The Marlin

"The Marlin" is a true short story in creative nonfiction style, set in the mid-1980s. Some names are changed but the rest is completely factual. It's about a couple in their thirties who loved to fish and cruise in the Pacific Ocean on their Grand Banks 32, a classic, diesel trawler-style, wooden yacht. They lived in Southern California, where surrounding waters of the blue Pacific offered them year-round fishing and cruising to surrounding, offshore islands. As the warmer months unfurled each year, Evan and Jess spent most of their time on their boat, Tin Hau, fishing and cruising the coastal region near San Diego, when they weren't working their jobs or doing maintenance the boat required.

On the particular day of this story, they encountered an astonishing surprise; one that challenged them to the limit but would prove quite rewarding if they could prevail with Fate's charge. Odds were against them all the way. This is the story of how that day unfurled as they took the task, stood up to the difficulties and dangers, and fought to win with all the strength and wit they could muster. It's a fishing adventure on the high seas. Read the story now to find out how it went and how it turned out, given what they faced.

"The Marlin" is published as the first chapter of the collection "Sea Goddess" by Joseph Riden, available on Amazon.com