Just a reminder, when the derby ends so does the summer schedule on the Chappy Ferry. On Saturday night, Oct. 17, the ferry runs until midnight, but the next night it stops at 11:15 p.m.

The winter schedule also includes a break in service from 10 to 11 p.m. Over the years the ferry winter schedule has evolved. The first regular trip in the morning is now at 6:30 a.m. and the other evening break has been absorbed into the continuous operation.

Also, when the derby ends, one of the ferries goes out of service for maintenance and Coast Guard inspection. So, starting on Sunday, Oct. 18, expect delays in service since there will only be one ferryboat handling all of the traffic. Hopefully, that will last no more than a couple of weeks. Keep an eye on the ferry webcams to avoid the long waits.

Forget what I have been saying for years about which number to dial from a cell phone when calling the communications center in an emergency. Whether you are calling from a land line or a cell phone, dial 911 for emergencies. The folks at the communications center will be able to tell responding emergency personnel where you are, even if you aren’t at home. If you need to talk to someone at the communications center about a non-emergency, like hitting a deer, use the old number: 508-693-1212.

Looking over the derby leader board, it’s pretty clear that Chappy’s own Stephan Pond has been quite successful casting from shore with his flyrod. On the day that he caught the derby’s biggest bonito in that category so far, he also got the biggest blue fish of the day the same way. He also has hauled in the longest false albacore in the catch and release division.