Last Cast

Scuba Times remember. We’re not National Geographic. We don’t have that kind of budget.”

“Yeah, but the boat takes six passengers. We could sell off five spots to your readers to pay for the boat … and my expenses, of course.”

My negotiating skills had apparently rubbed off on him.

It was a wacky plan, but I agreed to put a small blurb with a humpback photo in the next issue before we sent any money to the mysterious Frenchman. We set the price at $1,500 per person. If we got four, we’d break even; five and Doug’s expenses would be covered. I didn’t have much hope it would go anywhere, but I owed it to Doug to try.

After the magazine came out, it took about two days to fill the boat. We even had a waiting list. I was blown away. Doug went to the Silver Bank with the crazy Frenchman, he captured mind-blowing photos as promised and we discovered that our readers were super cool and wildly adventurous. And thus began a brand new division of Scuba Times. Over the next 10 years, we ran trips to Costa Rica, Fiji, Belize, Columbia, Portugal, Russia, the Solomon Islands and, of course, we returned to the Silver Bank every year. I went there for a month in 1996 and cavorted with the thousands of giant whales — definitely an experience of a lifetime. Not only did we produce outrageously popular and unique articles, but we inadvertently created a way for our readers to experience the life of a photojournalist. As the years went by, we started chartering bigger boats and taking photo instructors. We ran specialty diving courses. Scuba companies sent us their latest, greatest gadgets to experiment with. Pretty soon, we were a little like National Geographic, and the waiting list grew.

That was then. This is now. Once again, we’ve decided to open up the world to you, our loyal readers. However, instead of diving, we’re focusing on fishing. Also, we’ve added a giant bonus: Dr. Guy Harvey and his daughter Jessica will be coming along for the excitement.

In September and November, we’re running two Guy Harvey Magazine fishing expeditions to Guy’s favorite place in the world to fish — Tropic Star Lodge in Panama. This is an opportunity for you to catch massive marlin, sailfish, tuna, roosterfish — some 17 species actually — and hang out for a week with the man himself and his amazing daughter, who is also a marine biologist and a delightful person like her dad.

There will be fishing and more fishing as well as cocktail parties and dinners with the Harveys. We’re bringing the newest and coolest Guy Harvey products, from performance shirts to sustainably sourced water bottles, for us to use, abuse and evaluate.

While the cost for one person is more than we paid the snooty Frenchman for his entire boat, it’s basically the same as the standard rate Tropic Star Lodge charges, when Guy is NOT there.

Those who want to participate can help us with ongoing vital marine research and tagging projects we’re doing in conjunction with the Guy Harvey Research Institute at Nova Southeastern University. We will also have our production team on site filming a documentary for Amazon Prime and Discovery Education. It’s going to be an amazing experience, and we’d love for you to come.

For your convenience, we’ve put an ad with all of the information in this issue (see page 98) or you can email browland@guyharvey. com to reserve your spot. Spaces are limited, so if you have any interest, I suggest you act now so you don’t end up on a waiting list.

That’s it from here. Enjoy.

FRED GARTH

For the past 25 years, Fred D. Garth’s articles have appeared in numerous books, magazines and newspapers around the world.

Guy Harvey’s

at Tropic Star Lodge

Twenty-five anglers will have the opportunity to join Guy and Jessica Harvey on a 5 day/5 night VIP experience at the world-famous Tropic Star Lodge in Piñas Bay, Panama.

Proceeds from this singular event will go to the Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation to support its marine conservation and research initiatives. The foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization, meaning that the cost of participation in the adventure will be tax deductible to you.

Total Cost: $9,800

■ Five day/five night all-inclusive stay at Tropic Star Lodge. ■ Five people each day will fish with Guy Harvey. ■ Four people each day will fish with Jessica Harvey and with a scientist from Guy Harvey Enterprises. ■ Additional fishing days will be standard trips on a Tropic Star boat with captain and a mate. ■ A personalized Guy Harvey print for each angler. ■ Welcome bag with Guy Harvey Tropic Star clothing and souvenir items. ■ Lifetime subscription to Guy Harvey Magazine. ■ Lifetime membership in the Guy Harvey Ocean

Foundation Hammerhead Club. ■ Private dinners each night with Guy,

Jessica Harvey and a scientist from

Guy Harvey Enterprises. ■ Two drinks per day and wine at dinner. ■ Personalized 30-minute video of your adventure. ■ Breakfast/lunch and happy hour snacks. ■ Lodging at Tropic Star, double occupancy. ■ During the week, Guy will paint an original piece to be auctioned off on the last night. ■ Two private “arrival” and “departure” cocktail parties at Tropic Star’s mountaintop Palace. ■ Round trip air charter from Panama City to Piñas Bay. ■ Ground transportation from airport to hotel and domestic/international airport. ■ VIP greeting by Tropic Star representative as you depart your flight and personal support while going through customs. While waiting for transfer, admission to airport VIP lounge pending COVID restrictions.

For available expedition dates, contact browland@GuyHarvey.com