Fishing the Vineyard turns 200

It’s funny ya know, I always pondered what I might do with the bicentennial post. Kevin from Baltimore opines (and of course I’ve recapitulated here, just a touch), “Adhere to the rubric. Percolate the same content that electrified the grassroots for the last 199, and maybe give them a little taste of how it’s generated.” Amiably…










They ask me stuff like, “Why are the kids always hiding behind the fish?” Well, what started as a shout out to the Bonefish Whisperer, has grown into a explicit identity protection strategy. Having ones likeness depicted on the blogspot is an accord which must be considered with the utmost seriousness. Clearly, it’s a comedy piece and meant to be taken with a grain. But the foul language, adult themes, cryptical envelopment, politics and kegstands will inevitably be problematic for some. Mostly heads of state and such, but the option of anonymity is extended to all.










This next set comes to us from the Wandering Woods Hippie. I highly recommend following this blog, it is east coast hardcore at its absolute finest. Guide credit on the backwater bomb scare above to @the.guy.from.Coops.

In closing, on behalf of all of us in the Fishing the Vineyard family I want to extend my gratitude to you, the fans, for your continued support and loyalty. Sans your piety the dream of reaching this milestone would have never come to fruition.

W

Mothership Report

Today I was joined aboard my ship by the Wandering Woods Hippie(www.woods-hippie.blogspot.com) , my neighbor and my lawyer. These fine gentlemen-scholars are passionate anglers all. The manifestation of their fancy is pictured in this spread. A mixed bag of striped fish and cerulean critters were enjoyed by all on deck. The bonds of friendship were fortified, the cheeseburgers were delicious, and god forgave us for skipping church.

Keep Calm, Carry on

Captain W. Brice Contessa
www.marthasvineyardoutfitters.com

Early Days

It's been some years since I experienced success on my first go-round of the fishing season. There are a multitude of factors that contribute to the seasonality of a given fishery, and for whatever reason it seems that here on the island things have been a little slow out of the gate for the past few years. This year has been a bit of a departure from that trend. Island wide anglers already seem to be finding targetable numbers of striped fish inside the estuaries and on the outer beaches. Found this little marsh pirate about half an hour into this years tour opener, tucked way up into a corner along a sod bank at the top of the tide. Landed one other and missed a couple of bites. All and all not a Seal Team 6 style assault or anything like that, but a nice way to get on the board for the year on a beautiful Friday afternoon when I should have been at work. The Fishing the Vineyard squad is gonna be in heavy rotation by the end of next week, so be sure to stay tuned here for the latest.

Captain W. Brice Contessa
www.marthasvineyardoutfitters.com

Preseason Report

Stacey from the Fort conjectures; "What's preseason on the pebble all about anyway?" Surely the only appropriate delineation is a photo essay, right?...



So the crabbing has been somewhat indolent, I'll be the first to admit it. Seemingly Sig Hanson I am not. This, combined with the fact that Mako's is only open 2 days a week leads me to believe that Jimmy's chowder pots will again this spring be the effigy of a barren wasteland, void of wrasse.


The English fella is still a looker after all these years. He's waking up early for this Royal Wedding scenario tomorrow. He's kind of like that uncle you have who never got married...



Another great rite of spring on our little planet in the ocean is orphan Easter. All us wash-ashore types go home for Christmas and such, but sadly for our kinfolk, the resurrection came at the wrong time of year man, and it almost always proves impossible to get away. So Mama-Cass from the rust-belt fires out a Hawaiian ham, the old man cashes in on a mac and cheese coupon, brothers ballgame wax the shuffle deck, and a festy is born.





Inevitably, there's one last trip to America. I know Kevin, a boat on a boat...oh the irony.


And the funny thing is, it's like nothing even changed since you've been overseas. Shit, the packaging on the Doritos is even how I remembered! Oh, and I found this little gem over there as well. They'll sell you a taco here for 89 cents!! I know I expatriated for a reason, but clearly the conjoined 48 are as seductive a mistress as they ever were.





When I visit the states I always make an effort to build something of historical and/or cultural significance into the matrix of the excursion. This isn't bullshit by the way. It kills me that I can't find a picture of Drew and I at the Liberty Bell like 2 hours before the Philly show on 11/25/09. Pictured above is Plymouth Rock. I'm told it hurts when it lands on you and I now know from first hand experience that it lives in a cage. Freedom isn't free kids. I threw a penny on it and wished for good fishing this season; I know, I'm a sap.




So the real reason for today's errand was the fabrication of the poling platform for my new blue skiff. The facilitators of this endeavor were the boys at Fastech Marine in Buzzards Bay (www.t-tops.com). If you tune your frequency to planet blogspot, you are aware that promoting stuff I don't truly believe to be radical is as far outside of my wheelhouse as the use of pedestrian vocabulary, not beating on Mister in the tourney, or drinking wine at a bar. In all my years in the marine industry I have yet to come across an operation as polished as this one. Highly recommend checking them out. Special thanks to Scott, Shawn, Justin and the crew; job well done.





So the Dukes County Sightcasters ride again kids, back for season 10 on the mothership by the skin of the teeth on the 8:30 Island Home outa the Hole. Long day, well worth it. I know, I know...sweet blagh, KYS, get a lyphe, show us a picture of a fish already. Duly noted. Next one has stripes.

"I'd give you everything I got for little peace of mind"


w

A New Chapter

Drew from Tudor City estimates(paraphrasing as is customary), "Why would one even consider it? Dissolve a brand that you've cultivated for a decade, not to mention the undisputed sexiest moniker industry wide, in favor of a bland, impersonal title?" Well Drew, all I can say is that the mothership is a fluid entity my friend. I've got a new boat and some new ideas, so logic dictated that the time for a new website with an updated URL had come. So that's it, if and when a formal press release to this effect is issued I'll be sure to link it here. But realistically, this, and some new checks to pacify my debtors, are likely to represent the extent of the announcement. Oh and I got new business cards. Anyway, the link is below, you can like us on facebook and all that other happy horseshit. Your cooperation in this matter is appreciated.

www.marthasvineyardoutfitters.com

But you know, it's more than that Hoagie. Times on the rock are changin' man. I mean, TeTe's takin' the bar, the village kids are makin' moves as always, Jimmy's gettin' hitched, Jesus-God, @RobbieMorre even left the nest! And as for me, the novel is nearing completion. The conceptual phase has been everything up to now.

So for the moment, project blogspot continues. Marching on like a soldier, blinded with the passion that can be instilled solely by youth, and nationalism. The fishing season is right around the corner, so be sure to check in here frequently in the coming weeks for the blow by blow. It is you, the fans, that make this all possible, and for that we are eternally grateful.

"Mama, mama many worlds I've come since I first left home"


WBC