Ed Podolak has passed away

[2na]

I’m saddened to report news of Ed’s sudden and unexpected passing. Ed lived in Irvington, NJ, but spent most of his summers at his home in Truro fishing the back beach. One of the last of the old timers (I believe he was in his early 80’s or late 70’s) Ed was not as much a sharpie as a patient gentle man who was still dedicated to fishing sandworms in the wash.That practice earned him a 60 lbr back in the day, a picture of which he proudly carried in his wallet. For years he was a fixture every morning at High Head, his favorite stretch of beach. From the day we met he treated myself and others I know with nothing but kindness and generosity. His presence on the beach will be missed. RIP.

[BigFish]

Mike....sorry for the loss of your very dear friend. Sounds like a great loss indeed.

[spence]

Sorry for your loss, sounds like he was a genuine person.

-spence

[2na]

Thanks Larry. He wasn't close close, but a guy you knew from the beach, and I just wanted to get word out. Just sad to see the old guys fade away, but hey, better than the alternative - Ed certainly got plenty of time in the sand.

I don't know if you remember me out there raking sand eels back before I learned the error of my ways. If they were out deep I'd free swim for them. Ed got a hoot out of that, and one day out of the blue he came up to me on the beach and presented me with a rake.
He had made me a custom stainless steel sand eel rake like the one he made himself (somewhere along the line he was a machinist). Each tine had a screw at it's base on the other side of the head, and you could take out the screw and remove the tine for replacement or sharpening. Piece of work!

[BigFish]

He obviously spent his time well if folks like yourself are taking a moment to pay tribute....a life well lived.

[Crafty Angler]

Originally Posted by BigFish

He obviously spent his time well if folks like yourself are taking a moment to pay tribute....a life well lived.

What Larry said.

Sorry to hear about the loss of your friend.

When a man like that passes it's a loss to the whole fishing community, whether you knew him or not. I've had older guys who became mentors in a way and they were the same kind of guys - and they, too are now gone.

That generosity of spirit should set an example for all of us to follow. And part of that spirit will always stay with you, 2na - I believe that strong spirits never truly die.

Rest easy, Cap, where ever you may be.

[saltfly]

Oh My GOD!!!!! A TRUE GENTLEMAN of THE BEACH.He would give you the shirt off his back if you needed it.RACE POINT has lost one of it's own.He spent years on the advisory commitee wrangling with the "RULES" making sure you and I will still have access to this special place."THE KING of the SEAWORM" he dug his own right up to last fall[mid 80s] and fished them exclusively.His TRUE LOVE IS THE BEACH.RIP my friend I will miss you.

[2na]

lurker Dozier just sent me this PM:

"Hello 2na, I just came across your post re. Ed. My brother and I used to fish up there and if this is the same guy who used to wear a pork pie hat and used to dig the biggest sea worms around we are very saddened to hear the news. He was so helpful to my brother and I. He would give us a ton of worms but was always reluctant to say where he dug them...great Cape Cod guy. We have not been up that way in several years. When we were fishing the back side it was guys like Ed that made it that much more fun. Pass along our condolances. He will be missed. Sincerely, Doug and Greg."

This was Ed. The man knew more about sandworms than anyone ought too.

[2na]

I had forgotten about all the time he put in to keep us on the beach Bobby - another aspect of the man.

[saltfly]

Here's Ed with a midday Bass caught on a worm at High Head.4 yrs ago.Wearing the classic GILLIGAN hat

[saltfly]

Originally Posted by saltfly

Here's Ed with a midday Bass caught on a worm at High Head.4 yrs ago.Wearing the classic GILLIGAN hat

dang it didn't work!!!

[Slipknot]

Sorry to hear this
Sounds like the kind of man we need more of

[saltfly]

My first call this a.m. after reading the bad news was to a neighbor and long time friend of Eds.Later today he called me back and asked me to post this;......Your phone call this morning informing me of ED's passing away really set me back..My last conversation with him was in late October.He was going back to New Jersey to look after his brother who was in failing health.........At a time when all but the Pope were selling their fish.Ed kept an occasional fish to eat and released the rest.Many mornings when I was leaving the beach I would run into Ed at his favorite fishing grounds[Highland Light]..Stop and B.S. for awhile and have a cup of his secret formula black coffee..I knew Ed was a special guy when I first met him..He stopped in at my tackle shop for a reel repair and nose around..For some strange reason I thought that he may be a priest and was quick to inform some of the gentlemen hanging around to watch their language..As I got to know Ed over the years I always admired him for his gentile ways and kindness that he showed to others...Many times I wished that I could be as forgiving and non-violent as him.We had alot of laughs when I would ask him to come down to Chatham inlet and join me and the rest of the Eastcoast fisherman that were lined up shoulder to shoulder..he said that he would rather sit in his chair and relax on a quiet beach sipping his coffee.I think that he had the right idea....GOD rest his gentile soul and the wonderful memory that he leaves......Your Pisano.......TONY CHIARAPPO

[l.i.fish.in.vt]

Sorry to hear this.though i never had the pleasure to meet him our paths crossed quit often.

[gone fishin]

[QUOTE=Karl F;655899]

as much as Ed should be remembered for his time on the beach, with his beloved seaworms, he should be remembered as much, for the time he spent, for the beach, and access rights to it, that we all still enjoy, even as limited as they are...
so sad to see the old gaurd crossover...
they saw the best of it...
we shall see the rest of it

R.I.P. Ed

One of the OLD guard, may he rest in fishermans heaven.

[jkswimmer]

He was a real old time original, he could talk your ear if you gave he a chance. These guys were special.

[JohnR]

Godspeed Ed

And thank you for all you have done for us fishers

[2na]

he would rather sit in his chair and relax on a quiet beach sipping his coffee

and this summed up Ed. Sorry for your loss Tony.

[HABSJR]

Sorry for you loss,

now he in good place. rest in peace