….Hip hip hooray…..I have to say….lets all play…the stripers are here to stay……..until mid October. The usual clam, caught, schoolies danced on the shore in the Mid May ... signifying their return. I am planning my approach on the Striper Mike size Linesiders. I am securing my mackerel supply as you read this introduction to this months story. So grab your little sluggos and kastmasters..or if you are a bait man..get your clams and dance with the newcomers on these gorgeous May days……as for me…I go at nite…..I go for big Stripers. I will use herring to lure the predators that are big enough to pursue other fish…..and I will leave the schoolies for those anglers that still smile from catching anything from shore. Remember this ….95% of all the BIG striped Bass , caught by surfcasters , are said to be landed by 5% of the surf men. That leaves 95% of the surfcasters to catch the remaining 5% of the big cows. Get good at this…or be satisfied with novice catches. But remember this also….not all great Keepers are trophy fish….some fish are a joy to keep because of When and Where they are caught……………and so…….

The Keepers

     Mahoosuc is an Abnacki Indian word for "the abode of hungry animals"…referring to bears and wolves. Today, the Mahoosuc Range may not be so full of animals, but it is still the most wild and rugged section of the entire 2100 miles Appalachian trail. I had hiked all of Conn.…all of mass…all of Vermont…and almost all of NH on the AT, so this step to the hardest stretch was by no means fool hardy. I was well prepared for the frequent climbs and descents, as well as the rough and many times, wet footpaths. I was told not to underestimate the severity of this section,  Although only 33 miles it was mentioned that I allow 3-5 days for this traverse. Sure seemed like a lot of time for such a short distance. Many days on the AT I have logged 20 miles for the day. Could the conditions be so tough that it slowed me down to 6-7 miles a day????………I can run that distance half asleep. I will be sure not to take more than 3 days…. Striper mike can take all this rugged trek will offer. ……and more…after all , its only hiking with a 50 LB pack on…piece of cake.

     The long ride to our starting point allowed us, my wife and I, time to plan out our venture. We were well supplied…well trained…and energetic about this dangerous , yet thrilling endeavor. So , arrive we did…….helped each other with our packs…….and started trucking !!!!(thats an old hippy term)

     The trail crossed very wild and rugged terrain. It passes a few tarns….mountain lakes or ponds…and traverses all the major peaks in the area…most of which are over 4000 feet. The trail also passed through the Mahoosic Notch…a DEEP cleft between Mahoosic Arm and Fulling Mill Mountain. It was incredible wild and had an almost moon like appearance to it.   Giant boulders fell from the notches steep walls and clogged the floor of the notch. This necessitated climbing over and under these megaliths. Some, being as high as 40 feet, made these "climb overs", virtually mountain climbing. If you fell in this wilderness and were injured….you might, I say might, be lucky enough to be discovered and air lifted in a week or so!!!!!! To add even more oddity to this section, even in august when I was there, ice caves were under these massive boulders. The notch is only one mile long…….it took three hours!!!!!!

     Alas, testimony for the good parts….like wild Maine blueberries and a HUGE moose and views that can test our long range vision capabilities. It was thrilling to see undeniable bear tracks on a streams bank…while feeling the cooling rapids sooth the days steamy blisters. It was a day of enormous physical strain and inspiring American beauty. I bet I fell asleep in under 1 minute when I crawled into my bag that night.

     Right about now, I am sure you are asking yourself how the title of this tale fits in. ....read on!

     Food is very important……….but not nearly as important as WATER. Unfortunately the predicted water sources according the trail guide were very low and water became an issue…….a big issue!. If you cant bank on it, then you have to carry extra when you find it. Water is very heavy, in case you forgot science class. The second day brought stiff muscles to the standing position and my shoulders ached as I rolled my mobile home onto my back. The hotter it got…and 90 degrees is hot!, the less I felt like eating. We had to ration the water, so I never got a belly full of that either. When not much goes in the engine….not much comes out of it.

     About ¾ of the way up the last ascent of day 2……………….I crashed. I got very light headed…dizzy etc. Not the way to be when you are close to nothing……except more wilderness. Right on the side of a very sheer drop, I took the pack off and Susan began to talk me through some initial steps to recovery. EAT something!…Granola and a lot of water were forced down. It worked. I felt the life flow back into Striper mikes veins and .... energy renewed after ½ hr break, I gathered myself and moseyed into campsite number 2 . Dam , this is grueling! Oh by the way, My wife, barely 100 lbs and a lifetime of aerobics under her belt, felt it was sort of hard also.!!!!! She’s tough.

     After burning up a weeks calories in one day…dried rice and canned chicken crap, just didn’t make it…. I ate all I could find…felt full but drained….and fell asleep counting the throbs from all the blisters on my feet.

