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Catching Santa and the Spirit.
by Captain Jack
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Surfing Santa and Captain Jack discuss the merits of longboard fishing. |
Well mates, ya needs to be a sitting down to hear what I will be telling ya, from what happen whil'st fishing on the Hermosa Pier.
Captain Jack, here, likes to rise wit the sun. I'm down at the now open for fishing Hermosa Pier soaking a bisket in a cup of java. When what to me eyes do appear, Santa and all of his little Raindeer. There's Donner, Blitzen, Cupid and the Boys. His ‘57 Woody was filled to the brim wit toys.
He was parked at the Mermaid, not a bad place to drink and eat. This red-suited fella was so jolly and sweet, saying howdy to all on The Strand he would meet. Now, this wern't no ordinary Santa I tell ya me friend. Cause this Santa was sporting a red ET Surfboard wit sleek speedy fins and a Christmas red wetsuit from Body Glove. Over the berms by the lifeguard tower and all, he slid down the sand to the beach, the waves they did call.
He paddled out on the north side of the pier and sat in the line up; the sight of that elf on a board was so queer. When next to me, a voice, the editor of a newspaper I'm told, sez, "Hey, Captain Jack this is the Hermosa of old. This is where Greg, Dewey and Drew, Donald, Mike, Hap, and Phil would paddle out for a few. Fourteenth Street would be smokin; the pier was on fire! That's why Santa comes here for a wave to retire."
Just at that moment, Santa turns around, and drops in, hits the bottom, makes a drop knee backside turn, flashing a grin. Off the lip, to the nose, a hang five and then a ten, kicks out, paddles out, then does it again and again. I tell ya me mates, was a wonderful sight as Santa went in on that last wave, turn and sez, "Merry Christmas to all and to all a Good Night!!! Aargg Sez the Captain!!!
Now Mates, this ain't the half of it. I here tell that if'in ya catch Santa he has to give you a Christmas wish to come true. So's I hot foot it into Pete's Just Fishing and borrow a rod, reel and a #6 Salas jig. Whil'st Santa were still out in the surf line, I cast that jig behind him and slowly run it up rite in his hiney. Wham! That red suited herring starts fighting like a 300lb tuna. It took me a while. Folks were yelling and screeming, "Let Him Go!" I sez, "Not till I gets me wish!" Wit a blink of his eye and a touch to his nose, Santa standing rite next to me wit a hole in his hose. "Hey Jack," Santa sez, you didn't have to go that far. And, thanks for shaving off the barbs on that hook. Now, lets go up to my car. There has to be som'tin for a mad fisherman here. Some Owner hooks, new pee line, or a bucket of beer."
I sez, Yep, Santa. But not in the back of yer car all filled wit them toys. It's out on the water wit all of the Boys. The City of Redondo, The Sea Spray and Special, sitting on a Halibut hole at the rail of a vessel. Some suds in one hand and a rod in the other, visons of Christmas past and the thought of me dear sweet mudder.
It's a big fish that's I need. Bigger than them all. That's what I need, Santa. So give it yer all."
"So Jack," Santa sez, "You shall have it. Now close yer eyes and think of yer darling. And, when you open those peepers, you'll have yer Marlin.
Just as he said. And, he was gone with the clock, but, I have me fish along side whil'st I stand on the dock. A 1,000 pounder; what a gift for a guy. I tell you no tails and I tell you no lie. So, if'in Santa you do not believe take a look at me picture and give it a squeeze. Close yer eyes maties, lads and the lass. Forget about all of the Christmas passed. It's Santa, I tell ya. He really is reel. All you have to do is allow yer mind to feel. Feel the sprit of Christmas, the warmth of yer love and look to the heavens for the answer above. "AArg Mates. Have a very Merry," Sez the Captain. ER