The fishing regulations for next year haven't come out yet but there's a good chance that the fluke restrictions will be eased somewhat. This optimism is based on the fact that recent studies have shown the present regulations to be too draconian. There is a lot of data which has yet to be processed, and it's usually early spring when the regulations are published. Meanwhile, there have been some nice catches of striped bass and blackfish in recent weeks, reversing what has been a lackluster year for fishing.

This year's Christmas shopping season is projected to be miserable but if the person you on your shopping list is a fisherman, you shouldn't have a problem. You can purchase all kinds of tackle, subscribe to fishing publications or buy a gift certificate for a day's fishing on one of the fishing boats in Sheepshead Bay. Give your neighbor Bill Lind a call at 718 945-6931.He owns The Golden Sunshine which is berthed at Pier 2 and is planning to operate daily fishing trips next summer.

One of the items on my Christmas list is the hope that our community would allot some money to put a pier somewhere along the Roxbury shore. If not a pier, then a wooden jetty which would provide the residents with access to deeper waters. The jetties which once were there have disappeared under the sand which has been dredged from the channel and used to widen the beach there. For a very modest outlay of money, a lot of fun can be provided for our friends, neighbors, and ourselves.