Hope Springs Eternal

by Steve “Tuna” Tornovish

The first Nantucket striped bass of the year is a very sought-after fish. That first striper signifies that it’s time to get your gear out and get ready for the onslaught of fish that follow. The first bass clearly says that the seasons have changed. The long winter wait is over, better times are coming. Yeah, that first striped bass is an important fish.

So who’s going to catch that first bass? The vast majority of Nantucket beach fishermen sit in their nice warm living rooms on their comfy couches, checking Facebook to see if it’s happened yet. I certainly can fall into that category. Early spring fishing conditions can be tough. The air is cold, the water is colder and the hockey playoffs are on (oh man, what happened to our Bruins? Ouch!). It’s easy to not get up and go out in search of the first Nantucket fish.

The Nantucket striper fishermen pay attention to a couple of early signs to know when it’s time to dig out their fishing gear. On the Water magazine sends out email blasts with a “striper map.” This color-coded map shows the progress of the striped bass as they migrate upward from the Chesapeake Bay tributaries, their spawning ground. A lime green line indicates the northward progress of the schoolie bass, the smaller fish that tend to lead the migratory progress. As soon as that line gets up in the vicinity of Rhode Island, we fishing types set our radars on the fishing reports out of Larry’s Tackle Shop in Martha’s Vineyard. Larry’s runs a contest for the first beach striper caught on that other island. This year, that fish was caught on April 15th.

Nantucket’s first fish is generally caught about two weeks later. This year, it took until May 3 for that first fish to hit the sand. And it’s an epic story! This story has a hero, someone who transcends adversity and refuses to quit. There’s an evil villain, a name that causes even the heartiest of souls to shiver. There’s a love interest. There’s a wise wizard who helps our hero remain steadfast and keep fighting. Think about it: this could be the tale of Rocky, Apollo Creed, Adrien

Providing

Tours Since 1998

and calendar in this paper. Private tours also available.

THURSDAY, MAY 18

9:30 AM to 5 PM - StoryWalk: Florette by Anna Walker

Read this beautiful picture book that celebrates friendship, resilience in the face of change, & the magic of the natural world. Nantucket Atheneum, 1 India Street.

10 AM - Endeavor Sailing Excursions with Captain Jim

Learn Nantucket’s maritime history & see waterfront sights. Reservations encouraged. Slip #1015, Straight Wharf. Tickets at 508-228-5585 or EndeavorSailing.com. Repeated at 1:30 & 3:30 pm.

12:45 PM - Linda Loring Nature Foundation Hike with Nantucket Walkabout LLNF’s publicly accessible property has easy trails thru sandplain grasslands, coastal shrublands, & along the North Head of Long Pond in sight of an active osprey nest. 110 Eel Point Road. 508-422-7466 WalkNantucket.com

3:30 to 5 PM - Nantucket Wine & Food Festival Kickoff Tasting

This tasting features 2 of the top wineries from Chile: Felipe Muller of Tabali Wines and Isabel Guilisasti of Don Melchor. Tabali hails from unique limestonebased vineyards in the Limari Valley, on the edge of the Atacama desert. Don Melchor is an iconic Cabernet Sauvignon of the Maipo Valley. Held in Current Vintage, 4 Easy Street. 508-228-5073 CurrentVintage.com

4 to 7 PM - Timmy Maia Live at Cisco Brewers

Timmy is known for his high energy & smooth vocals. Hear them at Cisco Brewers.

5:30 PM - Lecture: Summer on Nantucket: A History of the Island Resort

NHA Chief Curator & Obed Macy Research Chair, Michael R. Harrison will highlights this summer’s featured NHA exhibition, opening in the Whaling Museum on May 26. Nantucket Whaling Museum, 13 Broad Street. NHA.org

6 to 7 PM - ELL Beginner & Intermediate English

Drop-in class & conversation. Class is free, conducted in English. ccreighton@nantucketatheneum.org or 508-228-1110 x113. Nantucket Atheneum, 1 India Street.

6:30 PM - Sunset Sail Aboard the Endeavor

Enjoy a stunning sunset from the water. Reservations at EndeavorSailing.com or 508-228-5585. Departs from Slip #1015, Straight Wharf. Departure times change as time of sunset changes.

7:30 to 8:30 PM - Open Mic Night in the Atheneum

Cut loose and express yourself up in the acoustically stellar Great Hall of the Nantucket Atheneum, 1 India Street. 508-228-1110 NantucketAtheneum.org

8:15 to 9:15 PM - “Look Up” at Loines

Join MMA’s astronomers for a tour of Nantucket’s night sky. Learn more about the constellations, phases of the moon, the planets, ans why eclipses happen. Free but registration is required at MariaMitchell.org

FRIDAY, MAY 19

8 AM - Coskata-Coatue Wildlife Refuge Tour with Nantucket Walkabout

3-mile hike mostly over sand that’s a fascinating exploration of the beginnings of Nantucket Harbor. Tidal pond, beach, cedar forest & dune, maritime oak forest, salt marsh with active osprey nests & harbor. 508-422-7466 WalkNantucket.com

9 AM to 3 PM - Teen Playwriting Workshop with Jay Craven

The program works to maximize students’ learning through performing arts & to foster confidence, creative collaboration, critical thinking, & imagination. To register email jcraven1590@gmail.com

9:30 AM to 5 PM - StoryWalk: Florette by Anna Walker

Read this beautiful picture book that celebrates friendship, resilience in the face of change, & the magic of the natural world. Nantucket Atheneum, 1 India Street.

10 AM - Endeavor Sailing Excursions with Captain Jim

Learn Nantucket’s maritime history & see waterfront sights. Reservations encouraged. Slip #1015, Straight Wharf. Tickets at 508-228-5585 or EndeavorSailing.com. Repeated at 1:30 & 3:30 pm.

10 AM - Fabulous Mansions of the Cliff & Brant Point

2-1/2 mi, 1 hr. exercise walk with historic commentary past spectacular homes. End at White Elephant Hotel. Cash Only, $25; $20 for 65+; $15 for teens; $10 for ages 7-12. Meet at Main & Centre by bank steps 10 min early 774-325-8972

10 AM to 5 PM - Wine Festival Raffle at G.S. Hill Gallery

Stop by G.S. Hill Gallery at 40 Straight Wharf & enter a free raffle to win a set of pearl Wine Charms. Drawing on May 22: winners will be notified.