.....Hello again all you anxious surfcasters...I realize there has been a lapse between editions, but sometimes life throws us a curve ball and we need to re- prioritize things for a bit.  But alas, here we go again with another season filled with hopes and epic sagas.  I wish all of you a safe and successful year on the surf and I hope you get the zest that it offers as well as the un matched serenity of a sunrise  while casting out to the horizon.  This is a time for all of us to re-read the REMATCH....a previous edition.  Has your "once in a life time fish "eluded you or is she still waiting for you behind the next curl in the waves.  I hope this is your year and I hope that you are equipped with a camera to capture the moment and not to capture the fish.  If she is worthy of a photo, isn't she worthy to still live and breed??....So...go get ready....remember clams early in the season will hook you up....but not all your adventures will be epic and that is just the way this sport goes at times.  No matter what your intentions start out being ....sometimes the best laid plans of mice and men........you know the rest......and so..........

FIASCO

    For years, Mitch had talked about his family retreat in the top of Vermont that  was the big ..annual ..get-together for all the Mitch Miles Clan.  This occurred when he was a kid and the fact that he was now 40  didn’t seem to fade the memories of those cherished times.  Mitch was not really a fisherman but he wanted to take Ron and I there to catch some Pike…after all they were there 30 yrs ago!!!!  Ron and I knew that this trip would mean a lot to Ol Mitch and so we agreed to make it a fishing adventure…to Lake Carmi….home of Mitch's childhood memories of big toothy critters….The Pike.

    Ah yes…a July 4^th get away with my two buddies……..Mitch's boat….tons of fishing gear and enough liquor stores to quench our unending thirst back then.  It would be a long ride to get to the tippy top of Vermont…but comradery and good cheer would make the whole weekend…PERFECT.  Unfortunately ,sometimes it takes a little more than just that to assure success on fishing extravaganzas….and we were about to find out the difference between fantastic and fiasco.

     I was praying that Mitch would not decide to tow the huge fiberglass boat on the back of his 77 caddy.   Since that was the only car running at this point…it was apparent that the clunker would lead the way….with boat in tow..over the green mountains.  I was hoping that at least the dam thing would make it.  Hope does not always offer assurance!!!

     The caddy ....1977....is worth mentioning again.  The brakes were far beyond their safe level and the fact that he was towing this god awful heavy boat...a fiberglass Maxim, was reason enough for Ron and I to ride in his blazer.  This "Vermont or bust " routine by ol Mitch was gonna be a solo voyage for him....We would meet him there............maybe!!. The radio's reception was all dependent on the direction of the coat hanger he had rammed down the shaft of the old antenna slot.  I am not going into much detail about how it over heated ,other than  the fact that if he didn't drive with the heater on full blast (its July 4th)...the car would over heat and blow up.  The inside of the caddy smelled like burning sneakers from the heater blowing on his footwear.  Oh yes...."that leak in the trailer tire is only a slow leak mike...couple of fillups and it will be fine....don't be so uptight"  The clincher was when he thought it was funny at a rest stop to show us how he can pull the steering wheel off and then put it back on.  GOD HELP US.  And finally....what would a 7 hr ride with a boat in tow be without a good set of worn tires all around for the limping caddy.  The stuff was packed and we were heading north...Mitch leading the way and Ron and I following to help him  ....WHEN!!...he breaks down.

     We had driven 5 of the 350 miles and he pulls over.  Mitch ..what's wrong??....Nothing, its a liquor store. lets load up.  He was inside before I said "no lets wait". By the time I got in the beer house, he had a case of bud and a bottle of Jack Daniels on the counter.  "This is gonna be ugly", was the unspoken word between Ron and I as we watched it get rung up.  Its on me boys...Well thanks Mitch...lets go fill the cooler.  While we were packing the cooler Mitch proceeds to announce....."well that's it for me...I'm broke ..I just spent my last dollar!!!"  I asked  him how he planned on surviving for the next 4 days ...."It will all work out....ill eat the fish!!!!!"  Have you ever eaten a pike!!...BONES. Five miles into the trip Mitch is broke.  I'm sure you can see where this is headed.  Ron and I checked our wallets twice.  We would need every cent we had.....and eventually, we did!  But its a fishing trip...so ALL for one and one for All....Lets go get those pike. The visible stream of exhaust from Mitch's tailpipe signified ..On The Road Again.  Ron and I were quiet for a bit.  Finally I said "Ron....this one could be a Fiasco". He did not need to reply.

