The "Party of the Hemingways".

  May 12th, I was picked up by truck, tossed in my gear, to begin my long desired mini vacation and fishing in the "2011 Ling Cod Fishing Tournament".  It was 6:45 a.m., and after 12 years of discipline, meditation, regular exercise and conditioning, I was ready to "unhinge" and really let down my guard for once and party.  My host, who graciously covers the trip from "door to door", was right on time.  I opened the flask of B&B and we each swallowed a quick shot - as a celebratory gesture - to launch the 4 day journey in the San Juan Islands.  Oh yeah and I, like the fool that I am, sort of "threw down the gauntlet" in the form of a drinking and partying challenge to my host for the first day.  It was with a sense of freedom and exuberance that we drove away.

The drive down I-5 was beautiful as we headed to the launch for the ferry to take us to San Juan Island.  We were to meet up with the other men in our 5 man crew later in the evening. 
An evening I would never see.   For yes, my readers, I was on the path to losing that bet in a hurry.  I should have known better than to challenge the "Captain" that sunny day.  When we arrived for the ferry there was time to sit by the water's edge.  The captain had a cigar and coffee, I had a coffee and trail mix.  Cranes, geese, eagles, hawks, cormorants, and the like enjoyed the inlet as well.  After our brief respite we were ferried across and at 10:30 entered our first bar.  Bloody Marys were to be the drink of the day.  We were to meet a friend of my host to discuss a possible tattoo/cover up on the ankle.  We downed 2 Bloody Marys each, when the challenge leaped out of my mouth, and the captain's eyes lit up.  How many had tried to whoop him before?  How many had he laid to waste on the land and sea?  Was I out of my mind on that ill fated day?

He dialed his friend to meet me at the next bar up the street at 11:00 am when it opened.  It was there that the crafty captain began to strike.  With a deft move of his index finger - he circled it in the air - indicating another round - every so often, as I began to "disconnect".  After discussing the possible tattoo on his lady friend, it was "mentioned" perhaps we should go surfing.  Apparently the lady was a surfer and the "Straits of San Juan de Fuca" would be a good place to do this deed.  My mind is cloudy from this point forward.

Now we are, I would say 8 Bloodies into the day, I ate 1/2 a burger as a lunch, and somehow I am zipped up in a "girls" wetsuit.  Yikes!  We are headed out on choppy ass seas with 5 foot waves for a 80 or so mile round trip.  Too choppy to surf, the waves were not breaking right, and me by now a beer or two later looking "Green", were turning to head home.  I sank to the floor.

Then it all hit me, I began to give all my insides back to the sea.  But I was laying horizontal on the deck, spewing forth in an all too choppy sea.  Oh, my readers, I was sick.  I was soooooooooooooooooooooo sick,  I was in pain, I was sliding around, and it came time to unzip me from the suit, put me in clothing and drag me up the most horrible walk in my life - to the car.

This woman who just met me, now has seen her possible tattoo artist, in his puke.  Like an angel of mercy she had to unzip the suit and clean and prep me for the world.  Not only had I lost the challenge by 5:00 pm in the afternoon, on the first day, but I had so thoroughly embarrassed myself that shame was creeping into my battered skull.  I then died.  They threw me on the dock - so they could clean the boat.  I lay there in my private hell.  Silent, still, dead. 
Like a guy knocked out in the UFC, dead.   Like a stone, dead.  Dead. 

They assisted me up, and in full agony, chilled, pained inside, shaking, and limping, they helped me walk to the top - to the parking lot - to what seemed like the last 500 steps to the summit of Mount Everest.   "Drive slow" I creaked, slow down, oh I am sick.

Shamed, beaten, sick, exposed at my worst, the journey home began.  I can remember little bits as time goes on.  For the next 3 days I would be recovering.  Yes we fished the derby, yes the rest of the crew and pals partied like Hemingways, but I my friends was wiped out by the Captain in less than 12 hours.

Any man would have had the sense not to challenge.  But the Captain then made sure that I was helped and cared for, feed and given liquids, revived to fish and socialize.

I am back at the shop, having been humbled again in life, purged and re-evaluating my existence and purpose.  The test of a true man caving adventure.  Of course we also played horse shoes,  watched some Buck Cherry on the big screen,  man caved, philosophized, talked about UFOs and ancient civilizations, and all else.  We cut loose, kicked back, and now need to recover. 

A good time was had by all in the long haul.  Yeah 4 whole days can wipe you out. 
Lots of grilling and bonfires, too. What a freaking blast it was.

Above are just some traveling shots.


Pictures 1 - Doz being suited up for theoretical surfing.  Picture 2 - Doz being unsuited/never surfed - too choppy of seas.  Picture 3 - Doz  dead on dock and Captain bags a trophy. 
Picture 4 - Cabin insides after storm.  I spared you all the uglier shots.

1 & 2 - Doz,  3 - one of the captains with 42" Ling Cod (a hog of a fish),
 4 - a happy crewman, 5 - two more in our crew of eclectic fisherman.

Our bonfire pit, cozy and warming.

Now that I have been back 2 days and am starting to regroup, it was awesome to purge my system.  I feel good, booking new ink for clients, and feeling a spectacular summer coming.

If you want to experience this mind bending, gut wrenching, soul searching kind of a fishing adventure  - then visit the "Captain" at San Juan Sportsman - oh yeah, they also go hunting!
Click this letter to email " Doz ".      DIAL : (425) 895-8519.

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Create an ad of your liking no wider than 200 pixels x the length you prefer.
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Or call 425 895-8519 and discuss it with Doz.

Ad Space

Create an ad of your liking no wider than 200 pixels x the length you prefer.
Pick a page off the website  to run your ad, pick a number of months (3 month minimum), email it to me for a quote.

Simple and effective.

Email for the unique visitors for the page you select to advertise on.

Or call 425 895-8519 and discuss it with Doz.