FISHING HAS BEEN MY PASSION FOR MANY YEARS
I started fishing with my dad in the mid 1950’s. Several Saturday’s each month we would take our bamboo cane rods to Fletchers’ Boat House on the upper Potomac River just above Georgetown and Haines Point in Washington DC.
We usually fished in the spring during the shad run. I occasionally struggled to pull in a huge blue catfish. This fish were probably very small but for me they tested my endurance. And regardless what we caught, dad always taught me to respect our natural resources so every fish was released carefully.
Many Saturdays after fishing, we would sometimes head to North Beach on the Chesapeake Bay where my Grandfather’s brother owned and managed a bar. We would see many boat captains just off their boats for the day. Some days I was fortunate to be handed a fishing souvenir from their bay trips. I still have several of those special lures.
We moved to Maryland in late 1960’s and I learned to fresh water fish. Seneca Creek and Seneca Lake were my second home on weekends. We also had a small community lake where brim, sunfish and catfish were regular catches.
Between 1975 and presently, I owned many boats including my first 14’ runabout, many in between until we settled on my current 2016 Robalo 206 Cayman.
I bought my first boat in 1975 from a Gaithersburg farmer. It was a 14’ runabout. Took me all summer just to get it running and then find it a new home. My second boat arrived in 1979. 1966 Cobia skiff. That one also was barn kept but a little better shape. Ran this boat for several years and even skippered it on the Chesapeake Bay.
The Bayliner 2432 cuddy cabin arrived in 1996. This was more like a second home. Full bunk that slept 4 (really 2 but brochure said four), full kitchen, dining table, and toilet and shower. This was the boat that took us places. We moored it at Turkey Point Marina on the South River.
Moved to the Outer Banks in 1999. Bought my boat and passion for learning how to fish in paradise. The bayliner lasted until it found a new home and we purchased the 24 foot Robalo. This boat allowed us to do and go places that we only dreamed.
In 2008, while visiting the local Walmart, I witnessed a salesman convince a new visitor to purchase $100’s of dollars of worthless gear. This year, I started the Walkingangler Blog.
In 2009 I obtained my USGC Masters License. The course was eight days of classroom instruction and exercises. So happy I had many years of boating using old navigation techniques that I breezed through the class and final exams.
In 2013 I began volunteering at the Jennette’s Pier helping anglers fish. I did this for the next three years.
In 2014, I met Captain Marty at this granddaughters. 1st birthday party. We talked fishing and gardening and he ask me to sit in the Saturday morning fishing show at Beach 104 radio, I stopped in periodically the rest of the year.
Starting in 2015, I spent many hours supporting the Wicked Tuna OBX presentations, Boat Builders Tournament, Alice Kelly Ladies Tournament and the Pirates Cove Billfish Tournaments.
In 2015, I began helping Marty and Jody each Saturday with the surf, pier and bridge fishing reports.
In 2016, I wrote my first article for the annual Captain Marty Fishing Guide. I have contributed each year since then.
In 2019, Jody at Beach 104 Radio started a weekly podcast session called Fishcast, I was ask to provide a 5 minute clip on something fishing related. Fishcast is broadcast each Friday at 1200 on Beach 104, Captain Marty’s Facebook Page. Copies of those Fishcast are still on my website for your use.
So what’s in store for the future?
My goal is to share the six decades of fishing and boating experiences with as many anglers as possible.
My hope at the end of the day, you are a better angler because of me.
Tightlines – Capt. Tony