     The beautiful mountains of Vermont and New Hampshire began to give me the ting in tingles.  I was starting to look forward to some real north country pike fishing.  It was probably our third set of inclines and Mitch's flasher told us ..pee stop ...or worse.  The power window on the drivers side only went down part way , so I directed my question toward the open slot.  Whats up Mitch? "She. is overheating on these hills....I'm going to go over and take rt 91 north to avoid the mountains.....but you guys go ahead and enjoy the ride"  We cant do that ..what if something happens to the car?. I felt like saying...WHEN something happens to the car!. Ron became irritated and asked if he should tow the boat with his Blazer.  Mitch insisted all was just JIM DANDY.  Off to 91 went Mitchy and through the green mountains went the somewhat sane duo.  Believe it or not, we got there, and there really was such a place!... With the muffler roaring in the distance, he got there also.  Lake Carmi Campgrounds....we made it up...all seemed well...maybe my Fiasco comment was a bit pre-mature, this could be ok.

     The energy level picked up when we saw the water and we threw our gear in a heap and said...Lets go fishing.  There wasn't a soul on the lake.....or in the campsite.....or apparently anywhere for miles.  Lake Carmi is close to no where. 

      Backing the boat in was touchy.  The launch area was shallow and backing a caddy with no shocks and bald tires into a lake is not a good idea.  Mitchy backed "her" in as far as he could and we pushed this big fiberglass hulk into the lake .  Here is the layout.  Mitch's boat is a water skiing boat....100 hp engine...designed to tow skiers and go fast.  Lake Carmi is a postage stamp.  If you gunned this thing for a minute you would be tearing up dry land on the other side.  A 12 ft aluminum with electric trolling motor would have been perfect...but its what we had and Mitch was excited, so go with it.  Ok Capt, start her up.  and so he did. Well it almost started. and again almost ..and again almost,...and again almost...and again not almost and then not at all.  Battery had tapped out.  Whats the matter Mitch.  Who knows I haven't started it in a year.  Great Prep for a trip huh??  Its flooded now let it sit.  So we did and the afternoon was fading away.  He tried again but the battery only had one push in it and the second try gave us the dead battery click.  I know its the starter mike.  Mitch ..this is a car battery..you need a marine battery for this engine.  No that will work.  Its the starter.  As he spoke  I wondered where in gods name there is a starter for that thing around here and I also wonder why he was disconnecting the trailer from the car that very moment.  Mike , pull the car into the water (yes he did say that) and we can use jumper cables to get it going.  Ronny just stood.......silent.  Now the caddy is up to the wheel wells ...with cables draped over the side of the boat and him yelling....Now rev it up!!!  Of course ...no go.  Its the starter mike.  Mitch..its dark...today is a wash.  Tomorrow is another day.  We tied the boat off at our site. and drove the car and trailer to an open area. Apparently unfazed. or should I say un fiascoed, Mitch got totally drunk..laughed his ass off...ate everything in site and proceeded to break the new England record for flatulation and snoring volume.  In a tent this just doesn't make it... I kicked his butt out and he went to the caddy for his good nites sleep....all 260 lbs of him. 

    Rain greeted us in the morn  and the idea of a good campfire breakfast faded.  I know a good diner to eat..lets go there.  Are you sure its still there Mitch....its been 15 years or so.  Sure it is...I can see it from here.  Yup ..there was a building on the other side of the lake...I agreed with him on that point.  The diner/house/store/everything/ was open....and they did have breakfast.  They had eggs and toast and toast and eggs.  I didn't dare ask for anything imaginative so with very brief eye contact with the waitress from the 50's, I said.....eggs and toast will be fine with me!!.  This place was so small and desolate that the dusty cans of spam on the shelves were starting to look good!!!  Ron paid the tab and boat repairs were next on the docket.

