Four days of bad luck, bad weather, bad equipment and dismal fishing disolved in an instant with the sound of a screaming reel. After a few pics with Kacie and her first albie I went back to my spot and after 3 more casts I was on again with a bigger albie. Kacie was there this time to snap pictures and take a video of my albie on a fly experience. We fished until 830 and had to leave with hearts full of excitement to make our ferry off the island. We tied it up until next time 3-3!

It was great to share the ups and downs and the final showdown of our first derby together with Rick Hern, Paul S., Steve Offshore24. Where's Chuck??

A few more of the rewards of no sleep.

great pics and those fish are the so much fun

Random derby shots. I am sure Steve has some pics as well.

Nice fish and great pics!! Moments to remember I am sure Casey! Congrats to you both!:uhuh:

Always a great time no matter what happens on the fishing front. As a remedy to the slow fishing I suggest a Margarita or a Dogfish Ale 60 minute Ipa at Sharky's Cantina with a Chimi for a meal. Thanks again Steve, Rick, Paul, Warren and Chuck for the good times.

Nice report. Glad you guys got them. I had my first last year. It was the only fish between three anglers in five days.... Can't wait to get back on island this Sunday. Great way to close a trip!

i'll second the sharky's stop.. great place to end the day.

nice report. would love to see what one of those funny fish is like on the fly... they are AWSOME!!

Great posts and pics guys.

If that happened to my wife I don't think I would be thanked. You a good sport Starfish.

What a blast it was fishing with you two. Not only are you both very talented hardcore fisherpeople, but you are also obviously best friends, and a great example of what marriage is supposed to be like.

The script played out perfectly. Casey, if not for the broken rod, ,ost line, etc., the catch would not have been nearly so sweet.

By the way, Kacie landed her fish, admired it briefly and released it like it was her 1,000th! If it was me(and it will be soon) you will probably hear me on the mainland.

Managed 3 hours of sleep this afternoon after a 17 hour fishing excursion, heading back out shortly. See you guys soon.

Rick

Congrats and great pics. I had my fair share of albie aggravation last week and I was fishing from a boat. Let my brother get first dibs at them our first day out since he has never caught one and he ends up landing two no problem. The weather then had its way with us, and the albies that I did hook into really didn't want to get caught. Hooked up blind with a nice one, estimated at over 10lbs (maybe a lot more), and lost that. It wasn't until the last day we launched the boat that I was able to get some albies in the boat. I guess that is what makes them so attractive to fishermen, that and they make great table fare. heh

Looks like you had a lot of fun. That is what Derby fishing is all about.

Awesome recovery :btu:

Congrats Starfish :btu:

Great job to everyone! Very cool thread. Interesting reports and great pictures! Well done!:kewl:

way to pull it out in the ninth, congrats!

I learned a lot over the past few days. I already knew that fishing with Casey and Kacie was a good time and they were great people and generous hosts. Casey's a great guide but I'm really dissapointed about having to wear that stupid blindfold everywhere we went. Casey said if he got an Albie on a fly his trip would be made. I guess he got his wish. Kacie never gave up, or cried, when many would have quit, from the weather, harsh living conditions, and losing her first Albie. She was technically first to beach hers. It was great to get to the island and fish. I picked up two schoolies the first night on my homebuilt SSU and home painted blurple A40. I got skunked after that. I met Rick, Paul, Warren, and Chuck. Chuck, just so you know, it was great to meet you, hope you're safe and well. Love to hear that story. I went wetsuiting for the first time. I brought way too many plugs. I need an intermediate sinking fly line. I need an eel rag. I need new gloves cause they still stink even after dishwashing them (don't tell Anne). I need to make sure the roof rack is closed, even if it is on Casey's side of his truck (phew).

Thanks Rick.

Living the dream.
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Cave Woman
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Have eels will travel.
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A couple more.

Edgartown at dawn.
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Going home.
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Absolutely the best thread I have read in awhile. You guys (and Gal) are what this sport of our is all about.

seriosuly, great stuff guys, thanks for sharing

Thanks for the compliments guys, I am still happy as %$%$%$%$ that we pulled it off. I for one when the fishing is slow start thinking aloud of why I deserve a little break and to just get that one good fish. For the past three days I had crap luck especially when I just kept pushing on thinking that if my eel is the only one in the water I had a good chance of catching that fish. The last night when everyone had left and I was way out on the rock alone taking large waves I was like this is the night it will happen. Well it happened alright, I leaned into my rod and POW went the rod in half. My eels still went 50 yrds and I had to reel it in heartbrokin that tonight again was not my night. So the feeling of success the next morning when my goal was achieved was amazing.

Fish4striper it certainly felt like we were down in the bottom of the ninth with two outs.

Thanks for the story. Getting pumped up for monday myself.

:agree:

Yup, what Paul said

Awesome pix and great stories to go with it - and a BIG thumbs up to Kacie on her first - of many more to come, no doubt - albie...:kewl:

Nicely done, you guys

I third this. Nice job you guys

Thanks guys, means a lot.

DEFINITELY!!!

great pix from ALL, nice perspective piece Kacie,
and CONGRATS to you both for staying with it!!
offshore and rhern, funny stuff, and thanks for sharing.

it's like a BIG, tall, glass of wholesomeness~~
that goes down SMOOOOTH and satisfying.

super great thread-one of the all times best

A great trip although the fishing was slow. Rick and I were discussing (after 2 nights of being next to each other for 12 hours on a small rock) how confident we felt that we could weigh in a couple of daily winners with the lack of crowds and the small fish weighted in. Alas, no luck.

I kept asking Steve should I reel slower, should I reel faster, should I cast there about 50 times until I finally said, what I am asking you for you also don't have an albie, I'll turn to my other side and ask Kacie.

Thanks to all on the trip, as usual when your with a bunch of SBers it was a great time. Rick is a great host!

just awesome awesome stuff Casey! thanks for sharing

That second picture is the saddest picture one can take.