Ashley Gives a Fishing Report

From Pat and Lisa's colorful neighbor in Paintersville , Va. as told by Lisa ....

Ashley called this morning and said "Just wait till you hear this.....you know them two new houses they built right next to one another on the waterfront in Cedarview?" I said yes. She said "OK - Are you sitting down?" I said why? (Thinking that they might have burnt down or were struck by lightning). She said "They rented them out to some relatives from New F'in Jersey who took their boat out yesterday...and....ARE YOU SITTIN DOWN?" (ok now I'm thinking they sunk the boat) and she continued...."Well them people come in last night at 8:30 pm pullin up with their boat and me and Doug and the kids were walkin down the beach and they unloaded Seven Huge Red-looking fish. I said "REDFISH?" she said " No they called um somethin else." I said DRUM? She said "YEP THAT'S WHAT THEY WERE - - DRUM." I said well they are called RED DRUM also knows as REDFISH. She said "Well anyhow - they were Red and as big as from my feet all the way up to my hips and SEE you should have NEVER left from down here because that stupid-ass other neighbor Frank told you there was no fish out there and I saw them with my own eyes so he's nuthin but a liar - - he just didn't want you to catch none - - I couldn't believe the size of them fish and he said he was just off our beach out by the buoy marker and inbetween um, that's where they caught their fish, in sight of our own beach using crab and squid for bait and they was huge muther F'rs" Ashley says "Then I told Doug that you two should NEVER have left from down here and that you should just move down here because the fishin is good no matter what Frank says. Doug said that you two just couldn't move down here because you have big time jobs not like what we got down here and you just can't up and leave anytime you want because if you did you wouldn't have no pension and nuthin to live on when you got older" I looked at him and I sad "WELL THANK YOU DR. F'in PHIL!"

A Touch of Local Color from Paintersville, VA.

My BF , Lisa, has a fishing cottage on the lower eastern shore of the Chesapeake Bay in Virginia.
She didn't know what she was in for when she moved into the neighborhood and next door to.....ASHLEY! She is helarious and we are fortunate to actually have one of her tales transcribed as they are usually speaker phone entertainment while drinking wine.

Ashley called to give the C***** update.....
She said some woman was walking through Lisa's front yard and checking out our house and was looking under the deck and so Ashley put on her shoes and went out there and said "MAY I HELP YOU?" and the woman said, "yep, I'm waiting for the realtor to get here because I'm looking at buying this house" and Ashley got really po'd and said to herself...hmmmm those sunofabitches (Lisa and Pat . She loves them!) went and put their houses up for sale and didn't tell me" and then Ashley said "let me see your paper" and the lady showed it to her and Ashley realized it was the house on the other street that looks like ours so she redirected her. ......... Gee I wonder what she would have offered.
Then she said that the rich old guy who lives on the waterfront in C**** who just left his wife because he met a German male on the internet (and decided he wanted to be gay) called her from Germany. He said that while he is visiting his 'friend' in Germany that he wanted her to take his corvette out and take the top down and take it for a spin, otherwise the top gets stiff and the car needs to go for a ride. Ashley told him that she didn't feel comfortable driving in an expensive car like that and said she wouldn't do it. Then he called her back the very next day and pleaded with her to take the car out for a ride with the top down ... so after thinking about it, she said OK. So he explained to her how to do it and she said.."Honey, I took that top down, blared that radio and went a-cruisin all over Painter and just about everyone was straining their F'ing necks to look at me". "Next F'ing thing you know, my father-in-law who lives over to Silver Beach calls my husband Doug and says.." I told you not to marry that bitch, she's sleeping with some guy who has a corvette and paradin' it all over town". "Well honey I grabbed that phone from Doug's axxhole father and told him if I was a-going to be cheating on his son, it wouldn't be with some 65 year old wrinkled bald faggot and that I had better taste than that! Doug then told me later that if I was having an affair with that bald faggot it's no wonder he is losing his hair.

Then she completely changed the subject and said "Some guy over to Wachapreague caught a 42 pound flounder". I told her that could simply not be true. And she said uh huh! It did not say inches it said L-B-S because last time we talked you told me to check whether it was inches or pounds. I then told her it must be a typo then because I doubt there are any 42 lb flounders out there. She is going to check all the newspapers and let me know. (Yes, Ashley calls to give the local fishing reports!)

The Fish of a Lifetime 48 inches!

I had been skunked the last two days out on the Flats with Lisa. There had been two Nor'Easters both days right before my two scheduled trips and the fish were stacked up thicker than we have ever seen them ,exhibiting the famous striper lock jaw.