     Today was a 12 mile day if we were to make Speck Pond for the final night. The mountains were not as plentiful or steep but the weather continued to melt us and we had to drink every half hour to maintain the rapidly depleting fluids in our systems. God this is difficult!!!! If we made it to Speck Pond, it was a simple descent the next morning and that would put us on the predicted three day itinerary we had planned…..A super act of physical fitness……Determination overcame exhaustion and we plodded, relentlessly, on.

     Once again, food became an issue…..peanut butter and raisin sandwich for lunch, on stale pita bread, just didn’t make it!!.. I needed real food. Food that smelled good and tasted wonderful. This being our last night, we were doomed to "finish" up the junk we had packed in. It looked like another can of horrid chicken by products…. Mixed with whatever was left. Yum Yum, tongue in cheek.

     It took almost ten hours of hiking that day, but as predicted, we eased into Speck Pond Campsite at about 530 PM…I was going for a long , chilly , swim before I did anything. IT WAS ONE OF MY MOST MEMORABLE DIPS EVER! Skinny dipping in the Maine wilderness……….the best!!! I noticed a very bubbly brook flowing into the pond and went over to soak my raw feet in the effervescent bubble pools of the brook. Hallelujah it was like sitting in a spa in the middle of no where. Nirvana!

     As we sat and wiggled our toes to ease the days burn, I felt something glance off my foot. Crawfish???? The pool was about 6 feet in diameter. And about 3 feet deep in one edge where a ledge hung over. Alright already….here comes the fish part!!

     I told Susan to pull her feet out and let me scan this scene. It took me no time to realize that the brush against my feet was a native brook trout that was as wild as the area it lived in. In fact there were a bunch of trout in that pool…..and in that brook. As you know I am a big adviser for Catch and Release….especially for those big KEEPER striped bass. Today that would not be my credo. The 5" trout were the REAL FOOD that I had so yearned for and actually desperately needed at this point in the venture. Wanting the brookies and getting them are two different quests. If I could catch them…These mighty mites would be KEEPERS for Striper Mike , my growling tummy cast a vote to pursue them also. But how????

     Susan had some small brass safety pins….sort of like a hook …right? I had a shoe repair kit with some sewing thread. I guess that’s today’s fishing line!!! I giggled when I cut I whippy aspen branch for my ultra light rod!!! And now……BAIT. What’s under this deciduous forest floor of leaves??……….no worms……or even any crawly type stuff. Hmmm,  I started turning over rocks near the edge of the pond and with in the brook itself for hopes of a terrestrial to put on the hook. Nuttin. Plenty of flying critters around..but I cant slide them on to the brass safety pin. I know that for sure, cuz I tried! I WANTED THOSE TROUT FOR SUPPER……I WANT REAL FOOD!

     It is times like these that make it fun being me!!! Striper Mike calmed down ..and thought. Here is what followed. Using my Swiss army knife, I cut a few small clumps of my beard hair. Nice red hair. I took the sewing thread and wrapped the hook and the hair together. It was loose….the hairs were not secured well at all. But it looked buggy……alittle heavy to be called a fly….but maybe they would like my "sinking" fly.. I went on the side of the pool where I was least noticed and gently dangled it near the waters surface. These guys were so wild , that had no hook fear and I game 5 incher darted up and gulped it. I pulled him to the bank and had my first KEEPER….Five more followed with my Striper Mike fly. I rushed back to the camp site and carefully dressed each little beauty. I put the old rice with dried scallions in as stuffing and put some of that yucky squirt margarine on them. I tended to them intently so that our real food would not burn over our oven like campfire. The smell was heavenly. And every little tidbit was consumed., with as much appreciation for these KEEPERS as I have had with any Keeper, much larger than these. The fact that I usually use fish bigger than these as bait, did not diminish the life long memory of this fish dinner. That was real food…from the real place…where real trout still live....wild and free. That is how I felt sharing natures bounty with my hiking partner and wife. Just as when I am surfcasting! I felt part of speck ponds environment, not an intruder in it. I will and have caught hundreds of so called keepers…….giant fish of all species…..but when asked which keepers were the most memorable..Speck Ponds Native brookies always seem to head the list.

     Be sure to eat what you decide to keep. Eat it differently than you do other meals. Taste its naturalness , not the tarter sauce. Ingest its wild nature and absorb its sacrificed energy. Don’t just kill fish. Take their life so to improve yours…it’s the cycle. Some cycles end in the garbage can after a photo at the house. Death without purpose is sinful. Please practice catch and release , when you are sure that this great food will not be on your table.

