Penn's Clave--a retreat to the South

Well, as all have heard about, Penn's has been pretty badly wiped out
for wade-fishing. Flows from 2000-6000 over the past week ensured that
much. With the prospects so dim for the whole region, many rightly
avoided the trip this year. Further dimming matters for me was the loss
to an intestinal bug of the Handyman, at least for the first several
days. With this in mind, I moved my interest for the week south to the
surf off Accomack County, Virginia, having heard reports of many large
rockfish(stripers) and black drum for the past few weeks. My fears were
that these fish had headed on their way north, but, no, I was assured by
the local shop, they will still be around all week.
Joining me for this excursion was the ever-intrepid Frank Reid. I
give huge props to any man willing to make a 2000 mile round trip for
the prospects of fishing strange waters with someone out of his usual
season on said waters. I gathered up 3 or 4 books on the subject of surf
fishing for him to read up as he wished. Prophetically, one book, off
the shelf, opened to the chapter entitled: Safety in the Surf. Oh, gawd!
Anyhow, the short synopsis isn't pretty: between the two of us,
fishing pretty hard, Frank succeeded in landing a smallish shark of
maybe 6 or 7 pounds. I got nothing, nada, zilch. We both managed to get
serious sunburn, insect bites and some minor windburn. On the positive
side of the ledger, some of the sights on the beach were, um, enjoyable.
We saw porpoises, possibly a small whale of some species, cormorants,
pelicans, egrets, ponies, sika deer,and enough ducks and geese to keep
Miller busy for a month in his truck. We stuffed our face with fried and
steamed seafood, fried chicken and cold beverages. I returned, tired and
resembling a raccoon due to sunglasses and hat in the sun.
I can only hope that Frank returned safely. He will regale you with the
finer points of blister care, separating edible items and bait into
separate coolers, and what squirrels look like when waterlogged. Until
he chimes in, I will return to resting at home.
In short, it's a lucky thing that what makes a good fishing trip is
NOT simply good fishing, but good friends, beautiful surroundings and
other intangibles........
Tom

On May 27, 7:45*pm, Tom Littleton wrote:
Well, as all have heard about, Penn's has been pretty badly wiped out
for wade-fishing. Flows from 2000-6000 over the past week ensured that
much. With the prospects so dim for the whole region, many rightly
avoided the trip this year. Further dimming matters for me was the loss
to an intestinal bug of the Handyman, at least for the first several
days. With this in mind, I moved my interest for the week south to the
surf off Accomack County, Virginia, having heard reports of many large
rockfish(stripers) and black drum for the past few weeks. My fears were
that these fish had headed on their way north, but, no, I was assured by
the local shop, they will still be around all week.
* *Joining me for this excursion was the ever-intrepid Frank Reid. I
give huge props to any man willing to make a 2000 mile round trip for
the prospects of fishing strange waters with someone out of his usual
season on said waters. I gathered up 3 or 4 books on the subject of surf
fishing for him to read up as he wished. Prophetically, one book, off
the shelf, opened to the chapter entitled: Safety in the Surf. Oh, gawd!
* *Anyhow, the short synopsis isn't pretty: between the two of us,
fishing pretty hard, Frank succeeded in landing a smallish shark of
maybe 6 or 7 pounds. I got nothing, nada, zilch. We both managed to get
serious sunburn, insect bites and some minor windburn. On the positive
side of the ledger, some of the sights on the beach were, um, enjoyable.
We saw porpoises, possibly a small whale of some species, cormorants,
pelicans, egrets, ponies, sika deer,and enough ducks and geese to keep
Miller busy for a month in his truck. We stuffed our face with fried and
steamed seafood, fried chicken and cold beverages. I returned, tired and
resembling a raccoon due to sunglasses and hat in the sun.
I can only hope that Frank returned safely. He will regale you with the
finer points of blister care, separating edible items and bait into
separate coolers, and what squirrels look like when waterlogged. Until
he chimes in, I will return to resting at home.
* *In short, it's a lucky thing that what makes a good fishing trip is
NOT simply good fishing, but good friends, beautiful surroundings and
other intangibles........
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *Tom

Not a major issue (most of the time) but it is worth remembering that
"edible items" and "bait" are not necessarily mutually exclusive
categories.

giles
who has gorged on fresh caught smelt more times than he can
remember.....but, sadly, cannot recall exactly when he last did so.
and doughballs is simply a variant spelling of dumplings.