     Somehow we  managed to get the car to a nearby town.....30 miles away...and found a car/marine parts store.  Mitch asks the guy for a kit to re build his starter.  The guy asked about the problem and Mitch briefly explained but is determined to get the kit.  Do you know, the guy had one!!!!!  I had to ask.. Mitch why are you getting the kit...just get a rebuilt starter.  I don't have any money I want to make it as cheap as possible.  But this will take along time and I wanna fish.  Its a snap mike...plus Ron is a good mechanic.  I looked at Ron and he said........Buy the rebuilt one!!  Mitch had a temporary hearing loss....he bought the kit, with my money!!!! 

     Alas , back at camp fiasco...rebuilding a starter in the pouring rain with almost no tools.  Eventually they did it.  and back down to the lake for ..hopefully...some afternoon fishing on this , our second day.  Took some effort to get it back in the motor but that went well also and now for the instant startup.  It wasn't even close.  The battery was strained even worse with the tight fit of the new starter.  Again I tried.  Mitch, you need a marine battery for this. The old recharged , car battery is not strong enough to turn it over.  Mike I have had boats my whole life...I know its not that.  We ended up fishing from the shore in a lily pad choked area.  No bites...and the second day done  with the boat still down.  I had bought a refill of Mitch's drinking last night and he was eyeing those beers lustfully.  The empty cans make a distinct sound as they went into the trash can each time Mitch tossed one there.  This night he went straight to the back seat in the caddy......he knew he was forced to endure himself.

     Thick mist laid all over the remains of last nights argument of boat problems and I wasn't looking forward to day threes attempt to get things running.  Hung over or not..I kicked his ass out of the car and said lets go back to the car parts guy right now and get the dam battery.....you can pay me back later...I WANNA FISH.  If that's what you want Mike , fine, but your wasting your money.  Down the road another 30 miles one way.  Not much chit chat this time!.  Its my money...leave me alone in there.  He nodded, I was paying he had to go along.  Same guy, we were there when he opened.  What happened boys...cant do the starter.  No we did it I said and it looks great but now its so tight the engine wont turn over.  Guess what he said???????  "YOU ARE USING A MARINE BATTERY AREN'T YOU?"  I didn't answer him...Give me a new one please. We brought it back...my wallet 90$ thinner..put it in the boat and the engine started that time and every time after that.  Mitch was a little sullen during that afternoon.....but you know what????.......We were fishing.

     Finally, I put the steel leaders on the rods and made use of some shiners we had corralled in a local brook.  I suggested we sit calm in this cove we found and wait for the Monster Pike to hit the dorsaled baitfish.  At last the slip float reacted and down it went.  I set up for the hook set and felt almost no resistance upon my reaction.  It was a pike alright....about 12 inches long.  Uh oh....runt pike ponds....I have seen it  happen before.  I hoped this wasn't the case with Lake Carmi  as it filled in more and more over the last 20 yrs. Not another bite in the cove so we tried the same type of other spots.  Not a thing.  This was very depressing especially when you consider how quickly pike take a live bait.  What should we do Mike?  Oh boy ...success seemed to depend on my answer , so with a half hearted guess I said. Lets troll some lures.  How slow can you make this skiing motor go?...We popped on some rapalas and the likes and kicked the big motor down to a crawl and enjoyed a boat ride, after all Ol Lake Carmi's famed pike seemed to be a distant memory in Mitch's childhood.   I think Ron noticed the first knockdown and as he reeled it to boat side while commenting on its spunky nature, Mitch promptly announced to me that it was   "A golden Perch".  When I netted it for Ron........the walleye was a refreshing site.

     Now wait a minute here....The heck with the pike, lets get some walleyes for a camp dinner.  I took all the steel off and modified some of the lure choices and continued our new pursuit.  Wouldn't you know it. We caught like 9 or 10 beauties...filleted them up ... wrapped some, while dining on the rest.  It took us three days ...all rainy...a wad of cash....all mine....but finally Lake Carmi had shown us its evolution....It was a walleye lake.  When I sat there and watched the coals burn down that night, I didn't mind the mud all over everything...the soaked tent...the smell of stale beer and all the other classic touches of this Fiasco. I was serene in the Vermont woods having successfully brought back tales of yesterday for my Buddy Mitch.  He was so happy and looped again We just laughed at all the shenanigans that occurred.  I even agreed to accompany him in the caddy for part of the ride home.  He just loved it.

