That's My Story

TAG ENDS!

Originally published the week of Aug. 5, 2008 in Western Outdoor News

Some loose “tag ends” this week to tie up and spread around to you. Just some bits and pieces and notes off the tackle box:

SOMETHING SMELLS FUNNY

After my column two weeks ago about keeping smells away from your fishing gear and bait, I got a number of comments from readers agreeing with me and offering various remedies. Initially, the column was generated by a WON reader who asked about having sunscreen on his hands and whether the smell repels fish.

Two readers, wrote in and told me that they keep a small can of WD-40 handy. It’s not only good for the occasional squeaky reel handle, but it’s then sprayed on a small rag. The rag us then used to wipe on hands or fishing tackle that may have been “contaminated” by non-fishing smells such as suntan oil, food, cigarettes or mechanical items.

Great idea. Many anglers swear that WD-40 is a great fish attractant and will spray it directly on lures and other items. I once asked a WD-40 executive about it and all he could do was smile and say, “No comment!” But it’s rumored that the popular lubricant has fish oil in it.

Another amigo wrote that he keeps a little bottle of that waterless hand sanitizer handy to clean his hands of sunscreen then keeps a little bottle of shrimp or anchovy fish scent in his box. A drop or two on his palms then rubbed together gets his hands smelling “just right!” But he adds that his hands smell pretty stinky afterwards.

ECONOMIC RIPPLE EFFECT

Yes, indeed, Baja is feeling the pinch from a lot of different angles. Whatever happens economically to the U.S. also has an effect down here in Baja. Americans have less disposable income so conversely, they’re not traveling as much. High airline tickets and fuel prices don’t help.

Actual gas shortages in northern Baja over the past few weeks have actually stranded many vacation drivers insofar as commuters and commercial drivers, fleeing high U.S. gas prices have come across the border to fill up on the cheaper Mexican gas prices. Supply has not been able to accommodate the demand. Ergo vacation travelers have been caught in long lines of stranded vehicles.
Along those same lines, nervousness over road violence towards tourists, has severely crimped U.S. tourism to Mexico. And nothing says “money” like a big old shiny Suburban pulling a sportfisher down Highway 1. (And it’s probably filled with gasoline!)

I’m not saying something is going to happen. Hundreds of thousands of people cross the border daily and nothing happens. But, by the same token, I’m not one to advertise when I have a bankroll in my pocket as I walk down a dark alley.

But, even for passengers flying down here, not only are flights more expensive, but they’re getting harder to find. Out of Tijuana, our old friend, Aero Californa, is once again having problems. You may re-call that several years ago, their flights were suspended because of too many safety violations. Thousands of U.S. fliers were left holding worthless tickets. Well… They were allowed to fly again, but never regained their ability to have international flights.

However, many folks travel domestically with Aero Cal and lots of San Diego and S.California residents and fishermen find that traveling to Tijuana to catch Aero Cal flights to cities in Baja and mainland Mexico is quite convenient and surprisingly easy. Well, Aero Cal has been suspended again allegedly for failure to pay fines and taxes. Some of the newer Mexican airlines that seemed to have great service such as Alma Air and Avolar are having their own difficulties because of higher ticket prices mean fewer travelers.

Bottom line, it seems things are slow down here in Baja. Depending on who you talk to or what you read, business is off 20-40 percent. In the northern border states where much of the economy is directly affected on a daily basis by Americans and Mexicans crossing the border for business and pleasure, counts have been as high as 60 percent.

Speaking to friends in Cabo, La Paz and the East Cape, they tell me it’s off about 30 percent from normal years.

Baja is still a bargain relatively speaking compared to other places, but there’s no question that what happens in the U.S. affects everyone else.

That’s my story. If you ever want to reach me, my e-mail is riplipboy@aol.com.