Archive for the ‘green’ Category

HI-FIVE and WELL DONE!

Some High-Fives are gratuitous and don’t mean much. There are other High-Fives that mean everything!

HIGH FIVE and WELL DONE!

Originally Published the Week of April 4, 2022 in Western Outdoor Publications

Last week, my wife, Jill and I were in Denver.

We’ve been on the road 3 months doing the fishing and hunting expositions across the western U.S. promoting our fishing operation in La Paz as well as tourism in general to Baja.

Each week a different city. A different show.

In our booth four or five days for 8-12 hours-at-a-time. Meeting and greeting. Shaking hands and socializing.

We’ve been doing it every January to March for almost 30 years. It’s fun. But, it can also be wearing.

Long hours driving. Different hotel rooms. Too much fast food. Packing and unpacking all the booth and gear. Convention centers with thousands of people packed inside.

So, we’re at our last show in Denver. As often happens, rather than look for parking in a major downtown metro, it’s often easier to take Uber from our hotel to the respective convention center.

Dial up Uber. He’s on his way. Meet out front on the sidewalk.

It’s early. We’re half-asleep, but we gotta get to the expo. It’s show time.

Our uber driver today is Haani. He has a white Toyota Camry.

He pulls up. Good-looking pleasant young man. Swarthy. Cleanly dressed. He helps us with all our briefcases, backpacks and other things we need to drag to the show each day.

We climb in. Bonus points, the car is spotless and he’s got some light jazz playing. Nice music for the morning.

We make the usual conversation.

Jill asks, “Are you having a busy day?”

He says cheerfully, “I’ve been working all morning and usually work the whole day. But, today, I have to take a break in the middle of the day.”

“For lunch?” asks Jill.

“No. Not today! Not for lunch. Today I have a special service to attend!” replies Haani.

“A special service?”

He smiles and turns around towards us in the backseat and says proudly, “Today I will become a naturalized American citizen!”

A pause as Jill and I wrap our collective brains around that for a moment.

“Oh my God! That’s awesome!”

“Congratulations!”

“This is the best news of the day!”

Jill and I are both yammering out loud at the same time from the backseat as we lean over towards him.

We are spontaneously shaking his hand; playfully punching him in the shoulder and giving him high-fives from the backseat. I’m shaking him by his neck. It’s like he just shot the winning basket…scored the 4^th quarter touchdown…touched all the bases in the World Series.

For indeed he has!

He is laughing and trying to keep the car on the road!

He is beaming and his proud smile fills the rearview mirror as he watches Jill and I bounce around his backseat pumping our fists in the air!

Haani is from Afghanistan. He has been working hard on getting his citizenship for six long years. He says it is the hardest and best thing he has ever done.

He and his wife work two jobs. Two young kids in school.

He tell us what a great country America is. He could not be prouder. Or more grateful.

Neither could we. He dropped us off and we all laughed and we wished him well with one last handshake and high-five. It made our day.

Welcome to America, Haani.

We’re gonna lift up a cold one to you and your spirit to luck and a better life!

family-celebrates-nationalization-with-american-flags

That’s my story!

Jonathan

______________

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.”

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YOU CAN’T GOOGLE or TRIP ADVISOR THIS

Posted in Airline flights to Mexico, airlines, bahia de los muertos, bahia de los suenos, Baja, Baja Fishing, Baja fishing lures, Baja Life, Baja Mexico Fishing, Baja Rockfish, Cabo San Lucas, cabrilla, camping, car, CBX Express bridge, cerralvo, cerralvo island, charity, charters, chubasco, Coronavirus Baja Mexico, crankbait, deep sea, Dehydration, donations, dorado, driving, east cape, ecotourism, el nino, el sargento, espirito santo, family, first aid, fish, fish farming, fish pens, Fishing, fishing blogs, fishing hooks, Fishing lures, fishing packages, fishing reports, Fishing Tackle and Techniques, Fishing techniques, fishing tips, fishing tournaments, fishing trips, fishing videos, flyfishing, freediving, giant squid, green, highway, historical, history, holidays in mexico, humboldt squid, hurricane, hurricanes, ice chests, inshore fishing, inshore fishing in Baja Mexico, jack crevalle, Jonathan Roldan, kids, kids fishing, La Paz, La Paz Fishing, la ventana, las arenas, Leisure, light tackle, Living in Mexico, los barriles, luggage, marlin, Mexican, Mexican business, Mexican church cathedral, Mexican culture, mexican food, mexican food stands, Mexican Independence Day, Mexico, Mexico Christmas, Mexico coronavirus Baja, Mexico economy, Mexico life, Mexico neighborhood, midriff islands, missions, outfitters, pack for a purpose, packages, packing, packing fish, panga, Panga Fishing, pargo, passport, planning, pompano, rental car, rentals, road trip, roosterfish, Salt Water Fishing, Salt water lures, San Jose del Cabo, saving money, Sea of Cortez, seafood, seri indians, sierra, speaking spanish, spearfishing, sportfishing, squid fishing, storm, storms, suitcases, Sun stroke, sustainable, taco, taco stand, Tailhunter International, techniques, testing facilities mexico airport, tiburon island, tourism, tours, transpeninsular highway, Travel, trolling tips, tuna, Tuna jackpot, tuna tournament, Uncategorized, vacations, vehicle, wahoo, weather, Western Outdoor News, Western Outdoor Publications, women fishing, yellowtail, tagged amberjack, bahia, Baja Mexico, beaches, billfish, bonito, Cabo San Lucas, cabrilla, Cerralvo Island, charter, coronavirus in Mexico, deep sea, diving, dog-tooth, dorado, east cape, eco tours, espirito santo island, family, fish, Fishing, fishing report, Fishing Techniques, fishing tips, fishing video, fly fishing, fly fishing. Spearfishing, Fubar Cocina Cantina, gray whales, grey whales, guide, holiday, igfa, inshore, jack crevalle, jill roldan, Jonathan Roldan, kids, La Paz, las arenas, light tackle, live bait, los barriles, marlin, mexican, Mexican church cathedral, mexico, muertos bay, offshore, outfitter, package, panga, pargo, pompano, rooster fish, sailfish, scuba, sea lions, sea of cortez, seabass, sierra, snorkeling, sportfishing, suenos bay, swimming, tailhunter restaurant, Tailhunter Sealevel, tuna, vacation, wahoo, whale sharks, whale watching, women, world records, yellowtail on April 3, 2022| Leave a Comment »

YOU CAN’T GOOGLE OR TRIP ADVISOR THIS

Originally Published the Week of Mar. 26, 2022 in Western Outdoor Publications

Living in Baja, visitors often ask me some suggestions of where they can “see the real Mexico.” They’re not interested in finding out where to go zip-lining or the cheapest place to buy a hammock or sarape.

They want the genuine article. The real deal. Something not “touristy.”

I tell them to head to church. Preferably on a Sunday or a Saturday afternoon.

After a momentary quizzical look, I explain that they’ll see a part of Mexico…a part of the community…a lot of history and a lot of culture if they make a visit to the local church.

Every city or large town has a Catholic church.

Since the earliest days of the conquistadores and missionaries, you can pretty much find a Catholic Church somewhere in the area. To this day, Mexico remains largely a Catholic country and the church is still the center of life…even if not everyone goes to church all the time.

Nevertheless, the church is still central to so much that goes on in a Mexican community. Obviously, it’s a spiritual and religious center.

Architecturally, it’s usually in the center of town or in a town square, park or pavilion area.

Socially, it often remains the place where life’s milestones still take place. Start to finish…baptism…confirmations…quincineras (sweet 16 presentations)…weddings…more baptisms…and funerals.

So, I tell folks to head to the local church.

Outside, there are often street vendors in the larger cities. It can be a hub of activity.

Our own cathedral in La Paz is in the town square and adjacent to the town park. There are often musicians playing. Families picnicking. Impromptu karaoke and bingo games. Old men playing chess or checkers.

Stand outside.

If it’s an old church, take in the architecture. Admire the craftsmanship. Many of these churches weren’t made with modern cranes, bulldozers and electric tools.

Old-fashioned human labor with hand tools. Sweat equity for credits in heaven. Pride in details that were meant to last for decades or centuries.

Handmade brick and quarried stone transported maybe from many miles away with carts, wagons and mules. In some cases, the very wooden beams inside the structure as well as the window glass was transported from Spain, not to mention statues and religious artifacts and furniture.

The bells may have come from some faraway forge as well. Most likely yes.

If there’s an old cemetery nearby, well worth it to trace the history of the former priests, padres and parishioners. It was a hard life.

You’ll often see short life spans. Children and babies who died early. Many deaths close in date could indicate a communal epidemic like measles, smallpox, dysentery or a simple flu.

Step inside. Remove your hat. There might be a Mass or other event taking place. Even if not, remember it’s still a house of worship. Be respectful.

If nothing is happening, wander and gaze. Statues, the alter, the stained glass, the wooden pews, paintings and artwork may date back decades or centuries. They may have travelled thousands of miles to find their forever homes in this church.

The craftsmen are long gone, but their work remains. It’s better than any museum.

Imagine today, we go to Home Depot. Get our materials. Build a bookshelf for your home. Never in a million years would we expect it to last for decades. Not like these old artisans.

I’ve been in old Mexican churches where the walls and ceilings are still covered with the dark soot of a century or more of burning votive candles.

