A deeper story ...

[gman]

Some where thousands of miles away on a hot summer day, a young man like myself was preparing for a days worth of fishing. Not an ordinary day by any means it was a right of passage if you will, a coming of age ... this was the Mattanza. These young sicilian men armed only with nets and boats worked together to herd these giants together and harvest them from the seas with teamwork and unity. Im sure walking down the dirt road leading to the boats he was dreaming of the days catches. Anxious, excited, proud of his heritage and to be involved in this sacred event.

Fast forward to 1995, I am adopted and about to meet my biological mother for the first time. As we meet and exchange stories of her childhood growing up in Sicily she pauses and asks me a very direct question ...

"Glenn do you fish" ... I said "Yes I do offshore" she then asks me for what and I respond "tuna is my favorite" she pauses and tells me that hunting tuna is in my bloodline as my family was part of the Mattanza"

A continent away I have been chasing these beasts hardcore since I was 8 years old growing up on a cabin cruiser in Point Pleasant NJ. Totally unaware of my heritage in this sport that I love. The tools have changed, I use rods, reels, hooks instead of nets, The waters are cooler, the climate much different

but the passion is the same

I have passed my disease down to my boys who both love our sport, my son Anthony is intrenched in it and is a proven tournament winning angler who will only chase large fish while my son Nico is happy catching perch

In the end fishing is our life, I could not imagine a better way to enjoy the day with my boys or to reminisce about my family.

Although I havent kept in touch with my biological mother and father who were both from Sicily that one day cemented in my soul that I was meant to be on the ocean where everything always makes sense

[yakfishnick]

Cool story Gman. I read a story about the Mattanza a few years back and found it fascinating. The book was called Mattanza: The Ancient Sicilian Ritual of Bluefin Tuna Fishing by Theresa Maggio. Having relatives who came from Italy, combined with my love of history, and fishing for tuna... it was a great read.

Speaking of good reads, I just finished reading your jigging and popping pieces a few days back. Very informative stuff. I hope to give the jigging a go this year on some overnight trips to the NJ canyons. Hope the yellowfins cooperate this year.