Dear Mr. Bluefish,

I am writing this letter to you beacause I respect you and feel you deserve fair warning about my intentions. We have known each other for about 11 years now. I first met you at South Cape Beach. Since then I have had respect for you and based on your hard fighting ability, you for me. Although it is true that I have kept a few of you, for the most part I have let go most of your brothers and sisters. I along with most fishermen find you to be oily, my son however prefers you to striped bass on his dinner plate, you should take that up with him.

I confess there have been times when I try to avoid you like when I am using eels or plastic shads. There have been times when I sought you out and looked forward to your company. Usually that was when the peanut bunker were in the bay.  I thank you for not visiting when I was casting eels in Narragansett and I thank you for letting me meet so many of your family during a blitz at Kings Beach, Newport a few years ago.

For the most part we have gotten along very well. I have not killed many of you and in return you have avoided many of my eels. I only kept two of your relatives all year, both on the same day. The first was because I wanted to try smoked bluefish so I kept a big one in October. About an hour later Jeff caught one that inhaled a big plug deep into its gills. The next day I smoked them.

That is where the problem will start between us. I have never liked eating you, so when I hook you I am more than happy to let you go. You fight so valiantly anyway, it only seems fair. The problem is you are ABSOLUTELY DELICIOUS smoked. I dehydrated you in the oven, using liquid smoke, brown sugar, and spices. It was one of the finest things I have ever eaten. I would eat a couple pieces a day after work as a treat. After lunch all I could think about was the fish in my refridgerator.

 As you know I do not enjoy killing fish. I feel bad about it. I fish for the pleasure of catching fish. I will keep some trout, and the occasional striper or fluke that swallow the hook. When I keep fish its to eat fish, I get no pleasure out of the killing. I do it as quickly as possible so there is little suffering.

 You were so delicious I ask you not to tempt me. I give you fair warning and ask you not to bite my bait or lure. If I catch one small harbor blue, you are probably safe. I'm not going to use 3 hours worth of propane in my oven to smoke one small fish. However, if I catch a big one or start catching three, four or five of you, I do not think I will be able to fight the urge. Smoked bluefish is one of the best things I have ever eaten. Although I will get no pleasure out of killing you, I will get tons of pleasure eating you.

So there you have it my friend. I fear our relationship is going to take a turn for the bloody. Try to avoid me as best you can. I used to be Dr. Jekyl to you but please consider me Mr. Hyde from now on.
Good luck, I hope your enjoying your winter in southern waters. Remember when you come back up the Rhode Island coast, be careful.

Good Luck and Godspeed to you

Sincerely,

Nick Pacelli