Jack Koontz wrote On the Line, a fishing column for the Gazette, for nearly a decade in the late 1970s and 1980s.

Sengekontacket Pond is closed to all shellfishing at least until Monday, July 11 because of rainfall, according to the town of Oak Bluffs.

On a sunny, calm day with a full moon tide, Oak Bluffs charter Captain John Potter greets his guests with hugs and a big smile. Most are repeat customers or regulars.

Kids 14 and younger cast out at first light Saturday morning for the Martha's Vineyard Rod and Gun Club kids' trout tournament. Camden Townes, 10, walked away with a new bike for her catch of a 14.75-inch trout, the biggest of the day.

The annual kids' trout tournament takes place on Saturday, May 7, beginning at first light. On Tuesday morning the first shipment of trout arrived at Duarte's Pond.

A DMF meeting about whelk management scheduled for Tuesday, Feb. 9 has been cancelled.