06.14.25 MV Day 9 and home to Jersey...

      

     Well my last day wasn't really a day at all. With only a couple of hours sleep after a late night talk session with the boys I had to make sure I was in Vineyard Haven for my 630 ferry. The trip was over, and now the countdown to next years trip begins. When I got to the terminal they let me know I in fact had a 730 trip over, but they squeezed me onto the 6 am ferry and I was off. 

     As the ferry crossed Vineyard Sound I saw the other ferry starting the day bringing people over on the early Friday into the weekend push of people. Everyday the ferries will bring tourists, tons of vehicles, with tons of traffic, and for the local businesses that depend on revenue, a much needed influx of cash. I also saw the boats lined up at the rip at Middle Ground, a place that sits between the Vineyard and Elizabeth Islands, a magnet of a place for striped bass, squid, and other baits.

The line was already formed when I crested the Cape Cod Canal bridge bringing people who will go right to the ferry terminal at Falmouth, or left heading onto Cape Cod. 

     So it was a bit weird leaving the island, a little more lighter then when I arrived. I came with a ladder and a boat, and I left without a ladder or a boat. Both left for the locals to use, and get better use out of it, then them just sitting in my yard at home. The ladder wasn't much but had served me well for years up there. 

     The boat, the SS Archer in the making I'm sure, was purchased with one place in my mind, Menemsha Pond. I lugged it up there this year, it's second trip, with the intention of selling it when I got back. Over the week I had to explain to wondering minds what it was, how it worked, and if I had built it. It really is a cool designed vessel, and I can't wait to see what becomes of it. 

     Abe has a crew of young anglers up there and he and one of them were all jazzed up when I went through it while we visited The Shed. When Abe said, "This belongs on the island", I knew no sales pitch was needed". He was right, it does belong there, I think it's the perfect one man sight fishing thing you could ask for, although Joe Calvecechia's Hobie set up looked just as perfect. So the three of them split the bill and it was left on the island, and I was relieved, as I didn't want to do the Facebook Marketplace routine of 1,000 questions, promises, and failed sales. 

     When I arrived home I got some different welcomes, my dog, Luke, nearly soiled himself, while Theresa said, "You should have just stayed". Not that I was expecting Theresa to soil herself but a little more of a, "Boy, I missed you" would have been a bit nicer. But I know she said "stayed" with all the love and understanding a fly fisherman's wife can muster up.

     And of course, as I always do, I went fishing the day after I arrived home. My striped friends were waiting for me and I think they dam neared soiled themselves because there were many and they were active. I also got reminded of what lurks along the banks of the waters I fish, 

there's no horseshoe crabs here underfoot, but syringes used by the people who lurk in the shadows at night and fight their addictions and past. I hadn't unpacked my truck yet, and surely didn't have access to my Delaware River fly selection at the ready so I just went with what I could put my hands on. My fly would be one that Abe tied and gave me, "Perfect for when the mullet are around". So that would have to do. And it did.

     Well there must have been a mob of mullet making their way downriver because that fly got swiped, tail slapped, inhaled, and buried into the lips of more fish then I caught all week on the Vineyard. The bite lasted the meaty part of the dropping tide before I switched spools and went 

for an intermediate line. I also switched over to a hookless fly just wanting to watch them react to the fly in the water, which included several eats and spits, well they didn't spit it, they just can't be hooked on flies with no hooks. Although one time this spring I did, when the Squimpish material wrapped around ones lips and it couldn't become unglued. 

     The river is approaching Juneish conditions. Running about 15,000 cfs with temps ranging from 68-74 depending on the time of day and the sun. They'll be gathered up in the faster and broken water where food comes down past them along with the higher oxygen concentrated water. I'm really just about done, with nothing to prove, and if I go it's just to clear my mind and have a quick outing. But I know this, if I didn't go to the Vineyard this week, it could have been a 100 fish week here at home. 

     And to recap the Vineyard 2025 trip. It was a win all the way around. Great guys, great house, some good fishing, but overall less than perfect conditions for sight fishing. It just comes with the territory. 

