The calling

[Pilar]

The term is used in a religious context normally but I believe that in so many ways the 'church of the bent rod' can be considered a religion.

I have decided to take it to the next level. Like some other members of this marvelous group we call Salty Dogs I am taking the first steps to make the sea my living at least some of the time. Some of you have made this journey already and live the dream now and I welcome your advice and insights. I follow in the footsteps of some giants like Ken Peterson of the 'Irish' and Mike Stowe of the 'Blitz' and many, many others too numerous to mention. I hope I can be half the skipper that they are.

Bear with me constant reader and let me put you in the space I am in right now. My family for several generations has called the sea home and some of us have made or tried to make a living there. For some years now I have resisted the calling. The sea is a harsh mistress and favors no man for long. There are no experts on the ocean. There is no guarantee of success. But I know that the sea calls some of us at a very basic level and I will resist no more. Some day soon I will pass the tests and qualifications and get a 6 pack license to operate a charter boat.

Yesterday I spent some time with Corrirod and tried to understand his decision to become a commercial salmon fisher. He told me that he was hoping to make what he loved to do something he could do more often and maybe even make a living at it. But mostly I think Rod just wants to have fun.

From the time I first rode out from port Everglades with my Dad on his boat 'Jimmy Joe' as a boy and got a taste of salt I knew that I liked it. It is about freedom and locking horns with the largest living thing on the planet. Since then I have fished from the beach, in boats small and large, taking it all in and learning. In the last few years I have been sharing the sea with all of you and it has been very gratifying to see so many eyes opened and imaginations fired up.

Now I get to live my dream. The calm in my life, the stagnant period without many challenges was the calm before the storm. It lulled me and dulled my perceptions. Challenge is important to me as it is to some others I know. It sharpens the senses and brings out the best in us. The sea is a very challenging place to work and live.

So here goes and if you are curious about this process of metamorphoses from casual private boater to charter skipper, I will take you along for the ride. Fasten your seat belts and keep your arms and legs inside until the ride comes to a complete stop.

Luck is where opportunity meets preparedness and I am feeling very lucky today indeed

Fortes Fortuna Juvat {Fortune favors the Bold}

[ 09-09-2003, 09:19 PM: Message edited by: Pilar ]

[Sea Jypzee]

[img]graemlins/applause.gif[/img] [img]graemlins/applause.gif[/img] [img]graemlins/applause.gif[/img]

Wow, best of luck John on your test. I am sure that you will be highly successful.

[Birdnest]

[img]graemlins/lurk.gif[/img]

John,

Go live your dream.

Joe

[ 09-09-2003, 09:10 PM: Message edited by: Birdnest ]

[crabbait]

Best of luck, John. When is the party?

[corrirod]

[img]graemlins/applause.gif[/img] [img]graemlins/applause.gif[/img] [img]graemlins/applause.gif[/img]

[Mello-Yello]

Best of luck to you John. I can't imagine you needing to study very hard, as it seems, at least to this salty pup, that you know most of what is needed (and maybe more).

If for some reason it doesn't work for you, there's always your second talent. Buy a small cottage on the beach, and write...you have the gift.

Cheers!

[skein]

Don't just share the journey with us, put it in a book. I'll be first in line for an autographed copy. Seriously.

Congrats, John, and godspeed. Go live the dream. [img]graemlins/applause.gif[/img] [img]graemlins/applause.gif[/img] [img]graemlins/applause.gif[/img]

Skein

[ANDYCOHO]

Way to go!! [img]graemlins/applause.gif[/img] [img]graemlins/applause.gif[/img]

It takes a lot of courage to change your career, I'm impressed!

Much success to you John!!

[Born to be Wild]

I second that Mello-Yello. I posted before that I thought John missed his calling as a writer.

Good luck John and as long as you can tolerate different folks with different strokes you'll do all right.

A lot of six pack charter guys and gals have come and gone here the 9 years I have been here so it might not be all that it is cut out to be.

Dan

[Mr. Fisherman]

Johnboy, if ya need a part time deck hand let me know.

Do you have your eye on a certain Tolley?

[Big TULE]

Hey John, sorry been out for a while trying to get my life straight. Just wanted to say hi, and good luck. And if you ever need an expierenced deck hand you know that i am along for the ride and will help with everything...

[Badger]

John, even though I've only known you a short time, I know you'll succeed. Your heart is in it and you'll do just fine. [img]graemlins/applause.gif[/img] [img]graemlins/applause.gif[/img]

Best of luck,
Bryan

[Ragnar]

John,
Fair thee well my Bro-Bro.
In the words of Bob Dylan...
Oh the times, they are a changin'.

The only thing in this World that is truely constant and predictable is change.
May Mother Ocean bring to you Health, Happiness and Prosperity.
Shizzle ma Nizzle Homies,
Ragnar

[Threemuch]

John-
I have two friends in the bay area that are mid way through that transition, Mark Capra and Bruce Benike, both running charters part time in the SF bay area. Bruce is about to start running full time. Mark has been up here with fishing BFB with me, and sometimes frequents this board.

I can tell you about there transition thus far, and put you in contact with them, both great guys. First stop, you have to get your ticket. The test is easy for a smart guy like you, it's the experience requirements that can be tough, but I bet you can pull that off too.

