Both Sides Now

Joni Mitchell once famously said that she'd "looked at love from both sides now."

Well, I don't know much about love, but I do know about fishing. And from the looks of things, these Shaw boys have it from both sides.

Gigi brought up some old photos of the Dilda side of the fam, of which Grandpa Dilda (in yellow) and Great Grandaddy Rowlin (in blue) feature prominently. I figure the above photo was taken somewhere off the Masonboro-Wrightsville-Figure 8 Island coastline, and given the sparkle in G'pa Dilda's eye I'd venture this was just about 1979 or so.

Well, these Shaw boys sure do get it from both sides, now. Happy hunting, fellas.

Fishing with Jack

Jackson got invited to a neighbor's birthday party this weekend, over at the Hamilton Lakes pond. It was a "fishing" party. Yes, sir, we will be there.

We rolled out of the house about 5 to 8, because you know as they say the early bird catches the worm, and fish like worms. I suited Jack up with a new microlight triggerspin reel that I had acquired from Walmart the night before, and with his NC Lifetime Hunting and Fishing License in hand, Jack went to work.

Heroic amounts of patience and the sacrifice a several good nightcrawlers notwithstanding, we came home empty handed. There were about 15 boys there, and I reckon there were 8-10 fish caught amongst the group, mainly bluegills and sunfish and one smallmouth bass.

After a solid morning of fishing, we headed over to the barber for haircuts and then to Five Guys for burgers and fries. Pretty solid man-schedule for a Saturday morning, if you ask me. Jack even got some coloring in.

Pawleys 2014

Man. Had a blast at Pawleys this year. Took the boat out, Bud caught a fish with Jackson, went crabbing, great weather. Awesome time. This is what it is all about.

Pier Fishing at Pawleys

We got out on the Pawley's Island pier a few times last week, and Jack enjoyed getting to sit up on the bench and help Bud man the rods. Nothing biting on our bait, but a young boy a few yards down landed a nice sized ray, probably two feet wide or more. Jack got to touch it before they threw it back - he reported that it was "slimy - and flapping its flippers." Indeed it was.

Sam enjoyed the outing as well, while Jack passed the time fishing by filling Bud's ear with endless "conversation" - I swear, this kid can really spin a tall tale. At one point as we were walking back, Jack said: "Daddy, Bud didn't catch any fish." To which I faithfully replied, "Son, that's what fishing is all about sometimes." Puzzled and looking as if I didn't hear him correctly the first time, Jack said, more emphatically: "Daddy - Bud DIDN'T catch any fish!"

Sigh. The naivete of youth.

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Pawley's Pier, August 8, 2013.

Whaler Project: Installation

Over the last few nights, I've gotten the helm kitted back together and things are starting to look a bit more ship-shape. Next step is to finish the hard-install of the seats, console, and hatch to the hull proper, reconnect the battery cables, and see if I can get this baby cranked up. There is definitely a lot more finger-crossing and breath-holding at this stage. But she sure is gettin' pretty!