Fish on

This looks like a pole that has a Fish On!!!!!

Paul and Cathy Eugina were fantastic crew on the trip from San Diego to Cabo. They had taken their own boat down to Mexico on the 2006 Ha Ha and spent the better part of two years cruising so we were anxious to pick their brains about cruising the Sea. We feel very comfortable sailing in Banderas Bay and south to Zihuatanejo but wanted to learn more about the Sea. For ten days we discussed various anchorages, where there was cell phone coverage and what to fish for. Fishing may have been the number one topic of discussion on the entire trip as we were running five lines at all times. Rog had two tickler lines and three poles just looking for fish and fish he found.

Our first major strike was at the exact moment we crossed the finish line right outside of Turtle Bay when we caught two yellow tail at the same time. Captain chaos was aboard Di's Dream!,, not only did we have to bring in the other three lines but where were we going to put the fish and who was going to clean them?... And the sails were up, what do we do first. We furled the jib in order to slow the boat, Di emptied an ice chest so we could store a fish and the boys started reeling them in. Of course we announced to the fleet that we had landed both fish at the finish. Great cheers were heard and plans for dinner that night were made.

Filleting the fish did not prove to be a problem as our boat was approached by a small boat as soon as our anchor went down. The locals offered to take our trash but agreed to fillet the fish in exchange for two beers instead! Di was a very happy camper, no blood on board and fish for dinner. Could the day get any better.

On the next leg of the Ha Ha we continued to fish with mixed results. We had one line out with 150 lbs test and cedar plug that attracted a very large fish that took the bait and just about ran the entire spool out. Rog fought it for the at least 30 minuets before we got our first look at it and quickly decided we wanted nothing to do with that particular fish. It was large, fighting hard and had a big fin- probably a shark! Eventually it snapped the line and we were free to sail again. No pictures were taken of the fish.

We also briefly caught a sailfish on the final leg of the ha ha. We were flying the spinnaker at the time and had no way to slow the boat downs the line snapped. Again, what would we do with a fish that large on board Di's Dream- better to loose it.

There were various other smaller fish that we caught including a barracuda and small tuna. Rog is getting much better at getting them on board while under full sail which is not an easy task. Having the locals fillet the fish is still the way to go as far as I am concerned and I hear no complaints from Rog. I am sure we will continue to improve as we catch more fish

Kathy and I are ready to BBQ our first fish of the trip!!!!

Post

No problems on Di's Dream except....

Rog and I arrived in Cabo San Lucas feeling very smug. No problems on di's dream on our trip down from San Diego although there had been numerous problems on other ha ha boats. There were dislocated hips, bow sprit that broke, spinnakers lost overboard or blown out, and a broken boom. Tragicly onene boat was lost when it when ashore just north of Bahia Santa Maria. It was not on the ha ha but was out of the San Francisco area. We were not able to assit in the recovery due to my physical limitations but our positive thoughts followed our friends that went to assit with the dismantling of the boat.
We sailed into Cabo around 9am on a thursday morning under rather blustery conditions after a beautiful third leg of the ha ha. Just the afternoon before we had been sailing the spinnaker for over four hours at eight knts in very smooth seas. Overnight the conditions became very light and we had to motor until suddenly we saw 20 knts with gusts to 25 knts as we rounded Cabo Falso. I was feeling very lucky to have a slip inside the marina. There was no rest and no trips into Squid Row for the boats out in the anchorage that night.
After a quick trip to the harbormaster and an expensive stop with the immigration officer we were free to do whatever we wanted. Well--- the fist order of business for di was to was all the sheets and towels on board. Two loads went without a hitch and then load number three went in, no so good. The washer just said no more! So now we were stuck with very wet and soapy sheets that could not go back on our forward berth for our next guests. Not a good situation and no sympathy could be found when other boats really had more serious problems or so they thought. Di could not do the wash on her boat and the thought of having Roger take all the cabinets out in the shower was not good. For now the washer is just looking pretty and will be fixed if possible once we reach Puerto Vallarta.
So at the end of the day Rog and I are very happy with our trip from San Diego to Cabo. We had great sailing conditions with hours on end of spinnaker runs under ideal conditions. We arrived in every anchorage with some daylight left, Rog had promised me we would always arrive in daylight, caught lots of fish along the way, and ate great meals the entire way.

Volcom Rocks

I know I like to color co ordinate everything but I promise you that I did not dress Rog for the party in Bahia Santa Maria and believe me he got quite a few coments about the outfit!!

I am not entirely sure when Joe gave Rog these great swim trunks but they sure worked for us this year. Dad was always styling in Volcom!!

Even our ponga driver was sporting Volcom. Now we just have to get the stock back up but we love the dividend this quarter.

Roger is 65!!!!

Roger turned 65 and is now all enrolled in Medicare---at least we think he is!! I am still working with Blue Shield to confirm automatic payments are in place. We may have to come back to the states just to get it all sorted out.

Rob organized a family present for Rog --a new rod and reel to replace the one that went with a fish on our last Ha ha adventure. Rob decided on a Shimano 2 speed gold reel and Shimano Tallus rod. He loaded this with 150 lb test after loosing another "big one" on the trip from Long Beach to San Diego. Rob does not really want to be a catch and release expert. Now there are no excuses expected. More to follow on this subject.

