Some fish become more than a catch - they become part of who we are. For generations of anglers on the Atlantic coast, the striped bass has been one of those fish. William Sisson’s Seasons of the Striper is a beautifully written volume celebrating striped bass and the anglers who pursue them. I’m incredibly honored to have my artwork featured in this monumental work. As both an artist and a lifelong fisherman, it’s a thrill to be part of a project that so perfectly captures the soul of the species—and the spirit of the sport.
Photo by Tom Lynch
Seasons of the Striper follows the rhythms of the year spent chasing stripers, from the windswept beaches of Cape Cod to the tides of the Chesapeake Bay. Sisson writes with the insight of a seasoned angler and the heart of a storyteller, blending personal reflections with historical context. Whether you’re casting from the surf, drifting through an estuary, or just daydreaming about your next trip, this book speaks to what keeps us coming back to the striper season after season.
Painting by Nick Mayer
Having also grown up in Rhode Island, I can attest to Sisson’s remarks that striped bass were “the fish” and that the striper anglers in Rhode Island held a certain high status among fishermen. I remember when I caught my first striped bass at the age of 12, and soon after shared a similar obsession for these sleek and highly sought-after creatures. It’s equally an honor to have some of my quotes about sharing fishing stories with Bill in the book, “There was a time when all I thought about was striped bass,’ said Nick, who is now 51 and lives in Vermont. ‘When I was really obsessed, I’d go out at midnight or 1:00 a.m. and fish til daybreak. For me, it’s the fish that represents home.” Striped bass represents home for Sisson, too as well as a “constant and worthy object” of his “obsession, curiosity, and dreams.”
Graves Point Fishing Club, 1902 ~ Newport, Rhode Island Average Fish 49.5 lbs
Photo courtesy of the Tew Family
I am honored to contribute my watercolor illustration of a striped bass, which I created to reflect both the scientific detail and the shimmering beauty of this remarkable fish. Another one of my quotes in the book, “If there was a Fibonacci number for fish, I think the striped bass would be the base mark,’ said Mayer, referring to the idea that beauty in a host of fields is related to this mathematical relationship of dimensions.” It’s always been my goal to merge biology and science with emotion and raw beauty in my work. I am proud that my art could help bring another layer of depth to this powerful collection of stories.
Photo by Tom Lynch
While it is inspiring to marvel at the beauty and strength of stripers, it is also important to do everything we can to protect the species. In the epilogue of the book, Sisson educates readers about the overfishing of the stock and how the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission is working to reduce the catch and maintain an equilibrium between the population and recreational fishing. I’d also add that the Atlantic Saltwater Guides Association is at the forefront of organizations fighting for the survival of the striped bass. Like Sisson, I deeply respect these creatures and hope my art will inspire others to protect them. As he writes, “We owe it to the fish, future generations, and ourselves to provide proper protection to these wondrous fish and the waters they call home.”
Author Bill Sisson with a 50-plus-pounder that was tagged and released.
Photo by Tom Lynch
If you love stripers, fishing, or simply the changing moods of the sea, Seasons of the Striper is a must-read. It’s available now wherever fine books are sold. I hope you’ll check it out and enjoy the journey as much as I did.
View the limited edition print published in the book here.
