All That's To Come

As the weather gets noticeably colder, many fishermen have to decide when to put their gear away for the winter.

For me, the time is now.

I didn't get do everything I wanted, but it's a been a good fishing season. I enjoyed success fishing the Hudson River in Dobbs Ferry, Long Island Sound in New Rochelle, and the Kensico Reservoir.

Obviously, I won't be posting anything until late March or early April.

So I'll see you then.

All That Is Now

The three of you who regulary read my blog are probably wondering where I've been in the last five weeks. No, I haven't stowed away my fishing gear for the winter. I've been a little tired, distracted, and occupied with personal matters. Since I don't want to bore you, I won't go into details.

Yesterday (Saturday), I woke up early, and I headed up to Hudson Park in New Rochelle. I stopped into Hudson Park Bait & Tackle. Unfortunately, the shop owner had no fresh bunker. So I bought two frozen bunker. It would be a while before they thawed out, so I had breakfast at the International House of Pancakes in Mamaroneck.

I was expecting a cloudy day, but the sun was out. It was pleasant and mild.

I started fishing around 11 AM. A few seconds after putting my first line in the water, I got some action. Although it didn't hook, I became hopeful. I was thinking I might have as a great a day fishing as I had back in July when I caught five fish up here.

As it turned out, I didn't catch anything.

I had lots of bites but nothing got hooked. I kept losing the bait. It must have been the crabs. I thought they just went after worms.

For most of the day, I was using Eagle Claw hooks. I switched to Mustad hooks, but I still had no luck.

I was also annoyed by a couple of bees that took an interest in the bait and my fishing rods.

By 1 PM, I ran out of bait. So I went home.

A Weekend of Rest

No fishing this weekend. It was bright and sunny both days although less hot. I had some personal business to attend to, and I also needed some rest.

We'll see what next weekend brings.

"I Don't Know If It Was Divine Intervention or the Kinship of all Living Things, But I Tell You, Jerry, At That Moment, I Was a Marine Biologist"

A manatee, a large aquatic mammal, has been spotted several times in the Hudson River. It was seen off the coast of lower Manhattan and as far north as Westchester.

Manatees, which are classified as an endangered species, usually eat plants, so they pose no threats to swimmers, boaters, or fishermen.

Still, given the manatee's enormous size, I wonder if it's spooking the fish in the Hudson River.

Something Else I Never Thought I'd See While Fishing

At one point, I turned my head left and noticed a seaplane on the river. I never saw it land.

It headed to shore and disappeared from view.

Maybe a half an hour later, it came back out and took off. (My fishing line is clearly visible in both photos.)

Condition Grounded But Determined to Try

Today, I returned to Dobbs Ferry for the first time in over a month.

I picked up three fresh bunker at Jack's. I got to the dock around 1:30 or so. I was shocked to see how dirty the area has become. Beer boxes, plastic bottles, and other garbage were strewn nearly everywhere. A few months ago, the individual who owns the property nailed a metal sign to a tree warning visitors not to litter or access to the area would be closed. (Some dumbass wrote, "You're Bluffing," on the sign with a magic marker.) I don't think it's too much to ask to make an effort to keep the area clean. Also, garbage attracts rats and other animals that can disrupt the joy of fishing.

It was past low tide. It was a little hot but not unbearable. There were a few clouds in the sky, but the sun was shining bright. There was no wind, and the water was calm.

A few seconds after I put my first line in the water and set the rod down in place, I noticed it tipping back and forth, indicating that a fish was attacking the bait. I thought this was going to be a very good day for fishing.

It wasn't.

Early on, I had a lot of bites, but nothing got hooked. I kept losing the bait. I got my line caught several times. Unlike yesterday, I went through the bunker fast. I also noticed that the bunker gradually deteriorated in the heat. My last one got mushy, and it was difficult to attach to the hook. Next time, I should keep it in water to keep it fresh longer.

A short time after I started, a couple of other fishermen showed up. One of them caught about four small perch using bloodworms. (The other guy just sat down and watched his friend.) They left after about an hour.

The only exciting thing that happened was that a seaplane landed in the water downriver and went to shore. It later came back out and took off.

By 4 PM, the bites stopped. I was nearly out of bait.

I finished very early around 5 PM. I guess this just wasn't my day or my weekend. (Maybe I am deservedly punished for many recent sins.)

I packed up and drove home, reeking of bunker.

Unladen, Empty, and Turned to Stone

After a two week layoff, I went fishing today. I went up to Hudson Park in New Rochelle, where I caught five fish two weeks ago.

I picked up three fresh bunker at Jack's. I had some personal business to take care on City Island, so I went to Jack's top pick up bait. Unfortunately, they were out of frozen herring.

I started fishing around 5:20. The tide was coming in. The sun was out. Temperature-wise, it was quite pleasant. The heatwave passed. A slight breeze made it feel cooler.

I had three lines in the water, all with fresh bunker. I waited for a bite. And waited.

I didn't get a single bite all day. I passed the time perusing Toby Young's memoir, How to Lose Friends and Alienate People (2002).

I was fishing in the same spot I was when I first tried Hudson Park one month ago and had only one bite. Two weeks ago, when I caught five fish, I was fishing no more than 30-40 feet away. Today, that spot was occupied when I got there.

I didn't notice anyone else catching anything.

What went wrong today but right two weeks ago? Was it the rain and clouds? Is there some sort of structure under the water where I cast my lines two weeks ago and where fish congregate? Was it cooler? Was it because I fished in the late morning? Did the fish happen to be very hungry?

I recast my lines several times. I changed the bait on each line once. I didn't even get through one bunker.

I gave up at 8:20 PM. I packed up and went back to City Island, where I had some dinner.

We'll see what tomorrow brings.

Middle of a Heatwave

No fishing this weekend.

Another heatwave is baking the New York area. I just didn't feel like fishing in the searing heat in the bright sunshine. Anyway, on both days, I had a few things to do.

The heatwave is expected to pass by the end of the week, so I will definitely go fishing next weekend.

Visitors

These swans stopped by to take a bath. (I guess the two white swans adopted the seven gray ones.)

Yesterday's Catch

This was the first thing I caught, a striped bass. It looked like it was about a foot long. (A note outside of Hudson Park Bait and Tackle reports that striped bass fishing is "excellent.")

The black thing in the lower left-hand corner is my foot.

There's No Sensation to Compare With This

Yesterday, I went up to Hudson Park in New Rochelle. I fished there for the first time less than three weeks ago and didn't catch anything.

I bought two fresh bunker and a dozen sandworms from Hudson Park Bait and Tackle. I asked the nice lady there for some advice. She said that fishing worms off the bottom would attract crabs.

I started fishing around High Noon. It was cool and very overcast. The forecast called for rain. The tide was going out. At first, I used only two rods because there were some people fishing near me. I used bunker on one line and a sandworm on the other.

In my first hour, I didn't get any bites. It soon began to rain really hard. I retreated into the car and waited for the downpour to pass. (The same thing happened last time as well.) Eventually it stopped, and I got out. The rain came back a short time later, so I went back into the car.

I seriously thought about cutting the day short and going home. But I decided to stay. It stopped raining, and I could finally fish.

At one point, in frustration and despair, I asked God to let me catch at least one fish.

He answered.

