Tom’s Blog: Life

September 14, 2001 Last night I went out on the boat. I headed west-northwest. After twenty minutes or so the skyline came into view. First the Bronx, then the Empire State Building, then the plume of smoke. The wind was from the south and the gray mist which spouted from ... Read More

John, a friend of mine, saw this prayer and said he just had to get it for me. He drove around with it in his truck for a while until our paths crossed today. Last week another friend, Mike, who had been in Manchester earlier this summer gave me this ... Read More

Honoring those who gave their lives during the wars, all the wars. Too many wars. The red poppies symbolizing blood spilled. Blood. The holiday was first known as Decoration Day - a day to put flowers on the graves of the Civil War dead, both Blue and Gray. Both. That's ... Read More

November 2, 2017 Congratulations to my friend and fishing partner Joe Odierna (on the left) who has been awarded Long Island Trout Unlimited's Silver Trout. The recognition is for outstanding service to the cause of protecting, preserving and restoring our cold water fisheries. He has been especially generous in his ... Read More

Father's Day, the day I thank the man who took me fishing. On November 22, 1969 Dad turned 49. Two days later he was dead. I was 22 and my first son turned 1 that day. It is something that you don’t recover from, rather you incorporate it into your ... Read More

May 4, 2018 - West Point Fly Fishing Club – It is 1700 hours and we are walking along the path to Washington Hall, adjacent The Plain. We pass General Patton and head toward Ike when the bugle sounds retreat and a loud shot from a vintage canon is heard ... Read More

Something there is that doesn’t love a wall... R. Frost The signs say No swimming, No dogs, No dogs even if they are on a leash, No trespassing, Beach ends here, Stay out. Go home! Not really but that is the intent. I can understand wanting to protect the nesting ... Read More

December 20, 2017 - Long Island - Caleb Smith State Park is one of the Jewels of Long Island trout fishing and it has been managed by one dedicated professional for the last 27 years - Clarence Ware (a life-time member of TU). The time has come for him to ... Read More

Honoring those who gave their lives during the wars, all the wars. Too many wars. The red poppies symbolizing blood spilled. Blood. Used to be Decoration Day - a day to put flowers on the graves of the Civil War dead, both Blue and Gray. Flowers. Not a day for ... Read More