CAYMAN ISLAND FISHING – LIFETIME MEMORY

I had the opportunity to attend a meeting on the GRAND CAYMAN ISLAND. Arriving on the island for the meeting, my immediate thoughts were to see if I could get some fishing in. So I inquired and was given the name of a local captain. I called Captain Chris and he said that he had a 20+ footer that could hold 3 fishermen. I quickly called two co-workers Darren and Phil, and they were in.

FOUR HOUR TOUR

We met Chris early the next morning at a local dock next to a restaurant. Chris was very engaging and out we went. It was stunning to see the water change to variations of blue coloring the further we went out.

Chris had grown up on the island, charter fishing with his father. He went on to work for several other charters until he was able to go into business for himself, buying two boats. He competes in annual fishing tournaments that occur on the island each year. He is very well known and has a loyal following of global fishermen who come to take part in these FISHING tournaments.

So we were on for a “four hour tour” and Chris was moving from place to place looking for fish. He radioed his fellow charter captains and shared thoughts about where the fish may be.

We were into the 2nd hour and I could see that the Captain was anxious. The three of us all came to the same conclusion that even if no fish were caught, just having the experience of exploring the waters around this beautiful island was enough. At some point Chris said he needed petri and recommended a place that was good.

 

FOLLOW THE BIRDS TO THE FISH!

Back out on the water Chris kept his eyes on the horizon. I asked what he was looking for and he said birds. Chris explained that the birds follow the schools of large fish and when they locate baitfish, the baitfish go into a frenzy as the big fish come up beneath them forcing them to go airborne to escape the underwater attack only to be captured from the birds above.

So now into the 3rd hour, Chris is gunning the engine and looking over the horizon towards something that I could not see. But there they were, birds! Other boats were closing in fast. Chris quickly hooked the small flying fish he had caught earlier.

Slowly circling around where the birds were for a few minutes, which felt like hours, it happen, the line tighten and on the horizon a beautiful rainbow colored fish erupted from the sea. Quickly locking into the chair, I was into an intense fight. Chris instructed me to lean the pole down and pull back to take in line. I have caught what I considered decent size fish in the past, but this one had to be 100 yards out and was not intent on coming in.

Both Darren and Phil took a turn in the fight seat. Finally with pole in hand, I could see the fish nearing the boat. Keeping the line taunt, Chris had the graft hook in hand and all of a sudden there was MAGIC everywhere!

The smiles and high five flowed freely and the 4 of us established an eternal bond on that 20 footer in the CARIBBEAN.

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THE BEST IS YET TO COME

How could this day get any better? Well, once we got back to the dock, Captain Chris filleted the fish in front of an admiring group of tourists as we looked on like proud kids who just won their first spelling bee.

Chris gave most of the fish to the restaurant’s chef and may have kept a filet for himself. The remainder was to be used by the chef to prepare our meals and offered as the “catch of the day” on the menu.

It has become one of my fondest memories, recalling sitting there on this beautiful Island, enjoying the meal and listening to Phil respond to some patrons inquiring whether the menu’s “catch of the day” was fresh, saying that it could not get much fresher, because that person sitting over there with the big smile, caught it a few hours earlier.

Remember….

“Get out to get in”