Around 2 PM or so, the fish started biting. The first thing I caught was a striped bass with a piece of bunker. It was about a foot long. I didn't get a chance to measure it. I impressed a couple of kids fishing near me with lures. I threw it back.

I kept losing the worms. I would check the line, and the bait was gone completely. It must have been the crabs just like the lady said. So I switched to bunker. The people next to me eventually left, so I got to use my third rod.

I caught four more fish. They were each about a foot long. I don't know exactly what they were. They were green with a yellow band around their eyes. I didn't get a chance to photograph them. They might have been perch, but they were longer than the ones I've usually caught in the Hudson River and the Potomac.

All five fish put up a fight. When I was reeling them in, I thought they were much larger. At one point, I lost a fish when the hook broke off the line.

I fished in the parking lot. There's about a 10-foot drop to the water. I had to pull all five fish up into the air to get them out of the water. I'm concerned that if I hook something really big, the line could snap.

I used 17-pound test. A few weeks ago, I wondered whether it was too heavy. I guess not.

Around 3:30 or so, I called it a day. I just ran out of bait.

I made a couple of mistakes. I couldn't measure my catch because I left the tape measure in my car. I also should have photographed the four mystery fish. But I was in a rush to get the hooks out of the fish's mouths and get them back into the water quickly.

It was a great afternoon for which I am thankful to God. I'll definitely try Hudson Park more often now that I know there are lots of fish waiting to be caught.

Tired of Lying in the Sunshine

Today, I had planned to explore Wampus Pond in Armonk. It offers boat rentals at hourly and daily rates. But the thought of spending hours roasting in an aluminium boat in the hot sun in 90+ degrees didn't appeal to me.

So I decided to go to Kensico. The trees would provide some shade. I picked up a dozen sawbellies at Wade's. I also bought a new fishing rod there. This morning, I found one of my trout rods broken. I have to get it fixed.

I got up at the rock around 11 AM. It was hot, and the sun was shining bright in the sky.

In almost four hours of fishing, the only thing I managed to catch was seaweed. I didn't have a single bite. I should have remembered the advice of the fishermen I got last time and try Kenisco only at daybreak.

In mid-afternoon, the wind picked up. So I gave up.

I took a quick drive to Wampus Pond to check it out. I found it easily. Earlier the gentleman at Wade's told me sawbellies wouldn't work because of the weeds. He advised nightcrawlers, shiners (minnows), rubber worms, and frogs. I noticed a lot of lilly pads near the shore.

The disadvantage is that boats have to be returned by 5 PM, and boats are only available from Memorial Day to Labor Day. I know I'll try Wampus Pond at least once before Labor Day.

While driving back, I noticed my glasses were missing. I couldn't find them in the car. So I returned to Kenisco, where I found them on the rock.

At Golden Kensico

Catching one decent-sized fish and also seeing this beautiful sight in the late evening made this truly a great day.

Thank you again, God.

The Only Catch of the Day

This is the only fish I managed to catch during my six hours at Kensico. This trout (I think) measures 14 inches. It's the biggest trout I've caught at Kensico in 10 years. I nearly lost it when the line snapped, but I managed to retrive it before it fell into the water. It was a welcome change from all seaweed I hauled in and scattered all over the rock.

All Alone in the Dream of the Proud

After Wednesday's misadventure, I decided to try Kensico again.

I stopped at Wade's to pick up the bait. The young gentleman there said he finally got some "monsters," large sawbellies which should attract bigger fish. He suggested using egg sinkers exclusively and not bother with a bobber.

I made my way to the rock. I had two lines in the water by 2:30.

Then the wait began. I wasn't getting any bites.

A few times, I reeled in the lines to check the bait and recast. In about six hours of fishing, I caught enough seaweed and grass to create salads for an entire wedding party.

In the last couple of times I fished Kensico, my sawbellies died quickly. The gentleman at Wade's told me they need constant oxygen. To keep them alive and able to swim in the reservoir, I minimized the amount of time I took in getting them out of the bucket, attaching them to the hook, and casting them in the water. A couple of times, I even put them back in the bucket while they were still hooked to my line as I made some adjustments. Today, they seemed to last longer. I don't know if it was due to their larger size or my caution (or both).

The weather was cooperative. It was mostly cloudy with a slight breeze. The temperature was a little cooler, and that made it more pleasant.

Later in the day, I tried a Krocodile lure. I must have cast it at least 15 times before it got snagged on the bottom.

As I waited for a bite, I passed the time by reading the Wall Street Journal, which is delivered every morning on my doorstep, and the New York Post. I also laid back on the rock, looked up at the sky, and did some thinking.

The day got really frustrating. The gentleman at Wade's had told me that the best place to fish from shore is by the bridge. I was thinking that, next time, I should switch and try the bridge.

I saw at least three rowboats. In one boat, three fishermen made their way near the dam. Sound seems to carry well in the reservoir. Judging from their glee, which carried hundreds of feet to where I was, I could tell they had a better day fishing than I did.

At one point, I asked God, the Virgin Mary, and St. Peter, the patron saint of fishermen, to catch just one fish before I went home. I even said one Our Father and one Hail Mary.

By evening, it got very beautiful. The passed behind some clouds, and the sky and water were bathed in a golden light.

As the day came to a close, I put one of the largest sawbellies I had on one line.

A short time later, I saw the line move. I cautiously picked up the rod. The line didn't go any further. I gently put the rod down. A minute or two later, I saw the line move again. I picked up the rod. I held onto the line, then gave it more slack. I saw it move away from shore. I reeled it in. I could tell I had something besides seaweed.

God answered my prayer to which I am thankful once again.

I caught a decent-sized fish. As I pulled it up, the line snapped. But it fell into a rocky plateau below. I climbed down and was able to retrive it. In the dusk, I thought it was a smallmouth bass, but it turned out to be a trout (I think, but I'm not exactly sure what kind). It measured 14 inches. This is the first trout I caught at Kensico in seven years. (I hope it's not another seven years until I catch another one.)

I guess I've caught too many catfish and think all fish will strike in the same way. Catfish violently attack the bait and nearly pull the rod into the water. Typically, the tip of the pole bends indicating a strike. This fish (and the two others I caught at Kensico back in May) were more passive and subtle. In all three cases, I wasn't sure that I hooked anything until I was reeling them in and saw them in the water.

I left the reservoir before darkness at 8:30. On the road, I ran into other fishermen who were on their way home. One man said he and his friends caught "a couple of small fish." I asked when was the best time to fish at Kensico in the morning or evening. They all agreed it's at dawn when I'm dead asleep. In 1996, during my summer of fishing, I made it to Kensico at daybreak a couple of times.

It's something I should try again.

Standing Outside a Broken Phone Booth With Money in My Hand

Yesterday (Wednesday), I went up to Kensico. It was a beautiful cloudy day. I was hoping to finally catch one trout.

When I got to Wade's in the early afternoon, it was closed. I forgot that Wade's is closed on Wednesdays.

So I went back home. I thought about going to Hudson Park or even Dobbs Ferry, but I decided against it. I had a few things to take care of.

As a rule, plan ahead and make sure you know when bait and tackle shops are open.

We'll see what the rest of my vacation brings.

Steps Taken Forward

Yesterday afternoon (Monday), I went up to Hudson Park in New Rochelle to fish the waters of Long Island Sound. (Yankee great Lou Gehrig lived in New Rochelle at 9 Meadow Lane.)

