How to Tie a Carrick Bend Mat Part Two
September 27, 2022
Tightening up the Carrick Bend Mat can be a little tricky. I knew it was going to be close, but managed to have a couple extra inches of line left over. As you tighten up the mat, it becomes more difficult to use your fingers, and you I have to switch over to a small blunt tool to be able to reach in and grab the line so as to take the slack out of. This mat was made with 20 feet of 3/8 inch line. Thanks for viewing, and I hope it was helpful. Maybe one day with a little practice you’ll be able to tie your own
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How to Tie a Carrick Bend Mat Part One
September 27, 2022
Forty-two years ago I served aboard the US Coast Guard Cutter Clover WLB-292, which was homeported out of Sitka, Alaska. I had the pleasure of working alongside great officers and seamen. One late afternoon, while underway aboard the “Can Do Canoe”enroute an ATON (Aids to Navigation) run, Billy Zimmermann aka Z-man took the time to show me how to tie a Carrick Bend Mat. Years later, Z-man and I would meet again, this time while marching in the New York City St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Unbeknownst to each other, we were both serving in the ranks of the New York City Fire Department. As we marched up 5th Avenue, we reminisced about our time aboard the Clover. Anyway, I hope you enjoy the video, and if you should have any questions, please comment below and I will try to get back to you as soon as I can. Thanks for viewing
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FDNY Captain Brendan Fogarty “Bravest for Choice”
We’d like to share with all of you who FDNY Captain Brendan Fogarty is.
For most people, this looks like a picture of a firefighter and his family. When I see this photo I’m over come with immense emotion.
This photo, as Brendan told me, “was the best day of my career”. Brendan is a Captain in the New York City fire department. More than that he is a father and a husband, maybe one of the best I’ve ever encountered.
This man represents what it means to be a leader and a man of action. Many people in our profession talk a big game but when it comes down to brass tax, few are able to follow through with their actions. Brendan does not have that problem. He is unapologetic for who he is and what he stands for . He’s a blue collar salt of the earth good man . He’s not afraid of a hard days work and showing up for a stranger in need. He sees the world for what it is , nothing short of beautiful.
This man took a stand for his beliefs, both personal and religious, to not take the mandated shot imposed by NYC Mayor Deblasio. This is not something anyone should take lightly. Brendan as a captain was at the peek of his career when he made this decision. At 41 years old and in better shape than most junior members, he could of easily went on for another 20 years if he wanted. With a wife and four young children, his commitment to service and his career were far from over, or so he thought.
Brendan was forced into retirement for standing by he’s beliefs. Not only was his career cut short but the fire service lost a sound leader in the ranks. I had the opportunity to ride around NYC visiting firehouses with Captain Fogarty and each house we visited I was stunned to learn how many people knew him. When we walked in to just about every firehouse we were greeted with “Hey!!!! Cap!! How’s it going?“. The members lit up when they saw him. I began to realize that Brendan had a reputation everywhere he went, a legacy of an officer that never forgot where he started or how he got where he was.
Now for some, this type of recognition could build an ego that over shadows those that look up to the captain, but Brendan is a humble man and sees himself as a “workers, worker”. He molded young firefighters and inspired his peers. It’s very tough to be in darkness when he’s around. His presence emits light without casting any shadows.
It’s easy to read this and think this man is too good to be true. You are right, he is. He is flawed just as we all are. I’m sure he’s made mistakes in his life and made poor decisions but that’s what is so great about the Captain. He embraces his imperfections with grace and honor, with the soul purpose of learning and growing to be better for tomorrow.
I know what this man has been through this past year . It would be easy for him to take his early retirement and move on with his life. The good Captain did not have that privilege because he saw people like me who were not able to retire and felt it in his bones to fight along side those standing against mandates in a battle to return to work and bring back anyone that was terminated in the process.
That, in my eyes, is one of the greatest acts of selflessness someone can hold. There is no reward for Captain Fogarty. Yet he shows up time and time again doing what he believes is RIGHT in his heart.
This world needs more men and women like Captain Fogarty and lucky for our future his children have an incredible role model to emulate as they grow.
Thank you, Brendan, for your leadership, friendship, and devotion to doing what is right.
🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
#fdny #nyc #bravestforchoice #endthemandates #viralvideo
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Linguine and Clam Sauce Part Two
Tuesday, September 13, 2022 I’d like to give a shout out to my friend Paul from Cutchogue, who made his way out to his “Secret Clam Spot” early Saturday morning. I wasn’t really planning on linguine and clam sauce, but when he called and said he had some extra clams for me I had to swing into action. Not to be a bragger, but I had a little bit of a reputation in my Bronx Firehouse/Engine 89 & Ladder 50 when that meal was prepared and served. The brothers would razz me, and call it “Linguine and Swamp Water”!! The only thing the meal was missing, was a loaf of Zeppieri’s Bronx Italian bread. This recipe actually belongs to John Sineno of the Harlem Firehouse, “The Fire Factory” Engine 58 Ladder 26. Its in his book, “The Firefighters Cookbook”. I’m not a big mushroom guy, so I left them out. God Bless Firefighter John Sineno
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Linguine and Clam Sauce Part One
Tuesday, September 13, 2022 I’d like to give a shout out to my friend Paul from Cutchogue, who made his way out to his “Secret Clam Spot” early Saturday morning. I wasn’t really planning on linguine and clam sauce, but when he called and said he had some extra clams for me I had to swing into action. Not to be a bragger, but I had a little bit of a reputation in my Bronx Firehouse/Engine 89 & Ladder 50 when that meal was prepared and served. The brothers would razz me, and call it “Linguine and Swamp Water”!! The only thing the meal was missing, was a loaf of Zeppieri’s Bronx Italian bread. This recipe actually belongs to John Sineno of the Harlem Firehouse, “The Fire Factory” Engine 58 Ladder 26. Its in his book, “The Firefighters Cookbook”. I’m not a big mushroom guy, so I left them out. God Bless Firefighter John Sineno
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FDNY Engine Co 326/Ladder Co 160 “Getting It Done”
August 31, 2022 I was in the area today, and decided to stop by my old firehouse, Engine Company 326 & Ladder 160, located on Springfield Boulevard in the Oakland Gardens section of Queens. I’ve been retired for a little over twelve years, so it can be a crapshoot bumping into somebody I actually worked with, as the NY City Fire Department is constantly changing, with firefighters transferring, being promoted and of course retiring. I was pleasantly surprised to bump into Dominic Buglione and Kevin Kozub. Dominic now has 15 years on the department. While in quarters Dom told me the story, that he recently told one of the new probationary firefighters in the house. When Dom was first assigned to Engine Company 326, he was in quarters maybe a week, when he accompanied me down to the shops, “Red Square” to pick up our rig that was just repaired by the department mechanics. After interrogating Dom that first week, I found out a lot of pertinent information, namely that Dominic was a certified diesel mechanic, and also possessed a CDL drivers license. Before departing the shops we completed a few safety checks, and made sure the rig went into pumps. Dominic was a little surprised when I asked him if he would drive the rig back to quarter, to which he agreed. When we pulled up in front of Engine 326’s quarters, the boss was waiting for us outside, and he wasn’t too happy when he seen Dominic behind the wheel with a week in the house! When Dominic refreshed my memory with that story, I laughed! Just another one of the great firehouse stories. Interesting enough, Dominic is today, one of the four seated chauffeurs in the engine. The engine company chauffeur’s job to many looks easy, but make no mistake about it, there are times you’d rather be operating a handline on the fire floor than trying to figure out problems that arise while operating the pumps. Never a dull moment in the New York City Fire Department. Thanks for the laughs today, be safe and like Patty Brown of Ladder 3 said, look out for each other. Thanks Brendan for showing me around, Tommy May Retired Engine 326/M-9
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FDNY Engine Co 326/Ladder Co 160
August 31, 2022 I was in the area today, and decided to stop by my old firehouse, Engine Company 326 & Ladder 160, located on Springfield Boulevard in the Oakland Gardens section of Queens. I’ve been retired for close to twelve years, so it can be a crapshoot bumping into somebody I actually worked with, as the NY City Fire Department is constantly changing, with firefighters transferring, being promoted and of course retiring. I was pleasantly surprised to bump into Dominic Buglione and Kevin Kozub. Dominic now has 15 years on the department. While in quarters Dom told me the story, that he recently told one of the new probationary firefighters in the house. When Dom was first assigned to Engine Company 326, he was in quarters maybe a week, when he accompanied me down to the shops, “Red Square” to pick up our rig that was just repaired by the department mechanics. After interrogating Dom that first week, I found out a lot of pertinent information, namely that Dominic was a certified diesel mechanic, and also possessed a CDL drivers license. Before departing the shops we completed a few safety checks, and made sure the rig went into pumps. Dominic was a little surprised when I asked him if he would drive the rig back to quarter, to which he agreed. When we pulled up in front of Engine 326’s quarters, the boss was waiting for us outside, and he wasn’t too happy when he seen Dominic behind the wheel with a week in the house! When Dominic refreshed my memory with that story, I laughed! Just another one of the great firehouse stories. Interesting enough, Dominic is today, one of the four seated chauffeurs in the engine. The engine company chauffeur’s job to many looks easy, but make no mistake about it, there are times you’d rather be operating a handline on the fire floor than trying to figure out problems that arise while operating the pumps. Never a dull moment in the New York City Fire Department. Thanks for the laughs today, be safe and like Patty Brown of Ladder 3 said, look out for each other. Thanks Brendan for showing me around, Tommy May Retired Engine 326/M-9
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Fishing Boat “Naida” Leaving Montauk Harbor
August 27, 2022 Fishing Boat “Naida” leaving Montauk Harbor Enroute Cartwright for some “Lock and Load Fluke Fishing!”
