It was one of those mornings that just felt good. It felt right. You had the strange feeling that you were in one of those fishing shows you see on “The Wild World of Sports.” It’s nippy but not cold. The cool early morning air mixes with the smell and sweet salty taste of the smooth water known as The Sea of Cortez.

Today we’re fishing  with Alex Herrera owner of Azteca Fishing Tours. They were just voted 2009 Best Fishing Tour Co. in San Felipe, B.C.

Before we ever leave the ramp area I watch Alex as he does a complete inventory of the safety equipment. All life jackets, fire extinguishers etc. are accounted for in good working order and in place. I look over at Harrison my nine year old grandson. He’s my fishing partner today. I’m not sure which one of us is more excited! Probably Grandpa. He says “Hey Grandpa, are we almost ready to go?” I tell him what our guide Alex is doing and the importance of the safety checks. Then Alex takes extra care and time explaining to both of us what to expect once we launch and the location of all the safety items. This whole process only takes a couple of minutes. When I consider the precious cargo I have at my side, well, time was not an issue. This is something people will never see if they hire a local so called fishing guide from the beach at The Malecon. Trust me on this. Been there done that!! Safety is not high on their list of priorities.

The boat is launched and we were on our way out of the harbor. The smooth waters are disturbed only briefly by the small wake of other fishing boats coming and going. You look at these hardy bunch of water cowboys and realize that you are in a world that is owned by these men. Bought and paid for via their heritage. The lines on their experienced faces tell of good times and bad. Full boats and empty lines. You feel honored to be a part albeit a small part of this world.

Harrison asks “where are we going?” Alex points almost straight east toward a big white rock. He tells Harrison that it’s an island. Actually, several large craggy rock formations. Pulling his GPS out of the box he shows us how GPS is used to mark certain locations that have proven positive for different types of fish. Deeper waters for these fish, shallower for these. Wow Harrison says “this is pretty scientific!! Cool!” Alex knows he’s made some points here. Being called cool by a youngster is a major deal!!

Moving at what seemed to be twenty or twenty five miles per hour we feel the cool salt air mixed with a few sprays of water as we cut like a knife toward our target. The look on Harrison’s face is beyond what I can convey in mere words. A look of wonder and excitement. Everlasting memories are being made here. All the Disneyland Parks in the world are taking a back seat to the here and now! “Wow, this is so cool Granpa! I love this!” More important words may never meet these ears again!

About twenty five or so miles out, we arrive at the ever elusive white rocks. They are so majestic when seen up close. Seals and Pelicans. Sea gulls and other water fowl. We can hear the water lapping up on the side of the boat as we idle to a stop very near one of the rocks.

We drop anchor and Alex gets the rigging ready for us start our day of fishing. He explains that we are stopped just short of where birds are in a feeding frenzy. He says he thinks if we slowly troll through that area we might catch a nice Sierra. In a matter of minutes the rigging is in our hands and we are moving towards the feeding birds. Alex explains that when one of these fish hit your line you will know it. He said yell out and he’ll stop the boat so we can reel it in. “Don’t give them any slack cause they’ll spit the hook out” He yells. Just at that moment my rod almost bends in two. My first thought is thank goodness this is his equipment. Mine would have been destroyed by the mere torque I’m applying to the reel crank. The boat stops. I keep reeling closer and closer. Harrison’s eyes are the size of small saucers!! Alex tells Harrison to reel his in as fast as he can so that it doesn’t get tangled with mine. I suddenly think that the only way this could be better is if Harrison had caught the first fish of the day. I look over and Harrison is cranking the reel as fast as he can. Suddenly it’s like a submarine snagged his line. The drag is whining in pain. He’s holding on to the reel and rod as tight as he can. A look of fear and surprise is replaced by a look of focus and determination. Alex asked if he needed help. “Nope I got it!!!” He said. Suddenly as quickly as it hit, my fish was gone. Good I thought! Now it’s all about Harrison. A few short prayers were said under tired breaths while cranking and cranking. Finally, there it is. Twenty feet out. Then ten feet out. “Keep reeling Harrison” we bark. Alex pulls a gaff from somewhere in the boat. I remember thinking I had never seen that thing before. It must have been hidden in plain sight. A seal is chasing the monster Sierra fish. Alex reaches down with one perfect lunge and snatches the fish out of the water. I grab the net. In the boat he comes. A beautiful four foot long Sierra. Harrison has just gone from being a little kid of nine to an experienced young man with life lessons well beyond his years.

We caught several fish that wonderful day. Seems like it was one of those perfect settings where all the planets and stars lined up just so. Both Harrison and I learned a lot about fishing, boating and the beautiful Sea of Cortez. We enjoyed a great lunch and laughed. We told stories about each other. Some were even true!

This was a day to remember. A day full of the simple pleasures of life and the enjoyment of just being together.

We were best friends sharing, Not Just a Good Day Fishing.