Wed 12

I haven't had the chance to send you a thank you for the Stella job you did guiding our trip, and apologize for being so late with this. Being a surf fisherman first and foremost, I understand that having fish at the location you are fishing is probably the most important part of being able to catch any fish. We had fish that day under that bridge, no doubt about it. However, this did not stop you from relentlessly putting us on the locations that had more and or bigger fish than others. Your willingness to push the fishing party whomever they may be is a direct tribute to your dedication to striped bass as a species and the art of their pursuit.

I can tell instantly by the look in another fisherman's eye when they "have it bad," sometimes referred to as bass fever. Surf guys get it, boat guys get it, striped bass fisherman in general are all susceptible to it. From my observations, the extent to which you get it depends mostly on an individuals' desire to catch bass. I've "had it bad" for about five years now and can tell that you have had it much longer, and rightfully so. This trait is somewhat of a dying breed but for a select few individuals that don't sleep at night because of it. Its a pleasure fishing with someone else who has "got it bad."

Fisherman to fisherman, I really appreciate the compliment that you paid. You said, "You already know how to fish, all I have to do is put you on 'em and your gonna catch 'em. Guys like you make my job a lot easier." This means a lot to me, and gives some meaning to the countless nights I have spent clung to a rock in the middle of the night casting at sunken structure from the shore. I do know how to fish, and I have always done pretty well for a surfcaster, but have NEVER been on fish like the day you took us out. I hear other boat fisherman talk of it, though as a surfcaster don't often get the opportunity to experience it and even when I do, it never lasts that long. On the surf and from shore rocks, it just can't. Once the current changes and moves the bait, the bass go with it. That was an amazing trip, and you are a Stella captain. I sure do love to see others get really excited to catch stripers and can't thank you enough for your efforts.

Thank you also for the pictures, they came out great. I will look into my schedule this spring and see if I can get anyone to go with me to Susquehanna. I have a lot on my plate with buying my first house and getting married this July, but I'll be damned if I wont try to make it down in the spring. I realize the fishing is much different in the springtime and that bass wont be stacked like they were under the CBBT, but would love the opportunity to fish with you again. As far as next December or January, I am in for sure at the CBBT. You sold me on that one all too well.

Since my fishing habit is a usual buzz around the office, I referred you to a few guys that seemed interested in a charter. Hopefully they will put something together (and include me haha) to give you some more business.