Gavin Smith
There is more than one way to fry chicken
A few years ago I had the pleasure of working with Chef John Wilson of Water Street Kitchen in Woods Hole. In the off-season...
Recipe: Ginger Brussels Sprouts
Growing up, my family had several recipes that appeared at every holiday feast, none of which I will be sharing with you. Not because...
Final Derby days
The Martha’s Vineyard Striped Bass and Bluefish Derby is nearly complete, and the general consensus around the Island is, things have been slow.
Last week’s...
Fishing responsibly
The Martha’s Vineyard Striped Bass and Bluefish Derby is just about at its halfway point. As can be expected, some days have been more...
Derby’s in full swing
The Martha’s Vineyard Striped Bass and Bluefish Derby is in full swing, and just a few days in, I for one have been giving...
Fishing into fall
The bonito have held in strong, finally moving into Menemsha in the same kind of numbers that they were appearing down-Island for weeks. I...
Fishing is heating up
It’s been an interesting summer for me. Though fish have been caught consistently all summer, I haven’t been the one catching them. It’s not...
Bluefish are in
Saturday was a good day for bluefish. I have been hearing from several people that they haven’t seen bluefish in large numbers, or of...
Scup is an underrated eating fish
This week I didn’t get out fishing much. With only one day to wet a line, and the ambition to cook my catch, my...
Learning to fish all over again
For several years, I have thought about trying my hand at fly-fishing. Something about the intention and focus it requires just speaks to me....
Fishing Report: Stripers moving in relentlessly
Fishing, to me, is worth losing a little sleep over. This week I sacrificed my slumber for the opportunity to fish several times. I...
Fishing Report: Tourneys spring into action
It was a beautiful Memorial Day weekend. The towns and beaches were flooded with visitors and Island residents alike enjoying the sunny weather. Though...
Spring migration
Spring is in the air, and I have been clamoring to get back out on the beaches to fish from shore. Though I did...
Pasta on point
Every year I try to do something new to better myself. Last year I took a long road trip and staged with a chef...
Setting the stage
Chefs have a long tradition of “staging” (pronounced more like stodging), in which you go and work in a kitchen with chefs you would...
A tale of two shortbreads
Every year around the holidays my father would dig through the cupboards for his hefty ceramic shortbread molds. He carefully made dozens of shortbreads...
Late season blitz
With fewer and fewer boats in the water, I have been fishing mostly from shore. I seldom leave home without a bag full of...
Fall bite is on
The weather finally feels like fall. Cold nights, brisk mornings, and steady winds. You don’t have to look far to find the avid anglers...
Derby days are gone, but the fish are not
The Derby is over, and the crowds of anglers have largely left the beaches and jetties. The Derby headquarters is now vacant. Boats are...
Homesick for some real fishing
Last week my wife and I traveled to Santa Barbara, Calif., to visit our insanely cute newborn nephew and, of course, his parents. Meeting...