In researching Hudson Park on the Internet, I learned that all non-residents have to purchase a fishing permit. After parking my car, I went to an office in the nearby marina. I got there just in time. They were about close early for the Fourth of July holiday. The permit costs $25.00, and the gentleman told me there's "no expiration date."

I got my bait at Hudson Park Bait & Tackle, on 94 Hudson Park Road. It's easy to spot. I bought two fresh bunker and a dozen nightcrawlers. (There's also a bar right next to it.)

I had to spend $3 to buy a parking permit.

I drove into park and looked for a place to fish. I parked my car in lot right by the water. I saw some other people fishing there.

This was my first time fishing in Hudson Park. It's a nice area. What's ironic is that I've been driving past Hudson Park for nearly 16 years. For some strange reason, it never occured to me to take a right and explore it. I can see that I've been missing out.

I got started. Since there's no current, I used one-ounce sinkers rather than two-ounce. Judging from a red buoy I saw, the water was 10-feet deep. I saw lots of boats coming and going.

I tried worms and bunker. I fished two lines off the bottom and one at the top with that double-bobber I used Sunday but with no sinker.

A gentleman fishing about 20 feet away from me caught a big flounder using some bunker.

I wasn't so lucky. I didn't catch anything. I did have one small bite, but whatever it was didn't get hooked.

At one point, it started raining. It got really bad, so I retreated into my car. The radio said it was a passing storm. It stopped after 20 minutes, and I got back out. By the time I left, the sun came back out.

I should have explored area more thoroughly before fishing to see if I could find a better spot.

Hudson Park has its advantages. I can fish from the parking lot and be near my car. (I left my tackle box in the trunk and would go back there to get what I needed.) There are plenty trash baskets around, so you can get rid of garbage easily. Ice cream trucks make frequent visits. It's also a quicker commute for me than Dobbs Ferry. There's also a bait and tackle shop nearby, so I don't have to make the long detour to Jack's on City Island.

I talked to a guy fishing near me. He told me that once he spent an entire day here fishing and didn't catch anything.

Next time, I ask the man in the bait shop for some advice. Fishermen may brag about the size of the fish they catch and the ones that got away, but they are always humble enough to ask for advice.

I left at 7:30.

But in the words of General Douglas MacArthur, "I shall return."

Sunday's Catch

This is the first thing I caught on Sunday, an eel. They are quite messy and unpleasant to handle. (Next time, I'll bring some rubber gloves.)

I removed the hook from its mouth using my new pliers, and I released it back into the river.

Down This Road We've Been So Many Times

I'm officially on vacation this week. I have lots of free time to go fishing.

On Sunday, I went up to Dobbs Ferry with my new tackle box filled with the new stuff I bought recently. I was hoping to try a few different techniques for the purporse of catching different fish besides the usual catfish.

I got there around 1:30 PM or so, a couple of hours before high tide on the Hudson. It was windy and sunny but tolerable.

I picked up three fresh bunker, three frozen herring, and one dozen bloodworms from Jack's.

I upgraded to 17-pound test.

For one line, I used something (I forget the exact name) I bought at the Sports Authority. It has two bobbers with hooks and a swivel to attach a sinker. The advantage, when using a sinker, is that it keeps the hooks off the bottom and getting snagged. I used bunker, herring, and a bloodworm at different times. I didn't catch anything with this.

A couple of times, I tried a bobber on another line with a bloodworm and some herring, but I couldn't cast it far enough.

Early on, I caught an eel. It was about a foot long. Eels secrete some type of residue that makes them slipperly. The stuff, which I understand is a type of mucous, got on my hands and clothes. When it dries on the skin, it becomes flaky. It was tough to wash off. I threw the eel back.

In the late afternoon, the wind died down, and the water calmed.

Later in the day, I caught another eel. This one was well over two feet and looked exactly like the one I caught in late May.

I didn't catch any fish. I had only a few bites.

Was my line too heavy? Or was it just an unlucky day? A woman fishing a few rocks away from caught a couple of perch.

The only other eventful thing that happened was that I was visited by a beaver. I saw him earlier crawling on some rocks. Later, I caught a glimpse of him in the corner of my eye and was startled out of my chair. He disappeared into a hole in the dock. I then saw him in the lot standing a few feet away from me. He was about a foot long. He disappeared before I got a chance to photograph him.

Around 7:30, some thick, black colds rolled in. The wind returned, and it started to drizzle. Since the tide was going out, I gave up and went home so I could catch the Yankee game.

Taking a Break

No fishing today.

The weather forecast calls for heavy downpours with the possibility of thunder storms. High tide in Dobbs Ferry was in the morning.

I also have a slight sore throat, and my back acted up in the past few days.

Anyway, I have major freelance writing opportunity, which I have to submit to an interested Texas newspaper tomorrow morning.

On Friday and Saturday, I went to two different Sports Authority stores, one in Yonkers and one in White Plains, and stocked up on fishing supplies. (The one in Yonkers didn't seem to have much.)

I bought a big, new Plano gray tackle box. My old tackle box, also a Plano, needed to be retired. It also couldn't hold everything I use these days. I also bought different types of hooks (snelled and unsnelled), some new test line, three packs of two-ounce sinkers, a pair of pliers, and a few lures and jigs.

The Sports Authority didn't carry the fish finders and snap swivels I usually use, so I have to pick those up at Jack's.

I need to experiment with different techniques if I want to catch more (and different types) of fish.

I have the first week in July off, so I hope to get in lots of fishing in a few different places.

Reflection

Although I haven't had my car washed in a long time, the front bumper provides a very clear reflection.

The figure in the middle is me taking the picture.

(Another clue: I drive a black car.)

The Only Thing I Managed to Catch

This catfish is about 15 inches. I caught it with a piece of thawed-out herring rather than fresh bunker.

I threw it back.

I believe that the rickety picnic table was left by local teens who saw me fish several weeks ago.

Something I Never Thought I'd See While Fishing

In the early evening, I saw a deer. My first effort to photograph it failed, but I later spotted it on a nearby beach.

I hope it avoided the Metro North tracks.

There's a Hunger Still Unsatisfied

With my back healed, I took myself off the disabled list to fish this weekend. (I already gave dad his present for Father’s Day, and he prefers to relax rather than go out or have a big celebration.)

Yesterday, at Jack’s, I stocked up on supplies such as two-ounce sinkers, fish finders, snap swivels, and bait-holding hooks. I also picked up three fresh bunker and six frozen herring. Once again, I ventured up to Dobbs Ferry.

The dock was deserted.

I had three lines in the water by 1:50 PM, about two-and-a-half hours before high tide. It was hot, sunny, and windy. But conditions weren’t unbearable as they were almost a month ago.
The day was often frustrating. I caught only one catfish, which measured about 15 inches.

I had a few other bites, but the fish managed to avoid getting hooked. Once again, the bait kept slipping off the hooks. What was I doing wrong? I was using the bait-holding hooks. Maybe I should use slightly larger ones next time. My line got caught frequently, and I lost a lot of supplies.

The only eventful part of the day was seeing a deer. There are deer in the area. I spotted him near the garage in the unpaved parking lot. I followed him, bringing my digital camera. But he got away. Later, I managed to spot him on a nearby beach, and I took his picture from a distance.

