Salt Trip, the Rogue's notes.

"Sometimes we overlook the little things in life. Our attention is diverted to things like text messages, emails, memos, and fake news. We lose sleep over work issues and topics that never seem to end the world. We spend time on social media being anything but social and watch other people living their lives through pictures and comments. The only thing that seems to take me away from all the distractions is being on the water." -Robert King Byard, Fish On!

   We go when we can go...weather, winds, and time permitting. Between conditions and the corona. First month on the water for any reason. First lines out of the season. Several fishin' ventures into the great Assawoman. Targeted Rock around the east 90 bridge. Flounder in the thoroughfare. Anything in the east channel...Flounder, Blues, small Stripers. No fish. Plenty of seaweed and crabs. Still... therapeutic. May's salt trip.

Early May. Rt. 90 Bridge, the Assawoman expanse.

No rocks here. 

   Couple of brews to wash down the blues of bringing up empty lines. Located in Tinley Park, part of Chicago's down south suburbia, Hailstorm Brewing developed Boat Drinks, a New England style Hazy Double IPA. Double dry hopped and sportin' an 8.5% ABV, a few of these will have you seeing double of whatever you do or do not bring up from the bay bottom. Which for this month, would have made me feel a little better about the fishing. Or not. Poured a hazy orange-amber with a 2+ finger thick, khaki colored head. Filled with aromas of pineapple and and orange. The taste revealed some of the advertised coconut as well as plenty more pineapple and orange. Sticky sweetness as it went down. Resinous pine and the tell-tale hoppy, bitter grapefruit experience in the finish. Rated a B+. 

Baltimore's DuClaw Brewing has become widely known for their velvety smooth drinking Sweet Baby Jesus Chocolate Peanut Butter Porter. Jet-black pour with a thin, fast dissipating, foamy, brown head. Literally smelled like a Reese's cup, swirling with plenty of peanut butter aroma and roasted mocha coffee notes. Creamy goin' down, with tastes of brownies, and malted chocolate balls. More coffee. Some vanilla maybe...like a latte. Less peanut butter in the flavor profile. Maybe a tad in the aftertaste. Didn't taste strong, but the 6.2% ABV made it a solid brew. 33 IBUs gave a crisp finish. Rated an A-. Time to grab them poles, drop that boat, and head on back out!

"Take the boat out, put some
lobsters on the grill, get the
ice-cold beer, and the cigars
-that's heaven here on earth."

-Bernie Mac