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"He went like one that hath been stunned, and is of sense forlorn,
a sadder but a wiser man he rose the following morn."
S Coleridge 1797 Rhyme of the Ancient Mariner
About 20 years ago, after reading too many "Fisherman" articles I decided to try and beach fish Cuttyhunk during a massive fall NE'er. Left Quissett just before dark in a 29' Dyer. Ran down the sound and came through Quicks with the tide against the wind (about 40knots...eventually got up to 60 that night). Hit the steepest shortest seas I've ever experienced and had to run almost 1/2 a mile before I could make the turn for Cutty. Got into the harbor, pitch black with 2-3 foot waves at the dock. Made fast with 4 lines all on the upwind side. Got off, with difficulty, and tried to fish the barges. No korkers, couldn't stand up on those wet bowling balls. Went back to a tossing boat with a plan to get up at 11pm and head to the south end of the island to fish eels at highwater.
Woke up with a start at MN, the dock was under water. Frantic about missing the tide, I set out for the south end. Couldn't find the footpath to the road, but I remembered that as kids we used to climb the tower hill and access the road from up there. That was only 20 years earlier and so what if it was raining horizontally and pitch black, no doubt that route would save time. Not. Got lost in the brush south of the hill. Lost my main flashlight, tried to save my reserve. Stumbling in the dark, I nearly tripped on a sleeping buck that erupted at my feet. Wondered about swarm after swarm of big black "butterflies" I kept walking through. Nearly shat when I realized they weren't butterflies.
Finally made the road, no clue how far down. Decided I had to fish, so I went down the rain soaked cliff.........really fast. Didn't break anything. Fished a while and realized I wanted to be further down. Tried to walk down the beach, but with no usable light and no visibility it was impossible. Back up the wet cliff, in waders, with a rod, bag, and eel bucket, hanging from small bushes the whole way.
Made it to the south end. The tide had blown out of there. Cast an eel.....bottom. Broke off, re rigged, cast again......bottom. Switched to a skin needle, caught a 5 lb fish, then bottom again. Tried to wade out, fell in...... hard......twice. At this point sanity returned, considered the consequence of breaking a leg in late October during a NE storm on the deserted end of Cutty. Gave up, trudged back to the boat. All for a single 5 lb fish.....and a lesson well learned.
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