Return to Antigua

[Kyle]We got up with the sun and as we prepared Footprint to leave Deshaies we noticed all the other boats in the anchorage leaving rapidly ahead of us. Despite our early start, our check lists delayed us to being at least the 5th boat out (The Club Med-2 boat having left around midnight well before us).

We hoisted the sails in a brisk NE wind. We sailed as close to the wind as we could, but found ourselves steering about 30° to the west of our course to English Harbour. This path took us almost directly towards Montserrat which has always been a curiosity for us, looming on the horizon. The island is dominated by its volcano Soufriere, (all volcanoes in the Caribbean seemed to be named Soufriere), which so violently and devastatingly erupted in 1995 and is still very much active.

Montserrat Volcanic evidence and current activity
On this particular day (which we later learned was unusual) the volcano was emitting plumes of ash and hot gas high into the atmosphere. The visibility was great and we managed to get some good shots from fairly close (well, close enough for our comfort) before the wind died and we were forced to motor (MOTOR!, in the TRADE WINDS! Ugh!) to Antigua;

When we got back to English Harbor, we had hoped to find a better spot in the anchorage than the one we had left (nearer to row, better views, more wind for the generator), but alas, in the darkness we were unable to do so. We found ourselves in our good old spot. The next morning as we were preparing to clear customs, we decided to have a second look around (maybe someone had left?) and managed to find a pretty spot in Freeman bay, 200' from the beach (thanks to our shallow draft); still a fair way row into English Harbour dinghy dock, but great views (beach lined with palm trees) and plenty of wind for our power needs.
Footprint Anchored in Freeman Bay, English Harbour, Antigua
We are enjoying our view, and already other cruisers have waved at us!


[Maryanne]Hey - Kyle forgot to mention we caught a fish... OK, it did get away, but this is still progress! This fish goes by several names: Dorado, Mahimahi, or Dolphin fish.. too bad he got away.

Fishing Hope?

[Maryanne] Those that follow the blog will know that despite LOTS of trying, we have still failed to catch a single fish. This is a picture of some of my lure collection (I mostly use those in the middle bands), I also have a "popper", not shown (see how far I have come, until this year I didn't even know what a popper was). I will take all the tips I can get. I troll, cast, and jiggle with no luck. We have been cruising now for 3.5 months and fishing at least 3 days a week, often more (every day we sail, and sometime when just on the hook). As you can imagine, all this gear for "trying" is yet to be anything like an investment. Heck, my GPS even tells me when is a good, or even excellent time, to be fishing each day - but even this does not seem to change the odds.

On Monday this week, we were moored and relaxing on the boat when a huge flurry of disturbance headed towards us as a patch on the water (clearly a bunch of fish feeding). We cast into that mess until it moved too far away, and not once did anything even nibble.

I have been slowly elbowing my way into groups of fishermen at piers or on the dock, stealing a look at the bait and lures they are using, and asking direct questions, but still no luck. This week I ventured into a marine store for some new dock lines, and while I was there asked to speak with the resident fishing expert. Here is how I relayed it to another friend.

He asked lots of pertinent questions and says I'm doing everything right - my lures, my reel, my methods, my line, my leader, everything. He made a few suggestions, and also offered to check out my full rig and give me some casting lessons/tips if I just bring my gear in to the store. I have to wait until next week to take him up on the offer, as he is currently in Martha's Vineyard competing in a shark fishing tournament (see, he really is an expert).

I have 3 fishing books already and have pretty much worn them out trying to establish why I have not caught anything yet - I guess I'm just not lucky.

As you can imagine, I'm very excited to think I may actually catch a fish soon with all this advice.

I plan to experiment with live bait (well, defrosted actually for now, until I actually catch some bait). I also plan to attempt fishing from the dinghy. All tips VERY GRATEFULLY received.

What else is going on? This week has been a little frustrating - traveling miles on foot and public transport on failed missions (you won't believe how hard it is to buy colored thread among other things); my bank account has been drawn upon by someone other than me (someone buying gas/petrol in Florida - no idea how that happens), and our autopilot needs to be sent off for repair. On the plus side, I did finally install some handholds inside the boat, but this really is not much to show for 4 days of effort! All that would be insignificant if I actually managed to catch a fish.