I was going to save adding to this thread until after my last time out (still a shot at a 50
) but, what the heck...
First & foremost, being a Dad... This past year watching my son grow with me & my wife has been the uncontested highlight of this year.
As far as fishing goes, this year was not going to break any records for me but I knew that from the get go. I knew that I'd be lucky to get out a third of what I did last year - which I didn't and I figured I'd be lucky to catch a third of what I did last year - which I didn't. Being sick for a lot of the time from April on didn't help much either but that's on it's way out... Nor did I get any outboards this year... I also didn't get to Block or MV and I didn't break thirty pounds this year (yet - my biggest this season is a guestimate of about 25-27 pounds - although I got a few in that range).
What I did do this year was have a lot of fun. I met a whole bunch of new people and really got to know others better. I spent a fair amount of time getting to know Fishpart & Clammer and I feel all the better because of it... I enjoyed seeing both Slip & Schoolie & FW hoisting their biggest basses so far and knowing that there will be more & bigger to come - I just wish I had been there to SEE THEM HOOKUP... I was lucky enough to see Fishpart get his biggest fish ever and was glad to be there at the time!!! I had a true blast (and schooling
) when I went to watch the Mastah at work on the Scituate Ledges... GS - that's truly sweet water... I enjoyed seeing a lot of people attend the various legs of the tourney and very happy to meet a lot of you. Next year, I hope to fish with some of you a bit more and touch an island or two... Had a ball watching FW & Jenn harass each other...
I like seeing it when people hear have made friends with others that they otherwise would have never met. And you see the results of that like when Steve's Grandfather got into those fish. Big thumbs up to Charlie, Steve, and Red!!!
I also appreciate all that I've learned from you all and all of you that have contributed here at Striped-Bass and it has been a real pleasure for me to bring this site out to you all... I also appreciate the support we've gotten from the people that sponsor us like Don & Weekapaug, Mike & his family @ Capecodtackle.com, Saltydog @ flyrodreeloutfitters.com and Ron from the Sportsmans Den... These guys have been helping me keep the lights on (so buy a few things from them will ya
)
A very special thanks to Saltheart for slaving at keeping me on the ball with my getting things done here - I think everyone should give him a round of applause - he really deserves it.
BUT THANK ALL OF YOU for making this all possible