On May 27, 7:45*pm, Tom Littleton wrote:
Well, as all have heard about, Penn's has been pretty badly wiped out
for wade-fishing. Flows from 2000-6000 over the past week ensured that
much. With the prospects so dim for the whole region, many rightly
avoided the trip this year. Further dimming matters for me was the loss
to an intestinal bug of the Handyman, at least for the first several
days. With this in mind, I moved my interest for the week south to the
surf off Accomack County, Virginia, having heard reports of many large
rockfish(stripers) and black drum for the past few weeks. My fears were
that these fish had headed on their way north, but, no, I was assured by
the local shop, they will still be around all week.
* *Joining me for this excursion was the ever-intrepid Frank Reid. I
give huge props to any man willing to make a 2000 mile round trip for
the prospects of fishing strange waters with someone out of his usual
season on said waters. I gathered up 3 or 4 books on the subject of surf
fishing for him to read up as he wished. Prophetically, one book, off
the shelf, opened to the chapter entitled: Safety in the Surf. Oh, gawd!
* *Anyhow, the short synopsis isn't pretty: between the two of us,
fishing pretty hard, Frank succeeded in landing a smallish shark of
maybe 6 or 7 pounds. I got nothing, nada, zilch. We both managed to get
serious sunburn, insect bites and some minor windburn. On the positive
side of the ledger, some of the sights on the beach were, um, enjoyable.
We saw porpoises, possibly a small whale of some species, cormorants,
pelicans, egrets, ponies, sika deer,and enough ducks and geese to keep
Miller busy for a month in his truck. We stuffed our face with fried and
steamed seafood, fried chicken and cold beverages. I returned, tired and
resembling a raccoon due to sunglasses and hat in the sun.
I can only hope that Frank returned safely. He will regale you with theth
finer points of blister care, separating edible items and bait into
separate coolers, and what squirrels look like when waterlogged. Until
he chimes in, I will return to resting at home
* *In short, it's a lucky thing that what makes a good fishing trip is
NOT simply good fishing, but good friends, beautiful surroundings and
other intangibles........
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *Tom

Uh, these people think Paula Dean is a slacker 'cause she doesn't deep
fry the spices before she puts them in the food that she then deep
fries in lard. From Sunday through Weds.. I ate NOTHING that wasn't
deep fried. I also ate the best fish sandwich of my life. Flounder,
caught probably that morning, fried in a light batter with freshly
made tatar sauce. Yesterday, we ate in the park, they forgot to give
us plastic ware. Everything turned into finger food.... deep
fried.... including the salad.
By the way, here's a hint, apply SPF 134 to your feet every half
hour. Ended up with blisters on top of my feet the size of Toledo.
They hurt. Alot. Can't fit feet into shoes because of the bandages
and swelling.
View was cool. Shark was fun, been a few years since I've been on the
dark side with bait. Speaking of which, if you put your soda in the
cooler with the bait, you may end up with Croaker Pepper or Cherry
Clam Coke. Not fun. Did I say I had the best sandwich ever?
.....more to come later. Time for bed.
Frank Reid

Sorry to hear about the bad weather at Penns. I know how much that
time of the season on that river means to you. You and the Penns is
equal to me and the Rapid.

