picture of WORLD RECORD Mediterranean snapper

[Finesse]

Nick
Great story once again.

I swear I can close my eyes and smell the little boat's unique blend of wood, diesel and salt scents.

Your writing makes us feel like we are there with you ...Awesome stuff !!! Thanks for sharing

[SeaBiscuit]

Seems like a whole different way of getting the job done. Not to mention the dynamite trick.
What is the latest on your uncle? Is he or any of your other family back home aware or your exploits here in the States? Seems to me that your stories and photos here would make them proud.

Thanks for all the compliments guys.
I will call captain Yannis tomorrow and post an update.
There is a little more to this story and I am counting on your support and continued interest to get it finalized in the next couple of weeks. As I've mentioned before, it is my goal (and dream) to show it all to the old man if he is still kicking when I go see him in early July. If not, I'll give it to his kids and grand kids.
Thanks for staying with me through this time travel.
SeaBiscuit

[Capt. Brian Daley]

Thanks Seabiscuit great read I always enjoy your stories keepem coming

[WAHOONBOX]

I LIKE TIME TRAVEL......WHILE THE BATTERY ON MY TIME MACHINE IS NO LONGER AT PEAK.....I HOPE TO CONTINUE ON IN LIFE AS CAPT. YANNIS MY HEREO HAS....IF ONLY I COULD HAVE STOOD WATCH WITH HIM ON THE ROCK HILL....IF ONLY I COULD HAVE SHARED PASTA UNDER SHADOW OF TREESHADE WITH HIM.....BUT I CAN'T....BUT THROUGH YOUR VIRTUAL LIFE STORIES HERE ....WE CAN ALL PARTIALLY LIVE LIKE THE GREEKS DO....FULL OF VIGOR AND ZEAL....FULL OF FAMILY AND HOPE....


AND FULL OF THE MED' GROUPER


I SAY THIS WITH MOST SINCERITY NICK..............NO MATTER HOW SMALL...NO MATTER HOW LONFG YOUR PARADIES MAY BE......YOU HAVE THE BEST WRITE GOING ON ANY FISHING FORUM OUT THERE


PALEEEESEE CONTINUE IN THE NAME OF GREECE. WE LOVE IT!!

[SeaBiscuit]

I called my old captain to check on him today. He was clearheaded and rather spunky! He is sitting up in bed, eating a little and making plans to fish with me in July. I told him that he needed to be nice to my aunt, his wife, because today it is Mother's day. He told me he'd be sure to buy her "something lacy"!

On a serious note, I mentioned Marty's nice gesture of dedicating last Wednesday's Runoff big blue to him. He was quiet. I sensed a mix of pride, embarrassment and gratitude when he finally asked me to thank Marty and all of you for thinking of him.

The old man is giving the devil a run for his money. He's not going down w/o a fight and I would not expect to see this play out any other way.

Following is a picture taken October 2002.


His grandson Denis and I had taken the boat out for a little afternoon spear fishing across the Astakos harbor when a "freak" rainstorm rolled through. The old man was worried (about his boat he said!) and was waiting at the docks when we got back. He told Denis and I that "there's no telling what might happen to two mama's boys like us out there in the salt". Vintage Galiatsos!

Cheers
SeaBiscuit

[SeaBiscuit]

Denis and Alexandra got married in the fall of 1978.




Alexandra took to the water with him. Husband and wife fishing teams are not common, but can be very special. The romanticism of spending all your time on the water, working side by side with the one you love is inescapable. Denis' cousin and best friend Johny, has been fishing with his wife for the past 25 years. I have never met a happier or more balanced man.


Denis with Johny (on the right holding an octopus) in the Astakos harbor


Fishing is not an easy way to make a living, but he was 20 and already a seasoned fisherman and she was 15 with a heart full of love and hope for the future. They went to work every day with dreams of catching some fish, making a home and starting a family.

Captain Nick and his wife were soon due to have their second child.

Denis and Alexandra were fishing at the "wide" bay on that cool November morning. Denis was on the hill, a double in each hand and cigarette in his mouth, looking for passing fish. Alexandra was manning the boat and admiring her husband, just a few yards offshore.

"I think we'll be able to get a stroller for Nick's baby" called out Dennis who had spotted a school of fat, roe mullet coming their way.
Using his cigarette, he lit the fuse on one of his doubles. He bent the fuse, a risky move, intended to maintain the spark, but delay the explosion. The fish must have been within range and he wanted to have both doubles ready to go at the same time to trap the whole school.

As he brought the second double to his face to draw fire from his cigarette, the one in his right hand went off. Then so did the second one. He made it into the water and reached for his wife before he died.

Captain Yannis never forgave himself for teaching Denis that craft. He lived on hard and reckless, as if carrying a death wish. Now, 28 years later, the old man is finally gone to meet his son. I know they have a lot of catching up to do. They'll probably do it on a boat, together again. No fish will be safe.

SeaBiscuit

[HOLWACHAGOT]

I am very sorry for your loss Nick. I have often thought of Yannis since reading your writeups. It is hard to explain the respect one can develop for a man he has never met. I speak of you and your Uncle. I feel truly lucky to know you even though we have yet to shake hands. I wish I could have shook the calloused hands of Yannis just once in his prime. I wonder how mighty the fishes feel with no rod, no drag, just the line and the fish. No less than fifty times I have thought about giving a Tog or a Rockfish a bait on a handline just so I could see for myself how difficult it would be. I give you my word I will catch a fish with no rod and reel before the year is out and post the pics in remembrance of the fine man you have introduced my minds eye to. I will cherish any cuts my hands endure and curse myself for being a "mama's boy" if I even so much as Squint from the pain. Yannis will live on as a legend in my mind and my children will be told stories of men such as him. Again, I am so sorry for your loss.

Your friend,
Geoff

[gottaflylee]

Nick, thanks for bringing this thred back...your writing about the Capt. have been missed. Glad you can write about it again.

[Finesse]

WOW
wasnt expecting that ending .... Sad, very sad

Nick....Thanks for re-starting this thread
Look forward to reading more

[WAHOONBOX]

I KNOW CAPT YANNIS WAS ALL SALT....I JUST WONDER IF HE WOUD LIKE TO SIT IN MY TREE STAND ONE EVENING TO WATCH SOME BOW ACTION>>>--------> NICK WOULD HE HAVE ENJOYED THIS OR SHY AWAY FROM IT?

IF ANYONE HASN'T READ THIS EPIC OF DA "BISCUIT" YET ...YOU ARE MISSING OUT
DANG GREAT READ......