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August 27, 2022 Twin Brothers Ron & Don from South Jersey leaving Montauk Harbor Enroute Cartwright
Twin brothers, Ron, Don and their neighbor, leaving Montauk Harbor enroute Cartwright, South of Montauk Point for some fantastic fluke fishing. I had the pleasure of meeting the two of them while staying in Snug Harbor with my wife. Hope to see them next year.
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High Hook Phil Lopiccolo aboard the Fishing Boat “Naida” Montauk NY
We were schooled today by Phil Lopiccolo aboard the fishing boat “Naida”. Phil definitely gets the “High Hook Award” as he made it look too easy! While the rest of us struggled, Phil filled the cooler with six beautiful keepers!!
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8/24/2022 Montauk Fluke Fishing aboard “Naida”
August 24, 2022 Montauk Fluke Fishing aboard the “Naida”. Starting with a shortened version of the Montauk Rig. 6’ Fluorocarbon Leader tied to 3 Way Swivel and 8” Dropdown Sinker. I usually tie a longer leader and slightly longer drop down sinker. Changing it up a little bit today
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28’ Downeaster “Naida” pulling into Snug Harbor Montauk NY
August 24, 2022 28’ Downeaster “Naida” pulling into Snug Harbor Mariner to pick up the rest of the fishing crew
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8/24/2022 Fluke Fishing aboard the “Naida”
August 24, 2022 Montauk Fluke Fishing aboard the 28’ Nauset Downeaster “Naida” with Captain Scott Novick, Diesel Mechanic Blair, his son Jeremy, Tommy Malone and Tommy May. Beautiful day, but a tough pick. Everybody went home with dinner
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Americans Lining the Highway/“The People’s Convoy
March 6, 2022 This video took place approximately 40 miles from Washington DC, the last leg before “The People’s Convoy” arrived at its destination, Washington DC. Americans lined every overpass, and waved American flags along the roadside. My brother Shawn and I witnessed people coming out of the woods with flags, people in wheelchairs, and young children of all ages. What a sight to see, and the media hardly covered it. Maybe that’s why their ratings are in the toilet? Hope you enjoy the video, Shawn & Tom May, Retired FDNY
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Retired FDNY Brothers Shawn & Thomas May/“The People’s Convoy” Hagerstown PA
March 4, 2022 Retired FDNY Brothers Shawn May Engine Co 4 & Thomas May Marine Co 9 attend “The People’s Convoy” Rally at Hagerstown Raceway. My brother Shawn, wanting to represent the forgotten 1500 Brothers and Sisters of the New York City Fire Department that were left behind, and facing termination because of tyrannical vaccine mandates, asked if I’d be willing to travel north with him to Washington DC. That was easy to answer. We left Cape Coral Florida on March 2nd and returned on March 7th. It truly was an incredible trip, and we got to meet so many great Americans. Not sure if we made a difference, but we sure as hell did give it our best try. God Bless America!
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Mary Alice returning home to Montauk Marine Basin
July 16, 2022 The Mary Alice returning home from the Outer Butter Fish Hole. Another great day on the water
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Brother FDNY Firefighters leaving Huntersville NC
March 3, 2022. Brother FDNY Firefighters Shawn and Thomas May leaving Huntersville North Carolina enroute Cambridge Ohio to meet up with “The People’s Convoy”. Thank you everybody for your prayers, you got us to Washington DC, and back safely to Cape Coral Florida.
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Trolling for Tuna Fish aboard the Mary Alice
At approximately 1am on July 15, 2022, the Mary Alice casted off all lines and was underway enroute the “Outer Butter Fish Hole”. Beautiful day, with slight overcast, temperature around 75°. Unfortunately, we were unable to locate the tunafish, but were escorted by a large school of dolphin. In addition to that, we were fortunate enough to see two large humpback whales totally breach, and put on a brilliant display. Capt. Pete Carey was accompanied by his crew, Kevin Profitlich, Dave Delarocca and Tommy May. That’s why they called fishing, and not catching!
