Draggin' Fly Charters

Hello from Cabo San Lucas.
Mary and I fished during the tail end of the Bisbee Black and Blue Tournament, the richest fishing tournament in the world with a payoff over 7.5 million dollars 179 boats participatedin this event
Here’s the summary of Day 1 for us ; As planned the fleet went East and we went West.
First hour, landed a huge wahoo. Next a nice marlin. Lost another before finishing the day catching and releasing several rooster fish.
Great day on the water.

It is hard to believe that it was 41 ago when I won first place for the largest weakfish caught in the 1984 Martha's Vineyard Derby. It was caught the last night of the Derby...great memory of my times fishing the beaches of the Island.
Now in its 80th year, the Derby continues to attract hundreds of great fishers. To address the dwindling striped bass and weakfish stocks, both species have been removed from the derby.

I had a photo that won first place in the New England Outdoor Writers Annual Photo Contest a picture that I took on my Safari in Africa. for the action category.

Just completed the sale of my website, fishboston.com
Not sure what it will now be used to promote. But I had a great run.
That era is now truly history!

I just completed a set of wooden trout and salmon decoys. Included are brook, brow, rainbow and lake trout, also a landlock salmon. These are made in the tradition of mid-western spear fishing decoys...are meant to be working decoys.
Now carving other fish of Maine!

Very interesting.

New England and Northeast Lost Ski Areas Project - NELSAP.org NELSAP.org is dedicated to preserving the history of lost ski areas. Each lost area has their own in

Mary recently returned form an African Safari where we visited 5 different countries.
I have finally got around to editing quite a few of the pictures from the trip and have uploaded them to my Flickr account. I find this is the best way to share my photos...even Mary finds it easy to use!!
Just click on this link and it will take you there. The pictures are organized in folders so it is easy to navigate.
Will add more scenic pictures as I edited...but finished with animals!!
This is the link to my Flickr page:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/captbillme/albums/

Can use help in identifying these lures. The smaller one, I believe is a Clark Baby Midget Water Scout Minnow and the other might be a South Bend.

I had several entries nominated for the New England Outdoor Writers Annual Photo Contest. I just learned one of my entries won first place. I have been honored to win other awards for writing and photography in past contests but this was the first time winning the top award.

Rehab continues to go well. I have gotten back to a regular routine of working around the house and fitting in my hobbies.
Some friends asked why I did not return to Massachusetts to have the knee replacement surgery done at New England Baptist, the base of my original orthopedic surgeon. These are the same individuals who question why Mary and I decided to settle in the mountains of Maine: trading my charter boat for a kayak and the smell of the ocean for the blizzards of Maine. My answer is simple: “We are not living off the grid.” We have everything we need within a short commute and much more. We have a lot of space but are close to friends. And believe or not, we also have access to some great medical care, as my recent operation has shown us.
No worries from here, life is good!

Life is good here in the western Mountains of Maine. A few days ago, I saw 2 bear cubs crossing the road at the end of my street. I did not see Momma but I think that she probably led her cubs across the road. This spring and summer Mary and I have seen more wildlife than in previous years.
A quick update on my rehab: it has been 3 weeks since the knee replacement surgery. Monday, I started outpatient PT working with the same therapist who I saw prior to the surgery. She was very pleased with the progress that I am making. I got the okay to ride my stationary bike and work out on it twice a day.
I also got approval to drive at the end of last week. I felt very isolated when I could not drive so I am enjoying this new freedom.
My daily routine besides riding the bike, include a daily walk, and a lot of exercises. I work my back and both knees out so it takes quite a bit of time.
I just started working on a review of standardize testing data for a school that I have been tracking for many years. I also have resumed some household chores on a limited basis.

Rehab is progressing nicely. It has 12 days since knee replacement and I am gaining each day. I am now able to do most things independently. The staples were removed Friday and the x-rays of the new knee looked great.
I have transitioned to walking with a cane and I am no longer using the walker unless walking distance on uneven ground. My PT therapist is pleased with my range, which allows me to nearly flatten the knee and bend it to almost 95 degrees. I will start outpatient PT in a week and will soon be able to ride a stationary bike.
The first mate, Mary has been a great help these past two weeks. Not being able to drive for another 2 weeks will probably drive me crazy. Although my exercises and daily chores are keeping me busy, I have not adjusted to being house bound too well. Not being able to drive for another 2 weeks will probably drive me crazy.