A close examination of the area around the alter shows inset graves of the old padres who once serviced their community. The tiles show their names.

It’s a testament to their dedication and commitment that many of them travelled from Spain or other places in Mexico to find their final resting place in the arid hard-scrabble frontier of Baja.

If there are services taking place, many times, there can be multiple events transpiring since often, there’s only one priest or padre. In some instances, the priest is a travel-priest doing services from town-to-town to tend to his parishioners.

But, if you’re visiting, that’s where you’ll see the culture.

I once came for Mass. It was followed by a baptism. Followed by a wedding. Followed by a first communion of 8 and 9 year-old-kids in their little white shirts and puffy dresses.

The whole gamut. Proud families. Happy couples. Nervous youngsters. Big days in life. Big days in the community. The circle of life. The cycle of life.

All in one place. Just follow the sound of the bells!

That’s my story!

Jonathan

______________

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.”

Read Full Post »

SHOCK and AWE

Posted in Airline flights to Mexico, airlines, bahia de los muertos, bahia de los suenos, Baja, Baja Fishing, Baja fishing lures, Baja Life, Baja Mexico Fishing, Baja Rockfish, Cabo San Lucas, cabrilla, CBX Express bridge, cerralvo, cerralvo island, charters, chubasco, Coronavirus Baja Mexico, crankbait, deep sea, donations, dorado, east cape, ecotourism, el nino, el sargento, espirito santo, family, first aid, fish, fish farming, fish pens, Fishing, fishing blogs, fishing hooks, Fishing lures, fishing packages, fishing reports, Fishing Tackle and Techniques, Fishing techniques, fishing tips, fishing tournaments, fishing trips, fishing videos, flyfishing, freediving, giant squid, green, highway, historical, history, holidays in mexico, humboldt squid, hurricane, hurricanes, ice chests, inshore fishing, inshore fishing in Baja Mexico, jack crevalle, Jonathan Roldan, kids, kids fishing, La Paz, La Paz Fishing, la ventana, las arenas, Leisure, light tackle, Living in Mexico, los barriles, luggage, marlin, Mexican, Mexican business, Mexican culture, mexican food, mexican food stands, Mexican Independence Day, Mexico, Mexico Christmas, Mexico coronavirus Baja, Mexico economy, Mexico life, Mexico neighborhood, midriff islands, missions, outfitters, pack for a purpose, packages, packing, packing fish, panga, Panga Fishing, pargo, passport, planning, pompano, rental car, rentals, road trip, roosterfish, Salt Water Fishing, Salt water lures, San Jose del Cabo, saving money, Sea of Cortez, seafood, sierra, speaking spanish, spearfishing, sportfishing, squid fishing, storm, storms, suitcases, Sun stroke, taco, taco stand, Tailhunter International, techniques, testing facilities mexico airport, tiburon island, tourism, tours, transpeninsular highway, Travel, trolling tips, tuna, Tuna jackpot, tuna tournament, Uncategorized, vacations, vehicle, wahoo, waterspouts, weather, Western Outdoor News, Western Outdoor Publications, women fishing, yellowtail, tagged amberjack, bahia, Baja Mexico, beaches, billfish, bonito, Cabo San Lucas, cabrilla, Cerralvo Island, charter, coronavirus in Mexico, deep sea, diving, dog-tooth, dorado, east cape, eco tours, espirito santo island, family, fish, Fishing, fishing report, Fishing Techniques, fishing tips, fishing video, fly fishing, fly fishing. Spearfishing, Fubar Cocina Cantina, gray whales, grey whales, guide, holiday, igfa, inshore, jack crevalle, jill roldan, Jonathan Roldan, kids, La Paz, las arenas, light tackle, live bait, los barriles, marlin, mexican, mexico, muertos bay, offshore, outfitter, package, panga, pargo, pompano, rooster fish, sailfish, scuba, sea lions, sea of cortez, seabass, sierra, snorkeling, sportfishing, suenos bay, swimming, tailhunter restaurant, tuna, vacation, wahoo, whale sharks, whale watching, women, world records, yellowtail on March 26, 2022| 3 Comments »

SHOCK and AWE

Originally Published the Week of Mar. 20, 2022 in Western Outdoor Publications

My wife, Jill, and I have been on the road now for the better part of three months. Every year, we drive all over the U.S. doing fishing and hunting expos drumming up business for our fishing operation in La Paz.

We set up our booth and join many hundreds of other international outfitters, fishing guides, hunting guides, gear retailers, RV and boat sellers and others in the modern day version of the fur trapper rendezvous.

It’s definitely a “gathering of tribes.” Over the course of 4 or 5 days, often tens of thousands of attendees fill the aisles. It can be quite an event.

As of today, we’ve been over a dozen states now. A few more still to come.

We’ve been through huge cities and the smallest of towns. Towering skyscraper skylines to one-horse crossroads. I believe we’ve already logged over 10,000 miles driving. (Not so fun watching gas prices blow up, but that’s another story!)

In previous columns, I’ve documented the distressing amount of crime, vagrancy, squalor and trash we encountered in so many cities. Especially along the west coast.

Friends and other outfitters were victimized by burglaries and outright thefts of their vehicles, trailers and rigs. One friend was carjacked at gun point by a guy running from a murder.

Our own rig was rendered undriveable by a break-in where the bad guys completely smashed not only our rear glass, but the whole liftgate.

We joke about the “Zombie Apocalypse,” but many a night none of us would leave our hotel/ motel rooms because of all the homeless folks wandering outside; sleeping in the bushes; panhandling; hustling; partying; defecating and more.

Some of our most beautiful and favorite cities broken, ruined and abandoned except for the tattered, the homeless, the lawless, the disenfranchised of the streets. It’s an urban landscape straight out’ve an “end of the world” sci-fi flick.

After several weeks in these areas, it was more than disheartening and depressing. I wasn’t alone in my assessment.

Other outfitters, local residents and law enforcement friends echoed the same sentiments in these areas.

There was a tacit resignation of spirit that THIS is what it’s come to. THIS is where WE are. THIS is how it will always be and only get worse.

And not a thing we can do about it.

The whole country to hell-in-a-handbag.

But wait…

Then our show schedule took us inland. Smaller shows AWAY from the big cities. We passed through and spent more time in smaller cities and neighborhoods.

Back to the countryside. Little pink houses. Denny’s diners. Swings and slides in town parks. Crossing guards at the elementary school. There’s a banner about a pancake breakfast at the church. The VFW Hall has a bunch of pick-up trucks parked outside.

Went into a grocery store in Central Oregon. A 9-year-old boy held the door open for me and said, “after you, sir!”

Shock and awe.

In little towns in Washington and Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, Texas and Wyoming, we got “sir” and “ma’am” a lot. And not just from kids.

Adults you run into in the street in the normal course of a day or at our hotels addressed us similarly. Just the way things are. Courtesy and hospitality, that was rarely found in the big cities.

We had become so callous to common civility and comity that it seemed like people were going out of their way to be amiable. But, it’s just the way people are in different spots of the country. Or how they are brought up.

I was brought up addressing others like that as well. Just how I was taught. However, when I use “sir” or “ma’am” I often get a quizzical look as if I was speaking Greek. Some folks get offended as if I was calling them “old.”

In these small towns and open spaces, I got a nod and smiles and friendly responses instead.

At the shows themselves, it’s a different crowd for sure.

At the start of the show before they let the crowds in, they play the Star Spangled Banner over the loudspeaker in these expo centers. Everyone stops what they are doing and puts hand or hat over heart and faces the flag.

Many people sing out loud. You can help smiling. You stand up a little straighter. I catch myself singing as well.

When the crowds come in..

Again, I’m often addressed as “sir.” After chatting with someone at our booth, it’s not uncommon for someone to thank me for taking the time to answer their questions.

Are you kidding me?

I hear the word “please” a lot .

The adults/ parents are much more blue collar. Yes, there’s a lot of pick-up trucks and suburbans in the parking lot . A lot of baseball hats, blue jeans, camo vests and work, hiking or cowboy boots. Men and women alike.

Some look just like they just took off the gloves and came to the show from the ranch, farm or mechanic shop. Moms look like they just grabbed the kids from school and are trying to get through the show before they gotta race home to cook dinner.

In the meantime, a beer or Coke and a bag of popcorn will do, thank you very much.

But in talking to adults and kids alike, they sound like they can fix cars and boats. They can take out an elk at 500 yards AND carry it out on their backs. They can run tractors and they tell you they can only come visit us in Mexico AFTER the crops come in but BEFORE hunting season starts.

At one show on a Sunday, a family apologized to me for coming so late to the show. Because they were at CHURCH!

I felt like giving them all a high-five!

At one show, I was next to a sporting goods outfitter.

The men, women AND kids knew how to handle guns and fishing gear and were as at adept and knowledgeable about fishing and hunting, camping and boating and off-roading as any expert.

It was refreshing. It’s not hopeless. It’s not as depressing as it seems.

It’s not a Normal Rockwell painting, by any stretch. All places have their issues and problems. I realize my view was only a tiny miniscule slice.

But, all is not lost. Faith renewed.

Yes, Sir. Yes, Ma’am.

That’s my story!

Jonathan

______________

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 Sportfishing

Website:

www.tailhunter.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.”

