Greetings from Capt. Dave & Baymen Guide Service, Inc!

October is in the rear view mirror and November has quietly arrived in Baymen Land. The russet colors of autumn are glowing under overcast skies with a light drizzle and a wisp of a south wind. The bay is dead-calm and the fall migration of waterfowl is underway.

You may be surprised to hear there are still fall striped bass coming down the coast. But they are schooled up tighter than ever and it takes a lot of scouting to be in the right place at the right time. That said, a few friends of mine have been in the right place at the right time over the past week (and even this morning) and they continue to land schoolies and slot fish (28″ to UNDER 35″). I still have my rods in the truck but like many of you, I am always torn this time of year between the call of the mountains up north, and the lingering, pleading calling of the bay saying “not yet…”

For the past seven years I have spent October and November up north, guiding for woodcock and ruffed grouse. This fall I have decided to take a break from the mountains and it is killing me. I can’t tell you how exciting it is to be standing on the bay with a fly rod in hand casting to striped bass, and then the very next day be walking in on a point on a grouse or woodcock miles deep in the mountains. When I am here, I wish I was there; and when I am there, I wish I was here.

So, you fight the tuggings of the heart for as long as you can, and get out when you can and make plans to go here or there and then you just have to finally let go and move on with the seasons… Birds, bass, trout, deer, bear, moose, it doesn’t matter. You have make plans and get up and go, so that when you are old you can say with a full heart, “I am glad I went” rather than saying “I wish I had…” 

Here’s to wishing you the very best of November in the woods and on the water. Walk with God.

Sincerely,

Capt. David Bitters, BAYMEN, www.baymenlife.com