Hi gang……I am sorry for the late edition this time…..but fishing got in the way …so I don’t feel that bad!!! So here is the rundown for the month of Sept and early Oct…..The stripers remain spotty and smaller than past years…..why? I really don’t know, I have many theories but none are surefire reasons. I will try again this weekend, but they may have taken off….they usually thin out dramatically by now…..at least up around this area. I also went on a nice giant blue fin trip for Mike Graffio’s 40^th birthday gift from his super wife……Mary. She set the trip up with The Big Fish II and the re-knowned captain Tom Depersia. He brought us to a spot where we marked fish almost all day long……you cant ask for anything more than that. We set out two tasty live bluefish, that were 12 and 14 lbs apiece....imagine using bait that would be a prized catch by most!!!........Those blue fin tuna are awesome creatures. A big blue fin crushed the dancing bait!!!  Surprisingly enough he did not hook up……the rod plunged over , only to rise up with no connection….the charter was dead silent as we mulled over the miss. Blue fin bites are rare and landing the giants is even rarer. The thrill was exhilarating but the loss left us at gasp. I also went out on a great yellow fin charter with some new friends with super nice boats. We ran to the canyons or the nearby numbers and put 6 hefty yellows on the boat. Striper mike was high hook with three myself. It felt great to "wrestle myself" again….That is my description of fighting a yellow fin..... 60, 70 , and 80 lbers. The 80 on stand up was a real bicep buster. I loved every second of it. I also had a opportunity to fish with a local humarock man on his spectacular , new CABO…..with all the professional gear you would ever need. We high speed trolled for the blue fins but did not hook up….even that season was tough . The bite was never really on. What an odd season for our famed south shore waters and our incredible  Stellwagon bank.Trolled up with squidder bars-72"

 As you know…the fall run is the time when "the big ones" come through and it should be the best chance for some epic cows. The season stayed spotty and in late Sept , an old friend, decided to give surfcasting a try with me and I must admit, my reputation was on the line as I assured him of his first keeper. Sometimes the old" Babe Ruth pointing to center field" routine can leave you with egg on your face. I was determined to hook him up…………………..and so…...

THE SWIMMER

     I knew this would be a challenge to say the least! When I was going to access Rick’s casting ability, I asked him to open the bail and he said…….."What’s a bail?" Silently I commented……."Oh boy, this is going to be harder than I thought.

     Rick is a huge man…..His NFL proportions (except for the big gut"), make his efforts rough to say the least, so his attempts at anything are usually accompanied by brute force…..not the best qualities for leery striper cows. None the less I had invited him and he was nice enough to come. Having seen the striper mike photos many times and he knew the potential for his first keeper. He was totally psyched and the last thing I wanted to do was to tell him the reality of recent times…..slim pickins!!!

     Old "Arrive in the Lincoln" Rick showed up with beaming ear to ear smiles…..and a thirty pack of  beers. I don’t drink, but Rick does, and he was determined to make the most of this exciting weekend. I knew he could drink his own brews, but without me by his side, he had no idea how to achieve a keeper notch on his belt. I wanted him to feel the many tingles of surfcasting, but without  a fish pulling on him, he was unlikely to appreciate the esthetics that I do. I knew it had to be fish first and then all the "how nice it is here" comments. For Rick…..it was Show me the money…….The pressure was on for striper mike………and I like it that way!!!!

     We rehearsed some scenarios at the house….the hook set…….the drag function……rod position during the fight….composure….etc..Admititly Rick did not know a thing about what could occur but to his credit, he was a fast learner. So for Virgin Rick, it was make it or break it. I assured him I would not intervene if he hooked up, so if he lost it, he would suffer  that hollow gut feeling that all surfcasters have felt when "The nice ones" get off.

     The sequence of events that I will shortly put into print, are, as with all of striper mikes stories,absolutly factual…….but the way you perceive them is up to you……You alone must answer the question………"Is perception reality"?…

     Rick was a bundle of energy as we trucked ourselves to the sand, gear in hand. I was also a bundle of energy…….but then again I always am when it comes to fishing for big linesiders. I appreciated Rick’s interest in all the phases of surfcasting….he seemed genuinely intrigued by the sport. So even with a few beers under his belt he fixated his vision on his rod tip and held the rod with a big mans hope. I fish alone……….almost always…….and it was fun to have someone there to share the talk and tension that go hand in hand with the usual long vigil of the surfcaster!!.

