Fickle Weather as Fishing Fever Grips Derby's Second Week
Fishermen try their luck in the choppy waters in Big Bridge channel.
Fishermen try their luck in the choppy waters in Big Bridge channel.
Landing an albie.
Landing an albie.
Noah Mayrand with his first false albacore of the morning.
Noah Mayrand with his first false albacore of the morning.
Setting up for the day at East Beach on Chappy.
Setting up for the day at East Beach on Chappy.
Rods at the ready.
Rods at the ready.
Waiting for a blitz.
Waiting for a blitz.
Sunset at Derby Headquarters.
Sunset at Derby Headquarters.
Mike Cassidy weighs a shore caught bluefish.
Mike Cassidy weighs a shore caught bluefish.
Crowd gathers for the evening.
Crowd gathers for the evening.
Colin Townes and dad with his boat albie.
Colin Townes and dad with his boat albie.
Chris Reed and Beka El-Deiry work at the fillet station.
Chris Reed and Beka El-Deiry work at the fillet station.
Lenny and Eli Beford with a shore caught bluefish.
Lenny and Eli Beford with a shore caught bluefish.
Max Davies with two bluefish.
Max Davies with two bluefish.
Evening's catch.
Evening's catch.
If derby fever is the disease for which only the Vineyard’s fall fishing contest is the cure, we’re happy to report that unlike many therapies in medicine today, most of the side-effects of this course of treatment are beneficial ones. For the fishermen, the month-long derby brings the experience of communion with nature in all its changing moods, and the camaraderie of fellow anglers.
All the symptoms suggest that derby fever is approaching epidemic proportions in this second week. Those afflicted should skip the hospital emergency room and proceed directly to the foot of Main street in Edgartown, where the derby clinic — the weigh-in station, if you prefer — opens for business at eight o’clock tomorrow morning. It’s a walk-in clinic, and we suggest you bring your own fish.