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Why do you fish? Here's my reason
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Why do we fish? I'm not going to bore you with eloquent words or descriptions, nor will I quote some offbeat passage of prose or poetry. What I will do is try to answer what possibly has been asked of each of us challenged by this insane sport known as fishing. It's a sport full of uncertainty, and with it comes quantum periods of failure, a good portion of enjoyment and, on occasion, a bit of soul searching.
It isn't because I enjoy sitting in a boat all day without so much as a nibble. Nor is it because I like to be sunburned, cold, wet or freezing to the very bone. Perhaps the reason is locked in memory to be recalled on quiet moments on the porch or when bragging rights are claimed at some social event or gathering. Or perhaps it is as simple as this ...
One day, my son and I left the landing headed for some uncharted desolate island. We had gotten a late start and the weather turned bad very fast. The winds picked up and rains pounded my face as I tried to get my bearings. All seemed to be going downhill rapidly when a sudden flash of lightning brought the silhouette of a landing site into view. There were no lights to mark our path nor any evidence that the other members of our party had arrived. We set up a makeshift camp, made a campfire and settled in for a long night.
The next morning we realized we had taken the wrong turn in the river and were miles from our destination. (This is before the invention of cellular phones.) With limited fuel, no communication and hundreds of islands on the lake, we decided to make the best of the situation -- majority rule, let them find us. The only problem was they had the food, camping gear and most of the fishing tackle.
On that first day, things got a bit tight and hunger became paramount as the sun began to fade. We survived on cheese crackers and the remains of an M&M pack, bless those candy coatings. On the second day, we rolled from slumber ready for a pancake breakfast, but the cook was missing. My son at the time was barely 10, but he handled things like a real trooper and his complaints were limited to "Where's the bait?" and "When do we fish?"
We fashioned a bait container from the cheese box and soon he had it brimming with worms. I located a tin of small gold bream hooks and a length of discarded fishing line under the seat of the boat from my perch-jerking days. Finding a suitable sapling, we fashioned makeshift poles and headed to the water's edge. The tune from "The Andy Griffith Show" got stuck in my head, but my whistle was too dry to oblige.
We moved the boat to a likely cove and proceeded into the depths of panfish heaven. I suppose greed played a major part in our catch that morning, but fear of the unknown and stomach pains were much stronger. That evening, what could only be considered as basic primitive, we dined like royalty. There is nothing quite like the taste of fresh, roasted fish over a campfire. Removing cinders and small bits of wood from our roasting sticks was much less a burden on a full stomach. With a clear, moonlit sky above, we settled into a deserving restful sleep.
The morning came later than anticipated and we packed up our meager gear, cleaned up the campsite and headed back to the launch site. The tackle shop had just opened and "Old John," the proprietor, waved me down.
"If your name is Lee, I got a message for you," he said. "On the night of the storm, the other members of your party decided it was too rough and are staying at the Holiday Inn just up the road a piece. They told me to tell you to join them for lunch if I saw you this morning."
Why do I fish? I do so for the memories and experiences that you cannot get unless you put yourself out there. Memories best left for quiet moments.
What about you? Your reasons are your own. As for me, that trip -- regardless of the hardship -- has created a bond few will experience. A journey of little time but of unknowingly great consequence.
I stay hooked and my son is a great fishing partner. After all, we were really the first to arrive and the last to leave "Survivor Island."
EVENTS AND MEETINGS
• SIFF: The monthly meeting of the Sea Island Fly Fishers will be held Nov. 12 at Bay Street Outfitters in Beaufort. Fish Tales Social begins at 6 p.m. with light refreshments available at no charge. The regular meeting will begin at 7 and normally lasts for one hour. Guests are welcome. The speaker will be Captain Richard Stuhr, one of the most prominent and successful inshore light tackle and fly fishing guides in the Charleston area. Contact Jerry Wadley for more information at 843-521-1896.
• Owen Perry Memorial Inshore Fishing Tournament: Hosted by Fripp Island Marina, the event will take place Nov. 7-8. The tournament will award 50 percent of the payout to entries and 50 percent to Camp Rainbow, which helps kids with cancer and rare blood diseases. A captains meeting and Lowcountry cookout will be held at 7 p.m. on Nov. 7. The tournament starts Nov. 8 at sunrise, with weigh-ins at the Fripp Island Marina by 5 p.m. For information, call the marina at 843-838-1517 or contact Captain Ralph at 843-838-2530.
