Squid Madness

April/May 2013, squid season is still developing. Everyone is hopeful as all fishermen must be. I told Dave he has squid-madness, a form of love: anticipation, anxiety and a rolling of the ocean. So far, in the past two weeks, Dave has changed the net three times. Son Jackson helped him put the nets, one at a time, into the truck, and some of the other fishermen lent a hand on the dock. It's getting a little harder for my old man. Even though we think like forty year-olds our bods have been used for many more. Age may be meaningless, it's the time we are here that counts, but somehow nature does take its coarse.  On a more serious note, a  friend of ours experienced a fire aboard his boat, in the engine room from an exhaust pipe. We've been there done that, had a fire in the engine room due to wear and tear on the exhaust system.  It took three fire extinguishers to put it out. The important thing is that our friend was able to put it out quickly and make it back to the dock safely.  Boats can be repaired. We wish John well.  First take a deep breath and thank the spirits of fishermen who kept him safe, then tackle the job. Before you know it the boat is repaired and back out doing her job, searching for the illusive squid, waiting and hoping for a good catch.
I got to spend two days out with Dave a week ago. I had such a wonderful time. It was calm, that's my first preference. The sun shone while we made a half dozen tows and caught a hundred pounds of squid. Just enough to pay the fuel and go out for supper.  Dave took me to Martha's Vineyard where the good people welcomed us and allowed us to plug in for the night.
We met the skipper of the 'Skipper', Jonho. What a beauty that little head-boat is.  It's kept in pristine condition and takes people fishing with rod and reel during the summer months. The captain gave me a hug, even though we'd never met before, said he loved my book. He showed us his 'Skipper' and then we walked up-town. Ate at a nice place Linda Jeans, loved having fish and four vegetables. The Richard & Arnold is comfortable and that's all I could ask for. I get to sit at the table without bumping my head. We have a stove and refrigeration, a head and a holding tank. We walked around Oak Bluffs, a most refreshing town. There's something about life on an island, maybe that's why we enjoy being on the Richard & Arnold, I've not been able to figure out why I like it so much.
Dave and I were standing on the deck after our walk when a nice 50 foot fiber-glass lobster boat passed by our stern and the captain hollered out to us, "That's the prettiest boat on the east coast." I didn't get his name but I'd like to thank him and let him know that we think so too.
I think I'll get up and do another squid dance, this week could be the week when the squid come. Keep hoping for the best.

I'm about to do the squid dance. I can hardly control the urge to just get up, turn up the volume and let my self go. The squid dance is a tradition at this time of year. It's done with love and passion; hey a good squid year could depend on it. Amen. It takes effort to get to the place where everything alines  and squid come for the taking, its one of the joys of spring, like daffodils or the mating calls of birds. The nets have been stretched in the yard and mended. The wires strung out and marked in fathoms, the engine room has been cleaned, my foc'sle is ready and the lazzerette that will hold the boxes are all waiting for me to do my squid dance. I'm hoping for good music, calm seas and enough squid for all.
The Richard & Arnold has received my seal of approval - is now officially a fishing-yacht. It has become more than I could possibly have wanted or dreamed. She can fish - we know that - and now she will keep us dry and comfortable  as well.  I was just telling Dave I remember a couple of years ago trying to sleep on the bench next to the table -  to keep the water from dripping on me - I slept in all my oil-gear.  The boat is still the old girl, the same boat we knew and loved, but she now seems to have matured, become more, moving along with the tide and time. It's like giving berth, a new generation - a better life - Get up and dance - a good time will be had by all.  We want to keep fishing. The old boat has been dancing over the waves, fishing, doing it 'right' for over 85 years and so - why not us along with her?  Next chapter ? who knows - but think, "Sail".