The Generosity of Others.....Folks helping after Sandy..

[DarkSkies]

There are so many generous folks on this site.....

Folks who have given their time, and money, and supplies, to Sandy victims....
Folks who are generous with their time to others in need,
Generous with advice, or just generous overall.......

That makes me feel good sometimes when I see the selfishness and self-centeredness out there....
I feel in the last 20 years society has undergone a change....and things are different from the way I remember growing up, when people used to help others....and were more giiving......

[DarkSkies]

There are those who are generous behind the scenes, and wish to remain anonymous......
It's a challenge because despite the urge to thank them publically, that's not what they're about......

so they will forever remain anonymous, but I can still thank them in this thread......

[DarkSkies]

Then there are the old timers here, the old farts, the cranky basstards, the grouchy basstards, etc, etc.....

who continue to send me news clippings and articles, to further support the claims you see here sometimes about the decline of bass fishing, and helping to remember the good old days, and the higher levels of political activism by fishermen back then.....

To all of those who continue to share things that give a broad perspective to some of the threads I try to put out there.....your words and memories are most appreciated......and continue to add a vital component of truth and honesty to some of the claims that are made about striped bass and the biomass.......

Because of these conversations, I have a sense that some of us have a clearer handle on what is happening to the striped bass population, year by year, than some of the scientists and self-proclaimed experts do....because most of you providing this info fish more than the average fisherman....and for that I thank you.









I'm deeply indebted to your knowledge and experiences.
some of the threads I start would be nowhere as informative as they are, without your feedback.....

[DarkSkies]

I'm also indebted to those who send me things out of the blue, for no reason other than they wanted me to fish something they made,,,,and give them feedback on how it swims, or holds up to extreme conditions that we fish in at times.....

[DarkSkies]

One of those people is Surfstix.....

He sent me a package a few weeks ago.....
There was a mixup on where to send it to...they sent it back to him......so he sent it again.....

Inside it were 2 well made plugs.....
An awesome gesture from a friend......

What is most compelling to me,,,is that despite all the health and other problems he has had in the last 3 years, he is still able to make these great plugs and teasers....and most generous in sending them on to be tested by the jaws of death, aggressive bass and angry bluefish.....

[DarkSkies]

So my sincerest thanks to all whe have been so generous with words or time...

And help to make this site what it is....

[DarkSkies]

And also my gratitude to Surfstix, who despite all the obstacles thrown in his way.....
Still manages to hold it all together, and sent me and Pebbles these great looking plugs.....

[DarkSkies]

The plugs are sweet, Surf.
I wanted to "borrow" the one you made for Pebbles, but I noticed you put her name on it......so now I can't sneak it out of the house for a night of harsh testing......

Just awesome work,,,,the teasers as well.....lots of great detail and craftsmanship.....

[DarkSkies]

The pics are in my camera....will post as soon as I can download them onto the PC.....

[storminsteve]

Nice. Plug pics please.

[finchaser]

Stop your gonna make me cry plus your cut off

[DarkSkies]

Stop your gonna make me cry plus your cut off

^ Would I bring some moisture to an old salt's eyes,

his wizened face, craggy from many winter dark skies......



His knotted legs, and leathery hands,

having developed that way from years walking the rocks and sand........



The piercing eyes, and keen sense of smell,

developed over many years of reading the swell......



The gruff face, never out of place,

hiding a lifetime of giving, and avoiding the resultant praise.......








The sinewy arms and backaches that won't stop,

coming from many years casting into the slop..............




Because in the grand scheme of things, humble as it may seem,


Casting in the surf, is where he would rather be...........
























*****
disclaimer.......
I lifted some of those phrases from the tribute Nick wrote about ya......so he has to get the original credit........
hope ya liked it anyway.......

[DarkSkies]

One of those people is Surfstix.....

He sent me a package a few weeks ago.....
There was a mixup on where to send it to...they sent it back to him......so he sent it again.....

Inside it were 2 well made plugs.....
An awesome gesture from a friend......

What is most compelling to me,,,is that despite all the health and other problems he has had in the last 3 years, he is still able to make these great plugs and teasers....and most generous in sending them on to be tested by the jaws of death, aggressive bass and angry bluefish.....

Finally got time to post the pics.....
thanks again Surfstix!

Hope Pebbles and I can beat some of these up by showing the "after" pics......





These are the "before" pics....


the 2 above are shots of the biggest pencil I've seen in a while...this pencil I think weighs in at 4.5oz......

The teaser below is one of Surfstix's hand-made teasers.
He's been making them for awhile now and the craftsmanship really shows......
(Note the good quality epoxy heads on the teasers/tails and the heavy duty split rings......)



Some of Rip Plugger's plugs, and the ones Surfstix has sent me, are usually dressed up now with these teasers at the end.

They make a real difference in getting a fish to hit when they are sluggish or the water is colder.

[DarkSkies]

This is what he made for Pebbles, even put her name on it.......

(maybe to keep me from "borrowing" it from her...... )










Nice well made ML Swimmer, Pebbles was so happy when she saw it.....



Check out the custom metal lip on this thing,........




Check out the awesome teaser....again a viable part of the reasons why Surfstix plugs catch fish.......
http://stripersandanglers.com/Forum/...surfstix+plugs


Thanks again Surfstix!

[cowherder]

Awesome plugs surfstick, nice color scheme! Why are those lips curled in like that? What I mean is exactly how does that affect the way it swims?

[surfstix1963]

Those are Conrad lips which supposedly were the lips Danny Pinchney used on his original A-40 Jr. plugs he made back in the days, the reasoning for the curled sides is to reduce roll which many metal lips have while retrieving.The pencil is a big boy I believe it weighed out at 5.3 oz. not a plug you want to work all the time more of a specialty wind buster and distance I hope.They may be a bit heavy perhaps the next couple I'll lighten up that is a tester at that weight and will need a hefty rod.Your Welcome Rich and Kim just enjoy no Thanks needed one hand washes the other in my world.

[buckethead]

Nice gestures, fellas. Spot on explanation of the Conrad lips surfstix.

[finchaser]

This is what he made for Pebbles, even put her name on it.......

(maybe to keep me from "borrowing" it from her...... )










Nice well made ML Swimmer, Pebbles was so happy when she saw it.....



Check out the custom metal lip on this thing,........




Check out the awesome teaser....again a viable part of the reasons why surfstix plugs catch fish.......
http://stripersandanglers.com/Forum/...surfstix+plugs


Thanks again Surfstix!

Her name is on it to keep you from stealing it Dark

[Pebbles]

What an incredible work of art. I was wondering the reason behind the rolled edges. There are truly no words to express my gratitude! Thank you so much. I will treasure it always and plan to catch a monster with it.

[speedy]

There are so many generous folks on this site.....

Folks who have given their time, and money, and supplies, to Sandy victims....
Folks who are generous with their time to others in need,
Generous with advice, or just generous overall.......

That makes me feel good sometimes when I see the selfishness and self-centeredness out there....
I feel in the last 20 years society has undergone a change....and things are different from the way I remember growing up, when people used to help others....and were more giiving......

hey i went to a show firday night to see 3 DOORSDOWN & DAUGHTRY AT CONVENTION HALL THE LEAD GUYS FROM BOTH GROUPS
CALLED UP SOME PEOPLE THAT HELPED A GREAT DEAL WITH SANDY AND GAVE THEM A CHECK FOR 15,000 FOR THE JERSEY SHORE THAT WAS VERY COOL !!!!!!!