Some thoughts if you go, 

1. Just go. Book a trip now, really to anywhere. Pay it off along the way. Eventually it will be go time.

2. Make your ferry reservations way in advance. There's no more stand-by so do it early.

3. Fill up before you get over. It's about +/- $1.50 dollar a gallon difference over there. And you do a lot of driving when you're jumping spots at different times of the day. 

4. Figure out the right tides at the right locations. It's an island so the water fills in and drains differently at different spots. 

5. Check the weather and adjust accordingly. I was hell-bent on sight fishing at Spot X, but might have been better served, and caught more, if I wasn't so narrow minded. 

6. Listen to those who have more experience, they know more and get it done more consistently than you do. 

7. But, fish and try to catch the way you want to. Blind casting is great, but not catching the way you want to will leave you less than fulfilled. 

8. Bring bug spray, when the wind dies the bugs will find you. And sun block as well. 

9. Throw some paper towels and wipes in your sling pack, especially if you drop Aussie Bites in your mouth like M & M's the day before, you'll get caught out there, trust me. 

10. Bring some water and a snack, those 6 hour tides are long, especially if you are like me and can't stay in one place for too long. A lot of these places are long walks from the car.

11. Plan on fishing in the sun, then going back and taking a nap, as evening and night fishing is a thing. Have a headlamp at the ready.

12. Think small, like real small, those early sand eels are like grains of rice. Not Jersey sand eels.

13. Be prepared to try something or some new spots, that's how you become better, even if you have to travel 5 miles over ankle breaking rocks.

14. When your bud tells you to 'Keep walking", and not giving up after 45 minutes, there's a reason.

15. Take lots of pictures, not just fish pictures. Yes, memories get etched in your mind, but if you don't take them you'll never have a portfolio of what might become your favorite fishing place. 

16. Stay away from the tourist trap food spots, they are pricey, like $68 for a 1-1/2 pound lobster, an ear of corn, and some butter. 

17. Massachusetts outlawed plastic bottles, so there's no Poland Spring as such. Also, there's no flavored tobacco products, or plastic bags from the markets. 

18. Clam chowder can be offered in a few ways, liquidity or thick. Most places will allow a sample before you buy. 

19. Make sure you have rain gear as the weather can change here on a dime, it did for us. 

20. Support the local fly shops. A lot of these shops use locally and expertly tied flies. "Custom", aka Joe Calcevechia did a fly drop. Coops and Kismet are great places to stop, not only for gear and flies, for some local intel as well. 

20. And surround yourself with good people, they make a great trip even better. In fact, they just make life better. 

And as far as trip pics, here you go....

Favorite overall pic-

Favorite best-two-buds pic-

Best fish of the trip pic- taken by Joe "Custom" Calcevechia-

My best my fish of the fish trip pic-

Favorite no-one takes pics of me so I do it myself pic-

Favorite having a great time catching pic-

Coolest animals doing animal things video, the mallards hunting YOY herring-

Best relese video-

Favorite casting pic-

Favorite best hang pic-

Favorite "We got a good house" pic-

Best "Theresa they liked your food" pic-

And best, "Am I gay for this guy?" pic-

And lastly, a PSA, watch this combo pic-

     So I am already looking at the calendar for 2026. I looked up the moon phases and it's new on the 15th and full on the 29th. This year the trip was nine days in total, with day 1 and 9 the travel days. I would like to extend it next year, by like two weeks, wouldn't that be a hoot. 

     I think I came to the conclusion that I might be able to call the Vineyard home. What would hold me back? Work of course. But they have a hospital, so I could do that. They just have some people in need of some mental health help, so I could open a practice. Theresa could do her reiki/ reflexology, and doula work there, or I could just dust off the Captain's license and get the Jones Brother's fired up. Of course that would be after a time of learning the water's that surround the island. 

     I found a nice place in Chilmark, which is Up-Island, near my favorite places to fish. Guys, if I do grab this, unfortunately, I'll have to have you chip in a few shekels if you come, I'd need some help to help defray some of the cost of the taxes.