Around 7:30, with the tide going out, I gradually packed it in. But I managed to hook something, probably another catfish. As I was reeling it in, the line broke.

Catfish are typically bottom-feeders. I’ve been keeping all three lines on the bottom with two-ounce sinkers. Since I’m using three lines, I should experiment with keeping at least one line near the surface, maybe with a bobber, and see what happens. Maybe I could try a lure next time as well. There are other types of fish in the Hudson besides catfish, perch, and striped bass.

Of course, a major disadvantage is that I don’t have a boat and can’t troll for fish or cast into deeper areas of the river.

Still, I learned a couple of things this weekend. I’ll do some research during the week and see what else I can learn about fishing the Hudson River from shore.

There are eight million stories in the naked city. This has been one of them.

Disabled List

No fishing this weekend.

A couple of days ago or so, I pulled a muscle in my back. If I move the wrong way, it sends a sharp pain through my left side.

So I think it's wise to get some rest and allow my back to heal before attempting to spend a few hours casting, reaching in my tackle box, reaching down to cut bait, and depending on the area, making my way through some rough terrain and carrying my gear.

Anyway, high tide on the Hudson River on Sunday is around 10:18 AM, when I would probably still be asleep.

But I hope to be healed in time for next weekend.

A Soul in Tension That's Learning to Fly

I got to Dobbs Ferry around 3:20 PM.

Conditions were ideal to perfect. The skies were cloudy. There was little or wind. The water was calm. I got there about two hours before high tide.

I expected a productive day. Unfortunately, I came up short.

At Jack's Bait and Tackle, I got three fresh bunker, five live eels, and six frozen herring.

I had difficulty hooking an eel to my line. They're so slippery that they're difficult to hold on to even with gloves. I finally got him hooked. I didn't get a single bite with the eel line. About two hours later, it was still alive. I figured I wouldn't get anything with eels. Maybe it was too late for striped bass. So I released the eel and the other four waiting in the bucket.

I got a bite or two with the herring (after it thawed out).

I had the best results with the fresh bunker. I managed to get two catfish, which were both 16 inches. I did hook a third, but the line snapped as I was about to pull it out of the water. I watched it swim away. It looked no bigger than the other two.

I actually had a lot of bites today. Either the fish let go of the bait or managed to remove it from the hook. At this time, I don't know if I was using "baitholding" hooks with an extra jag to keep the bait in place.

I also noticed that I was low on supplies. Next time, I have to stock up on two-ounce sinkers and some bait-holding hooks.

As I was fishing, this kid in a red Honda pulled up in front of the river. He didn't get out of his car. I saw his head sink on the steering wheel. He looked really distressed. What could have been troubling him? Work? School? Parents? Girlfiend? It crossed my mind that he might drive his car into the river. I thought about approaching him, knocking on the glass, and asking if he was all right. Maybe he needed someone to talk to. But I never did. That might be too intrusive. Sometimes to clear your head, you need to be alone. Had he got out and come over, I might have asked. I said a brief prayer for him, asking God to help him.

Lord knows I've done things I'm ashamed of and regret. I've gone through my share of pain and disappointments. But I survived, learned a thing or two, and managed to move on.

I later saw him talking on his cell phone. He eventually left. I hope he's all right.

As for me, I left at 8:30. I also took a garbage bag full of litter I picked up in the area. Too many visitors often use the area as a dumping ground. I cleaned what I could.

Fishing-wise, this weekend has been a bit of a letdown.

But there's always next time.

The Catch of the Day

This is one of two 16-inch catfish I caught today. (They were both sent on their way.)

You Will Cut Down the Mightiest Tree in the Forest With . . .

a Herring!

The Lucky Bait

I got five live eels at Jack's Bait and Tackle. They were all released into the river very much alive.

And if the Cloud Bursts

Hoping to build on last week's success, I decided to try my luck again at Kensico.

In six hours of fishing, I didn't get a single bite.

I thought about canceling because of the heavy rain, but the weather forecast said it would stop raining by afternoon.

I bought a dozen sawbellies and a spool of four-pound test line from Wade's. I drove to where I fished last week. I got there around 2 PM. There were no cars parked along side of the road. So I figured my spot would be vacant.

But it was raining hard. Even though I've fished in heavy rain before, I decided to wait a while to see if it got better. Given my accident-prone history, I was worried about slipping on a wet rock or wet leaves and breaking something. The last thing I need is another injury. Around 2:20, the rain became a bearable drizzle. I made my way to the rock through some uneven terrain. Carrying two fishing poles, my tackle box, an empty bucket, and the water-filled bucket with the sawbellies, I had to be extra careful that the weight didn't cause me to fall when walking up and down inclines.

The fishing trip was nearly cut short before it began. When I got to the rock, I set the bucket with the sawbellies down. But it tipped over, and the water and sawbellies spilled out. I grabbed the bucket and steadied it on the rock. Fortunately, only one or two of the sawbellies fell into the water. I managed to retrieve the rest and refill the bucket.

I hooked up sawbellies to both my lines and them in the water. Since I was a little tired after my walk and frantic effort to pick up the sawbellies, I thought I would sit down and catch my breath.

Within an hour or two, it stopped raining. I didn't get a single bite.

I later tried a Krocodile with one line, but I had no luck.

I also tried attaching a bobber to one line, but I didn't get any hits.

A couple of times when I reeled in my line, the sawbellies were gone. Did they slip off, or did fish get them?

In the early evening, I saw a couple of fishermen out in their rowboats. No idea if they caught anything.

At least I got the chance to respool both lines.

What went wrong? It had just rained, and thick, gray clouds covered the sky. There was little wind. I was using sawbellies and a Krocodile. Not even one bite. Like last week, was it the time of day? Would I have had better luck if I showed up earlier, perhaps in the morning? That might be something to consider.

I gave up at 8:25.

My Back Pages, Part I

As I wrote in my first post, I started fishing on the Potomac River by Fletcher's Boathouse in Washington, D.C. 10 years ago.

One day, in May 1996, I was fishing from shore. It was relatively peaceful and quiet. Suddenly, this crew team rowed into view and stopped right in the middle of the river. I don't know what college they were from.

From shore, they looked like men. But when I heard their high-pitched and giggling voices, I realized they were women. They stayed there for a few minutes, talking and laughing.

I was tempted to yell, "SHUT UP, YOU HARPIES! YOU'RE SCARING ALL THE FISH!" But I decided against it because I didn't want a bunch of Amazons with battle axes storming the shore after me.

Finally, they heard the call of the wild and went back downriver.

Set the Controls for the Heart of the Sun

After last week's washout, I made my return to Dobbs Ferry today. Unfortunately, I woke up late, and I didn't make it up there for high tide, which was around 11:18 AM.

I got three bunker and six frozen herring from Jack's. Unfortunately, they were out of live eels.

By 1:30 PM, I had my lines in the water. The water was calm, and there was no wind. The sun was bright in the sky, and it was hot. Since the tide was going out, I didn't expect much action today.

I got lucky pretty early. I caught a 16-inch catfish and showed it off to a few young people who showed up for a barbeque. One of them was really impressed with the fish's size. I advised him to use fresh bunker rather than worms for bait. Worms usually attract perch.

