WFA

Some of you might find this interesting. The Westport Fishermen's Association was founded 26 years ago by fishermen and folks interested in the Westport River, its promotion, protection, and preservation.

Folks of all ages, and from all walks of life in the community have joined in the efforts.

Over the years a scholarship program was established, an old ramshackle lifesaving station restored, which now serves as a museum of sorts, and this year will be used as a workshop, where a strip plank Rangely (Maine) rowboat will be built to raffle off at the 2011 clambake.

The canoe I was lucky enough to win is near the top of the page.

Linda Greenlaw will be hosted by the WFA, and will be speaking about her latest book and the television show, "Swordfish, Life on the Line".

She is the author of "The Perfect Storm". If you've seen the tv show, you've seen her.

The old fishing tools are interesting. The gaff hook is unique, and an old handline frame can be seen. A couple of eel spears are not really spears. When used, an eel passes between the tines, and is impaled when it is drawn back.

I've done it a few times. It's done through the ice, and at areas where the sandy/gravel bottom transitions to mud.

The eels hibernate in large balls. When you strike into one of these balls it feels like you've run into an innertube. A few quick stabs and backward jerks will result in a few or several eels. Eels and Johnnycakes are an old New England staple.

Johnnycakes are the New England version of hush puppies, made out of cornmeal, and generally cooked like pancakes unlike the southern fried treat.

The Town Dock in the photo at the top of the page was home to my lobsterboat for more than two decades.

Here's the link.

http://www.westportriver.org/