Posts Tagged ‘holidays’

“FACING FORWARD LOOKING BACK”

Posted in Baja, Baja Fishing, Baja Life, Baja Mexico Fishing, Baja Rockfish, cabrilla, cerralvo, charters, dorado, espirito santo, fish, Fishing, fishing packages, fishing reports, Fishing Tackle and Techniques, Fishing techniques, fishing tips, fishing trips, fishing videos, flyfishing, holidays in mexico, inshore fishing, inshore fishing in Baja Mexico, Jonathan Roldan, kids, kids fishing, La Paz, La Paz Fishing, la ventana, las arenas, Leisure, Living in Mexico, Mexican, Mexican business, Mexican culture, Mexico, Mexico economy, Mexico life, outfitters, panga, Panga Fishing, pargo, pompano, roosterfish, Salt Water Fishing, Sea of Cortez, sierra, sportfishing, Tailhunter International, tourism, tours, Travel, trolling tips, tuna, Uncategorized, vacations, wahoo, Western Outdoor News, Western Outdoor Publications, women fishing, yellowtail, tagged baja, cerralvo, charters, espirito santo, fish, Fishing, fishing reports, Fishing Techniques, fishing tips, fishing trip, holidays, Jonathan Roldan, La Paz, las arenas, light tackle, mexican, mexican life, mexico, outfitters, sea of cortez, Tailhunter International, tourism, vacations, western outdoor news, western outdoors, working in mexico on April 29, 2013| Leave a Comment »

FACING FORWARD LOOKING BACK

Originally Published the Week of May 4, 2013 in Western Outdoor News

One of my esteemed predecessors writing this column for Western Outdoors was the famous Fred Hoctor. People described him in many ways. A curmudgeon. A crank. Crusty. Or worse!

Even he admitted to it. Always with a laugh.

But he was a helluva writer and one of those guys who just had the knack for spinning yarns and telling stories. He wrote columns and books including the iconic, “Baja Ha Ha” that can still be found in many bookshelves. Say what you want, but “Old Fred” was prolifically brilliant and witty and one of the original Baja rats.

I started writing outdoor pieces about 30 years ago myself. I don’t know where Fred got a hold of me or how, but he would call me up now and then. To me, it was like Papa Hemingway or John Steinbeck calling. I never really knew what to say or how to engage him in conversation.

Usually, though, it seemed as though he was calling to get something off his chest.

I’d pick up the phone and I’d hear, “Kid…this is Fred. (Never give his last name unless I asked it …so the first few times, it was just “Fred” as if no one else named Fred would have called me).

He’d say, “Kid, I read what you wrote in such-and-such a magazine.” He’d say this in a his gravelly voice that sounded like central casting for a guy who smoked too many cigarettes…sucked the dust off too many Baja backroads… and raspy from tipping the bottle…sometimes I would swear he was tipping while he was talking.

He’d usually cuss at me a bit and then launch into a story. The story had nothing to do with anything I’d written. He wouldn’t even comment on my writing. He’d laugh. Cuss s’more and just hang up. Never asked my opinion or try to converse. Never said good-bye or drop a salutation. Just hung up. Zzzzzz…dead air. Dial-tone.

Uh…thanks for the call, Fred. Nice to hear from you.

But, I always liked that he called me, “kid.” It was nice to know that I was being read by someone! It was like knowing that someone cool was watching me. Someone older and wiser…(Fred passed away in 2001 and I’m sure being called “wiser” makes him just spin and hoot from the other side).

Somehow, I’ve always thought of myself as “the kid.” I was always the younger guy around. In the industry, there were all these older guys that I looked up to and who took me under their wings. I felt like I was always sitting at the “kids” table at Thanksgiving and the grown ups were at the big table.

But a sobering thought hit me while pondering what to write for this week’s column. That was 20-30 years ago and I’m on the near side of 60 years old now. I’m not a kid and somewhere and sometime, I moved up to the big boy table. And somehow more and more spaces kept opening up there. Little-by-little, the grown ups passed on.

Mentally, I still feel like one of the young guys, but my salt-and-pepper beard and creaky joints tell a different story. All my friends are this old too. And there’s not too many ahead of me.

But, the sad thing is that there aren’t too many behind me either.

The kids table isn’t very filled anymore. My generation seems to be the YOUNG generation even tho’ we’re retiring and having kids in college and seeing grand kids. There isn’t much of a “younger generation” filling in the gaps behind us.

At all the hunting and fishing shows we attend with our booth, most of the operators and outfitters are about my age or older. Most of the charter boat operators are my age or older. At the seminars I do for fishing clubs…again…my age or older.

And the ones leaving the sport and leaving the industry simply fold up. Their kids do other things. It’s a hard life making ends meet relying on skill and the whims of Mother Nature. The kids of the guys who participate in the sports have other attractions…X games…video computers…social media. Heck, how many kids these days even go outside?

Even here in La Paz. The kids of my captains, even though many go onto other jobs and professions, don’t come back to the water let alone wanting to do what dad does.

And the same for our fishing clients. We’re all aging together. I saw one group of firefighters several weeks ago who have come fishing with us for over a decade.

At dinner one night, I said, “Years ago, you guys would tear up the hotel. You’d streak through the halls and do naked cannonballs into the pool. I’d find you on the beach in the mornings passed out and drag you onto the pangas. Now by 8 p.m. you’re all in your rooms watching CNN and asleep by 9 o’clock!”

We all laughed through our “reader glasses” we all bought from COSTCO. Very simply, we got older! The telling thing is that of the 20 or so guys, not a single one of them has kids that like to go fishing, nevermind coming to Baja.

Unfortunately, I think that bodes poorly on so many levels. Wow. I’m close to being the last of the generations to remember when the roads were all dirt…the tumbleweeds blew across a beach without high rise hotels…ice was non-existent…air-conditioning meant opening a window or opening a tent flap…gasoline was filtered through a t-shirt…the dinner menu was tortillas and whatever you caught…and you opened a beer with your fishing pliers.

After me…after us…the ranks are thin and thinning.

That’s our 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-international.com. They also run their Tailhunter Restaurant Bar on the famous La Paz malecon waterfront. If you’d like to contact him directly, his e-mail is riplipboy@tailhunter-international.com or drop by the restaurant to say hi!

