This morning, you could have seen the smallest wavelet left by a fish at the Oak Bluffs Steamship Authority wharf. The water was a flat calm, and mirrored the overhead deep blue sky. The sun cast long shadows across the wharf and more than 200 youngsters stood along the rails trying to catch fish.

There were over 50 youngsters waiting in line before they opened the sacred fishing spot at 6 a.m. This is the only hour, the only day when fishing is allowed at the Steamship Authority wharf. The early fishing was great. Scup were plentiful and there were an occasional sea robin.

Charlie Fenske of Edgartown, 9, caught three small black sea bass along with two scup. His six-year-old brother Lucas caught an 11-inch scup. It all happened early.

Later the fishing became sporadic to the point of shutting down completely. Youngsters got fidgety. Parents tried to stay enthusiastic.

One of the disappointed anglers was Aurora Austin, 10. She was dressed for winter, wearing a wool hat, sweater and cheetah vest. Last spring she caught the largest pickerel in the Martha’s Vineyard Rod and Gun Club trout tournament. She won a new bicycle and fishing gear. Today she was visibly unhappy.

Nate Vought, 14 of Heber City, Utah, was having a good time, no matter what the fishing was like.

Devon Metters, 9 of Vineyard Haven was in the clouds at 7:42 a.m. when he caught a tropical fish. The 13-inch banded rudderfish looked like a fair-skinned bluefish.

The whole event was over by 8:30 a.m. and every child got a T-shirt.

The Gazette will have the full results of the fishing tournament on Tuesday.