Different and Similar

Photo by Steve Stracqualursi Illustrations by El Pescador

The Ying and Yang of Fishing

Peter Gander posted a sketch and language that I wanted to share with the Way Upstream community. The post language reveals that Peter was inspired to get out his sketch pad after reading John Gierach’s 'Trout Bum’. One visual result was The Ying and Yang of Fishing (shown above). The "harmonious bliss" portrayed in the piece seemed to hit the mark for me. You can see more of Peter's work and get information at Peter Gander Paintings.

Sketch by Peter Gander

Hand of fate

Photo by Mary Kern Illustration by El Pescador

Do you have a plan?

I watched a guy in surf trunks and no shirt haul in a 43" striper down at a nearby beach recently (spin rod/mackerel chunk). The fish was cleanly hooked in the corner of the mouth and legal to keep (Maine regulations). After hoisting it high in the air with his hand firmly in the fish's gills for pictures he decided he wanted to let it go. After about 10 seconds of revival attempts he then decided to keep it so it got hauled out of the water again. The fish then sat on the sand in 90 degree sun until the angler figured out how to transport the beast somewhere. A green garbage bag was the final shroud in which the fish left the beach.

This was a trophy fish (possibly 15 years old) and my sense was that this angler really hadn't pondered what he would or should do if he landed something this big. It seemed like all that was on his ecstatic mind was the photo. But what then?

The experience reminded me that we recreational anglers really need to know what we will do with the fish we catch before we catch them, especially if the fish are going to be released. The fact is that there is very little time to figure it out once a tired fish is landed. How many of us really know what is correct when it comes to handling fish? You don't get instructions when you buy your license so how does an angler learn? What have you learned? Note that in this case, no license was required. If you want a photo are you prepared for efficient snap and release? Do you have a plan?

Photos by Mary Kern

America's favorite pastime

Here's the last image from El Pescador's vacation series of posts. This shot is of one of the hats from the prestigious Cape Cod Baseball League. It seems like fishing influences just about everything on the Cape, even America's favorite pastime.

Photo by El Pescador

Fish stencil and wind chimes

Here are some photos that El Pescador shot of some fish subject matter that he found in and around his Cape Cod accomodations.


Photos by El Pescador

Head in the sand

El Pescador got this vacation shot from one of his early morning flats forays. Sometimes a good picture is right under your feet.

Photo by El Pescador

Red sky at morning

Here's another El Pescador vacation shot. He caught this early morning sunrise while treking out over the sand at low tide to a big fish striper location on the Brewster Flats.

Photo by El Pescador

El Guapos

El Pescador is on vacation and he is sending in photos from some of his locales. He felt this was a good one to start off the vacation post series. Some of you may recognize this taqueria which is located in striper land along a popular Cape Cod bike trail.

Photo by El Pescador