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Memory of Andy Lemar
I had the pleasure of meeting Andy Lemar some 20 years ago. The first time I met him was late one night while he was casting eels in one of his favorite spots called the “Swimming Hole”. It was a quiet night with little surf and we were able to have a nice conversation about the thing we both loved – chasing striped bass. He loved his job because after the 11:30pm news he could hit the surf at the wee hours.
The next time I met Andy was at Block. Once again he was casting eels into another of his favorite holes. During an era when no one talked Andy was always ready for some conversation and we picked up our discussion about eel fishing and talked about the spot we were at – why we liked it, how the current took our eels, and what tide we thought was best. I found it very easy to speak with him as we both “spoke” the same language.
The one thing that stands out about Andy was that the few times I saw him fish he only used short boots, rain pants, and a slicker – I never saw him in waders. He was most definitely an old school surfcaster. While everyone else was wading the bar Andy would plant himself at the surf line and cast his eels repeatedly into the same bowl of water – but he knew well all the feeding stations that he could reach. Even with limited access he would still keep his catch tally up with those of us clad in waders.
The last time I saw Andy was at a meeting of his fishing club two winters ago during a presentation I was giving about needlefish plugs. Sitting at a table to my side his eyes would light up every time I mentioned Block. He came up to me after the presentation – smiled, shook my hand and told me “Nice Job”.
The next bass I release on Block will be in Andy’s memory.
DZ
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