| I really didn't need a cup of coffee. Yet I find myself | | | | only productive and exciting but quite inexpensive as |
| here, at Starbucks, across the University of Seattle, | | | | well. |
| with coffee in hand wondering if there's anything fun | | | | Pick up a book about Hawaii fishing and add to that a |
| that can come out of today. | | | | visit to the local fish markets and fishing supply stores |
| It seems ironic that we left the "high-eighties" in Hawaii | | | | to learn about the edible fish and which to expect in |
| thinking we were headed to the cooler, maybe even | | | | different types of waters. |
| rainy, Pacific northwest! Instead we are greeted by | | | | Spearfishing |
| temperatures that made what we left seem cool! With | | | | If you've developed some proficiency snorkeling or |
| some time to kill while the students I accompanied here | | | | diving, visit any of a number of "mom & pop" |
| attend their workshops, it would seem a great | | | | fishing supply stores on the islands and ask them to |
| opportunity to break away and enjoy the city. Seattle | | | | show you a "Hawaiian sling," a simple inexpensive |
| is a wonderful place and the quick drive into town | | | | spear with a rubber tube that's probably the most |
| from the airport last night reinforced my appreciation | | | | popular piece of hardware for catching fish in Hawaii! |
| for the impressive architecture, the exciting waterfront, | | | | Many of us local enthusiasts started out with these |
| the greenery, and overall charm which I've admired on | | | | simple spears and continue using them today! |
| this and each of my two prior visits. | | | | Pole-fishing |
| Today, I am in a different mood. It may be that the | | | | If you prefer fishing from the shore, you'll find Hawaii's |
| heat is intense enough to make any sightseeing pursuit | | | | coastlines offer a range of different conditions for a |
| more a feat of endurance than a pleasant pastime. Or | | | | variety of fishing techniques ranging from a simple |
| perhaps I realize that anything that seems exciting...like | | | | hand-pole to the most sophisticated fly- and |
| the run out to Tillicum Village, or exploring the shores of | | | | surf-casting! The small size of the islands make it |
| Puget Sound or Lake Washington would only make | | | | possible to spend a day or two looking for possible |
| we wish I had my fishing gear to really enjoy being | | | | fishing spots on one day, talking to fishing supply |
| here. But then, even if I did have my gear, I know | | | | people and those you come across on the beaches... |
| neither where to go nor what to do to in these waters | | | | then going it on your own the next day! Before you |
| that are completely foreign to me! | | | | realize it you've already enjoyed yourself touring the |
| So, I sit here in Starbucks, where the air-conditioned | | | | island... meeting island folks with whom you share a |
| comfort seems more pleasant than anything else I can | | | | common love... and you haven't blown a load of money |
| think of doing today. My thoughts drift back to my part | | | | trying to entertain yourself! |
| of the world, Hawaii. I can't help but wonder how many | | | | If you're looking to cut the learning curve, there are a |
| visitors to the islands are feeling this same, "it's nice to | | | | couple of shorefishing guides that can take you out for |
| be here but I'd really be just as happy fishing back at | | | | a day and provide you with a sufficient background in |
| home!" I also wonder how many, like me, go through | | | | that time to enable you to go it on your own the rest |
| the tourist "must-dos" and bypass fishing altogether | | | | of your vacation while feeling quite confident about |
| because Hawaii beaches, while great for tanning and | | | | what you're doing. |
| swimming, seem just a bit too "foreign" to them! | | | | Kayak Fishing |
| For the fishing Mecca that Hawaii is, relatively few will | | | | Fast becoming a sport unto itself, kayak fishing has |
| do some serious fishing outside of the pricey options | | | | become a venue for those with limited budgets and/or |
| that grace the tourist publications that are literally | | | | the desire to pursue an exhilarating form of fishing. |
| everywhere you turn. Certainly, we'd all love to charter | | | | Hawaii kayak fishermen are regularly boating such |
| a sport fishing boat, but how many of us have the | | | | sport fish as amberjacks, tuna, dolphin-fish, wahoo, and |
| budget to do something like that more than once or | | | | more as well as smaller reef game fish that are |
| twice? Most will agree that a day of fishing does not a | | | | equally enjoyable cooked up! |
| vacation make. But a week or more spent doing our | | | | Of course it'll take a bit more planning to set-up your |
| favorite activity in a new and promising environment | | | | equipment and plans for some serious kayak fishing |
| could very well be the closest thing to heaven | | | | but if it sounds appealing to you now, you might not |
| imaginable. | | | | want to do anything else during your entire stay. |
| So how do you begin to prepare for a Hawaii fishing | | | | Everyone who's done it will attest that landing a |
| vacation? Read on, it might be simpler, more enjoyable, | | | | decent-sized fish on a kayak is an experience to |
| and less expensive than you think! | | | | which one can easily become addicted! |
| Get A Home Base | | | | A Permanent Trophy |
| Looking at a condo or vacation rental home rather | | | | In the very possible event you land a fish worthy of |
| than a hotel room is a great start to setting yourself up | | | | permanent display, look into some of the local gyotaku |
| for a serious island fishing. Aside from offering kitchen | | | | artists. Here is a process where an imprint of your fish |
| facilities and more space, condos or vacation rental | | | | is made by applying a non-toxic paint to your fish then |
| homes come at a relatively lower cost than equivalent | | | | using the "painted" fish to imprint its image onto a piece |
| hotel rooms. And while the price of a rental might | | | | of cloth. It's an old Japanese method serving the same |
| initially seem out of range, the actual number of people | | | | function as taxidermy which allows for the fish to be |
| that can be accommodated in these units and the | | | | eaten. Yes, you can forever display your fish and eat |
| ability to prepare your own meals will result in an | | | | it, too! |
| overall decrease in your daily expenses. | | | | Just as it is fishing back at home, nothing can |
| What's more, condos and vacation rentals will allow | | | | guarantee you'll catch what you're fishing for. But I'm |
| you the full impact of your fishing vacation for you'll | | | | confident that the time you spend planning for a Hawaii |
| find, in Hawaii, the fishing experience goes far beyond | | | | fishing vacation will be as enjoyable as any itinerary |
| the catch. If you've ever enjoyed the many and varied | | | | you've ever prepared and the subsequent trip might |
| ways that fish is prepared in the islands, you'll know | | | | just be the paradise you were really looking for! |
| that enjoying your catch at the table is as much a part | | | | Yes... a Hawaii fishing vacation. Give it some thought |
| of fishing as is the fight! The opportunity to experiment | | | | because the possibilities are endless. I could go on |
| with different local recipes will enhance your vacation | | | | forever but, perhaps, I can share more later. Right now, |
| experience and the ability to wow your friends back | | | | I think I'll head down to the waterfront and find out |
| home with some exotic (many quite simple, too!) dishes | | | | what folks are catching on Puget Sound! |
| you've learned to prepare will probably be the most | | | | **************** |
| treasured souvenir of your entire vacation! | | | | The author, Richard Young, is the creator of |
| Try Some Local Fishing Techniques... | | | | Hawaiibeachcombers.com, a website about Hawaii |
| We could spend hours and not scratch the surface of | | | | beaches which includes Hawaii shore fishing, kayak |
| fishing in Hawaii. But one or two days of purposeful | | | | fishing, snorkeling and diving, and freshwater fishing |
| (and genuinely interesting) investigation can get you | | | | along with other ocean-related activities. |
| ready for some serious fishing fun in Hawaii that is not | | | | |