Striper Fishing on the South Shore

Fishing on the North River in southeastern Massachusetts is one life’s special treats, especially for amateur anglers, those without a boat, or folks just wanting to enjoy a beautiful resource.  I was fortunate to be included in an impromptu fishing derby arranged by a couple local guys.  Although I got skunked on three separate outings, the draw of the competition got me out on the river at times I ordinarily wouldn’t.  This is my story, best told by the participants in these email clips.

1. Preparation

Sent: Tuesday, May 17, 2011

Guys,

As you may have heard the rumors of a 1st Annual North River Fishing Tournament.  You have been honored and chosen to be a member of the “Planning Committee” !
Let’s meet up at the Sinkers Son this Thursday around 7:00 to plan out!
The biggest challenge will be securing a date with everyone’s busy schedules / commitments. We’ve got MHS graduation and grad parties….

 Thanks, Brian & Zeke

Sent: Monday, May 23, 2011

Hey fellow fisherman,

Spoke to veteran fisherman, Rod Pesce, Saturday night who was advocating what I thought was a great format for the tournament. Meet on a Tuesday, establish the rules – example: (need to take a picture of a caught fish with tape measure and witness) and then return the following Tuesday to decide on a winner. Of course this provides a big advantage to Burt who will fish around the clock but as we all know it just takes one cast to land the “big one”!…teams can be established, individuals can participate, basically fish when you can throughout a designated week…Thoughts?

Sent: Monday, May 23, 2011

I saw Burt yesterday……….our collective thinking at that moment was we start next week after the long weekend…….my vote would be for that…….let the weather clear and fishing heat up (hopefully) a little…..that said, I’m in whenever it happens.

 Sent: Monday, May 23, 2011

Rules recap:

• Fishing starts: sunrise this wed the 25^th
• Fishing ends: sunset wed June 1^st
• Results Meeting: Sinkers Son after sunset on June 1^st
• Entry:$10/man to be paid on June 1^st at the post sunset meeting (you must reply “yes” to this email prior to sunrise on the 25^th to enter)
• Who: Forward this email to anyone who is interested so they can reply “yes” in time
• Winning Fish: the winning fish is the longest fish documented with photo (let’s email the photos around during the week…..no hiding the news of a big fish)
• Where: Territory of tourney….the military base at the mouth forms the eastern boundary line….all waters west including North and South fair game

Game on!

First phony:

Sent: Mon 5/23/2011 10:19 AM

I like it,… a week-long fishing tourney with a camera and tape measure.  Does this one from this morning count?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sent: Mon 5/23/2011 10:39 AM

Greg Morton- No, that fish doesn’t count, and I don’t think that was this morning, and I don’t think that is 48 inches (nice photo btw)…..so now we have the Greg Morton rule: the picture needs to be of you and your fish, and the measuring tape but must also include the front cover of the Boston Globe for that day.

Fish soon!

Second Phony

Sent: Wed 5/25/2011 8:52 AM

Dan and I were up early this morning and caught this one just off of Mary’s Boat yard.  I think we should just meet at Sinkers Sun tonight and wrap this thing up.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sent: Wed 5/25/2011 9:22 AM

Where’s the tape measure? Where’s the shore?

The Games:

Sent: Wed 5/25/2011 10:55 AM

Now if anyone cared to fish this a.m., rather than play on computers, they might have caught something. The bar is set here with my 37.5 “ Rokus….Yes”  caught this a.m. around 6:30….we even caught a seagull for good measure….now top that or let’s just go to Tinker’s tonight as some have suggested! Get out there and get fishin’!

Capt. Burt

1^st Mate Brad

 

 

 

 

Sent: Wed 5/25/2011 1:35 PM

Day 1 Update: I started the day with a 30 inch fish (picture is on Tim’s phone)……didn’t beat Burt’s 37.5!….nice Job!

Sent: Sat May 28 11:08:23 2011

Out shore casting this morning at about 6:30 starting at Chittendon Ln…..chunks and swimmers but nothing the hour I was there.  Moved to Cornhill Ln, Marshfield and caught the striper in the photo on chunk(incoming tide)….Noticed several herring slapping the surface in this area so they’re still coming in.  Moved to Damon’s Point, Marsh. and chunked an hour of incoming and ½ hour of outgoing….nothing.  Any other reports out there?  Good night tides are here and the water is warming, bringing new fish…….get out there and wet the lines!

Burt

Sent: Saturday, May 28, 2011 11:27 AM

Two keeps at sunset yesterday…..bridge st bridge.  Nothin beats 37 yet.