.Note the caddy and boat setup!!!!

     Oh, and the ride back?  It was a bit warm, the 90 degree temps and the heater going full blast the whole time made my sneakers smell like a fire at Nike. 

   Fiascos are fun to live through and easy to remember.!!.  Keep this in mind.....THE SECRET OF LIFE IS TO ENJOY THE PASSAGE OF TIME.  Get up, and do something enjoyable.............Striper Mike

OL MITCH

Hi Mike:

How do I get the maximum casting distance.......which rod should I use?  I need to have the rod do most of the work. I am young and not really strong.  Thank you

James Murphy

........an 11 and 10 footer

Hello James

......thanks for the question.  One factor about surfcasting is that there are many rod lengths and makeup for many reasons!!.  The assumption that the rod will do most of the work ...allowing you to cast great distances............is incorrect.  Surfcasting requires strength and endurance...the rods are heavy... the lures are heavy... and the fish can be heavy.  At this point, perhaps you should go with an 8 ft composition rod...Ugly Stick etc.. When the time comes where you feel this will be a life long endeavor......have a professional rod builder measure one for you and your fishing needs.........Good Luck........Striper Mike

Striper Mike,

I'm new to Humarock. Kayaking the river in late Summer Bass would crash out of the water when I paddled by (at dusk mostly). Have you had any luck in passed years fishing for bassin the south river in Winter time?

BIGCAT

Hello there big cat and fellow Humarock man.

.......I have never attempted the south river in the winter.....my feeling is prob not. although the Thames river in ct winters bass over...best way to find out ,Big, is to........try it!!!!..let me know what happens

.....Striper Mike

Hi Striper Mike...

have you ever fished the Jersey shore or for that matter Long Beach Island for stripers. I have been fishing down there for the past two years with some success... have caught about 20 long liners.. biggest 36" and 19 lbs. can you give me any of your secrets??? I love to fish for them and am getting hooked on surfcasting!!! Any advice or help you could provide would be great... Low tide or high tide ????... I have heard so many conflicting reports on the best time to fish the beach!!!

Ted

Hi Ted

..thanks for the email ...I am sorry for the big delay in my response.....I have always wanted to fish the jersey shore in the late season after the stripers move down there during their migration.........as far as the tide is concerned. look at your area and see if depth or lack of it is an issue...if so....try before and after high tide.   If there is always sufficient water..regardeless of the state of the tide ...then as long as the water is moving, anytime other than slack tide....the striper will feed. The water must be moving and they will face in the opposite direction of the flowing tide....best of luck....stay in touch...maybe will meet on a jersey beach sometime....please practice catch and release.

.............Striper Mike

Mike,

I am a fellow writer and Surfisherman from Fairhaven, Massachusetts. I am currently living in Naples, Florida. I have fished the North River, Plymouth, the Canal, Buzzards Bay, etc. Your articles make me feel at home. I now battle Snook, Redfish and The Silver King. I am sorry to read your story about Lady Di. It was an unbelievable, evil tragedy. I just want you to encourage you to write again soon.

Tight lines,

Paul

Hi Paul ...thanks for the note and I am very glad to meet you........My writing did fall into a lull....but I f you go to the site, you will see two new editions.......all is well in Angling Lore........thanks for the encouragement...sincerely

.Striper Mike

hey mike how's it going?

I currently fish with the Penn squidder and surfmaster on custom made harnell rods I built over the summer lastyear(542 and 553 harnell), im looking for some more older Penn open faced conventional reels. How's the Penn 980 or 990, the jig master 505hs? do you know any other old time conventional reels, well not that old but I like using the diehard old school stuff. can you recommend anything good and inform me about some of the reels I mentioned. I'd really appreciate it. Thanks alot.Tight Lines and may the new year bring in some trophy stripers for you!

Hello Mr. die hard.