___________

Read Full Post »

IN YOUR FACE CABRON ADOLF

Posted in Airline flights to Mexico, airlines, bahia de los muertos, bahia de los suenos, Baja, Baja Fishing, Baja fishing lures, Baja Life, Baja Mexico Fishing, Baja Rockfish, Cabo San Lucas, cabrilla, camping, car, CBX Express bridge, cerralvo, charters, chubasco, circle hooks, Coronavirus Baja Mexico, crankbait, deep sea, dorado, east cape, ecotourism, el nino, el sargento, espirito santo, family, fish, fish pens, Fishing, fishing blogs, fishing hooks, Fishing lures, fishing packages, fishing reports, Fishing Tackle and Techniques, Fishing techniques, fishing tips, fishing tournaments, fishing trips, fishing videos, flyfishing, freediving, giant squid, green, Heat stroke, highway, historical, history, holidays in mexico, humboldt squid, hurricane, hurricanes, ice chests, inshore fishing, inshore fishing in Baja Mexico, jack crevalle, Jonathan Roldan, kids, kids fishing, La Paz, La Paz Fishing, la ventana, las arenas, light tackle, Living in Mexico, los barriles, luggage, marlin, Mexican, Mexican business, Mexican culture, mexican food, mexican food stands, Mexican Independence Day, Mexico, Mexico Christmas, Mexico coronavirus Baja, Mexico economy, Mexico life, Mexico neighborhood, midriff islands, missions, outfitters, pack for a purpose, packages, packing, packing fish, panga, Panga Fishing, pargo, passport, planning, pompano, rentals, road trip, roosterfish, Salt Water Fishing, Salt water lures, San Jose del Cabo, Sea of Cortez, seafood, sierra, speaking spanish, spearfishing, sportfishing, storms, suitcases, taco, taco stand, Tailhunter International, testing facilities mexico airport, tourism, tours, transpeninsular highway, Travel, trolling tips, tuna, Uncategorized, vacations, wahoo, weather, Western Outdoor News, Western Outdoor Publications, women fishing, yellowtail, tagged amberjack, bahia, Baja Mexico, beaches, billfish, bonito, Cabo San Lucas, cabrilla, Cerralvo Island, charter, coronavirus in Mexico, deep sea, diving, dog-tooth, dorado, east cape, eco tours, espirito santo island, family, fish, Fishing, fishing report, Fishing Techniques, fishing tips, fishing video, fly fishing, fly fishing. Spearfishing, Fubar Cocina Cantina, gray whales, grey whales, guide, holiday, igfa, inshore, jack crevalle, jill roldan, Jonathan Roldan, kids, La Paz, las arenas, light tackle, live bait, los barriles, marlin, mexican, mexico, muertos bay, offshore, outfitter, package, panga, pargo, pompano, rooster fish, sailfish, scuba, sea lions, sea of cortez, seabass, sierra, snorkeling, sportfishing, suenos bay, swimming, tailhunter restaurant, tuna, vacation, wahoo, whale sharks, whale watching, women, world records, yellowtail on February 14, 2022| Leave a Comment »

I’ve always loved history. Given a choice, history might be my favorite subject to read or study.

And I really like trivia.

I was researching some info on Mexico’s imports/ exports and came across some really interesting facts about Mexico and World War 2.

WHA??? Mexico in World War 2? The BIG ONE?

Well, actually that was my reaction. Complete surprise.

I mean, when you think of the major combatants of that global conflict, you think of the U.S., England, Italy, Canada, Germany, Japan, Russia. All the main players, right?

And, of course, pretty much the rest of the world from the Philippines to Finland and Algiers to Australia.

Mexico doesn’t exactly come to mind.

And, you probably wouldn’t believe that Mexico was an ally to the United States. That’s not a partnership that generally pops to the forefront of historical discussion.

But, yes, Mexico absolutely stuck one in the eye of the Axis powers.

Even before the U.S. was thrust into the war with the bombing of Pearl Harbor in December of 1941, countries had a strong foreboding of impending conflict.

Fortuitously, Mexico and the U.S. settled the usual border tensions with reciprocal trade agreements whereby Mexico continued to supply raw materials to the United States. Conversely, the U.S. helped stabilize the peso and Mexican economy by-way-of-long term loans as well as military aid for the Mexican military.

When Pearl Harbor was attacked in December 1942, Mexico terminated all relations with the Axis powers. It was one of the first countries to show support for the U.S. It also closed all of it’s ports to Germany thereby securing the Gulf of Mexico for the U.S.

The Mexican people were initially very reluctant and adamant about joining in the armed conflict.

However, that changed several months later in May of 1942. German U-boats torpedoed two Mexican tankers in the Gulf of Mexico.

Hitler was unrepentant about the attacks.

And Mexico took the gloves off.

Mexico declared war on the Axis. It also urged other Latin American countries to follow suit.

Mexico instituted nation military service as well as civil defense. However, it’s main contribution to the war was the continued steady supply of raw materials to the U.S. war effort.

As much as 40% of the raw material for the American war machine came from Mexico.

Moreso, although most other Latin American countries sided with the allies, only Mexico and Brazil sent armed combatants to the front.

At the invitation of the U.S. Mexico put together a special combat team of airmen. The Mexican President Manuel Comacho gathered up more than 300 volunteers including more than 30 hand-picked experienced pilots and the rest veteran groundcrew.

After receiving extensive combat training in Texas and Idaho, the “Aztec Eagles” were dubbed the “201^st Fighter Squadron” and attached to the American 58^th Fighter Group.

Flying P-47 Thunderbolt Fighter Aircraft, the “Pancho Pistolas” were deployed to the Philippines and flogged more than 1900 hours of flight time and 795 combat sorties. Their bombing runs and attacks were instrumental in helping push the Japanese off the islands of Formosa and Luzon in some of the toughest fighting in the Pacific.

Eight of the pilots were killed. One was shot down. One crashed. Three others ran out’ve fuel over the ocean and lost at sea. Three others died in training.

Their ground crews were also involved in ground combat on several occasions.

According to Wikipedia, “The 201st Mexican Squadron was given credit for putting out of action about 30,000 Japanese troops ^[4] and the destruction of enemy held-buildings, vehicles, tanks, anti-aircraft guns, machine guns emplacements and ammunition depots.”

After the war, they returned to Mexico to a hero’s welcome. A number of the pilots ended up becoming generals in the Mexican Air Force in later years.

The Aztec Eagle’s squadron remains active today. It is the only military unit from Mexico to engage in combat outside it’s borders.

In addition to the pilots, Mexico contributed in other ways.

Although it was adamant about sending ground trips, Mexico did allow the United States to recruit Mexicans to the American Army. Between 1942 and and 1943 almost 7,000 Mexicans volunteered to fight for the the U.S. In fact, the embassy was so overrun they had to close.

Nevertheless, somewhere estimates of 15,000 to 400,000 Mexican-born troops enlisted. Statistics are not clear. However, almost 2,000 would become casualties.

Many were decorated and four who were awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor during combat in the European and Pacific Theaters of war.

Viva Mexico, Cabrones!

That’s my story!

Jonathan

______________

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!

_____________

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.”

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A BETTER MARGARITA

Posted in Airline flights to Mexico, airlines, bahia de los muertos, bahia de los suenos, Baja, Baja Fishing, Baja fishing lures, Baja Life, Baja Mexico Fishing, Baja Rockfish, Cabo San Lucas, cabrilla, cerralvo island, Coronavirus Baja Mexico, deep sea, dorado, east cape, ecotourism, el sargento, espirito santo, family, fish, fish farming, fish pens, Fishing, fishing blogs, fishing hooks, Fishing lures, fishing packages, fishing reports, Fishing Tackle and Techniques, Fishing techniques, fishing tips, fishing tournaments, fishing trips, fishing videos, flyfishing, freediving, giant squid, green, Heat stroke, highway, historical, history, holidays in mexico, humboldt squid, hurricane, hurricanes, ice chests, inshore fishing, inshore fishing in Baja Mexico, jack crevalle, Jonathan Roldan, kids, kids fishing, La Paz, La Paz Fishing, la ventana, las arenas, light tackle, Living in Mexico, los barriles, luggage, marlin, Mexican, Mexican business, Mexican culture, mexican food, mexican food stands, Mexican Independence Day, Mexico, Mexico Christmas, Mexico coronavirus Baja, Mexico economy, Mexico life, Mexico neighborhood, missions, outfitters, pack for a purpose, packages, packing, packing fish, panga, Panga Fishing, pargo, passport, pompano, rentals, road trip, roosterfish, Salt Water Fishing, Salt water lures, San Jose del Cabo, Sea of Cortez, seafood, sierra, speaking spanish, spearfishing, sportfishing, squid fishing, storms, suitcases, taco, taco stand, Tailhunter International, tourism, tours, Travel, trolling tips, tuna, Tuna jackpot, tuna tournament, Uncategorized, vacations, vehicle, wahoo, waterspouts, weather, Western Outdoor News, Western Outdoor Publications, women fishing, yellowtail, tagged amberjack, bahia, Baja Mexico, beaches, billfish, bonito, Cabo San Lucas, cabrilla, Cerralvo Island, charter, coronavirus in Mexico, deep sea, diving, dog-tooth, dorado, east cape, eco tours, espirito santo island, family, fish, Fishing, fishing report, Fishing Techniques, fishing tips, fishing video, fly fishing, fly fishing. Spearfishing, Fubar Cocina Cantina, gray whales, grey whales, guide, holiday, igfa, inshore, jack crevalle, jill roldan, Jonathan Roldan, kids, La Paz, las arenas, light tackle, live bait, los barriles, marlin, mexican, mexico, muertos bay, offshore, outfitter, package, panga, pargo, pompano, rooster fish, sailfish, scuba, sea lions, sea of cortez, seabass, sierra, snorkeling, sportfishing, suenos bay, swimming, tailhunter restaurant, tuna, vacation, wahoo, whale sharks, whale watching, women, world records, yellowtail on December 5, 2021| Leave a Comment »

A BETTER MARGARITA

Originally Published the Week of Nov. 5, 2021 in Western Outdoor Publications

As the owners of our own restaurant in La Paz for over a decade and then living in Baja for almost 30 years, we’ve seen a lot of margaritas made and consumed.