I was inconsolable! I had caught no spring stripers. I just wanted one respectable fish, nothing more. My sweet husband decided that the up coming weekend would be beautiful weather and our last chance to take Mosey out before he hauled her out for some hull work (under water lights). He suggested that we head up to the Flats, anchor and, depending where we anchored, I could either kayak fish or we would take the dinghy. GREAT idea and so we left Saturday PM hoping the big high tide on the flats Sunday morning would be productive.

We wound up anchoring just off of Locust Point in calmer water near the channel. It was too far to kayak and get to Sandy Point at 7:30 AM without kayaking in the dark amongst the seventy some boats all vying for a spot on the incoming. Not a good idea, so we launched the nine foot hard bottom dinghy and made it out quickly and safely where upon arriving the DNR came over to check out the two idiots fishing out of a little dinghy amonst the seventy or so fishing boats. I tell thm we came off of the big boat out there. After a quick show of license and safety equiptment, they left us to fish.

Ken was not comfortable with my fly rod in the dinghy, so I brought my seven foot med. St. Croix with 12 lbs. fireline and a 20 lbs. flurocarbon leader. I also had my new Shimano Stratic 4000 too!

We made it to Sandy Point and leisurely drifted trying to mark some fish. I put on my 3/4 oz. chartreuse and chrome rattle and after it raised a few 20 plus inchers in six to eight feet of water, I was very hopeful as to what this tide would yield. If these fish were biting in this water depth, they were hungry.

Stripers began to pop up and roll all over spawning and the water was covered with visible eggs and streams of sperm! We found a few weedy little dips that were holding some great fish and I started to make big, long casts toward the shore at a ninety degree angle to the incoming and, suddenly, had a huge hit. The fish pulled to the right and then -nothing. I was puzzled and I reeled in to find my leader flying in the wind a good foot shorter than before. When I went to tie my next rattle on, I felt the abrasion of teeth marks. I was breathless. Only a huge striper could have done that.

I had a 1/2 oz. chrome and blue and was hoping that it would still attract a bigger fish. It cast about as far and it felt good, not too light, in the water conditions. I still felt that the technique and retrieve I was using would still be effective on the lighter rattle.

It was just at high tide. Everyone else was anchored and mainly bait fishing. There were a few in small fishing boats with lures. I saw one neighbor catch a very nice fish on live ? herring, but there was not a lot of action. I cast out long, retrieved and then there was "FISH ON" , a few firm tug, tugs where the fish could be 18 inches or 50 inches, and then the moment of truth when the fish knows it is hooked and runs and shows you what you really have on your line by pulling it wayyyyyyy downnnnnn and then the drag goes out.......and I think holy crap this is a big fish and I am fighting it and it just keeps pulling harder and harder and I am breathless and in disbelief because I can't fathom the fact that I have this fish on and it is not like anything I have caught before. Oh my God, I am trying to keep my cool because it is pulling the dinghy around going under it to the left and to the right and all I can think of is keep that rod UP and pump. I hurt and I am blowing out and taking some quick breaths like I am sprinting in a race!

Three or four times I think it has tired only to have it make a run. After almost falling in once, finally it comes to the surface and I think for a split second"WHAT IS THAT THING? Is it a monster?"Well, I know it is a striper and the biggest one I have ever seen. I look again as it pulls closer and closer and every time it gets closer I just keep saying " Oh, my God, Oh my God, Oh my God because it keeps getting bigger and now I have to get it in the dinghy. Ken is taking pictures and keeps telling me to wait a minute"I am documenting this " I said to him "You have got to help me land this fish NOW. You don't understand, I can't hold out much longer!" I look at it and think that there is no way I can lift this fish with no grips, no way. Then, I say to myself "You GET that fish in this dinghy right now. DO IT" So I grabbed it by the mouth and hauled it up still saying "Oh my God, Oh my God" because it just won't stop getting bigger and I have my hands at my chest!

I remove the rattle,a few quick pictures and then put her back in swishing her back and forth. She kicks off and gone in a split second to spawn another year! I feel so good she is OK.

I sat down to catch my breath and noticed all of the boats around me were watching (typical) and some were cheering my catch!

After bringing in a nice 30 incher, my wonderful, patient husband, who gave me one of the most exciting moments in my life turned the dinghy toward Mosey and I though that this is just the beginning of many more adventures.

Somebody was telling me about these bone fish and how you can catch them in the Exumas.....especially on flies.....hmmmmmm.

A Thought About MLK Day

The one essential quality of Martin Luther King's effectiveness as a leader is almost always understated. As we reflect on this great individual and how he has shaped the world today, we need to remember the essential spirituality of this man. I have always held this in the fore front of my understanding of him as a leader and it seems,is seldom given enough attention; always taking a back seat to his being defined almost exclusively as a civil rights or political leader.

