Meanwhile, over the horizon. Out of nowhere it raced for the surface for
an amazing rally of jumps, all too close to the kayaks. Jim and Lisa were in kayaks near mine, and things became a little too intense as the confused and unpredictable marlin darted about erratically. Several times it was right under my kayak, and the line would just go limp. Te only way line goes limp is if the fish is coming straight up. On a prior jump it had landed too close, turned right at me, and started charging. Common sense has to take over at some point, and it was then deter- mined that this fish would not be handled. I had no intention of keeping it. I didn’t want it in my lap. Action shots are always superior to death shots, and it was clear that this chapter in my fishing career was near its end. It was only feet away, and wanting the fish
to stay in its rightful home, I tightened down the drag to the point where I knew the line would break. Te sound of the snapping line was a relief, and I knew I could safely answer the question I always ask myself: Did the fish get the best of me? I can honesly answer no, it didn’t. Te blue marlin was estimated at 250
pounds, and the striper at 110. I mention this only because, as Toreau wrote long ago, a fish’s weight is oſten its only claim to fame. But any fish is worth so much more, and this whole trip was about so much more than fishing. Friends, relaxation, a great location, and plenty of great food and drinks made for yet another unforgettable experience the kayak has afforded. As I’ve been fortunate to ask myself so many times before, where do you go from here? HOWARD McKIM owns the Ketchikan Kayak Company in Ketchikan, Alaska.
Dinver and Dave search for a good fishing spot in Charleston, NC. ©Bryan Smith
A Fisherman’s Best Friend
CHINOOK PFD
Storage, convenience and safety all in one!
See it online at
nrsweb.com/chinook along with our growing line of fi shing apparel and gear.
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