Rick Verity
Long Island Traditions
Folklorist Nancy Solomon has documented the maritime culture of Long Island through these interviews spanning the years 1987 – 2016. The collection includes baymen, fishermen, boat builders and other maritime tradition bearers.
On May 11, 1988, Nancy Solomon interviewed Rick Verity as part of the Long Island Traditions Oral History Collection. Rick is a skilled bayman who learned the art of eeling from his father, Elwood Verity. He shares his lifelong experiences as a bayman, inheriting his knowledge and skills from his father and uncle. He discusses his early introduction to clamming, the intricacies of eel trapping and combing, and the craftsmanship behind creating various types of traps and nets. Rick also provided insights into his hunting endeavors, including duck hunting, while expressing his continuous quest for improvement and adaptation. He shared anecdotes of challenging situations, such as falling out of his boat and witnessing amusing scenes involving inexperienced boaters. Throughout the interview, Rick displayed a deep connection to the bay, a passion for his craft, and a reverence for the lessons passed down through generations of his family.
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