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The Net is Cast on the Right Side

According to Luke (5:7, 5-11) it is said that commercial fishing businesses were conducted on the Sea of Galilee by fishermen organized into guilds. They provided food for the common people (Mathew 14:17, 15:34). A hearty, rough bunch and generally hard-working, in addition to being multi-lingual with a little business know-how, these fishers of that sea usually cast their nets at night to avoid the heat of the day and, when instructed, cast “on the right side” (John 21:6-8). Visualize this being the place where Jesus supposedly carried out 85% of his ministry, and an area which was ripe with potential followers.

Simon, nicknamed Peter and a Jewish fisherman, was called to be a disciple of Jesus, a carpenter, at the beginning of Jesus’s ministry. There was Andrew (Peter’s brother), James and John, and with Peter (the Rock), they became the group of disciples that Jesus gathered around him. In Luke 5, it was Peter’s boat that Jesus borrowed to teach the people from shore. As a dedicated group, they banded together to inspire and shape the gospel. As an early Christian sign, a simple fish was supposedly the secret fish symbol (Ichthys) to determine if another was Christian, thereby hiding their true identity and avoiding potential persecution. Today it is informally known as the Jesus fish.

As holiday celebrations are upon us, with many of different faiths and religions enjoying family and friendly gatherings, when it comes to Christmas, it is the Feast of the Seven Fishes (Vigil in Italy) that notably graces the table. They can include calamari (squid), anchovies, clams, mussels, oysters, baccala (salted cod), octopus, smelts, scungilli (conch), scallops, lobster, crab, shrimp, salmon, and various combinations thereof, with, for example, linguini. This tradition, originating in Southern Italy (La Vigilia), became known as the Feast of the Seven Fishes when twentieth-century Italian-American immigrants longed for their homeland.

Fish and fishing not only have deep roots going considerably farther back than B.C., but they also continue to this day to be an important part of our socio-economic well being. They are a bond that brings people together, and their sustainability cannot be over-emphasized. No matter how one celebrates this holiday season, togetherness is paramount. From Captain Morgan and Crew, we wish all of you a sincere very Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays.

On The Water

After a deluge of rain and the wettest year in the state’s history, high pressure built into the area. Rivers rose, flooding occurred, winds kicked up, and seas became angry. The high pressure slightly weakened as a cold front breezed by the area. A stronger high pressure system built back, followed by another weak cold front. High pressure then returned, followed by one more low pressure that impacted the tri-state region. Daytime air temperatures fluctuated within the mid 40’s-to low 50’s, while early morning lows bottomed out at about 26 degrees. Long Island Sound water temperatures averaged in the mid-to high 40’s, mariner warnings were posted in the face of 35 knot winds, and seas rose to five feet before moderating.

The Sound is struggling to enter a wintry mode, getting there on its own time frame. The shop is seeing a mixture of fishers gathering holiday gifts, acquiring items in order to prepare for 2024, as well more than just a few buying gear and tackle to fish for holdover striped bass foraging in and near key tidal rivers. It is mostly schoolies, but there are still some over-the-slot bass that are currently being caught and released, and will be throughout the winter months.

Pretty much all else in the Sound has quieted down, except for some seasonal cold water fish. Bottom fishers looking to go off-shore have been looking to team up with head boats that have been running to their fishing grounds, when weather and fares lined up. During the finer days, beachcombers looking to dodge some of the holiday hustle and bustle are enjoying the shoreline feeding the gulls, or walking the nature trails before last minute dashing around takes control.

As far as the inland fishing goes, trout, Atlantic salmon and bass are taking full advantage of flippant (but rather mild) weather conditions - at least along the coast. Due to the last rainfall, many river levels rose and flows increased, giving rise to greater angler challenges. Water temperatures have cooled down but moderated, creating days where selecting the right lures and flies, as well as the depths in which to fish them, is the difference between hooking up or not. Casting to the deeper pools and submerged habitat drifting a nymph, stripping a streamer, working a swimmer, an inline spinner, worm or other natural/scented baits can prompt a trout to strike. Stick with crank baits or soft plastics for the bass and spoons, with single swing hooks for the salmon.

Fly Fishing Clinic: Now accepting reservations for 2024. An outstanding opportunity for the experienced or intermediate fly fisher! Booking inland and marine fly fishing lessons with top flight, highly experienced instructors and guides. From trout, salmon, steelhead, and sea-run browns to striped bass, bonefish, permit and tarpon, etc., techniques learned and honed will improve your fishing. Holiday gift certificates are also available.

Report Shark/Fish Interactions: Seeking images/videos of shark vs. hooked fish encounters while fishing in Long Island Sound. Specifically, include images of striped bass bitten, and/or of shark actually attacking a striped bass while being reeled in. Email to CaptainMorganUSA@hotmail.com and include name, home town, and any other pertinent data.

Note: Email us pics of your catches to share with our USA and International fishing friends who keep up with the latest fishing news and frequent social media.

For all your fishy holiday gifts, including the latest gear, flies/fly fishing, rods/reels, clam/crabbing supplies, fishing trips, licenses/permits and much more, swing by the shop (203-245-8665) open seven days, located at 21 Boston Post Road, Madison. Until next time from your Connecticut shoreline's full-service fishing outfitter and Authorized Penn Premium Dealer, where we don't make the fisherman, we make the fisherman better.

Tight Lines,

Captain Morgan

captainmorganusa@hotmail.com

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