Ode to a friend...
 

a long time voice on the Merrimack river passed away Friday afternoon...

Anjie Scala succumbed to cancer Friday afternoon...
I first met "Anj" in 1974 at 3 R marina... back then he spent most of his time "running" wire in the mouth of the river.. most nights he and as many as 2 dozen boats took turns swimming goo-goo eyes and Cap'n Bills swimmers in the rips in the mouth or the river...by the last decade all the boats have vanished he and I were the only ones still running wire.... times change and so do "methods" like myself...Anj. became predominantly an Eel fisherman... most nights his booming voice could be heard on Joppa barking out instructions or laughing heartily at some "fiasco" that just occurred... no one fished harder..NO ONE... even after he retired and had survived a heart attack he fished most nights... he always believed the next cast would produce the next world record... my fondest memory is a testament to his tenacity... 5 years back we had a big slug of big fish in the river.. all in the 30 - 40 lb class... this particular night was beyond miserable... I was fishing with Night Shift and we were doubling up every drift... the wind was blowing 20 -30 from the S/E.. rain came sideways...Anj and his crew couldn't "buy"a fish... his boat just wouldn't lay right and he spent more time fighting the elements and landing in the marsh grass than fishing... it was 1 AM and everyone had to work the next day.. we were wet and cold... Brian and I decided we were not going to lave until they did.. we gave up @ 3 wet.. cold and tired.. best I knew... they never took a fish...and stayed until day break...
The 2 weeks ago Friday I got the call saying he was in Hospice.. a total shock because we fished side by side the first week of October his booming voice echoing out over the salt marsh...

I went to see him a week ago Friday.. he was Frail and that once loud booming voice softened by illness.. he told me he was ready for his next journey... he made me promise to continue "teaching" our "trade" and keep alive the memory of the great fishery that is the Merrimack river...

Next striper season will be different... the loud booming voice that I have known for so many years will be gone... but it will not be forgotten...

Sincere condolences to you on the loss of your friend, as well as to the family.

Very nice tribute to him as well.
God Speed Mr. Scala

Fishing relationships are special,sorry for your loss.
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Nice story Joe. My condolences
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So sorry for your loss Joe :(
sounds like a great guy

sorry to hear about your friend.....


hold on to the memories

Deepest condolences on the loss of your good friend Joe.

Sorry Joe, sounds like a good soul.
He won't be far away.
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Very sorry to hear about the loss of your friend, very happy you and he had the time together that you did.

Godspeed Anj

So sorry Joe.
Don't ever forget

My condolences
Buds are family

God Bless him

That's a shame to hear . My condolences .

Sorry for your loss, Joe.... I am sure the respect flowed both ways

Sorry for your loss Joe
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Sorry for your loss.
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Sorry for your loss Joe

Joe so sorry to heat of your loss ........I lost a fishing partner of 18 years ,,,ended up drinking more & finally intherphy [sp]

thanks guy's...Anj would be moved... we actually ony fished together a few times...most nights we were in separate boats "doing our own thing".. but there were damn few nights I was on the water over the last 40 years that he was not somewhere near bye.... I always drew comfort knowing that should I get into trouble ( I fish alone most nights) a shout out on 68 for the Blue fin would be all I need to get home safely...

Sorry for your loss. Great story, he will still be out there with you.

Nice Story Joe, but real sorry you Lost such a good friend

My Condolences

His memory will keep you company in the stillness that nature provides.

Bittersweet story, beautifully told. Your tribute did him proud. Parting can be a sweet sorrow, but remembering a life well-lived passes it on to those who hear the story. Though I didn't know the man, I'll never forget the person you described.