______________

Jonathan Roldan’s

Tailhunter International

TAILHUNTER FISHING FLEET #1 Rated on Trip Advisor

TAILHUNTER RESTAURANT BAR #1 Rated in La Paz on Trip Advisor

Now follow us on FACEBOOK TOO

Website: www.tailhunter-international.com

U.S. Office: 3319 White Cloud Drive, Suite A, Hacienda Hts. CA 91745

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

Phones:

from USA : 626-638-3383

from Mexico: 044-612-14-17863

Tailhunter Weekly Fishing Report:

http://fishreport.jonathanroldan.com/

Tailhunter YouTube Videos:

http://www.youtube.com/user/pangapirate

“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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“NEED NOT GREED”

Posted in Baja, Baja Fishing, Baja Life, Baja Mexico Fishing, Baja Rockfish, cabrilla, dorado, Fishing, fishing reports, Fishing Tackle and Techniques, Fishing techniques, fishing tournaments, flyfishing, holidays in mexico, inshore fishing, inshore fishing in Baja Mexico, jack crevalle, Jonathan Roldan, kids, kids fishing, La Paz, La Paz Fishing, Leisure, Living in Mexico, Mexican, Mexican business, Mexican culture, Mexico, Mexico life, Panga Fishing, pargo, pompano, roosterfish, Salt Water Fishing, Sea of Cortez, sierra, Tailhunter International, tourism, Travel, Western Outdoor News, yellowtail, tagged baja, cabrilla, Cerralvo Island, charters, fish, Fishing, fishing packages, Fishing Techniques, fishing tips, holidays, Jonathan Roldan, La Paz, la ventana, las arenas, Leisure, light tackle, mexican, mexican fishing, mexico, outfitters, Panga Fishing, pargo, sea of cortez, Tailhunter International, travel, vacations, yellowtail on March 31, 2013| Leave a Comment »

Hard to believe it’s been almost 17 years now in Baja. It’s been grand, but where did the time go? Comes a time when you realize you’ve got more fishing days behind you than ahead of you and you count all the blessings!

NEED NOT GREED

Originally Published the Week of April 4, 2013 in Western Outdoor News

I’m reminded of a father and son who attended a fishing school I had been giving many years ago at the old Hotel Las Arenas near La Paz. We were fishing along the shallows on the east side of Cerralvo Island and my fishing school was all about fishing for rockfish like pargo (snapper) and cabrilla (seabass).

Papa Fred and young adult son, Todd, were with me on the panga that day. It was their first time fishing in Mexico and it had been a number of years since they had fished together.

It was early morning and we were slow trolling the shallow reefs that ring the eastern side of the island. Dad had taken several nice three or four-pound cabrilla and had flipped a few smaller ones back into the water.

Todd, the son, hadn’t caught any of the the larger ones, but had kept several of the smaller ones. He had just hooked another and deftly popped it off the hook and tossed it into the fish box.

“Why don’t you let some of those smaller ones go, son?” asked Fred.

“The smaller ones are good to eat, Dad,” replied Todd. “And besides, if we let them go, commercial guys or someone else is going to catch them anyway so we might as well keep them,” he said with a smile and a shrug.

The older gent squinted into the rising morning Baja sun and said, “There’s this story I once heard about a big nighttime storm on the gulf coast. In the morning, the beach was littered with starfish. As far as the eye could see. The storm had washed all these starfish up on the beach above the water line. With the sun climbing into the sky surely, they’d start to bake and die off. “

A morning jogger came upon a young teenager walking from starfish to starfish picking them up and tossing them as far into the ocean as he could. One at a time.

“What are you doing?” asked the jogger casually, as he pulled up to catch his breath.

“The storm washed all these guys up here onto the sand,” replied the youngster. “I’m saving starfish,” as he picked up another and pitched it seaward.

“You’re crazy,” laughed the jogger standing tall and surveying with squinted-eyes all the starfish dotting the sand. “There must be thousands. You can’t hope to make a difference!”

“It makes a difference to this one…” said the teenager as he smiled at the jogger and picked up another starfish and tossed it back into the waves.

Little bits make a difference.

I will readily admit that in my fishing career, I’ve taken more fish than most. That “career” has now spanned more than 50 years (ouch!) and started with my first bamboo rod and some shrimp for bait. I’ve had the “bloodlust” where excitement over-rides better judgement and nothing is as important as hooking fish.

In those early days, it was about chest-thumping and high-fives. It was about catching more fish than the other fella and big heavy stringers. Who hasn’t gone down that road a time or two…or more? For me, that “road” was often a four-lane express-way and I was at the helm of a mack truck.

But somewhere in the last few years, that changed. I don’t know when or where fishing became more important than catching. Maybe it was realizing that I’ve probably got more fishing time behind me than ahead of me these days.

At some point, a day with my wife, family or friends on the water and a bit of sunshine has become more crucial to my well-being and self-esteem than tight lines. Reveling in a simple day when four walls…cell phones…and the internet weren’t sucking my soul dry were the best 5-star vacation ever invented.

Need vs. Greed. My need to just take a breath and put my toes in the sand trumps my former greediness to be putting fish in the boat…everytime…all the time.

And, although I still love catching fish and can do it with the best, maybe keeping just one or two for dinner, is enough. Especially if it means breaking bread…er…tortillas to share with family and friends!

And more than it ever did…releasing fish to swim away is even more of a kick and makes a big difference in a small way…to that one fish. And yes…to at least this one fisherman as well.

That’s my story!

Jonathan

________________

Jonathan Roldan’s

Tailhunter International

Website: http://www.tailhunter-international.com

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

U.S. Mailing Address: Tailhunter International, P.O. Box 1149, Alpine CA 91903-1149

Phones:

from USA : 626-638-3383

from Mexico: 044-612-14-17863

Tailhunter Weekly Fishing Report:

http://www.tailhunter-international.com/fishreport.htm

Tailhunter YouTube Videos:

http://www.youtube.com/user/pangapirate

“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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“LIFE’s POST-IT NOTES”

Posted in Baja, Baja Fishing, Baja Life, Baja Mexico Fishing, Fishing, fishing reports, Fishing Tackle and Techniques, Fishing techniques, flyfishing, holidays in mexico, inshore fishing, inshore fishing in Baja Mexico, jack crevalle, Jonathan Roldan, kids, kids fishing, La Paz, La Paz Fishing, Living in Mexico, marlin, Mexican, Mexican business, Mexican culture, Mexican Independence Day, Mexico, Mexico life, Panga Fishing, Salt Water Fishing, Sea of Cortez, Tailhunter International, Uncategorized, Western Outdoor News, Western Outdoor Publications, tagged baja, charters, Espiritu Santo Island, expatriates in mexico, fish, Fishing, fishing blog, fishing report, fishing stories, gringos in mexico, guide, guides, holidays, Jonathan Roldan, La Paz, life, light tackle, mexican, mexican culture, mexican life, mexico, outfitters, panga, sea of cortez, Tailhunter International, vacations, western outdoor publications, western outoor news on January 14, 2013| Leave a Comment »

Like any job, sometimes things get lost in the hustle an bustle and you can’t see the forest for the trees…even when running a fishing business. But, every now and then, life sends little reminders that open your eyes.