A rather large barbeque party formed behind me. They were all young people, probably college-age or beyond. They were very pleasant. They asked if I wanted a beer or a hamburger, but I politely declined since I wasn't hungry.

I didn't have any luck with the herring. As they melted in the plastic shopping bag, the herring deterioriated.

I didn't catch anything else for hours. I finally had action on my middle rod. It wasn't behaving like a fish. I caught a rather long eel. I pulled in on shore. I held it up and asked the kids if they wanted to grill it up. They all jumped out of their seats and rushed it to see it. One kid took a picture with his camera phone. I put on my gloves to pick it up off the ground. I gave one of the kids my tape measure. He estimated that it was 27 inches. But it wasn't possible to get an exact measurement since it wouldn't stay still. I threw it back.

When I fish, I usually like my privacy. But today, it was fun to succeed in front of an audience.

I stayed until 7:30. I wanted to stay later, but my regular glasses broke. The screw came out of the temple, and the right lense popped out. It didn't present an immediate problem since I had my prescription sunglasses. However, I had to get to a store and buy one of those eyeglass repair kits or at least drive back home while it was still daylight.

It was another decent day of fishing for which I thank God.

I'm off tomorrow for Memorial Day. I don't think I'll go fishing. I have a few things to do before I go back to work on Tuesday.

The Catch of the Day

This is definitely the longest thing I ever caught. This eel, which is lying on its back in this shot, is well over two feet, maybe 27 inches. An exact measurement wasn't possible because it refused to stay still. After unhooking it, I threw the eel back.

Fleet Week Isn't Over Yet

There was a lot of boat traffic on the river today. There are at least five boats of varying sizes in this shot. (How they keep from crashing into each other is beyond me.)

"Drop Your Reel and Let the Fish Go!"

This police boat went upriver at high speed.

Since their siren wasn't on, I guess they were trying to make it to the doughnut shop before it closed.

A Bridge Too Far

This is the Tappan Zee Bridge, as seen from Dobbs Ferry. I've crossed the bridge a few times on my way to the Esopus Creek in upstate New York.

A Visitor

As I was fishing, I saw something swimming in the water on the surface. It looked more like a snake than an eel. (That white thing in the lower lefthand corner is my fishing line.)

Stretched to the Point of No Turning Back

Yesterday, I had Friday off, so I decided to spend the day at Kensico.

My first task was to find Wade's Bait & Tackle in North White Plains. It's on North Broadway in North White Plains, a little south of the reservoir on Route 22. I found it easily. I bought a dozen sawbellies, which are widely considered an effective live bait for trout. I also picked up two Krocodile lures. The young gentleman at Wade's was very helpful. He advised that I use a very small hook and hook the sawbelly through the lips.

I chose a spot I had visited 10 years ago, about a mile or so north of the dam. I caught my very first bass there. It's a bit of a climb from the side of the road and then maybe a five-minute walk. It's a big flat rock area and more open. In some spots, trees on or near the shore often interfere with proper casting.

I started fishing around 1:30. I had one line with a sawbelly. I also tried a Krocodile with the other. It was cloudy. The forecast called for a storm, but I was told by the gentleman at Wade's that it moved north. I did get a slight drizzle. By 5 PM, it cleared up, and the sun came out.

On Thursday, I went to church for the Feast of the Ascension. I asked God to help me to catch some fish up at Kensico. I also lit a votive candle to Christ and sought the intercession of St. Peter, one of the patron saint of fishermen. Yesterday, they answered my prayers.

In the first few hours, I had a few bites on the line with the live bait. I caught two perch (which I incorrectly thought were smallmouth bass), which were both 11 inches. I think they are the first fish I caught at Kensico since 1999. So thank you, God, Jesus, and St. Peter.

I didn't catch any trout. I had no luck with the Krocodile. But I'm grateful I caught something.

By the late afternoon, I stopped getting hits. Was because of the time of day or the fact that the sun came out? I had one hit in the late evening, but nothing else.

By late evening, I still had lots of sawbellies left. So I was replacing the bait more frequently. Sawbellies are quite fragile, and they seem to die faster than minnows, which are tougher.

In the water, which is clear, I could see very small fish swimming. I guess the trout and bass feed on them.

As I waited, I took a few pictures, glanced at a couple of newspapers, and smoked my pipe.

I learned one of life's joys is lying back on a big, flat rock, resting my head on my tackle box, and looking up at the sky. I listened to the sounds of the area such as a distant siren, a car, an airplane, birds, small fish jumping out of the water, and wind blowing through leaves.

I packed it in around 8:30 when daylight was nearly exhausted.

Now that I know where to shop for bait and have a favorite spot, I think I will visit Kensico more often in search of the elusive trout.

The Unlucky Bait

These are sawbellies, which I used for bait. They are quite fragile and need oxygen. An aerator attached to the bucket pumps air into the water.

Wade's Bait and Tackle (North White Plains, New York)

Since Wade's Bait & Tackle doesn't have a Web site, I thought the least I could do is post pictures of its store and business card.

UPDATE: I just learned that Wade's Bait and Tackle moved. It is now located at 36 Broadway in Valhalla. The telephone number is still the same: 914-948-7364. I apologize for any inconvenience this caused anyone.

UPDATE II: Wade's Bait and Tackle is now located at 7 W. Stevens Avenue in Hawthorne, New York. The new phone number is (914)-747-0762.

Yesterday's Catch

This is one of two perch I caught at Kensico yesterday. They were both 11 inches and returned to the reservoir. (For a long time, I mistook them for smallmouth bass.)

Mother, Should I Build The Wall?

This is the Kensico Dam. It's holding back an estimated 30 billion gallons of freshwater (and a few fish).

Blue Skies From Pain

Hot Air for a Cool Breeze

I went back to Dobbs Ferry today. By 3:30 PM, I had three lines in the water--one with fresh bunker, one with a live eel, and one with herring. I went in search of striped bass. It was raining slightly, but it eventually stopped. Within an hour, the sun came out. The problem was the wind. It was blowing hard. I was hoping it would calm down, but it seemed to get worse. As the tide was coming in, the water was crashing hard into the shore. I wisely moved my gear to higher ground. By high tide, two-three foot waves were violently attacking the shore. I was no longer able to stay on the dock, which was practically under water, as you can see from the two images above.

After fishing for about two hours and 20 minutes, I decided to pack it in early. I didn't get a single bite all day. I will definitely return when the wind and waters are calm and test out live eels and herring, which striped bass seem to prefer.

Comfortably Numb

Some to many fishermen often bring beer with them. Although I love Sam Adams, Bass Ale, Theakston's Old Peculiar, which I discovered during my three-months in London and was able to find over here, I rarely drink when I fish.

I usually fish alone, frequently in spots where if you take a wrong step, you can get hurt. I've been seriously injured several times during my life, and I don't need another hospital visit and more pain. So I need my senses working at 100 percent.

Since I have to drive myself home, sometimes after the sun goes down, I prefer not to drink.

Instead of beer, I usually bring bottled water with me. It's always refreshing.


Tomorrow, I will return to Dobbs Ferry. High tide is at 5:41 PM. Playing it safe? Perhaps, but I'm also going to experiment with different baits.

Top 15 Joe Pedulla Facts

1. Joe Pedulla uses hunks of his own bloody flesh for bait.

2. Joe Pedulla once went fishing in the Dead Sea in Israel and caught three striped bass, 11 smallmouth bass, seven lake trout, two pickerel, and 147 perch.

