Lil Chris' Chronicle

Chris Yeates & Capt Richie

My Starstream II adventure began when I was 11 years old in 1976, not in my wildest dreams did I know what it would lead to………..An ambitious friend convinced our parents to let a teenage neighbor take us “Nite Bluefishing” on Freeport’s Largest, Fastest, Ultra-Modern Supercruiser, Capt. Jack’s STARSTREAM II, the one with the blue windows. As it turned out, my 1^st bluefish was 12 pounds and won the pool. I’ll never forget the moment when I was handed the $76. My friend let me know that it was customary to tip the mates out of the pool winnings, I walked up to the 3 mates and gave each a one dollar bill. The big mate, Don, snatched up all 3 dollar bills and gave them back to me in a huff and said, “take it back, you need it more than we do”. I walked away, not really sure what happened. Later, right before we docked, our teenage chaperone explained to me that 20% of the pool is what Don expected, that’s why he wasn’t so happy. As painful as it was, I gave up $21 for the crew and took home $55. Unforgettable trip. That was it for me, I was hooked!

So, my young friend and I made as many trips as we could, he made a few more than I and built a rapport with the crew. Gradually, the crew had us help them with tying a hook here, selling a burlap bag there, before we knew it, they asked us if we would work the galley and tend to the rental rods for $10 a trip. We gladly did. Unfortunately for my friend, his stomach could not handle the rocking and rolling and was constantly seasick, that paved way for only one of us, I got the nod and he was history.

I worked the galley the summer of 1977, 12 years old……..on the coolest craft of the fleet. I loved it, fished as much as I could, watched the big guys…..Stevie, Bobby, Paul, Jeff, Don, and Capt. Chris. Man, didn’t get much better than that! I gradually got more time on deck and the next summer or so, became a real mate! Working the Nite Blues, I usually caught a ride to the boat by either Capt. Chris on his way in from Ronkonkoma (man he racked up the miles) or Bogus Jeff on route from Bethpage. I’ll never forget Chris’ little blue Comet/Maverick and Jeff’s brown Dodge Dart. I think this is when I started to be called “little Chris” (amongst other things).

Working consecutive summers from 1977-1983, every night was an experience on the Starstream II. The crew was anchored by Capt. Chris, always had my confidence at the helm, no matter what the sea, weather, and fishing conditions we faced. He may have had a few “3 towel nights”, but always looked after the crew, the customers, and the boat. “Come up Chris, bring me a Lemon-Up…………get ‘em all in their seats, sitting down, I don’t want anybody walking around” was the standard order from Chris when it was rough out. I can still hear it, along with some other choice orders barked over the PA. My early crew mates were led by Stevie Kessinger daily and Don “Newt” Cetin on the weekends. Can’t say enough good things about working on deck with Stevie………smart, pleasant, always seemed to be singing a little song, “Tasty” “Roxanne”, always had his hood up and was always peeling skin off his hands. Don was the weekend warrior, working Friday and Saturday nights when the crowds were 90+. “Jack’s buying”, was Don’s favorite line. I think I spent most of my time on deck with Bobby Spataro, Paul Lapinski, and “Bogus” Jeff Kassan. Man we had some good times, good fishing, and good fun. From “diggin’ in”, to filleting bags of blues, throwing chum “throw some chunks”, anchor drills, taking down the mast, scrubbing, scrubbing, scrubbing (never ask for more soap), packing out fish at Two Cousins, loading them on TOP of Jeff’s car, Freeport Diner “Number 32, Number 32”, Chinatown, the “Feast”, all-you-can-eat crab legs at the South Shore Inn, Peking Duck, and Capt. Steve’s. These guys kicked my ass, watched my back, and “grew me up”……I am forever grateful. We had some other guys chime in from time to time, Capt. Howie (How-hard) DeCicco, Thomas “Ernie” Rizzo, most notably for me during my last season was “Jigger” Joe Martin.

Now the majority of my time spent on the Starstream II was at night, but there was a whole other world going on during the day. All the Kessingers, except for Stevie……..”The Legend” Capt. Richie, little Richie, Donna, Peter, Lorraine and of course Mrs. Kessinger. Cousin Willie Grimley, Anthony & Christine Ricci, Danny Piskopus, Wolfie, Randy, and Kenny Werle to name a few. This is where the Starstream II pranks originated. Notable day time memories for me were Capt. Richie’s secret/looking crew trips. Never, ever have I seen more 40+ pound Cod and huge Pollack caught then on these trips. The fall daytime bluefishing on Cholera for the “slobs” and sneaking a spearing over the side on a small tuna hook for a bonito or albacore was awesome. Mackerel fishing was a blast in the early spring. Other notables were suiting up with Peter, heading to the bow in the roughest of winter seas, hanging on while taking them over the bow, just for fun.

There’s so much more, could go on about crew dinners, shipyard antics (Specht’s sunglasses), the regulars (“when I got home, my wife said to me”), the infamous tape, the other boats, Dockside, Heartbreak Hotel, Frankie Dominic’s, etc……….my time spent on the Starstream II was an incredible experience, some of the very best memories are here. To this day, I say with great pride that I was a mate on the Starstream II. I presently fish as much as I can with Pete on the Lora K, he is a fantastic captain & fisherman, LMAO every time out! Still is the fastest skimmer shucker alive. Thanks Pete!

Capt. Richie, you are a “Legend”, thank you, and hope to fish with you soon!

Chris Yeates

January 18, 2011

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