RICK GOINES
I am writing this weeks article with Eastern North Carolina looking like a winter wonderland. Snow and ice is everywhere, and it’s a little difficult visualizing putting a hook in the water, but before you know it the Tar River will have its usual annual appeal to Hickory Shad and those pursuing them. Count me among the latter. I can’t wait!
These cold temps and all that white stuff on the ground might provide you a good opportunity to check out your fishing gear. Some new line and a few drops of reel oil might be just the ticket. When you have a doubleheader going in opposite directions is not the time to worry about old, dry rotted line, or a reel that won’t crank properly. Remember the 5-P’s, prior planning prevents poor performance. Some folks add a sixth P, but we are going to be polite.
Recently I wrote a two-part article about John Bass and his fly-fishing. Wow! I got a tremendous response from my readers. Probably the most reader feedback I have ever gotten since writing “Tight Lines.”
Those that know John wrote me to thank me for the articles, and tell me what a fine person he is, and those that do not know him wrote me to tell me how moved and inspired they were by his story.
At the suggestion of several readers, I have combined the two articles, and added some other interesting information and details. It took several rewrites, and some helpful editing, but I feel good about the finished product.
I am going to send it out to some other publications to see if they might be interested in printing it. If you would like to receive a copy of “John Bass, Fly Fisherman Extraordinaire” let me know and I will e-mail it to you pronto.
I guess you can tell that I am sort of proud of this work. I think it is some of the best writing I have done so far. It certainly doesn’t hurt that John Bass and his fly-fishing is such an interesting and inspirational story.
Washington Evening Rotary Club and Ayden Rotary Club will team up for The Rotary Fishing Tournament May 22. Most tournaments signify a special fish, however this tournament is unique is that they will have awards for biggest freshwater and biggest saltwater fish caught that day.
I like “different” tournaments. For those of you that don’t know, the Tar River becomes the Pamlico River on the other side of the old US 17 Bridge at Washington. So it wouldn’t be stretching it too much, to call this a Tar River tournament.
It is likely that those participating will fish in both the Tar and the Pamlico Rivers. Proceeds from this event are going against the eradication of polio in the world, which is an international Rotary project. Polio is as odd today as a drive-in movie theater and Howdy Doody of the 50’s, since we no longer have to deal with this dreadful disease in this country. Unfortunately that is not the case in other less developed areas of the world.
I still think that lady that gave me a polio shot in 1956 broke off the needle in my arm. I was 6 years old, and it sure felt that way. I like what those Rotary folks are doing, and will keep you informed with more details as they become available.
If you read this before Saturday morning, and you missed it last month, you might want to get up at 6:30 a.m. to watch George Poveromo’s World of Saltwater Fishing on ESPN-2.
It’s an encore presentation that features light tackle fishing on the Neuse and Trent Rivers at New Bern. Local guide Gary Dubiel does a nice job introducing George and his viewers to this fine fishery. Captain Gary has a web site at HYPERLINK "http://www.specfever.com" www.specfever.com or you can call him at (252) 249-1520.
I don’t know about you, but it makes me kind of proud that people all over the world will see and appreciate some of the fine fishing we enjoy right here in eastern NC.
Hot Spot of the Week: Not much action to report this week due to weather conditions. My hot spot was about 8 feet from a roaring fireplace in my easy chair, watching the boob tube, with a blanket wrapped around me, and hoping someone would bring me food and drink so I didn’t have to move from my comfy position. How’s that for a hot spot?
Rick’s Soapbox: On the personal home front, I am happy to inform you that wife Linda’s son, Sgt. Thomas Tharrington is back on USA terra firma. His 1/120th CAB, Co. B of the 30th Heavy Brigade Combat Team has returned from Iraq recently. These young men and women served us well and did their duty, and I am proud of all of them. Of course, not everyone came home safe and sound, and our thoughts and prayers are extended to those injured heroes’, and to the families that have endured the ultimate sacrifice. I don’t know how they cope with it. God bless them all.
Please feel free to send me your stories, photos, tall tales and believable lies at
CarolinaAngler@Gmail.com
See you on the water, my friend!
