
I had seen plenty of fishermen on the shores of the coastal communities I
frequented. As a young girl, I definitely had a big romantic fascination with
the fishing boats coming in and out of Menemsha harbor on Martha's Vineyard,
where I spent a lot of time in the summer. As a fairly imaginative individual,
I would daydream about fantastic stories of what it would be like to be at sea
or be in a family of a commercial fisherman.
The reality that I am still trying to understand is that there is way more to fishing than the rod, the hook and the bait and tackle. It takes a great deal of skills and patience. Seasoned saltwater fishermen need to consider many factors, including weather, species and other things that I don't have any clue about. Tim now makes his living as a charter fisherman. Over the years of just being around Tim, I have come to realize that his skill and passion for the sport is something to be admired. Not everyone can do what they are passionate about and great at for a living.
In previous years, Tim would take me out fishing and I just couldn't wrap my hands around the idea of actually picking up a rod and joining in on the angling. It seemed so intimidating with a lot of pressure! This comes with the territory of being an experienced master Captain and fisherman; serious about something that is a hobby to most. I tagged along on tuna trips, bass trips, etc. I would focus on the sights like whales or the seascape. I would sit away from the rods and follow my own agenda of enjoying the day, which consisted in taking in the scenic beauty of the ocean and fresh sea air.
The reality that I am still trying to understand is that there is way more to fishing than the rod, the hook and the bait and tackle. It takes a great deal of skills and patience. Seasoned saltwater fishermen need to consider many factors, including weather, species and other things that I don't have any clue about. Tim now makes his living as a charter fisherman. Over the years of just being around Tim, I have come to realize that his skill and passion for the sport is something to be admired. Not everyone can do what they are passionate about and great at for a living.
In previous years, Tim would take me out fishing and I just couldn't wrap my hands around the idea of actually picking up a rod and joining in on the angling. It seemed so intimidating with a lot of pressure! This comes with the territory of being an experienced master Captain and fisherman; serious about something that is a hobby to most. I tagged along on tuna trips, bass trips, etc. I would focus on the sights like whales or the seascape. I would sit away from the rods and follow my own agenda of enjoying the day, which consisted in taking in the scenic beauty of the ocean and fresh sea air.
Last year, we moved into the Cape Cod Canal region of Massachusetts. My hobbies include
hiking, kayaking and most anything outside. The Canal trail became my standard go-to
running and walking track. I began to notice the surfcaster culture of the
area. I became mesmerized by it. Some of the canal fishermen call themselves “canal
rats” and actually have bikes with fishing rod holders on them. Fishermen
stake out a spot in accordance with the tide or how the fish have been rumored to run and move with the bike or on foot
if needed. Friends and family often congregate in beach chairs and picnic. The culture seemed like something I could definitely
be a part of! I had continual conversations with Tim about surfcasting vs. boat
fishing all last winter. For Christmas,
he had his friend make me a beautiful custom rod wrapped in royal purple and my
name painted on it. Being someone who prefers fishing from a boat over
surfcasting, whenever he hasn’t had a client, he has brought me out on his boat for fishing lessons this summer. I have been having the best time.

No comments:
Post a Comment