Panamanian Fishing Injuries
Those of you who read this blog often know that I love fishing. I try to make it out on the water once a week, which is pretty easy when you live just 10 minutes from the Pacific Ocean. Panama offers some of the best fishing in the world, but right now is the transition between rainy and dry season in Panama and that can add some challenges out on the water.
For the past couple of weeks a strong Northern wind has been blowing on to the Pacific shores of Panama. There have been a handful of days lately when it’s impossible for the fisherman to take to the water due to the rough conditions. Panama’s civil protection unit also released a warning last week that there would be significant high tides on the Pacific.
Even on the days when a boat can be put in the water, the fish are scarce because of all of the muck the waves have churned up. Due to the wind conditions, most fisherman who usually hone their craft for 8 or 9 hours a day can only now fish for a couple of hours until the wind makes it to dangerous to stay out.
These weather conditions can make fishing more dangerous. Though I have been hand-line fishing every weekend for a year now, I became a victim of the weather conditions. Last week while out fishing, we were fighting pretty big waves and a few passengers were also fighting sea sickness.
As I was reeling in my line, I wasn’t paying attention as the boat started swaying violently. Before I knew it I had hooked on to something, but unfortunately it wasn’t a huge corvina. It was my hand.
WARNING – DON’T LOOK AT THE FOLLOWING PHOTO IF YOU HAVE A WEAK STOMACH!
Luckily for me the fisherman I was with is very experienced at extracting hooks from fish and people. Once we hit shore, I was given a big mug full of Vodka and the fisherman lubed up his rusty pliers. A few twists and turns later (and the whole mug full of Vodka), the hook was removed from my hand. My wound was then disinfected with Panama’s finest Seco and wrapped up with gauze. On the bright side, I now feel like a true fisher woman with the scar to prove it! (Or at least I will once the swelling and bruising subside and the incision finally heals.)
Though Panama is an amazing place to fish, be cautious when out on the water this time of year. You may just hook more than you bargained for.
| Written by Rebecca Tyre |  |
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Filed under: Country Guide, News on December 18th, 2008
Wow and you can still type! Congratulations on becoming a REAL fisherwoman.
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