Ocean City has lost yet another fine captain and great man. I just learned that my dear friend Capt Walt Austin passed on Friday. He was truly a gentleman.
Capt. Walt owned and captained the charterboat ARNO out of Talbot Street Pier for many years. I first met Capt Walt when I was invited by a friend of a friend to go chunking for bluefins. We went to Massy's and chunked up 4 beuatiful bluefins. I remember thinking to myself - this old man has way way too much energy for his age. My seven yr old son Nico caught his first bluefin on that trip. I remember Captain Walt gettin a little ancy as the fight wore on. When he finally stuck the gaff he turned to me and said you have a hell of a son. I would have bet $100 he was gonna give up the rod. It was the start of great friendship that took us to several countries and generated many great memories.
We shared the iron hull of the Tiki crossing the Panama Canal and fishing our way from Panama to Costa Rica. Life at 6 knots requires lots of patiance, none of which I had. Capt Walt taught me alot about being a gentleman on that trip.
April of 2009 Walt called me and asked if I would go out with him to catch some taug. I dropped everything, called my buddy Al and headed to the Arno. Walt was having some serious health issues and was suffering quite a bit. But he never once waivered as we anchored on the wreck and quickly bagged a limit of Taugs.
RIP Capt Walt - I hope the Nut Brown Ale's are cold and the every sunset has a green flash.
Last edited by Squidnation; 11-15-2009 at 09:46 PM.
triple slam in Venezuela 1997 or 31 sails in a day Mexico 98
Occupation
Marine Surveyor and Charterboat Captain
I only knew Walt "on the water" and in passing on the dock, but he definitely had the respect of his peers, and no one ever had any negative words about him. A Captain who understood the responisbility that came with the title. He was competent, courteous, and fished hard.
I only had the pleasure of fishing with Captain Walt once on the Tog trip that Bill was talking about. I only wish I had got to meet him years before. We had a great time that day and I will never forget it.
Well he did,nt have the fastest boat in the fleet but he got the job done . He is one of the few other boats that fished the Bow Mariner with us in the heart of the winter. We will miss his company out there ...
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