It’s interesting to note that most of the locals won’t touch tequila or margaritas. When I’ve offered it to them at our restaurant, they (perhaps wisely) wag their fingers at me and smile. “No, gracias!”

I think they know better and I also think they enjoy watching the gringos go at it. I mean, if you’re going to Mexico, it’s your “go-to” drink.

Seemingly, as soon as folks walk off the plane, vacation has not started until they have one of those high-priced margaritas served in a plastic cup at the bar just outside the terminal. Am I right?

“Whoo-hooo, Honey! We’re in Mexico. Hot dang!”

I’d estimate that at our restaurant, 95% of the margaritas are ordered by tourists. Personally, I think we make a pretty good margarita.

We cut our own limes. We make our own lime juice (no bottled mix). Our tequila does not come from a plastic jug behind the bar. We cut our own fruits and make our own syrups.

Just like anything else, good fresh ingredients result in a better product.

But, in the spirit of “research and development”, not to mention it’s a great way to actually write-off the cost of drinking margaritas, my wife and I have gone to numerous places to “test drive” margaritas.

Here’s the deal. We go to someplace that’s known for their margaritas and as a tourist destination…Cabo San Lucas…Puerta Vallarta…Maui…San Diego…San Antonio Texas…and others.

All in the name of “research and development,” as mentioned.

We do our own version of a margarita crawl.

The purpose is not get drunk and buzzed. However, I will admit it is sometimes a happy by-product of our in-depth research! We go from bar-to bar at supposedly the places with the best margarita reputation.

We ask for their house margarita.

We take a sip or two. If we don’t like it, we pay for it and walk away without finishing it. Move onto the next place.

And so-forth-and-so on.

Spoiler alert. Here it comes.

It is amazing that some of the places that are known to be great margarita-makers literally serve absolute JUNK! Most places, we honestly can’t finish them.

But tourists don’t know any better.

They buy margaritas the size of birdbaths or chug them with their chips and that’s pretty much the extent of it. Or it’s what happens to be in their hands sitting at the pool bar all afternoon.

Admittedly, there are a few places where Jill and I take a sip and then look at each other. And another sip to make sure. Surprise! OK…not bad at all. There’s some decent stuff out there.

But, again as mentioned before, it starts with the ingredients.

If volume selling to tourists or catering to the “buy-one-get-the-2^nd margarita- free” crowd is the intent, the customers aren’t going to be very discriminating.

993553-drinking-a-yard-of-beer-each-at-a-bar--merida-mexico-0

They have no idea nor do they really care that they’re drinking a mix or that the tequila comes from a jug. It’s got ice. It’s got salt. We are having a large fun time!

“Let’s party, Baby. Afterwards let’s go buy a sombrero and one of those sarape blankets and a hammock to bring back to Montana.”

Honestly, nothing wrong with that. Vacation fun is vacation fun. Good on them! But, you get the idea.

If you really want a better margarita, here’s a few tips.

Yes, it will cost a tad more. So figure that.

For one, ask for real lime juice. Not “Jose’s Fiesta Lime Juice” in a bottle or jug. Get the real stuff if at all possible. It will make a tremendous difference.

Ask what kind of tequila they’re making your margarita with. In fact, ask to see the bottle!

There are 3 kinds of tequilas.

Silver (Plata) is clear. It has not been aged or not more than 2 months.

Resposada is slightly amber. Reposada means “rested” and it has been aged in a barrel up to one year.

Anejo means “old.” This tequila has been sitting for awhile aging for more than a year and is much darker.

The older the tequila, the richer and more full-bodied the taste.

That doesn’t mean it’s the best for tequila.

Personally, we feel that the Silver/ Clear plata tequila is best for mixing cocktails. It’s got a clean flavor that blends nicely with other ingredients.

I like the Reposada and Anejo in a shot glass or snifter. It’s meant to be sipped or I especially like it with a cigar at sunset!

While checking out the bottle, make sure it’s REAL tequila! The real stuff must be from the blue agave plant and, by law, may ONLY be produced in the regions of Jalisco, Guanajuato, Michoacán, Nayarit, and Tamaulipas.

I’m not being snobby here.

Good tequila does NOT have to be expensive to make a good margarita. Like wines or beers there are so many great and inexpensive brands.

A fancy bottle does not necessarily mean a good tequila. Conversely a good tequila doesn’t have to be in a fancy bottle either.

However, like most liquors, the more expensive sipping tequilas do taste better and smoother. But, that’s OK because I’m not using the good stuff to do slammers or shots with buddies!

Life’s too short for bad margaritas! So are vacations.

That’s my story!

Jonathan

______________

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.”

Read Full Post »

REFRESHING AMBIVALENCE

Posted in airlines, bahia de los muertos, bahia de los suenos, Baja, Baja Fishing, Baja fishing lures, Baja Life, Baja Mexico Fishing, Baja Rockfish, Cabo San Lucas, cabrilla, cerralvo, cerralvo island, charters, Coronavirus Baja Mexico, deep sea, dorado, east cape, ecotourism, el nino, el sargento, espirito santo, first aid, fish, fish farming, fish pens, Fishing, fishing blogs, fishing hooks, Fishing lures, fishing packages, fishing reports, Fishing Tackle and Techniques, Fishing techniques, fishing tips, fishing tournaments, fishing trips, fishing videos, flyfishing, freediving, giant squid, green, highway, history, holidays in mexico, humboldt squid, hurricane, inshore fishing, inshore fishing in Baja Mexico, jack crevalle, Jonathan Roldan, kids fishing, La Paz, La Paz Fishing, la ventana, las arenas, light tackle, Living in Mexico, los barriles, marlin, Mexican, Mexican business, Mexican culture, mexican food, mexican food stands, Mexican Independence Day, Mexico, Mexico Christmas, Mexico coronavirus Baja, Mexico economy, Mexico life, Mexico neighborhood, midriff islands, outfitters, packing, packing fish, panga, Panga Fishing, pargo, pompano, rentals, roosterfish, Salt Water Fishing, Salt water lures, San Jose del Cabo, Sea of Cortez, seafood, sierra, speaking spanish, spearfishing, sportfishing, squid fishing, Tailhunter International, tourism, tours, transpeninsular highway, Travel, trolling tips, tuna, tuna tournament, Uncategorized, vacations, wahoo, weather, Western Outdoor News, Western Outdoor Publications, women fishing, yellowtail, tagged amberjack, bahia, Baja Mexico, beaches, billfish, bonito, Cabo San Lucas, cabrilla, Cerralvo Island, charter, coronavirus in Mexico, deep sea, diving, dog-tooth, dorado, east cape, eco tours, espirito santo island, family, fish, Fishing, fishing report, Fishing Techniques, fishing tips, fishing video, fly fishing, fly fishing. Spearfishing, Fubar Cocina Cantina, gray whales, grey whales, guide, holiday, igfa, inshore, jack crevalle, jill roldan, Jonathan Roldan, kids, La Paz, las arenas, light tackle, live bait, los barriles, marlin, mexican, mexico, muertos bay, offshore, outfitter, package, panga, pargo, pompano, rooster fish, sailfish, scuba, sea lions, sea of cortez, seabass, sierra, snorkeling, sportfishing, suenos bay, swimming, tailhunter restaurant, tuna, vacation, wahoo, whale sharks, whale watching, women, world records, yellowtail on December 15, 2020| Leave a Comment »

REFRESHING AMBIVALENCE

Originally Published the Week of Dec. 4, 2020 in Western Outdoor Publications

After all the political, social, health and economic rancor and upheaval this past year in the U.S., I think I’ve reached that point of fatigue.

Along with religion, those are generally just some topics I avoid talking about. It seems especially true down here in Baja where most folks I come in contact with are here for vacations, not debate or argument.

I would think most are trying to get AWAY from all of that back home. The whole point of “vacation”, right?

That being said, a good number of folks still seem anxious to engage in conversation.

Usually, the red lights in my brain start flashing “DANGER! DANGER!”

As quickly as I can, I try to turn the flow of words to something more palatable.

But, some folks are so used to it coming from the U.S. that they still feel the need to bring it up. It’s what everyone talks about “back home.”

Kinda like the A-type personality who runs a million-miles-an-hour at work. Comes down here and it takes awhile for them to decompress and take it down a few notches.

I get it. Unavoidable topics of conversation. Hot topics of conversation. It’s what everyone is talking about.

