On the Run - Wildest Characters...

[Mark Cahill]

You certainly came across (and fished with) some truly memorable characters "On The Run" - can you give us a few of the similarities you found among successful striper addicts? Also, of all the "characters", who looms largest in your memory?

Thanks,

Mark

[ruge13]

On a side note....of all the aspects of the book I took away, The ability you have to capture the personality of each character (having met and spoken with a few of them) is perfect. I found that to be very ebntertaining and added quite a bit to the local atmosphere of the book. Thanks!

[On The Run]

Where to start? Paul Melnyk--Montauk's skisherman--has to be at the top. He loves life on the edge, for sure. And he seemed to enjoy taking me to look over that edge. I've already talked about my fond memories of John Cole. Then there's always Albert McReynolds, the world record holder (and I'll add a very, very good fisherman). Tony Stetzko's a blast. Can't forget Gartside and Dave Skok--Boston's fly guys. I could go on--and on.

The best striper fishermen did share a few traits. First off, when they went fishing they didn't BS. They fished and they fished hard. They were also always adjusting to the conditions whether it was changing flies, spots, lines, retrieves, etc. Most of them kept detailed logs of what they caught and when, and many just seemed to have a natural knack for understanding fish behavior. They were always learning. And above all, they couldn't imagine a life away from the water. It was in their blood.