First Mates Log July 30 2008 Tahsis

FirstMate’s log
July30th, 2008
Tahsis Inlet
Welcome to Winter
“An unseasonably strong low pressure front of 990 millibars is stationary over central Vancouver Island” declared Environment Canada over our VHF radio station. The Canadian weather service is always correct, if not always accurate (does that sound like politician speak?) They predict that a storm is coming, but the timing and duration is not always correct. This storm was to have lasted a mere couple of days, but as I write we are well into our fourth day (Ken says it’s been atleast a year) and perhaps things will lighten tomorrow. I have made a request of God to please do something only he/she can do, and that is give me a sunny day on August 2nd, my fiftieth birthday. And a fish. I want to catch a fish. I would take nearly any good tasting retainable fish, as defined by Canadian fisheries, but a salmon or a halibut would really do the trick to mark this for what it is, a half century of birthdays. If you love me God……..I tell Ken my biggest fear is that I will catch a fish that is too big to land, but then at least I’d have a one-that-got-away story, which would certainly be a start.
Not that I’m complaining about the weather or anything, but the locals are. Except the one and only waitress here. “Good tips. When the fishing is bad and the weather is worse, the drinking increases and the tips great.” Ah to be young , have nice hair and be tipped for it.
The folks that own this resort have a condo to which they retire to every November in Las Barillas in the Sea of Cortes. On the wall of their restaurant they have 2 plaques with what appear to be giant golf tees mounted. Look a little closer and on the plaque there is a photo of him and her and their guy-normous finfish--a sailfish and a sword fish. She caught the biggest one, within 10 pounds of the women’s world record. The ‘golf tees’ are the bills off these trophy fish. They caught them in the Sea of Cortes in 2004. What an accomplishment.
I spoke with John the owner, bemoaning my poor success at fishing. We went through it all again, how I need to rig our gear and where I need to go where the fish actually are (did you hear the one about the man who lost his watch? Where did he lose it? ‘Over there’ Then why are you looking here? ‘Because the light’s better). Sometimes where the fish are is not always the most convenient location for the sailboat eg a lee shore. So dear readers, if you wish me a happy birthday, say a prayer for the nee fisherwoman on her birthday--may she catch a fish in the sun!!