Annual Send for Scott

[Hookmanski]

January 10th is my late father's birthday, and year after year since his passing I have gone fishing on his birthday to remember and honor him. Typically I go to places we fished together when I was a kid, but this year looked a bit different than the past few - with a huge rain and windstorm moving through the area, I knew I had my work cut out for me.

I got out on the water around 8:00 this morning, stopping to check tributaries and creeks on my way to my Hunterdon County stomping grounds. There was a lot of clear flooding the night before, and the main rivers and creeks we're as blown out as you could expect them to be. I did manage to find a few tributaries that weren't running as high as I'd expected, but there was no life in them that I saw. I think the wind and new debris in the creeks from the storm might have had a hand in that. After 4 hours of hopping (scrambling, really, hence the broken net) around thinking of every creek I had seen since I was a kid and checking them all, I figured I would regroup, grab some lunch at Cryan's in Clinton, and try again in the afternoon. A lot of the NJF guys knew I was doing this today and called in tips, which I am so grateful for.





After recharging, I figured I'd shoot up the musky and see how it and it's tribs were doing. Much like the rest, they were flooded and not worth the time. I decided to foucs my energy on a lake instead, and decided to hit Tilcon since it was on my way home. After grinding it out there for an hour plus, I stuck a landlocked Atlantic in the last 15 minutes I had to fish. Thanks Dad.







I lost my father to suicide and think about him every day. He was a fantastic guy. If you or someone you know is having a tough time, you are not alone - there is help for you. Tight lines!

[thmyorke1]

beautiful story!!!! amazing work out there

[dales529]

Thanks for posting and what a great tribute to your Dad. Sorry you lost him and no fault of yours. Cool that you are reaching out to others that may be in need! Although you scored the Landlocked ( great job) it still would have been a great tribute even if you didn't catch. It appears he taught you well reading your many "catch" posts! But I am sure some you taught yourself as well along the way!

[Chrisper4694]

This is the best thing I've seen in a while

[LanceinPA]

Very nice tribute. I knew your father and was lucky enough to spend some time hunting and fishing with both him and Blair. He would be proud. BTW your dad and my dad shared the same B-Day which I did not know.

[huntcountypussbuck]

always good to see this post every year. your dad is smiling upon you everyday its's a fact! great post

[DanH]

What a GREAT story and thanks for sharing ! Trust me when I say that your Dad is not that far away .I think the catch at the end was a gift !