DAN SIMMONS Sportsman's Quest MORE COLUMNS Advertisement

I had just returned from a successful fishing trip with San Diego's H&M Landing when I received a call from its manager, Rick Marin.

"Hey Dan, are you missing something?" he asked. I wasn't aware that I'd left anything behind until he described my expensive new Shimano rod and reel. It was a bit heavy for what we were going after so I left it in their office; he said he would keep it for me until the next trip.

Next trip? I hadn't thought of that; this was an excellent excuse (Aah, reason) to head back down for some more sea time.

As a matter of fact my partner, Ol' Seldom's wife, Blondie, had been reminding me that I owed her a trip. I suggested we take Ol' Seldom with us and got "the look" as she rolled her eyes. We all know what that means and in this case I got the message.

This was going to be her first deep sea fishing trip. You'll all remember from previous articles, Blondie is a skilled fisherperson and Ol' Seldom always tries to give her "advanced lessons," but when a good fish is on, it's by demonstration.

They have been hunting and freshwater fishing together for years, and truth be told she out fishes him half the time. Nope, this was going to be her trip and I was going to pay my debt for many years of great home, and camp, cooking. Besides, I didn't mind accepting her offer to help drive to San Diego.

So it was all set. She showed up early the next morning, her perfectly manicured nails even had little pictures and designs on them, and her overnight bag was the size of my old Roy Roger's lunch box.

It fit nicely beside my steamer trunk. You see, I always go prepared, extra rods, reels, lures, a three piece suit (in case a dinner invitation is offered), snow shoes, sleeping bag and a cast iron fry pan in case we get stuck somewhere.

Remember. I'm from the Far North and habits are hard to break. And we were off.

We decided to take one of the half-day boats to the Point Loma kelp beds on this first trip and try for a variety of fish. They had been catching bonito, aheephead, ling cod, white sea bass, and even the odd yellow tail tuna. This sounded just about right.

It didn't take her long to get started. Her first bait didn't reach the bottom when the skipper, Tim Green, interrupted as I was getting her a bagel with cream cheese, and my first cup of coffee, shouting, "Blondie has a fish!" Then the tug of war began. She had the rod pointed at the water's surface, as if to spear the fish if it appeared. I'm not sure if she, or the fish, had the advantage.

With the help of Tim she managed to adjust the reel's drag and bring the rod tip up to a proper position. She then fought the fish like an old pro, and as it surfaced she was excited to see that a tuna had been hooked.

Not wanting to wait for the gaff, and the possibility it would throw the hook, she heaved it up and over the side, bounced it off the boat's cabin, hitting one of her fellow anglers in the chest -- no harm done. She had her first ocean fish.

Following that there were a couple more hits and, as often happens, a few crossed or tangled lines -- not a problem, I was there to help.

As I took her rod to untangle the line and replace the rig with a nice dropper loop, she used my new Shimano Trinidad with balanced rod and 20-pound test line, terminating in a frisky anchovy live bait -- another fish. And then another.

She wouldn't relinquish her (my) "lucky rod" until she became entangled once again as the fish tried to tie knots in several other anglers' lines. I was back in the re-rigging business as she continued to catch fish on her new line.

This went great until the sea lions arrived and we began catching fish heads; the fish would be bitten in half while still on the line and being brought in.

I couldn't even get a live bait to the bottom without it being stolen. I have to admit, it was discouraging, but at the same time exciting to watch these sea lions, weighing several hundred pounds, flying and tumbling through the waters alongside the boat.

That ended our day and on the way back, as the fish were being cleaned, she hadn't even broken a fingernail. But it did appear she had grown a few fish scales on her cheeks; the fish, and scales, had been flying.

We were met by my friend, Phil Lowbred, owner of H & M Landing, and his manager, Rick. They're always happy to see an excited first-time fisherman. Blondie responded, "I caught three fish, and an addiction." She was hooked on this exciting sport.

Phil invited her to "Come back anytime, and you can even bring Dan with you." I interjected, "Wait a minute, I'm your longtime friend." "Yeah," he said," but she added to the fish count."

Yes, that's right, I got skunked and wouldn't have mentioned it now, but it likely will end up on the local news, knowing her and our local newscaster.

Blondie can't wait for her next trip. Perhaps she'll take me with her again, I deliver bagels and untangle lines like a pro.

For more information on H&M Landing call Rick at (619) 222-1144, or go to www.hmlanding.com.

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If you have an adventure, a story or a comment give me a call at 727-9777 or e-mail me at dansimmons@usa.net.

Events

The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation's Great Elk Tour can be seen at its annual banquet Nov. 22. The Great Elk Tour is the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation's premier traveling conservation exhibit.

This year, it will be showcasing all new mounts of the largest and most unique bull elk in the world. The Great Elk Tour is a must see for hunters and wildlife enthusiasts.

* The Mount Charleston Chapter is holding its annual banquet Nov. 22 at Mountain Falls. Doors open at 4:30 p.m.

Tickets are $40 per person, granting you access not only to the Great Elk Tour, but also to the local Rocky Mt. Elk Foundation's Big Game Banquet.

Save the date and don't miss this great event. For more information call Tracie Dreyer at 775-209-6750.

* The Safari Club International Desert-Las Vegas Chapter banquet will be held Jan. 17, at the Rio Convention Pavilion. For more information call Dave Small at 702-383-0321.

* The fifth Annual Grand Slam Club/Ovis Hunter and Outfitter Convention is Feb.18 - 21, at Bally's Las Vegas. There will be exhibits, auctions, seminars and hunts. For more information go to www.wildsheep.org.

Recipe

Blondie dedicated this recipe to Tim Green skipper of the Premier, It's one of Ol' Seldom's new favorites, he just has trouble choosing between the tequila, rum or vodka, so he adds all three and has a taste of each as he cooks.

I wouldn't advise this. Blondie's use of tequila is excellent, but spiced rum is also good. Grilled or broiled, this is one of my new favorites too, and it tastes a lot better than sea lion.

Blondie's Premier Tuna

Six 8-oz tuna steaks; 1/4 cup tequila, rum or vodka; 1/4 cup lime juice; 2 tsp brown sugar; 1 tsp salt; 1 tsp black pepper; 1/4 cup olive oil; 3 cloves garlic, minced; 2 shallots, mined; 1 tsp minced fresh ginger; 3 Tbsp chopped cilantro;

Combine tequila or other liquor, lime juice, brown sugar, salt and pepper, stir until sugar and salt are dissolved; add olive oil, garlic, shallots, ginger and cilantro; place tuna steaks in marinade and refrigerate for at least two hours; remove tuna from marinade and grill over medium heat for 3 minutes per side; serve with lime wedges, cilantro rice and your favorite beverage.