Nothing would be easier than to write off this holiday season with an indisputable “bah humbug” for all the joy and peace and goodwill that is missing from the world. But there was at least one bright candle in the window: the surf fishing season that officially ended this month was spectacular. From Mother’s Day to Thanksgiving, there were blitzing bluefish for the smoker, keeper stripers for the grill, freshly dug clams for chowder and pies. But most of all, I look back fondly on the season’s cameraderie with family and friends. In the spring and summer, I watched with nostalgic glee as a fledgling young surfcaster–Broadway Baby Ryder–came into his own under the loving watch of his dad. And in the fall, I was practically giddy helping a handful of hoary googans–the venerable Red Hill Gang who are my best friends–catch bass from the beach for three days under glorious October skies. Best of all, I had the rare good fortune to fish virtually the entire season side by side with Big Brother Frank.
Here’s some of the season’s highlights. In celebration of it all, BBF and I once again offer you our annual Fishmas greeting. Be sure to not miss the rocking duet rendition of this year’s Fishin’ With Ole Santa Claus Last Night, performed by Darlin’ Daughter Diane and Sweet Baby Rebecca.
FISHIN’ WITH OLE SANTA CLAUS LAST NIGHT
(To the tune of I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus)
I saw Billy pickin’ keeper bass
Fishin’ with ole Santa Claus last night
The snow was pilin’ high
But they didn’t blink an eye
they hooked into those stripers
You could see the bait fish fly!
Frank and Fred were catching monster blues
Casting with their poppers red and white
The tide had just come in
A blitz would soon begin
Every-one caught their limit last night!
VC Charlie said to LeeBob then
Looks like all the reindeer went astray
Oh what a laugh it would have been
If the children had only seen
Marshall’s Towing Santa’s sleigh away!