• Fishing schools: Capt. Judy will be offering two inshore schools for 2009 -- Jan. 31 and Feb. 21 -- and one offshore school on Feb. 7. Classes will run from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Space is limited, so sign up early. Call 912-897-4921 for reservations.
FISHING TRENDS
With foul weather putting a damper on things the past week, few anglers left the docks. The onset of cooler outside temperatures has had little effect to this point on water conditions.
Without rains and runoff, local waters remain clear during the cooler months. This means a good bit of action for fly fishermen and sight casters along the flats. And while spottail bass and trout are mostly targeted, other species are just as prone to take your bait. Among them presently are good numbers of whiting, sheepshead, a fewflounder and some good size black drum.
For the angler that prefers deeper water action, short runs to wrecks and reef structure will pay good dividends to those taking the trip. Active among the mixed bag offshore will be a good many bottom species. There have been plentiful triggerfish, amberjack, grouper, spottail bass, sheepshead and a few snapper to keep your interest.
WINTER SHRIMP SOUP
Here's another of my favorites, usually fixed when home alone or wishing only for a single serving. Additional places can be set at the table by just adding ingredients to match your company.
Ingredients
1 cup Nonfat, low-sodium chicken broth
3 to 4 large shrimp, cooked, peeled, de-veined and chopped
1/2 Small White Potato, peeled, boiled and cut into bite-size chunks
Salt & Pepper to taste
Combine ingredients, heat and enjoy this hearty single serving. Goes great with oyster croutons, a grilled cheese sandwich and tall glass of iced tea (Southern style).
CONSERVATION GROUP DOING ITS PART
The Coastal Conservation Association of South Carolina began another chapter of marine conservation focused on habitat and water quality issues relative to marine fisheries with the launching of Topwater Action in January 2008. With an emphasis on oyster recycling and restoration, the adopt-a-creek program and education, the campaign is emerging as another tool in the organization's fisheries conservation tackle box.
CCA of South Carolina's habitat restoration efforts were recently rewarded with generous support from the Waccamaw Community Foundation in Murrells Inlet and Duracraft boats of Columbia. With a $6,000 grant, the Waccamaw Community Foundation provided the funding for the acquisition of two 18-foot Duracraft john boats to be used in transporting oyster habitat material to remote locations throughout the coastal marshes of South Carolina.
"To have come this far in such a short period of time has been really amazing to watch and be a part of," said Topwater Action campaign chairman Gary Visser. "The contribution made by these two organizations will help move this program into the mainstream and aid marine habitat enhancement for many years to come."
CCA is the largest marine resource conservation group of its kind in the nation. With more than 100,000 members in 17 state chapters, CCA has been active in state, national and international fisheries management issues since 1977. CCA is dedicated to the conservation and protection of marine resources and to improving the current and future state of saltwater fishing for recreational anglers and future generations of fishermen.
For membership information, contact executive director Scott Whitaker at 803-865-4164.
BEAUFORT FISHING TOURNAMENT STANDINGS
Standings for the Beaufort Fishing Tournament, with species, boat, angler and weight in pounds:
LARGEST SPECIES RESULTS
