“Go fish” began at the Portland International Airport.
After a long, US Marine-style hike to the farthest gate possible for our bi-annual salve to ease our addiction to the Island of Kauai, via Hawaiian Airlines, we plopped into our seats in the waiting area.
…From which my eyes locked with those of Glen Baisinger, long-time friend (best man at our wedding 52 years ago) and another, Todd Brown.
Both, from the Albany-Corvallis days, were on their way to Christmas Island for a shot at bonefish on a flyrod and would take the same flight to Honolulu, where they would connect on another long flight for a five-day trip to spartan surroundings on a sandy atoll barely long enough for a runway.
…And we would connect with a flight to “The Garden Island,” our happy place, with quiet, spectacular scenery, lots of fishing opportunities and yes, even bonefish.
…Well, on most islands.
Ironically, another close friend, Ron Powell of Oregon City, had just returned from not only a trip to Christmas Island, but capped with several days on the much-less-traveled Hawaiian Island of Molokai, where he not only caught more bonefish, but the largest of his life.
Bonefish are sought with the same passionate perseverance birders reserve for their lifelists.
They’re reportedly the hardest-fighting of all fishes on fly lines, running ill-prepared anglers well into their backing before they can even shout “Oh Sh..”
Bonefish are caught along the shores of most Hawaiian islands.
Ron Powell of Oregon City with a bonefish landed (and released) on the flats off Molokai Island, Hawaii.
Oahu and Molokai offer the best bonefishing, with the largest fish and most remote fishing on Molokai (it’s own challenge to reach by twin-engine, not jet airplanes…all goods are brought to the island by barges).
But while they’re largely the draw for the Christmas Island oasis, there’s oh, so much more to fish for in Hawaii besides wahines.
Unlike Oregon, encumbered by anadromous salmon and steelhead and a long list of endangered species, Hawaii seems like a blessing to tourists and residents alike.
Few endangered rules apply, fishing is free in the ocean for all residents (and was for tourists until last year, with modest one- and seven-day licenses of $20 and $40 enacted) and inexpensive for freshwater fishing for bass, peacock bass and even trout on several islands, Kauai included.
Yes, near the summit of one of the wettest places on earth (Mt. Waialeale; more than an inch or two a day) lies a swamp with waters cool enough to support trout and a June-September fishery.
And on the western slopes of Waimea Canyon, blacktail deer from Oregon stock attract the attention of Kauai hunters.
The surrounding Pacific Ocean abounds in various tuna species and mahi mahi (dorado, “gold”).
The State of Hawaii rewards its anglers – resident and non – with fishing buoys, anchored well offshore to recognize the penchant for ocean critters to seek structure and their predators to seek them.
A note, however.
The buoys are often a haven for mackerel-type tuna (“wavy back”) that fight hard and are fun to catch, but not to eat.
Charters typically get to keep whatever their clients catch – including yellowfin (Ahi) and mahi mahi – to sell to stores for additional income. Usually, you can negotiate with the captain to keep some or all of your fish for a price.
There is even a lobster season for the islands’ most unusual catches, but it’s over for now.
Tourists will find fishing opportunities anywhere they can find a place to cast from a shoreline, most of which are open for fishing.
Ahi tuna (yellowfin) and mahi mahi are sometimes caught from shore where the lava drops quickly.
Royden Kabazawa uses just a small bit if bamboo, some line, a hook and bait to catch fish close to shore in Kauai.
Much of my time there is always spent with Royden Kabazawa, an energetic angler committed to teaching youngsters (and, yes, this oldster) the joys of fishing.
Royden fishes the shoreline and any concrete structure with good lighting.
His specialty is “small fish, big fun.”
Fishing in Hawaii is forbidden in all harbors and boat ramps, but there are plenty of opportunities available on shorelines if there is good enough light to attract the fish, day or night (read, lanterns).
“I just want to pass this along to the kids,” he said. “It doesn’t matter whether they’re from – here or anywhere.”
Sound familiar?
I hope so.
Mahalo (thank you) and Aloha…