     I saved THE BEARD FLY…..until a mouse ate the hair…..! Hike into nowhere…..find adventure….manipulate your environment….appreciate little things………that come at big times. Appreciate life, because if your not living………your dying!!!………….Striper Mike

Hello Striper Mike.

     Your account perfectly depicts the highs and lows of surf casting. I surf casted for the first time last year. Before that I didn't fish  much and the biggest thing I had ever caught was a 12" snapper. On the September full moon, at dawn, I tried to lob a bunker chunk and it  landed right in front of me in the wash. I reeled in and tried again and it didn't go that far. I gave up and spiked it; while I was rigging another rod I saw it jerk. When I pulled back to set the hook all hell  broke loose. I had never hooked up a fish that actually took drag. After two strong runs I reached into the suds and picked up a 38" striper. Another surf caster had seen me fighting the fish and came over. When I went to take my hook out I noticed that it had a trolling  sinker on it--it wasn't my line. This fish had snapped off someone else at one time and apparently dropped my hook in the suds while I was  walking out onto the beach. After that I was hooked. I caught six stripers last season and released all except the first. I can't wait  for next fall (but I'll be out there from May on through)

 Thanks for the great story.

 Steve

 hi Steve...your story is cool.......I hope you don't mind if I publish it  in the April edition???...........good luck this season........mike

Hello Mike,

 I love your web page. I fish the canal every spring with a  friend for about 10 days. This year we are going from May 10th thru May 20th. I am familiar with the Bourne, Wareham, Sandwich and Middleboro  herring runs which we visit on a daily basis in an attempt to load our live well. As you probably know these runs are becoming a nightmare to catch herring. To many people, not enough herring. Do you know of any other places where we might be able to locate herring?

 Thanks for great stories and any help you might provide. Joe Cameron

    Hi Joe.

thanks so much for the compliments on my sagas........I have a couple of herring haunts up my way....couple guys would kill me if I spilled the beans....but the dilemma you face has been an issue for years down by the canal. Herring is the spring bait. we all know it.....the canal is the first show up spot...so we all go....my advice.......is that you take whatever share is fair for all...and go from there. Part of the problem off course is greed......guys take to many.....and in my opinion frozen herring are lousy.....Hope you have a great may trip.....don't forget...kastmasters etc..work well also........

Please bring a camera and practice catch and release........Striper Mike

>

Hey Striper Mike,

you got yourself a new fan. All of your stories are very good, though the writing is a bit on the rough side. (Sorry, no offense intended)

My favorites are:

1. Philip

2. Bluefish on TV (I've seen the same thing off of Assateague Island when I was a kid)

3. Surgery (A four pound small mouth put a treble through my thumb, I cut the shank and kept fishing)

4. The Swimmer (Have you ever heard of Selkies? Scottish and Scandinavian myth(?) says they are seals who can shed their skins and become human for a time, check it out on the web!)

5. Comradery. You captured something there that I had never realized. In many ways, you really do remember certain ones you lost more than many you land. I can still picture the biggest largemouth I've ever hooked up with flying up in the air, spray going in all directions, and my jig going in an entirely different direction. I calmly set the rod down, and didn't speak for at least 15 minutes. I think my fishing buddy Patrick thought I was going to go off on a rampage, but I was just mentally shaking off the disappointment.

I haven't even addressed striper fishin' yet! I fish the headwaters of the Chesapeake, and the Susquehanna river for stripers from late March till October, and they just can't be beat. Its very nearly time to go catch some big cows, (and release them for sure) if the river cooperates. We never know about spring floods, but this year the river is shaping up OK so far. I only get to surf fish maybe 10 days a year, and even reading all I can, I have yet to catch anything other than snapper blues and croaker. I still absolutely love standing in the surf, casting out beyond the breakers, and hoping for the big one.

Take care and keep writing,

Paul Reed Abingdon, MD

Hello Paul...........

What a wonderfully complimentary letter.  It was very kind of you to take the time to express those thoughts.  People like yourself , is why I continue to do this........You make the time it takes to write this.......all worth it. ....Sincerely Striper Mike

 Summer Fish Salad

2 cups cooked white fish, flaked (your choice of fish)
1 cup small shrimp, cooked
1 large, ripe tomato, diced
½ cup diced celery
½ cup diced red pepper
½ cup sliced ripe olives
½ cup diced red onion
1/4 cup red wine vinegar
1/4 cup good olive oil
salt, pepper, oregano, garlic powder to taste

Mix fish and vegetables in bowl. Set aside. In small bowl combine oil, vinegar and spices. Toss well with fish mixture. Chill at least 2 hours before serving, mixing well before doing so. 