Third Phony:

Sent: Tue 5/31/2011 9:25 AM

Thanks to great boatmanship, Captain Zeke Fitz negotiated the rocks just below Rocky Reach, and Dan D is shown here with the results!

Yahoo!

GM &  SL on board but skunked.

 

 

 

 

 

Sent Tue 5/31/2011 9:40 AM

I urge all participants to measure anything over Burt’s 37.5.  I saw that ship of fools on the river yesterday….that is a “Fishy Fish”.

Sent: Tue 5/31/2011 10:51 AM

Is there any coincidence that Belsan had a 42″er yesterday around the same time and location that the “ship of fools” took their photograph???

Sent Tue 5/31/2011 5:09 PM

Was back in Belsan’s picking up bait and looking at the photo of the 42 inch fish caught “up river”.  As you may be aware, stiped bass (like whales that carry distintive markings on fins, etc.), each carry a distinctive set of markings…their  stripes.  The fish in the belsan photo bares a possible identical  pattern to the Pesce/Fitz bass…this may be the first discovered case of a twin bass and i think we should call in woods hole oceanagraphic to conduct further research and verify this mystery.

Home Stretch

Sent: Wednesday, June 01, 2011 12:47 PM

Final fishing day upon us.   Is anyone actually going to be fishing till

sunset tonight? Spoke to a few others and we were thinking about getting started at Sinkers around 7-7:30, pre-Bruins.  Good for all/most?

Sent: Date: Wed, Jun 1, 2:29 PM -0400

Damon’s Point, slack tide, noon to 2. Skunked.

Fish fry at Morton’s is off.  See all at Tink’s instead.

G

Sent: Wed 6/1/2011 3:14 PM

What should be my final fish report…..2:30 to 3:10 from shore above the bridge……skunk.  Zeke Fitz is that you in stealth mode hanging on to the Morton mooring untangling your lines?

Sent: Wed, Jun 1, 1:49 PM -0400

I will be there after sunset since so far my favorite fishing spot has not yield a thing.
BTW  Didn’t I hear that the first annual NRFT rules stipulate that the winner buys the drinks!!!!

See you at dusk.

Dave S.

Sent Wed 6/1/2011 3:25 PM

Dave…you must have missed the handicap system meeting…….those who live on the water and who are fishless after a week of fishing buy the beers!

The winning fish:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Follow up

Sent Thu 6/2

All,  great event and camaraderie last night.  Thanks to Burt and Rod and others involved in kick starting the idea and getting everyone out on the river.  An annual ritual has been established.  Soon anglers from all over the world will be flying in trying to take the coveted title away from our own Burt Prowly!!

Sent: Thu 6/2/2011 10:25 AM

Burt’s presentation, that included glossy photos, got him a well deserved unanimous “thumbs up” from the jury of his fishing peers.  Great Job Burt!
See you on the river….

Rod D.

Sent: Thursday, June 02, 2011 11:10 AM

Great time on the water and at Sinkers last night…..thanks to all in the group who made the 1st annual tourney possible….I’m sure the fish are breathing a little easier now that it’s over.

Sent Thursday, June 9, 2011 11:43 AM

Not to be outdone by his father yesterday, Grad landed
the biggest fish of his young career early this a.m.(Brewster Spit Again) just
after we survived a 1/2 hour gale assault.
Just shy of 45″ and caught on a large Zara Spook Torpedo.

Arrivederci: Immigration, Travel, & History

Image via Wikipedia

My blog last month, “I want to live in America” was devoted to my mom and her family’s voyage by sea from Germany to start a new life in the USA. I would be really amiss if I didn’t blog about by grandparents from Sicily.

My grandfather, Francesco Cordaro, left Sicily at an early age to also start a new life in the USA. He left Sicily in the early 1900’s. Unlike my mom’s family, he came alone as a young adult. He arrived by ship at Ellis Island and settled in New York City for his entire life.

Just before leaving Sicily, he had attended Midnight Mass with his friends. After arriving in NYC, he wrote back to one of his friends in Sicily and wanted to know who the girl was who sat next to him at Midnight Mass and if he could have her address. He later found out that her name was Marguerite and wrote her a letter. She replied to his letter and asked, “Why are you writing to me?  I fell asleep on you at Midnight Mass!”  Through the letters that they exchanged, they became engaged and she came over to New York City. Marguerite became my grandmother; I guess you could say it was love at first write!

My grandparents raised three sons and four daughters while grandpa worked as a barber. They later bought and operated a convenience store and lived in the apartment above it. As the children got older, my grandmother joined the workforce and became a seamstress.