The problem is, it’s not conversation. It’s not even debate. It’s like that even among my only family members.

If you agree with them, there’s not much else to say. Or the other person will just talk and talk. No real exchange of info.

On the other hand, if you have a DIFFERENT opinion, you’re suddenly the “enemy” or an “idiot.” Conversation turns to argument with no one giving ground.

No info is exchanged. No one learns anything.

No give-and-take. Instead it becomes a mission to verbally batter and bludgeon the other person to back down and accept YOUR point-of-view.

I usually do. Back down, that is.

I used to be a litigation attorney. If I wanted to pull my verbal guns, yea…I guess I could. But, what’s the point? Restraint.

No one really wants to listen to me anyway. If we have the same point of view, then why keep talking?

If we differ, then why piss each other off? I’ll keep my opinions to myself. And keep my friends and family.

This is Baja. Folks are supposed to be on vacation. If you want debate jump on Facebook and say something controversial and, like I said, half will agree with you and the other half will tell you you’re dumber-than-dirt.

In no uncertain terms.

That’s why it was so refreshing to have one of my Mexican friends ask me a few weeks ago, “Who do you think will be your next American President? Biden or Trump?”

Oh no. Here we go again.

I didn’t want to start down that path or open a can of worms with my friend so I asked, “Does it matter to you as a Mexican citizen?”

Instead of the usual hackle going up, he smiled and said, “Nope. I was just making conversation. It seems all Americans have strong opinions about it. Don’t you?”

I shrugged. Again, trying to nip things in the bud.

I asked him disarmingly again, “Do YOU have an opinion?”

And then he said something that put the biggest grin on my face.

He laughingly replied, “I don’t care.”

A pause.

I had to think about that.

Are we allowed to say that anymore? Are we allowed to think that anymore?

Three simple words.

“I don’t care.”

Maybe it’s simply not caring at all. Ambivalence. Fatigue. Resignation. Indifference.

Whatever the reason, you NEVER hear anyone say “I don’t care.”

It’s uh…sacrilegious! It’s uh…blasphemous. It’s Un-American. It’s un-civilized, by gosh!!!

I’m sure everyone cares. I actualy do care.

But there are times when I just don’t care. Or, at that particular moment, I don’t have the energy to care. But, I’m afraid…hesitant… to say that to anyone.

I can’t be the only person who feels like that.

A fishing clients says to me, “What do you think about all that unrest in the police force? Or “How about them closing California again cuz of Covid?”

What would I sound like if I said, “I don’t care.”

Probably like a jerk.

My Mexican friend explained to me.

“Look, it might be different in the big cities than here in Baja. It might be different if I were a big business owner. “

“But, I’m a regular guy like you. Nothing special. I drive a delivery truck.”

“To me, the only reason I asked about your elections is that’s all Americans seem to talk about and that’s what we see on the news on our TV’s about the U.S. But, I don’t think it affects me that much. We got enough problems with our own politicians here in Mexico without worrying about YOUR politicians,” he laughed.

“Mire, hombre…Look, amigo,” he elaborated. “ Us Mexicans, we’ve been ruled by the Spanish, the French, the Germans. We had wars with America. We have endured revolutions and corrupt politicians at every level.”

“We now have this pandemic thing. It’s a big problem. Or, that’s what they tell us it is. Maybe it is. Maybe it isn’t”

“We Mexicans will endure. We keep going. We hear promises, but nothing really ultimately changes. We move ahead. Everything will pass and we will still be here.”

“Honestly, I am more concerned with my next delivery in my truck and feeding my kids than who will be the next senator for our state or if the government is telling the truth about covid. I care enough to wear my mask. No big deal.”

No big deal.

I think there’s an honest dignity in that. Keep on-keeping on. Stay the course.

Just kinda nice to hear that once-in-awhile.

That’s my story!

Jonathan

______________

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.”

Read Full Post »

BEST of TIMES & WORST of TIMES

Posted in airlines, bahia de los muertos, bahia de los suenos, Baja, Baja Fishing, Baja fishing lures, Baja Life, Baja Mexico Fishing, Cabo San Lucas, cabrilla, cerralvo island, charters, chubasco, dorado, east cape, ecotourism, el nino, el sargento, espirito santo, family, farm-raised, fish, Fishing, fishing blogs, fishing hooks, Fishing lures, fishing packages, fishing reports, Fishing Tackle and Techniques, Fishing techniques, fishing tips, fishing tournaments, fishing trips, fishing videos, flyfishing, freediving, giant squid, green, Heat stroke, highway, historical, history, holidays in mexico, hurricane, ice chests, inshore fishing, inshore fishing in Baja Mexico, jack crevalle, Jonathan Roldan, kids, kids fishing, La Paz, La Paz Fishing, la ventana, las arenas, Leisure, light tackle, Living in Mexico, los barriles, luggage, marlin, Mexican, Mexican business, Mexican culture, mexican food, Mexico, Mexico life, outfitters, packages, packing fish, panga, Panga Fishing, pargo, passport, pompano, roosterfish, Salt Water Fishing, San Jose del Cabo, Sea of Cortez, spearfishing, sportfishing, storms, Tailhunter International, tourism, tours, transpeninsular highway, Travel, tuna, Tuna jackpot, Uncategorized, vehicle, wahoo, waterspouts, weather, Western Outdoor News, women fishing, yellowtail, tagged amberjack, bahia, Baja Mexico, beaches, billfish, bonito, Cabo San Lucas, cabrilla, Cerralvo Island, charter, deep sea, diving, dog tooth, dorado, east cape, eco tours, espirito santo island, family, fish, Fishing, fishing report, Fishing Techniques, fishing tips, fishing video, fly fishing, fly fishing. Spearfishing, gray whales, grey whales, guide, holiday, igfa, inshore, jack crevalle, jill roldan, Jonathan Roldan, kids, La Paz, las arenas, light tackle, live bait, los barriles, marlin, mexican, mexico, muertos bay, offshore, outfitter, package, panga, pargo, pompano, rooster fish, sailfish, scuba, sea lions, sea of cortez, seabass, sierra, snorkeling, sportfishing, suenos bay, swimming, tailhunter restaurant, tuna, vacation, wahoo, whale sharks, whale watching, women, world records, yellowtail on September 8, 2019| Leave a Comment »

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(TURN UP YOUR VOLUME FOR THE FULL EFFECT!)

BEST of TIMES & WORST of TIMES

Originally Published the Week of Sept. 10, 2019 in Western Outdoor Publications

It’s 5:30 a.m. here in La Paz and it’s still dark outside. We just put out our first group of fishermen for the day with our sportfishing fleet.

It looks like it’s gonna be a great day. Seas are flat. Winds are calm a a brilliant quarter moon is shimmering on the water.

At this time yesterday morning, it was Armageddon.

To use another Bible reference, I think it’s the Book of Kings (I’m sure many of you know better than me) that says something about “Chariots of fire in the sky and the air being “torn asunder.’”

Well, that’s what it was like.

Woke up to a few little drops of water. No big.

Saw some lightning flashes over the hills. Heat lighting in the dark. No big.

That stuff happens all the time.

The weather forecast for the day has NOTHING on the radar.

I’ve got 40-something anxious fishermen on the beach… in the dark waiting to go fishing.

“GOOD MORNING, EVERYONE!”

…and just about then, as if in response, the heavens answered.

Suddenly, a BRILLIANT jag in the dark as if someone had popped a zillion camera flashes and I was suddenly looking at the lit up big-eyed faces of all our clients …followed by…

BOOM!!! BOOM!!! BOOM!

foto-diariolapaz-1538346917-tormenta_truenos

As if we were suddenly in a giant kettle drum.

More lightning. More deafening incoming kettle drums! It was like Thor and the Angel Gabriel decided to have a drumming contest and lightning was so close overhead the hair on your arm prickled up with static electricity.

Some bolts hit the water in the distance! YEOW!

Then, the rain came.

And came. We huddled under whatever cover we could.

I could see my captains offshore in the misty dark. The pangas continually lit by the lighting now so bright I could have read a book. I nervously radioed them to hold on.

Through the din of the rain and the artillery thunderclaps, my wife and I kept reassuring everyone that this will pass.

Man…we had our fingers crossed because most clients were in favor of heading straight back to their hotel rooms. Sheets of rain now obscured everything.

Nothing worse than telling people on vacation that their day had been canceled.

This was not looking good. Darnit…

And then…just like that. It stopped.

Was it over? We hesitantly emerged from hiding like nervous bunnies peeking from our holes. All eyes skyward. Some passing clouds clearing. A few residual drops.

They all looked at us. A pregnant moment of silence…

“We told you so (breathing a sigh of relief)! LET’S GO FISHING!

Yay!

We called the boats in. Everyone boarded. We had one of the best fishing days of the season.

My wife and I exhaled as we left the beach. Dodging a bullet will do that to you. Not getting caught in a big hopeful FIB will also do that to you.

When I assured folks it was just a passing storm, it was really just a hopeful guess!

But, as I sit here composing my column, I have the extended weather forecast out. There’s a hurricane headed our way although it’s going to bank and head to the Pacific. Maybe well get some larger waves and some gusts of wind.

Juliet, please head away from us!

However, I see in about 6 days, we’re in for some thundershowers. Fortunately, it will be in the afternoon. After everyone is back from fishing eating nachos, drinking beers and telling fishing stories.

