Catch of the day [Fishing]
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It was a very tough week. The wind was from the west, which basically meant the bait fish get blown past our village, so the tuna are less prevalent.
Notwithstanding that, Dennis caught 3 over the week, which for a Tuna novice in the conditions was extremely good. He did better than some of the "old-timers".
I lost an enormous fish (I have caught a few large fish, so I know the feel of a big one when one is on, and this was way, way bigger than anything I have hooked), it totally dominated me,I never got in control of the fish/fight and was really just holding on the rod for the ride, after an initial run of perhaps 200 yards in 20/30 seconds, I was down to about 20 yards of line left on the spool, I had to dial up the drag a bit to save myself from getting spooled. The other guys were getting the boat ready for the chase/fight - Dennis's line being bought in, decks cleared. etc etc, and I was hanging on for dear life looking at the emptying spool muttering "I will never get this fish in, I will never get this fish in" then the fish bit through the 130lb leader. I have been reliving the chaos of that 60 seconds in my head ever since
)A few randoms...
Sunrise and a cheerful Goose...
Give it some gyp:
Both Goose and I straightened hooks on fish....
Szymon hard at work.....
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I can honestly say that I do not have the vocabulary to describe the events and express my feelings of the last week. While Giles had coached me and shared his experiences of previous trips, you cannot fully grasp what to expect until you’re there to see them first hand. What I can say now, is that at points you are overcome with emotion, exuberance, and exhaustion.
On the first day, you question if you would do this again. On the last day, you question when you will do this again and count the days until you can.
"I don't give a shit what anyone else is doing, we will do what is best for us and our customers" - Giles P. :)
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@68degreesorless No. The fish are caught and sold to provide income for the village on a daily basis. It is one of the main ways the community supports itself. To be a small part of that is humbling…
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That’s great, cool to be part of that
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Any idea how much those weigh?
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@goosehd said in Catch of the day [Fishing]:
I can honestly say that I do not have the vocabulary to describe the events and express my feelings of the last week. While Giles had coached me and shared his experiences of previous trips, you cannot fully grasp what to expect until you’re there to see them first hand. What I can say now, is that at points you are overcome with emotion, exuberance, and exhaustion.
On the first day, you question if you would do this again. On the last day, you question when you will do this again and count the days until you can.
I wanted so badly to join you guys on this trip. But, it was not meant to be. Thanks for these thoughts, though. I can live vicariously through you, for now...
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I had a great fall fishing day today. 2 northern 30” plus and a good handful of bass in a little over 2 hours.
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@Giles thanks it was a great solo day on the water.
I completely missed your recent trip and just caught up. Great photos and fish. I also know a bit about tough fishing weeks my dad and I drove 6 hours this summer and spent 3 days to catch 4 fish.
It’s a great reminder that it’s not about the fish, but the fishing and the company.
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Motorcycling buddy went fishing in northeast Bolivia this week. This paiche (Arapaima gigas) was his big catch.
Paiche is a ‘newly’ invasive species in these rivers. It was absent a few decades ago. Although an Amazon basin native species, it never reached these upper basin habitats due to natural rock barriers (cachuelas). Someone brought them over for fish farming and they’ve spread successfully, causing imbalances and adjustments in fish species populations as it is a top predator.
Good eating though.
