It was nasty and a little more long-winded than expected, but thankfully Ernesto has gone to its fate in the North Atlantic, leaving behind stirred up and, hopefully, slightly cooler waters around the Island.

The passage of a storm affects the fishing far more than might be expected. Changes to the sea conditions and giving an impetus to the fish’s seasonal movements are all fairly obvious outcomes but less obvious are the impacts on the fisherman. In this respect, many of them have seen fit to take the boat out of water in advance of the storm and are now not minded putting it back over for what might just be a couple of weeks. There is some additional expense involved and if there is no pressing reason to do so, the boat can stay in the yard until April or May. The fishing gear can go back in the garage and that can be an end of it for this season.

Those who have persevered this past week have seen a continuation of pretty much what had gone before. While wahoo remain on tap, all too often it is a barracuda that gets to the carefully rigged baits first; and while they do have their place in the scheme of things, this often results in disappointment.

Small game should remain abundant and provide action for those so inclined. Billfish are still cruising through the deep and will make their presence known to those working that water. And while there are still some tuna willing to come into a chum line, the heat of the day tends to discourage them.

A some-years event is a run of middle to large yellowfin that occurs along the northern edge of the island, with the fish willing to take trolled rigs. Short-lived but when it does occur, it has been during August, so this may be worth a look.

This weekend sees the postponed Bermuda Anglers Club Junior Tournament taking place. With more than 150 signed up, it promises to be entertaining at the very least.

There are a few things about junior tournaments that are worth putting into perspective. For one, competitors often show up at the weigh-in with fish that are seldom seen or maybe even never heard of by most people. There is a reason for this: those kids will go fishing in places where a grown-up would never consider dropping a line. Adults tend to think logically: reef fish live on reefs, ocean fish live out on the ocean and a few species such as snappers come into harbours and bays. Another few species patrol beaches and sandy areas. No one ever really cares to think that many species evolve through several phases in their lifetime, perhaps spawning offshore and then moving inshore or vice versa. Throw in a few seasonal tendencies and pretty much anything can be anywhere.

Another is that they will use hooks that are so small that most adults can’t even see the eye clearly enough to tie it on to the line. No surprise that these juniors catch wrasses, blennies and other species that are so cryptic that we have no idea that they even exist. Juveniles, which may differ considerably from the adult form, can often be found in locations where no one would go looking for a fish. For instance, who thinks of a red hind that is two inches long? By popular definition, hinds are big fish, at least big enough to feed a couple of people at a sitting. But, at some point, they do have to be aquarium-sized and are unlikely to be found where their larger versions will exist. Fish are notorious for feeding on their own, so the small ones have to avoid the big ones just to survive. That often calls for a completely different lifestyle and location.

Amazingly enough, kids also can have more patience than one can believe when it comes to outwaiting a fish. If a bite doesn’t come within an hour or so, most adults will move on, but a child will jiggle that bait in front of that hole until a fish eventually comes out. And while grown-ups usually want to catch a fish that is some good to them, a child just wants to catch a fish, any fish — even something that would never interest anyone else. Catching a large herring, a garfish or even a flying fish on a handline would never be the objective of an angler, but to a junior it is a major capture.

So be prepared to see any and all sorts of fish being brought to Sunday’s weigh station at Spanish Point Boat Club. Some will be hung from the scales in the usual fashion and others will be still swimming around a half-gallon plastic container. Of these products, a very few will be destined for the family dinner table, some others for the cat and there may be even some live ones destined for eventual release into the nearest salt water. All the product of what have to be seen as alternative Tight Lines!!!