Story #2 "The best fighting fish EVER!"

[Nalu]

Ok, per a request, here goes another one.

Now, in advance, please understand that at the time of this tale, I was still a teenage deckhand, with a bit of an onrey streak. I don't neccesarily need others to laugh to find good humor on things that happen on the boat. A good personal chuckle, or a tale to tell the other deckhands and skippers once back to the dock was always prized.

On one particular slamin' salmon trip, two fisherman buddies were aboard. One was quite nice, and the other had a bit of an attitude. They positioned themselves on the bow, taking the forward poles starboard and port. These forward poles, with side planers, usually produced quite well.

Trolling along, we started to pop fish here and there. Our antagonistic friend on the bow port side had no less than 3 fish on his pole, 1 which he lost for no good reason, and two that he lost after tangling in the downrigger, and lines to the aft. I tried to discuss the fine art of not "shooting the fish", and the idea of actually putting a little arch in the pole. In response to this, I was bombarded by, "These fish don't fight", "The boat is turning into my fish", and of course the dreaded, "Don't you tell me what to do, I KNOW how to fight a fish!".

His buddy just rolled his eyes, gave me a knowing look, and shrugged his shoulders.

As most of the people were finishing up their limits, I decided that a new tack was in order. I persuaded my new buddy to take the port downrigger rod. "You'll get a fighter on this one, I'll just bet ya'!", I said. The reply was a curt, "Well, I better."

Now at this time the connection we used for line to the downrigger was via snubber and brass pin. How hard you wanted the "pop out" tension to be was determined by how far in the snubber you inserted the pin. Usually about a half inch it would go, and that provided enough tension for trolling, but would pop out nice and easy when a fish struck. I inserted the pin all the way, past the nub, and right up to the swivel. My buddy would get a fight all right.

Soon enough, the port downrigger rod started bouncing like mad. "Fish on! Fish on! GET IT, GET IT, GET IT!" Our professional fishermand grabbed the rod, and the fight was on. As I was yelling encouragement, I slowly started cranking up the downrigger. There was a nice bend in the pole now! Up, up, the fight slowly worked. I stopped cranking the downrigger, and watched our fisherman working the rod. I cranked the downrigger down fast. "It's running!" he screamed. "It's stripping line like mad!"

With a look over my shoulder, I saw his buddy watching me work the crank. A smile spread on his face, and he started busting up laughing. Eventually the gentleman got the fish to surface, where I reached down, popped the pin, and netted the fish in one fell swoop.

As I brought the fish aboard, with exhaustion, the man sighed, and said, "Wow, that was the best fighting fish EVER!"

I'm not sure if his buddy ever told him, but when we reached the dock, he left the boat smiling.

Again, I apologize if this offends anyone, but when you're a teenager, and a deckhand, you shouldn't be trifled with.

Mike

[Miss B Haven]

ROFLMAO- remind me NEVER to give you "stuff" if you're on my boat! :grin:

If only you had a video of that Nalu!

[id. painter]

Perfect Nalu,,, Ill bet that has given you much pleasure over the years . Nice work and for a kid, quick thinking. Way to keep your mouth shut and still get him. id. painter

[puffins crew]

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

[Mello-Yello]

Great story! I too have always found great pleasure in the simple ways of getting even with those who so desperately deserve it. The fact that they never know only makes it that much more precious.

I don't know if you knew this, but all new members who's member number equal a "bouble-pair" as your's does (5544), is required to tell at least 10 stories. Keep them coming!!!

[Fshklr]

Now thats how to handle a difficult customer!
Really some heads up thinking there and a great story!

[ 10-09-2003, 05:19 PM: Message edited by: Fshklr ]

[Sea Jypzee]

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

Great job of keeping the customer happy, and giving his buddy a good and yourself too.

[Tuna Tom]

When I came home from work tonight my wife said I had to read your story. I read it and we both had a great laugh. You have to understand that it's like pulling hen's teeth to get her out on a boat. No, it's not fishing. It's just getting her to do anything without two years notice is a bit too spontaneous. She is reading this right now and agrees. Still more great stories like yours and perhaps she'll change her ways.

Thanks again,
Tuna tom

[Nalu]

Tuna Tom,

I'm glad you both enjoyed it. I have to say that I've been very fortunate to experience so many great things with family, friends, and customers out on the water.

Fishing is the "reason" to go out. But to me, being on the water, and being surrounded by the things I love is the real reward.

Just a few weeks ago, I took out a friend, and got him into his first King. 28 lbs. of fat chrome. At the beginning, he was fighting the drag, not pumping the pole right, a little unsure. With gentle words of encouragement, and some tips here and there, by the end he was fighting the fish like a pro.

Porpoises off the bow, a whale blowing next to the boat, a sunfish 20 miles to sea, the sun rising over the coast range, and the chance to make someones dream come true by getting them into some fish.... It's good stuff.

Mike

[Reel Creel]

Ya, thats the good stuff [img]graemlins/applause.gif[/img] [img]graemlins/applause.gif[/img] Its what i live for as well. :grin:

[jokester]

Excellent story! Keep em' coming! :grin:

- jokester

[justasillyolgirl]

Great story!!

I LOVE IT when the 'mouthy cocky' ones get had and don't even know it!! [img]graemlins/applause.gif[/img]