Songs that Take Me Places
I have many thousands of pictures from our many far flung fishing trips, but when I really want to bring those memories to life I add in a soundtrack, too. There are certain songs which amplify the experiences and make you feel just like you’re back out on the water.
Here are a few songs that consistently bring me back to those EPIC and favorite fishing adventures.
Sport Fish Panama Island Lodge – Panama
“Panama” – Van Halen
Okay, so it may be cliché’ but I couldn’t resist the obvious. On the first day of every trip, on the first ride out, Captain Shane turns up the tunes and lets it rip – PANAMA. Those first few bars get you so fired up, ready to stand on the bow of the boat and launch a Yo-Zuri popper. When that yellowfin bites you’ll jack him into next Thursday. I know the song is about a fast car, not about the Panama, the country. It doesn’t matter. I still get the rush.
Casa Vieja Lodge – Guatemala
“Jump” – Van Halen
Guatemala is the sailfish capital of the world, and if you know, you know (IYKYK) sailfish JUMP…a LOT. When I hear the first few bars of “Jump” by Van Halen all I imagine are sailfish leaping out of the water, tail walking. Sometimes it looks as if they are running on water.
Anglers Inn – Mexico
“Hey Baby, Que Paso” – Texas Tornados
El Salto is a bass angler’s dream, where both numbers and trophies are on the menu every day. The song “Hey Baby, Que Paso” (meaning, “Hey Baby, What Happened?) doesn’t specifically make me think of fish but about the amazing times down at the lake. The first time I heard this song was from our guide. He said, “listen to this one,” and it got me ready to cast and reel. It’s catchy, it’s bubbly and it’s definitely a sing-along song. I can’t wait to hear it again and again.
Bear Trail Lodge -- Alaska
“Beautiful Day” – U2
There is nothing like fishing -- or even just visiting -- America’s Last Frontier, Alaska. The landscapes (mountains, glaciers, peaks and valleys), the wildlife (moose, bears, wild rams, the striking color of the fish) and the most friendly, pleasant and positive people make Alaska unique and gorgeous. Every time I hear “Beautiful Day” by U2 I see, feel, miss the people, and just want to be back on the tundra, looking for bear claws in the mud. It doesn’t matter if the weather is cold, warm, rainy or sunny, you just know it will be a Beautiful Day.
Bassmaster Classic Song
Now anyone that is into bass fishing has thought about what song they would have played when they were walking across the stage at the Bassmaster Classic. Don’t deny it -- you secretly have that song ready to go, “when it happens!”
Mine is “American Girl” by Tom Petty. Yes I am grasping for something that’s so close yet so far out of reach. The song is my anthem and could be a good one for all women anglers trying to make a statement about breaking barriers in a male-dominated world of fishing. Wow, until I wrote this I didn’t realize how profound this song really is. I will never make the Classic, that is a fact, but a girl can dream.
Music is magical, it makes us feel the moments we love all over again. My playlist is short, I need to go to more places and create new and meaningful experiences which will spark meaning in even more tunes.
Let’s start planning your trip, and maybe the next song stuck in your head will be the score to your biggest catch.
