We all become something of our own meteorologists out here. In the physical sense we study our forecast maps, apply our experience and local knowledge, then prepare and act accordingly. Beyond the gradients and arrows one also draws upon old lore and innate sense as well as what I would hope is a strong interest in self preservation. I don't surmise that everyone out here falls into this category, and indeed one must be cautious of "Chicken Little Syndrome", but attentive observation to the elements, and something more, should be prerequisite in the seasoned mariner.

This latest little blow was not an easy mark. First conclusion upon receipt of such a hostile forecast would be to head in tight and hunker down for at least a little while. But down here on the cusp the results were far from certain, and showed strong promise of remaining benign. With shelter close enough to make a run for it if things got nasty we opted to remain outside and keep fishing. In the end conditions remained agreeable, calm even, and we enjoyed a full day of fishing unperturbed.

To our chagrin however I can't say the catching was anything special. We scratched a few while expending a wealth of effort scouring every nook and cranny of each ridge but scant sign had little to yield. Conditions were excellent and plenty of life in the form of bait fish and birds suggested otherwise; perhaps it was the fish that succumbed to "CLS" today.

But for the afternoon when we finally did get down to a marginal amount of catching it would have been a brutal day. Fortune arrived in the form of a few jumbo wahoo and more than a few 22 - 30# yellowtail that engaged interest and lifted spirits; though I have to admit this group of veteran anglers was far from shaken by a little slow fishing. It comes with the territory as the saying goes and everyone on board rolled with the day enjoying the nice weather and good company fishing aside.

On a high note the afternoon fortunate's demonstrated that in the realm of long range fishing often it only takes one to make the day. Angler Vince Varia does a fine job proving this point in today's photo. After enduring a couple of typical wahoo mishaps in the form of bite off's and missed strikes, Vince made good on this opportunity. This sixty eight pound wahoo more than did the trick providing long time veteran Vince with a substantial, satisfying fight as well as table fare second to none. Taking a good look at this big, beautiful wahoo just think of the tender, snow white fillets cooked to perfection following a cool six days resting fresh at thirty degrees Fahrenheit in one of our RSW tanks. This is a prize worth coming for; and no better individual than Mr. Varia could be rewarded with such fortune.

Tim Ekstrom

Photo Here...