Amber jack: C-Spoon, Todd Bradley, 66.78
Barracuda: Sea Wolf VI, Joshua Price, 25.26
Black drum: Roll-N, Karsten Dutton, 10.58
Blackfin tuna: Artemis, Ted MaMunes, 11.00
Black sea bass: Mikes Marine, Mike Spade, 4.72
Bluefish: TopGun5, Taylor Taylor, 11.62
Cobia: Happy Dog, Tennant Houston, 50.44
Croaker: My Time Out Jr, Frank Gibson, 0.68
Dolphin (dorado): Tortteaser, Lovick Hornsby, 50.32
Founder: Roeme, Scott Willard, 6.82
Grouper: Sea Hawk III, Frank Gibson, 19.18
Jack crevalle: Fish Call, Frank Gibson, 13.94
King mackerel: Marvs Outboard, Bernie Vinoski, 41.94
Ladyfish: 3 Capt's, Swanton Anderson, 2.62
Little tunny: TopGun5, Tom Thomas, 14.78
Pompano: Fish Call, Frank Gibson, 0.88
Red drum: No Name, Ashby West, 5.10
Red snapper: Mikes Marine, Mike Spade, 18.00
Sea trout:Mikes Marine, Mark Clifford, 4.3
Sheepshead: Miss Fripp, Frank Gibson, 8.82
Spadefish: TopGun5, Tom Thomas, 8.20
Spanish mackerel: Marvs Outboard, Sibet Copeland, 6.2
Spotted seatrout: Roeme, Scott Willard, 5.24
Spot: Wally Phinney, Nick Polowy, 1.32
Toad fish: Mikes Marine, Frank Gibson, 3.14
Triggerfish: No Worries, Larry Andrews, 9.11
Vermillion snapper: No Worries, Seth Andrews, 3.02
Wahoo: No Worries, Steve Roll, 53.16
Weakfish: A+B, Ben Vegar, 1.04
Whiting: Reel Control, Joe Marshall, 1.24
FEMALE ANGLER
Amber jack: Hold-N-On, Melanie McCaffree, 28.90
Barracuda: Miss Fripp, Phyllis Gibson, 14.30
Black Drum: Jean Rae, Jean Linker, 9.3
Black sea bass: My Time Out III, Phyllis Gibson, 2.10
Bluefish: Sea Wolf VI, Katie Gambla, 1.96
Cobia: Foreclosure, Cindy Reid, 22.56
Croaker: Froggy Daddy, Carol Currin, 0.64
Dolphin (dorado): Artemis, Pam Roy, 9.18
Flounder: Artemis, Pam Roy, 4.10
Grouper: Artemis, Pam Roy, 13.36
King mackerel: Dr Hook, Marsha Vinoski, 27.56
Ladyfish: Miss Fripp, Phyllis Gibson, 1.50
Little tunny: Sea Wolf, Chris Odioso, 12.7
Red drum: Mikes Marine, Bobbie Spade, 4.14
Red snapper: Mikes Marine, Sarah Florez, 6.44
Sea trout: Froggy Daddy, Carol Curren, 2.68
Sheepshead: Jean Rae, Jean Linker, 4.72
Spanish mackerel: Marvs Outboard, Sibet Copeland, 6.2
Spots: Lil Looer, Holly Carslake, 0.18
Toad fish: Artemis, Pam Roy, 1.96
Triggerfish: Artemis, Crissy Hinson, 4.60
Vermillion snapper: Mikes Marine, Sarah Florez, 2.07
Weakfish: Froggy Daddy, Carol Currin, 0.74
Whiting: Froggy Daddy, Carol Currin, 1.14
10X10 YOUTH
Bluefish: White Whale, Peter Trask, 1.84
Croaker: White Whale, Peter Trask, 0.12
Jack crevalle: Sea Wolf VI, Matthew Moore, 2.18
Ladyfish: Miss Fripp, Kane Thorp, 2.0
Spotted sea trout: Just Because, Zach Wilson, 1.2
Spanish mackerel: Reet Hot, Mason Coner, 4.20
Whiting: Just Because, Zach Wilson, 0.88
YOUTH
Amber jack: My Time Out III, Kane Thorp, 16.30
Barracuda: Mikes Marine, Brice Spade, 17.04
Black drum: Prez, Andrew Carr, 2.46
Black sea bass: Mikes Marine, Brice Spade, 3.30
Bluefish: Sea Wolf VI, Taylor Poole, 2.46
Cobia: Sea Hawk III, Wes Chesnutt, 42.66
Croaker: White Whale, Peter Trask, 0.12
Flounder: Sea Buyyou, Tommy Buskiek, 4.56
Grouper: Mikes Marine, Brice Spade, 10.86
Jack crevalle: Sea Wolf VI, Matthew Moore, 2.18
King mackerel: TopGun VI, Zach Brown, 23.4
Ladyfish: Sea Wolf VI, Taylor Poole, 2.46
Red drum: Reel Chance, Billy Amick, 4.86
Red snapper: Mikes Marine, Brice Spade, 14.32
Sheepshead: Sea Wolfe, Shelbi Sasse, 2.88
Spadefish: Mikes Marine, Brice Spade, 6.16
Spanish mackerel: Sea Wolf, Hunter Pylant, 4.60
Spotted sea trout: Mikes Marine, Brice Spade, 3.34
Toad fish: Mikes Marine, Brice Spade, 1.01
Triggerfish: Mikes Marine, Brice Spade, 3.62
Vermillion snapper: No Worries, Seth Andrews, 3.02
Whiting: Reel Control, Megan Craig, 0.54
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