3. A waiter was found clutching his groin in the back alley of a seafood restaurant. The police determined that the waiter attempted to place a lobster bib on Joe Pedulla. Nobody places a lobster bib on Joe Pedulla! The police declined to file charges because this was case was deemed a legitimate use of limited force.

4. Only Mrs. Pedulla tells Joe Pedulla when he can fish, not the government.

5. Infinity is too small a number to count the number of perch caught by Joe Pedulla during his lifetime.

6. Joe Pedulla is the only person ever to catch nine catfish, six striped bass, and 96 perch in the Reflecting Pool in Washington, D.C.

7. Since 1986, Joe Pedulla has written 1,175 poems, 247 short stories, 201 book reviews, five novels, 12 novellas, four plays, 124 power ballads, and two screenplays while fishing. None of them have ever seen the light of day because the public just isn't ready for them.

8. Joe Pedulla once caught a 212 lbs. catfish by pointing to the deck of his boat and saying, "Up here, boy."

9. A school of Chilean sea bass once migrated to the Hudson River for the sole privilege of being caught by Joe Pedulla.

10. Joe Pedulla once threatened to sue the estate of the author Herman Melville, alleging that Moby-Dick (1851) plagriaizes his real life. Pedulla agreed not to sue after it was pointed out to him that Moby-Dick predates his birth by 111 years, and that Captain Ahab dies in the novel.

11. Joe Pedulla once caught a 25-pound catfish using only elastic from his underwear, a used toothpick, and his own spit as bait.

12. Joe Pedulla is able to eat 10 lbs. of fish a day he catches from the Hudson River because his unique body chemistry is able to convert PCBs into carbon dioxide.

13. A grizzly bear once interrupted Joe Pedulla when he was fishing. Joe Pedulla easily subdued the bear with a sleeper hold. After that, Joe Pedulla and the grizzly became good friends, and their story formed the basis of the beloved 1970s TV-show, The Life and Times of Grizzly Adams.

14. Joe Pedulla once performed William Shakespeare's Hamlet in its entirety by himself while fishing. After he finished, Joe Pedulla received a non-stop, 15-minute standing ovation from all the fishermen, kayakers, boaters, and on-lookers who were lucky enough to be in the area.

15. Joe Pedulla missed the gunfight at the O.K. Corral because he was too busy fishing.

New Links

If you remember from my first post, I wrote that I still have a lot to learn about fishing.

I also have a lot to learn about blogging. Today, I finally got rid of the default links on the lower right-hand side and added many new ones.

You'll notice that I include two cigar stores. When I fish, I usually like to smoke a cigar or a pipe. Both places, the Georgetown Tobacco Shop in Washington, D.C. and Mom's Cigars in Scarsdale, NY, have great stuff. I also shop at Hispaniola Cigars on City Island, but I couldn't find a Web site for them.

Standing Alone My Senses Reeled

Today, I made my long-awaited return to the Kensico Reservoir. I picked up two dozen trout worms from Jack's Bait and Tackle Shop on City Island. (I'm glad I beat the Mother's Day gridlock.)

I fished by Rye Bridge, Boat Area 8. It was cloudy and overcast. A couple of times, I felt a few drops of rain, but the expected shower never materialized. I started fishing around 2:30 PM. I didn't catch anything. In fact, I didn't have a single bite all day. I changed my location, moving nearer the bridge. I packed it in around 6:30.

I used a trout worm on one line, fishing it near the surface with a bobber and then on the bottom with an egg sinker. Nothing.

I also cast a Krocodile and a Blue Fox silver Vibrax Mid. No interest.

I asked one fisherman who was leaving the reservoir with two friends if they had any luck. He smiled and shook his head.

One gentleman who was out on the water with a boat reported that he snagged several bass but no trout. (The tone of his voice suggested they were small bass and not "keepers.")

I could see someone fishing across the water from shore. He looked like he caught something.

Next time I visit Kensico, I'll be sure to pick some up sawbellies and maybe try the other side of the bridge.

I have no idea when I will try again. Next weekend, I may try my luck elsewhere.

Despite my lack of success, I'm glad I went. The area is beautiful. The water is still. To quote an old Eagles song, Kensico gives me a "peaceful, easy feeling."

Is There Anybody in There?

I took a drive to Westchester to buy mom her Mother's Day gift. I took a quick side trip up to the Kensico Reservoir. I haven't been up there since last year.

I was pleased to see that the repairs on Rye Bridge were finished, and you can now access those areas, including the spot where I broke my ankle 10 years ago.

There were few cars parked by entrances into the reservoir. No idea if they fished from shore or went out on a boat.

Having a boat in a reservoir is useful. It lets you go out further and cast in deeper water and reach places where you can't reach from shore. I thought about getting a boat for Kensico, but I gradually lost interest in it. I don't visit the area that much, and it would seem like a hassle keeping up with the permits and worrying if someone will steal it.

Driving back, I noticed a sign that reads that the Bronx River Parkway will be closed on Sunday between 10 AM and 2 PM for bicycle traffic. So I have to plan my visit accordingly.

A Return to Kensico

After last Sunday's triumph, I will return to the Kensico Reservoir this weekend. This will be an exploratory trip, scouting out areas to fish.

Last year, I bought two smaller poles for trout fishing. I'll be using one to cast trout worms, and the other with lures. (I'll try sawbellies and minnows in a few weeks.)

The Kensico Reservoir supplies fresh water to NYC. To access the area and fish, you need (1) a fishing license and (2) an access permit, which you can request here from the DEP. After 9/11, the DEP added another requirement. You also need to register your vehicle with the DEP so you can park by the reservoir.

I remember the week after 9/11, I went up there to fish. It was immediately closed to fishing and boating. The Kensico Sportsman, a bait and tackle shop in Thornwood, was forced out of business by the security changes. I felt sorry for him. The man was a nice guy and always helpful. I'm sure he landed on his feet and is doing well today.

Obviously, they are afraid of terrorists trying to blow up the Kensico dam, which would send an estimated 30 billion gallons of water southward and destroying everything in its path. They're also afraid of poisoning the water supply. (Yes, that's the plot of the great blaxploitation film, Three the Hard Way (1974) or an episode of the old Cold War, 1950s television series, I Led 3 Lives.)

It should take me about 30-45 minutes to get up there.

A Distant Ship's Smoke on the Horizon

Fishing on the Hudson, you often see the boats and ships that sail up and down the river. I've seen many of them. From the big flat barges that displace a lot of water to the tugboats, sailboats, small motor boats, speedboats, police vessels, and even kayaks, the river can be a busy place.

It's considered good manners to wait until kayakers pass before casting your line.

Twilight

When the sun went down, it got really beautiful.

An Extraordinary Day

Yesterday at 5:30 PM Mass, during the special intenions, I asked God, among other things, to help me catch a lot of fish today.

God answered my prayer.

I got up to Dobbs Ferry around 4:15 or so. There was no one in my usual spot, so I had it all to myself. By 4:30, I had three lines in the water. I cast one to the left of the two poles you see in the above photograph. I cast one in the center between the two poles. I cast one to the right of the poles.

Yesterday, I bought a new Shimano reel at the Sports Authority at the Cross County Shopping Mall in Yonkers. I used an old rod I haven't used in years. Its reel broke.

