When Life Gives You Lemons - The Fisherman

When Life Gives You Lemons

2018 2 When Live Gives You Lemons

The world is full of fascinating people. One of the most remarkable people I have ever met while fishing would have to be Tony. I met Tony at Sandy Hook many years ago when I was just getting started in surf fishing. Many of the fishing skills that I have today trace back to watching Tony relentlessly work the surf.

Tony projected an imposing figure. He was tall, husky, smoked big cigars, and had a bellowing voice that commanded attention whenever he spoke; he may have been a character, but he sure knew how to fish. The one thing that stands out the most about him is that he could always improvise when conditions demanded it.

One non-fishing characteristic stands out about Tony: he was a terrific storyteller. His tales were usually about real life experiences that he had undergone at home, at work, in social situations, and while fishing. His stories always seemed to have a common thread running through them: how he had encountered an unusual situation and managed to make the best of it.

As important as fishing was to Tony, his family always came first. As soon as his grandchildren were old enough to accompany granddad to the beach, Tony packed them into his old van and got them hooked on the ocean. Fellow anglers often kidded him about having the youngsters on the beach with him when he should have been focused on fishing.

There was an incident one sultry day on the beach at Sandy Hook that I shall never forget. A school of bluefish was feasting on bait just beyond reach of many surfcasters who were waiting for them to come within casting range. For almost an hour, the blues kept their distance from shore – holding almost the same spot where they first erupted on the surface. The frustration level of anglers rose with every passing minute but there was no solution to their dilemma.

Assessing the situation, Tony asked one of his grandchildren if they brought any balloons with them in the van. When his granddaughter said yes, he asked her to go back and bring him a few. When she returned, he chose a red one and blew it up. He then reeled in his fluke rig, removed the sinker, and tied the balloon to where the sinker had been. Finally, he selected the biggest killie he had and baited the rig with it.

The swarm of anglers – experts and novices – waiting in frustration for the bluefish to move into casting range got intrigued about what Tony was doing. When he cast the make-shift balloon rig as far as he could, some of the regulars began to make jokes about his new rig while many actually doubled over in laughter as they watched the balloon rig hit the water.

What the entourage had forgotten was that the wind was from the west and that the school of blues were due east off the beach from their position. Tony patiently let line out as the wind slowly transported the balloon rig offshore towards the ravenous blues. The assembled group of anglers grew silent as they watched the rig move farther and farther offshore. When the balloon approached the edge of the feeding blues, the killie was almost immediately attacked and a terrific fight ensued. Eventually, Tony landed a 13-pound slammer blue that left most other anglers speechless. No one was laughing anymore.

Soon, one of the assembled throng of anglers asked Tony a question that put the entire situation in perspective. He calmly and politely asked: “Tony, could I have one of your balloons?” Other anglers soon made similar requests.

When life gives you lemons, make lemonade – whether it is at home, work, or even on the beach.

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