Home » Archives » September 2007 » A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Pesky ...
[Previous entry: "Veggie-Style Eye Candy"] [Next entry: "Think Twice Before You Charter ..."]
09/24/2007: "A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Pesky ..."
It's Monday morning, and I know what you're thinking ...
"I gotta get to the MarlinBlog and read about the craziness at the Pesky!
Man, have I got bad news for you ...
Let me start by saying that my father, who leads Team HOOKER, has a half-century of experience on the waters of SoCal. I've learned over the years that if he has an opinion on things regarding the offshore waters, I should listen.
The plan was to attend the Pesky kickoff on Wednesday and do my part by helping to stuff the buckets ... er, traps ... and then be on the boat first thing Friday morning to head offshore. My brother was on business travel and had to fly in Thursday night from Baltimore, so I agreed to head down to the boat with him late Thursday / early Friday after he arrived. Thursday night I took a brisk late-night walk with my friend Anna, then met up with my brother and headed to the boat. We sacked out around 1, confidant that the alarm - or the main engines - would be waking us in just a couple of hours.
Another preface ... we all heard the stories of the big winter storm that was bearing down on SoCal for the last weekend of summer. It was going to be packing lots of rain, thunder, and the possibility of waterspouts. Considering the tourney theme of "Deadliest Catch", it seemed pretty appropriate. But it was worrysome enough that several of the smaller boats had pulled out of the event by the time the Wednesday kickoff arrived. As we arrived at the boat, however, there wasn't even a puff of breeze.
Back to the boat. Friday morning, I awake to full sunlight ... and no engine noise. Hmm ... even in my half-awake state I realize something's wrong. I roll out of the rack to find that we've opted to stay in port for Day One of the tourney, based on the weather reports. Disappointing to be sure, but you don't want to mess with Mother Nature. The decision is made to regroup on Saturday for Day Two - the final fishing day and the banquet.
I head home and was just starting to wonder how I should spend my Friday when I get a call - the weather reports don't look any better and we're going to pass on Day 2 as well.
Noooooo!
The reality of the situation was crashing around me. I've fished every year of the Pesky, and that's a source of pride for me. I also need to cover the event, both for the Fishing News and this very blog entry. Beyond that, there's the enjoyment factor. It's probably an indication of just how pathetic my social life is, but this is one of the few times each year that I actually get out and mingle with people like a normal human being, and now that's not going to happen. Damn ... 
Several folks within the fleet graciously offered me a ride for Day 2, were I able to get to Avalon by Saturday morning, but sometimes you have to support the team and team decisions even if you don't like them (see "50 years of experience", above ...). So, instead of pulling on marlin, I spent the weekend sanding door frames - nothing guite like manual labor to work off that frustration ... 
At this point, I don't even know who won the event. I know that three or four fish were caught, and that the weather, while rugged, was for the most part survivable. Apparently, the fleet did get their collective asses kicked Friday night in Avalon - an inch of rain caused mudslides in the burn zone above Avalon, and the water dirtied up so much that everyone's bait was killed. But the sun was shining by the time the awards BBQ happened at Descanso Beach - and it never rains at the Marlin Club.
I guess there's always next year ... 