Best of luck, friend. Your heart and determination will serve you well.
KB

[Miss B Haven]

Good luck John! :smile:
It is a tough choice and I only think about it 4 or 5 times a day. To spend the time on the water vs making a job out of your love is really not something to ponder lightly. I hope it works out if you decide to do the latter.

[Pilar]

Kurt, I would like to talk to your friends. Thank you all for your kind words.

:blush:

[Fish Slapper]

Pilar, I would like to wish you the best of luck and believe me when I say I know where you are coming from. I too felt the calling and I am presently in my 2nd year of the transformation and I hope to be fully transformed within the next 3 years at the most. I would love to try and answer any questions you may have, it is a great job but as you know it is something that should not be taken lightly. Please feel free to e-mail me or call me at 253-709-4294 if there is any information you think I could help you with. good luck with your new adventure and believe me it is an adventure!

Fish Slapper

[id. painter]

Good luck John. Im nervous and excited for you.
I too have often pondered the idea of making my love of the out doors my work. Big game guide, waterfoul guide, fishing guide ,,, but I have never had the guts . I admire your guts. Im sure you will do very well. People love to be with somone who has a passion for what they do and that will be your ticket to success.You have it man. Congrats on an exciting adventure. id. painter

[BUGLEMAN]

John,

I have also pondered the notion of becoming a fresh water guide but it comes down to turning my love to work and my mate always reminds me of that point. You have patience and a love of that sea with enough to go around. Good luck on your endevour and may I book a seat now?

[Orca]

Good luck John. I'll book a trip right away when you get things going. Is the Irish still going to be available (for sale) at the end of this season?

[edsr]

John -

All the best of luck to you and book me in for your first trip!

edsr

[Boatdog]

Congratulations Pilar,

You've treated us well, educated us, guided us, and, most importantly...shared with us.

I offer you the best of wishes and much success in your quest. Please continue to share your experiences in this new adventure.

When you're up and running, I'd like to book the boat for a day.

Good luck John,

Boatdog

[Phil Layer]

Dang, there goes the awesome coordinates I used to get radioed to me!

Where can I send a deposit? My son and I want to be the first two on your maiden voyage. “Captain, I need new bait and fetch me a cold one while you’re up!”

I can’t think of anyone who would make a better guide. You know your stuff and are a pleasurable guy. I applaud your decision.

Now, for a story to consider. In an earlier life, I was a motorcycle fanatic. I lived, breathed and dreamed about riding (kind of like I do with fishing now). When I approached a crossroad in my career, I contacted a biker friend and we discussed buying a motorcycle shop and making a living off of motorcycles. We went so far as arranging financing and securing an option on a Suzuki dealership in Fargo, North Dakota (Hey, it was the only dealership we could afford!)

The night before we were to close the deal, my friend and I were having a beer. As the evening progressed, we came to the conclusion that we loved motorcycles and loved to ride them. But when we got the dealership, we were going to be selling motorcycles and fixing broken ones. My partner looked at me and said, “I don’t want to fix or sell them, I want to ride them!” I agreed. The next day, we called off the deal.

I don’t know if this situation applies to you. As a charter boat captain, you are going to be putting others on fish. I know you get a lot of satisfaction from doing just that, as I do. I get more satisfaction getting family and friends into fish than I do reeling them in myself. But it is something to consider….more driving, less reeling.

And, I’m sure you’ve considered that you will meet a bunch of great people, and your fair share of real arses. Having worked with a river guide, those clients can really take the fun out of the experience.

You’re a smart guy and I’m sure you’ve considered all angles before making this decision. So the only thing left to do is do it!

And, yes, the Irish is for sale. I’m guessing there’s a little Irish in a Wells, eh?

[Albacore Tuna Captain]

Pilar,

You have the right stuff, the right attitude and desire. You will succeed, I have no doubts. At first you may not make a ton of money with a six pac, but that's where I'm eventually heading too. I want the time to enjoy the fishing and fewer headaches. A six pac is the way to go for you starting out and you will do great! [img]graemlins/applause.gif[/img]

Do what you must to satisfy that inner longing. Go for it! Don't worry, be happy!! :grin:

Captain Mike

[Hummingbird]

Hi John,
As in an Old Elvis Movie. Follow That Dream!!!!
I thought you already were a fine Capt.. . Hope to be able to Join you on another Fishing excursion. You are a Cut out for it!! Take Care and Enjoy Life to it's Fullest!! Tom

[Deepslayer]

John sounds like you have some big "ones". I wish you luck as I am sure everyone on this board does! Make sure and practice your gaffing skills! :grin: Keep up the writing too, so that maybe someday we can call you Papa too.
,Ed

[Miss B Haven]

John, PS...from my sig line:

"If you always do what you've always done, you'll always get what you've always gotten."



PSS - Here's the start: http://www.uscg.mil/stcw/index.htm

[ 09-10-2003, 12:26 PM: Message edited by: Miss B Haven ]

[CATCH AND EAT]

John, I wish ya all the luck in the world. I think you are a little crazy to turn your love into work though. I did this 15 years ago and my love is just plain work now. Still love what I am doing but....well I think you understand.

Make the right choice here John. The ocean is a beautiful place harboring sudden changes. Kind of like living in Kansas. Be careful.