The smell of diesel, the quiet sunrise on distant mountains. The fishing world awakens to a glorious day. A pulse is in the air, the Homer Spit is bustling as locals and visitors ready the gear and giddiness, and a new fishing day begins. We do not go catching, we go fishing…….., for saying we are going to catch fish is an assumption, and I once heard a line uttered that assumptions are the mother of all f-ups. Yet this area is blessed by nature’s bounty. A gracious gift for all to share. One could venture to say your odds are better here, but none the less we go fish and the game is afoot.

Big and small, boats stream out under the rising sun, and the morning commute ensues.

On board the vessels, the camaraderie and stories now begin. As the wind whistles through fishing poles and strands of hair I don’t have, goosebumps form at the thought of a bouncing pole indicating a visitor from deep below. Strangers become friends, and excitement builds throughout, then the stories begin. Some are a whale of a tale, or if you are lucky, the tale becomes a tail… of a wandering whale.

The ocean is wide as are the variety of views. You might be looking for one fish and catch something new. Do fish have arms? No, but other crafty creatures do. The ocean blue platter also set the stage for rocks rising far in the distance. The ring of fire plays its molten game and gives rise to towering peaks, Iliamna is its name and steam is its primary game.

The fishing game begins as the lines are dropped. A dance begins of ups, and downs, and shuffles and shouts. Words like “bait” or “fish on” or “color” is heard, and round and round the dance taps along. Halibut is the target, and a strange fish it is. Born like a salmon with eyes of both sides, yet before their first birthday, the eyes migrate to one side, and it lives off the bottom waiting for the next meal. It’s curious how some of the strangest looking creatures provide some of the best tasting foods.

With fish in hand, the day is done, the gear is laid to rest and the experts prepare for dinner.

Yet as one boats trip ends, another’s begin. Where are they going? What are they fishing for? One can’t help but wonder. What stories are they telling, how far are they going….. can I jump on board and take another trip? Perhaps not today, but the fishing future is like the ocean……. Filled with options and endless horizons.

A sincere thank you to Rainbow Tours and my fellow fisher folk for giving more than just a trip. It was an experience, a shared experience filled with fun, laughter, work and play and a ‘hal’ of a good time! The day started with excitement and ended just the same.

This day of fishing made me think….. and I’ll attempt a little wordplay on an old Steinbeck quote. Steinbeck wrote in Travels With Charlie, “…we do not take a trip, a trip takes us.” So perhaps we do not catch the fish, its spirit catches us.

Whisper and Wander on my friends!

#wander #Homer #Alaska #halibut #whisper