As I was sitting there at the window table with crisp white tablecloth, white plates, elegant silverware and a glass of ice water because they couldn't serve wine until noon, my thoughts drifted to the expanse of water just beyond the window and I thought

“So near and yet so far”.

A thought that may have crossed many minds under many different circumstances –

some classic – some not so much.

The Classics -

#1 - “So Near Yet SoFar (1912)”

Movie by DW Griffith

Starring: Mary Pickford

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e5NcEOifqOk

#2 - "So Near and Yet So Far" – a song written by Cole Porter, for the 1941 film You'll Never Get Rich, where it was introduced by Fred Astaire singing to Rita Hayworth.

#3 - "So Near and Yet So Far" was later recorded by Ella Fitzgerald on her

“Dream Dancing” album with Cole Porter.

You can hear Ella by clicking here.

Classic – not so much?

“So Near and Yet So Far”

Fishing on Easter weekend 2014

My wife started a tradition when we got married back in 1975 for us to spend Easter weekend with her Mother and Sister and the entire contingent of relatives. That contingent grew over the years, and even with a hiatus when we moved to the west coast, it was very easy to pick it up when we moved back to the east side of the country.

However, we were still about 7 hours away by car – but much better than the flight from Oregon or California.

Easter weekend, along with Easter Mass, always included lots of food and beverage and fun and conversation, but with the East Branch of the Croton River – my favorite trout stream – being just a few miles from the festivities, I started a tradition of my own – fishing the East branch of the Croton River on Easter Weekend! (see my post "Another East Branch Easter" on 4/8/13)

I figured I wouldn't be missed and I could still hear most of the conversation while fishing 12 miles away.

But, traditions evolve, and this Easter, we – my wife and eldest daughter – spent Easter weekend with my youngest daughter in New York City where she lives and works. One of the cool (do people still say “cool”?) things is that her apartment is only a few blocks from my first apartment in New York City on the Upper East Side of Manhattan. As I mentioned, changing traditions is not a slam dunk, they evolve, so we were fortunate to have dinner on Good Friday in the City with Denise, Nicole, James and Kellen.

I don’t get to the City often, but over the past 24 or so years, it still looks very much the same, even with all the construction and renovation – the charm and excitement and neighborhood feel and pace of life, remain intact.

And, as the old ad campaign stated – I Love (heart) NY (city and state).

But I also love to fish, and this Easter had all the earmarks of being a fishless weekend.

But, I also love my daughters and wife and knew we’d have a great time – regardless of how fishless it might be!

Lottsa Love goin’ on here!

This Easter would be the first since leaving the west coast that I didn't pack 3 – 5 rods and reels and waders and boots and vests – and…well you get the picture. I only brought one rod and reel. The 9’ IM6 4 weight I built for James.

It was his 2013 Christmas present from my family – better late than never…I hope.

From Friday night at Nick's Family-Style Restaurant and Pizzeria on the upper east side, to Saturday breakfast at Bagel Bob’s and Lunch at the Former “Honey’s” in Croton-on Hudson, to dinner back in the city at Beyogula, every meal was delicious and very special. But, Easter Sunday brunch topped them all.

By 11:20 am I found myself sitting in a Boathouse, a mere 6’ from a picturesque lake on a beautiful sunny day. From my vantage point I could see a rocky shoreline blending into a wooded landscape with granite outcroppings that curved gently out of sight only to come back into view on the far side of the lake with a breathtaking backdrop.

At any one time there were 5 to 15 rowboats in view plying the water. Each searching for their own perfect day, then suddenly this peaceful scene was kicked to the sidelines –

– a huge golden image inches under the surface swam toward me as if on a mission, breaking the lake’s glass-like surface then plunging to the depths, only to surface again – out of range.

Not the best visibility, but it was BIG.

This finny friend was followed by the biggest snapping turtle I’ve ever seen! The shell was at least 24 – 28 inches long and with the long neck and tail it covered close to four feet in length.

The snapper was followed by several more fish in the 10-15 pound range – teasing me!

I reached for a suitable fly to tie on and then realized that while I was so near to the fish, I was yet so far from being able to make even one cast! I didn't have any equipment!

And, even if I had a rod, I was separated from the lake by a wall of glass! Another month and the glass wall would fold to the side and provide open air dining, and a little casting room!

I'm sure you realize by now that I was not at a wilderness lake. The Boathouse and lake were in New York City’s famed Central Park.

To see more click Boathouse Restaurant Photos:

And while I didn't catch any fish I was able to order a fish – cod to be exact.

Delicious - even if I didn't catch it myself.

And, after brunch I found more NYC fish, this time at a fish market. Part of their incredible array of food were some interesting fish selections – including:

“Wild Pike” at $9.99/lb.