The Barracuda

The Barracuda at Christmas Island were a bit of a nuisance, but the were fun to catch nonetheless. Actually, these are oceanic Barracuda, and they can be a real spaz. They cost me quite a bit of rather expensive gear. We didn't use the bite guards until we ran into them, but each time we did that, we'd lose some tackle.
What make these guys fun to catch is they'll put on an aerial display for you.







The following video is of Ken working a Barracuda at the stern of the outrigger.

Wahoo Alley

One day, we decided to take a crack at a place called Wahoo Alley. It's on the southwest side of the Atoll. It is legendary around the world for large numbers of Wahoo. There's just one problem. To get to Wahoo Alley, you need to go over some rough water. What causes that rough water is an abrupt rise in the ocean floor from very deep, up to a shelf around 200 feet deep. The current comes from around the northeast side of the island and whips around it the south side to the west. When that current hits the rise in the ocean floor, it creates a rip - about 15 miles wide. Needless to say, there was no way for us to go around it - so we went through it. The attached video is from before it got really rough, at which point I was more concerned with hanging on than shooting video.



I'm normally up for this kind of thing in a big way, but I must admit - even I got a bit concerned. I probably should have done what Ken did and bring a PFD out there with me too. I could only compare it to that show "The Deadliest Catch". We had this outrigger going over swell tips so high and steep that only the middle of the outrigger was touching water, with the bow and stern completely out of water, and I mean by more than a few feet. My concern was that if you fall in or that pile of planks and ropes comes unraveled, that this current would take you to Australia, and there's nobody to perform a rescue here. In fact, the closest thing is the Coast Guard in Hawaii, some 1400 miles away. That current that causes that rip around the Atoll is downright violent.

Anyway, so after we get through the rough stuff, we started trolling. I got into a few Wahoo, but they broke off, and I later found that the 48 lb wire I was using simply wasn't cutting it - or more precisely - the Wahoo were cutting it. I was dumb for not going to the single-strand 60lb wire I had immediately after the first one cut through. It was fun to have them on for a short time though. They are the second fastest fish in the ocean, next to the Blue Marlin. You have to troll at full throttle to entice these things to strike. Well needless to say, we didn't land any Wahoo, and Ken and I agreed that it probably wasn't worth going through that rip again. I was a bit down after that - I was really up on getting a hoo.

[Ken] If you decide to go to Christmas, bring a PFD! (and a small safety strobe light and a portable VHF radio) I'm glad I did. There are no PFD's on the boat. I debated bringing one or not because it did take up a lot of space. My plan was to leave it with the boat for future clients but I ended up using it to protect some rods in my luggage for the trip home. Our boat did have a VHF radio but it doesn't hurt to have a backup and I really don't know if all the boats/guides have them.

[Ken] Wahoo alley was insane and from what I was told we had hit it on some really rough days even for Christams Island. Would I do Wahoo Alley again? Yep, however, I will compare it to my first visit and if conditions are even close to the last time I am requesting the boat turn around. My seasick pills came in handy.

Back to the states

It was hard to say goodbye to this place. It is unique among the places I've been fishing. On the last afternoon of a trip like this, I'll normally stand out on the beach, grab a handful of sand, and let it run through my fingers as I take a really good look around, just to make sure the image is burned into my mind. It's definitely something I recommend every salty fly to try at least once in his/her lifetime.

[Ken] I agree. Christmas Island was difficult to say goodbye to. I had such an amazing time. I will return. If you have had Christmas Island in the back of your mind for some time now do yourself a favor, move that idea to the front and book now. You will not be disappointed.





The gentleman you see in the blue jacket is a former officer in the UK military. He was on our flight with a film crew from the BBC recording a documentary on the UK nuclear weapons testing on the island in the late 50's. More specifically, he was there to help uncover the lies that the UK was telling about the exposure of their military and the native Gilbertese to radiation during their involvement. I sat next to him on the way back and I have to say this guy is very intelligent, but he also appears to have a personal vendetta going on with the UK government here. As we were taking off, and immediately to the left of the runway about a half mile out, he pointed out what was ground zero for operation Grapple X - an Atomic bomb hoisted with a series of weather balloons in 1959. When we were sitting on the runway waiting to take off, he was telling me about the construction of the runway and how it was built to accommodate the large bombers that were to later transport the nuclear weapons. He pointed out areas around the runway where significant events occurred and he would stop occasionally and stare motionless - almost about to cry.

And of course, that's good old Bud and Bogie in there too - what a bunch of crazy hoots they were.



And we're off to Honolulu, where we catch a short Aloha Airlines flight to Maui for some water sports - Five-O Dude!!

Maui

The following videos have been dubbed over with some appropriate background music - otherwise, you'd be listening to nothing but bubbles or wind.

Some video of the diving I did off of Maui. Unfortunately, I was limited to one day since the doctor in Maui told me not to dive for a few days after we got back from Christmas Island because of the open cuts in my hand. Our dive master was a girl - I think it's obvious which one ;-)



Ahh, those Green Sea turtles that seem to be everywhere in Hawaii. Quite amazing to look at. Some classical Handel and Vivaldi in the background seemed appropriate.



Some colorful reef fish of Maui. The black and yellow fish that looks like the Jamaican flag is called - Humuhumunukunukuapua`a in Hawaiian and is their state fish. It's more commonly known as the Picasso Triggerfish.



A Spotted Eagle ray I saw off the Northwest end of Maui, near the black volcanic rock outcroppings.




Some bright yellow Longnose Butterflyfish we ran into while in Maui.





The picture to the right and the following video were taken from the top of Maui's Haleakala volcano at its 10,000 foot peak. Both of these views are at false dawn into dawn looking down into the cinder crater of the volcano. It was quite peaceful and silent up there. Looking down at the clouds was pretty surreal.




Where to next? Peacock Bass in Amazonian Brazil, Sailfish off of Guatamala, Mongolian Taimen, Giant trout of Kamchatka or Tierra del Fuego - who knows, but stay tuned.