I also made good use of my new folding camping chair which I recently purchased at the Sports Authority. For years, I had been using this old folding patio chair we had in the garage since the 1970s, but it finally broke.

The sun was bright in the sky. There was little or no wind. The water was calm. The tide was coming in.

For bait, I used fresh bunker, cut up fish, for all three lines. I used a two-once sinker for each and fished them off the bottom. I decided not to use nightcrawlers or bloodworms since they usually attract perch.

I didn't have a bite for about an hour. Then I hooked my first catfish. I reeled it in. I nearly lost it when the line broke. But I brought it by the rocks in very shallow water, so I reached down and picked it up. It measured 19 inches. The images of this monster are below. And to the water I returned it.

That catfish turned out to be the first of six I caught today, a personal record. One measured 17 inches. Another maybe 15. Two were smaller, no more than a foot each. I threw them all back.

Catfish typically feed on the bottom, so it's not surprising that I caught six of them. I also made good use of tide information. Had I got there earlier at low tide, I probably wouldn't have caught anything.

Four out of the six catfish I caught came from the right side in what seemed to be shallow water. As the tide comes in, fish venture closer to shore.

The other two fish I caught on the left side. The center line, which is usually my most reliable rod, didn't hook anything today. (It did get a few bites.) On the right and left rods, I used 12-pound test lines. The center one had a 14-pound test line. Maybe there's a connection. A thicker line is easier for the fish to see. (Way back when, I was trying to catch trout with a 14-pound test line in fresh water. Not very productive. For trout, I will use 4- or 6-pound test lines.)

I brought my pipe to pass the time. As I went to reel in my first catfish, I put my pipe down. It disappeared, but later I found it in a hole in the dock. It got all wet.

I passed the time perusing the Daily News and the New York Post. I was hoping to finish the Nobel Prize laureate Par Lagerkvist's classic novel, Barabbas (1950). By evening, I could hardly stay in my chair. I kept getting bites.

I did lose one big one. I almost had it, but the line broke.

I also succeeded in organizing my tackle box and throwing out some garbage and stuff I didn't need.

I gradually packed it in starting at 7:45. I put stuff back in my car. I stuffed the garbage into a big shopping bag. (An important rule of fishing is to always leave an area with everything you bring in.)

So today's total is six catfish. It was a great day for fishing.

Thank you, God.

Today's Catch

This is the biggest thing I caught today, a 19-inch catfish. That box holding the tape measure in place is my pipe tobacco. (That big black thing is my right foot.) Both images are of the same fish.

An Excellent Resource

If you live in the Northeast, you've probably seen Nor'east Saltwater magazine in most bait and tackle shops. It's a free magazine printed on cheap paper that offers features, reports, and product reviews. The magazine also has a Web site. By clicking the "conditions," tab, you can access tide charts, weather reports, and moon visibility. Information is provided for New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island.

Tonight, high tide on the Hudson River in Dobbs Ferry, New York is at 7:03 PM. So I should get there by 4 PM. I'll probably have four hours of fishing. (No idea if I will be able to fish from my usual spot on the dock since it's Sunday.)

Will check back later tonight.

A Beginning

This post inaugurates my new (and very first blog), Behold a Pale Horse. It will discuss my various fishing trips and other fishing-related matters that may come to mind.

So who am I? I prefer to keep my exact identity private for now. But subsequent posts will obviously leave clues to my real identity.

I can reveal that I live in the Bronx, New York. By day, I work as an editor for a publishing company in downtown Manhattan and freelance writer.

Why did I decide to name my fishing blog, Behold a Pale Horse? Obviously, I've always been fascinated by the Bible passage from 6 Revelations, 7-8: "When he opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth living creature say, 'Come!' And I saw, and, behold, a pale horse, and its rider's name was Death, and Hades followed him." (This version of the passage is from the Revised Standard Edition of the Holy Bible, Catholic Edition, which is published by Ignatius Press.)

I also look forward to seeing the great Fred Zinnemann film, Behold a Pale Horse (1964), with Gregory Peck, Anthony Quinn, and Omar Sharif. (Fred Zinnemann has always been one of my favorite directors of all time.)

Finally, my last name means "horses" in a foreign language. (That should narrow it down.) I occasionally tend to look pale and tired.

Since childhood, I have always loved fishing. But I rarely had the chance to fish when I was younger. My dad doesn't fish, so he could never teach me. I went a few times. In 1980 or 1981, the father of my two oldest friends, who are twins, took us fishing on a party boat chartered by the Father's Club of our grammar school. It was a cold, cloudy day. I had to get up around 5 AM or so. I remember catching a crab or two. One of my friends got lucky, and he caught a flounder.
During the summer, our family would visit Alpicella, a tiny mountain village in northern Italy about 120 miles from Genoa, where my parents grew up. My older cousin, Franco Mazza, who is a cop now in Piacenza, took me fishing in the local streams and brooks that were allegedly populated with trout. I don't remember catching anything. While in Italy, my parents occasionally took me to this lake that was overstocked with trout. This place let you rent a bamboo pole with a metal hook and a wad of dough for bait. I remember catching a lot of fish. But it was made deliberately easy.

The years went by without me fishing. I never lost interest in it. I just didn't have the opportunity or the time.

When I attended Fordham University in the Bronx, I became friends with Joseph Pedulla, a doctoral student in the English department and an adjunct professor. (I double majored in political science and history.) Joe and I shared similar interests and views. Joe, who is 10 years older than me, is an avid outdoorsman and a master fisherman. In 1992, he took me up to one of his spots, a decaying dock off the Hudson River in Dobbs Ferry, New York. (The above image is of your correspondent in his usual spot in Dobbs Ferry a couple of weeks ago.) I didn't even own a fishing pole. "It's okay," he reassured me over the phone. "We have lots of stuff." He taught me the basics. I remember my first effort fishing in years was a disaster. I kept getting my line caught, and I lost a lot of Joe's hooks, sinkers, swivels, etc.

Joe and I would go up there occasionally, once or twice a year. (He was often a difficult person to get in touch with.) My fishing skills improved a little. (Ironically, the last time I saw and spoke to Joe was up there at the dock in Dobbs Ferry nine years ago. Joe got married, moved away, and had three kids. Joe sure has come a long way. When I first met him, his chief ambition was to appear on that Fox TV dating show, Studs.)

After Fordham, I pursued a Master's Degree in politics at the Catholic University of America (CUA), in Washington, D.C. Allow me to add some context to that time. I left a part-time job that I had for six years and that soured on me in the end. After a two-year period of quiet desperation and being in love with Kelly, a classmate at Fordham and a co-worker at the aforementioned job, from a distance, I finally revealed my feelings for her. Kelly, who considered me a good friend, was stunned. She certainly didn't feel the same way about me as I felt about her, and she wasn't pleased with the news. I kept trying to win her over with flowers and love letters, but it didn't work. I guess I alienated her more and more with each action. (Okay, stop laughing. You were young once too.) After a decent semester at CUA (Spring 1995, I had started mid-year in January), I struggled in the fall. I was in danger of doing so poorly that I could have gotten expelled. But with a lot of prayer and two merciful professors, I caught a few breaks and survived. In the following spring, I finished my coursework in triumph. I did very well in all of my courses and impressed my professors with my work. (I should add that I was always a mediocre student who just did well enough to advance.)

