Where do I begin...
Hard to come up with something I haven't heard already from my fellow derby lovers...
It begins with the preparation and packing the jeep, which seems to come at the last minute, despite all the planning...
Getting to and getting on the ferry, where the first really deep breaths and smiles of the week come as I look ahead and realize the island isn't really THAT far away (although it seems like another planet once you get there)...
Going to Larrys and signing up, then driving up the road to the fishing shack to see who's in attendance that week...
Pouring over the tide charts, checking weather/wind reports to decide the first nights fishing plans, and just getting into "derby mode"...
The first night out, which like most nights is proceeded by my personal pre-game routine of making a fine strong cup of coffee with my fresh grounds in a french press in the parking lot... (this is why I fish alone most nights, as I feel like I am slowing down my potential fishing buddies who are ready to jump out of the truck and fish)...
Being out on the most beautiful (IMHO) beaches around on dark nights with countless stars (and "shooting" stars) giving thanks just to be there...
Meeting and fishing with guys from the site and absorbing their wisdom about the derby and fishing in general...
Burning more batteries than usual scouting the parking lots and beaches for the incredible skunk population...
Watching even the most seasoned derby folk chasing the fisherman as much as (or more than) the fish...
Sitting down to the delicious meals alternately prepared my my fishing shack mates, to fuel us for the 2 tide nights all week, discussing plans and strategies...
Coming home or waking up to Johnny Cherico's breakfast and filling him in on the previous night's action or lack thereof...
Getting my stones busted by Johnny's friend Charlie Barr...
Chipping in around the shack and trying to put away the cooking supplies in places that Johnny can find them the next morning
Pacing inconspicuously around the weigh-in station drinking the free coffee and listening to the local tackle-store rats and island sharpies speculating on where the leading fish was taken...
Daytime beach walks/scouting trips and bumping into late-season clothing-optional sunbathers...
Driving around an Island (I am a slow driver) at my own pace and not getting people driving up my a$$ and honking...
Getting grilled and complimented by Janet M. after weighing a good fish...
Seeing even the non-fishing touristas get exited about the whole thing...
I could go on and bore you more, I guess in the end it's what you make of it. My number one goal is relaxation and enjoyment and I find it pretty easy to avoid the crowds if you are so inclined. My only regret is not getting into the "other" fish as much, which I plan to do more of next year.
I think you can't compare this derby to something like the Cup because the parameters are so different. You gotta do it from the island and you only have 4 weeks to do it. You can't catch fish that aren't there no matter how good you are or how hard you fish. Sure there's a lot of luck involved but as the same names surface year after year it's obvious there is plenty of skill and experience required to be on the board consistently. Thanks to Patrick, Wendy, Johnny, Wayne C, the NJ guys Eric and Bob and Leo for putting up with my pacing and blabbering last week. I can't wait till next year!!