Martin Luther King, though being raised in a Southern Baptist church adhering to the literacy of the bible, wound up rejecting these rigid interpretations and attending Moorehouse, Crozer Theological Seminary (multi denominational) and finished with a doctorate from Boston University.
While at seminary, King made a trip to India and met with Mahatma Gandhi's followers and was profoundly influenced spiritually by this great Hindu leader primarily in the spiritual and moral practice of passive civil resistance. It is however important to understand from where this philosophy comes.
Asked about his religion Gandhi's reply:

What Is Hinduism?
If were asked to define the Hindu creed, I should simply say: Search after Truth through non-violent means. A man may not believe even in God and still call himself a Hindu. Hinduism is a relentless pursuit after Truth and if today it has become moribund, inactive, unresponsive to growth, it is because we are fatigued and as soon as the fatigue is over Hinduism will burst forth upon the world with a brilliance perhaps unknown before. Hinduism is the most tolerant of all religions. Its creed is all embracing.

Real Religion Transcends All These Religions
Religion should pervade every one of our actions. Here religion does not mean sectarianism. It means a belief in ordered moral government of the universe. It is not less real because it is unseen. This religion transcends Hinduism, Islam, Christianity, etc. It does not supersede them. It harmonises them and gives them reality.

These, I believe, were great lessons King learned while in India and truly allowed him to become, in his pursuit of truth, equality and civil rights ,a reflection of the moral government of the universe as Gandhi saw it. As Gandhi sees it, King was a true Hindu.

Pizza

With more time being spent inside during the cold of winter making homemade pizza a great winter treat. It's easy to keep all of the ingredients at hand to spontaneously make a few, let's say on a snowy night. If you make this at home it is also not as fattening as delivery pizza and the flavor is much better.

I have two pizza stones, a small plate size and a larger brick oven stone that can be put on the grill with charcoal in the summer. You really don't have to have a stone, but they are easy to find now and can be used for baking other things as well. The crust is crispiest with a stone!

You can also use a cast iron pan.

The Dough for two big individual pizzas, but it is enough for 3-4. If you are watching portion size, halve this recipe for two.

2 1/2 cups "Better for Bread" flour
9 oz. water

1 tsp. yeast

1/2 tsp. salt

3 tsp. of vital gluten if you can find it. Hodgson Mills makes it and it is very cheap. Amazon has it.

1.If you don't have a bread machine with a pizza dough setting, add 1/2 of the flour, mix well and let rise until bubbly about an hour.

2.Add the rest of the flour and knead until elastic, about ten minutes
3.Let rise again in a warm place until double, another hour.

While the dough is rising:

Grated Cheeses Olives, hot pepper, Ken's bacon and adouille sausage.

I love real salted anchovy and kalmatas.

Grate 1-2 cups of 1 part Assagio and 1 part high moisture or fresh mozzarella cheese. I prefer a lesser amount of cheese, but most Americans expect more cheese. Use your own judgment. Just remember 1 oz. of cheese is just over 100 calories. Assagio and fresh Mozzarella, if good quality, does not need to be piled on top toet a lot of taste. Prepare any toppings now and put into small bowls. All sausages, bacon ( put it on a paper towel and sqeeze out the grease) will need to be pre cooked

Pre heat the oven with the stone in the oven , if you are using one, to the highest heat setting on the top oven rack. If using a cookie sheet, pre heat to 425 and oil the sheet well with olive oil.

4. Divide the dough into two or leave it whole for a cookie sheet size pizza.(If using a cookie sheet,oil it well with virgin olive oil)

5. Roll out and for a thicker crust, let stand for ten minutes. I like an almost cracker thin crust and so I roll it out and put it on the stone right away.

6.Brush with 1 tbls. virgin olive oil.

7.Fold in half and place on the stone.Make sure the bottom of the dough has a light dusting of

flour on it.
8. Spread some pizza or tomato sauce on top. It should not be too much and place the toppings on as well.

9. Bake for about 8 min.s and top with the cheese and fresh basil if you have it. (or any other fresh herbs you are using) Return to the oven until the cheese is melted, but not browned.

Some ideas for pizza:

Olive oil infused with fresh garlic, sea salt and fresh rosemary.

Olive oil, fresh tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, Fresh basil, grated Parmigiana.

Some great toppings:

Clams, artichokes, prosciutto, chopped hot sausage, minced slab bacon.

Boomer loves pizza So does his daddy!

A romantic winter dinner with candles, wine, and pizza!

