Yay! We're back fishing!

Well, who would have thought we would ever not be allowed out fishing for 7 weeks huh?!

Covid19 definitely put a spanner in the works of our awesome autumn fishing plans that is for sure! It has been a good time to reflect, do some planting and gardening and spend some quality time with the family. We were itching to get back out there though!

And what happens when we finally got the green light from the powers that be? It blows South Easterly! I had Tom and Helen, recently married just before the lockdown, together with Toms Uncle Stephen who was stuck in New Zealand after the wedding, and Tom’s Dad Mark all very keen for a fish, so we hatched a plan to launch from Whitianga, and fish in the lee of Great Mercury Island.

They say abscence makes the heart grow fonder. It had been 7 weeks since I guided anyone on the water, there were some vivid moments on that first trip back out. For me, the realisation with fresh eyes how physically and mentally taxing charter fishing is, especially when the expectations are always so high, but equally how rewarding. Doing the first trip back out in 20 knots out South East gusting 30 knots on top of a 2m groundswell was never going to be easy! I was never going to punch wide in that, so we had to hunt our fish down in reasonable proximity to shelter. When we did find them, sure enough it was on the windward side of rocks, in 8m of water, with doubles of big powerful fish going in different directions!!!! The emotions, yahoos and spaced out high five shakas when the fish finally hit the deck ...extraordinary.

Cap that off with spending the day immersed in the impeccable scenery of Great Mercury Island - truly nourishing! Cheers team for an awesome day! The smiles say it all - first kingis for Helen and Stephen, nice work and great having you all on the boat.