LIFE’S POST-IT NOTES

Originally Published the Week of January 17, 2013 in Western Outdoor News

STORIES

At a recent fishing and hunting expo we were in our booth “meeting and greeting” the public and talking about fishing in La Paz with our fleet.

Two of our long-time clients, Rick and Harvey walked up to talk about their upcoming trip. They quietly mentioned that Larry, one of the regulars in the fishing group had suddenly passed away the previous month.

“He was already not feeling quite right and had a biopsy just before the trip to La Paz. The doctors told him he probably shouldn’t go on the trip,” said Rick.

“We didn’t know anything about it,” said Harvey. “But in hindsight we think he must’ve known something was really bad and decided to make the trip anyway. Boy, he sure had fun and enjoyed himself fishing with you guys.”

“Sadly, it was his last trip,” reflected Rick. “None of us knew…”

________________

At another public appearance, I was approached by 3 gentleman. One was obviously, much older than the others. He was walking slightly bent, but had a firm handshake and a ready smile! He also had a small oxygen tank attached. His name was Paul.

“I’m 98 years old!” he proudly announced to me with a grin. “Do you know why I still love to fish at 98 years old?”

“Why? we said in unison.

“For the Hal-i-but!” he laughed aloud tickled to have caught us in his playfulness.

“Wanna see my big fish?” he said opening his wallet.

“Sure,” I said warily. Half-thinking here-we-go. This is gonna be a long-winded fish story.

Paul proceeds to pull out a photo of a big 125 -pound yellowfin tuna being held up by a struggling fisherman.

“Caught that in La Paz when I was ONLY 89-years old!” he beamed. I could have sworn he pushed out his chest when he said that obviously pleased at the attention of the small crowd that had gathered.

One of his friends leaned over to me and whispered, “That’s the only photo he carries in his wallet. He’s a war vet. He’s been all over the world. No photos of wife. Or kids. Or grandkids. Or travel. Only that tuna photo. And he’ll show it off anytime he gets a chance. “

________________

Son, Ron, did a knuckle-bump with me as he hoisted himself into our shuttle van to take he and dad back to the airport. Big smiles. “Great time!” said Ron. “What a blast. Best fishing ever!”

I helped toss in some of the smaller luggage in to the back.

Bob, the dad, grasped my hand in his big paw. A two-handed handshake. “Can’t tell ya how much this trip meant. Thanks again.”

He handed me a note as the van pulled away from the hotel and I watched it nose out of the driveway and out onto the highway.

I opened the note handwritten on some of the hotel stationery.

“Jonathan…just wanted to tell you and your wife, what a great time we had. I never did mention to you how important this trip was for me. My son, Ron, is actually in the military and has just been notified he’s headed to Iraq. You and your staff made this a trip to remember and hold onto. Thanks for everything. Bob”

_________________

I had been guiding that day and sharing a panga with Greg and Annie, a young couple from Washington. We had a fun day. Got some fish. Saw whales and dolphin. Lots of laughs and “Kodak moments” all the way around.

It was fun to watch these two. They shined. They really enjoyed each other’s company. It was obvious that Annie was the apple of Greg’s eye. It was just fun to be around them.

Towards the end of the day, another dorado came aboard.

“This is the last one!” laughed Greg. “No more! We’ve got our limits and it’s getting late. Let me just get the hook out’ve this fish.”

As I watched from the stern, Greg reached into the fish’s mouth with his pliers. Annie wasn’t paying much attention.

“What’s this?” I heard Greg say with a laugh.

Removing his hand from the fish, he produced…a ring…a tiny shiny gold ring !

Annie and I both looked on. Astonished yet not quite sure what Greg had found. The little diamond gleamed in the sun.

Greg took a knee to the deck in front of Annie as the sun started to set behind him. He held out the ring.

“Annie…I love you. Would you like to live happily ever after?”

_______________

I’m often told that I’m “living the dream” down here working in Baja. But often times, it’s a job like any job, no matter how much I love it.

Especially when the season is in full swing. It can be a blur of customers and friends. Sunshine and fish. Luggage and equipment. One day sometimes seems like the 10 others before it. Frantic at times. Boring and routine at others. Stressful and mundane and then panic and tension in a wink.

But, every now and then, an unexpected bit of reality smacks you in the head and heart. There are amazing moments of clarity when someone says or does something and I realize how truly blessed to be able to do what we do.

We are witness to the special moments in the lives of our customers and friends. Every day.

It’s the biggest fish. It’s the great laughs. It’s the family times. It’s the first time. It’s the only time.

It’s the last time.

Sometimes life drops these little reality checks on those of us who get to do jobs like this. And it reminds us that we truly are privileged and honored to be asked to spend this time with you “livin’ the dream.”

That’s our story…

Jonathan

_______________

______________

Jonathan Roldan’s

Tailhunter International

TAILHUNTER FISHING FLEET #1 Rated on Trip Advisor

TAILHUNTER RESTAURANT BAR #1 Rated in La Paz on Trip Advisor

Now follow us on FACEBOOK TOO

Website: www.tailhunter-international.com

U.S. Office: 3319 White Cloud Drive, Suite A, Hacienda Hts. CA 91745

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

Phones:

from USA : 626-638-3383

from Mexico: 044-612-14-17863

Tailhunter Weekly Fishing Report:

http://fishreport.jonathanroldan.com/

Tailhunter YouTube Videos:

http://www.youtube.com/user/pangapirate

“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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“BUCKET LISTS”

Posted in Baja, Baja Fishing, Baja Life, Baja Mexico Fishing, Fishing, Fishing Tackle and Techniques, Fishing techniques, fishing tournaments, holidays in mexico, inshore fishing in Baja Mexico, Jonathan Roldan, La Paz Fishing, Living in Mexico, Mexican, Mexican culture, Mexico, Mexico Christmas, Mexico economy, Mexico life, Panga Fishing, Salt Water Fishing, Sea of Cortez, Tailhunter International, Uncategorized, Western Outdoor News, Western Outdoor Publications, tagged baja, blog, bucket list, culture, fish, Fishing, fishing charters, fishing reports, holidays, Jonathan Roldan, La Paz, life, mexican, mexico, outdoors, outfitters, sea of cortez, Tailhunter International, vacations, western outdoor news, western outdoor publications on December 3, 2012| Leave a Comment »

BUCKET LISTS

Originally Published the Week of December 6, 2012 in Western Outdoor News Publications

“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.”

