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July 2, 2004 Newsletter |
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July 2, 2004 Newsletter |
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At 5: a.m. yesterday (Monday) we
were all on the dock, ‘geared up and loaded’, looking over the beautiful ‘Team
Navy’ boat (click to see a picture of it) lit up with the on board lighting system, 500 gallons of premium fuel
loaded, fresh water and ice on board, enough groceries to feed an army most of
which was compliments of Solomon and the able chefs at Reggiano’s restaurant and sandwich’s from Louis, one of the
fishermen, optimistically listening to the latest weather reports. Seas were running 4 foot. Four footers are marginal for fishing
comfort but not a problem for the boat and crew. A decision was made amid the optimism
and positive attitudes that it’s a go. The engines are started, first
one, then two, then three and we move out of Hampton’s
landing into the ditch, as we call it, between Aransas Pass and Port
Aransas. The boat is a brand new 38
foot Fountain thoroughbred powered by 675 horsepower
that wants to run. It wasn’t long
before I noticed we were traveling as fast or faster
than the cars on the highway going the same direction, full of fuel and 8 guys
geared up, between 55 and 60 mph!
It seemed just minutes and we were at the end of the jetties at Port
A.
The first few 10 plus footers I
dismissed as ‘ground swells’ and was still optimistic about the seas at 4 foot
further on ahead. We ran in
‘troughs’ for the first 25 or so miles, every now and then attempting to turn
South but were battered by 6 – 8 footers with several 10 plus footers cresting
overhead. The good attitudes seemed
to fall into more apprehension and anxiety. We decided to see if we would be able to
stand on the deck and fish before going the next 30 miles to the
The boat, the crew of Capt. Glasier and Capt. Jamison, preformed magnificently! I can only imagine the fun yet to be had
in conditions that favor comfort and good conditions. I am still a bit depressed we had to
turn back especially in light of two weeks worth of time and effort I spent
getting us together, building rods, getting reels and lines suitable for ‘big
game’ etc. etc. I had to call off
the trip scheduled for Tuesday the 8th as well and will be contacting
everyone for either a refund or re-scheduling on both trips. Right now I am considering re-scheduling
for late July or early August when the sea is generally flat baring any tropical
storms. Capt. Glasier asked if I would keep a list of names of people that
would be ready to go on a moments notice and when conditions are good he will
call with probably a 24 hour window.
Please contact me if this appeals to you but I will give first priority
to those I have collected deposits from and were cancelled this past week. The spring weather and the winds this
year have been nothing short of awful.
I must get into this newsletter a
short commercial message in light of father’s day coming soon. If you have someone thinking about what
to get you as a gift, I wish you would pass on a request for a specific item
such as quality sunglasses, maybe a fly tying vise and partake in our Monday
evening free fly tieing seminars, or sign up for a
beginning fly fishing clinic at only $35, or of course, a new rod be it fly,
spin, or casting with an inscription marking the occasion. Personally, I feel a gift certificate
would allow you to come in and acquire, build a rod, or have me build a rod with
your input the best solution for something you really
want.
Again my thanks go out to ‘Team
Navy’ for working with me and my customers and I will
get my head up off the ground as soon as we get a trip or two under our
belts. But for now, Mother Nature
is in control.
Dennis O.
Freeman
RODMAKERS
210-479-3477