This is a great summer salad alternative to a hot fish dish. It is also good stuffed in a pita pocket and topped with lettuce and other veggies. 

You can substitute canned tuna for the white fish if necessary.

....This is from our resident, published, cook book author.....Mary Jane....if you are interested in her cookbook...let me know and I will head you in the right direction...She gets Striper Mikes "THUMBS UP"

Nice size keeper fish for this recipe

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

Here is a small Striper Mike. hall of fame for this month....

Dave Lavery-some excellent 12-15 lb steelheads on very challenging equipment

Ron Taurick- The KING GUIDE of the Housatonic mouth and all its hidden haunts... His catches are many and always good sized.  He is a teacher as well as an accomplished angler.  He fishes with passion....it shows in his success.....He is also very aware and responsive to catch and release......Good Man Ron!

Steve McNamara-37"...38"...39'....same day...same tide....same bait...Herring Chunks (remember what I said about the bigger spring fish liking bait fish)..and here is the kicker....ALL WERE RELEASED IN GOOD SHAPE....you are a sportsman Steve...Striper Mike

Sonia Enttwerb-hooked ...fought ...and landed...43" striper of Plymouth....Was so big her husband had to help her handle it in the boat.  Approx weight ..over 30 lb...Bait=Live Herring....of course.......And this angler gets a hug and not a handshake.......SHE PHOTOGRAPHED IT...AND LET IT GO!!!!!

HERRING CHUNK..........AND RELEASED!

.

......That spring stripers enter our fishing grounds with pre established food preferences????? They do over lap with their choices , as the season progresses, but initially they have their food of choice. For example…you want a chance at a big spring cow?…they prefer live herring. You want to be SURE that you catch something???……….use sea clams…the younger…smaller..more southern (Jersey fish) are fanatic feeders and will gobble them like no tomorrow. At this point in their lives they literally scavage for ieces of this or that...i hate to say...but most garbage!!! Eventually the season will progress to a striper/baitfish….scenario, but if  you want the FIRST ACTION OF THE SEASON…….use clams. Now for the artificial boys…..most rubber jerk baits…herring imitations will do just fine. In my opinion you will make a definite choice here. Choose herring…maybe get a big one…..Choose clams and be sure of bites and some juvenile schoolie action. You need proof??…I know a friend that used clams all year…and so did his son…and so did his other son…and so did his other son…..and so did the buddies of his sons…and so did his buddies from the fire dept…all total…..many many guys…many many times out…all with clams. They caught a bunch………but not one keeper.for the whole year. I fish alone…and used choice mackerel…before the fall run………I had 19 over 30"…..any questions????…..Fish with the high percentages…..don’t live your fishing life hoping that you’re the rare exception to the rule. Fish with awareness, not hopes for..."I told you so"………Good Luck …..Striper Mike

................That LADY WANTED MACKEREL......God they get big!!!!!...............and Released..............!

This section will not be specific in terms of a tip on how to catch more…and bigger stripers. In stead, I will explain my theory on an issue that I get asked about,quite often…….Gaffing Stripers from the Surf. If you are a surf man , you have seen ….or have ..a gaff that attaches to your belt over your waders. The use is obviously to assure the capture of the big cow that you just fought with…….in a game and competitive fashion. When I ask why…the resp0onse is usually that…."I don’t want to lose them in their last attempts towards freedom."……………..I surf cast because it is the hardest way to catch and land huge striped bass. I want the scene to be as challenging as possible….The final point of submission is when I reach down…..with my hand….and grasp their jaw or the OUTER edge of their gill plate. Yes it is hard to hold on to them…Yes , that grip can leave you with a bloody hand from those very abrasive teeth…..Yes you may drop him and he will escape…..Yes , he has more a chance when landing him in the raw …natural way…that goes with this hard ass form of angling. So ask yourself…….what is your real purpose for choosing this ancient and sacred form of fishing?….to be assured that if you catch a nice one, that you can guarantee its capture……and demise? Or is it an attempt to compete with this great game fish on a mano y mano level…which includes skilled combat that permits total submission from your quarry when he has tried his best. Let him have that last ditch effort to escape….land them by hand….Surfcast the way it was intended to be done. In the simplest and most primal way…….touch the fish….feel its life…don’t hurry its death…..leave the gaff home………..for ever…….Please Practice catch and release……..Striper Mike

.....Go in after the huge ones...Complete the fight in a fitting fashion...Grab these creatures...like it has been for years with this sport...Use the gaff to throw hay bales....not to IMPALE trophy breeders...Striper Mike

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I can wait for things to happen here........but I can't wait to begin to make things happen here.

I love to be the reason why....and at this point.........I am supposed to...stay tuned.....world......life continues.

Striper Mike..May 2001