Ever since the 2007 movie of the same name with Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman, the term “Bucket List” has become part of our lexicon. Jack and Morgan played two escapees from the cancer ward and set off to do all the things in life they always wanted before they “kicked the proverbial bucket.”

I seem to hear that so often from friends and clients who visit us in Mexico. I think some days hardly go by where someone doesn’t happily tell me…

“That was a great roosterfish. Been trying for years! Cross that one off the bucket list!”

“What a great time! Always wanted to go fishing with my son and grandson! It was on my bucket list.”

“Bucket list just got shorter. Me and my wife just snorkeled with whale sharks this afternoon!”

Sometimes, it’s not even that complicated.

“We’ve lived our whole lives in Indiana. We wanted to visit the ocean just once! Yessiree. It was on the bucket list.”

When I hear something like that I realize how often I take stuff for granted. Having grown up always outdoors in the mountains; on an island; in the water or under the water, I just don’t think twice about so many things. Many of those things might seem dangerous or daring…or plain stupid and reckless, I suppose to some folks!

But believe me, I’m no daredevil. I’m not crazy nor do I have a deathwish nor am I an adrenaline junkie. There’s a difference between an “e-ticket ride” that’s a bit scary but always ends and with you steppping \ off the ride laughing…and the real Evel Kneivel stuff where you can get hurt and you’d better have you medical insurance card handy.

But, it’s all relative. My e-ticket ride is someone else’s mad crazy adventure.

Dive with sharks. No problem.

Live off the land in a cave. Sure.

Hang glide. Sign me up.

Jump out of an airplane. Safer than crossing the street.

Ride a manta ray. In an instant.

Run through Central Park New York at midnight on a dare. I was young and stupid. Draw the line at that one! Not recommended.

But…

My personal bucket list continuously keeps getting longer and longer. Not shorter. The more I do and see, the more I add things to the list. This past week, I just crossed-off zip-lining through a rain forest and looking for crocodiles while I paddled through jungle mangroves off the list. (Topics for another column!)

And, I keep hearing more and more people discuss their own personal bucket lists. More than ever before. Maybe, it’s just the age group I’m in.

We’re the baby boomers. We’re not 30 or 40 anymore. Look around and oops…how the time flew! We’re 50-plus and edging up and over 60-years-old. Many of my friends have grown grandkids already. Many retired or close to it.

Fifty-years-old is the new 30-years-old! Retirement or older age doesn’t mean shopping for a rocking chair anymore. More often, it means a new kind of freedom. What do you do with your second wind?

I think many of us are finding Mexico. Despite what you might hear on the news, about the violence and other problems, tourism has been on a steady rise in Mexico. In fact ,it’s one of the fastest growing tourist destinations in the world.

For many Americans, especially, Mexico is pretty much an easy airflight from most big U.S. cities. It’s economic. It’s close. It’s filled with culture and history and pretty much any “diversion” that would fill anyone’s bucket list. There’s still so much adventure to be had. And the dollar goes far!

I think the only real shame is that as we grow older, we start looking at our personal bucket lists. And then there’s a rush to get to it!

More than 20 years ago, a retired friend pulled me aside and said , “Don’t ever get to my age and say ‘What if?’ We always says ‘Someday I’m gonna do this or that.” Well, ‘someday’ is already here and if you have opportunities, take them!”

At the time he said this he was a “young” 62, but knew he was sick. He passed away about a year after he said this.

“What if…?”

Start that bucket list early. Someday, you will have only moments to regret all the things in life you never tried. Step onto the ride. Exit laughing!

That’s our story

Jonathan and Jilly

____________________________

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

Jonathan Roldan’s

Tailhunter International

TAILHUNTER FISHING FLEET #1 Rated on Trip Advisor

TAILHUNTER RESTAURANT BAR #1 Rated in La Paz on Trip Advisor

Now follow us on FACEBOOK TOO

Website: www.tailhunter-international.com
U.S. Office: 3319 White Cloud Drive, Suite A, Hacienda Hts. CA 91745
Mexico Office: 755 Paseo Obregon, La Paz, Baja Sur, Mexico
Phones:
from USA : 626-638-3383
from Mexico: 044-612-14-17863

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

Tailhunter YouTube Videos:
http://www.youtube.com/user/pangapirate

“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 »

“A Pedestrian Moment of Clarity”

Posted in Baja, Baja Fishing, Baja Life, Baja Mexico Fishing, Fishing, Fishing Tackle and Techniques, Fishing techniques, holidays in mexico, inshore fishing in Baja Mexico, Jonathan Roldan, La Paz Fishing, Living in Mexico, Mexican, Mexican business, Mexican culture, Mexico, Mexico economy, Mexico life, Mexico neighborhood, Panga Fishing, Salt Water Fishing, Sea of Cortez, Tailhunter International, Uncategorized, Western Outdoor News, Western Outdoor Publications, tagged baja, baja sur, charters, Fishing, holidays, Jonathan Roldan, La Paz, living in Mexico, mexican, mexican culture, mexican life, mexican vacations, mexico, sea of cortez, Tailhunter International, western outdoor news, western outdoors on November 18, 2012| Leave a Comment »

“A Pedestrian Moment of Clarity”

Originally Published the Week of Nov. 23, 2012 in Western Outdoor Publications

It had been a bad day. I was grumpy. Not much of the day had gone right. You know how it goes when you’re out-of-synch with the world. A disturbance in the force.

It started poorly with no hot water in the shower.

My cell phone battery died.

I had erased something accidentally on my computer.

Friends canceled a lunch at the last minute and I had forgotten to do something my wife asked me to take care of.

The airlines had lost a client’s fishing gear and suitcase. Someone else had lost their passport.

I was now late for meeting and it was my fault. And just realized I had forgotten my notes.

On top of it, I just spilled half-a-cup of coffee on the floor when I swerved to avoid some crater-sized potholes. The iterminable stop signs that tortured me block-after-block in the hot sun that blazed through my windshield sure wasn’t doing much for my disposition either.

I was pretty much spitting, snarling and growling at everything in Spanish and in English. Ever have one of those days when it feel like the cosmos are going to have some fun at your expense?

And it wasn’t even noon yet.

I was in a hurry. Cars ahead weren’t moving fast enough for me. Go! Go! Go! I’m late. Andale!

Someone ahead was trying to cross the busy street mid-block. Cars were zipping by the lone pedestrian. No one was gonna let him get across the street.

Serves him right. Use a crosswalk, amigo!