Grandma’s oldest daughter (my Aunt Sophie) also worked by her side. Grandma did not speak English and Aunt Sophie was her translator. Grandma trained under the infamous fashion designer, Oleg Cassini, who is  know for being chosen by First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy to design her state wardrobe in the 1960s. Prior to becoming a fashion designer, he served in the US Calvary in World War II with Ronald Reagan. One of his multiple marriages was to Grace Kelly. I think it’s very cool that she was trained by him!

My grandparents put their three sons (Vincent, Benjamin & Salvatore) through college which resulted in two doctors and a dentist. Their four daughters married (to Italian men, of course…) and became homemakers (Sophia Serpico, Tina Savoca, Lucy Bonnichi and Mary Lucchi). Grandma hand sewn all four of her daughters’ wedding dresses.

Again, I’ll say that there is no greater joy than raising a family but it is no easy task. Andrew G. Gordon Insurance offers many solutions for families throughout Massachusetts. Check out our website for auto, home and life insurance resources and options. I hope you enjoyed my story.

Bill C.
Commercial Accounts
A. G. Gordon, Inc.

I Want To Live in America!

Image by mgrayflickr via Flickr

My grandparents came over to the United States from Germany, drawn by the promises of a better life in America. My grandmother once told me that it had become so expensive to live in Germany that she couldn’t even afford to buy a spool of thread! Eating oranges at Christmas time was considered a treat.

So in 1923, my grandfather (age 33), grandmother (age 31), my mom (age 4), and Uncle Bill (age 2) arrived by ship at Ellis Island from Germany. Part of the citizenship process required that you be sponsored by an American family; since my grandfather’s brother –also a German- had already settled in ohio, he became their sponsor.

I recently researched their journey on http://www.EllisIsland.org; this website has the history of all passengers and ships for the Port of New York/Ellis Island from 1892 to 1924. There I found my family on the copy of the actual passenger list along with the ship’s manifest and a picture of the ship. The passenger list also shows that my grandfather arrived with their entire savings, $75.00. Their ship, the Albert Ballin, was built in 1923 (the same year that they traveled on it). The ship’s physical features can’t be mistaken for a Carnival Cruise liner, but to me, it commands a greater respect. I’m not surprised to learn that the ship wasn’t retired until 1981!

My grandparents eventually settled and raised their family in Archbold, Ohio (Which, incidentally, is the home of La Choy; a brand name of canned and prepackaged American Chinese food ingredients).  Grandfather became a sausage maker and Grandmother a homemaker. An interesting fact about Archbold is that it has a population of approximately 20,000 people during the day but only around 5,000 residents because it’s home to many large industries and non-resident employees.

My grandparents from my father’s side came over from Sicily and also arrived at Ellis Island but that’s a tale for another blog…yes, I am a true mutt!

There is no greater joy than raising a family but it is no easy task. Andrew G. Gordon Insurance offers many solutions for families throughout Massachusetts. Check out their website for auto, home and life insurance resources and options.

 www.agordon.com/life                                                                                                                                  www.agordon.com/auto                                                                                                                         www.agordon.com/home

Bill C.
Commercial Accounts
A. G. Gordon, Inc.
Insurance & Risk Management

Welcome to Whitman

If you’re from a small town and have recently moved to Whitman, then you’re sure to feel at home here.  With a population of 14,000 residents in a 7 mile square radius, you’ll make new acquaintances in no time!

The Toll House Inn, established in 1709, invented Toll House cookies in the late 1930’s. Although the Toll House burned completely down in 1984, their sign and landmark still remains on Bedford St.  (Rte 18).

Park your car only once downtown and avail yourself of many merchants and services within close walking distance.  Banking, coffee shops, restaurants, drug store, hair salons, dry cleaners, post office,  town hall, churches  and other merchants and services are just too numerous to mention. Walk over to our newly renovated Lower Town Park; it is listed as one of the 1,000 greatest places in Massachusetts by the state legislature. The Old Colony Computer Rail, a short walking distance from downtown, provides rail service from Plymouth to Boston.

For the youth of Whitman, there are organized sports teams, active scout packs and a recreation commission that provides many activities. The Recreation department also oversees our swimming programs at our town pool, located at the Lower Town Park.

The Whitman Senior Center, also located downtown, provides many activities, trips and daily meals.

Some of the downtown restaurant favs are McGuiggan’s Irish Pub, Tea Time Cookies, Venus Café (great pizza!), Ted’s Place (seafood).  On Rte 18 is also the infamous Peaceful Meadows Ice Cream (dairy barn open year round).

