“Snows are less frequent and less deep. They do not often lie below the mountains more than one, two, or three days, and very rarely a week. They are remembered to have been formerly frequent, deep, and of long continuance. The elderly inform me the earth used to be covered with snow about three months in every year. The rivers, which then seldom failed to freeze over in the course of the winter, scarcely ever do so now.”

Those comments on climate change were made by a prominent Democrat — Thomas Jefferson in describing Virginia weather in 1785!

The Boston Globe is a knee-jerk liberal newspaper, but it also has a very wise columnist who “tells it like it is”. Jeff Jacoby used that quote from Jefferson in this week’s Arguable column while cautioning against panicking about a slight rise in temperature which has greatly reduced worldwide loss of life in contrast to periods of colder weather while providing wealth which allows us to deal with climate changes.

The Al Gore description of climate change involves both higher temperatures and a lack of rain. We do get periods of such weather, but I doubt if those living in N.J. feel they haven’t seen enough rain lately. Of course, stormy weather doesn’t count because it’s the result of climate change. In other words, it’s impossible to be wrong.

The result of Gore’s prediction would result in higher water temperatures sending species heading north while NOAA Fisheries told N.J. anglers to learn to fish for red drum. The result has been a mass of seals so thick during winter in the Shrewsbury River that it’s seemed at times you could across the river on their backs. Southern New England has been overwhelmed by seals that had never been a problem at all, Meanwhile, the red drum remain to the south instead of returning to the Jersey Shore where they were they were the major inshore game fish under the name of channel bass a century ago.

Yesterday’s mention of the blue marlin on fly opportunity in Guatemala included an error as I noted it came from Jim Jordan rather than Jake Jordan.

A small craft advisory is up until 6 p.m. Tomorrow starts with northeast winds at just 5-10 knots with a slight chance of precipitation in the morning.

The Salt Water Sportsman National Seminar series lands in Atlantic City on Saturday, Feb. 3 as George Poveromo brings his annual event to Resorts Casino. Nick Honefchesky is the co-host, and local experts such as Capt. Al Crudele III will provide their secrets to success, Tickets are $65, and info is available at nationalseminarseries,com.

Capt. Jim Jorden sends “Greetings from “The Costa Rica Blue Marlin Schools” 2024 aboard “Dragin Fly” out of “The Los Suenos Resort and Marina” in Costa Rica!

As most of you know our school weeks during June, July, and August are usually sold out 9 months to one year in advance. Today I received word from a good client that he had to cancel his prime week (July 7 to 13, 2024). This is a great opportunity for someone who has the desire to catch multiple Blue Marlin on Fly using IGFA rules for fly fishing. “

If interested, e-mail me at cristori@aol.com — and I’ll have Jim get in touch with you.

A small craft warning is up through Tuesday afternoon. The morning forecast is for northeast winds at 10-15 knots. There is a coastal flooding warning along the Jersey Shore.

A gale warning is up until 8 p.m.. but it doesn’t get a lot better in NY/NJ Bight tomorrow with north winds at 20-25 knots before dropping a bit to 15-20 knots in the afternoon.

The Ocean Explorer from Belmar found poor blackfishing inshore when they were able to get out in fishable weather. but will try further offshore on their next attempt when the weather is favorable.

As noted yesterday, there will be east winds to contend with in NJ/NY Bight on Sunday. Small craft warnings are up from the morning to Monday afternoon. East winds at 20-25 knots get even worse as it increases to 25-30- northeast in the afternoon plus rain.

Sheepshead once again proved cooperative during the second day of fishing with Paul Castelli in the Everglades, but Crazy Alberto Knie had the best catch with a 19.5-inch spotted seatrout. We did have to fight the wind Wednesday morning while fishing the Ten Thousand Islands from Castelli’s 15-foot duck boat. It was only a short run to good variety fishing with live shrimp on light spinning tackle, but most comfortable when tucked in the mangroves where Alberto had another surprise.

In order to work a promising bottom, Paul asked Alberto from his bow position to tie up to a mangrove branch. However, shaking that branch resulted in a swarm of mosquitos blasting Alberto that left him with bloody hands from swatting those that had bitten him. Ironically, the few feet between him and us plus long pants left Paul and I unscathed. Those creatures aren’t normally a problem in the winter, but Alberto hit the jackpot!

Fortunately, he was able to recover in order to do the three-hour prep for our gourmet dinner with guests that night. That featured a sushi platter with the sheepshead, seatrout and a mangrove snapper we caught.

More good eating from Wednesday, I’m holding Alberto’s 19.5-inch seatrout and my 18.5-inch sheepshead.

The NY/NJ Bight forecast is for just 5-10-knot winds Saturday before Sunday’s northeast at 20-25.

Only 30 tickets are left for next Saturday’s Canyon Runner Seminar in Atlantic City. They are offering a free three-hour zoom seminar tomorrow for those signed up. Call 732 272-444

Vinny D;Anton jad a good day of wade-fishing in the Sarasota area this morning as he released nine seatrout up to 19 inches on a MirrOlure.

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The annual trip that Crazy Alberto Knie and I make to fish the Everglades with Paul Castelli at Chokoleskee produced a decent bite of small game to provide for a huge sushi dinner by gourmet chef Alberto, but the highlight was provided by a crazed sheepshead.

That beautiful and very good-eating species is similar to the tautog in feeding and fighting aspects even though they aren’t related. Both species feed primarily on crabs and are tricky to hook. Furthermore, both will try to “rock” you out without running any further than the rough bottom they live on. Yet, I suddenly found myself hooked up on light spinning tackle with a fish that hit a live shrimp like a sheepshead – but was running line off my reel like a much larger shark , cobia or ray. Possibly for the first time in sheepshead fishing history, Paul had to run on that fish.

Then I felt the jine break out of something on the bottom and the fish came up toward the surface as I gained line. It was still battling next to the boat before Alberto netted it. Though I was using only a single hook “knocker” rig, the stout 18 1/2-inch sheepshead had somehow gotten

snagged by the tiny #2 hook!

I’ll have more about this trip tomorrow.

The NY/NJ Bight forecast is for only 5-10-knot north winds, though rain and patchy fog is also in the forecast.

There haven’t been many fishable days in NY/NJ Bight this winter, but Monday is still looking good.

A small craft advisory is up until 8 p.m. for northwest winds up to 30 knots. However, by morning it will be southwest at 10-15 knots.

Only the most dedicated are still fishing the Jersey Shore surf, but none should miss the annual Surf Day at Brookdale Community College i Lincroft which is scheduled for 2/17/24. That day features seminars and displays along with raffles as surfcasters get ready to start another long season. For info go to jssssurfday@gmail.com

With northwest winds continuing, the surf should be fishable. That wind will be 20-25 knots Sunday plus gusts to 30 with light freezing spray in the morning. As noted yesterday, that’s expected to drop to just 10-15 knots by Monday.

Anglers in NY/NJ Bight have been dealing with a seemingly endless run of gale and storm warnings plus rain, snow and bitter cold, but there’s an improvement coming. Unfortunately, it’s not until Monday.

A small craft advisory is up tonight before going up to a gale watch tomorrow with northwest gusts to 40 knots and possible freezing spray.

By Monday there will be a big change to west winds at just 10-15 knots.

The New Jersey Boat Show and Expo will be coming up at Edison from Feb. 15-18.