Good evening all from the Mother ship Intrepid. Captain Kevin was kind enough to allow this humble, well somewhat humble, passenger the honor of creating a report or two from the perspective of.... well, a passenger. My name is Jamie and I am a fishaholic. To make matters worse I am now hopelessly addicted to this incredible Intrepid Panamanian experience and I have only been here 2 days. As a note, if you think this is going to be a short and concise report please think again because that would just not be my style. Many of us boarded the red eye from LAX headed to Panama City. Even at the wee hours of the morning we all were chatting about the upcoming experience we were all fortunate enough to be a part of. Folks from all walks of life committed their time and financial resourses to try something entirely out of our comfort zones. Little did any of us know the first two days would fulfill all of our expectations and more. Though some of us had been to Panama previously the sights of the city from the Plane are just spectacular and will never become old or boring regardless how many trips we take down here. Just looking from above at the beauty contained in this fair city and its surrounding islands could still not prepare the newcomers for the sights which were yet to come. Upon clearing customs and grabbing our gear we were promptly met by the Van driver who was to take us to our home for the next 8 days. This operation went just as smoothly and just as efficiently as if we had the red shirts down at Fisherman's landing. No fuss, no muss, just a whole lot of excitement. Within minutes the entire gang felt like we had known each other and fished together for years. The launch boat was waiting for us at the landing to take us to the Intrepid. Gear was loaded and stowed and in no time at all we were underway. Captain Kevin and Scott gave a brief seminar as to what sort of things we might expect over the next 8 days and Maaaan did the agenda sound amazing. It was clear this would be much more than a fishing expedition rather it would be an adventure, filled with all sorts of experiences which reach far beyond our normal Long Range histories. Seeing 5 fishing Kayaks on the fore deck was only the first indication there was much more to come. The agenda was to include anchoring at numerous exotic and magnificent island bays where we would be treated to an entire host of choices of activities each day. As we continued our first day of travel the entire group was noting how relaxed the environment was and how we now felt like Multimillionaires being catered to as we made our way to the first Island paradise. Though I have been long ranging for over 5 decades I can honestly state I have never felt quite like I did on the first day of the trip. Normally, on a typical long range trip, I would see numerous individuals who just cannot wait to get to the fishing grounds and find travel more of an inconvenience and a necessity with the final goal of just getting a line wet. Not so with this adventure as I noted previously this trip would include so much more than just fishing with the need for most of us just to temporarily relieve ourselves of the burdens which each of us carry on a daily basis. With a full day of travel behind us we approached our first destination and dropped the anchor in plenty of time for those of us wishing to hop in the "Yaks" to get in a little paddling and maybe throw a popper or two. Since I have never fished from a Kayak previously it was a no brainer for me to hop in the kayak with my popping rod and little else other than a cigar and a glass of Scotch. Though I would never suggest anyone drinks and drives a boat or car I felt paddling a Kayak and fishing with these two companions would not be breaking any rules. Oh yeah, I also was wearing one heck of a big grin on my face which was the exact same expression on saw on everyone's else's faces. Though it was late in the afternoon, as we paddled away from the mother ship, we all glanced back as the sun hit the Intrepid in a manner to make her truly appear as the mega-yacht she is. We all could not help noting how each of us were made to feel like the Intrepid was "Our" Yacht and WE were the elite in a world were most of us only read about the exploits of the Hoi Poloy. Heck, we are and continue to be movie stars. here on the Intrepid, living the life normally only afforded to a few individuals. Of course unlike those fancy folks who are clearly overpaid, if they make more money than we do, we had our feet firmly planted on the ground with the only attitudes being those of shear bliss and joy which came with each stroke of the oars. As the sun set and we were forced to return to the ship all of us marveled at the shear beauty of the surroundings and the majesty of the lines of the Intrepid as she sat in the pure comfort of a secluded bay surrounded by white sand beaches, Palm trees and a variety of lush vegetation of which most have only seen in pictures. Rita, Jim's wife, noted the situation perfectly as she stated she had almost the identical picture on the wall of one of