As I wrote this column lying lazily on my living room couch on a rather sleepy, cloudy Sunday afternoon, I should have been relaxing in Bermuda for a quick and much needed vacation. But that was not the case.
Alas, the remnants of Hurricane Milton, which slammed into Florida last week, were also to batter the small island 650 miles east of North Carolina.
Needless to say, Terie and I canceled our trip, given the extended inclement weather that was expected there. Game over. We were also originally scheduled to be on a 30-day European cruise out of Rotterdam that ultimately was to conclude in Fort Lauderdale at the end of October.
That too was scrubbed a few weeks ago due to medical issues and concerns. A trip to Hawaii was also canceled back in January. That said, Terie and I did take advantage of the beautiful crisp fall weather Friday to enjoy an excursion to the North Fork. The ferry rides via Shelter Island in the clear morning sun were blissful.
Upon our arrival in Greenport, I headed west and in about five miles made a left turn and entered Nassau Point in Cutchogue. Nassau Point, which juts abruptly south separating Little and Great Peconic Bay, holds some very fond memories of my youth.
There, from 1972 to 1975, I spent eight full weeks each summer at Camp Wawokiye, a coed camp that was operated by the Kist family. I had a great time there.
In addition to the large, white main house that was adorned with emerald green shutters, Wawokiye had six redwood cabins, three for the boys and three for the girls, each with two toilets and running water for use by the 70 campers.
Two other cabins served as a recreation hall and an arts and crafts center. The recreation cabin, where we watched corny comedy movies, put on plays, and held weekly dances, remains complete, with a large stone fireplace.
As kids during those long-gone summer months, we had no concerns of the world. We were just happy flipping baseball cards, playing pranks on each other, writing letters or postcards to our parents, swimming in the warm bay waters, or playing softball on the grass field just off Wunneweta Road. Life was simple.
The Wednesday night dance was a highlight. I experienced my first kiss with a girl in my last year there in that rustic cabin before a camp counselor abruptly broke us apart. Rules and proper conduct were strictly enforced.
After several decades of operation, Wawokiye closed down in 1979, but the remnants of the softball field and wooden sideline benches can still be seen from the road till this very day. I have many great memories and enjoy reading and seeing the pictures that are occasionally posted by my fellow campers on the Wawokiye Facebook page.
Those summers were probably some of the best days of my life. Thank you, Wawokiye. It was good to be back there again.
The season for blackfish opened Friday for those who fish in Long Island Sound. After our visit to my old camp, and a few other stops in between, Terie and I finally ended up at the boat basin in Orient off to the east.
Capt. Rich Jensen of the charter boat Nancy Ann IV had just returned from his first blackfish trip of the season, and the fishing had been excellent.
For many decades, Jensen has been widely regarded as one of the best at hunting down the toothy and tasty fish. If you want to charter him, you’d be wise to book a year in advance. He’s that popular.
“It was a great start to the season,” he said with a smile. “We got our limit of fish and came back to the dock early. There were also a ton of throwbacks.”
Joel Fisher of Sag Harbor also got out on opening day, and he and a buddy landed their respective three-fish limit in about 20 feet of water. The season for blackfish beyond Long Island Sound in New York waters opened on Tuesday. Anglers there wetting a line can retain four fish a day over 16 inches.
Sebastian Gorgone at Mrs. Sam’s Bait and Tackle in East Hampton was enthused about the ocean surf action for striped bass. “Bass of all sizes have been taken,” he said. “Stripers are also being taken off Sammy’s Beach on the bay side.” Gorgone suggests casting a small diamond jig with a teaser tied a foot or two above the shiny lure that mimics a slender baitfish.
Like calamari? Then head to Montauk. The night bite has been rather consistent of late for the tasty cephalopods that have been ranging in size from bullets up to 18 inches in length. But expect slower nights if the bluefish show up, scattering the easily frightened squid.
The party boat Ebb Tide II out of Montauk has been on the scene on most nights when the winds allow. On good nights, some anglers have landed upward of 75 pieces on their nearby trips. Departure times vary, so check out the schedule at ebbtidefishing.com. The Viking Starlight is also doing open-boat excursions.
Get ’em while you can. And please invite me over for dinner.
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Fishing tips, observations, and photographs can be sent to [email protected].