He sure wasn’t moving very fast. If he didn’t move faster, someone was surely gonna hit him.

C’mon…get going. I didn’t want to stop. I was going to pretend not to see him. No eye contact! Like the way you don’t look hitch-hikers in the eye when you don’t want to stop.

But, he came out from my right just fast enough that I had to stand on the breaks. Grrrrr… Small screech. Sigh. Dangit. I was about to let loose some choice Spanish phrases. “Cabron!” “Idiota!”

But I looked up at the same time he stopped right in front of my hood. And in the middle of my snarl he turned towards my car. We made eye contact.

He looked directly at me and smiled. He mouthed a grateful “Gracias” with a gentlemanly bow of his head.

He was old. Or looked old. Grey stubble framed his dark and weathered cheeks and chin. In Mexico, it can be hard to tell. A hard life ages people pre-maturely down here.

He couldn’t move fast because he was hobbled. Badly. I hadn’t seen before that he had a makeshift crutch under one arm. The kind that looked like it had been bound together with dirty duct tape.

His denim jeans were stained and wrinkled. I wasn’t sure if his shirt was cream-colored or simply as dirty as his his pants.

His eyes were tired, but clear. And in a simple word they spoke to me. Volumes.

I had to smile and wave back. How could I not? And I was just about to…well, it’s hard to rip a guy a new one who smiles and bows to you and politely says, “Gracias.”

I waited and watched him struggle to the other side. Cars backed up behind me. Let ‘em wait.

It was an effort to get up the opposite curb. Sensing I was still there, he turned and waved an “I’m OK” wave. Another smile. I waved back.

Some impatient driver behind me honked his horn to get going.

Every now and then, life throws a little high beam into the darker recesses of your spirit. Mine came in the form of a few nano-seconds of human contact on a bustling Mexican street.

This old caballero with the bum leg was grateful for an unintended act of kindness. It was un-deserved. Benevolence nothing. Thanks for nothing. I was gonna blow by the poor guy as he struggled to cross the street.

I’m so good at turning “inconveniences” into emergencies A cold shower. A dead cell phone. Too many potholes and stopsigns.

Seriously? C’mon, man, I mentally kicked myself. Life really doesn’t have that many “emergencies.” At least, not my life anyway.

In Mexico, I’m just blessed to have a car. A cell phone that just needs a charge. A shower of any kind. And a computer that can re-create whatever it lost; meetings that need attending; and clients who look to me for assistance. I have friends and family. I had a cup of coffee to spill.

And it wasn’t even noon yet!

I should be more thankful. I should be more grateful. Even for “inconveniences”. Life’s actually pretty good. Slow down. Take a breath. Every now and then, life makes you stop whether you intended to or not!

Happy Thanksgiving from Mexico. “Feliz Dia de Gracias!”

That’s our story…

Jonathan and Jill

__________________________

______________________

Jonathan Roldan’s

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“ARE YOU KIDDING ME?”

Posted in Baja, Baja Fishing, Baja Life, Baja Mexico Fishing, Fishing, Fishing Tackle and Techniques, Fishing techniques, holidays in mexico, inshore fishing in Baja Mexico, Jonathan Roldan, kids, kids fishing, La Paz Fishing, Living in Mexico, Mexican, Mexican business, Mexican culture, Mexico, Mexico economy, Mexico life, Panga Fishing, Salt Water Fishing, Sea of Cortez, Tailhunter International, Uncategorized, Western Outdoor News, Western Outdoor Publications, yellowtail, tagged charters, fish, Fishing, holidays, Jonathan Roldan, kids, La Paz, mexican, mexico, outfitters, panga, sea of cortez, Tailhunter International, trips, vacations, western outdoor news, western outdoors on September 23, 2012| 2 Comments »

What do you think? It looks to me like Aiden’s self-esteem is just fine!

ARE YOU KIDDING ME?

Originally Published in Western Outdoor News the Week of Sept. 25, 2012

Most of you reading this column are most likely outdoor folks. I mean, you most likely fish, hunt, camp and do other outdoors type stuff. Right?

This could be my easiest column ever.

I hear a lot of stuff over the 17 years I’ve been in Baja. Every now and then, something slams my ears that leaves me with my mouth open, not because I have nothing to say. It’s because I have too much to say and it all wants to come flying out of my piehole in a gush! Ever have one of those moments?

So much wants to be said that my brain goes into momentary lockdown freeze. And short of some profanity coming out, all I can say is, “Are you kidding me?”

I was talking to some parents about fishing and the parents were showing some interest in “trying fishing” but weren’t sure if it would be a good activity for their kids unless…

“. . .I could GUARANTEE fish because otherwise it might be bad for their kid’s ‘self-esteem’ if they didn’t catch fish.”

Open mouth.

Raised eyebrow.

Profane thought passing briefly through my grey brain matter

And all I could say was, “Are you kidding me?”

The scary part was they weren’t kidding. If their kids didn’t catch fish, the aspect of “failure” might somehow irreparably damage junior’s self esteem that he’d require serious couch time with the therapist.

I exaggerate a tad, but there was genuine concern for the young-uns self-worth. Can’t let the kids feel like a failure if he doesn’t catch a fish.

I probably did not do the right thing, but I didn’t feel like sitting down and having a lengthy philosophical discussion on child-rearing with them. Furthermore, I’m too smart to ever GUARANTEE that someone is going to catch a fish.

The wise-guy in me wanted to really tell them to put their kids in insulated bubbles.

Don’t let them walk down the street. They might trip. FAIL

Don’t let them play catch with a ball and drop it. FAIL.

Don’t let them tie their own shoes. Might come untied. FAIL

Oh, the things that flew threw my cockeyed brain. But, I bit my tongue.

So, I gave them some perfunctory response and let it go at that.

I mean, if they even have to ask, then the last thing I need is to find out now junior’s psyche is permanently scarred because he didn’t catch a fish! Oh the guilt. I might not be able to live with myself…or something.

But, at the beginning of this, I mentioned this might be my easiest column. I could end this by saying,
What would YOU say to them? And leave the rest blank…Let you fill in the rest.

How many of you have ever “failed” at fishing? How many of you are fishing BECAUSE a parent or older adult took the time to take you to wet a line. “Failure” per se really wasn’t part of the equation. It IS the equation! We lose fish. We get skunked. The fish win…most of the time!

I imagine if you’re reading this, you’ve probably come out on the short-end more often than not and still had a ball. You kept at it simply BECAUSE that darned fish kept fooling you. Failure motivated you to try it again…and again…and again. And you somehow managed to have fun!