2008 Looking Into 2009!

It is almost gone and has passed so quickly. It seems it was just summer on the Sassafras and we were boating, kayaking and fishing. Now it is time to buckle down and make a major push to finish the interior of Mosey. Why would that be? This is the year we throw the lines, cut our land based ties to the Sassafras and sail off into the sunset! We could leave as early as June and go north, then heading south for the Keys and the Exhumas. Ken is charting the course! Everything now is geared to realizing a goal my husband has had for many years- to find his soul mate and sail into the sunset on one of the finest trawlers ever built!

This year has brought two new grandchildren, Nate and Carter Junior.

Llewellyn Gaultierus Hunt will serve with the B-2-104TH RSTA 56Th SBCT in Iraq for a deployment not to exceed 320 days starting in January. He finished his last semester with a 3.8 GPA in international studies and is looking forward to applying for the Boyer Scholarship to study abroad.

Guenola Marie Douce Hunt made her debut at the First Troop Philadelphia City Cavalry Welcome Home Celebration and Debutante Ball, December 27TH, 2008. The ladies were honored with the presentation of the colors and flourishes by the Escort Platoon.

She has been offered a directive study program at Northeastern University which entails learning all of the procedures involved with her professor's research in molecular biology. She will be "knocking genes down" (inserting RNA into developing fish embryos) to determine if it is possible to find a gene / application for repression of tumor growth in humans in addition to documenting the process from start to finish and writing her own grant proposal and research project next spring semester. She will finish this semester with a 3.8-4.0 and is at the top of her bio. class! Here we come Tuft's!

Sadly, this year also saw the passing of Ken's sister, Brenda, in October after a battle with lung cancer.

Thanksgiving Menu

Hors d'oeuvres:

Shrimp Cocktail




Traditional Maryland Crab Cakes



Lox on Fresh Baked Russian Black Bread with Dill and Chevre



Rare Oysters with Vodka Creme Fraiche and Caviar on Silver Spoons




Seared Rare Peppercorn Tuna with Wasabi Cream and Teryaki and bamboo rice.




Classic "Norman Rockwell " Brown Turkey with Sage Sausage Stuffing and Sherry Gravy





A 14 lbs Turkey. I used about 4 gallons of water if I remember correctly.
Brining both turkeys was the best thing we did this Thanksgiving. Washing them well to remove excess salt, patting dry and then letting them sit in the 'fridge for a few hours to dry out was the trick. Also limiting the brining time to no more than 6 hours (I have found even 2-4 is OK for a chicken) cuts down on the excess salt absorbed in the skin. Brine is easy 1 cup Kosher salt to 1 gallon cold water. I don't use any sugar, but I have seen some recipes that use brown sugar and I think I might try some molassas the next time I brine a chicken. You must keep the turkey cold while brining. You can put the big pot in a cooler with ice in it if it won't fit in the "fridge.


Fraaaaaaaahhhhhhhed Turkey
A Note on Fried Turkeys:
The fried turkey last year won the best, most tender vote, but this year with the brining it was a draw!
I am NOT A FAN OF FRYING TURKEYS and on this blog, in a public forum , strongly advise against it! My husband will still do it every year possible.
Why do I feel this way?
If you do not monitor the temp. of the oil your turkey can catch on fire when you put it in the oil. You must have a thermometer. Oh, it is Thanksgiving Day and most of the world has forgotten to buy one!
The oil can boil over which it should not do and set your deck, garage, etc. on fire. The turkey must be completely thawed.
Five gallons of 350 degree oil in a raised pot with friends family, dogs and children around with men supervising (and drinking beer?) is a terrifying thought.
It is also very expensive and will easily double the cost of your turkey. Then there is all of the extra equipment, pot, propane, etc. that is used once a year if ever again. It is NOT cost effective.
It is wasteful. Nobody saves and reuses the oil.
Handling the turkey and hot oil can be complicated and needs cooperation and better yet pre planning and practice. You are doing it for the first time with cousin who? In a nutshell it is the most potentially dangerous cooking activity you could do around the house.
With brining you can get the same result and the stuffing. You can cut down on cooking time in the oven by not stuffing it.

http://www.ul.com/consumers/turkeys.html This says it all.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aqemKVTf_38 and it goes on and on......


Corn and Cheese Tamales



Yukon Gold Mashed Potatoes

Candied Yams a la Douce

Curried Ginger Chive Carrots

Green Bean Casserole

Biscuits with Ken's Mom's Huckleberry Jelly from Marietta

Cranberry Clementine Cardamon Chutney

I think someone will bring asparagus ? or another green?

Arugula, Blue cheese , Pear and Kumquat Salad with Balsamic Vinegar Reduction

Organic Bib Lettuce (from our garden) with Coleslaw and Assagio Dressing

Desserts:

Bourbon Pecan Pie
Pumpkin Cheese Cake
Tart au Citron