Something to listen to, while you enjoy the show.
Struck out last year, first real attempt at a first tarpon. Intense to say the least. My buddy's undying optimism kept my keel as even as it was gonna get. Had a blast, but the obsession only worsened. Took all year to wrap my head around it and to mull over some advice (that I desperately needed) about ways to avoid frustration and disappointment.
"You're tarpon fishing, for fuck's sake... Don't forget it!"
This time will be different.
Early start first day. Slow to find fish, but the sun was everywhere. One of us was acclimated.
Managed a few tolerable shots at grumpy tarpon. No eats. Fried Chicken.
I smiled the whole ride.
Found the tarpon spot. Nearly lost my shit at the first eat. Just sea trout.
Eventually another eat, tarpon this time. I stripped, water exploded, airborn toward the boat, slack line, threw the fly. First jumped tarpon! Too fast for a picture, but the small victory had big effect. A bit of liberation.
"Let's go snook fishing."
"Really?"
"Yeah, what the hell."
"Fuck yeah!"
Small fish, but an afternoon of beating mangroves put me in just the right headspace for the evening tide... and tarpon. Then...
That was the best shot we got. Ten minutes later, 90 lb tarpon boatside, my buddy grabs the leader, fish makes one last desperate jump, I bow, but had the drag locked down, leader popped right in from of me.
Call it what you want, I call it the perfect end to a perfect day!
Day three, with the pressure off.
Arguably the greatest fishing trip I've ever had. Not just because of the fish, but because there's something truly special about fishing with my buddy in the Keys. Every trip out feels like it's going to be the best one you've ever had. He's got enough optimism and fishy mojo for the whole boat. I feel pretty damn lucky. Damn lucky.
(Beer mug cheerinig guys emoticon)
1 comment:
Good lookin' trip. Music was a nice touch. Cool to see some fish photos. Felt like I wanted some more context for the story. I get the style but sometimes it comes off as shitty post-modern prose. "Eat" means fish? What is the 2nd to last picture? And where were you at in the Keys? Picturesque setting.
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