This fall was not to be saved by false albacore.

The species had, for a few years, arrived to satiate what the dearth of striped bass had left: a desire for blitzes and birds, for steady action, for the reward that comes after a long day, or long season, of effort. Fat albert had become the lady who sang to end our New England season. And do I ever love to hear him sing.

But not so this year. After an early arrival on the islands, storm after storm made fishing for them hazardous or the conditions uninviting. For many, it was largely a fall without false albacore.

But we did find them. One day, with Capt. Nick from Fly Guy Fishing Guides, we found action with the sun just rising behind us. We hooked 5 in the first hour and, as is typical, thought it was game on.

That hubris was to be repaid: they were to be our only hookups of the day.

Not that we didn’t try. Not that Nick didn’t cover serious water, criss-crossing from the Cape to the Elizabeths over to Martha’s Vineyard and back. They were just finicky, and not up for very long.

But we got ours, and were happy for it.

Nick was an excellent guide. Knowledgable, funny, safe, ready to share ideas and stories, and keen to keep in touch. A good guy, and a guide I’d happily recommend to anyone.

Here’s hoping the fall storms next year stay away and allow Albert to hang around a bit longer.