her rooms and could only have dreamt about being here in person. Yet here we all were. As usual the food on the Intrepid is outstanding with Chef Paul dishing up the delights. After dinner the bait fishing began in earnest. Moon fish and Caballitos, the bait fish of choice were mixed in with a myriad of needle fish and smaller bait fish so plentiful we filled our bait tanks to capacity. Though most of us had been up the day before for a long period of time, having taken the red eye, the overwhelming urge to just catch bait was upon us. And catch we did. By 11 or 12 PM most of the passengers finally said adios to the deck and hopped in their respective bunks only to wake up after an amazing nights sleep. Talk about sleeping like a baby... Oh my. This morning found the sport fishers tied up to the Intrepid by 8 AM. More than enough time to have a leisurely breakfast, gather our gear and hop on the boats for the days adventures. As a note, about half the boat decided they were loving the surroundings so much they preferred to NOT go out on the sport fishers opting to spend the day paddling the Yaks or just lounging in our Panamanian hideaway. I suppose while each of us has our own share of responsibilities, both real and perceived, when an opportunity comes along where it is just okay to while away the days in paradise we take it. Heck, how bad an offer is that? This is rarely the case when out long range fishing as the urge to fish generally overpowers most any other sort of thought processes. If being treated like royalty in the warm embrace of a magnificent cove in Panama is wrong then I guess at many points of this trip each of us is going to be wrong. The urge to just "Kick It" here is stronger than I have felt in many many moons. 3 boats went out today armed with plenty of gear including everything passengers. who brought no fishing gear at all, could have asked for. This is an all inclusive trip and the Intrepid means that in every sense of the word. John K, a long time and very experienced long ranger, and myself were paired for the first days foray into the islands of Panama. John was particularly excited since most folks know I spend most of my time in front of the boat with nothing but poppers and a few jigs. This left John with bait rigs to the left of him and bait rigs to the right of him and no one stuck in the middle with you.. Sorry if you do not understand the reference. As a note, as surprising as this may sound, though Panama is noted as a Yellow fin Tuna haven it was clear the majority of us wanted to experience what the "Inshore" had to offer. Some had never caught or seen a Rooster fish, Amber jack, Cubera Snapper or the myriad of other Snappers and Jacks these Islands are famous for. For each of us the day was a resounding success. For John and I we had just an amazing day. John had an assortment pack of beautiful Amber jack, Mutton Snapper, Jacks, etc. For this popper thrower I was in my element getting pounced on by Rooster fish, Snapper and Jacks. That is certainly not to say I landed them all but watching many fully lit up Rooster fish and other species of fish attack my poppers was nothing short of incredible. Popper fishing is just something which has to be experienced in the magnificence and solitude of a Panamanian paradise. Yes, fishing with bait is still many time more efficient as far as a catch ratio goes there is just something overwhelmingly special each and every time any fish pounces on a well placed and retrieved popper. There is nothing I can think of which can rival the experience. Here on the Intrepid there is more than enough gear for anyone and everyone who wishes to give it a shot or 3. For those just wishing to fish bait this place is just amazing with hookups coming fairly regularly. Who knows what size or type of fish will next feel the impalement of the circle hooks the bait fishermen are using to insure a healthy catch and release program. For the other folks going out in the sport fishers there were Sailfish, numerous Rooster fish and all the assorted species I mentioned previously. Everyone came back extremely satisfied, still wearing those enormous grins on their faces, and just cherishing the moments we were sharing together. For those who stayed aboard the Intrepid, it was clear they all were refreshed and joyous having spent the day paddling, relaxing, fishing from the Yaks, having an adult beverage or soda and simply "Living the Dream". In all honesty Warren Buffet, Bill Gates, Movie Stars or ??? have absolutely nothing on us at this very minute nor for the next 6 days. Perhaps I should have stated we are all living like Billionaires. Regardless of how far each of had to stretch, be it time and or monies, there is no doubt this adventure is WAAAAY more than worth whatever we have given up to be here. I apologize now if my report is a bit run on or out of whack as I too am still feeling the dream and more than a bit ready to hit the sack as I just had one heck of day here in paradise. Will I wake from the dream tomorrow, stay tuned for the next report to find out. Jamie. "The Intrepid Team"