SAILFISH READY FOR RELEASE!

BAD FISH!

Originally published in Western Outdoor News the Week of July 6, 2010

We’ve certainly come a long way in the years since I started working down here in the mid-90’s.  I hate to admit it, but I’m a slave to technology. 

Back “in the day” when I was an attorney, I refused to buy a cell phone.  Well, in those days, it was the genesis of the cell phone rage and “portable” and “car phones” were big cumbersome things.  But, I would have none of that.

Now, here I am running a fishing business, a bar, a  restaurant and I have 3 cell phones, 3 computers and any other techno-gizmo that can help me be faster, more accurate and more productive.

So…now, I can even  sit out on the water with my Blackberry.  Ho-hum. Roll my eyes.

And in between tying rigs for clients; gaffing fish; or other boat-like things, I’m tapping away with my thumbs.  The world is at my fingertips and conversely, I can no longer escape from the world either.

“Hey Jonathan, how’s the fishing?”

“Can I book a group of 10 in two weeks?”

“What’s the best place to eat tacos in La Paz?”

“So, are you on the water right now? ”

I gaff a fish…I answer an e-mail.  I tie a hook…I answer an e-mail. More often than not, my response is, “I’m on a boat and the client has the fish up next to the boat.  I gotta go!  Will write you more later!” At least, I’m prompt!

A few minutes later, I  might check the funny response.”Jonathan, I hate you.  I’m in my office cubicle/ traffic/ board meeting/ etc.  right now.  I really hate you that you’re on the water! Wish I was there!”

Keeps it fun!

But a couple of weeks ago, in response to a client asking me how the fishing was going, I told him that I had a 13-year-old boy tied onto his first marlin and having a blast.

“Is it a good marlin?” asked the client.

Rather pre-occupied at the moment, I guess I read the text message too literally.

“What do you mean a ‘good’ marlin?” I tapped back as I helped coach the youngster pull on the big fish.

“Well, some marlin are better than others!” he responded.  “Is it big?  A blue? A striped marlin?”  A small marlin?”  That’s what I mean by asking if it’s a ‘good’ fish.”

Oh, uh…..I guess I had been concentrating on the job at hand. I had taken the question too literally.

It was a searing mid-day sun dripping down on us the way only the Baja sun can melt around you .  Thick as syrup.  Water rays blazing up in reflection.  We were soaked in sweat and that was nothing compared to the young boy grimacing and pulling like the world depended on him getting this big fish.  Flushed with excitement, sunburn and strain.  Arms getting a bit shaky.  T-shirt smudge stained with salt and perspiration.

“Breathe!  Take a breath!” I would laughingly instruct.  “Let the rod and reel do the work for you!”

He’d just look at me and give a tight-lipped smile. Trying hard to concentrate.  Small sensation of panic each time the fish pulled out more line than he was reeling in.  I could read his silent screaming pleading thoughts…”oh no…not again…c’mon…my arms hurt…oh please oh please…I can’t turn the handle…I’m so thirsty…I am NOT going to lose…oh not again…stop…please stop.”

It was nothing compared to the look on dad’s face.  Beaming. Ten feet tall.

 Son’s first fish.  Father and son trip.  That’s MY boy.  C’mon son.  You can do it.  There you go.  Don’t give up.  A little harder.  Keep the rod tip up.  Oh please oh please let him catch this fish. Atta boy! 

He wants to hard to help.  But knows he can’t.  Knows his boy is hurting, but that’s part of it…the ritual.  Doesn’t dare think about the alternative of disappointment. Doesn’t want to over-coach and confuse the kid.  Doesn’t want to jinx it.  He’s biting his own lip.  C’mon son. C’mon.  You can do it!

I can hear it all.  I can see it all. But I’m really the only one doing any talking.  But, I can read all the emotions. 

A drawn-out agonizing battle.

And then it’s here.  Oh my!!! What a catch.  What a fish.  Look at the colors!  What elation and exhaustion.  Kid is ready to drop.  Arms are limp and trembling.  He can’t believe it. Dad yelling more than the kid. Hugging and high-fiving the tired arms of his son. 

“Wow, Son!…that’s gonna taste so good!  Let’s take some photos.  Let’s get a mount. Wait until mom and your sister see this!  Get the gaff.”

“Dad’, let’s release this.  It’s a beautiful fish.  It fought well.  I want to let it go.  Is that OK?”   says the son quietly.

Silence.  A pause.  A breath.  We all look around.  “Are you sure?  This is a lifetime fish.  Your first.”

“Yea dad…it’s tired.  I’m tired.  Let’s let it go.”

“Of course, son. You bet.” says Dad quietly.

And the fish swims away after a gentle release.  And the father looks at the son. Son at father.  Not sure who is prouder.

I get on my blackberry.  I begin to tap tap tap.

“There’s no such thing as a bad fish. They are all good fish. Some are just better than others. We’re headed back to the beach now.  I have something much better than a marlin in the panga right now. Out.”

Jonathan Roldan has been the Baja Editor for Western Outdoor News since 2004.  He lives with his wife, Jill, in La Paz, Baja Sur where they run their fishing operation www.tailhunter-international.com since the mid-90’s as well as the Tailhunter Restaurant Bar on the historic La Paz waterfront.  He can be reached directly via e-mail at riplipboy@tailhunter-international.com