Full moon weekend gone, Patrick Webster had the pleasure of taking the Governor fishing. Along for the ride was a London friend, Susan Acland-Hood. Mr. Webster, piloting Bateau Godot in a calm sea went north pass the deep water looking for Wahoo.
On the way, several Humpback Whales were observed close-by, and a rather large pod of Bottle-nose Dolphins playfully raided the waters surrounding the vessel. This showing was remarkable in size and scope of the pod with both adults and juveniles. The boat ride was already a success and might have ended after seeing the Dolphins, but the Webster mission was Wahoo.
Soon, lines went into the water and trolling for Wahoo, but it was like drilling a dry hole: nothing! Patrick, not being the most patient fisherman alive, decided that the Wahoo all went northwest to Sombrero and headed there. Against the scenic background landscape of Sombrero, that appears more like an end-of-the-world movie set, fishing did improve. A beautiful Kingfish of about thirty-five pounds jumped on the port side rod and made an impressive showing with several hands wrapping the reel before the plump fella was boated. Patrick relaxed, as he was most fearful of being fish-skunked and going home empty handed and embarrassed. So too did the Governor, who worried her presence might jinx an otherwise good day’s fishing.
The conversation meandered back to the fascinating island of Sombrero and whether a quick look-see of the surface was possible. But, this is a fishing story and in the Patrick Webster vein it is all about big fish. The tall tale fisherman often tells of his “two one-time” adventures: (when two big fish hook up at the same time on two different rods). However, “two one-time” is not something wished for with a fishing crew of novices. Nevertheless, boom boom simultaneously, two rods fired and lines screamed off the reels, forcing a full stop or else the reel lines would exhaust – and both fish would be lost. All hands were now required because the two fighting fish had perilously taken almost every inch of line and losing both fish would result in more embarrassing talk than not catching any at all. Soon two giant Wahoos (twins of over 70 pounds each) were expertly gutted and ice bagged. The teamwork was amazing and exhausting mostly because the fish were big and strong, and every inch on the reels had to be returned to the spool in order to gaff the fish.
Fishing big fish was hot that day, and overall five big Wahoo and the lone Kingfish were brought home. The remainder of this truly “true” fishing story, and the spectacular greetings from whales and dolphins, can only be told by the fishing crew.