And along the way, you accumulated a lifetime of memories. Life works like that. Funny how that happens. All that psycho-babble stuff about the “journey” being more important than the “destination.”

Personally, I think of my father. We don’t talk much anymore and I miss him. And I think of all those times he took me fishing. I didn’t know it then, but dad was a terrible fisherman. Great dad, but I never realized until I was older that we NEVER caught fish!

But, I was always eager to go and he was always eager to take me. A lot of our failure might have been my fault. I have zero patience and a narrow attention span.

It often wasn’t long before I was throwing rocks in the water (“Jon, you’re scaring the fish!) or eating all the Velveeta cheese (“You ate all the bait?” or “You fed all the anchovies to the seagulls?”) or doing something detrimental to our success (“Why didn’t you go to the bathroom BEFORE we rowed out here?”)

So, by self-esteem standards, I was a failure. And it was dad’s fault. He set me up for failure..and ultimately success. And I wouldn’t change it for the world.

Obviously, given my career path, the fact that we were big fat losers, didn’t deter my enthusiasm for the sport or the outdoors. Self-esteem? I usually couldn’t wait to swagger up to my school chums to tell ‘em, “My dad took me fishing this weekend!” Neener neener. Yea, I swaggered. Didn’t catch a fish, but I swaggered. And I was proud of having a dad who took me fishing too!

My wife, Jilly, tells me of similar circumstances as well. Although she comes from a long line of San Diego fishermen who really DID know now to fish!

The men in her family were insightful enough to take her fishing. Yup, take the little girl out in the woods; out on the pier; and out on the sportboats. And it took awhile for her to catch her first fish. But, she proudly still tells stories about being the little girl out there fishing with the boys and holding her own. Backing down from no one!

And when she finally caught that first fish…well, it went straight into the freezer. For six months. And became her show-and-tell story for anyone who would listen.

Proudly.

I’m grateful our parents weren’t so worried about our self-esteem. They let us fail. Proudly. With swagger! Neener neener.

That’s our story!

Jonathan

____________

_____________

Jonathan Roldan’s
Tailhunter International

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“Lupe and Lorenzo Don’t Work Here Anymore”

Posted in Baja, Baja Fishing, Baja Life, Baja Mexico Fishing, Fishing, Fishing Tackle and Techniques, Fishing techniques, holidays in mexico, inshore fishing in Baja Mexico, Jonathan Roldan, kids, La Paz Fishing, Living in Mexico, Mexican, Mexican business, Mexican culture, Mexico, Mexico economy, Mexico life, Mexico neighborhood, Panga Fishing, Salt Water Fishing, Sea of Cortez, Tailhunter International, Uncategorized, Western Outdoor News, Western Outdoor Publications, tagged baja, Fishing, holidays, Jonathan Roldan, La Paz, lifestyle, mercado, mexican culture, mexican history, mexican life, mexico, mini super, sea of cortez, Tailhunter International, vacations, western outdoor, western outdoor news on August 26, 2012| Leave a Comment »

For four decades there wasn’t too much you couldn’t find in Lupe and Lancho’s little store. If you couldn’t find it, you probably didn’t need it. But a part of the community changed because Lupe and Lancho don’t work here anymore.

“LUPE AND LORENZO DON’T WORK HERE ANYMORE”

Originally Published the Week of Sept. 28, 2012 in Western Outdoor News

The old ceiling fan slowly whirred awkwardly off-kilter and barely moved any of the humid air that had rusted the dusty mechanism and the tips of the blades once painted white. Wohp…wohp…wohp…wohp…

You could keep time by the pulse of the rhythmic blades…Like a beating heart. Slowing down with time.

The cracked-tile floor had seen decades of footsteps. Bare brown cement peeked out where tiles long ago crumbled and cracked.

For 42-years-Lorenzo carried boxes of onions and stocked limes. He arranged the stacks of fresh tortillas wrapped in wax paper for display in the little glass case. He made sure the one-lone stand-up cooler had a stock of cold Pacificos, Coke and Fanta Orange soda. Some cheese. Some cold cuts and a few bottles of cold water next to the margarine.

He dusted the bottled salsas and re-arranged the dish soap and assorted sugar cookies and toilet paper. Two jars of mayonnaise. Four cans of beans. Six of corn. Some cooking oil. Salt. Bread. Assorted soups. Toothpaste and bleach. A little of everything, but not much of any one thing.

Inventory was not difficult.

The shelves were of whitewashed wood. Dry and blistering through several old layers of paint from the Baja aridness. Several were noticeably leaning. But who noticed?

He built them himself from wood that is hard to come by in a land that has few trees. So boards, screws and nails often did not match. If it worked and did what it was supposed to it was fine. He could smile.

Construction-wise…The worn wooden table along the wall was not much better. It held small boxes or bags of beans, rice, onions and dried chilis and assorted fruit. Nothing shiny and waxed. No “mood” lights to make the produce look better. Just a simple light bulb fixture globe on one wall. The dust and dead bugs of ages silhouetted in it.

Lorenzo tidied up the stacks of brooms and smiled at his Guadalupe…Lupita (Little Lupe) … as she quietly re-stocked some cigarettes, batteries and candy bars behind the counter. No cash register. Just a rusty scratched lock box in a drawer.

Married for 40 of the 42 years he had worked at the store. Her parents had owned it back in the day. He worked for them in the store doing whatever needed to be done as well as at their home which was attached to the back of the little store.

As he tells it, he was just a kid and having an afternoon job wasn’t as important as being close to the little girl with the big dark eyes; long dark hair and disarmingly shy smile. His Lupita.

He still sighs when he looks at her.

He once told me, “After so many years with her, I always have the final word in our home. It’s always, ‘Si, mi amor!’ (‘Yes, my sweetheart!’”) He laughs heartily every time he tells that story. And he hikes up his pants and continues sweeping and shaking his head with a smile beneath his bushy grey mustache. He has amused himself again.

Lupita hears the story and shakes her own head with a smile and rolls her eyes. She’s heard it a million times and it still makes her heart skip a bit. It’s been a good life.

They were never blessed with kids, but she thinks of all the school kids that have passed through. She watched them grow up. They were like their own. They called him “Don Lancho” and she was affectionately called, “Senora Lupita.”

Generation after generation. After-school ice cream bars and sodas. Pencils and salty snacks. Teasing and flirting. Little feet always underfoot with laughter. Lancho and Lupita watched the “ninos” grow up to have kids of their own who then had their own kids all stop in after-school to spend a few pesos and laugh.

Blessed with laughter. Nothing better.

The adults in the little barrio would come to hang out as well. The little mercado could often be the hub of the neighborhood social scene.