Dave

On 5/27/2011 10:24 PM, Giles wrote:

Not a major issue (most of the time) but it is worth remembering that
"edible items" and "bait" are not necessarily mutually exclusive
categories.

giles
who has gorged on fresh caught smelt more times than he can
remember.....but, sadly, cannot recall exactly when he last did so.
and doughballs is simply a variant spelling of dumplings.

that said, bunker(menhaden) seem less appetizing, especially after a
long day in a cooler.
Tom

On May 27, 7:45*pm, Tom Littleton wrote:
Well, as all have heard about, Penn's has been pretty badly wiped out
for wade-fishing. Flows from 2000-6000 over the past week ensured that
much. With the prospects so dim for the whole region, many rightly
avoided the trip this year. Further dimming matters for me was the loss
to an intestinal bug of the Handyman, at least for the first several
days. With this in mind, I moved my interest for the week south to the
surf off Accomack County, Virginia, having heard reports of many large
rockfish(stripers) and black drum for the past few weeks. My fears were
that these fish had headed on their way north, but, no, I was assured by
the local shop, they will still be around all week.
* *Joining me for this excursion was the ever-intrepid Frank Reid. I
give huge props to any man willing to make a 2000 mile round trip for
the prospects of fishing strange waters with someone out of his usual
season on said waters. I gathered up 3 or 4 books on the subject of surf
fishing for him to read up as he wished. Prophetically, one book, off
the shelf, opened to the chapter entitled: Safety in the Surf. Oh, gawd!
* *Anyhow, the short synopsis isn't pretty: between the two of us,
fishing pretty hard, Frank succeeded in landing a smallish shark of
maybe 6 or 7 pounds. I got nothing, nada, zilch. We both managed to get
serious sunburn, insect bites and some minor windburn. On the positive
side of the ledger, some of the sights on the beach were, um, enjoyable.
We saw porpoises, possibly a small whale of some species, cormorants,
pelicans, egrets, ponies, sika deer,and enough ducks and geese to keep
Miller busy for a month in his truck. We stuffed our face with fried and
steamed seafood, fried chicken and cold beverages. I returned, tired and
resembling a raccoon due to sunglasses and hat in the sun.
I can only hope that Frank returned safely. He will regale you with the
finer points of blister care, separating edible items and bait into
separate coolers, and what squirrels look like when waterlogged. Until
he chimes in, I will return to resting at home.
* *In short, it's a lucky thing that what makes a good fishing trip is
NOT simply good fishing, but good friends, beautiful surroundings and
other intangibles........
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *Tom

Hello, this is Frank's wiff Brenda
I enjoy sending Frank off on his annual trip to Penn's because he gets
to spend lots of time with friends and fishes, his favorite
companions. However, I should have sent better instructions for the
care and feeding of Frank Reid the Intrepid for this year's excursion.

First of all, taking Frank into the great outdoors requires multiple
handlers. Tom, you should not have attempted this on your own. There
are so many possibilities considering what I call the 4 E's:
environment+equipment+excitement=ER. What were you thinking, you could
have been hurt!

Then you go and take him somewhere with a completely unfamiliar set of
"4 E's" - and add the 4 B's: beach+bait+bikinis=burn. What were you
thinking, Tom? You were out there all alone with Frank on that beach
and all those bikinis? One of you could have lost an eye or something
while Frank figured out what to do in the surf other than, well, surf.
What were you thinking, Tom?

I'm just so relieved to hear that you have made it home safe and
sound. Frank arrived last night none the worse for the experience. He
claims to have left burned peeling skin along the route home. But he
looks like he usually does after one of the bonding fishy trips -
exhausted yet enervated from the experience.

Thanks for thinking of this alternate fishing expedition - and I
appreciate getting Frank back pretty much in one piece!

