Sunday, December 28, 2014

Merry CHRISTmas, Happy New Year and Mini-Newsletter

Captain's Message: 
I am Blessed, with a "B", thanks to God, with a "G".  A beautiful and supportive wife with whom I am very proud and very happy.   Great friends and family with whom I would like to spend more time.    My mom and dad are still with me and I'm old enough to appreciate that gift.  My health is better than I deserve, especially considering the abuse under which I have put my body.

This path that Anna and I have chosen is not and easy one and forces us to pick up our belongings and relocate every few months.   Hopefully we leave a little more root in the ground than when we arrived, making it easier to "reconnect" when we return.  It seems that once we are settled into an area  it's time to pack up the "office in a box" and head off to the Roanoke or River Dunes or Morehead or Costa Rica or explore some other exotic locale.  We may not see our friends or family for many months.

As this year winds down and I reflect on the past 12 months, I have to admit that I have enjoyed slowing down a little and spending more time "on the hill" or more specifically "in the office".  I finally came to the realization that I can't continue to work on the water as many days as I did 10 or 20 years ago.  Don't get me wrong, I'm still going to be out there fishing, but I will be spending more time helping people with their trips to Costa Rica, Argentina, Belize or getting them hooked up with a Down East Guide right here in North Carolina.

Who knows, maybe this is the year that I come out of the Dark Ages and get an I-phone, start managing a facebook account or maybe sign up on instagram...whatever that is?  For now, the best way to stay in touch is to pick up the phone and dial 252-671-3474 (FISH) or send us an e mail at info@downeastguideservice.com.  If you go through the effort of calling, please, please leave a message and remember DO NOT SEND TEXTS, there is now way we can receive texts if we are in Costa Rica.

This past year I spent some time riding along with customers on trips with our Down East Guides,  learning some of their tricks and passing out some from by bag.  In 2015, I look forward to fishing more often with our guides, getting to know them better and making sure that they have the tools, knowledge, patience and desire to give you the best fishing trip possible.  I know that they are doing a great job because our 2015 calendar is already getting very, very full. 

I strongly encourage you to make your reservations as soon as possible for the following peak seasons: 
Roanoke River Stripers:  April keeper season.     May is catch and release and the best fly action.
Sight Casting Cobia in May                                 August and September:  Giant Red Drum

Not Too Late for Costa Rica
Although the Dragin Fly is booked until April, there are still some other great boats with openings.
We're looking for two or three couples or a group of  at least4 anglers for a Valentine's Costa Rica trip.   Send us an e mail and we'll pass along the details.

May brings in Costa Rica Discounts
Beginning April 15, save $1000 on our Costa Rica packages. For trips in May, we will discount an additional $500, including our overnight seamount trips.

Overnight Seamount Trips    
The word is out about the best blue marlin fishing on the planet and the popularity of these multi-day trips has soared.  Availability in June, July and August is extremely limited for overnight trips to the seamounts.  We still have openings in May and will extend a $500 discount for May only.

Looking for July Duck Hunters
The dates are set for two trips that I am organizing in July for duck and dove hunts in Argentina.  Send me an e mail for the dates and details.

Belize Anyone?
I'm ready for some shallow water flats fishing and maybe even some scuba diving.  Belize is the place to go, anyone want to join me?  Let me know when you want to go and we'll get a group together.

Two Dates set for Down East University 
Details are still coming together, but the dates are set for two Down East Universities, based out of River Dunes on the lower Neuse River and Pamlico Sound:   August 24-26  or September 13-15.
To make recommendations on classes, topics or to sign up, shoot me an e mail.

Merry CHRISTmas and in 2015 we wish you tight lines, calm seas and Blessings.

Capt. George