marine gallery
Sea Trout and speckled trout sound more elegant and are the terms at Hatteras but this fish is more properly called the Weakfish. It too is found along the Atlantic coastline from Nova Scotia to Florida. However, it is the late summer and early fall runs along the Outer Banks for the fishermen waiting for the bluefish and striper migrations that make this such a sought after game fish. The print wonderfully captures the brown and greenish tinge of the top of the head and back, the silvery, speckled side and white abdomen. The weakfish is not weak or small and can reach 3 feet and 20 lbs, though a 3 or 4 pounder is a creditable catch. The term weak refers to the soft mouth that often allows the fish to escape leaving nothing to show for the experience. Also, weakfish stocks have been declining and are now protected. So the print is an ecologically sound way to remember a late summer day in the surf with a nice sea trout.
Spanish mackerel is loosely used to refer to a number of mackerel species that cruise the Atlantic coast and regularly show up along the Outer Banks of North Carolina. They all share the elongated body, small, almost invisible scales, the back of an iridescent blue, the sides silvery with a slight yellowish tint and bluish markings, all colors quite vivid when the fish is first landed. This print is taken from a drawing of a 6 lb specimen caught by Richard on a fishing trip to Hatteras with friends. We didn’t establish the taxonomy but the memory is fresh, and it was a beautiful fish, well presented in this print. Of course, the drawing was to memorialize the fact that he was the one who had caught the fish.
False albacore is the common name for the little tunny, a highly migratory tuna, found in large schools in offshore and inshore waters from Brazil to the New England states. It is off Montauk and in the Block Island strait that its accommodating 25lb to 35 lb size, 40 mph runs and hard fight always draw a crowd. The name tunny or tuna comes from the Greek word to dart, and in fact the name fits well as the false albacore must constantly keep moving in order to keep afloat because it lacks a swim bladder.
The print beautifully represents the streamlined shape and distinguishing features of the false albacore, the bold dark spots appearing between the pectoral and ventral fins, greenish blue "worm-like" markings on its back and the white abdomen with fingerprint-like spots.
The bluefish is a hard fighting and highly popular gamefish found in large schools around the world. But it is pursued most heavily in its vast migrations up and down the Atlantic coast between Nova Scotia and Florida by gauntlets of fishermen stationed along the heavier surf beaches in the Outer Banks, Montauk, Block Island, Nantucket as well as the rocky headlands of Cape Cod and the rugged coast of Maine.
Permit are found all along the US Atlantic Ocean from Massachusetts to Brazil, and in the Caribbean, usually in shallow, tropical waters such as mudflats, channels, and muddy bottoms. This print captures its distinct look with its scythe shaped dorsal fin, pronounced anal fins, deeply forked tail and shimmery scales with a subtle orangish yellow spot on the stomach. Although permit can reach a maximum length of 48 in and weigh over 75 lb, it is a very rare fish. However, it may become more common if the Bonefish and Tarpon Trust have their way in protecting the species.
Red drum, also known as redfish, are found in the Atlantic Ocean from Massachusetts to Florida as well as in the Gulf of Mexico. The largest ever caught was 94 lbs off the Outer Banks North Carolina, just where the (nice size but slightly smaller) fish that Richard and Chris are holding was caught. Red drum eat anything available: crabs, shrimp, menhaden, mullet, pinfish, sea robin, lizardfish, spot, or Atlantic croaker, and will try for any lure or fly look alike. The print well portrays the bruiser body shape, subtle reddish coloration and scaling pattern, and the characteristic black dot on the tail used to deceive would-be predators.
Found from the Bahamas to southern Florida, the bonefish lives mostly in inshore tropical waters and moves onto shallow flats to feed on worms, mollusks, fish and crabs with the incoming tide, sometimes following sting-rays to eat what they scare up. Fly-fishing is done on these flats by wading or from a shallow-draft boat, so bonefish are one of the most popular fish to stalk and catch. But they spook so easily for even the best angler that this beautiful print may be the best chance you have to see what a real bonefish looks like up close. The bonefish population is under pressure, and the Bonefish and Tarpon Trust is trying to protect and ensure a sustainable habitat.
Brown Trout- What more is there to say about the trout species that was originally native to Europe but has become the favorite stocked trout around the world. Its popularity in North America has increased as US streams and creeks warm, native brook and even rainbows struggle, and the brown trout’s high temperature preference of 60-65 F gives it a survival advantage. Richard’s original drawing commissioned by one of his best fishing buddies shows the extremely bright coloration and undamaged fins of a native fish born out of a wild, self-sustaining population and not hatchery raised – a special streamside surprise.
Rainbow Trout – The rainbow trout freshly caught in full color is perhaps the most beautiful of the US game fish though that is an argument never to be settled. What is not arguable is that this portrayal of a brightly colored ‘stream’ breeding male rainbow in full red lateral line and gill coloration will make a beautiful addition to any den wall.
Fluke are often confused for flounder because... fluke is flounder? Indeed, fluke is another name for the summer flounder. As opposed to the winter flounder, summer flounder face left when their mouth is pointed up. As all flounder do, their eyes migrate to one side of their face because they dwell on the ocean floor. This piece captures the beautiful light brown shade that differentiates this species from its winter counterpart.
The Gray Trout, also known as a Weakfish, is one of the most sought after fish in the ocean. They primarily reside in coastal estuaries, sometimes clinging to the cold, nutrient-rich depths, other times drifting into shallower water around boat wrecks and jetties. Hauling one of these in is no small feat, and is a worthy prize for any fisherman.
Tarpon are one of the oldest known species of fish. For over 100 million years these fish have perused the ocean, hanging around warmer bodies of water such as the Gulf of Mexico and The West Indies. They are toothless, which means they swallow their prey whole. This limits their diet to smaller sea creatures, such as sardines, shrimp, crabs, and mullet. Some deem the tarpon to be the ultimate sport fish due to their incredible strength and size. The largest tarpon ever caught was 286 pounds, a true monster of the sea.
The bluefish is a hard-fighting and highly popular gamefish found in large schools around the world. But it is pursued most heavily in its vast migrations up and down the Atlantic coast between Nova Scotia and Florida by gauntlets of fishermen stationed along the heavier surf beaches in the Outer Banks, Montauk, Block Island, Nantucket as well as the rocky headlands of Cape Cod and the rugged coast of Maine.
The print perfectly portrays the grayish blue-green fading to a pale white coloration and the spiny first dorsal, shown fully extended, and broad, forked tail. The knife-edged row of teeth in each jaw are shown. Richard caught many bluefish of all sizes from tailers on up to the 10 and 12 pound common size, but the print shows a heavier bodied 25 lb fish like one he landed on a memorable trip.
The dreamscape bluefish print was commissioned by one of Richard’s closest friends and represents the unique blend of sporting instinct and brilliant artistic imagination that characterized Richard’s life and work.