Fishing, Fishing, and a really good hot dog

Aloha and Happy Easter from Kauai! Since last post, I had the opportunity to go on a few fishing trips with some friends from work.

The first outing was a Bass Fishing trip on a large reservoir/lake, which was formerly used for the once booming sugar industry on the island, and now exists as the largest body of fresh water in all of Hawaii and a great spot for Bass Fishing.  I went out with my co-worker and friend Charlie, who owns his own boat at his home in Maine and is an avid bass fisherman.  I myself have never really been bass fishing, and I didn’t really realize how different it was from the salt water fishing I’m used to.  I must have casted a couple hundred times, learning a few different techniques with a couple different kinds of lures.  It was a gorgeous and sunny day on the lake, and very tranquil, probably because we were the only boat on the lake.  This is because the reservoir is privately owned, and only one company has the license to fish it.  One of the major attractions to fishing on this reservoir is the chance to catch peacock bass, which are beautiful fish that actuallyhave a spot on their tail fin that resembles the eyes on a peacock's tail feathers.  Needless to say, Charlie was quite excited when he hauled on in, giving it a nice juicy kiss on the lips.

The second outing was a Deep Sea Fishing trip with three other coworkers – Ed, Don, and John.  We went out with Captain Andy and First Mate Jeff, on a small outrigger that allowed us to troll with seven lines at once.  Deep Sea Fishing in Hawaii offers the opportunity to catch all sorts of fish, including Mahi Mahi, Ahi Tuna, and Marlin to name a few.   We happened to be getting lucky with the Mahi Mahi, and were able to haul in three, with a fourth jumping off the hook at the last possible moment.  These fish definitely required a lot more work to reel in than the flounder and sea bass that I’m used to.  After taking a few pictures back at the dock, the Captain filleted one whole Mahi Mahi for us, which we enjoyed the next day for a nice Easter supper.  Ed’s wife, Ling, cooked the fish just right.  Eating at Ed and Ling’s reminded me of eating at my Grandma’s, in the sense that even though fish was the main dish, there were or eight or so other dishes to go with it…

Besides the fresh Mahi Mahi, I had a few other memorable meals over the past few weeks.  The first was at a Tapas bar called Josselin’s, where our Program Manager Rich took the whole team to celebrate the “end” of our Test Program a few weeks ago.  From spinach raviolis, to lamb meatballs, to pork belly, every dish throughout the family style dinner was delicious, and well complimented by their sangria.  But the meal of the week is going to the hotdog from a little food cart called Porky’s: 100% beef hotdog, served up on a toasted French roll, topped with diced onions, sweet pineapple relish, KALUA PORK, and famous Porky’s spicy sauce.

Only a few weeks left in Hawaii, as I’ll be back in NJ on May 15.  But I have a few more exciting adventures planned over the next few weekends, so stay tuned! And as always, Mahalo for reading!