Brenda

On 2011-05-28 11:16:36 -0400, Frank Reid � 2010 said:

On May 27, 7:45Â*pm, Tom Littleton wrote:
Well, as all have heard about, Penn's has been pretty badly wiped out
for wade-fishing. Flows from 2000-6000 over the past week ensured that
much. With the prospects so dim for the whole region, many rightly
avoided the trip this year. Further dimming matters for me was the loss
to an intestinal bug of the Handyman, at least for the first several
days. With this in mind, I moved my interest for the week south to the
surf off Accomack County, Virginia, having heard reports of many large
rockfish(stripers) and black drum for the past few weeks. My fears were
that these fish had headed on their way north, but, no, I was assured by
the local shop, they will still be around all week.
Â* Â*Joining me for this excursion was the ever-intrepid Frank Reid. I
give huge props to any man willing to make a 2000 mile round trip for
the prospects of fishing strange waters with someone out of his usual
season on said waters. I gathered up 3 or 4 books on the subject of surf
fishing for him to read up as he wished. Prophetically, one book, off
the shelf, opened to the chapter entitled: Safety in the Surf. Oh, gawd!
Â* Â*Anyhow, the short synopsis isn't pretty: between the two of us,
fishing pretty hard, Frank succeeded in landing a smallish shark of
maybe 6 or 7 pounds. I got nothing, nada, zilch. We both managed to get
serious sunburn, insect bites and some minor windburn. On the positive
side of the ledger, some of the sights on the beach were, um, enjoyable.
We saw porpoises, possibly a small whale of some species, cormorants,
pelicans, egrets, ponies, sika deer,and enough ducks and geese to keep
Miller busy for a month in his truck. We stuffed our face with fried and
steamed seafood, fried chicken and cold beverages. I returned, tired and
resembling a raccoon due to sunglasses and hat in the sun.
I can only hope that Frank returned safely. He will regale you with the
finer points of blister care, separating edible items and bait into
separate coolers, and what squirrels look like when waterlogged. Until
he chimes in, I will return to resting at home.
Â* Â*In short, it's a lucky thing that what makes a good fishing trip i
s
NOT simply good fishing, but good friends, beautiful surroundings and
other intangibles........
Â* Â* Â* Â* Â* Â* Â* Â* Â* Â* Â* Â* Â* Â* Â* Â* Â* Â*
Â* Â* Â* Â* Â* Â* Â* Â* Â* Â* Â* Â* Â*Tom

Hello, this is Frank's wiff Brenda
I enjoy sending Frank off on his annual trip to Penn's because he gets
to spend lots of time with friends and fishes, his favorite
companions. However, I should have sent better instructions for the
care and feeding of Frank Reid the Intrepid for this year's excursion.

First of all, taking Frank into the great outdoors requires multiple
handlers. Tom, you should not have attempted this on your own. There
are so many possibilities considering what I call the 4 E's:
environment+equipment+excitement=ER. What were you thinking, you could
have been hurt!

Then you go and take him somewhere with a completely unfamiliar set of
"4 E's" - and add the 4 B's: beach+bait+bikinis=burn. What were you
thinking, Tom? You were out there all alone with Frank on that beach
and all those bikinis? One of you could have lost an eye or something
while Frank figured out what to do in the surf other than, well, surf.
What were you thinking, Tom?

I'm just so relieved to hear that you have made it home safe and
sound. Frank arrived last night none the worse for the experience. He
claims to have left burned peeling skin along the route home. But he
looks like he usually does after one of the bonding fishy trips -
exhausted yet enervated from the experience.

Thanks for thinking of this alternate fishing expedition - and I
appreciate getting Frank back pretty much in one piece!

Brenda

As an old friend of mine is wont to say, "hilarious."

I'm glad he is home safely.

Dave

On 5/28/2011 11:16 AM, Frank Reid © 2010 wrote:

Thanks for thinking of this alternate fishing expedition - and I
appreciate getting Frank back pretty much in one piece!

Brenda

Hilarious!! Honestly, Brenda, I did the best one man could, under the
extreme circumstances you point out. Being born and raised down that
way, I, of course, am used to the 'dangers' and potential pitfalls, but
Frank comported himself with the utmost dignity, and, might I add, a
very convincing Walter Brennan gimp walk impression. I can only fear for
you and your entire household if Frank remains 'envigorated' for any
length of time. Who knows what he could get himself into. I suggest
decaf......