These changes and powerful experiences convinced me that it was time for me to start living. I finally decided to make time for fishing. I consulted with Joe Pedulla. "You want to fish with a pole that's taller than yourself," he said. (I'm 6'2.) So I went to a local Sports Authority and bought some fishing gear. My first pole was a black Shakespeare Ugly Stik. I also got a Shimano spinning reel. In fact, I still use the same pole I first bought 10 years later. I should point out that the advice Joe gave was for the type of fishing he usually does, in a big river with strong current. As for bait, he has a preference for nightcrawlers and bloodworms.

One day in Georgetown, I discovered the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal, which follows the Potomac River all the way up to West Virgina, about 185 miles. On perhaps another day, I followed the path. After walking for an hour or two, I discovered Fletcher's Boathouse, which is in a park area. At Fletcher's, you can rent a rowboat or a kayak and buy a fishing license, bait and tackle as well as soda, bottled water, and some snacks. (You can also get there by driving.)

I finished my coursework in mid-April 1996. I had until the end of May before my apartment lease expired in Silver Spring, Maryland. So I went fishing at Fletcher's.

I fished from shore. I clumsily attached the sinker and hook to my line. I often caught perch. (The Potomac is filled with them.) My technique improved. Joe told me about fish finders, which let you attach a sinker while keeping the line free. (If a line feels too heavy, the fish won't usually bite it.) He also introduced me to snap swivels, which are a convenient way to attach snelled hooks to a line.

I looked forward to nailing my first big one, but all I got were perch. (Once I caught a small sunfish.) Still, I always had fun when I went fishing. It always relaxed me. Every time I go, I always have the hope that I may catch something really big.

I moved back to the Bronx at the end of May. I was still unemployed. I had to study for and then pass the comprehensive exam (or "comps") before I would get my M.A. and officially graduate. I was scheduled to take it in the fall.

I had been on the run for several years straight. My two previous summers were occupied with work and school-related duties. (In 1994, I took several summer courses at Fordham in order to fatten my GPA before applying to graduate school. In 1995, I had an internship in London at the House of Commons as part of my grad program.) In 1996, after what I've been through, I felt like I needed a long rest for the summer. So I fished.

I discovered the Kensico Reservoir in Westchester County. It's stocked with all sorts of trout and bass. Unfortunately, I had little success with trout fishing. Once I caught a 14-inch rainbow trout using the method Joe taught me. I brought it home for dad. He cooked and ate it. Talking to other fishermen and the owner of the unfortunately now-closed Kensico Sportsman, a bait and tackle shop in Thornwood, New York, I learned how to fish for trout. For bait, you use sawbellies or minnows rather than nightcrawlers and bloodworms. Lures such as Krocodiles are useful. Although I adapted, I never did well with trout. (But still I try.)

Since 1996, I fished in a number of places. I've been to the Potomac River, Hudson River, the Kensico Reservoir, Mamaroneck Harbor in Westchester, Lake Mahopac in Putnam County, the Esopus Creek in Ulster County, and a few other places. I have yet to fish the waters surrounding nearby City Island, a beautiful carbon copy of a New England fishing town that is part of the Bronx. I'm often too cautious, preferring to stay with a specific spot such as the dock in Dobbs Ferry where I've enjoyed my best success as a fisherman.

For the record, the biggest fish I ever caught was a 22-inch striped bass out of the Hudson River in Dobbs Ferry in April 2004. In the summer of 1996, I did catch something big up at Kensico but it wasn't a fish. I'm reeling it in. It's not behaving like a fish or some garbage you accidentally hooked. When it got close to shore, I pulled back on the line. This enormous head popped out of the water. I caught a snapping turtle. It was the size of a manhole cover. (I swear that I remember that it had sharp teeth, but modern turtles don't have them.) It was quite agitated. I refused to go near it. Fortunately, it trashed back and forth in the water and got itself loose.

The most fish I ever caught in a day was around 30-35 on at least two occasions on the Potomac. I caught mostly perch though.

The worst day I fishing I ever had was in Kensico in August 1996. I was wearing my sneakers instead of my work boots. I slipped on a wet rock, and I broke my right ankle. Luckily, this DEP boat was in the area, and I hailed them down. They called for help. Since I'm 6'2 and weighed at least 230 or so, it took about 6-8 people to haul me out of there on a stretcher. I was taken to a local hospital for treatment. I couldn't fish (or even walk) for six weeks.

One of my most amusing fishing experiences took place at Fletcher's Boathouse in October 1996. (By that time, I had recovered.) I went back down to CUA to take my comps and stayed for a few days. The night before the exam, I was watching Game 4 of the World Series between the Yankees and Braves in my hotel room in Silver Spring. That was the game when the Yankees overcame a 6-0 deficit. Jim Leyritz tied it with a three-run homerun. I was ecstatic. The Yankees tied the Series in extra innings by winning 8-6. They were the underdogs. Obviously, I didn't get much studying done. So I ended up failing the exam. (I got the results in December.) The next day, Andy Pettitte, who got clobbered in Game 1, pitched masterfully. Paul O'Neill made a great catch in the bottom of the ninth as the Yankees won 1-0. I had watched the game in the Third Edition, a popular bar in Georgetown. The day after that, I took a drive to Fletcher's Boathouse. I was wearing my Yankee cap. As I approached the boathouse carrying my gear, the gentleman behind the counter looked me and exclaimed, "Hey, you look just like the guy who won the game last night!" I was flattered that he thought I looked like Andy Pettitte. (How I hope the Yankees get him back next season when his contract with the Astros expires.) At the time, I was clean shaven. Today, with the beard, I could probably pass for the great cowboy and Academy Award-winning actor Ben Johnson, a true gentleman who made many great films. I fished from shore. I didn't catch anything. I don't even think I had a single bite, but I still enjoyed myself. (And, yes, when I returned home to the Bronx, I eagerly watched Jimmy Key, who lost Game 2, win Game 6 for the Yankees, giving them their first World Series in 18 years. A time to celebrate.)

The most personally rewarding fishing experience I had was at Fletcher's in April 1997. At CUA, they give graduate students only two chances to pass the comps. If you fail it the second time, you're screwed and leave without getting an M.A. This time, I destroyed the exam and passed it. After a long struggle, I got my M.A. I skipped the graduation ceremony, and I got the degree in the mail. But I still went down there to celebrate and attend the end-of-year party at the Department of Politics at CUA. I also went to Fletcher's. This time, I rented a boat and went out on the river far from shore. There was a slight rain. I caught about seven fish, six perch and one really big catfish. At the time, the catfish was the biggest thing I ever caught. I had struggled and suffered through graduate school and succeeded against all odds. Believe it or not, at the time, getting my M.A. and finally finishing school after 20 years were the most important things in my life. I was in such a great mood that day. My whole life was ahead of me.

I should add that 99 percent of the fish I catch I throw back. Since I now own a digital camera, I might not even keep something big I may catch in order to show it off to family and friends. I'll post images of what I catch and where I fish frequently.

My aim is simple and no doubt common to most fishermen: catch as many fish as possible and catch something really, really big.

Although I have been fishing for 10 years, I certainly have a lot more to learn and lot more places to explore. This blog will record these efforts.