The Running of the Mackerel
For two or three weeks at the end of August / beginning of September, conditions are just right for something magical to happen.... The mackerel run...
The high tides line up with the setting of the sun... and a small bait fish (known locally as a sprat) migrate close to the shores. These conditions make millions of hungry mackerel swim in close to the shore and bite at anything in the water. This flood of fish is a dream come true for any fisherman willing to throw out a line. Locals say that the fish are so bunched up close to the shore that they can be snatched out of the water by hand. I've never seen anyone do it, but I have seen many people pull in four or five at a time.
Right now everyone is anxiously awaiting the arrival of the mackerel. They have come in close to the shore several times over the last couple of weeks, but storms have pushed them back out again. Last night, however, the storms let up for a little while, and people flocked to the shore with their rods and reels to try their luck. I watched for awhile, but never saw anyone catch anything. Who knows... maybe they will be delayed until my dad comes to visit! Here is hoping!
The view from the shore last night...
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The high tides line up with the setting of the sun... and a small bait fish (known locally as a sprat) migrate close to the shores. These conditions make millions of hungry mackerel swim in close to the shore and bite at anything in the water. This flood of fish is a dream come true for any fisherman willing to throw out a line. Locals say that the fish are so bunched up close to the shore that they can be snatched out of the water by hand. I've never seen anyone do it, but I have seen many people pull in four or five at a time.
Right now everyone is anxiously awaiting the arrival of the mackerel. They have come in close to the shore several times over the last couple of weeks, but storms have pushed them back out again. Last night, however, the storms let up for a little while, and people flocked to the shore with their rods and reels to try their luck. I watched for awhile, but never saw anyone catch anything. Who knows... maybe they will be delayed until my dad comes to visit! Here is hoping!
The view from the shore last night...
.
Labels: landscape, pop culture, tradition
3 Comments:
That sounds so cool...You should give it a try. One suggestion, though:
Don't try to fish with a cane pole. Remember?
I like Mackerel. Tell those fish to hold on.....we're coming. By the way, do you have any fishing gear? -Dad
dad - i have the gear by the front door... ready to go! Can't promise that I can control the moon/tides, but I will try!
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