Last of the Blue Water Hunters, Revised

by Carlos Eyles

An extraordinary account of the author's apprenticeship with free-diving pioneers who stalk powerful game fish.

216 pages, Paperback

First published January 25, 1985

Reviews

[Fredrik Storflor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good book about basic and advanced blue water hunting. Many good examples and best practices

[Emilie Mc]

This book -The Last of the Blue Water Hunters- was truly inspiring. It begins by telling you a little bit about the past of the writer, and of the purpose of the mission he begins. He borrows his friends sailboat and takes it to Santa Catalina Island where he intends to survive off of nothing except what the ocean provides him. He is a master in the ways of the speargun, and he hunts as if he were born right into the ocean.

You can tell that he speaks the truth about the origins of the sport, because he was right alongside the greats of the sport. Carlos Eyles (the author) was one of the founding fathers of spearfishing. Raised in Hawaii, he grew up in the ocean with the people who have roots into the deep blue more so than any other race. The sport was nothing but a stick and boardshorts when he was young; no mask, fins, not even a wetsuit for warmth. But the sport has developed so much since then.

You can tell that Carlos really loved the ocean by his tone. His diction really shows how much he cares for the ocean, how he was a part of it and it is a part of him. His descriptions of his hunts, from anecdotes of catching massive groupers, to love letters to the white sea bass, show that there is nothing else in this world that he needs. It is truly inspiring how connected he is with the sea, and the fish and himself.

He reminds me of a hermit. Living in solitude, with no outside help or advice. He sits on his boat, sipping his tea and telling a story. He almost connects as well with the reader as he does with the ocean. His delivery makes one feel as if he is there with him on his boat, listening to his tale as if it is the truest thing that’s ever been told. I love the ocean, or at least I thought I did, but this man is truly one with it. It’s not a love; it is something so much more, and this passion he has is the only thing he knows.

I think Carlos wrote this book to show people that there is so much more to this ocean than anyone really sees. He tells the history, and anyone could write that. I could have written that portion of the book just as well. But where this book really becomes phenomenal is when he adds his own life experiences. Hunting the powerful creatures in the world with just a spear and his wits. He really is an expert in hunting the fish; so many are expert killers, but he clearly establishes that there is a distinction between the two fisherman.

This book is written for anyone who takes any interest in the sea. His powerful writing style and vast knowledge of the subject really get the imagination going and he provokes the emotions in such a way that you will yearn for a taste of the freedom of the ocean. In my youthful state, I can do nothing but hope that I can maybe someday have the knowledge and connection and passion that he identifies.
�

[Bill Leach · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the story of the discovery of the U-boat U-869 off the eastern coast of the U.S. The main characters are John Chatterton and Richie Kohler.

The wreck was discovered in about 230 ft of water. Of interest are the technical aspects of the deep dives. At the time of the initial discovery in 1991, dives were made with air using twin tanks that gave 25 minutes of bottom time but required 60 minutes of decompression. By 1992, the divers were starting to use trimix (nitrogen, oxygen and helium) to reduce nitrogen and oxygen buildup. This resulted in longer bottom times, and reductions in tunnel vision and nitrogen narcosis.

The author describes the main characters well, showing how their outlooks and family life changed over time.

The lead-in to U-869's last trip to the Americas is described, as are some of the principle crew members, including Helmuth Neuerburg, the commander, and Siegfried Brandt, the first officer.

An excellent book, made more interesting by the numerous steps in the detective work done by Chatterton and Kohler which eventually lead to identification of the U-boat in 1997, six years after the initial discovery.

[Ramiro · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. a short but very detailed history of the blue water hunter (spearfisherman) as told by Carlos and some of the originators of spearfishing in the U.S. this book also draws a very graphic (and often very sad)picture of the fishing industry which has pillaged many species from the ocean to the point of extinction. Overall, his recounting of the brave men who entered shark infested waters with nothing more than a speargun and a passion for a life on the seas was very exhilarating. i bought this book and will continue to re-read it (if i can ever get it back from my friend).

[Ben · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a quick read and I found it hard to put down. The stories are almost unbelievable which makes them all the more exciting. The author's profound respect for the ocean and its mysteries make this more than just a tale of hunter vs. prey. The author tells about the eccentric personalities of the spearfishing community and how they connect with a world that is unknown to all but a select few. This is unlike nearly anything I've ever read.

[Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eyles writes a poetic and romantic account of spearfishing off of the Southern California coast. Reading this short book makes you want to grab your snorkel and mask and get out into the water ASAP. He narrates his diving with an ethereal voice that makes spearfishing a transcendent experience. I highly recommend this book to anybody interested in freediving and spearfishing.

[Will Obermeyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I would highly recommend this book to anyone who loved adventures especially on the ocean. It is an exciting book not suspenful but exciting.