     After waiting for some time, Rick piped up and said….."Mike what should we do about this lady…..? A lady, Where??? Keep in mind that is late Sept and the beach is void of everyone except for an occasional walker. No other anglers…no tanners…no swimmers…..Just us……….until Rick’s comment made me realize otherwise. I looked toward the direction of his concern and low and behold there was a woman swimming right along the beach…….right toward our lines. Where did she come from Rick? I don’t know Mike…she just sort of appeared. I know almost every person that frequents Humarock Beach………and they all know me. I had NEVER SEEN HER BEFORE!! Her swimming stroke seemed labored and awkward, yet she apparently was attempting to swim for distance, so out of courtesy, we approached the waters edge and raised our lines up to allow her to pass underneath as she swam by…..and she did, continuing down the beach. We returned to our rod holders and the wait continued…..with out even a bite.. I was getting alittle nervous. I was hoping Rick didn't get shut out. The thought crept into my mind.

     After a few minutes I detected a voice from my right and in a muffled tone I heard "Thanks for letting me go by"…and when I saw that it was THE SWIMMER , my reply was……..My Pleasure!

     As she walked off, I gazed at her…….she seemed odd…her hair was the many shades of a bleached out ocean life….her legs were very aged and untoned for the effort she was putting out …long distance swimming. Her legs just didn’t look like they could put out the effort to allow this form of exercise. I am not normally critical of peoples appearances but her legs and well toned torso ,  just didn’t seem to fit……….Well we all our different. Although she thanked us for raising the lines, she did so with no expression on her face and touched me more with her beautiful green eyes than she did with her verbal appreciation for our kind gesture. When I looked back in her direction for one final glimpse ….She had apparently gone over the wall, cause.... she was gone.!! Her ageless face remained in my mind, for the rest of the tide. I had never seen her before but I felt like I had….those conclusions can dominate your thought process……She had my thoughts......and I had no answers.

     Where did she go Rick? Oh I have no idea. I am concentrating on this fishing gig. His focus was commendable but the tide would not give us a contestant.…….so gathering up the gear……we headed home, fishless. Rick wondered about why we didn’t have any bites…..I wondered about other things. When you fish alone, many times in the blackest of black conditions, you learn to wonder about alot of things….you wonder about things that tap your senses and toy with your imagination…My imagination preserves my youthfulness, so I will never stifle it. Many times , I have felt like someone was looking at me….or I would hear "out of place" splashes and noises……or My Chair would seemed moved if I left it and returned to the house for a minute or so….So many times I would see a seal looking at me from the waves edges…the seals big eyes and slicked back appearance seem so human. Every time I see them, I say "Hi" to them out loud……….I always wait to see if they answer me back………..cause some of the "seals? " appear like they could!

     It wasn’t long before we were back at this wonderful sport during the afternoon tide. If Rick goes fishless or biteless during this tide…………it could be hard to rekindle his enthusiasm. I am used to the down side of beach fishing….A good fish was the only way that this could be lifetime memory for this first timer. Hoping continued.

     "Hey mike……..do you believe this lady…what is she an exercise freak?" I responded to his statement and looked over in his direction, only to see the same lady…at the same spot…doing the same swimming style…with the same bathing suit (sort of camo green)…and at the very instant…Rick’s rod went off!!!!! As he grabbed the rod and the first run screeched out the line, I turned in hopes of THE SWIMMER repaying us for our previous favor …She could do this by getting out of the water and allow Rick to fight what appeared to be his first keeper. To my surprise she was already out of the water and as she approached me with the same riveting gaze that she displayed in the morning tide. Thank you very much for letting my buddy fight that fish…..this is the first striper he ever caught from the beach and as you can see he is very very excited….She nodded……passed me by and returned to the water further down the beach. Rick’s fish ended up being a nice plump 32" foam feeder …..he was ecstatic….my legend continued and this time she never walked back down the beach. She just seemed to………swim away! Why would she do this swimming routine two times in one day…….plus there was a real chill in the air…why 2 times in one day………..why??? Photos were taken and Rick was as happy and bubbly as I have ever seen him as the nites conversation faded into sleep. I was happy too……..but I still wondered where I had seen THE SWIMMER before.

