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View Full Version : My Hat Is Off..................



boydo
03-15-2004, 10:48 AM
To the guys fishing the beach at the Fort on Saturday. My son and I took a drive down to see how things may have changed during the winter. The dredge is indeed in the creek, but I guess I thought it would look more impressive than it does. I've never been in the business, so I'll think positive thoughts that they have the power and the time to make things right.

The town was almost ghost like. A couple were fishing the end of the jetty. They probably got up much earlier than they needed to in order to get that preferred spot. We parked the truck, climbed the dune and took a short walk on the beach. We hung in there until we felt we sufficiently sand-blasted and then headed back to the truck.

Five or six guys were giving it a shot from the bulkhead at the other end of town. No one had a bite in the time we were there, but they seemed to have a god time sharing in each other's company. The w*** was howling. The seas were rolling and the water was darker in color than Yoohoo.

I've been fishing Fortescue for 30 years, but I han't driven down to the bulkhead in maybe 10. I was amazed by some of the beautiful homes that have been built and/or restored. Probably the nicest house in town sits on the lot where Sam and Helen Miller had their rental boat business. That's where I cut my teeth fishing the D'Bay when I was 13. Once I was old enough to drive and after I had saved a few bucks, I bought an old, old boat that I sunk way too much money into. I used to keep it on its trailer behind Sam and Helen's house across the street from their business. I don't know why I'm telling you all this except that in that instant, I had a thirty year flashback and could vividly remember things that I thought I had lond since forgotten. My 15-year old son seemed mesmorized by my babble as I rattled off this and that, but I think he enjoyed for once my telling him about how things used to be.

Anyway, the town is still in hibernation mode. Al's is boarded tight. No porta-potty's to be had. The Angler and another boat or two is all that floats in the creek. It was a great trip down with my son riding shotgun capped off with soft-serve ice cones from Blinker Custard in Millville on the trip home. Can't wait for the season to start.

TWIN D'S
03-15-2004, 08:44 PM
Thanks for the update. Not much changes in Fortescue.

Phil

trianglekid
03-16-2004, 08:00 PM
As I listen to the N.E.winds blast ice,snow, and whatever on my front windows I can't help but think about taking my son down the Fort. and "babble" his ears raw with Fortescue war stories. The boathouse I believe your talking about was called Hopeley's when I got started. I believe he passed on while bringing in a rental that was in a bad way. After the next ownership (who shall remain nameless because he didn't maintain the outboards), I believe the people you mentioned got ownership.(very nice folks)

The present ownership is also very reliable and I tried to talk her into advertising on the barn.
Her reports would be very useful.

Anyway,I hear a warming trend is on the horizon and so will start a new season. But it's still fun to harken the day when weakies were plentiful and characters like Tongue Tied would prowl the bulkheads and just brighten the day.

TIGHT LINES

Partnership
03-17-2004, 10:11 AM
boy- great story. I enjoyed reading it this morning. (Though I wish it included a better fishing and weather report).

JoeN
03-17-2004, 01:18 PM
Fished saturday thru monday at all tides day and night at times, not a bite. Seems nobody was getting a bite. Some guys think the dredging is messing things up. Well not long until the boat goes in and the Fort comes alive.

de41566
03-18-2004, 09:17 PM
every time i'm down at the fort fishing or just riding through i always have memories of when dad took me to millers to rent a boat and spend the day on the bay mostly to her me whine i'm board,lets go home, sure look forward to giveing my son some great times like them i hope he enjoys it as much as i did with my dad,now i hate having to come in from a day out on the water even if the cooler is empty