Birthday Parties

This past week was a milestone for our friend Russ Reynolds.  He celebrated his 60th birthday.  Keith and I as well as several couples from New Bern were there to wish him the best.  There was a big party for him on Ocracoke.  He plays in a band and they entertained the guests for part of the evening.

60 Never Sounded So Good

(Russ is on the left)

There were three boats from New Bern that came to Ocracoke for the weekend.  Dave and Janet on "Sequel", Chris and Tracey on "Synergy", and Dr. Mike and Debbie on "Just Sayin".  Both Debbie and Dr. Mike also have August birthdays.  Happy Birthday to all.  We had another get-together at Russ and Michele's for Debbie's birthday.

From left to right

Russ, Dave, Tracey and Chris in back, Janet, Gail, Debbie, Michelle, Keith,  and Millie the best yellow lab on Ocracoke in the front.

It may be difficult to believe, but there was also some activities besides parties.  Keith and Dave had some great luck fishing.  They caught several keeper flounder and two pompano.  The pompano that Keith hooked into was 2 1/2 pounds which is a citation in NC.  Each year the NC Division of Marine Fisheries sponsors an open tournament for recreational anglers.  Fishermen who land or release certain saltwater species of a minimum size or larger in NC coastal waters are eligible for a citation certificate that commends there catch as extraordinary.  The fish must be caught on hook and line; and landed without the aid of electric or hydraulic equipment.  The fish must then be weighed at an official weigh station where the weigh-master will inspect the catch.  The marina here is an official weigh station and the staff checked Keith's fish and got him the paperwork for his citation.

Keith's Citation Pompano on the top

Keith and Dave cleaned the fish and we had a fish fry for lunch with the whole gang.

Keith and Dave cleaning fish

The Gang on "Sequel" from left to right

(Chris, Tracey, Deb, Janet, Dave, Gail, Keith, and Dr. Mike is taking the picture)

Keith and Dr. Mike did some dinghy fishing as well.  They did not have as much luck, but still had a fun time.  Here they are heading out of the marina.

I cooked up some of the flounder one day for Keith and I.  This is my flounder Francaise.

It was wonderful to see everyone and to celebrate all the August birthdays.  Hopefully as the weather begins to cool down and the fishing gets better,  Despite Keith's good luck fishing, it really has been a struggle with the waters so warm right now. Hopefully Capt. Dave will be able to come back for more fishing this fall.  We are getting excited for the return of species such as tuna, wahoo, and drum (red fish) in the coming weeks.