So I cruise out to the absolute Northeastern point of the island tonight with dreams of big fish swimming in my head. Getting properly tuned I drive through the night quickly, believing I was only going to catch the last hour and a half of the flood and that was making me smile. Visions of swimming some fako's in what should be a decent set-up. The wind had clocked to the NE right before I left (%$#&@#!). It had been holding N all day.
When I arrived the rip was looking good but the water was still way out and it obvious there was a hell of a lag in this tide. The wind had shifted to the SE and my heart sunk like a rock when I saw a half dozen or so seals bobbing 25 yds out in the lee side of the point (know where I am yet ?). " I don't know Jack " I mumbled to myself as I waltz on down and toss a nice needle out into the rip. There is a lot of light coming through the clouds and I try and cheer myself up a bit as I settle into cast and retrieve mode. Reflecting on the days issues I work on a few ideas for tomorrow and smile wrly as I realize what a nutbag most people would think I am right now. Envious of my nutbaggness I hope ! It was so incredibly beautiful out there that I HAD to keep casting away, working the rip, knowing that I should be "fishing" the lure EVERY cast. All the time. The seals were swimming back and forth in the rip and I tried to convince myself that "there must be bait here" "look at these guys" "they must be eating"
Then I would think about the bass and what he would think of a half dozen or so 200+lb Harbor seals and how ridiculous tonight was working out.
Finally, I laughed again and began reminding myself of the fortunes of another fisherman, using a lure, 22 years ago on an Outer Cape beach. Oh man that lucky man. WHAT DID THAT FEEL LIKE ? All the while I am operating the rip retrieve mantra. Fishing all the areas of the bar. Convincing myself now that the only way you can find a fish is to have it out there and give it a chance.
Still nothing. Seals just aren't leaving....
I drift off into another handful of casts and finally realize I am exhausted and have to remember that there is a 25 minute drive in.
I reluctantly begin the "10 more casts" routine. Fishing each one with the best I got.
Right down to the last cast, the last 10 feet.
I swing up the rod and laugh again as open the bail for "One More !". This is to you Andy. Happy anniversary.
This is some cool sport.
Making us do things that ONLY participation can really explain.
Threaded Mode