Dalton and Chelsie Jackson Action

Dalton and Chelsie were great partners at the Carters' dock. They caught some fish, had some fun, and stayed up late.

Dalton's Grouper

Sailors' Choice

Scruffy got in on the action.

Chelsie caught lots of Rockfish.

She caught the first fish of the night.

She is quite the outdoors girl.

She can't guite pucker up

like the fish can, though.

Brother and sister, and friends, too.

It was a night to build memories.

Thank you, Dalton and Chelsie. It was fun!

Honoring Granddaddy Stephens

Six years ago, this month, Granddaddy Stephens' life on earth ended. We celebrate his memory. We celebrate his legacy. Visit this post over the next few weeks. It will be dedicated to him.

Traci, Granddaddy Stephens, Tami

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My Fishin' Buddy

*

My fishin' buddy called today,

And left this message, just for me.

"I'll come a six without delay,

So please be ready, if you're free."

He brings the drinks and goodies, too.

We stay out late, sometimes till three.

*

The moonlight fishing that we do

Renews the body and the soul,

And lifts our spirits when we're blue.

With tackle boxes and our poles,

We act like kids into the night,

There, at our favorite fishin' hole.
*

We don't tell lies, but, stretch we might,

If what we're catchin' looks too small.

Those little fish are quite a sight

When fishin' buddies' tales are tall.

The minnows that we caught last spring

Are monsters in our minds this fall.

*

My fishin' buddy is a king,

A cherished friend, a noble man.

His praises, I will always sing.

Because of him my joy began.

His daughter is my catch, you know.

I thank him every time I can.

*

My buddy fishes like a pro

When catching catfish or a shad,

What's more, with all the Faith he shows,

He seems to me, just like a dad.

I'm thankful, and I love him so,

The father that I never had.

*

Happy Father's Day, Tommy.

Families and Memories Are Forever.

Copyright - Gordon Hand - 2002

Kayla, Gordon (Papa), and Granddaddy, Tommy Stephens with his big Red Fish.

Baisdens' Beauties

Even on tax day, I enjoyed an evening (into the night) of fishing and laughter with four of the Baisden siblings and my grand-daughter, Kendra.

Paige and Kendra seemed totally contented to let the guys do the hard part of fishing (actually fishing). They were very good at the subtleties of fishing (giving encouragement to others).

Parker amazed me with his natural instincts with a Rapala lure. The Spotted Sea Trout he caught would have made any fisherman proud. These two were only part of his big haul.

He even learned how to throw my small cast-net. We will smoke some of the mullet to make fish dip.

Logan and Camden caught their first fish, ever. I always insist that a fisherman's first love should be kissed to make it unforgettable.

Logan caught a Sailor's Choice, and could not have been happier.

Camden had the aptitude, the will, and the purservearence of someone twice his age. He is going to be a terrific fisherman with a genuine love for the outdoors. His first fish was a catfish, which he willingly kissed.. What a nice night it was on the river! We need to do it again, soon.

The Red Tailed Cooler

This fine fellow was caught at Vilano

Beach inlet, during an evening trip to,

my friend, Melvin Carter's dock,

easily the best fishing spot jn

northeast Florida. Click on the cooler

to better appreciate the "Red Fish".

The picture inspired the following poem.

*****

*****

The Red Tailed Cooler

The Officer of Fish and Game

said,"Sir, I must surmise,

from looking at this cooler,

that your fish is oversize.

You must not break our fishing laws,

regardless of the prize!"

"I know you want the truth." I said,

"I'll tell you, without fail.

There is no need to cuff me, sir,

and haul me off to jail.

This cooler you're concerned about

has, simply, grown a tail!"

Copyright - Gordon Hand

Sharing the Bounty - Camp Shands

My Son, Bryan, fish-fry chef extraordinaire.

Each spring for the last seven years, I have had the opportunity to provide a fish dinner for adult scouters at the closing luncheon of the LDS, North Florida Council, Boy Scouts of America Wood Badge Course.
It is normally for about seventy five people. Scouting is a great organization, that teaches young men principles to guide them through a lifetime.

This year, the catch prepared was Red Fish, Spotted Sea Trout, Flounder, and Sea Bass, along with fresh water Catfish provided by, Scott Britt, a scouter from Lake City, Florida. We also prepared hush-puppies (for you northerners' info, that's not shoes.), baked beans, cole-slaw, and home fried potatoes. Don DiCarlo, a friend from Jacksonville Beach assisted in preparation, along with my son, Bryan. Scott's lovely young daughter was a big help, also.

