Hope 'N For Wide-Open!

[THE DARKHORSE]

The all too common approach of the internet angler these days (above title). Kind of sad if you asked me, but it is what it is. What happened to just packing your gear and going fishing? Ah yes, the internet---the world-wide web came along and doesn't look to be leaving. Information at your fingertips! You can find just about anything you're looking for with a little help from Google, right? Explore countries you can't afford to visit, re-build that engine in your truck, or maybe recreate those spectacular enchiladas you just ate ate at El Indio (best Mexican food in San Diego---yes, that's my humble opinion---no, I don't want to have a never ending, cyclical conversation, on the internet debating it).

Admittedly, I too, have fallen victim in recent years. Far too many hours have been wasted on the computer. The black-hole of the internet sucked me in---just like the rest of you. In hindsight, I'd like most of those hours back. Just think of how many more fish I could have caught. Or for that matter, waves! I could have written a book, maybe two, or at least kept in shape. I'm of the opinion that, falling into the routine of sitting on the computer is similar eating a dozen donuts everyday. You can do that every once in a while---but, everyday? The end result of either isn't pretty. At least with donuts you'll eventually realize you have a problem, though.

Once you admit to yourself you have a computer-use problem, the healing can begin. Last Spring, I decided to start a new computer-use routine. Which consisted of only using the computer every other day at first. It's a baby-steps approach, with the goal being as little computer use as possible. Unfortunately, my guide service requires daily checks of e-mail---or I would have gone, as they say, cold turkey. The cold turkey approach (ya' know, no computer use at all?), might prove to be a bit too stressful for most of you. So I'd definitely suggest the alternating-days routine to start the weening-off process. And of course, if you already have a perfectly healthy computer-use routine disregard this advice entirely. For those that take my advice, though---you can thank me later. Whether that results in more fish, more waves, or more quality time with your family is up to you.

And since you've read this far---from some guy trying to tell you how to live your' life---in the fishing report forum for Pete's sake! Here's my report: My fishing trip started the day before, like most trips, with laid out plans and gear suggestions to my partner for the day. Like always, I was quite frank and to the point when I told him not to get his hopes up. I said that more than likely we would have the right kind below the boat---at some point during the day, but whether or not they'd be hungry is another story. I gave him the realistic odds of success, however minuscule they might have been. With his recent work schedule, though, there was no way of scaring him off. We were going to go fishing regardless of conditions. Even with the temps dipping into the thirties for our scheduled launched time, yikes! I did offer to do something we hadn't done before, though. A back up plan, which was to visit a couple stones that always produce.


And produce they did! Drag-ripping action? Not exactly. Then again, that's relative since you can set your drag however you want . I caught limits of stocking stuffers. With a few big Ling Cod thrown into the mix, which were released to fight another day.


The happy paddle!


After a couple seconds of paddling I came to my senses and used the pedals, of course. How else would I drink the celebratory, ice-cold beer?