Last December, Whitman just celebrated their 17^th year Winterfest. Always held on a Saturday in December, the downtown streets are closed for their festival. Parades, fireworks, caroling, contests, etc. fill the day and though through the night.  www.whitmanwinterfest.com

Whitman hosts an annual Fourth of July Field Day at the park, with a road race, carriage or bike decorating, pie eating contests and other events.

The Town of Whitman was incorporated in 1875. As a primary South Shore residential community, it has retained much of its rural character.   

If you are  moving to Whitman or any town in Massachusetts, see our  website to view our whiteboard videos at  www.agordon.com. The videos provide valuable tips if you are new to Massachusetts or buying a new home.

Bill Cordaro

www.agordon.com

South Shore Winter Wonderland

Here on the South Shore we haven’t had this much great snow for years (I know, unless you’re an avid fan of shoveling  you may think I’m crazy ) But, there is a remedy for the winter time blues and that is to get out there and make the most of it!

Try it, you’ll like it.  Here on the South Shore we have some GREAT places for cross country skiing and snowshoeing.  If you have the equipment, great, and if not it can be rented at such places as REI in Hingham or borrowed from friends. You don’t have to buy a ticket to do these things at local parks and recreation areas and the money you save on tickets can be spent treating yourself to a well deserved snack or libation at a local eating establishment.

My first recommendation is Widow’s Walkgolf course in Scituate, MA where the parking is ample, the scenery superb and the Widow’s Walk Pub is open from breakfast on during the weekends (and soon, hopefully, to be open all week long). Widow’s Walk is located on the Driftway near Scituate Harbor directly across from the Scituate Public Landing where you’ll find more beautiful trails that run along the North River tributary.

Only miles away another great asset of the South Shore is Wampatuck State Park in Hingham, Mass. Here the trails are abundant with enough cross country ski traffic that you may not have to forge your own trails. Many of the trails are wide and flat and great for skiing.   Again, ample parking and a visitor center make this a great place to enjoy the winter.

Lastly, I will make a plug for Norwell‘s Stetson Meadows, located off of River Street and Stetson Shrine Lane. The paths are more primitive, and perhaps more suited for snowshoes, though skiers often make tracks there. It is possible to have the entire Meadow to yourself and imagine as you gaze over the marshes and North River that this is the same scene that lay before the Native Americans centuries ago. Afterwards, a visit to Tinker’s Son or Shield’s in Norwell Center for a breakfast or lunch may be the perfect reward for all that exercise!

There are many more South Shore treasures that I have not yet uncovered. I would love to hear of any more suggestions!   Visit www.norwellma.com for places to skate, sled and other winter activities.   Have a Happy Winter!

For ways to protect your home during winter’s harsh weather, look to www.agordon.com for help on ice dams, and other home saving techniques.  If you’re thinkin about moving to Massachusetts,  visit www/agordon.com/whiteboards for helpful insurance and registration guidance you need to know before moving here.

Great Fishing in Pembroke



Newcomer to Pembroke on Massachusetts’ South Shore?  For those of you who are fishing enthusiasts, there are opportunities galore in our area.

If you are into saltwater fishing and are hoping to hook that elusive big tuna,you can’t beat Stellwagen Bank.  Located about 7 to 8 miles off Provincetown, the Bank runs up the coast almost to Gloucester on the North Shore.  In addition to tuna, the Bank is also your best bet for cod, haddock, whiting and bluefish.  But be aware, the Bank is a sanctuary for striped bass.  If you are looking to hook onto striped bass, whether in the water or from the beach, try anywhere in Massachusetts Bay, which is a world renowned location for catching stripers.

If you don’t own a boat and are not into fishing from shore, our area offers many experienced charter Captains  and their boats for hire.  Most offer half- or whole-day trips for up to four people.  Sharing the cost makes this a viable alternative.

If freshwater fishing is your thing, there are numerous ponds in our area.  Plymouth offers Long Pond and Little Pond for trout, salmon, large & small mouth bass and many pan fish like sunfish and perch.  Pembroke’s Oldham Pond provides panfish and bass, while the Indian Head River offers up trout, shad and panfish.

All in all, our area is a fisherman’s paradise.  Welcome and happy fishing!

Sandi C.
Andrew G. Gordon, Inc.

And for more insurance information and relevant resources, visit the A G Gordon website.

Thinking of moving to Pembroke or anywhere on the South Shore?   Visit agordon.com/newhomebuyer for tips on purchasing new home owner’s insurance.   Also check out our Auto page for auto insuranace deals and information, as well as our Whiteboard series for great general tips.