     Even though Big Rick had had a few to many beers the night before, he still got up when I did and coffeed his was to the beach for the morning tide…The previous days keepers took some of the strain off of the hangover……….but none the less We were fishing. As with the morning before, we had no bites and no fish……….but unlike the day before…there was no Swimmer. We commented on that. She must have been tired of the swimming routine after two long swims the cold day before. We returned to the cottage…me for lunch, Rick for a nap to shake the beer cobwebs.

     Striper Mike is relentless and so when the afternoon tide approached I went in and woke up old Mr. gnarly…for another round on the beach. Gear in hand, and hopes renewed, we sand shuffled to our spots. We were more talkative this tide…Rick felt better….I was still Mr. Magic on the beach…and the days sunlight peeked through enough to warm our faces. It felt good. When I went over to share another tip with Rick I was shocked to see the green eyed SWIMMER coming toward us again. When she got to the point of yesterdays success….just before Rick….I swear to GOD , she started to get out of the water and as she did……..HIS ROD WENT OFF AGAIN….it was as if she knew it would happen. This was a real real nice fish and I hardly noticed her pass behind me as I watched Rick struggle with the cow. I did however hear her say…with no prompts from me…"My Pleasure"…….and she walked by ….and as before …was gone when I attempted a fading glance in her direction. I wasn’t sure if she went back into the water……or over the wall. The fact that I did not see her swimming again still did not convince me that she chose the wall as her exit. I sensed her return to the ocean……..but out of our sight.!

     The fish was a splendid 35" keeper which , as with the first keeper, was willingly released back to their home. I applauded Rick for his new found skill after landing that formidable fish. Hey man, that swimmer must be MY good luck charm. It sure seemed so , but I couldn’t help but think that she was MINE…and had always been MINE…and always will be MINE!

     I never saw her again….to this day….and believe me I have looked.

     The ocean is an enormous world……with untold existences sharing its comfort. We are not aware of them all. At least that is my opinion. I believe in Mermaids. Let me say it again……….I BELIEVE IN MERMAIDS. To me they are no different than guardian angels…which many people believe in. They are SEA ANGELS. That lady/mermaid has been with me for years. She knows I release her neighbors and friends…she knows I adore these surroundings…she knows I believe. I believe we have been together for years…and that she has been in love with me for years and the surfcasters tales of mermaid abilities are real to me. The sea glass on the beach are Mermaid tears that they shed while wishing they could be with the anglers they gaze at from their ocean home. I believe that all the seals in front of me are no seals but instead my lady with her hair wet back from her salty surroundings. Mermaids love surfcasters because they fear men on  boats and the nets they carry…..many of their kind have died as a result. Mermaids have the ability to transform, themselves on one or two occasions in their lives. They can be totally fish if they so chose and do so when they are caught in nets, appearing as dolphins, so as no to prove the myth behind them. And they also can be all human for a few brief instances. However, they have been cursed with a poor understanding of our lower appendages. When the take on human form totally, many times their legs are misshapen or the feet are on opposite etc. That is how they are noticed, but the time is short and the human to human moments are brief but eternal. I will remember her eyes …..and she has always remembered mine. She made Rick happy by supplying us with appreciated opponents for our rods and reels. ,knowing full well that I would insist on their release.

      The adventure ended with Rick catching two nice keepers………and me realizing that I will probably have that SWIMMER as a keeper forever……..and that makes me happy. Hold fast to dreams and wonderment………flood your senses and your mind…….and continue to wonder... if .....perception is reality…….Striper Mike...Please Practice Catch and Release.

 Dear Striper Mike,

     I stayed up late reading your complied web site postings.  Thank you for sharing it with me.  I'll visit you there often from now on!  The story of "Philip" was wonderful. And, much as I hate to be cold I loved the ice fishing piece..."Black Ice".  The 'Bluefish on TV" story was terrifying.  I have some favorite quotes." Fish don't fly and birds don't swim".  "So much happens if you are there to see it".." Planning and opportunity =luck"  Again, thank you for sharing your wisdom and your love of what you do.  We are all lucky to know you.. Susan Demelle..Humarock Mass.

