Just Back from MV

[rickhern]

It's funny, before Anthony was born, I never wanted to return from fishing MV. After he was born, I couldn't wait to get back. Now, for the past 4 years we have done a father/son weekend on The Island and I wouldn't trade that time for anything.

This year I asked him if he would like to have one of his buddies join us. He said "No Dad, I would rather it be just me and you".

Wow.

We got over sat afternoon, pretty excited about reports of blues at Wasque. We took the Land Yacht over to the rip but nothing was doing. Great to see the beach built back up! Mother nature is remarkable. We stayed for a bit and then headed back to the Edgartown Wharf for the evening. We sleep in the back of the 'Burban on an air mattress and watch movies on his computer. It's amazing how well I sleep over there.

Word was that there were few, if any, squid around. I got up at 2 and had 15 or so in an hour. Not great, but they were there. That happens a lot at this spot. A flurry at dusk, then nothing for hours. But come back when things quiet down and you can find them. Headed to south beach and had rods in the water by 4:45. We had half a dozen bass to 30" and lots more misses but nothing sizeable. Anthony did get his first fish on his new Breakaway Omega! We then headed back to Wasque and still, nothing doing. The wind was blowing 25+ SW and was really making fishing, especially for a kid, somewhat unpleasant.

I don't push the fishing with him. The last thing I want is for me to overdo it and have him hate it. So next we went to get some breakfast and over to the park in Oak Bluffs to throw the ball. I never get tired(mentally at least) of playing catch with him. I remember 4 years prior playing catch on the same stretch and he caught maybe one out of 4 throws. Now he is gunning the ball all over the place and fielding like a vacuum cleaner.

That night we took in Mad Max Fury Road at the Edgartown Cinema then headed back to the wharf to sleep. Up again at 2, this time I plugged in my new bait light. I am always amazed at the creatures that show up under the light. Shrimp and other copepods, squid, spearing, Lady crabs, Glass Eels, some funky worms, squid, hickory shad and an 18" Schoolie that provided the highlight of my night by inhaling a squid jig!

The next morning was more of the same, lots of action but all small. Still no blues for us at Wasque. Driving back from the rip we came across a seal pup on the dunes. Anthony was amazed and I have a pic of him 3 feet away from the pup. Now, I hate seals as much as anyone, but I love baby animals. We gave it a squid and wished it well.

All day the wind kept cranking. We tried a spot in the back of one of the ponds but that was dead. I really wanted him to be able to catch on his own, not from a bait stick that I laid out, but it didn't look like that would happen. Then, yesterday afternoon, after playing catch, we swung by a spot that we had done well in in the past. The wind was screaming in our face but I explained that "this wind may have pushed the bait against the back. I would be easier to fish the other side and have the wind at our backs, but I think the fish will be on this side". He didn't seem convinced but got into his waders and we went trudging through the marsh. Just as we arrived, I noticed a bunch of terns diving 20 yds to our left, right along the mudbank. Just then a shoal of spearing flew onto the bank as schoolies blasted them. The next second they were literally RIGHT AT OUR FEET swirling and driving spearing into the grass. Anthony cast a Jumping Minnow and was on almost immediately. It may have only been 16" but it was the perfect way to end the day. He picked up one more before it got dark. Walking back to the car, he said "Dad, this is my best fishing experience ever". We talked more about wind and bait and tides. A love that he is asking questions, some of which I have no answers to.

I doubt that he will ever have the same passion that I do, and that's ok. I hope he continues to enjoy it, becomes more proficient and maybe some day be able to take his kids and share some of the memories with them.