Tom

oct 17- nov 4....harkers island, nc...false albacore on a fly. you'll
have a roof, but might have to sleep on the floor. reasonable rent...
boats will be provided, guide tips are reasonable. 8 wt-10 wt. some
drum will be around - 6 wt will do for them. reservations and deposit
required...

jeff and wally's nc sal****er emporium and asylum

On 5/27/2011 10:32 PM, Frank Reid © 2010 wrote:
On May 27, 7:45 pm, Tom wrote:
Well, as all have heard about, Penn's has been pretty badly wiped out
for wade-fishing. Flows from 2000-6000 over the past week ensured that
much. With the prospects so dim for the whole region, many rightly
avoided the trip this year. Further dimming matters for me was the loss
to an intestinal bug of the Handyman, at least for the first several
days. With this in mind, I moved my interest for the week south to the
surf off Accomack County, Virginia, having heard reports of many large
rockfish(stripers) and black drum for the past few weeks. My fears were
that these fish had headed on their way north, but, no, I was assured by
the local shop, they will still be around all week.
Joining me for this excursion was the ever-intrepid Frank Reid. I
give huge props to any man willing to make a 2000 mile round trip for
the prospects of fishing strange waters with someone out of his usual
season on said waters. I gathered up 3 or 4 books on the subject of surf
fishing for him to read up as he wished. Prophetically, one book, off
the shelf, opened to the chapter entitled: Safety in the Surf. Oh, gawd!
Anyhow, the short synopsis isn't pretty: between the two of us,
fishing pretty hard, Frank succeeded in landing a smallish shark of
maybe 6 or 7 pounds. I got nothing, nada, zilch. We both managed to get
serious sunburn, insect bites and some minor windburn. On the positive
side of the ledger, some of the sights on the beach were, um, enjoyable.
We saw porpoises, possibly a small whale of some species, cormorants,
pelicans, egrets, ponies, sika deer,and enough ducks and geese to keep
Miller busy for a month in his truck. We stuffed our face with fried and
steamed seafood, fried chicken and cold beverages. I returned, tired and
resembling a raccoon due to sunglasses and hat in the sun.
I can only hope that Frank returned safely. He will regale you with theth
finer points of blister care, separating edible items and bait into
separate coolers, and what squirrels look like when waterlogged. Until
he chimes in, I will return to resting at home
In short, it's a lucky thing that what makes a good fishing trip is
NOT simply good fishing, but good friends, beautiful surroundings and
other intangibles........
Tom

Uh, these people think Paula Dean is a slacker 'cause she doesn't deep
fry the spices before she puts them in the food that she then deep
fries in lard. From Sunday through Weds.. I ate NOTHING that wasn't
deep fried. I also ate the best fish sandwich of my life. Flounder,
caught probably that morning, fried in a light batter with freshly
made tatar sauce. Yesterday, we ate in the park, they forgot to give
us plastic ware. Everything turned into finger food.... deep
fried.... including the salad.
By the way, here's a hint, apply SPF 134 to your feet every half
hour. Ended up with blisters on top of my feet the size of Toledo.
They hurt. Alot. Can't fit feet into shoes because of the bandages
and swelling.
View was cool. Shark was fun, been a few years since I've been on the
dark side with bait. Speaking of which, if you put your soda in the
cooler with the bait, you may end up with Croaker Pepper or Cherry
Clam Coke. Not fun. Did I say I had the best sandwich ever?
....more to come later. Time for bed.
Frank Reid

On 2011-05-28 15:43:44 -0400, jeff said:

oct 17- nov 4....harkers island, nc...false albacore on a fly. you'll
have a roof, but might have to sleep on the floor. reasonable rent...
boats will be provided, guide tips are reasonable. 8 wt-10 wt. some
drum will be around - 6 wt will do for them. reservations and deposit
required...

jeff and wally's nc sal****er emporium and asylum

Count me in. Let me know how much.

Dave