That's My Story

PHOTO: Al Burgess from Kansas City brought his 79-year-young dad, Frank to fish. It was Frank’s first time fishing in the ocean.

THROUGH A CHILD’S EYES AGAIN

Originally Published in Western Outdoor News the Week of Sept. 22, 2009

It’s amazing how your perspective can change when you see something through someone else’s eyes. The ho-hum of commonality takes new life when the kaleidoscope of life displays an entirely new set of colors when turned and seen from another angle.

It’s like taking a youngster to Disneyland for the first time. You may have walked through the gates of Snow White’s castle ad nauseum or ridden the (yawn) spinning tea cups (real nausea) a zillion times. But when you go for that very FIRST time with a kid, their enthusiasm vicariously rubs off on you. The little 10 year-old-in each of us comes out.

You may remember your first fishing trip like that. Maybe it was a trout trip or your first overnight tuna trip or even your first Baja trip when you were younger or “back in the day.” Wow.

You remember the excitement and anticipation. You couldn’t sleep. Your own dad or parents or perhaps an uncle did their best to keep up with you. It was pretty special.

Later, you got older and perhaps took your own youngster or other youngsters out for that very first time and made it a “Kodak moment” for them as well. Perhaps just another fishing trip for you, but for that youngster, just maybe you lit a spark they’ll carry their entire lives. And the circle continues!

I’ve been running this fishing operation down here in Baja now for well…a long time! I am getting long-of-tooth and grey-of-beard.

Many of my friends and fishing clients are also getting older with me also. Years ago, I saw them bring their own kids down here to Baja. I’ve been privileged to witness the “light” that comes on when kids catch that first tuna or dorado or scuba dive for the first time. I’ve been honored that they’ve shared that special family time with us down here.

But kids get older. They move onto their own lives. They go away to school. Have their own careers. Start their own families. They don’t come down so much anymore with their parents.

But, the circle of life takes another twist of the kaleidoscope. Now many of our guests are bringing their own parents down. Maybe they always were and I just never noticed.

And we get to see this great Baja experience through another set of eyes!

Allen from Kansas brings his 79-year-old dad, Frank, to see us. Kansas is a bit of a trek from the “big pond” and Frank has never seen, let alone fished in the ocean! Frank catches his first dorado and he’s as excited as that 10-year-old in Disneyland. And he can’t stop grinning.

And I step back and watch Allen glow. I see his eyes and how he looks at his dad. I see him help his dad carry the rods and schlep the tackle box. I see him put his arm around Frank’s shoulders. He knows what these moments mean. They both know. Each is special and precious.

Then there’s Mark, a big strapping San Francisco police officer. When he comes with his buddies, he’s a competitor. Arms like a python, he played college ball. He catches the most and the biggest. He is the alpha dog.

Today, I see him set the hook on a dorado and immediately hand the rod to his 80-year-old dad, Jerry. Jerry doesn’t move fast anymore. But Mark gently, puts the straining rod in Jerry’s hand and makes sure the rod belt is secure.

“Ooooo-ooooo-ooo…!” laughs Jerry as the dorado goes into a screaming leap!

“Easy, Papa! Easy, Papa! “grins Mark. “Just turn the handle and let him run when he wantsm ” he coaches.

He laughingly hooks one meaty forefinger through his dad’s beltloop from behind to steady the older man. “Can’t let the big fish pull Pop outta the boat!” he winks at me.

Two generations bond again.

Janille and Maryann are in their 70’s. Just back from their first experience in the middle of a wide-open dorado bite Hand gestures fly and fingers punctuate the air as fast as words and they re-enact the battle simulating fighting the beasts! And they’re so excited they’re finishing each other’s sentences.

“And then one rod went zing and…”
“This golden blue fish jumps out of the water and as I’m grabbing the rod…”
“Another fish takes another lines and we are…”
“Falling all over each other because…”
“And then and captain throws another bait so we have..”
“Three rods all going at the same time and there are fish all over the place and…”

And then …and then ..and then.. !

To anyone who will listen they literally bubble like two young girls just back from the carnival. They call friends and family on their cell phones. At the restaurant, they tell it again. And anyone who hears can’t help but laugh and smile right along and be pulled into their wonderful adventure. Tell it again! Please!

And the kaleidoscope turns once more. We are privileged to see through the eyes of a child again. But this time, the children are our parents and we re-discover right along with them. We are reminded that it’s not just another fishing trip.

And as the circle goes unbroken, we know these are special moments to savor and cherish.

Jonathan Roldan is the Baja Editor of Western Outdoor News and his column appears every other week. He can be reached in La Paz at: riplipboy@tailhunter-international.com