I was en route from Izmir to Istanbul on father’s day this year, and upon my return to NY made up for it by planning a family fishing trip. Captain Dave in Sheep’s Head Bay, Brooklyn made it all rather painless, and on July 5 we celebrated my dad by catching fish – many fluke and one sea bass to be precise.
Back track to Istanbul for a second, where I lived as a kid from ages 7 to 9.5. Bridge between East & West with fish-laden waterways, Istanbul harbors many a fisherman. Back in the day, we used to stroll along the Bosphorus, checking out the locals’ catches…my baby brother would point and declare excitedly bish! bish! My first time back in 18 years, and the Stanbulis are still out in full force, casting their rods off the Galata Saray bridge. Of course, I had to go on a treasure hunt in search of my old neighborhood and apartment…Kortel Korusu, just above Bebek, which is the new cool.
With family, fish and boats on the brain, a father’s day fishing expedition was in order.
Although my younger brother and dad own fishing rods, I had never even held one (I don’t think). No worries, though, a few incidental catches and high-pitched screeches later (hooked fish are feisty, flappety buggers), and we were just about set for dinner the next day! Fishing aside, the breeze was heaven – what better way to alleviate the embrace (death grip?) of the city’s stagnant air? The birds frolicked, beer was drunk and the views of the orange sun setting beside the cityscape were stunning. Who ever said fishing was boring?!
My father (the chef) turned our catch into a veritable feast on Tuesday evening. And so ends the tale of these fish.
Thanks for inviting me!