Springtime, and an old mans' mind turns to

FISHING. Woodrow C. Carpintero (a certified bon vivant, formerly of Stinson Beach and Boyce to Men) and I went a fishin' yesterday, or as I call it, a Quality Control Expedition). Went up the east side of Cerralvo after our trused native compendium, Enrique, had way laid some formerly happy caballitos. For the last 6 weeks or so all the yellow tail had been coming from about a mile offshore, in 140 feet of water. So I dutifully went around the corner to BajaMarks' tackle emporium and stocked up on circle hooks, heavy sinkers, and sabikis. Well the best laid plans of mice and me. When we got up on the island Enrique decided to shift gears. There are now tons of sardines, nice 4" portly critters, along the shore between Las Pillis and the purple rocks. He eyed the water, and surprised us by throwing his net, seemingly in the middle of nowhere, 75 yards from the shore, and could barely lift it into the boat, 80 pounds of sardines. We started to slow troll live sardines while he ejaculated chum like a leaf chipper. We were using 40lb. fluoro leaders and #2/0 j hooks. Fish were boiling in the sardine highway that Capt. E was layin' down, and soon I was fast to a fish that just as quickly scraped me off on a rock, leaving my line looking like the curly ribbon on a birthday gift. Retied, resardined and out again. I caught went that was nudgin' 45 pounds, a good long fight, with some very impressive run, but the good guys one. We continued, with pangas stackin' up like 727's over LAX, watching people hook, and often land fish. After an hour or so it slowed considerably, with only an occasional boil to be seen. On the full moon like this there is a fairly short period of the current in which they're biting but boy it was boiling there for awhile. Enrique mentioned that it was time for our third load of bait, and we should go off to Punta Perico to try for pargo. Woodrow and I nodded, 'cuz that's what old guys do. While clearing his net we saw a flurry of boils and decided to take one more pass. W.C.C. hooked up and was whoopin', yes he was, and crankin'. Got another nice tail to the boat, in the upper 30's, and we were off. The ride to PP was spectacular, very calm shiny water, boat whooshin', us eatin' and talkin'. I looked around and saw magic. There we were at full throttle on the open ocean and our Capt. wasn't using his hands, in fact he had assumed the full glamor pose, while we rocketed on. . I did a little research to discover where exactly the tiller was, and let me just say that modesty prevents me from detailing this research. You can figure it out. I caught one nice pargo, upper teens, we lost a couple, and Woodie and I agreed that an early arrival at the beach would be just swell. One of the advantages of living here is that if you decide to go in a little early, it ain't as big o' deal as if you've come down for your 4 days a year, a situation in which you understandably want to milk out all possible drops of time. We had a wonderful day, great weather, great company, couple or three fish to be proud of, Captain made magic... it just don't get a lot better for old guys. Thanks, David