Buy a beer. Microwave some instant coffee or a cup of noodles eaten with a plastic fork. Lupita would often have little tasty chili verde burritos for sale at the counter wrapped in wax paper. Just a few pesos. Everyone loved them.

The wooden bench on the sidewalk and some plastic chairs worked well to share neighborhood gossip and sports stories. There was always a radio playing Mexican ranch music. Lupita’s favorite.

Evenings were the best after it got cooler. Under the lone street light. The occasional moth and bug flittering through the dusty glow. After work. After chores. No kids. The neighborhood dogs would loll around the bench as well. The dusty concrete was cooler than lying in the gravel road that was still radiating the Mexican heat and there was always the chance of a scrap or two!

42- years…there won’t be a 43^rd.

There’s a padlock on the door now. I wasn’t close enough to know them intimately but they were always kind and smiling and easy to chat with. They were always there.

And now they are gone. No note. Nothing on the metal door. I’m not even sure who I would ask. You just always assumed Lupe and Lancho would always be there. Now, it doesn’t feel right. A part of the neighborhood just isn’t there anymore.

I hope there wasn’t a tragedy or someone got sick. I will miss stopping by for a Coke.

Maybe they just succumbed finally to the big box stores like Sam’s Club and others popping up way on the other side of town. But those are way on the other side of town.

Folks are reluctant to travel far to shop and fiercely loyal to the little stores. To a point. Driving costs gas…and time. And there’s no one to chat and gossip at the big store. But like so many places around the world, at some point the big stores are convenient.

But I see more and more empty storefronts in town. Even here on this side. Away from the big shopping centers. No one is hanging out anymore. The neighborhoods are changing with time. Like the wohp…wohp…wohp of the old ceiling fan. Time ticking down.

Sadly, I look through the smeared dirty windows into the darkened shop and see only my own reflection. Lupe and Lancho don’t work here anymore. I think they are missed on so many levels.

That’s our story…

Jonathan

_____________

_________________

Jonathan Roldan’s

Tailhunter International

TAILHUNTER FISHING FLEET #1 Rated on Trip Advisor

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“KIDS UNPLUGGED”

Posted in Baja, Baja Fishing, Baja Life, Baja Mexico Fishing, Fishing, Fishing Tackle and Techniques, Fishing techniques, holidays in mexico, Jonathan Roldan, La Paz Fishing, Living in Mexico, Mexican, Mexican culture, Mexico, Mexico life, Salt Water Fishing, Sea of Cortez, Tailhunter International, Uncategorized, Western Outdoor News, Western Outdoor Publications, tagged baja, family, fishing charters, fishing reports, holidays, Jonathan Roldan, kids, La Paz, mexican, mexico, mexico life, outfitters, sea of cortez, Tailhunter International, vacations on July 29, 2012| Leave a Comment »

Getting a kid out on the water can be a life-changing event!

“KIDS UNPLUGGED”

Originally Published in Western Outdoor News the Week of Aug. 3, 2012

What’s up with these kids? Am I the only one who’s noticed this?

Summer is on and we’ve got a lot of families arriving now for their summer vacations. All well and good. My wife and I always make a point of doing the meet-and-greet when they arrive from the airport and make sure we put faces with names and make sure they’re checked into their hotel rooms get a quick summary of things.

Big handshakes and hugs all around. It’s great to have families. And I know how important these vacations are. Not just to the families, but to mom and dad as well.

But, so many of the kids…when you reach out to shake a hand, act like they have never shaken a hand. They recoil to human touch. Smile and say hello and welcome and it’s like you’re the boogie-man.

I’ve had the parents say things to 12-year-olds like, “Say hi to Jonathan and Jill. Go on now!” And nudge them toward us like they were 4-year-olds hiding behind mom’s skirts. Heaven help them if they should smile. Never look you in the eye. And the handshakes are about as firm as quivering noodles.

After the “pleasantries” they quickly retreat into the protective shadow. Eyes downcast. What’s up with that?

And they “assume the position.” You know what I mean.

Hands close together…thumbs ready to go. You know…ready to TEXT! Tap-tap-tap…tap…tap…tap. Like little “thumb claws” on their smart phones. Socially adept at anonymous networking, but face-to-face can’t communicate with other people.

At our restaurant here in La Paz last week, I watched a family of 4 eating dinner. No one was talking to each other. But they were “communicating” to each other via text and e-mail even though they were all sitting next to each other!

TOTAL silence except for tap…tap…tap…to each other! “Howz yr tacos?” “Grt mom.” “Do U wnt mre salsa?” “I jst snt u a pic of me etng my brgr!”

Sitting right next to each other. I watched 90 minutes of this.

Pretty sad commentary about the new family of the 21^st century.

But, there’s another side to this.

Sometimes, it’s amazing what a few days in Baja can do! A couple of days of fishing and some beach time and some pool and snorkel time. Being in a place where wi-fi isn’t automatic. And kids come out of that shell.

They run up to you…no, almost skip up to you…and can’t wait to tell you about how they caught a bigger fish than dad. And they are gushing about the whaleshark and dolphins they saw and how they tried fish tacos for the first time.

And, they’ve got a little color on their faces and their eyes are glowing again and there’s no sign of headsets wrapped around their necks and attached to iPods and smart phones. What? There’s no wi-fi on a panga?

Kids who no longer had a story to tell now have “adventures” they can’t wait to talk about. There’s almost a cool little “swagger” about them. Like each day they just survived the e-ticket rides!

Like you and I used to do. Things that you and I did commonplace is an “adventure” to these kids.

You and I walked to school. We rode our bikes through fields; down train tracks; and to the local beach, lake or public pool. Heaven forbid…some of us even rode on the handlebars…AND NO HELMETS!

Some of us even hitchhiked. We spent the night at friend’s houses. We stayed out late playing ball in the street under the street lamp. It was perfectly OK to eat cookies made by a neighbor or retrieve the ball from the neighbors yard. Our mom’s and dads knew the names and faces of the parents of our friends.

Camping out in the yard or going on a fishing trip wasn’t an exercise in logistics, insurance and security for a family. We didn’t sign release forms or have to check in our our personal GPS units. Mom’s two-fingered whistle from the front door meant “Get home now!”

I don’t think kids have adventures anymore. Whereas you and I got our jollies playing on a tire-swing and running through the sprinkler system, their “adrenaline rush” comes in how many zombies they killed on Play Station sitting in the living room.

A few days ago, I heard a 14-year-old boy (from Southern California) pleading to his dad to take his photo, “Look dad! Look dad, I’m sticking my feet in the ocean!” It was the same excitement you and I got riding our bikes with no hands or jumping off the big rock into the swimming hole. This was a southern California kid excited about simply putting his feet into the ocean!

