The Derby

[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