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Ancient Order of Hibernians/4th of July Parade Port Jefferson NY
The men of Division 9 Ancient Order of Hibernians Port Jefferson NY stepping out in celebration of America’s Independence
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Captain Bill Smith of the Susan H Clam Dredge Boat
I stopped down to the White Cap Fish Market late in the morning of October 22, 2019. My cousin George King and I were partners on a 24’ Gravey Clamboat that we birthed at the beginning of the creek adjacent Montauk Highway. Each morning we passed the commercial Dragger on the way to the clamming grounds. George had passed away a couple days before, and I was grappling with some memories of the years we spent together through high school digging clams. As I drove down to White Cap Fish Market, I had the pleasure of meeting Bill Smith and his crew, who run the clam dredge boat Susan H. Bill was nice enough to let me video him while he shucked the many bushels of surf clams they harvested during the early morning hours. Thanks Bill, and crew members, it was a pleasure meeting you fellas
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Captain Rick Vidal/Rough Around the Edges
On Friday August 21, 2015 we fished the Star Island Shark Tournament with Captain Rick Vidal aboard his 25’ Walkaround Parker “Rough Around the Edges.” We caught 10 juvenile Makos, all of which jumped out of the water while fighting. Unfortunately for us, all the Makos were unsized and were returned safely. Rick certainly has his boat name correctly. We had a great time fishing with him!
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Perfection Knot by Oldman John
I stopped by Saturday August 12, 2015 to purchase some tackle at “Terminal Tackle” which was located on Main Street in Kings Park, NY. While I was there, I asked Oldman John Richy, if he would show me how to “Snell a Hook” and tie a “Perfection Knot”. He took the time out of his busy day to teach me both and agreed to allow me to video record him. Whenever I was making rigs up at home, or 30 miles south of Montauk, I would often referred to the videos I recorded of him for a quick tutorial. Eventually I committed the Perfection Knot and Snelling a hook to memory. When he taught me to snell a hook, he said “I’m going to show you a way, that you are not going to see anywhere else!” To this day, I have never seen a hook snelled in this fashion. Oldman John is no longer with us, as he passed away a couple years back. He will be missed. Hopefully we can keep his memory alive with this video teaching youngsters and old men alike how to “Snell” and tie the “Perfection Knot” with ease. Thanks for viewing and God Bless Oldman John Richy
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Snelling a Hook by Oldman John
I stopped by Saturday August 12, 2015 to purchase some tackle at “Terminal Tackle” which was located on Main Street in Kings Park, NY. While I was there, I asked Oldman John Richy, if he would show me how to “Snell a Hook” and tie a “Perfection Knot”. He took the time out of his busy day to teach me both and agreed to allow me to video record him. Whenever I was making rigs up at home, or 30 miles south of Montauk, I would often referred to the videos I recorded of him for a quick tutorial. Eventually I committed the Perfection Knot and Snelling a hook to memory. When he taught me to snell a hook, he said “I’m going to show you a way, that you are not going to see anywhere else!” To this day, I have never seen a hook snelled in this fashion. Oldman John is no longer with us, as he passed away a couple years back. He will be missed. Hopefully we can keep his memory alive with this video teaching youngsters and old men alike how to “Snell” and tie the “Perfection Knot” with ease. Thanks for viewing and God Bless Oldman John Richy
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My Personal Best Fluke to Date August 15, 2022
My Personal Best Fluke to Date
August 15, 2022 we departed Greenport at approximately 5:30 am aboard the Naida, enroute our fishing location south of Block Island. It was a beautiful day with a spectacular sunrise and light winds out of the east, which normally would not be best for fishing. The east wind turned out to be a non-factor, as we put together a nice catch, and I was fortunate to land my personal best fluke to date, 10 lbs. The video describes the fluke rig I used. 80lb test fluorocarbon leader, 7/0 hooks tipped with gulp, fluke ribbon and spearing. Hope you enjoy the video.
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Fluke Fishing South of Block Island aboard the “Nadia”
Fluke Fishing South of Block Island aboard the “Nadia”
We cast off the lines a little past 5:30 am, and were officially underway enroute Block Island for what turned out to be a great day fishing. The lineup, was Captain Scott, George, Sam, Ronnie and myself. Took us about three hours to get to our fishing location just south of the windmills off Block Island. Beautiful morning, with a spectacular sunrise. I mistakenly referred to Gardner’s Island as Shelter Island in the video, disregard that mistake. Shelter Island was 5 miles in the opposite direction. Hope you enjoy the video
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