Sep

4

Prey, from Jim Sogi

September 4, 2007 |

AkuHanai O Kalama is the name of my friend's new ultimate turbodiesel fishing/surfing expedition boat. Hanai O Kalama refers to the new crescent moon. The two horns point south and are a valuable navigation tool when at sea. This weekend we trolled out on the grounds dragging some big lures for big game. At "The Grounds" the deep ocean currents hit the corner of the island underwater and push up cold, nutrient-rich water. Birds and small bait fish gather there. We watch the birds. The birds lead to the bait fish. Soon we are surrounds by acres of jumping feeding fish, splashing water and hundreds of birds swirling around. The birds indicate where the fish were. We went there. The fish dove. The birds sat. Three times, then we realized our lures were too big. Adapting to conditions, we switched down to small lures and light tackle. Watching the birds, I realized that they would sit and move slowly until the fish came up. Taking the birds' cue, I slowed the boat, matching the speed of the schools of fish. Soon we were catching double hookups and the fish fought and jumped in flashes of silver and blue, fighting and diving, bending the rod.

A few ideas here. There are deep underwater currents that can't be seen, but exert powerful forces at the surface. It's good to know the underwater geography as well as the shore and the motion of large currents. Sometimes the waves are huge and, if they hit the current wrong, can capsize the boat. Second, the predator need not look directly to the ultimate prey, but can look indirectly at two or three levels of predators above and infer where the prey might be. In this case we look for the birds who prey on the little fish under which big predators lurk. So it is important to watch the birds and little fish, even when you are a predator seeking big game. Third, timing is important. Be there when the fish are, when they are eating, and when the current is there. Have the right equipment. Adapt to conditions. See the thing you can't see. True in the ocean; true in the markets.

To barbecue the Aku, which are skipjack tuna, we land on shore. We had briquettes ready. We found an old rusty grille, banged off the rust. The fish are scaled, cleaned, and sliced in ¾ deep slices vertically along the length of the fish. In the slices, rub rock salt and pepper. Throw on the grille until cooked. A delicious delicacy. We had the potato salad already made. S'mores for desert with Degobas chocolate. Soon, the stars and Milky Way filled the sky. Shooting stars streaked by. By the time the moon rose, everyone was fast asleep in the rocking boats as small waves lapped on shore.


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