Joe had a great chat with Ina and got all caught up on family details including what she might be knitting next!!

We were lucky enougth to get the family together for a brunch at the Long Beach Yacht Club. You will notice that they seated us outside so we could make as much noise as we wanted. Beautiful day for the celebration too.

Ina brought Nolan down to celebrate. He is looking very strong and added great merriment to the gathering. Ina did not bring her famous brownies down.

Joe also got to hug Grandmother Mary. Don't ask about the get up he has on, way too long a story. He gave one of these T-shirts to Rog who said he would never wear it however he did and has never had so many positive retorts about a shirt he was wearing. Since then we have gone out and bought the video Fast times at Ridgemont High just to understand.

We all got to talk to Jennifer while we were gathered around the table. Jen had decided not to fly in for the event and we all missed her terribly. Roger just did not want her taking any chances because he has already bought Di a plane ticket for March of next year.

We loved having our new family join us for the party. Melissa, her mother Betty and sister Liz all enjoyed the beautiful sunshine we had. Yes Fred came down too

Somehow I did not get a photo with Gail and Bill Silva together so here is one with Gail, Roger and Fred--all parts of our new expanded family.

Paddle Boarding

After an afternoon on shore with the kids we decided it was time to try paddle boarding. We had a great time and shared many laughs. Rog was an instant hit--as in hit the water just moments after standing up. Stacy was the lucky photographer that captured this Kodak moment.

No Harm done. He would manage to get back on board.

Liz had the best balance of the group. She didn't fall until Joe just managed to nudge her board just a bit too hard Di even gave it a try!! Notice, I hold the paddle just like I am trying to stir a pot. Later I learned that one hand goes on the top of the paddle, who knew. Di did stay dry because she knew once she went down there would be no getting up.

Joe had a rather wet start, falling repeatedly at first. Although Joe is a fabulous surfer who would have thought paddle boarding could be different enough to be challenging. Melissa only went down in order to cool off. She wanted to check out this beautiful Stevens that had just arrived at the harbor

Stacy was the one who organized the activity and we were glad she did. You do notice that there is no picture of Rob on a board--he was over on his boat getting the traps ready to go out for lobster. We wouldn't see him for hours.

We finally decided it was more fun to sit on the boards than try to ride out the wakes from all the boats going through the harbor. Paddle boarding for novices should be done in a vary quiet bay not where there is as much activity as Avalon. Think we will all try this again one day behind Jen's house in warmer water.

The Fishermen Arrive

One of our goals while heading to Mexico was to spend time with all our family in Southern California. The kick off party was held over at Avalon and started on Friday late in the afternoon. We had expected the boys around 1pm but did not know in fishing talk that meant when they ran out of bait or lost the big one. Yes Rob had Walter on the line and he kept insisting he was a 50lb white sea bass. Rocks or seaweed would have never made the line run out like the hit Rob said he took. This was the only fish we saw all weekend and a great deal of time was spent fishing!!!
Actually, Rob and Joe went out for lobster on opening night and did bring home one legal size lobster that we enjoyed after all the kids went home.

Joe arrived with the perfect beer cozzies--Volcom in Paradise in teal to match the boat. Mom quickly absconded with all he had.


Heading to shore was always a big production, no way you could get seven in our dingy and the shore boat was way to expensive for all of us. Maneuvering around the dingy dock took some expertise so Rog was always willing to escort the girls.

Once we got ashore one of our goals was to find the best "Buffalo Milks" and Rob was convinced it took an entire pitcher to properly test the mix!! We found the best were at the Dollar Taco-$2.00 beer stand next to the golf course. Unfortunately we found this spot after the kids went home so we tested it with Marilyn and Eric. They also agreed that these were the best drinks on the island. Tacos were very good too!!

Stacy came over on a later ferry than Melissa and her sister Liz but was quick to get caught up on all the family gossip. It was here that we decided to rent paddle boards later in the day and I will post those pictures later.

Sleeping arrangements were a little tight with 5 guests on board but it worked. Rob and Stacy took the dinette while Joe slept on the two reclining chairs after Roger laid out a cockpit pad for him. Melissa and her sister Liz were very comfortable in the forward berth. Di was just grateful that no one came to visit and saw how quickly our boat turned into a college dorm room.

Yes, Joe is sleeping on the reclining chairs!!!

Sunday morning was spent catching bait fish for the trip back home. Stacy had wisely taken the 10am ferry because she knew there would be some stopping at kelp paddies if she had taken Rob's boat home. As it turns out, at one such stop a very large whale decided to make an appearance right next to Rob's 17ft boat. That is no fish story. Melissa and Liz spent the morning on a 3hr bike ride up and down the hills of Catalina Island that left them a bit exhausted. They recommended Di not try the trip.

The weekend came to an end just as it had started, the boys leaving in Rob's boat. Lots of fun was had by all, the boat could be cleaned and was no worse for the wear. Mom will recover from an evening spent with her sons at The Marlin Club.