By John Merwin

So Mrs. Merwin and I are headed for Cape Cod in the morning, an annual fall vacation on which we generally follow the migratory route of the fried clam. We will also of course be looking for stripers like this one that ate one of my homemade plugs down there a few years back.

Getting ready is not half the fun. Like Joe Cermele and his fishing log, my good intentions far exceed my abilities at organization. In this household, the most terrifying words sound like: “Honey, what did I do with the....?” You pick the item.

Whatever, it’s essential, and I can’t find it.

I have met people whose outdoor gear is supremely well organized. I envy them. I have never been able to do that. If I put something in the classic “safe place,” it seems like I forget where almost immediately. If I just set something down randomly, it’s as good as 
gone. I do know this isn’t an age thing. It’s been that way all my life. If I sat with two pair of pliers in an otherwise empty room, one pair would be lost within 5 minutes.

As soon as I stop typing here, I’ll be rummaging in the basement for surfcasting gear. I know it’s there somewhere beyond the trout and bass tackle that have seen more recent action. And yes, charging up my laptop so I can blog-post live from the Cape next week.

Those readers who have asked for more saltwater-style yarns will find them here starting Monday morning.

That is assuming I can find my old surf bag this afternoon. And by the way, where in hell are my boat keys?

Comments (10)

from buckhunter wrote 2 years 35 weeks ago

I find happiness in the fact that I'm not a very organized person. If I can't find something or I do not have something that I need. I don't care. That little inconvenience is a small trade off for not having to spend time and money organizing things that I either won't use or find anyway no matter where I put it.

Good luck this week John and that is a very nice looking homemade plug.

+1 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

from Dave DiBenedetto wrote 2 years 35 weeks ago

Go get 'em, John. I'm jealous. -D

+1 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

from Rick wrote 2 years 35 weeks ago

John,

if you're anywhere near Falmouth, and want to swing by the OTW office shoot me an e-mail (rbach@onthewater.com) Hope you light 'em up out here.

+1 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

from bigjake wrote 2 years 35 weeks ago

ggood luck at the cape, On my beaches the run is a little slow so far this fall, see a few caught but no action for me yet.

+3 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

from Bella wrote 2 years 35 weeks ago

Good striper fishing off Monomoy...Personally I tend to stay away from the Cape at all costs betwixt Memorial and Labor days. The 3 hour traffic jams just don't do it for me. The beach in summer never appealed to me anyway, all them folks lying about like Seals in a rookery. What better evidence that we evolved from Sea Apes than this annual return to the breeding grounds on the strand...(look there's a Beachmaster!)

+2 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

from jbird wrote 2 years 35 weeks ago

Good luck fishing. I too, have the ability to misplace stuff. I'm currently looking for my rangefinder.

+1 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

from fisherman14 wrote 2 years 35 weeks ago

The striper fishing is great this time of year up here in the cape!!! happy fishing!!

+1 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

from steve182 wrote 2 years 35 weeks ago

have fun, tight lines

0 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

from Douglas wrote 2 years 35 weeks ago

I drove into the jaws of Cape Cod traffic in August. Never again!
I went fishing at night during high tide and got drove off by mosquitos and no see ums. Daylight saw throngs of thongs and not much fishing action.
From here on in, I will follow Mr. Merwins lead and visit during the off season. That, or spring for an off shore charter.

0 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

from Jimmy Fee wrote 2 years 35 weeks ago

What needlefish is that? Thanks.

0 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

Post a Comment

 

All submitted comments are subject to the rules set forth in our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.

from bigjake wrote 2 years 35 weeks ago

ggood luck at the cape, On my beaches the run is a little slow so far this fall, see a few caught but no action for me yet.

+3 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

from Bella wrote 2 years 35 weeks ago

Good striper fishing off Monomoy...Personally I tend to stay away from the Cape at all costs betwixt Memorial and Labor days. The 3 hour traffic jams just don't do it for me. The beach in summer never appealed to me anyway, all them folks lying about like Seals in a rookery. What better evidence that we evolved from Sea Apes than this annual return to the breeding grounds on the strand...(look there's a Beachmaster!)

+2 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

from buckhunter wrote 2 years 35 weeks ago

I find happiness in the fact that I'm not a very organized person. If I can't find something or I do not have something that I need. I don't care. That little inconvenience is a small trade off for not having to spend time and money organizing things that I either won't use or find anyway no matter where I put it.

Good luck this week John and that is a very nice looking homemade plug.

+1 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

from Dave DiBenedetto wrote 2 years 35 weeks ago

Go get 'em, John. I'm jealous. -D

+1 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

from Rick wrote 2 years 35 weeks ago

John,

if you're anywhere near Falmouth, and want to swing by the OTW office shoot me an e-mail (rbach@onthewater.com) Hope you light 'em up out here.

+1 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

from jbird wrote 2 years 35 weeks ago

Good luck fishing. I too, have the ability to misplace stuff. I'm currently looking for my rangefinder.

+1 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

from fisherman14 wrote 2 years 35 weeks ago

The striper fishing is great this time of year up here in the cape!!! happy fishing!!

+1 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

from steve182 wrote 2 years 35 weeks ago

have fun, tight lines

0 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

from Douglas wrote 2 years 35 weeks ago

I drove into the jaws of Cape Cod traffic in August. Never again!
I went fishing at night during high tide and got drove off by mosquitos and no see ums. Daylight saw throngs of thongs and not much fishing action.
From here on in, I will follow Mr. Merwins lead and visit during the off season. That, or spring for an off shore charter.

0 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

from Jimmy Fee wrote 2 years 35 weeks ago

What needlefish is that? Thanks.

0 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

Post a Comment

 

All submitted comments are subject to the rules set forth in our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.