So, I think it will be Ok. I hope it will be OK. I hate fibbing.

The big blow that passed over us was not on the radar. It was not in the forecast. It’s what the locals call a “TORITO.” A “little bull” hurricane. It comes…hits hard…and goes.

The big chubasco hurricane is the one we really worry about. In my 25 years down here, I’ve been through 8 of them. Most blow through and in a day or two, we’re back on the water.

A few like Odile in 2014 cut a chunk of devastation with 200 mph winds. We knew it was coming.

The ominous thing is that unlike other hurricanes that can be watched for days before striking, Odile gave us less than 24 hours notice. A benign chubasco suddenly and unexpectedly turned and hurled itself into Baja.

But, this is that tropical time of year. This stuff can and does happen.

It’s the BEST fishing in Baja.

Year-after-year, we are packed with fishermen because they know it’s a great time to fish!

This is when the fun species like tuna, wahoo and dorado dominate. Giant roosterfish prowl the beaches. Striped, blue, black marlin and sailfish arrive in schools.

There’s a reason that all the major tournaments…some of the largest in the world like the Bisbee’s Black & Blue and the Western Outdoor News Tuna Jackpot are held during this time.

From late summer through fall, it seems there are several major tournaments going on every single week.

They’re happening and folks come from all over the world because the fishing is so good.

But, you just never know about the weather. It’s a capricious mistress.

I have spent many years flying around the country for business and pleasure. I always passed those little machines at the airports selling travel insurance.

What’s that all about? Never mind…there’s a plane to catch. Check it out later.

That was way way back in the day.

There is no way to control the weather. But, you do have some control about how the weather or other unforeseen incidents impact your vacation.

Travel insurance is easy and economical. It should be a part of your travel planning just like an extra set of underwear. It doesn’t take much space.

Here in Mexico, it’s pretty hard to get a refund for anything. Actually, it’s like that in most parts of the world. Weather-related cancelations in the fishing industry? Weather is a part of fishing. Weather happens.

It’s like going on a hunting trip. Because you don’t shoot an elk or it snows, you don’t ask for a refund,

Ever tried to get a refund from the airlines or a hotel? Short of an actual medical emergency or actual crisis, get ready for a lot of phone calls and documents you’ll have to submit.

A bit of cheap travel insurance kicks in and you’re golden again. You won’t recover the lost day. But, at least you’ll get some re-imbursement.

Like a 2^nd set of underwear. Better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it.

That’s my story!

signature June '18 two 1

Jonathan

______________

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.”

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When Fishing Is Not So A-Peeling!

Posted in airlines, bahia de los muertos, bahia de los suenos, Baja, Baja Fishing, Baja fishing lures, Baja Life, Baja Mexico Fishing, Baja Rockfish, Cabo San Lucas, cabrilla, camping, car, cerralvo, charters, deep sea, dorado, driving, east cape, ecotourism, el nino, el sargento, espirito santo, family, fish, fish farming, fish pens, Fishing, fishing blogs, fishing hooks, Fishing lures, fishing packages, fishing reports, Fishing Tackle and Techniques, Fishing techniques, fishing tips, fishing tournaments, fishing trips, fishing videos, flyfishing, freediving, giant squid, green, Heat stroke, highway, historical, history, holidays in mexico, humboldt squid, ice chests, inshore fishing, inshore fishing in Baja Mexico, jack crevalle, Jonathan Roldan, kids, kids fishing, La Paz, La Paz Fishing, la ventana, las arenas, Leisure, light tackle, Living in Mexico, los barriles, marlin, Mexican, Mexican business, Mexican culture, mexican food, mexican food stands, Mexican Independence Day, Mexico, Mexico Christmas, Mexico economy, Mexico life, Mexico neighborhood, outfitters, packages, packing, packing fish, panga, Panga Fishing, pargo, passport, pompano, road trip, roosterfish, Salt Water Fishing, San Jose del Cabo, Sea of Cortez, seafood, sierra, speaking spanish, spearfishing, sportfishing, squid fishing, Tailhunter International, tiburon island, tourism, tours, transpeninsular highway, Travel, trolling tips, tuna, Uncategorized, vacations, wahoo, weather, Western Outdoor News, Western Outdoor Publications, women fishing, yellowtail, tagged amberjack, bahia, Baja Mexico, beaches, billfish, bonito, Cabo San Lucas, cabrilla, Cerralvo Island, charter, deep sea, diving, dog tooth, dorado, east cape, eco tours, espirito santo island, family, fish, Fishing, fishing report, Fishing Techniques, fishing tips, fishing video, fly fishing, fly fishing. Spearfishing, gray whales, grey whales, guide, holiday, igfa, inshore, jack crevalle, jill roldan, Jonathan Roldan, kids, La Paz, las arenas, light tackle, live bait, los barriles, marlin, mexican, mexico, muertos bay, offshore, outfitter, package, panga, pargo, pompano, rooster fish, sailfish, scuba, sea lions, sea of cortez, seabass, sierra, snorkeling, sportfishing, suenos bay, swimming, tailhunter restaurant, tuna, vacation, wahoo, whale sharks, whale watching, women, world records, yellowtail on January 28, 2019| Leave a Comment »

bananas1

When Fishing Is Not So A-Peeling!

Originally Published the Week of Feb. 1, 2019 in Western Outdoor Publications

“Life is full of banana skins. You slip, you carry on.”
—Daphne Guinness

It’s been about 15 years since I last wrote about a subject that seems to keep popping up. And lately, I’ve had several folks ask about it.

Most folks say they’re not superstitious.

But, they’ll still wear their raggedy “good luck” basketball socks. They refuse to throw away their best bowling shirt.

Do you still have a pair of “tidy-whitey” underwear in your drawer that’s you won’t throw away even if it has no more elastic and your wife nags you about it?

Do you refuse to open your eyes when your team’s kicker lines up for the game-winning field goal because it’s “bad luck?” Still have your bloody-splattered fishing t-shirt from when you were in college when you were 100 pounds lighter?

So, what’s the deal about bad luck bananas and fishing?

To some, it’s just something to goof with and talk smack about.

I’ve seen guys “plant” bananas in their buddy’s tackle box or fishing boots. I’ve seen guys tie a banana on hotel-room doors or toss a banana onto a buddy’s boat.

To other’s it’s deadly serious. It’s grounds for fighting words and coming to blows.

I’ve seen boats catch fire. Bananas were later found in the galley.

I’ve been on boats where everyone is catching fish except the boat with bananas but start catching fish when bananas were tossed overboard.

I was working as a deckhand where a guy broke his leg in a freak accident . Bananas were in an ice chest on deck. Another time a guy had to be air-lifted after having a heart attack on a boat that had bananas.

If bananas were found in the galley of any boat that I worked on or had chartered they were quickly discarded or discreetly “disappeared” at night when the boat was underway.

Rumor has it that Fruit of the Loom underwear used to have a banana on their label, but the banana was eliminated.

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So, what’s the source of the superstitious myth?

There’s a number of theories.

Bananas Stink

Back in the days of sailing ships, fresh fruit and vegetables were pretty important. Having bananas aboard, the bananas ripen pretty quickly and emit a gas and odor that can quickly ruin the food stores of a crew. Lacking fresh produce on those long voyages could lead to malnourishment at best. At worst, death.

No Slowing Down

The fact that bananas ripen quite quickly could also give credence to the lack of fish caught on board. Speed was essential to cargo ships carrying bananas.

Normal ships could travel at regular speeds. Often crews would fish to supplement their diets and the diets of passengers.

Banana boats did not have that luxury. They had to scoot. No slowing down to troll. It was essential to get from point A to point B.

Word got out that you didn’t want to crew or travel on a ship carrying bananas because those ships “never caught fish!” Seems logical.

Hidden Critters
Bunches of bananas could often hide snakes, spiders and other creepy-crawlers that could get loose aboard a ship. Many areas in Africa also were home to a voracious wood-eating termite that could get loose when bananas were brought about those old wooden sailing ships.

A Dark Chapter

If you remember your history, banana boats were often used as slave ships. If you suddenly woke up manacled, crowded and in a dark place smelling of bananas, life was about to take a turn for the worse.

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Davey’s Locker

Similarly, bananas float. When a ship would sink, among other things, floating bananas would often be indicative of the final resting place of a vessel.

Here’s another one…

Good to Be King

From my part of the world where my family originated, in Hawaii, only royalty were permitted to have bananas. A commoner found in possession of bananas could be grounds for execution…the ultimate bad luck!

So, what do you think?

I’m not superstitious, but you’d still better not bring bananas on any boat that I’m on! Why tempt luck?

That’s my story~!

signature June '18 two 1

Jonathan

______________

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.”

