A red letter day for me this time as I had a day out fishing with Rob.
He had the boat hitched up last night and ready to go this morning.
We picked up fuel, bait and ice on the way into Russell.
I’m not as agile as I once was so getting on and off the boat had to be carefully planned. Rob backed the trailer down the ramp and hopped onto the boat. I put the car and trailer in the park and walked down to the wharf where I was to board. Unfortunately there was a large boat there blocking my access. I walked back along the waterfront but Rob said we would just have to wait till the boat moved. So back I went and asked how long they would be. He was waiting for 6 ladies who were busy taking photos so he tried to hurry them up. Eventually they boarded and off they went. Rob came up alongside and it was easy for me to get onboard.
Finally I’m out at sea again! I do so love it.
We rounded the headland and saw quite a few tour boats slowing down as they had spotted a pod of dolphins. Rob decided we couldn’t get any closer as there was quite a swell and he wanted to get nearer shore. Once we were out of the swell he anchored the boat and we started to fish. The dolphins were moving to our left and we were able to watch them put on a show for us and the tour boats before they moved away. Perhaps as well as there weren’t many fish around whilst they were there. It was a bit of a quiet day fishing wise, I caught the first one, a small snapper which wasn’t big enough to keep. Then I caught a fair size Kowhai a fish that is often used for bait but we kept it as it’s a good eating fish as well. Another few small snapper were caught and returned to the sea and we were beginning to think about calling a day. Suddenly Rob said I’ve got a big one here. A mighty struggle and he landed a huge snapper, about 20lbs he thought.
So after that we decided to return to Russell.
Once again there was a big boat at the wharf so he beached the boat and I hopped off onto the shore. A young guy had his trailer parked on the ramp and explained that he would be a few minutes as he was taking the boat to its mooring. He then jumped off the boat and swam to shore where he held our boat whilst Rob got our car and trailer. He helped Rob get it on the trailer as well which was a huge help. We may have been able to do,it but it wouldn’t have been easy.
Had a quick beer in Russell and back home by mid afternoon.
Tony, upstairs, filletted the fish and was very happy to keep and smoke the most part of the big snapper. N and I went down to the sea to dispose of the remains of the fish which were soon snapped up by the gulls.
Tea was fresh snapper and a portion of the smoked snapper as well.
Not a bad day!
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