I was perusing my latest issue of Pacific Coast Sportfishing in the article listing all the sportfishing boats and cattle barges. I noticed that the listing for Intrepid listed a new skipper and no mention of John Lily.

I just popped onto Intrepid's website and sure enough, it lists new skippers and no mention of John Lily.

What's the scoop?

Who is Danny Nichols, The Bait boy?

Danny Nichols is the boat designer and project manager of the intrepid if I am correct.

I thought that the black balling from the code fleet was all childish bullcrap.

The petty jealousies of the rest of the fleet was incredible. But, it may also be that the replaced skipper had stepped on toes and or made enemies along the way.

All I know is that Carol in the front office is a wonderful person. When I caught my personal best, I wound up in W.O.N. and she saw the photo. She looked me up and called me in Missouri to congradulate me on this fine catch.

Here's the thing. I caught it on the Royal Star. Randy, nor Tim congratulated me on this fine fish when we arrived dock side.

I love these two Capt.'s as they flat put fish on the boat. But, I took that as it was.

So, I have moved to the Intrepid. I always pamper myself on the road and now I will on the water.

Time will tell if the fleet gets over itself and takes the Intrepid in as a member vessel.

Those were my suspicions. I now wonder how "wired in" Danny is????? If being part of "the gang" is so significant, then Ken Price lost a great opportunity when he had and lost Captains Andy Cates and I think either Jeff DuBuys or Brian Sims over the Intrepid's lengthy delays as they were originally the designated skippers. I'd met and spoken to Andy a few years ago at the Sports Expo tables for Intrepid and even have several note pads with their logo on it boxed away. Andy and Jeff/Brian would have had the Intrepid up and going right away.

I am sure Danny will be a good skipper, but it takes years on the water to know all the subtle techniques and locations at the Rocks, Mag Bay, Spud bank, etc., plus all the secret locatiosn known to the "in club". I can understand that such knowledge comes only from years on the water earning your stripes--and helping others out when they have a bad day before they will help you out with a hot bite call. That "wet time with the gang" does not include being the project designer or boat consultant--or working commercial fleets or crabbing. Not very fair, but that's life.

Wish him the best.

Carol is a gem---but then I've had nothing but great expereinces with all the ladies who run the offices from Lori Patel for the AA to Judy Collins for the Independence (Mark had the Islander back then). Great gals who can untangle any mess and get you set up and ready to go.

The intrigue goes on...

The folks at the Intrepid got SCREWED by the builder during construction and it led to court actions. Thus is how they lost the other skippers.

I have faith in them big time.

I am now going down for the count as my knee finally completely blew out. My seasons, guiding and fishing are now over till December on out. Hopefully sooner as it depends on how fast I rebound from total knee replacement.

I will be coming back and fishing the Intrepid. I really want to do a 15 dayer or longer on that float " Omni Hotel " like vessel.

Oh Piggie, that'll teach you to be doing "Da Monica" in your ass-less chaps!

But seriously, take care of those knees and maybe we'll get some time on the water again.

Now one way of getting into the "gang" is perhaps hiring some hungry young second ticket who has been slaving away on one of the regular LR boats to come over and take first ticket. That way he already knows everyone, everyone knows him, is pretty much wired in and on good terms with the rest of the gang, and has all that secret knowledge in those secret places.........hhhmmmmmm......sounds better than another skipper who is an outsider and aside from being to drive the boat has to start all over blind again.

Ya never complain when I go ass less for ewe.
baaaaahhhhhhh baahhhhhhhhh

My best sheep for you.

Danny on the Intrepid will do just fine.
They came out of the gates last year swinging and nailed some UBER Cows that the rest of the fleet would have loved to have caught themselves.

So this magazine is printing bulloney news about the INTREPID? I guess that IS CODE GROUP SCANDAL #2 ?

I get the scoop, directly from Carol at the Intrepid's office. I ask the person in question directly.

I never take the printed word of Mag's unless...........................they quote the person in question, directly.

The skipper is fine. The intrepid will rock the fleet's world.

Sounds like a winner....best wishes for the Intrepid.

Here's to Ken Price making his big bet pay off. He is due some good Karma and support from the Code Group of the Long Range fleet.

IMO...the Code Group needs to support each other as the economy will knuckel under those who are unable to be a member of this elite group of Long Range Captains.

Good Luck Intrepid.

I am sooooo roooting for the Intrepid. The immaturity of the code fleet is unbelievable.

There is a fair amount of jealousy that is obvious.

It turns out, Ken the owner and builder of the Intrepid, was on the Excel when Randy Toussaint came on as a pin head and taught him the ropes.
Then for these jackasses to treat him like that due to his success, wealth, looks, whatever is bullcrap.
My money is on the Intrepid and their crew.