RICK HERRICK
508-693-8065
Have you ever been sitting at the beach club watching the Skipper return to the harbor? Recently I did the reverse. I stood on the bow of the Skipper watching the Oak Bluffs shoreline recede into the background.
It was an exciting morning. There were 31 expectant fishermen on board, all eager to get their lines into the water. We began right off the beach club in shallow water. John Potter, the Skipper’s legendary captain, wanted the first-timers to get a feel for the sport before heading for deeper waters.
John began fishing these waters as an employee on the Ranger, the Skipper’s sister ship, in 1973 when he was 13. He wears many hats in his current position as the Skipper’s captain. John owns the business, and is chief storyteller, fishing coach, and fish finder. He was at the top of his game on the day I was with him. His clients clearly enjoyed his stories, and they grinned from ear to ear as they pulled in fish.
First mate Darren Smidt was constantly in motion baiting hooks, untangling lines, taking fish off the hook, and cleaning them. It was clear that he has a passion for fishing. He was having as much fun watching the success of his charges as they were reeling in fish.
John launched his business with the purchase of the Skipper in 1986. He still enjoys watching a youngster catch his first fish. I enjoyed people watching too. Faces were lined with deep concentration as fish were reeled in from 60-foot depths. Smiles were electric when fish were successfully landed. There were also occasional flashes of panic when floppy fish on board got too close.
By my count, more than one hundred fish were landed that day scup, black sea bass, fluke, and a 12-pound blue. A few smaller fish made the harrowing trip up through the water a second time. We consumed 20 pounds of squid as bait during the four hour trip. Over the course of the season, John runs through 2,200 pounds of bait.
John has a loyal following of customers and seagulls. They all seem to return. Billy, the seagull, never strays far from the Skipper, and is rewarded with discarded fish. For information about the Skipper’s whereabouts and upcoming events, check out their Web site at mvskipper.com.
Finally, I would like to honor an exclusive group of women who have summered in East Chop for 80 years. Emma Carmichael first came to East Chop at the age of four. She had whooping cough, and her doctor recommended that her family find a place to summer with humid air. She and her family never left. Jean Ross came 80 years ago straight from the hospital. Her grandchildren represent the sixth generation of East Chop vacationers from her family. Last but certainly not least, Ginny Long Patterson came at six months 80 years ago, and is the fourth generation of Longs to summer here.
All three women have never missed a summer. As Ginny commented, “Once you’re caught here, you can’t stay away.” These ladies are a fortunate bunch, and we are fortunate to have had them as productive members of our community for all these years.
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