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Hear Me Now Believe Me Later

Posted in airlines, aquaculture, bahia de los muertos, bahia de los suenos, Baja, Baja Fishing, Baja fishing lures, Baja Life, Baja Mexico Fishing, Baja Rockfish, Cabo San Lucas, cabrilla, cerralvo, cerralvo island, charters, chubasco, circle hooks, crankbait, dorado, east cape, ecotourism, el nino, el sargento, espirito santo, first aid, fish, Fishing, fishing blogs, fishing hooks, Fishing lures, fishing packages, fishing reports, Fishing Tackle and Techniques, Fishing techniques, fishing tips, fishing trips, fishing videos, flyfishing, freediving, giant squid, green, Heat stroke, highway, holidays in mexico, humboldt squid, hurricane, hurricanes, ice chests, inshore fishing, inshore fishing in Baja Mexico, jack crevalle, Jonathan Roldan, kids, kids fishing, La Paz, La Paz Fishing, la ventana, las arenas, Leisure, light tackle, Living in Mexico, los barriles, marlin, Mexican, mexican food, Mexico, Mexico life, Mexico neighborhood, outfitters, pack for a purpose, packages, packing, packing fish, panga, Panga Fishing, pargo, pompano, roosterfish, Salt Water Fishing, Salt water lures, Sea of Cortez, sportfishing, storm, Tailhunter International, tourism, tours, Travel, tuna, Uncategorized, vacations, wahoo, waterspouts, weather, Western Outdoor News, Western Outdoor Publications, women fishing, yellowtail, tagged amberjack, bahia de los muertos, bahia de los suenos, Bahia de los Suenos fishing, bahia magdalena, baja, baja fishing, Baja fishing reports, Baja sportfishing packages, baja sur, Baja Vacations, beach, bonito, Cabo San Lucas, cabrilla, carnavale, carnival, catch and release, Central Washington Sportsmans show, Cerralvo Island, Cerralvo Island Fishing, Chad Schearer, charters, circle hooks, costa baja resort, day trips, dog tooth snapper, dorado, east cape, ecotourism, el sargento, espirito, espirito santo island, Extreme Expeditions Alaska, family, family fishing, fish, fish report, Fishing, fishing and hunting shows, fishing charters, fishing guides, fishing reports, fishing tackle, Fishing Techniques, fishing tips, fishing tournaments, fishing trips, fishing video, fishing videos, flyfishing, Fred Hall Fishing Show, fred hall fishing shows, freediving, girls fishing, golden grouper, gray whales, Great Western Hunt and Conservation Expo, grouper, holidays, hotel perla, idaho sportsman show, igfa, International Fish and Game, international sportsmans expo, International Sportsmens Expo, ise, jack crevalle, Jonathan Roldan, kids, la concha beach resort, La Paz, la paz baja sur, La Paz Fishing, La Paz Vacations, la ventana, La Ventana Fishing, las arenas, Las Arenas fishing, light tackle, mag bay, mahi mahi, marlin, mexican, Mexican sportfishing outfitters, Mexican sportfishing packages, mexico, mexico fishing, Mexico vacations, Muertos Bay Fishing, outfitters, pacific northwest sportsmans show, packages, panga, pargo, pompano, portland expo center, rainbow runner, robalo, roosterfish, sailfish, scuba, sea of cortez, sierra, sierra mackeral, snapper, snook, snorkel, spearfishing, sportfishing packages, squid, swimming, tailhunter, Tailhunter International, Tournament fishing, travel, tuna, tuna tournament, vacations, wahoo, Washington Sportsmans Show, Washington Sportsmens show, Western Outdoor New Tuna Jackpots, western outdoor news, whales, whalesharks, whalewatching, Women fishing, world records, yellowfin tuna, yellowtail on September 25, 2017| Leave a Comment »

stormwarning

HERE ME NOW BELIEVE ME LATER

Originally Published the Week of Sept. 27, 2017 in Western Outdoor Publications

In my last column, I was tapping away on my laptop just about a week after Tropical Storm Lidia smacked Southern Baja right in the nose. Three weeks later, a lot of us are still digging out to a greater or lesser degree, especially, Cabo San Lucas.

It never quite became a hurricane, but it didn’t have to. It was just as deadly. Just as damaging.

I have been writing this column over a decade. I have often documented what it’s like going through one of these uber-storms. By my last count, I think I’ve gone through 8 hurricanes now and numerous tropical storms and depressions.

Lately, Mother Nature sure seems to be tee-ing off on our part of the hemisphere with hurricanes, fires and earthquakes. It’s awfully humbling.

So, here I sit again.

However, instead of writing post-storm, I’m writing waiting for the newest, latest weather aberration, “Norma” to come rumbling our way up the Baja peninsula.

It started as a blip of “intermittent showers” on the weather forecast. Within 30 hours, it grew to a tropical storm. Then, it grew to a hurricane. And now, back to a tropical depression. But, it’s still coming.

So say the forecasts. In the crosshairs.

Given how Lidia treated us last month, Norma has every reason to cause bunched-up-underwear levels. For those of us who live down here and deal with nature on a daily basis; and who work and run businesses here; it’s faced with no small measure of trepidation.

Maybe, the anxiety is enhanced by the fact that we are in the hospitality business. Other people’s well-being amplifies the ominousness. That’s just the way it is when you live in a resort area. Bottom line, we have other people to look after.

Ask those poor folks in the Caribbean who are digging out from Hurricane Irma whose livlihoods are based on tourism…hotels…fishing…restaurants…etc. We have extra people we must answer to and be responsible for.

So, sitting here, I’ve often written about the destructive results of these meteorlogical calamities. The torrential rain…the wind that sounds like a freight train…the utter darkness…falling trees…buildings blown to bits…flooding…mud and rockslides. No water or electricity for days or weeks. It’s impossible to understate the immensity.

But, sitting here, the STOOPID sun is out! Yea, it looks like a postcard.

There’s barely a ripple on the water. A gentle breeze strokes the edges of the overhanging palapa roof. It’s 92 degrees outside and kids are playing with a rubber tube on the beach. Dad’s got a beer in hand. Mom’s reading a book.

What’s wrong with this picture?

According to the weather reports, all heck should be breaking loose real soon. The heavens are gonna tear open a new one. Armageddon 2.0 is on the way. Noah get the ark ready!

The port captain has closed the marinas down for two days now. All boat traffic including fishing, diving, whalewatching and touring vessels are prohibited from leaving the harbor.

But…but…but…there’s not a cloud in the sky right now! C’mon, man! Are you serious?

We have clients boxed up in their rooms chomping at the bits to fish. That’s why they’re here. Or they’re tying on a serious buzz at the pool bar.

I’ve seen this before. Too many days of this and it could get fugly.

It’s one thing to explain to folks that they can’t go out and play when it’s the deluge. The sky is falling. The drain is open. Even the fish are hiding as are all creatures great and small.

It’s an entirely different issue trying to ask folks to keep their patience when the sun is out and it looks like a perfectly good day to be out on the water. But, some picky-ninny bureaucrat has closed the port and ruined all the fun.

It’s like Disneyland. It’s the “happiest place on earth” until you’ve waited in line and the ride breaks down!

It’s not supposed to happen on YOUR turn. On YOUR vacation.

None of us want it to happen either. Believe me, if we could control the weather, we would! I’d grow back my hair and be taller too. But, it’s not gonna happen.

I don’t like it when we get told we can’t play. It’s like getting a time-out as a kid. Yea, I’m gonna pout too! It looks perfectly fine to go romp in the sand box and play in the water.

But, I get it too.

And I have to remind myself and try to communicate that to my clients that safety is the pre-eminent aspect in play.

The fisherman sitting in his room or hanging out at the pool often cannot see the forest for the trees. It might look calm in the bay. The sun could be out, but outside it could be howling wind and giant waves.

Unseen rollers and breakers could be out there already.

I’ve seen the deadly result when folks ignore the warnings not to take the boat out or not to go into the surf. Mother Nature is an unforgiving witch when she’s angry and you disregard the signs.

Here’s the biggest rub.

Remember, you’re in Mexico. If you get in trouble “out there” especially when there’s warnings posted, chances are you’re on your own. There’s no other boats that were foolish enough to go out. The Coastguard isn’t going to look for you. There’s no vessel assist program.

Often attempts at rescue, the rescuer is also lost. A double tragedy.

So for now, we’re just gonna heed the warnings and sit here in the sunshine. And wait for the storm to hit. We watch and wait for the impending storm clouds. We will endeavor to keep calm and chive on.

It’s times like this that I really pray for even a little rain to start. Bring on some clouds and thunder to justify keeping everyone on the beach. PLEASE! It’s better than sunshine.

In the meantime… Keep everyone close and pass the suntan lotion. Keep the blender going too. Hopefully, they’ll forget there’s not a cloud in the sky.

That’s my story!

Jonathan signature

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-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: jonathan@tailhunter.com

Or drop by the restaurant to say hi. It’s right on the La Paz waterfront!

_____________

Jonathan Roldan’s
Tailhunter International

TAILHUNTER FISHING FLEET #1 Rated on Trip Advisor

TAILHUNTER RESTAURANT BAR Top 5 – Rated in La Paz on Trip Advisor

Now follow us on FACEBOOK TOO

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
from Mexico: 044-612-53311

Tailhunter Weekly Fishing Report:
http://fishreport.jonathanroldan.com/

Tailhunter YouTube Videos: 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.”

