Lisa Belcastro
A fin-tastic weekend: Fishing season is coming
Is anyone else tired of winter storms and canceled ferries?
Last Wednesday, I received an email from On the Water reminding me that spring is...
For the love of the cast
I was talking with a friend on Monday, technically a work call, but we spent more time talking about fishing than work. He shared...
Banquets, surfcasting, and Taylor Swift
Super Bowl Weekend. Love or hate it, it’s a national event. To be truthful, I don’t watch football. Until I started writing this column,...
Ice Fishing, at Least We Hope So
Last Saturday, it was twenty-one degrees outside when I drove to Coop’s Bait and Tackle Shop to talk with Coop Gilkes about ice fishing....
Mother Nature and the Fate of Fishing
The other day, I ran into Pat Toomey in Stop & Shop, and he very nicely said, “I’m determined to go fishing at sunset,...
Chappy: An Island way of life
Have you ever been to Chappy? Have you driven on the beach, parked by the water, and shared a day with family and friends,...
Casting into the New Year
The last day of 2023 began with a fun text conversation.
Friend: “What are you doing today?”
Me: “Going out looking for holdovers.”
Friend: “I think it’s...
Fishing and other 2024 goals and resolutions
I don’t know how the rest of you feel, but I can’t believe 2023 is almost over. I’m still struggling with the fact that...
What are the fishers asking from Santa?
Dear Santa,
Do you fish? Maybe some ice fishing at the North Pole, with Rudolph pulling your sleigh full of fish? I hope so, because...
How do you like your oysters?
Oysters. They are as much a part of the Island culture as the Campground cottages or the traffic at Five Corners, or Morning Glory...
The perfect gift for your fisherman
December. The month of holidays and parties and celebrations in all our Island towns, and, of course, gift giving. Please note that I did...
’Tis the season: Scallop season
There is something magical about this time of year. The holidays, gathering with family and friends, extra focus on gratitude and blessings, making or...
A Food Minded Fellow who fishes
I confess, I’ve eaten Tog Fish Stew for six days straight after fishing with Johnny Hoy last week (bit.ly/MVT_TogsHoy). I’ve shared conversations and bowls...
Tog fishing with Johnny Hoy
Have you ever been tautog fishing? Have you eaten fresh-caught tautog?
I love to fish, pretty much all fish and any day of the week,...
Fishing celebrations and movies
Last Saturday, Larry’s Tackle Shop hosted its annual OctoberFish celebration and award ceremony.
“It was awesome,” said Peter Sliwkowski, co-owner of Larry’s with his wife,...
Fishing is a year-round sport with the MVSA
The weather has turned cold this week. The idea of getting up at 5 am in 40° temperatures to chase fish is less appealing,...
Fishing Report: Octoberfish
Avid fishermen rarely need an excuse to fish. What could be better than a beautiful fall day in the surf or on the water,...
Derby dreams
I can’t believe it. The 78th Martha’s Vineyard Striped Bass and Bluefish Derby is over.
Every year I wake up on the Monday after the...
The tides they are a-changin’
We are in the final week of the 35-day Martha’s Vineyard Bass and Bluefish Derby. Don’t blink, though, because the leaderboard is changing, and...
Two weeks of change
The last two weeks of the Derby are heart-pounding, thrilling, frustrating, and a whole lot of fun. The pressure is on, and the leaderboard...