Fish On!

The day broke foggy and cool but quickly turned into a typical August day as the young and young-at-heart dropped their fishing lines into the waters off the T-wharf. The Reserve’s Sustainable Fishing Contest has become a beloved annual tradition, with many of the same faces returning to defend their ‘Scupmaster’ title or to land that elusive fish that could result in a coveted trophy. Always held on the third Sunday in August, the Contest has become a gathering place for friends and families where stories are told, fish are caught (hopefully!) and memories are made. The community support for this event is what makes Prudence Island so special. Generous sponsors make donations that allow us to provide t-shirts to the first 100 attendees, door prizes for all ages, trophies, and the one-and-only Scupmaster hat. We registered 139 kids and adults at this year’s event, with dozens more simply enjoying the day and lending their support to their fellow fisher-friends. It’s always fun to watch someone land their first fish, or to see a tiny 5” sea robin being pulled in by a tiny toddler. We thank the community for their ongoing support, and we look forward to the contest in 2020.

Oh, and if you’re wondering what it takes to become a Scupmaster…well, simply catch more legal-size scup than anyone else! Sounds easy, right? Some years the fish are really biting, other years not so much. This year was a little more challenging, but Dolores Baker managed to land three scup to re-claim her title of Scupmaster, previously won in 2016. Way to go, Dolores!