Read Full Post »

WHERE THE WILD THING ARE…er…WERE

Posted in airlines, bahia de los muertos, bahia de los suenos, Baja, Baja Fishing, Baja fishing lures, Baja Life, Baja Mexico Fishing, Baja Rockfish, Cabo San Lucas, cabrilla, camping, car, cerralvo, cerralvo island, charity, charters, christmas, chubasco, circle hooks, crankbait, donations, dorado, driving, east cape, ecotourism, el nino, el sargento, espirito santo, family, farm-raised, first aid, fish, fish farming, fish pens, Fishing, fishing blogs, fishing hooks, Fishing lures, fishing packages, fishing reports, Fishing Tackle and Techniques, Fishing techniques, fishing tips, fishing tournaments, fishing trips, fishing videos, flyfishing, freediving, giant squid, green, highway, historical, history, holidays in mexico, humboldt squid, hurricane, hurricanes, ice chests, inshore fishing, inshore fishing in Baja Mexico, jack crevalle, Jonathan Roldan, kids, kids fishing, La Paz, La Paz Fishing, la ventana, las arenas, Leisure, light tackle, Living in Mexico, los barriles, luggage, marlin, Mexican, Mexican business, Mexican culture, mexican food, mexican food stands, Mexican Independence Day, Mexico, Mexico Christmas, Mexico economy, Mexico life, Mexico neighborhood, missions, outfitters, packages, packing, packing fish, panga, Panga Fishing, pargo, passport, planning, pompano, rental car, rentals, road trip, roosterfish, Salt Water Fishing, Salt water lures, San Jose del Cabo, Sea of Cortez, seafood, sierra, spearfishing, sportfishing, squid fishing, storm, storms, suitcases, Sun stroke, sustainable, Tailhunter International, techniques, tours, transpeninsular highway, Travel, trolling tips, tuna, Tuna jackpot, tuna tournament, Uncategorized, vacations, vehicle, wahoo, waterspouts, weather, Western Outdoor News, Western Outdoor Publications, women fishing, yellowtail, tagged amberjack, bahia de los muertos, bahia de los suenos, Bahia de los Suenos fishing, bahia magdalena, baja, baja fishing, Baja fishing reports, Baja sportfishing packages, baja sur, Baja Vacations, beach, bonito, Cabo San Lucas, cabrilla, carnavale, carnival, catch and release, Central Washington Sportsmans show, Cerralvo Island, Cerralvo Island Fishing, Chad Schearer, charters, circle hooks, costa baja resort, day trips, dog tooth snapper, dorado, east cape, ecotourism, el sargento, espirito, espirito santo island, Extreme Expeditions Alaska, family, family fishing, fish, fish report, Fishing, fishing and hunting shows, fishing charters, fishing guides, fishing reports, fishing tackle, Fishing Techniques, fishing tips, fishing tournaments, fishing trips, fishing video, fishing videos, flyfishing, Fred Hall Fishing Show, fred hall fishing shows, freediving, girls fishing, golden grouper, gray whales, Great Western Hunt and Conservation Expo, grouper, holidays, hotel perla, idaho sportsman show, igfa, International Fish and Game, international sportsmans expo, International Sportsmens Expo, ise, jack crevalle, Jonathan Roldan, kids, la concha beach resort, La Paz, la paz baja sur, La Paz Fishing, La Paz Vacations, la ventana, La Ventana Fishing, las arenas, Las Arenas fishing, light tackle, mag bay, mahi mahi, marlin, mexican, Mexican sportfishing outfitters, Mexican sportfishing packages, mexico, mexico fishing, Mexico vacations, Muertos Bay Fishing, outfitters, pacific northwest sportsmans show, packages, panga, pargo, pompano, portland expo center, rainbow runner, robalo, roosterfish, sailfish, scuba, sea of cortez, sierra, sierra mackeral, snapper, snook, snorkel, spearfishing, sportfishing packages, squid, swimming, tailhunter, Tailhunter International, Tournament fishing, travel, tuna, tuna tournament, vacations, wahoo, Washington Sportsmans Show, Washington Sportsmens show, Western Outdoor New Tuna Jackpots, western outdoor news, whales, whalesharks, whalewatching, Women fishing, world records, yellowfin tuna, yellowtail on July 2, 2017| Leave a Comment »

Where the Wild Things Are…er…Were

Originally published the Week of July 4, 2017 in Western Outdoor Publications

As a little kid, there was a beach I would sneak off to back home in Hawaii.

I’m dating myself. I could ride my sting-ray bike there.

Down from the main road to where it sloped to gravel. Down through the thick over-hanging jungle canopy. The air was thick and moist and the gravel gave way to a path of rich soft wet damp earth that never seemed to dry out and carpeted with soggy decaying leaves.

It would suddenly break into a clearing that I simply called “my beach.” A sunny little white sand cove protected by a small shallow coral reef. Dark lava rocks at the two small headlands and waves broke gently over into a blue pool about as wide as I could throw a rock.

A small stream that started somewhere in the rain forest up in the mountains dropped from a small waterfall. It emerged from the thick vegetation and tumbled over smooth dark boulders through a gritty arroyo where it’s darker reddish waters joined the blue ocean.

It was a good little place to fish. Or swim. Or hang out with neighborhood pals under the coco palms. For a bunch of black-haired, barefooted, hell-bent tribal children with unlimited energy and imagination , it was the best playground.

Where the wild things are.

Build forts out’ve driftwood. Chase each other with rounds of “Marco Polo,” our version of “tag.”

Play “chicken” in the waters while perched on each other’s shoulders and exhausted ourselves with laughter attacking the “king of the hill” on the small sand dunes. Then later a retreat under the palms to eat sandwiches or maybe sticky-finger spam and rice rolls made by our moms.

Looking back we referred to it as “little kid time.”

It was “my beach.” And I was convinced no one knew about it. We never saw anyone else there.

On the island we just figured there were lots of little hidden beaches and coves. This was “ours.” Other people must have “their own beach.” Right? Little boys have their own brand of logic.

But, as with all “little kid time,” little kids grow up. Life and other things came along. The islands were left behind, but always carried with me.

Years later, I came back. To where the road ended. To where the gravel started. To where the dirt path emerged from the dampness to the light. And I stopped.

Or to be more precise. I was halted.

By a barbed wire gate. It had a sign.

“No Trespassing. Private Beach. Exclusively for Owners. No locals.”

Some “non-local” kids were gunning wave runners through the shallows where we used to play chicken. Some new “kings of the hill” had built expensive houses on our sand. An expensive European SUV was parked in front of one of them.

I stared at the barbed wire. . . and the sign.

Fast forward.

Two days ago. Mid-day Baja heat.

I drove out to one of the beaches north of La Paz where we live. Just needed to get out’ve the office and not to be found for an hour or so.

No more beeping text messages or phone calls. Maybe just close my eyes for a few minutes to the sound of…nothing.

Just to take a breath. Get some air. Look at some blue water. Get lucky and watch some dolphin make me envious.

I drove to one of the remote beaches. This one famous on postcards for sugar sand and water the color of sapphire turquoise. It often shows up on travel shows and brochures as one of the most beautiful beaches in the world.

And there, plain as day, the beach had been lined with umbrellas and plastic tables and chairs. And you needed to pay for a permit.

It was like being told you can’t look at Yosemite or the Grand Canyon without renting special glasses.

Oh, and no photos allowed either. Or what? Are you kidding me?

On the license plates here in Baja it says, “La Frontera.” The frontier. Yea, I get it. Wide open spaces. Deserted beaches. Solitary beaches. OK. It’s not Mexico City. It’s definitely not the mainland.

But, it had this reputation of being someplace you could still find the wild places to go.

And maybe re-aquaint yourself with some of your own internal wildness or hidden “little kid time” that seems to get buried in traffic jams, office politics, corporate jumble and suburbia strip-mall-life-back home.

I guess, it’s still here. You just have to look a little hard and go a little further. And further still. Everywhere. Somewhere.

That’s my story!

Jonathan signature

______________

Or drop by the restaurant to say hi. It’s right on the La Paz waterfront!

_____________

Jonathan Roldan’s
Tailhunter International

TAILHUNTER FISHING FLEET #1 Rated on Trip Advisor

TAILHUNTER RESTAURANT BAR Top 5 – Rated in La Paz on Trip Advisor

Now follow us on FACEBOOK TOO

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
from Mexico: 044-612-53311

Tailhunter Weekly Fishing Report:
http://fishreport.jonathanroldan.com/

Tailhunter YouTube Videos: 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.”

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Jonathan has written for:

Western Outdoor News
Western Outdoor News Magazine
Pacific Coast Sportfishing
Discover Baja Magazine
Baja Life Magazine
The Log
Fish Taco Chronicles
Sportsman's Channel Magazine

His articles also appear in:

San Diego Union Newspaper
Los Angeles Times Newspaper
Sacramento Bee
San Francisco Chronicle
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Archive for the ‘green’ Category

HI-FIVE and WELL DONE!

HIGH FIVE and WELL DONE!

Originally Published the Week of April 4, 2022 in Western Outdoor Publications

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YOU CAN’T GOOGLE OR TRIP ADVISOR THIS

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IN YOUR FACE CABRON ADOLF

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BEST of TIMES & WORST of TIMES

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Originally Published the Week of Sept. 10, 2019 in Western Outdoor Publications

When Fishing Is Not So A-Peeling!

When Fishing Is Not So A-Peeling!

Originally Published the Week of Feb. 1, 2019 in Western Outdoor Publications

Hear Me Now Believe Me Later

HERE ME NOW BELIEVE ME LATER

WHERE THE WILD THING ARE…er…WERE

Where the Wild Things Are…er…Were

Originally published the Week of July 4, 2017 in Western Outdoor Publications

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