I wish I could tell you I knew Jack as well as many of our subscribers did, but I did not. The unofficial mayor of Montauk was a special character, one of those people that make this sport so special. Many of us will fish those same rocks, but probably no one will remember us other then our closest friends.
Jack was a big part of surfcasting scene in Montauk for decades , from the early day of wetsuits, abundance of fish through moratorium and then he got to experience the glory days again. He left us this summer, leaving a void in the lives of many who knew him well.
Vito Orlando wrote a touching poem which he read at the ceremony recently on the north side of Montauk honoring Jack.
I though it deserved to be heard and read my many, because Jack like every one of us, had his demons but on the end of the day, he is one of the few we call the Legends of the Surf
RIP Jack
[youtube]https://youtu.be/QGRZ7AEoNHc[/youtube]
A Requiem For A Surfcasting Legend
By Vito Orlando
The Light House Went Dim
Its Fog Horn Fell Mute
As A Farewell To A Surfman
And A Final Salute
Angels In Wet Suits
Sent To Guide The Way
Pointed To The Heavens
As A Place He Could Stay
The Majestic Cliffs
Cried Out In Sorrow
And The Boulders Below
Knew Of No Tomorrow
Word Quickly Spread
Of His Departure From This Land
And Many A Tough Surfman
Shed A Tear In The Sand
Some May Recall
His Camper In The Grass
And The Offer Of Coffee
To All Who Would Pass
A Hook In Your Hand
No Reason To Ball
This Surf Casting Legend
Was Always On Call
He Loved To Drive
His Jeep On The Beach
And Always A Camera
Within Easy Reach
He Often Swam
To An Off Shore Stone
And Weakfish Rock
Was Considered His Home
As Time Went On
And Years Rolled Past
The Vigor Of His Youth
Could No Longer Last
It Was A Painful Day
When He Made Up His Mind
That The Best Days Of Fishing
Were Left Far Behind
As His Fragile Body
Began To Sore
He Fought A Brave Battle
Till He Could Take No More
He Now Fishes With Angels
And St. Peter Too
“Come On In Wabbit
We’ve Been Waiting For You”
BEAUTIFUL ….! VITO …. BEAUTIFUL !
↓I didn’t know Jack personally but saw him on the beach and around town for decades. Camera around his neck he always said Hi and occasionally had a few brief words with him. The passing of these guys that were pioneers in the sport is a loss to all the younger people getting into the obsession. Vito, that was a fitting and moving tribute to a man you shared the beach with. Zeno, thanks for your efforts to put on film the people who came before us.
↓Very Nice Vito !!!
↓Really nice Vito.. thank you for that.
↓Jack was a dear friend, My beloved mentor Ken Kassan introduced my to him in 1989,
↓We hung out a lot and fished together on a couple of occasions, we shared the the special interest for casting tins in big storms .. When the wind would howl and the hard rain would blast Montauk the south side beached would be barren as most die hards would by at the point… I would walk from the Montauk hotel where I have stayed for 25 years to the town beach and I was the only one on the beach casting a 6oz hopkins on a 12 ft rod into a monster surf banging bass and blues… and then he would show up in his cool old jeep… jump out with just boots on and blast out a cast using conventional gear, a 4oz diamond jig the distances he hit was amazing…. he stood right next to his jeep casting 20 yards away from the waters edge and still getting over 100 yards out with the wind blowing in our faces… The diamond jig he used was aerodynamic but he was doing this with a “Penn Squider conventional reel” with no magnets or breaks just thumb pressure and casting form… he would look at me and say “Hey Dream I knew you’d be here you nut” and then we would both hook up and smile. He drove me and my first wife all around Montauk and showed us all the cool spots, we had breakfast at “Bird on the roof” which he said had the best Omelette in Montauk which is true… he was a true legend because “he never gave up and fished hard till the end” He once told me “I won’t live too much longer I just want to get a few more good seasons in and nail a couple more 50’s before I go”…… that was 10 years ago…. Jack Yee was an authentic Montauk Legend… RIP old friend, Thank you for the warm friendship that meant so much to this surfcaster. You are always in my prayers Jack… Now you and Ken can hang out together again.
Wow. Very nice
↓Great poem, and tributes guys. Never knew him, but sounds like an awesome fellow, with some steadfast friends, and a true legend. Thanks.
↓Excellent!
↓Awesome tribute. I just wish I would have taken the time to sit down with him at Paulie’s and just chewed the fat! RIP sir.
↓I think I met him once at Paulie’s More as a pass by, but he took the time to advice another newbie about gear. A gentleman and class act in every sense….
↓Nicely done… Jack was a true legend. I always looked forward to seeing his truck come down the beach
↓Very nice. Thanks for sharing it.
↓I had the pleasure of meeting Jack several times in MTK, RIP Jack
↓Well done Vito…
Yeah I do miss Jack. People came and went over the years at Montauk, but Jack was always there. He was always very good to my kids too.
↓Simply Beautiful Vito !!!
↓I met Jack 10 years ago, what a guy, a true gentleman R.I.P. my freind and yes fish with those Angels
↓Jack was one of the best fishermen that I’ve ever met and I’m proud to say that he was my friend.
↓We would sit in his camper in late November & breathe those kerosene fumes. I used to be afraid for my life; but I stayed to talk to Jack. Vito, I’m a wabbit, too. I’m writing this with tears in my eyes. Hope he’s in a better place. BJ
amazing Vito , you have a way with words . . .
↓Very touching.
↓Beautiful
↓The words are very good. He said, ” like it’s a nothing thing” . Only one who is true to this thing we do can ever say that. Rest in peace, and may the tides always be in your favor.
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