Good morning from Baymen Land on the front beach. We have strong North winds and a balmy 16 degrees at first light. Weather is always a concern when you are a Captain.

I was once on charter with clients in January. We were about 3.5 miles out on the bay and anchored. The temps were in the twenties, but it was sunny and flat calm. In literally 30 seconds the winds shifted and began to pick up and seas began to build. Three minutes later we were holding on for dear life in a 40 knot gale and six foot seas, with our stern to the wind! Thanks be to God, we survived and got to safety but not before the anchor lines became tangled in the prop and boat completely filled with water in seconds. What a trip that was! Thankfully, in 29 years of guiding, I can count on one hand the number of days we had a little weather.

I should mention that day in January I had a four man crew that included one United States Marine, who, like me, enjoyed the thrill of the taste of death in the mouth, and arose to the occasion with great vigor, as all US Marines are prepared to do when called upon. Oorah! Thank you, sir.

Yesterday, at “Club Baymen”, we had a wicked snow squall, with temps turning hard out of the north. “Winter’s Last Stand” with the first day of spring only five days away. The morning was sunny and cool but nice and Mrs. Baymen and I walked the beach with Big Dog. But it was a winter gale in the afternoon!

We had a nice walk and I got some good clams before the weather turned. I made a dump run and even cleaned the kitty box and brought in the last of the firewood. Two cords burned this season in the fire place for a little extra warmth and cheer. There is nothing like a fire after being outdoors on a cold day.

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First day of Spring is Saturday. Today’s 16 degree temps are going to warm to 40’s and 50’s by Wednesday and Thursday and next week – every day in the 50’s and even reaching into the 60’s. And one other minor detail: The First Striped Bass will began to trickle into our bay in just thirty days from today – but whose counting.

Wishing you a great week from Baymen Land.

Capt. David Bitters, BAYMEN, www.baymenlife.com “From The Mountains To The Sea”