.I have an older squidder myself.........the 7000 series ambassador has my attention now. I use the spinning equipment most of the time ...but I will save this email or publish it. and see if my readers respond to you also..

sincerely....Striper Mike 

Hello Striper Mike

I've enjoyed your website since the first day I stumbled on to it. Between it and a few Cod or Blackfish trips I might actually make it through this winter with only a modest amount of cabin fever. It's only January and all gear has been cleaned, stored or brought to my local tackle shop for service. Christmas really comes at a bad time of the year for Striper fisherman. I mean Santa's got to have a real sadistic side to him . He brings a guy a new Loomis rod and Van Stall VS150 in the dead of winter, now that's just cruel !! Can't wait to try some of the tips and recipes from your website. Keep up the good work on telling everyone about catch and release , and about this majestic warrior we try to bring to shore . Please do one extra thing and inform people that if they are going to keep a fish they should dispatch {kill} it quickly and get it on ice. Many times I 've seen guys just lay a beautiful linesider out on the sand to just flop around and suffocate ( a fish as wonderful as this deserves better). I believe it makes better table fare also. I do this with my fish , Elk and deer and can tell the difference compare to guys who do not take care of their game.

Tight lines and screaming reels

Why hello Bill..

..what a great letter and your tips are surely of value to the readers. I hope to publish your letter in the next edition. By the way...I hoped you Liked Cottage Fever from the last edition.........we all get cabin fever. I enjoy my little hobby and more readers come all the time.....but I really like it when a fellow sportsman enjoys my verbiage..........best of luck........Bill

....Striper Mike

This time of year in most New England waters many salties either have gone cod fishing..or have received some fillets from a buddy that has.  Here is a quick and tasty cod recipe.

Cod Fillets with Red Pepper and Onion

1 TBs olive oil...1 sweet red pepper, cut into thin strips...4 thin slices red onion...1 tsp minced garlic...1/2 tsp dried oregano or 1 Tbs fresh...1 lb cod fillets, cut into 4 pieces...2 Tbs chopped parsley...pepper

In non-stick saucepan, heat oil over medium heat; add red pepper and saute two or three minutes.  Separate onion into rings and add to pan along with garlic and oregano; cook for 1 minute.  Push vegetables to edge of pan.  Add cod fillets; cover and cook for three minutes.  Turn fish over and cook for two or three minutes longer or until fish is opaque.  Sprinkle fish with parsley; season with pepper to taste.  Spoon red pepper mixture over fish and serve.

Dorchester Fire Dept Donation   2001

                        

PLEASE NOTE THE AGE OF THE BIG ONES, THEY ARE THE PROVEN BREEDERS, LET THEM GO.

Hi Mike

a humpback wave.......while we were giant blue fin tuna fishing on THE BANK..........

...that one of the greatest fishing grounds in the world is right here in New England????...Stellwagon bank is most likely the best bluefin tuna fishing on earth.  It also house countless whales and every kind of shark and major player in the ocean.  It is literally an underwater bank where bait get pushed up against it and feeding frenzies are ongoing.  If you like big things that swim the seas..Stellwagon Bank may have what your after...including that huge steaker cod.

   Well here are some tips for the start of the season....The first i can say is a reminder....but a good one!...Use clams in the early season...many of the new arrivers arnt into eating big bait yet...Of course live herring are great...but for a ton of bites..Try clams.

The  next is a long time ...private tip....that has not been published to date.  Ready???...You have heard me push the use of fish oils on your bait at different times during a tide and under certain water conditions.  ......but here is the kicker....PUT YOUR OIL IN THE FREEZER BEFORE YOU USE IT.  It stays much thicker and will stay on you bait........MUCH longer....I also mix alittle sand to hold it on even longer.  You think im nuts??...maybe so?...but you've seen the photos in here!!!

Make me a deal....if you catch a keeper with one of my tips...release her as a payment for the knowledge.....thanks.....Striper Mike

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...Country silence magnified by winter's blanket, while untold waves crash on deaf ears.

...Yesterdays sea moments conspicuously missing, exaggerated by distance and time.

...Persistently waiting till the sand is mine.

Susan...Jan.2002...at the country house