OPENING DAY REPORT FOR SHORT RECESS

[Frank Stachowiak]

Len K had car problems so I called on first alternate and bon vivant John Jarosz to join me.Boat and motors responded flawlessly and we shot the gap to motor to the harbor.  Tried casting over the weeds at Gallagher beach.  Weeds were 2 feet or so below the surface.  Great for casting but no results.  Then a few turns around in the south gap, event tried the windmills but a tugboat was stationed exactly where I got a mid 40 last year.Trolled outside the wall to the north gap. Ventured over to canalside, dodging countless kayaks.  John suggested switching to planer boards, thinking we might finally get a hook up. Nixed that idea as kayak season doesn't open for a few more weeks. Stopped next to Miss Buffalo where we saw a guy get his biggest catch of his life. There was a guy dressed in black watching him, holding a black book.  He looked like Scott Kitchen making entries in his angler diary study. Turns out it was Judge Figueroa and he was performing a wedding ceremony. So the happy groom landed a beautiful bride, she was a keeper.  During the ceremony, John and I removed our hats and wound up in a few pictures being taken by guests on the wall. Of all things, I got a call from my son asking me if I was on my boat.  He was at the wedding. He didn't recognize us as we were in full sun protection gear. Told me we looked like terrorists as we were totally covered.  I think he recognized by bald spot, then he waved. On the way to the river, we saw Adam Kazmark who just landed a nice glob of weeds. That was the only release we spotted that morning. Heard about a number of fish caught, even by Adam. For me, better luck next time.

[John Jarosz]

Frank...you didn't mention the snacks!  I made the mistake of bringing along a sandwich (foolish me).  After a few casts at Gallaghers, FAS pulls out a couple of sticks of cheese for both of us.  Thank you very much, Frank.  They were good.  Then out came the oranges for us followed by some oatmeal raisin cookies. Somewhere between the oatmeal cookies and the third round of oranges came a bag of mixed nuts. Then more oranges.  Watching the wedding must have made him hungry because a couple more cheeses came out.

Finally in the River South of Strawberry, while jigging with RO's, out came the black licorice Twizzlers and bottled water.  This guy's like a Deli on the water!!  For a minute I thought he was going to supply the wedding party with the snacks for their banquet.

All in all, a fantastic time with the FAS.  One thing though, when he says "keep your release equipment handy", he means it.  First thing when we got on spot was to show me the locations of the Knipex, needle nose & getting the Beckman out of its holder.  A place for everything & everything in its place.  I learned a lot.

[Scott McKee]

When fishing on board Frank or Jojo's boats it would behoove one to skip a meal or two prior. Both are extremely generous, but both vary in their fare greatly. Jojo's offerings are akin to "poker night" with his giant sandwiches loaded with onions, potato salad and copious amounts of cookies. Frank's dishes have a tapas feel to them; small but numerous. Either way, you leave the water well fed. John, Frank must not think too highly of you. The last time Carrie and I fished on the Short Recess he served fresh oysters, deviled quail's eggs, caprese salad and beef tenderloin sliders with a lovely horseradish sauce. For dessert Frank went all out and whipped up a baked Alaska using only a zippo lighter. It needed to be seen to be believed. On the other hand, yesterday on board the Sea Nympho Jojo roasted an ox and a goat.

By the way, the only time black licorice ever tastes good is on board Frank's boat.

[John Jarosz]

The FAS called me the day before to go out with him.  If I have the pleasure & opportunity of going out with either him or Jojo, I hope I get a couple days notice.  I'll go on a starvation diet, drinking only water, and I'll prob still come back 10 pounds heavier then when I started!

Hmmm...roast goat.  How about roast goat with a black licorice marinade?

[Scott McKee]

I just threw up a little in my mouth, John. Thanks.

[John Jarosz]

You guys don't know what good eating is!!  The Polish know how to eat.  Did I tell you FAS also covered the pickled eggs he had one time when he was out?  FAS, help me out here.  I think I got the facts straight.

Lenny might have brought them.  Saved a jar of pickle juice after all the pickles were gone, hard boiled some eggs, shelled them & then soaked them for a few weeks.  SMACZNIE' !! (that's Polish for "tasty.").  I prefer the beet style eggs with beets & onions in the brine.  Does Tino's have them behind the bar?  They should.  Every bar in Lackawanna had a big jar of pickled eggs.

...and, next time you see FAS, ask him about pork tenderloins & his "7 - 6 - 5" recipe.  No wonder we didn't catch any fish, but who cares?

[Scott McKee]

No pickled eggs, John. We just have pigs feet, which is of course not true.