Fisherpeople,
I know hundreds of you have been wondering when the next newsletter would be out. To be honest, Covid has taken the wind out of my sails as the last year has gone by. But with the weather turning in the next few months, it's time to start cleaning your gear out and getting ready for the new season.
On the fishing front, some good news is that Saltie Lesley Callahan was notified by the MA Division of Marine Fisheries that one of the fish she entered in the yearly contest - a 4 lb. 8 oz. black sea bass - was a division winner. Congratulations to Lesley!!
As a wrap up to the Martha's Vineyard Derby, some good news is that Saltie Joe Holey was one of the first to register what is referred to as "the triple crown," in this year's derby, with the striped bass having being removed, of a qualifying bluefish, false albacore, and bonito from shore. Saltie Bob Dunn, who is also my partner in the team competition, won too many awards to mention, but among them was the Triple Crown, for with the best bluefish, false albacore, and bonito. Bob finished with four bonito from shore, quite a feat! Our Team Salties finished third overall in the shore team competition. My contribution to the team competition was the fact that we used my truck most of the time.
I know there are many of you who caught fish throughout the year, but I think a fish worth mentioning is Bill Cottle's striped bass from shore with a fly rod -- Bill's biggest ever from shore on a fly!
This month's Zoom meeting on Jan. 27 will feature Martha Craig from the Friends of Herring River in Wellfleet/Truro. I hope you folks on the Lower and Outer Cape can tune in to let Martha know the Salties support her group's work on the river. February's meeting on 2/24 will have Capt. Scott Graf from Reel Grit, located in Sesuit Harbor. He will speak about the fishery last year and what they hope to see happen this year.
I recently got my saltwater and freshwater fishing licenses online. I don't believe there will be any shows early in the year, so you probably won't be able to get yours for free, but it only costs $1.38 online for handling charges. With all the changes in the laws this year - circle hooks, live bait, etc. - I think there might be more checks of fisherpeople, so get your license now.
We have scheduled two trips as a group. The first one, under chairman John Sorcenelli, a.k.a., John Boy, is the May 8 haddock trip on the Capt. John out of Plymouth. The cost is $55, limited to 40 people. The second trip, under chairman Ken Whiting, is the fluke trip on the Helen H, to be scheduled sometime in the middle of July. As soon as the date is final, we'll let you know.
On the website (capecodsalties.org) are the haddock application and dues form. I know it has been a hard year for everyone, but at the risk of repeating myself, I must say again that we have met all our obligations on scholarships, the organizations we support, and the cost of doing business (insurance, etc.). Your dues are essential to help us continue.
Personally, I can't wait to get out in front of Bass River to see what the structure that we helped put in last year is going to mean for the ground fishery.
Smile with Amazon!
Jack
