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The
Martha's Vineyard Times is a weekly publication.
May 26 - June 1, 2005 Edition
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Season brings the loss of a best friend and fishing companion The Martha's Vineyard Times May 26, 2005 By Nelson Sigelman
The best relationships are built on trust, mutual respect, and the enjoyment derived from each other’s company. Some fishermen are talkers who like to be with other gabbers. Others prefer the company of fishermen who do not say a word. For Scott Patterson of West Tisbury, one of the Island’s best fly fishermen, his fishing partner was a barker — his beloved dog named Blue. Scotty and Blue were a familiar sight to most Island fishermen. Whether standing together perched on the rocks at the end of Tashmoo jetty or in Scott’s small tin boat, the two were inseparable. Blue was unique in that he willingly committed an offense that most fishermen would consider an unforgivable breach of behavior in most fishing partners. Whenever the fish appeared or Scott hooked a fish, Blue would spread the news as loudly as she could. Phil Cronin, another excellent fly fisherman, wrote to me to tell me of Blue’s death on Sunday, May 1 at a time of the year when Scotty would normally be anticipating the start of another Island fishing season. Losing a fishing partner leaves a void that even a good day of fishing will not easily fill. Phil wrote: “She was well known to many Vineyard anglers especially those of us who frequented the Tashmoo jetties or chased albies and bones close to shore on our boats.... The dog had an uncanny ability to spot fish before they showed on the surface and when she barked at something we would all start throwing our flies in the direction of her barking. The only problem Scott had with Blue was when we would hear Blue barking in the distance we knew Scott had found fish and being the good sports we are, gravitate directly toward the barking and end up standing shoulder to shoulder with Scott catching fish. He could never keep a productive spot secret for very long. Blue was as close a companion to Scott as a dog could possibly be.” It was only natural that Blue would love the outdoors and Scotty. She was born in Alaska of a union that included a Chow, a dog known for its sturdy character and loyalty to one owner. Blue, named after the mottled blue color of her tongue, arrived on the Island when her owner, a friend of Scott’s family, moved here from Alaska. When she left the Island Scott adopted Blue, or maybe it was the other way around. At first Scott would leave Blue behind when he went fishing, which was quite often. Blue did not like being left behind. It took a few trips in his tin boat, and a little coaxing to move her from the stern pinned against Scott to the bow in order to balance the boat, but once she got her sea legs Blue never again got left behind. Soon, Blue realized that splashes in the water meant fish and she liked fish. Of course, there were a few drawbacks. Blue’s barking, while it alerted Scotty, also alerted other fishermen. And there were the times Blue stepped on the fly line, losing Scott his fish. But all that was forgivable, said Scott. “I knew that was part of the risk.” Besides, how many fishing partners will let you use their hair to tie a fly, or even have enough hair to use? Blue went to work with Scott and went fishing with Scott. They were always together. She would not allow it to be any other way. “Every time I would go to get the boat ready, she would lay under the truck tires so I could not leave,” said Scott. Blue was a little past ten years of age when she died of cancer. Scott said he has been out a few times since she died but his heart has not really been in it. He admits it has been hard. “I would not have even been able to talk to you about it a few weeks ago,” he told me when I spoke to him on Friday. But he finds some comfort in the fact that she did not appear sick until the very end of her life. “I always dreaded her getting too old to be able go fishing with me and having to leave her at home, so I am kind of grateful that never happened.” Scott said that he plans to spread some of Blues ashes in all their favorite fishing spots. “I have just not been able to do it yet,” he said. Weather washout As I write this column the weather forecast calls for rain, clouds and wind until June 3, 2006. But I am optimistic the clouds will part and we will see the sun again before that date. After weeks of cold damp weather I have come to the conclusion that we need more, not less, global warming. Last Saturday I went fishing in Menemsha