Fishing Report for Pine Island Sound for Week Ending August 15,
1998
by
Capt. Butch Rickey
This week's report isn't my traditional fishing report, as I took
some much needed time off this week. I did manage to get out with my
good friend Capt. Kevin Chamberlain, who fishes Charlotte Harbor quite a
bit. We made a morning trip down to the Harbor and fished an area that
we're both fond of....I used to fish it a lot years ago. The area was
covered with redfish, but in that shallow, super-clear, out-going water,
they just didn't want to eat. I missed two, and put one nice red in the
boat while fishing artificials. It was a beautiful morning, and lots of
fun casting to those fish.
This was a week for taking care of loose ends. If you read my reports
regularly, you'll remember my recent report of July 25, 1998, in which I
expressed fear that I had offended Mr. Terry Gump with overenthusiastic
coaching. Well, I finally hear from Terry, who has been very sick, and
his wonderful and very thoughtful letter is reprinted here for all to see:
Dear Capt. Rickey,
I am writing you this letter to clarify some misunderstanding and
statements. The first clarification deals with the statement made at the
dock at the conclusion of our fishing trip. I did not say, "I thought
your coaching of the boys was a little to rough". My statement was, "my
youngest son took the coaching a little rough". The statement was
directed toward my son, not you. I must apologize for any misunderstanding.
Secondly, as you noticed, there was something wrong....Your
observations were correct. I was sick the entire night, prior to our
fishing trip and I should have canceled. But, I had planned and dreamed
of this fishing trip for five months, and come Hell or High Water, I was
going to fish. About two hours into the trip I started to pay, dearly.
At the end of the day I was uncertain of future events. I didn't know,
at the time, whether I could get my insulin/sugar levels regulated by
Tuesday. This was my reason for paying you. I held out as long as I
could, but Monday evening I was still in bed trying to recover. Late in
the afternoon, I knew my fishing dreams wasn't coming true this summer.
Much to my regret, I told my wife to call and cancel.
A Guide of your caliber is hard to find. You use the best in
everything, from the bait to the boat. I want to thank you personally for
a Great fishing trip, although I did not get to fish as much as I wanted
to. Maybe, I can get this insulin/Sugar regulated by next summer and
return. We didn't walk away empty handed. I learned more about
ultra-light fishing in three hours than I would have learned in a
lifetime. Thanks for being patient with us while we were trying to
learn. After all, Josh and I did put 14 fish into the boat in three
hours, most I may add, were exceptional fish. I am anxiously waiting for
the pictures of our fishing adventure. After all, I did catch the big
one of the day. I think I will rub it in for a while........
I am regretfully sorry for any and all misunderstandings.
Thanks again,
Terry F. Gump
What a nice letter. Thanks, Terry!
Terry and his boys did catch some beautiful snook and redfish. I sure
hope that he can regain his health and make that return trip next year.
I'll be back to work next week, so stay tuned for the report.
[
Back to August '98 Report]