bonneville54
10-06-2008, 08:08 PM
Some time ago, my 85 year old father-in-law invited me along to a trip to Campeche to fish for Baby Tarpon. I quickly accepted and invited another noob, Jeff Wilson, along for the fun.
We prepared - if one could call it that - by having a quick double-haul lesson with Jeff Putnam a couple weeks before we were to depart. It turned out to be a smart move and helped considerably....but darn if those old bad habits don't hang around entirely too long. We overcame the old rota, so to speak, and were able to boat and jump some wonderful fish.
My father-in-law caught the biggest tarpon this trip, a great achievement for a guy his age. He tells me he likes hanging around with us young guys...but quite honestly, he can out cast all of us youngsters. His legs aren't as steady as they used to be, so we stand behind him as he casts from the bow, a kind hand on the small of his back for comfort, the other hand helping with line management. It's a good system and allows him to cast without fear of falling.
Campeche is a wonderful town...safe, with good restaurants and kind residents. We walked about the old walled town and even spent a half day exploring the Mayan ruins at Edzna - highly recommended!
A few pic's...
Jeff boats a beauty
http://bonneville.smugmug.com/photos/384626215_iUT6s-M.jpg
A big guy for Bob
http://bonneville.smugmug.com/photos/388177211_CzAcR-M.jpg
Jump!
http://bonneville.smugmug.com/photos/384652843_68jcw-M.jpg
View of Campeche from our hotel
http://bonneville.smugmug.com/photos/384630136_g3F8X-M.jpg
The Ruins at Edzna
http://bonneville.smugmug.com/photos/384638716_S46bp-M.jpg
We prepared - if one could call it that - by having a quick double-haul lesson with Jeff Putnam a couple weeks before we were to depart. It turned out to be a smart move and helped considerably....but darn if those old bad habits don't hang around entirely too long. We overcame the old rota, so to speak, and were able to boat and jump some wonderful fish.
My father-in-law caught the biggest tarpon this trip, a great achievement for a guy his age. He tells me he likes hanging around with us young guys...but quite honestly, he can out cast all of us youngsters. His legs aren't as steady as they used to be, so we stand behind him as he casts from the bow, a kind hand on the small of his back for comfort, the other hand helping with line management. It's a good system and allows him to cast without fear of falling.
Campeche is a wonderful town...safe, with good restaurants and kind residents. We walked about the old walled town and even spent a half day exploring the Mayan ruins at Edzna - highly recommended!
A few pic's...
Jeff boats a beauty
http://bonneville.smugmug.com/photos/384626215_iUT6s-M.jpg
A big guy for Bob
http://bonneville.smugmug.com/photos/388177211_CzAcR-M.jpg
Jump!
http://bonneville.smugmug.com/photos/384652843_68jcw-M.jpg
View of Campeche from our hotel
http://bonneville.smugmug.com/photos/384630136_g3F8X-M.jpg
The Ruins at Edzna
http://bonneville.smugmug.com/photos/384638716_S46bp-M.jpg