The Derby

[Swimmer]

Why I like/fish the derby.

Sleeping on the beach, leftovers at Bubba's, sitting around a table with guys older than you imparting thier wisdom to everyone else sitting there, sunrise at Wasque, sunrise at Tashmoo over my right shoulder, watching my wife walk into the weigh station with a really tiny bluefish and the weigh master in 1984 was kind enough to weigh the fish for her, hitting the grand slam in 2003, weighing in an albie because your only allowed to weigh in three, so you have to pick em right, watching 30 people try to fish on Menemsha jetty, seeing the joy on any kids face when they bring a fish into the weigh-in, CATCHING A BONE, see my brother relax, just to have the joy of driving off the boat in Vineyard Haven/Oak Bluffs, have a cup of coffee and a chocolate chip cookie in Coop's and once-again look at the picture of my bass on the wall, eat at Linda Jeans, leftovers at Bubba's, count how may dune monsters I hear at night, hang out with people who fish solely because it brings them personal joy and relaxation and for no other reason, sip Root Beer snappes iced in a glass sitting on the beach at night, catching 17.60 # bluefish, seeing my buddy Paul Shultz, running into people from the early 70's when I lived there (some are still kicking around), fishing wood most of the time, plastic very little, bunker at night here and there, tins in the morning.

For the most part everyone pays attention to the leader board and doesn't kill a fish just to weigh it in. Kill it mostly when it will affect tourney outcome. Like bumping someone off the board. I am not saying this is true in all cases. It certainly is with the albies though.

[reelecstasy]

Originally Posted by Swimmer

Why I like/fish the derby.

Sleeping on the beach, sitting around a table with guys older than you imparting their wisdom to everyone else sitting there, sunrise at Wasque, sunrise at Tashmoo over my right shoulder, seeing the joy on any kids face when they bring a fish into the weigh-in, CATCHING A BONE,driving off the boat in Vineyard Haven/Oak Bluffs, hang out with people who fish solely because it brings them personal joy and relaxation and for no other reason,fishing wood most of the time, plastic very little,tins in the morning.

Sorry Swimmer, I chopped up your post. But you hit some of my big reasons balls on. I love the camaraderie, seeing Johnny C in the morning making breakfast asking how the night went. Watching the old guard roll out of the house picturing them back in their days..

I guess I don't fish it for the tourny, I just use that as the excuse to disappear from real life for a week or so and most importantly to spend some time with me...

[Mike P]

I thought they didn't give daily prizes for albies any more--just weeklies and the grand leaders

[JohnR]

Originally Posted by reelecstasy

Sorry Swimmer, I chopped up your post. But you hit some of my big reasons balls on. I love the camaraderie, seeing Johnny C in the morning making breakfast asking how the night went. Watching the old guard roll out of the house picturing them back in their days..

I guess I don't fish it for the tourny, I just use that as the excuse to disappear from real life for a week or so and most importantly to spend some time with me...

I fish the Derby because you are fishing with legends past and present, fishing places that absolutely touch the soul, fish with friends that I do not get to see enough of, fish harder than I want and sometimes I get to rest harder than I want. I love the island, the community, the smaller community of anglers that we gather with.

I like freezing my butt off on Big/Little Bridge on a could clear night and seeing the Northern lights. I like the Chowder on the Ferry coming over ~ when I'm not taking the freight ferry.

I like chasing bass then chasing Albies, before chasing sleep.

I like releasing bass that could be a daily while I look for (and can't find ~ yet ) the one that could win it all. Hooking into the occasional outboard motor.

I like showing up at the Conga Line just north of Wasque and seeing friends I see only in late September and early October every few years. I like seeing Bill & Jules & the O'Rourke brothers yelling "No Pain",seeing The Hess Brothers, the Pollock Brothers, & the other MSBA folk.

I like fishing opportunities that simply do not present them else at other times and places.

And I like to see what Johnny C is carving for that day.

[reelecstasy]

Originally Posted by JohnR

And I like to see what Johnny C is carving for that day.

I am a big fan of the Golf ball blow boat

[Squid kids Dad]

Originally Posted by Swimmer

Why I like/fish the derby.

Sleeping on the beach, leftovers at Bubba's, sitting around a table with guys older than you imparting thier wisdom to everyone else sitting there, sunrise at Wasque, sunrise at Tashmoo over my right shoulder, watching my wife walk into the weigh station with a really tiny bluefish and the weigh master in 1984 was kind enough to weigh the fish for her, hitting the grand slam in 2003, weighing in an albie because your only allowed to weigh in three, so you have to pick em right, watching 30 people try to fish on Menemsha jetty, seeing the joy on any kids face when they bring a fish into the weigh-in, CATCHING A BONE, see my brother relax, just to have the joy of driving off the boat in Vineyard Haven/Oak Bluffs, have a cup of coffee and a chocolate chip cookie in Coop's and once-again look at the picture of my bass on the wall, eat at Linda Jeans, leftovers at Bubba's, count how may dune monsters I hear at night, hang out with people who fish solely because it brings them personal joy and relaxation and for no other reason, sip Root Beer snappes iced in a glass sitting on the beach at night, catching 17.60 # bluefish, seeing my buddy Paul Shultz, running into people from the early 70's when I lived there (some are still kicking around), fishing wood most of the time, plastic very little, bunker at night here and there, tins in the morning.

For the most part everyone pays attention to the leader board and doesn't kill a fish just to weigh it in. Kill it mostly when it will affect tourney outcome. Like bumping someone off the board. I am not saying this is true in all cases. It certainly is with the albies though.

Ditto Bro,Ditto
I would like to add driving the beach and inner trails out to the Gut
from Wasque..What a beautiful place and a beautiful time to be there...

[Squid kids Dad]

A few more things about the derby...

Stopping at the triangle for coffee and donuts at 5:00 am and seeing the same girl thats been working there for years..

Waiting in line for the "on time ferry" because you cant run the beach because of the breach...Being first on the ferry and thinking "make sure to hit the brake and not the gas"

Going to the weight station at night...

Its not just a tourney.. Its a great time to socialize with friends past & present

Seeing old friends from MSBA ect and making new ones..Cooking food on the grille on the beach

And just plain RELAXING with my brother..I have to thank Swimmer for inviting me years ago..Must be about 15 years now..