Families!
I’ve got good news and bad news. The good news is that you all get to see your kiddos again today. The bad news is that our No Name Lodge trip in beautiful Puerto Rico has come to an end. The final two days have been full of tarpon. One morning our fishing start time was pushed back due to poor weather in the morning. We filled the extra time with catching up on sleep with some naps and enthusiastic cheering as we watched some Olympic events live. Once 9am rolled around, we loaded up in the trucks and got to the boat ramp. By the time we were at our first spot, the tarpon were rolling everywhere. Their silvery, shimmering heads poking through the water to be soon followed by their massive tails. Rods were bending over one after the next. All four boats were in a line and were hooked up!
This was one of my favorite memories of the trip in seeing the line of boats with acrobatic tarpon jumping sporadically around them. The hoots and hollers from the kids and guides jumped across the water with the fish. At one point one boat was hooked up to three huge tarpon at once -- even the captains got to get involved! Our patience for a weather window paid off as the fishing continued to be stellar throughout the day. It’s days of fishing like these that we will take with us to tell our kids about the good ole days of fishing.
Back at the lodge we took care of ourselves with some cat naps and showers. Afterwards we hit the town of Boqueron for a bite to eat. Cumbia and reggaeton echoed through the streets as restaurants and bars blasted their favorite music. We watched the sun fall over the ocean on a dock as we snapped some group photos. The beachfront small town was lively and a joy to walk around. We stopped into a pizza spot for dinner to enjoy a meal with eachother. Our food comas acted as prerequisites for our deep sleeps as we crashed from an epic day of fishing.
With an early wake up behind us, the guys ate a quick breakfast and had the joy of fishing pristine trophy water for saltwater fish on the fly for the 5th consecutive day. It is cool to witness how each kid has grown their skills as fisherman and as individuals. Some were completely new to casting and were looking like seasoned pros by the last day. This fishery is technical and takes a lot of great fisherman. Fortunately for the guides and me, our group was full of them. Our final day consisted of tarpon exploding on our flies in the mangrove overhangs, deep shelves, and seaweed lines. The boys were pros by the end of the trip at hooking, fighting, and landing this challenging fish that is only expected to have a 10% hookup to landing ratio.
It was bittersweet to end our final day fishing at No Name Lodge. For most of the gang, this trip was their first time catching tarpon before. They all seriously crushed it! After our final day of fishing, we loaded up in the trucks with the guides to head to our banquet dinner. Finishing our trip with a ceremonial dinner with the guide group that has given the group so much felt very full circle. We enjoyed eachother’s company and delicious bbq done Puerto Rican style. Back at the house for our final night, we ended our last evening circle, did some laundry, reflected on the day, and reminisced on some of our favorite moments.
With having an older group of participants, I greatly appreciated the intelligence, maturity, and commitment that each camper demonstrated. It made my work easier and helped our group get along in a memorable way. For several kids, this will be the final trip they will do as campers after starting these trips early in middle school. Others, have several years of trips ahead of them. Regardless, I hope to see each and every one of you again next year as either campers on trips or moving into a guiding role for the company. I really had a special time with this group on this trip in Puerto Rico. I wish all of you the best for the each of your summers and the upcoming fall when school starts back up for you all. Thanks for a memorable time! Until next time -- tight lines and good times.
~ Jack and the Puerto Rico gang
