Boy, what a week this has been! It started off with a tragedy, and ended up with the sun peeking out from behind dark clouds (as it always does). I’m going to talk about the happy times first. I’m supposed to be writing about fishing, and that’s another reason for starting off this way. Cpt. Charlie Selby on the Rainbow, and Cpt. Bill Henfey on the Sea Raider both sent glowing reports on weakfish out near McCries shoal with bluefish mixed in. On Thursday night when I arrived at Roseman's Boat Yard logo drumfi'shing, Cpt. John Herron on the Slammer

had a party from Pottsville there with four coolers full of tidemnner weakfish and slammer bluefish, so I grabbed a picture of them, while Cpt. Don Murphy was putting the finishing touches on the repairs of the Janie T VII. Joe Halbruner, and Lou Jacobs of Erma, and Joe Walls of Linwood were waiting by the stem, while I helped the Pottsville boys fill out their County Contest cards, and weigh in the fish. We had some good information on drum, and they were anxious to get out there. Jim Wallace had informed me that Wednesday night Gary Norton, on

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Boyd Tyler THAT’S SOME BIRTHDAY present for Lou Jacobs of North Cape May. left, with the B8 lb drum on his 77th birthday. Joe Halbruner of Shunpike, center, has a 50-pounder, while Joe Walls of Linwood, shows his very first drum, a 70-pounder caught on the Janie T VII northeast of Brandywine.

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the Drum Runner had two drum northeast of Brandywine and had heard a lot of fish, so we were hot to go. When we got out there, we found Cpt. Richard Stotz on the Sea Wife II anchored in a good spot so we anchored on his line, and talked tb him; later that evening Richards’ wife caught a nice drum. A little later Jim Magill and Ben Budd pulled up inshore; they were there about 15 minutes when Jim called that he was hearing a lot of drum, and that he had one on. We weren’t doing anything at our spot, so Joe Halbruner pulled the anchor for me, and we moved in to get on line with Jim. IT TURNED OUT to be a very good move, because about 8 o’clock Joe Halbruner hooked and I gaffed a 50 lb. drum, then about 8:30, Joe Walls hooked a 70 lb. drum on the spinning rod that his son presented him with at Christmas. After quite a bit of difficulty (which I promised not to talk about) I finally gaffed it and brought it aboard. Then at 9 o’clock, Lou Jacobs hook,ed, and I gaffed, a 68 lb. drum for him. This was Lou's 77th birthday, so it was a nice present. And the 70 pounder was Joe Walls very first drum. So we had a lot to be thankful for. ON FRIDAY the word was out, and Bob Hertzog, Cpt. Jim Delaney and John Polillio headed for the same numbers. Well, Gary Norton was there on Drum Runner in a little deeper water, and after milling around awhile we talked to him, and we anchored in a little deeper water on his line and started fishing. I got lucky and hooked a 58 lb, drum, which Bob Hertzog gaffed, and then John Polillo got a 50 lb. drum on, and I returned the favor. Cpt Jim Delaney had one started, but it came loose, so at 11:15 we headed for the barn. JIM MAGILL had caught three in a row. and headed in earlier, and Gary Norton was onto two fish as we left. I think he had three or four on 15 lb. test. In the meantime we were listening to the South Jersey Fishing Center Shark Tournament, and I heard Cpt. Joe Drosea on the Lobster House say he had two makos, but I’ll have to give you the results of that contest next week. One last item on fishing. Cpt. Bill I^wis of the Salty Pepper is resuming charters after ten years, and will be a welcome addition to our fishing scene. Cpt. Bill was a legend among charter boat captains in the ’70s, and we’re all glad to see him come out of retirement. ON SATURDAY night, Cpt. Jim Delaney and I accompanied Jack Osborne and Cpt. Don Murphy out to the grounds aboard the Red Beard After about four hours, around 9:30 Cpt Don hooked, and Jack gaffed, a 62 lb. drum Cpt. Don had a party out bluefishing that afternoon, and caught some pretty nice blues Then he turned around and went out with us that night So, he had quite a day

NOW. ON TO THE sad part of my week. I lost the first three days because one of my oldest and dearest friends in banking. Norman Switzler, passed away on Monday. I was with Norm for 18 years; first in the old First National of Court House, and then with Guarantee Bank. Norm came down here from Bridgeton, but he was here only a short while before he became part of us. He put up with all the Jish stories that Andy (irace and I told him through the years, because he was a good listener, but hedecided early that golf was for him. I don’t know how to really do Norm justice with words, because he touched so many of our lives with his kindness; and his unselfish devotion to helping people. Father ••Charlie" Jones told it best. He said Norm took everyone’s problems, and tried to solve them, because he cared You don't meet too many people like that, but he was at home, on the waterfront with Eric Axelsson at A & J. as he was in his office. MY DAD used to tell me that when I passed 50 if I could count the friends in my life on the fingers of one hand, I’d be lucky This, was a true friend, and I’ve got a real void in my life, and so do a lot of other people in Cape May County. Norm cared, and he did something about it. I’m sorry that words do nof do justice to his kindness, but I can only say: farewell, old friend.

1 Emma Fraim 2 Shirley WeisrnbauRh J Frances Thalcher 4 Jack Meyer 5 Marion Zuch « Nancy Brohsi "See you in The fall"

Boyd Tyler WITH THEIR COOLERS FULL. Tony Upshaw, Nick Upshaw. Frank Casey, George Bagdrnls. and other members of their party from Pottsvlllr display the tiderunner weakfish and slammer hfu^s caught south .of McCries on thi? ••Slamrper" with Cpt. John IJerron dutof / Roseman's Boat Yard! /

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