Fish Tails

 Once upon a time, long, long ago, I went on a fishing trip with my buddy and his dad. My first time fishing on the ocean. It was early and still dark. A faint glow on the Eastern horizon. The dad backed up his boat down the pier to a crane. They lifted the boat off the trailer and into the water. We climbed down a ladder on the pier down to the boat and headed out to the mighty Pacific ocean. 

Anyone remember the 70's show 'Rockford Files'? His trailer home on the beach and the diner called 'Alice'? That's the place we fished from. I remember eating a late lunch there when we got back. I'm pretty sure I was there first before the show started on TV. Maybe 5th or 6th grade.

I went camping in Yosemite for several years as a kid. Always took a fishing pole and I swear I never remember catching a fish in the lakes and streams there. Freshwater fishing and trout was a complete mystery to me. 

Deep sea fishing on the ocean was money. Captain of the boat always had a honey spot and you never came home empty handed. The best part is fishing with family and friends. Spending a day on the ocean is memorable. Good or bad, you will remember it.
All good for me. First trip with the family was Todd, Steve, and Richard. The boat was crowded and we had lots of tangled lines. But I think we ended up with the biggest fish caught for the day.

Not everyone has sea legs. First is the ride out of the harbor and into the ocean swells. Who has the stomach? Who is turning green and puking over the side? The last trip I took with my brothers Ted and Steve was a tough day. We left out of Morro Bay. Very windy, high swells. I remember a father and son team on board. The dad was chunking over the rails twenty minutes into the trip. Poor kid was so embarrassed. 


I love and miss the ocean. Not many of those here in Arkansas. We do have some great lakes and I'm learning to catch freshwater fish. It's just not the same as being on the ocean. 

Brother Steve is our last Capt. Ahab. He takes his kayak out on the ocean and fishes with the whales. Fresh fish tacos. 

Ted takes his pontoon boat out on Bass Lake, but there are no fish in that damn lake. Well, maybe five fish, but they have three eyes. Not sure I would eat them. 
Yeah, I was watching an old episode of Rockford Files tonight and saw the beach and pier. Brought back some memories. Out on the ocean with family. Fishing here with my Marine brother TJ. 

Fishing is boring. Hours of waiting. It's really not about the fish. It's the time with those you are with. 
'You go in the cage. Cage goes in the water. Shark's in the water. :) Farewell and adieu to you fair Spanish ladies . . .'  Let's drink to our legs !!



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