THERE’S A NEW SHERIFF IN TOWN
Originally Published the Week of Feb. 13, 2019 in Western Outdoor Publications
Well, here we are on the road again. For almost 25 years, we’ve been on the road for the first 3 months of the year doing all the major hunting and fishing shows in the Western U.S.
From Salt Lake City to San Diego and Seattle to Billings, Montana, we criss-cross the west spending time in our booth each week talking to folks and chatting about visiting La Paz and hopefully fishing with us at Tailhunter.
Over the span of 4 or 5 days, we talk with hundreds of folks each week.
It’s interesting how the complexion of travelers has changed over more than 2 decades in the fishing and hospitality business.
I have often mentioned that it was a bit easier “in the olden days.”
Jerry, Don and Tom just wanted to fish and drink beer and eat tacos. If the room had a lightbulb, a shower and a bed, that was just super.
But, even then, we always encouraged wives and families. Fishing is one of the best activities to get together, especially in the warm calm waters of Baja
And sure enough, over the years, we’ve seen a great up-tick in the number of wives, kids and girlfriends and families. It’s been great.
Many times, the ladies were content to let the guys go fishing while they hung out at the pool or beach. They went shopping or hit the spa. And they had a good time.
But, as time went on, more of the gals were jumping aboard too!
They were joining in the fishing…and at times, outfishing the guys! They were coming out to dive, snorkel, whalewatch and getting in on the fun.
Surely, the times were changing.
However, in the last few years, we’re seeing another change in travel. Nowadays, the ladies aren’t just coming along on the trip.
They are taking over the trip!
They are making the reservations. They’re making all the arrangements!
The ladies are dictating who, what, when and where! I guess that shouldn’t be a surprise!
The ladies are great organizers. Women are naturally more detail-oriented.
But here at these shows, answering questions; phoness or e-mail, it has caused us to be different as well.
Sometimes awkwardly so!
I mean…after 2 decades, I thought I had heard every question in the book!
I simply don’t know how to answer some of the questions these days.
I mean, the guys don’t ask questions like:
“How hard are the mattresses at the hotels? Which hotel has the softest mattress?”
“How rough is the toilet paper?”
“What’s the brand name of the pillows there?”
“How easy is it to buy caffeine free diet Coke?
“Does Mexican food have nutrition labels on it so I can check calories and carbohydrate content?”
“Can we get a nanny?”
“Can you get us a dog-sitter while we are out fishing?”
“Our sons want manicures and pedicures. How do Mexican spas compare to spas in Southern California?
I have to admit, that last question really threw me. Manicure-pedicures for her sons? Really? I admit I’m old.
But back in my time, it seemed a lot easier and less fuss.
We were tasked with making sure we washed all the great dirt out’ve our fingernails before we hit the dinner table.
Sometimes not so successfully, I might add. As hungry kids we just dug in!
And then we ran right back outside to play in the lovely dirt as soon as we pushed away from the table.
But, many of the questions, just leave me looking like a doofus with my mouth open. I have no way to respond.
I really have no idea what to say. I mean, the hardness or softness of toilet paper has never really been in my zone of consciousness!
No guy ever walked up to me in the booth asking about the quality of a spa for a manicure or pedicure. Nor has any guy asked about the brand name of the pillows or bedsheets.
But with all respect, these are important things these days and we have to up-our game to make sure we can answer these things.
So, I better start checking pillows, mattresses, Diet Coke and toilet paper! It’s a whole different ball game and mama has questions so I need to come up with answers.
That’s my story!
Jonathan
______________
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.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: jonathan@tailhunter.com
Or drop by the restaurant to say hi. It’s right on the La Paz waterfront!
_____________
Jonathan Roldan’s
Tailhunter International
Website:
www.tailhunter-international.com
Mexico Office: Tailhunter International, 755 Paseo Obregon, La Paz, Baja Sur, Mexico
U.S. Mailing Address: Tailhunter International, 8030 La Mesa Blvd. #178, La Mesa CA 91942
Phones:
from USA : 626-638-3383
from Mexico: 044-612-14-17863
.
Tailhunter Weekly Fishing Report: http://fishreport.jonathanroldan.com/
Tailhunter YouTube Video Channel:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBLvdHL_p4-OAu3HfiVzW0g
“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.”
That's My Story 
Leave a Reply