The Permit Tale
By Bodhi Moomaw
Photos: Bodhi Moomaw
This morning was brighter than others. As my feet slowly climbed the cool morning steps, the water looked calm and clear unlike the opaque cloudiness of my mind. For some reason it felt as if “a thousand and one nights'' had led up to this one day. The boat pushed off without lunch but with intention. As we came upon our flat the water was almost so still you could mistake it for sheet glass. A few clouds passed through the sun's gaze eventually giving light to a school of feeding little devils. “40ft 10:00 o’clock” rang from my left ear straight through to my right ear. 10 - 2 -10 -2 - 10 - drop. My fly line fell just short of 40ft in a pile of fly line leader and fly. Anxiety pooled on my forehead. Strip long strip slow strip smooth. The smooth cork of the handle in my right hand began to tremble. My breathing slowed as the school swam closer as Cito’s (Guide Rankins son) singing became a slow mumble. “SETT” he yelled as I stripped harder than ever before. 3 seconds go by and I'm half into my backing with line shooting of my real as if I had hooked a boat. Slowly, I reeled him in as carefully as possible. Managing the gentle balance of drag, running, and emotions. When the fish finally hit my hands, I had never been so happy, so confused, so blown away that I just did that. I had just caught a permit. Then the walls of reality closed back in as the fish slowly swam away. Societal standards tell you to go find what you want to do, go find what you love, go find that light you want to chase. I have spent my whole life chasing this light I was told to find, but the only place I didn't look was within. To find yourself, is to find meaning, and finding meaning gives you the freedom in your life to truly understand others and most of all yourself.
Bodhi Moomaw, 17 years old, Island of Kauai in Hawaii.
If not surfing or playing soccer, you’ll find him fishing. Bodhi has recently became passionate about photography and learning how to make films. He has been fortunate enough to attend Guanaja fish for change for a second time in the summer of 2022. The people he has met and the experiences he has had over the last two summers have been life-changing and reminded's him why he is so passionate about traveling and fishing.
Bodhi Moomaw, 17 years old, Island of Kauai in Hawaii.
If not surfing or playing soccer, you’ll find him fishing. Bodhi has recently became passionate about photography and learning how to make films. He has been fortunate enough to attend Guanaja fish for change for a second time in the summer of 2022. The people he has met and the experiences he has had over the last two summers have been life-changing and reminded's him why he is so passionate about traveling and fishing.