Pond dressed as though it was October. Actually, fishing conditions last October were warmer. The wind was blowing about 30 miles per hour out of the north and it was cold. I did not hook any fish but I did attract a few. I was casting a yellow Jumpin’ Minnow and several bass hit the plug like a missile launched from the deep knocking it into the air. For some reason — the surface action, the rattle embedded in the body or some characteristic known only to the fish — striped bass love this plug. It is possible that the weather will clear and the wind will start blowing out of the southwest. That is a favorable wind for Vineyard fishing. Should that happen I think it will motivate the schools of bluefish we normally see around this time to pick up the pace and hit the beach. East Beach on a falling tide and Cape Pogue gut on a rising tide fished from North Neck would be two very good location choices. It is possible the weather will remain lousy, which is a relative term for Island fishermen. Rain is not a problem. Fishermen are used to getting wet. The main factor affecting the weekend fishing is going to be wind direction. While northeast will limit options the weekend does not need to be a washout. I have some suggestions. Light tackle fishermen looking for bass might try walking along the lee shore of Cape Poge bay or Sengecontacket Pond casting small popping plugs. A good bet for a big fish would be fresh squid fished on the bottom along the South shore. Plug fishermen could also do well casting along the south shore or for hardier fishermen, beneath Gay Head. Fishermen heading out this weekend might also want to consider joining Dick’s Bait and Tackle Memorial Day weekend fishing tournament. The contest is a lot of fun. Have a safe fun Memorial Day weekend and pause for at least a moment to remember those who sacrificed to make it possible. Past Favorites: Fisherman artist captures spirit of Derby grand slam, October 14, 2004 This fishing Derby is not a man's world, October 7, 2004 59th Bass and Bluefish Derby heads into home stretch, September 30, 2004 For angler Olga Hirshhorn, a dream comes true, September 23, 2004 59th Derby off to quick, sometimes nutty start, September 16, 2004 Catch some luck in the 59th annual bass and bluefish Derby, September 9, 2004 Tuna madness big and small takes over the Island, September 2, 2004 Dr. Play keeps his life's priorities in order, August 26, 2004 Derby welcomes three new members to hall of fame, August 19, 2004 Commercial fisherman finds literary success and fans, August 12, 2004 Fishermen urged to play it safe on the water, August 5, 2004 First impressions are lasting in the art of gyotaku, July 29, 2004 Big rods, big fish, shark tournament draws a crowd, July 22, 2004 Mike Amaral wears the crown of the fluke king, July 15, 2004 It's no fluke, the tournament's this weekend, July 8, 2004 Chronicle of Island fishing adventures, now a classic, is republished, July 1, 2004 Charter captains weather costs and deliver fishing fun, June 24, 2004 Finding the fish is the easy part, June 17, 2004 Game fly fishermen persevere in weekend tourney, June 10, 2004 One fishing photo is worth 1,000 words, June 3, 2004 Fishing begins to heat up for the holiday weekend, May 27, 2004 Beginning where this angler left off, May 20, 2004 Familiarity breeds success in Kids' Trout Derby, May 13, 2004 Thieves Steal Poles, Not Derby Spirit, October 16, 2003 Word Always Gets Around in the 58th Derby, October 9, 2003 Kids Day Derby Provides a Successful Fishing Bouillabaisse, October 2, 2003 Derby Fishing Is a Challenge, but There Are Theories, September 25, 2003 Changes in 58th Derby, September 18, 2003 Good Derby Fishermen Know How to Prepare, September 11, 2003 King Livens Up the Vineyard Fishing Stage, September 4, 2003 Fishless Angler Sets Off to See the Sights, August 28, 2003 Island Fishermen Lured Offshore by Promise of Tuna, August 21,2003 Island Bass Fishermen Survive, August 14, 2003 When the Fish Aren’t Biting, Might As Well Do Chores, August 7, 2003 For Anglers, It's Now Bonito Time, July 31, 2003 Newest Derby Inductees Are Hall of Famers in Any League, July 24, 2003 Fishermen Do Not Get to Say Peep about Norton Point Beach Fee Hike, July 17,2003 Mon Dieu, Winning Fish was Quite a Fluke, July 10, 2003 Prey and Predator Confused On Buggy Night of Fishing, July 3, 2003 Pond Openings Hold Fish and Risk for Anglers, June 26, 2003 For an Angling Father, Something Fishy's Always Welcome, June 12, 2003 Despite Pain of It, Anglers Carry On, June 5, 2003 Fishing, Fishing Supplies & Boat Charters Business Listing |
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