Just Back from MV
 

It's funny, before Anthony was born, I never wanted to return from fishing MV. After he was born, I couldn't wait to get back. Now, for the past 4 years we have done a father/son weekend on The Island and I wouldn't trade that time for anything.

This year I asked him if he would like to have one of his buddies join us. He said "No Dad, I would rather it be just me and you".

Wow.

We got over sat afternoon, pretty excited about reports of blues at Wasque. We took the Land Yacht over to the rip but nothing was doing. Great to see the beach built back up! Mother nature is remarkable. We stayed for a bit and then headed back to the Edgartown Wharf for the evening. We sleep in the back of the 'Burban on an air mattress and watch movies on his computer. It's amazing how well I sleep over there.

Word was that there were few, if any, squid around. I got up at 2 and had 15 or so in an hour. Not great, but they were there. That happens a lot at this spot. A flurry at dusk, then nothing for hours. But come back when things quiet down and you can find them. Headed to south beach and had rods in the water by 4:45. We had half a dozen bass to 30" and lots more misses but nothing sizeable. Anthony did get his first fish on his new Breakaway Omega! We then headed back to Wasque and still, nothing doing. The wind was blowing 25+ SW and was really making fishing, especially for a kid, somewhat unpleasant.

I don't push the fishing with him. The last thing I want is for me to overdo it and have him hate it. So next we went to get some breakfast and over to the park in Oak Bluffs to throw the ball. I never get tired(mentally at least) of playing catch with him. I remember 4 years prior playing catch on the same stretch and he caught maybe one out of 4 throws. Now he is gunning the ball all over the place and fielding like a vacuum cleaner.

That night we took in Mad Max Fury Road at the Edgartown Cinema then headed back to the wharf to sleep. Up again at 2, this time I plugged in my new bait light. I am always amazed at the creatures that show up under the light. Shrimp and other copepods, squid, spearing, Lady crabs, Glass Eels, some funky worms, squid, hickory shad and an 18" Schoolie that provided the highlight of my night by inhaling a squid jig!

The next morning was more of the same, lots of action but all small. Still no blues for us at Wasque. Driving back from the rip we came across a seal pup on the dunes. Anthony was amazed and I have a pic of him 3 feet away from the pup. Now, I hate seals as much as anyone, but I love baby animals. We gave it a squid and wished it well.

All day the wind kept cranking. We tried a spot in the back of one of the ponds but that was dead. I really wanted him to be able to catch on his own, not from a bait stick that I laid out, but it didn't look like that would happen. Then, yesterday afternoon, after playing catch, we swung by a spot that we had done well in in the past. The wind was screaming in our face but I explained that "this wind may have pushed the bait against the back. I would be easier to fish the other side and have the wind at our backs, but I think the fish will be on this side". He didn't seem convinced but got into his waders and we went trudging through the marsh. Just as we arrived, I noticed a bunch of terns diving 20 yds to our left, right along the mudbank. Just then a shoal of spearing flew onto the bank as schoolies blasted them. The next second they were literally RIGHT AT OUR FEET swirling and driving spearing into the grass. Anthony cast a Jumping Minnow and was on almost immediately. It may have only been 16" but it was the perfect way to end the day. He picked up one more before it got dark. Walking back to the car, he said "Dad, this is my best fishing experience ever". We talked more about wind and bait and tides. A love that he is asking questions, some of which I have no answers to.

I doubt that he will ever have the same passion that I do, and that's ok. I hope he continues to enjoy it, becomes more proficient and maybe some day be able to take his kids and share some of the memories with them.

Great post...thanks for sharing...pretty special stuff...

Rick, great report and a special day with your son.

Sounds like you had a great time and keep that tradition going!

Thats awesome Rick! Enjoy....they grow up so fast! Glad you had a memorable weekend!

What a gift!

good stuff rick - ant will remember these trips

Sounds like a great weekend.

Awesome!
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Awesome Rick!

Moments to treasure and you are a great dad for spending them with your son!

Great read.

I fell in love with fishing the salt with my father on MV when I was 11 years old. My dad is not a huge fisherman, but he did anything to help me get started. He bought a 9ft Ugly Stick, Penn 704 that we shared during trips. I'll never forget being on the beach with him at dusk when a school of small bass came crashing by. We just a had a couple Atom poppers and we caught fish and I was thrilled. The next day my father went out and bought me the same set up as him. Will never forget that...

That is awesome Bart. My son is 11 now, I hope these memories last for him as well.

A few pics

More

Great read.

This post made my day - thanks Rick.

Nice Rick!
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Here's a lesson I learned. I have caught enough fish that now, i want to catch them on my terms, be it in the surf, flyrod or light tackle. So, when we got into the fish, I ran back to the truck and grabbed a light spinning outfit with a small jumping minnow. I gave it to Anthony(instead of the 8.5 salmon rod) and told him that it would be a blast to catch one on this. It was much harder to cast the light bait into the wind and he quickly went back to the other rod. He hasn't caught enough yet to want to "Go light", he just wants to catch as efficiently as he can. Duhh Dad.....

I decided that I would try to teach Anth how to cast a baitcaster this trip. Brought along a small calcutta on a 7' and tied on a small roberts ranger. As I was demonstrating he says "dad, I think I know how to cast those". I said there is a difference between knowing how to do something and being able to do something. I gave him the rod and said "Go EASY at first".

It may not have been the worst backlash I have ever seen, but it was a likely top 5.

Your backlashes while "learning" at the dawn of time probably rank right up their, too! :) I still can't do it, that is why I boat fish :laugha:

Mine were bad, no doubt, but at least mine were with cheap mono....another big Dohhhhh by the dad!

Well played Rick !
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I am jealous

Not of the fishing,great bond!
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awesome stuff! hope to be able to do that when my kids get older!

great story- you have reason to be a proud dad!!

Great post. That is what fishing is all about. Can't wait for my son to get older to do that.
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Great post Rick!
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Rick,

Having a son to share the outdoor/fishing/skiing/camping experience with is the best. My oldest and youngest boys were always computer geeks and never really had an interest, but my middle son and I have always been kindred spirits. I've seen him catch 5 lb smallies in Maine, 7 lb largemouth on the cape, boatloads of crappie for a fish fry, to the switch to the salt and stripers to 30 lbs and gater blues. Its always a hoot to watch him try to out fish his old man, but I've not slowed down enough to have him catch me just yet; although he has come close a few times.

He has poured some of my Ledge Runner Baits and I've walked him through building his first custom rod. We've blasted down Sunday River trails a few weekends and Jay Peak a time or two, it never gets old and I treasure the time we get to spend together. At 29, he's not my little boy anymore, but we both get younger when we are spending time together.

cool story.
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Awesome Bob. Thanks.