CHRISTMAS LETTERS

December 21, 2015 by riplipboy

Yea…I remember! I got 20 years locked away!

CHRISTMAS LETTERS

Originally Published the Week of December 22,2015 in Western Outdoor News

It’s that time of year. We live in Baja all year, but just before Christmas, Jill and I come up to San Diego for the holidays. Oh joy… about 11 months of mail is waiting for us.

But, speaking of joy… there are also so many wonderful Christmas cards to sit down and read. It makes for a nice evening of reading for us in our hotel room while we play all the rented Christmas TV shows…Charlie Brown’s Christmas…The Grinch…Miracle on 34^th Street…

Many cards contain letters. So many of them say things like, “You may not remember me, because you have so many clients, but…”

Or, “About 8 years ago, my family and I visited you and we will never forget…”

Or, “Jonathan, you can’t possibly remember that giant roosterfish my dad battled…”

I’ve gotten to the point in this wacky fishing career when I realize I have more days behind me than ahead of me. But, my old brain and heart have a big memory bank full of Kodak moments…

I remember squinting into your first Baja sunrise. Full of expectation and anticipation. We bounced across the flat sea and the sun shred the morning chill. You gave me a thumbs up and a big grin that said it all.

I remember that day you finally hooked that marlin. And it beat you up, but you refused to hand over the rod. I was proud of you.

I remember that day sitting up in the flybridge with you. The trolling lures were skipping behind us and the stereo blared the Eagles. We sang “Take It Easy” at the top or our lungs as we toasted those icy Tecates.

I remember all the hooting, hollering and high five’s as those schools of dorado slammed into us fighting for our baits! Every rod bent. Ever reel screaming. Bloody decks and barefeet!

Do you remember how tasty those crummy sack lunches were in the early days? Why do baloney sandwiches and hard-boiled eggs taste so good when you’re fishing? Even when the beer got warm!

And that day that giant school of spinner dolphin stayed with us for hours playing in our bow waves?

Remember the day your buddy was locked in fighting that big sailfish and you guys yanked his shorts down around his ankles?

I’ll never forget when you proposed to your wife out there on the beach at sunset and then we surprised you all with the mariachi band. I think everyone had a tear in their eyes.

I remember when we took your dad’s ashes out in the bay then scattered flowers. He sure loved his time with you fishing. I will miss him.

I”ll never forget the kindness when our van broke down in the middle of nowhere and a guy in his pickup truck gave us a ride to his little ranchero and his wife cooked up the best huevos, beans and tortillas ever on a smokey little wood stove.

I remember Mary’s first fish…and her 2^nd…and her third. Like a little kid at Christmas. And you were worried she wouldn’t like Mexico or fishing. I’m glad you married her!

I remember that other time you guys all streaked through the hotel, but your buddy then locked you out’ve your room leaving you all in the hallway butt-nekkid! Then being chased by hotel security!

Or the time some of you kidnapped the hotel statue and put it in your brother’s bed. Man, he screamed when he woke up!

Or the time you duct-taped the toilet in your cousin’s hotel room after he passed out the night you all had a taco and beer chugging contest?

Or the first time you brought your son and dad to fish with us? And both of them hooked giant roosterfish at the same time. I still have that photo of the three generations. I remember how proud you were when your son said, “Dad, let’s release them.”

There was that other time your buddies caught you tying bananas to their hotel doors. I never saw you run so fast!

And there was that other time you fought that big tuna…stand up. I told you not to use that light gear. But you “manned-up” for two hours in that hot Baja sun. Then lost the fish. I felt for ya, Bro. Those are the ones you surely never forget.

What about the time you brought your granddaughter? She outfished you every day and wouldn’t let you forget it. And that was just fine with you.

And do you remember how good that warm sand felt between your toes as we watched sunsets; ate clams and tried to figure out a way never to have to go home?

Sure…I remember!

On this Christmas, I look back at all of you who have enriched my life and taught me so much. You have gifted me in so many ways and allow me to do what I love.

It’s never been about the fishing. That’s just the vehicle that brings us all together. Like Christmas…ultimately it’s about the smiles. We will always be fish brothers and sisters.

They say that once you visit Baja, you never leave because a piece of the Baja goes with you. You may spend only a tiny bit of your life with us, but the time you spend with us stays with you for a lifetime.

It works both ways. I have a treasure chest of memories.

Feliz Navidad y Que Dios te bendigas por siempre. Merry Christmas and may God bless you always.

That’s my story!

Jonathan

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Jonathan Roldan has been writing the Baja Column in Western Outdoor News since 2004. Along with his wife and fishing buddy, Jilly, they own and run the Tailhunter International Fishing Fleet in La Paz, Baja, Mexico www.tailhunter-international.com. They also run their Tailhunter Restaurant Bar on the famous La Paz malecon waterfront. If you’d like to contact him directly, his e-mail is riplipboy@tailhunter-international.com or drop by the restaurant to say hi!

______________

Jonathan Roldan’s

Tailhunter International

TAILHUNTER FISHING FLEET #1 Rated on Trip Advisor

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Website: www.tailhunter-international.com

U.S. Office: 8030 La Mesa, Suite #178, La Mesa CA 91942

Mexico Office: 755 Paseo Obregon, La Paz, Baja Sur, Mexico

Phones:

from USA : 626-638-3383

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http://fishreport.jonathanroldan.com/

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“When your life finally flashes before your eyes, you will have only moments to regret all the things in life you never had the courage to try.”

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That's My Story

Tailhunter International, La Paz, Baja Sur