I awoke early, my mind working on the problem and its possible ramifications. We motored in to the resort for breakfast around 8 am. Bill greeted us and offered a couple of other ideas. Clearly, he’d been thinking about the problem too. After breakfast I tried calling Todd, but just got his recording at the shop. I left a message and said I’d try back around 10 am. We then went back to the boat, started up, and motored over to the resort. Bill came down to have a look. We tried to find a fuse connected to the rectifier, and focused on a clear plastic connector which looked like it might hold a fuse. He had a very hard time pulling it apart, and once he did, it was clear that he’d found the problem. The connector was simply a waterproof connector housing a spade connector, and it showed major evidence of heat. The plastic inside was brittle and partly melted.. He cleaned it up with his knife and pushed it back together. I started up the motor, and the voltmeter started to rise. It seemed a simple thing to install a crimped butt connector and seal it off from water. I called Todd back and got him. I explained the situation and he said to go ahead with our plan. It couldn’t hurt a thing and should fix the problem. We did, and the motor started charging normally. What a relief.

In the odd free moments while this was being attended to, I had the chance to talk fishing with one of the guides, and with Bill. Before he came down to the boat to do the splice, he rigged up a pair of colored spoons which he said would be particularly effective in catching the type and size of salmon we hoped to catch. (I am not licenced for kings, and we couldn’t possibly eat our way through a real big fish). Down at the boat, he had quietly hung the hooks of the 2 spoons on the hatch cover, inside the boat. A very gracious and considerate man, this Bill Hack. He also pointed a couple of places to try trolling on our way down the Canal. Before leaving, we took the opportunity to go for a walk up the trail leading up the stream behind the lodge. It’s a combination of boardwalk and stepping stone trail through the rainforest. A truly beautiful place, and we were enchanted with the walk. Back at the boat, we lunched before pulling out. We expressed our heartfelt thanks for their hospitality and kind assistance.

In contrast with the day before, the waters at the mouth of Yes Bay were calm, and we crossed over to Grimsby Islandl, one of the places Bill had suggested we try. I rigged the downrigger and set it at 35 feet, like the fishing guide had recommended. I used the green and yellow spoon which Bill had given me. The day before I never really felt like I was fishing, more like taking a stab in the dark. Too many variables. This time, I really felt like I was fishing. We hadn’t trolled more than 20 minutes when, glancing over to the rod, I spotted the tell tale jerking of the rod tip. Fish on! I shoved the boat into neutral and grapped the pole. It felt like a good fish. Get the landing net out, Sandy. I quickly played the fish in on my big deep sea rod (first fish ever for that rod). I told Sandy she would have to net it. She reached over the seat, got the net in the water next to the fish, and the fish slid in. When she tried to lift the net up, she almost fell over the stern. I set the pole in the rod holder and pulled the net in. A nice, fat 7 pound silver. Just the right species and just the right size. Bill sure knows how to call them. Later that evening, while filleting the fish, I discovered her last meal, a plug cut herring pilfered from one of Bill’s fishing clients, no doubt.

With fish dinner in the dinghy we motored up and headed for Naha Bay, our destination for the day. It rained, hard at times, on our way there, but eased up as we neared. Bit of wind chop and swell, but not as bad as yesterday. We found several boats tied up to the float, so opted to anchor out. Rocky bottom, and I had to try twice, but she finally hooked. The fish dinner tonight was out of this world. Sandy fixed the fillets up on lemon slices, seasoned with wine, melted butter, dill, lemon pepper,onion powder and onion salt, with the whole arrangement wrapped up in a sealed foil pouch. Barbqued for 10 minutes, and it came out perfectly. Best salmon I’ve ever eaten. And, the batteries are charged to the hilt. This is more like it.

Distance for the day: 23 nm; total for the trip: 882 nm