Burn-down before the Shut-down, the Rogue's notes.

The world looks better through a cool pair of shades
With some beer on a boat on a Saturday. -A. Shepherd
Skyline Drive... the OC's horizon heading north on the Assawoman, 11/4/2023.

     That time of year again. Last tour of the Assawoman. "Intercoastal" water in the 60's. Daytime temps right at the 70F mark. Fairly calm day on the bay. Good enough to open up the Jet. Had 'ta burn off the fuel before shutting down for the winter. Winter. Not feelin' it yet. Threw a couple casts into the Rt. 90 Bridge. Looking for the Stripers. Yeah, right. Still a bit warm. Air was mild, though feelin' the chill when flyin' up the bay.

 

The Cut.

Ready to chow!

Warmth of the sun when runnin' thru the local canals. Cruisin' the "Cut" on the way to our closing haunt, Catch 54, for the season's last waterfront feast. It was a fair year on the bay. Always want the fish stories to be better. Always looked for the wind to die down. Our coda to the season. Ride home left us with a settin' sun and dropping temps. Racin' daylight back to the ramp. 

Racin' daylight - headin' back, 11/4/2023.

    Catch 54 with Oysters on the Half, Southern Fried Chicken, Crab Mac 'n Cheese, and an outstanding  pumpkin brew from Ocean View Brewing. A great closing meal. But the review is a nod to fishin'. Michigan's Saugatuck Brewing. Rainbow Rodeo IPA. Fly fishin'. Rainbow trout. IPA. Get the connection? Me neither. But...it was a good malt forward IPA.  Clear orange-amber pour. Finger plus thickness of a pillowy, off-white head. Citrus, and caramel malts in the nose. Toffee, melon, grapefruit, light pine and resin, in the taste. 60 IBUs of  bitter sweetness at the finish. At 7%, this would be a "times two". Otherwise, good-night! Solid IPA. Rated a B.