After our day at the Embera Indian tribe you would think that the next day would be a slow day but no we were up bright and with sandwiches packed and ready to head to Lake Gatun for a day of fishing for peacock bass. We had read that there was a half Iron Man race taking place but we did not realize how this would impact our trip. The Bridge of the Americas was closed for the runners to cross the canal and so we ( and every other person leaving the city this Sunday) we rerouted to the other bridge on the on the other side of locks. It is never fast getting anywhere in Panama City but on this day it was awful- we had left before 7 for a trip that is a little over an hour - on this day the trip stretched on forever. We were routed to streets that had been blocked off for one way - past cops who really did not care that we wanted to go fishing!!!, Goldie and Mary have lived in Panama for 5 years- have driven across the country- and when neither of them knew where we were going and had to call for directions Kaiden and I were getting a little worried. Finally we were back on the Interamerican Highway and nearing the turnoff for Lake Gatun. We had been keeping our eyes peeled though since Lance Armstrong was participating.
Finally we reached the turn off and took off down the winding curving road through areas of pineapple farms and everything having a feel more like Boquete. With all this beauty what could go wrong - well it was Kaiden quietly leaning over saying I think I am going to get sick- yup he was car sick. I grabbed a plastic bag and at one point we stopped but he made it until we got the fishing place.
It was sprinkling slightly and overcast but warm and the pontoon was gassed and ready to go. We got loaded with our guide and the owner and off we went looking for the perfect fishing hole. We did not go far and threw in our lines - it was not too long before the fish started biting - well on everyone's lines but mine and Kaidens- we wondered if they could smell Iowa on us or what?? So it was time to find another "good hole" or at least one that liked all of us. I did catch one but by this time Kaiden was getting pretty mad- he would see someone catch a fish and run over to that area - then the next fish was caught at the other end of the boat- well you can see it. Finally he let loose with a yell and he had a fish and a good big one it was. He was all smiles and the rest of us could relax and enjoy our fishing. It is terrible to feel quilty about catching a fish and trying to hide that you had caught one.
It was a nice day with a breeze to blow the heat away . Lake Gatun was formed when the put in the Panama Canal - it is kind of strange there are tall dead trees through out and some islands. We ate our sandwiches while listening to the quiet and watching the birds. In a matter of a few hours we had almost a cooler full of fish and it was time to head to the restaurant to have them cleaned and we would feast on our catch.
Kaiden helped total the catch and we had 60 keepers- we dined on 10 of them and added french fries and panicones and it was a GREAT meal. I had to laugh though as Kaiden stood and watched them all get cleaned and then sat down and said " Grandma I felt sorry for the fish" Gee he did not seem that sorry when he was reeling them in!!!
We got back on the boat and returned to our car - the fish we had not eaten were cleaned and in baggies to go in Goldie and Mary's freezer. It was a quicker trip home as the iron man competition was completed and the bridge open and the streets clear. We were tired, but not a much better day could have been had whether you were old or young. But when the story has been told by Kaiden he caught all the big fish and he caught 48 of the 60 - ummmmm I think this is what you could call a tall fish tale- but then in the eyes of an 8 year old maybe that is the way it happened.
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