Insult to Injury

A T THE TIME OF THIS WRITING, a spring storm/cold front made its way down from the Northwest. Of course, compared to a hurricane, it paled in comparison and wasn’t given much attention.

To the National Weather Service’s credit, a warning, days in advance, predicted some chance of severe weather—possible hail and high winds. Straight line winds, and tornadic cells/supercells might accompany the front/storm.

The healing process of a devastating event is somewhat predictable, if not familiar to those who have gone through it. First there is the shock, then the anguish and tears, followed by a fight or flight decision, built in through years of evolution and design to the limbic part of our brain.

In our coastal community, it’s safe to say, the FIGHT portion is alive and well as many after Harvey chose to stay and rebuild. The last stage of this healing process is one many seldom talk about or, if you will, recognize.

It’s the indurated, callous or case-hardened. Many have said that facing death, or looking death in the eye, makes a person unwavering toward life’s traumatic events. It is true of natural disasters as well.

Like the proverbial bully that waits for you after school to beat you up—once confronted you discover the paralyzing fear and anticipation is much worse than the actual fisticuffs. Most walk away, never to allow the fear of these cowards to influence our lives.

We are tempered, we have learned. We are case-hardened to repeated offenses. The reality, however, is much different. It’s sad to say, but there will be other bullies, we will face death again, and there will be other storms.

The question is: will wisdom from these inevitable life-altering events be born? Why are we knocked down by events in our lives? So we can learn to get back up.

Wisdom is gained through experience, knowledge, and good judgment, but it’s worthless without application or action.

I was never a great student in school. Oh, I wasn’t a problem for my parents, and I made passing grades, but scholarly was never even hinted to apply. I didn’t like structure and detested being told how to do something.

Give me a task and leave me alone; I will do it the way I see it, not necessarily your way, but it will get done. If I need help, I will ask.

History class was a waste of brain cells, I thought (who cares who did what and when). Late in high school a great teacher’s words had a profound change in me.

First day of class she asked why teaching history was necessary. “It isn’t,” I replied. “May we leave now?” To my amazement other students in the class agreed. “Why do we need to know what has happened in the past? There is no future in the past.”

The teacher smiled paused and stated these were all good answers, but not completely accurate. She continued “Mankind has demonstrated for hundreds if not thousands of years that we as a species tend to repeat ourselves. If we don’t learn from the good in the past, we will make little progress. If we don’t learn from our mistakes there is a good chance we will repeat them.”

The storm would hit early morning March 29 at about 1a.m. The Rockport area was breaking records in terms of recovering from Hurricane Harvey, and there was much anticipation for the coming of spring. Easter was around the corner and a fixed-up, cleaned-up town was ready to celebrate this holy day.

It would signal we were back on track and ready for the much-needed tourism of the summer to come—and we were, until March 29. It was heart breaking to learn the storm would wreak havoc on two of the hardest-hit Harvey areas: Holiday Beach and Lamar.

Wind speed of 115 mph, hail and a tornado were unleashed on these previously injured areas. One good friend and neighbor opened their place of business three weeks before. The storm caused a temporary closure again as the roof was torn away.

The owner simply said, “I’m tired of crying!”

Other homes, again damaged, had to repeat the long and cumbersome process of insurance (if they had any) claims. Repairs are the Achilles heel for anyone down here now. The damage from the storm is not nearly as bad as Harvey but don’t tell that to those who were affected.

Once again we feel the shock, the anguish and the resolve to begin anew. March is, after all, spring time, a time for new growth. The good news is there were still plenty of workers in the area and help for many arrived quickly.

I was just asked the other day if God was trying to tell us something. It’s a valid question to which each person will have to find their own answer.

Rockport is coming back at record pace and is poised to be in good shape by mid-summer. Several hotels have re-opened. Goose Island State Park is open to camping. Most restaurants have reopened, and the bait flags are beginning to spring up at several stands in the area, including Sea Gun Bait stand.

The availability of bait for these businesses is a question that will only be answered in time. It is my fervent prayer we realize the medicine for our injuries is often harsh. The insult can only take root if we fail to find wisdom and apply it in our efforts to rebuild.

We can’t stay the same and expect a different outcome. If we apply what we’ve learned and realize events such as these are simply just life, we can always have hope. There will always be a future.

• • •

J UNE FISHING IS a statement of temperature. Fish in the early morning and late evening for best results. The exception to this rule is on a full moon. During a full moon, fishing at midday can be productive.

COPANO BAY: Lap Reef is a well-known reef that gets a lot of fishing pressure, but this time of year it can be a good place to frequent. Croakers fished on the shallow edges can be the ticket to some fast trout action. Submerged well piles just off Bayside shore line is a good spot for reds using finger mullet on a light Carolina rig.

ARANSAS BAY: Some nice black drum frequent the area of Allyns Lake. Free-lined peeled shrimp is a good bet here. On high tide cast close to the shoreline and on low tide fish about 30 yards offshore. Some nice trout can be caught off Live Oak Point using super spooks in bone and white colors and black O2.

ST. CHARLES BAY: The reefs just off Bird Point is a good place for reds using mud minnows free-lined. The northwest shoreline close to Twins Creek is a good spot for trout using croakers. Wading in this area is very productive, but it can also be fished well from a boat with a trolling motor.

CARLOS BAY: Drift across Carlos Lake using soft plastics. Berkley sand eels in silver-mud color is good for this area. Working the edge of Cedar Reef with free-lined shrimp is good for trout and reds on a high tide.

MESQUITE BAY: The east shoreline just off Matagorda Island is a good spot for trout using free-lined croakers. Some flounders can be caught at the mouth of Little Brundrett Lake using free-lined live shrimp worked across the bottom.

AYERS BAY: Second Chain is still holding some black drum. A popping cork with peeled shrimp works well here. The east shoreline is a good spot for trout using croakers. Free-lined is best on a very light Carolina rig.

Here’s Wishing You Tight Lines Bent Poles and Plenty of Bait!

 

Email Capt. Mac Gable at captmac@macattackguideservice.com 

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