CR inshore

words given to me in a recent conversation, I could not agree more!

Stripers -- In the CSMA it seems obvious that successful spawning will continue to be a challenge in the forseable future.  So, KEEP THE NETS OUT OF THE WATER ABOVE THE FERRY LINES and do not allow any commercial harvest of stripers.  No drift nets for shad either, that is such an insignificant commercial fishery right now anyway.  If anyone wants to fish commercially for shad, then they can do it with a hook and line and keep a set number per day.  If stripers are going to end up as a put-grow-take fishery, then recreational anglers need to have access to that fishery.  Perhaps 1-2 per day with a slot limit of 18 - 24".  

Down East corporate group

4 boat loads of trout fishermen yesterday.......they got 'em

my afternoon yesterday

Capt. Chris getting it done!

anyone want to fish a billifsh tournament?

Got a couple of openings in the next two legs.

Very slack on reports

You get all you want by sitting on the jon in the morning looking at facebook.   Guess what?   The trout are biting and they may just make it thorugh the winter.   If you want to go, we've got some guides who can get you out there.

Meanwhile, we have been busy the last couple of weeks with some billfish tournaments.  Nothing dramatic, but consistent daily catches keeping us in the hunt which feels a lot better than out to lunch.   Fishing here is mixed, kind of tough with the billifish, still almost daily shots at marlin and a handful of sails on most days, others a little more and some days less.  some dorado around and the tunas have saved a lot of days.   All in all, we've been making it happen.

Now that we've got a break from the tourneys, Anna and I will be reaching out about reconfirming trips on the books for NC 2020 and confirming those reservations with deposits.   If you are not on the books or are unsuure, now would be a good time to reach out.

All the best from the tropics,

almost as big as a tarpon

Churchill Brown

Churchill,

All the best from the tropics.  Before Anna and I arrived, we had the opportunity to have lunch with Jim Copland who informed us.  We were both shocked at the news of the passing of your father.   He was a fine example of a true southern gentleman who loved the fine things in life and he received some of his greatest joy by treating and sharing those things with the ones he loved.   It was my pleasure to help bring some value along the way.   

He loved being a part of it all, even and especially if that meant sitting in a porch chair watching the storm instead of being out in the storm.   He took things at his own pace and enjoyed every minute of life and every fish.   It was not a competition for him and all the guides loved fishing with him.

I am so sorry for your sudden loss and my heart reaches out to you.  

for those who use Barden's Inlet........

He appreciated every one of them. Another loss of a great fisherman and friend

George,

        Thank you for some epic trips. My dad really had some struggles the last couple of times that he fished with you, myself, Christian and Murphy. It was his dream to try to make it back to Cape Lookout to fish one last time. The last few years on him took its toll, especially the COPD. I just wanted to tell you that he always thought you were a stand-up guy. He thought a lot of you and loved to pick at you. Sometimes he was worried that he may have said the wrong thing and aggravated you. But if he hadn’t of liked and respected you he would not have picked at you. He appreciated how hard you worked to make a person on you boat have the experience of a life time. He told me many times after we had returned from a trip with you “ Do you know he did not stop all day long! He was continuously moving”. He caught the biggest fish of his life with you one evening. And so far it’s the biggest fish we have caught with you. He kept saying to me “ I caught the biggest fish, you didn’t catch one that big.” We started home the next morning and stopped in Bayboro to get some breakfast. He was messing with me about the fish he had caught. ( We were always picking at one another ) So I told him if I heard one more word about that damn fish that I was going to let him out of the truck and not even my mother could find him in the eastern part of the state. He acted like he zipped his mouth shut and hardly spoke from Bayboro to McCleansville. Which is just west Burlington, N.C. As soon as we walked into his house the first words out of his mouth to my mom was “ Honey, I did it again, I caught the biggest fish.” “ Someone had to show them how to catch fish.” In jest, “ I told him that I knew I should have left him on the side of the road.” Again I want to thank you for the memories. It’s been an honor and a privilege to fish with you through the years. He thought of you as a friend. It didn’t really matter about the fish, but it was the experience and the fellowship, the time that was spent out on the water. God bless you and Anna. May your seas be calm and your lines tight. Until I see you again my friend.

       Thanks for all you’ve done,

                    Barry