Dear Susan

    I am humbled by your kind words and am so glad that you enjoy the sagas of this zesty life style.  Please stay in touch and tell me of  any Humarock "Ditties" that may come your way.......utmost sincerity. Striper Mike

This is a prelude to the next letter.....A true sportsman, Dave Gilberg, from the Catskill Mountain area in New York, has been a Striper Mike reader and has been in contact with me on a number of occasions.  I offered him an invite to Humarock for an attempt at his first keeper from the surf.  To my surprise he took me up on it an in Late Sept, came up to meet me and try his luck.  I am glad we met.....he is a gentle and environmental man.  He relates to my immersion into the surf 's world and chooses to follow a similar path towards serenity. He got his keeper and a lifetime of memories with a bunch of odd "Striper Mike Stuff" occurring. He is a good man....and a good apostle to carry on the purity of the sport of surfcasting.......his words.......

Mike-

What words can I write that could even begin to define the exquisite reality this weekend has been.  I am deeply grateful for all you have shared with me this weekend.  I'm honored to have fished with you!  I will carry memories of my visit to Humarock with me for the rest of my life.  Cherished memories, they will remain.......Boats are great to look at.............but give me the surf for fishing................Dave

Dave................you are most welcome.......continue catch and release and carry the banner for the preservation of the striper and our time honored sport.......your friend. Striper Mike

 The Joy Of It All.......42"

Hey readers...put on your thinking caps..next month I am going to ask you all to email me and tell which story you like the best from all the previous editions....next month with be like an anniversary edition , with memories etc from the first full year of ANGLING LORE BY STRIPER MIKE...please vote for your story of choice and maybe tell me why you liked it....Thank you ...Striper Mike

  Baked Fish with Olive Crumb Topping

2 1/4 pounds striper fillets...Cooking spray...3 tbl lemon juice...1/3 cup breadcrumbs...1/3 cup chopped green olives...1 tbl olive oil...2 tsp dried oregano...       1 tsp bottled minced garlic...1/4 tsp white pepper...one 2.25 oz can sliced ripe olives, drained...6 lemon wedges.

Preheat oven 450.  Spray baking pan with cooking spray, arrange fish fillets in pan, sprinkle with lemon juice.  Combine breadcrumbs and next 6 ingredients.  Spread mixture atop fillets, pressing firmly.  Bake 450 for 12 -15 minutes.  Arrange lemon wedges on platter along side cooked fish.  Serves 4-6.  Enjoy.

                        

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

Here is a good one!!.......Gary Pepe...14lb northern pike on 6 lb mono......nice catch

The above mentioned Dave Gilberg....his first surf keeper on his top shelve Van Stall and Loomis outfit....he deserved it and many more.

Diane Leahy...age 12....2 bluefish with her family.......hurray!!!!!!!

Striper Mike (thats me)...for muscling in those nice yellow fins ...especially the beefy 80 lber...all on stand up gear.

Nice 62" blue fin by Ed Newell on stand up gear........that fish will kick your ass....I took a 175 lber on stand up years back and it was torturous...nice Job Ed....

Rick Traver ...of "THE SWIMMER" fame...two keepers for a true surfcasting virgin.  A 32" and a 35" ...both released in good shape ......but Rick decided to Keep his smiles forever...Nice going you big Thug!!!

45" eel fish......enormous!!!

...........that Striped bass always hit an eel , head first and a blue fish always nips the tail.  How many of you have brought in the remaining head from a bluefish blitz???...I also believe that the striper ATTACKS the eel with evil in his eye, and not dining intentions!  Sort of like their eternal enemies.   Why??  maybe cause they also can tolerate a combo of fresh and salt conditions in the stripers rivers...spawning threat???...Maybe.

Always bring two rods......and use one for bait and the other for casting.  Allow the bait to be the INDICATOR of their presence....then use your swimmer plugs or slow retrieved Hopkins...bottle plugs etc.  If they are there and feeding the lures should provide more action.....but your will never know that till you give the artificials their fair due.

 PLUGS WORK!!!!!!!!!!

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Beach walking.....

so many miles....

so many footprints washed away, encourages my next step....

moving ever closer to serenity.

Susan-7/12/00 log entry