It was good to see so many of the men and women enjoy the luncheon. I don't know this man's name, but he was a genuinely good fellow.

There were two patrols of ladies participating in the festivities.

There were spirited exchanges of, "Thank you!" to one another, as this luncheon was their last meal together after two long weekends of training.

It is always rewarding to be associated with people who really care and sacrifice their time and efforts for the strengthening of youth. Now that the fish are eaten, I guess I'll have to go catch more. I know! I know! It's a tough job, but somebody has to do it.

Nature's Nuggets

The ultimate fisherman's sunrise.
(Ellis Cove) Salmon River, NY
From Gregory's Gallery

Yet, another maritime masterpiece.
(From Sunshine Skyway Fishing Pier)
St. Petersburg, Fl.

I may never regain the past. With open eyes and heart, I relish the gift of this moment. What lies ahead, surely, shall be another incredible present to cherish. (Yellowstone, 2007)

Memo to Florida frogs:

Beware of Bumpy Logs!!

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Florida fishing is a blast!!

Shuttle Launch 3/15/09

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One moment in time can be a memory for eternity. (View from our campsite, fishing in the Rocky Mountains, Utah)

Regardless of how adults may camouflage it, being young is not easy. (Click on the picture and find the baby birds. Are there three, or are there four?) St. Augustine, Fl.

A fall can bring renewal of worth and clarity of purpose. (Fishing, N.Y.)

Families, unified in focus, cannot fail. (Spring Lake) Folkston, Ga.

To embrace the brook we must navigate the stones. (Fishing, N.Y.)

Carters' Dock II

As I think back on nights of fishing with family and friends at Vilano Beach Inlet, I am grateful for the adventures we had and the love we shared at the Carters' dock.

James Preslar is in the greatest fight of his life, battling pancreatic cancer. I have never known anyone else with the determination and drive he has, even in the face of his hardship. We caught these three Redfish (along with many other smaller fish) in the evening, after he had gone through chemo-therapy earlier in the day.

Kendra landed the biggest of the few octopi we have ever caught with hook and line. As you can tell, the octopus is not on her top ten favorites list.

Teancum (our great nephew) landed this Spotted Sea Trout which he immediatetly named, "My Monster Trout". He is thirteen now, and still refers to it by that name.........and, of course it has grown to twenty five pounds. I taught him that if he didn't allow his fish continue to grow, even after he ate them, he would never become a great fisherman. His training is ahead of schedule!

A Very Lucky Penguin

Little "Lucky" will go home to his family and say. "You won't believe what happened to me today!"

Tami Made Alaska Magical - 2004

******* Kayak fishing at its best!! *******

Now, that's a mess of fish!! Homer

She weighs 125. Fish weighs 150+.

Tami caught it just for the Halibut!

The finest day of fishing ever had in Alaska. (Ninilchik)

I'm thankful for having shared it with my daughter.

** My friend, Willie, a great fisherman. **

On our way to Valdez to try Pink Salmon fishing.

Pinks were had by all! Valdez

I love this place!! Valdez

Thank you, Tami!

Let's go again!!

No Fishing Pole Needed!!

This video from the web was just too funny not to have all my fishing friends see it! I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.

In south Florida, during my teens, I did experience this phenomenon to a lesser extent. When I was working on a dredge boat during the summer to raise money for school, a friend and I took one of our small boats up a narrow canal at night and had mullet jump into our boat the same way, but, it would take about five minutes to get ten fish.

Beach House Memories

Beach house memories are not complete without recalling the many, many seining parties we had with family and friends. I cherish the memories of the times we had on the beach. Many people did lose their nerve, though, when the movie, Jaws, made its debut. Night seining was impossible to organize after that.

The seine always seemed lighter after a successful outing of catching fish while pulling it through the surf.

Billie and I caught these fish in the net. As usual, there was some clowning around taking her picture with Bryan and the fishing pole. Bryan loved the beach as a toddler. He was too small to pull the net, but not afraid to get the fish out of it. Most of the fish in the grass are Sheepshead and Drum.

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Jared, showing Papa how it's done.

Jared, telling mom how it's done.