"He’s perfect," Aunt Toogie remarked.

My lovely wife, Grace, replied, "That’s just how Jane described him."

Grace and Toogie were poring over photographs of our newest grandson,

Cole Thomas, born a couple of weeks ago to our daughter Jane and her husband, Eric. Grace and I had made a quick pilgrimage, arriving with a pile of presents and departing with a passel of photos, to meet Cole. Neither Grace nor Toogie looked up from the pictures spread across the kitchen table as I made my way toward the coffee pot.

For the past two weeks, I have been traveling and not fishing. This is particularly bad, as the weather has been perfect and the trout have been biting in a big way. Naturally, upon returning to Charleston both would change for the worst.

Please accept this letter in response to Lee Harper’s letter, "It’s time to start working together."  Without question, the 20 months that culminated in the selection of President-Elect Obama were as hostile as any election that I’ve ever witnessed in my 53 years. I share in the belief that the media, predominantly television (and in both camps) presented as cruel and demeaning an election coverage as has ever been seen in America. Sadly, and in many ways, the division in America that remains is similar to that which existed and made up the last eight years.

Our point of departure is in the notion that "we can longer be red or blue if that means continued division. No longer can one neighbor be right and the other wrong."  The beauty of our country is its ability to legitimize each point of view. While the people have spoken, deep divisions can and will exist where there are differing values. This is America at its best.

Trout: Excellent. Fantastic trout catches are being reported in the North Edisto River, Wando River, and ICW north of Charleston. Target shell banks in 3-7 feet of water on moving tides, and particularly the incoming tide. DOA shrimp, Gulp Jerk Shads, and Z-Man Chatter Baits and Chatter Shrimp have all been effective, and live shrimp fished below a popping cork will of course work too. Troll or fan cast with lures to locate fish and then work the area thoroughly.

Spottail Bass: Very good. Small redfish in the 15 to 20 inch range are prolific in the creeks right now, particularly around docks, oyster bars, and rockpiles. Fish live shrimp under a popping cork, or cast artificial grubs or plugs, for these fish. Large breeder sized red drum are being caught in the surf, particularly in the inlets north of Charleston and in Bulls Bay.