I’m not saying that a trip to Baja is a cure-all.

But what old Baja Rats like you and I might take for granted like eating a fish taco, pulling on a fish; seeing some dolphin or (Lord help me) putting our toes into the ocean, could be the show-and-tell-adventure of a lifetime for some kid in your life.

As “civilized” as many of us have come to see Baja with air-conditioning; paved roads; McDonald’s and room service, it’s still the frontier. It’s still an exotic place for the unusual and the out-of-ordinary that can make a lifelong impression on some youngster who rarely looks up from their keyboard or lets go of the remote control.

Give ‘em a story to tell! Get them to look up and see the sunshine!

________________

__________________

That’s our story!

Jonathan

Jonathan Roldan’s
Tailhunter International

TAILHUNTER FISHING FLEET #1 Rated on Trip Advisor

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“What I See Is What You Get!”

Posted in Baja, Baja Fishing, Baja Life, Baja Mexico Fishing, Cabo San Lucas, Fishing, Fishing Tackle and Techniques, Fishing techniques, fishing tournaments, holidays in mexico, inshore fishing in Baja Mexico, Jonathan Roldan, La Paz Fishing, Living in Mexico, Mexican, Mexican culture, Mexico, Mexico life, Panga Fishing, Salt Water Fishing, Sea of Cortez, Tailhunter International, Uncategorized, Western Outdoor News, Western Outdoor Publications, yellowtail, tagged baja, charters, culture, Fishing, holidays, Jonathan Roldan, La Paz, light tackle, mexican culture, mexican life, Mexican lifestyle, mexico, outfitters, panga, sea of cortez, Tailhunter International, vacations, western outdoor news, western outdoor publications, western outdoors on July 8, 2012| Leave a Comment »

It is sometimes a narrow view from the beach and under the palapa fronds, but it’s amazing what you sometimes see and pick up!

WHAT I SEE IS WHAT YOU GET!

Originally Published the Week of July 11, 2012 in Western Outdoor News

I recently came under some criticism by a reader for what I write in my columns and how I write them. It’s not the first and surely not the last time I got in someone’s crosshairs about it. Oh well.

Fortunately, it’s few and far between. I can’t please everyone and everytime someone jumps on my head it’s far outweighed by so many of you who ride in like the cavalry to offer support. Much appreciated, amigos! It’s gratifying to know so many of you enjoy my columns and have my back!

When I started writing this column for WON (Western Outdoor News) in 2004 on a lark. WON editor, Pat McDonnell asked me to fill in “for a few weeks” until he found someone else to replace me. He knew that I was busy with my own fishing operation down here in La Paz. No brainer.

Pat and WON have been friends and supporters for many years. I was happy and honored to fill in although somewhat awed at filling the sandy sandals of the likes of Gene Kira, Fred Hoctor and Ray Cannon.

But, I figured for a couple of weeks, how much damage could I do? La-la-la-la-la…

Two weeks turned into eight years almost 400 columns. I jokingly tell Pat to let me know when he finds my “replacement.”

Those first two years, I wrote the column every week. That’s 800-1000 words and, as I do now, I write the column about midnight after a full day running our La Paz operations. That’s 52 columns, plus other articles for WON as well as the Baja Beat pages in the former Western Outdoor News Magazine. Those were another 3000 or so words.

Try to come up with something new and fresh every time! Then try writing at midnight after a 20-hour-work-day and knowing that you only have a few hours to get it done with a brain that’s screaming for a pillow and a blanket! Pat and the other great writers at WON have incredibly been doing it for years.

I have a small brain. I have limited time. I gotta get up to put out the boats in 2 hours. I wanna go to bed!

And, as I’m sure all writers do, sometimes deadlines would loom and my brain just wouldn’t work. Credit Pat McDonnel, Rich Holland, and Gene Kira who told me, “Just write what you know.”

I can surely write about dorado and tuna fishing and how to catch marlin. And I do. To a degree.

But, so does everyone else. And they are better fishermen than me and can certainly write about it better than I can. And honestly, how many different ways are there to catch a dorado or a billfish? Open any fishing magazine on the rack and there’s probably half-a-dozen articles about “how-to-catch a….(fill in the blank)”

I know that’s almost heresy to even mention that, but where we are here in La Paz, we take a hook. We put a bait on it. We put the bait in the water. We’re now fishing! It’s hard to fill 52 columns a year with that. I’m just not good enough for that.

And I’m not as good of a reporter as so many other writers either. I don’t travel. I don’t get out and about. Gary Graham does such a great job of it. Me? I’m kinda tied to one spot. We live here in La Paz.

My view of Baja can be pretty myopic. It’s the view through the window of the palapa. It’s the view of walking around in the streets doing what people do here on a day-to-day basis. We shop. We fill gas. It’s life.

It’s the joking at the taco stand. It’s the funny things that happen in the grocery store or the sometimes comical adventures of tourists and amigos. It’s about running a business here in an adopted country.

It’s the interaction with visitors and friends and all of YOU who come to wet a line or put your toes in the sand. It’s what I see on the beach or on the water. I keep a keen ear out for what I hear and what all of you say. I’m simply an observer and your humble conduit of those experiences.

So, ultimately, yes. I write about what I know. And I also write for my own enjoyment. When, I’m writing at midnight and running on fumes, it’s pretty hard to find my writing muse if the subject bores me to death!

So, I write about the whole “Baja experience.” Because to me, a visit here is more than just fishing or diving. That’s merely the vehicle that gets you down here.

Beyond that, it’s the sunrises and the great food. It’s that great beach you found and watching your kids light up seeing the dolphins. It’s the dusty road to the hidden cove. It’s the little hotel you chanced upon or finding that perfect surf break or fishing or diving hole.

It’s the culture and most of all, it’s the people. The little old man who sold you the necklace. The captain who chatted about how much he liked the Yankees. The family who served you at the little beachside palapa and cooked your fresh fish and shared a recipe.

It’s the smiles you bring and the smiles you take home!

That’s my story!

Jonathan

________________

___________

Jonathan Roldan’s
Tailhunter International

TAILHUNTER FISHING FLEET #1 Rated on Trip Advisor

TAILHUNTER RESTAURANT BAR #1 Rated in La Paz on Trip Advisor

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

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¡Bienvenidos Amigos!
Jonathan has written for:

Western Outdoor News
Western Outdoor News Magazine
Pacific Coast Sportfishing
Discover Baja Magazine
Baja Life Magazine
The Log
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Tailhunter International, La Paz, Baja Sur

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