I thought that I would like to do
a bit of fishing, catch a few.
Bigger stuff than off the beach.
Without a boat, they're out of reach.
So off I go to book a spot,
book one too for wife (named Dot)
on Charter boat called Mahi 2.
The booking man said what to do.
"Be on the beach at seven thirty,
wear old clothes, you might get dirty.
Take your lunch , a drink or three,
sunnies, camera; and think of me,
slaving here till day is done
while you and Dot are having fun"

And so next day, an hour past dawn
we're on the beach; warm clothes adorn
our bodies, for it's rather cool
and comfort is the golden rule.
With six more hopefuls, Pete and Joe,
Fred and Victor, Sam and Flo.
Into dinghy, out to boat,
take sea sickness antidote.
For though the weather looks quite fine
at sea it could be borderline.
Then skipper Bernie tells us where
the liferafts are, "and over there
there's tea and coffee, help yourself.
Put your cups back on the shelf."

Then Bernie goes up to the bridge.
We put our lunches in the fridge.
Its motors start, the anchor's lifting.
Deckie Ivan's head down, sifting
through a box of frozen bait.
He tells us fishing has been great
the last few days, they've caught a lot.
Far more than all the others got.
By now we've left the shore behind,
we're trolling lures, and hope to find
a mackerel of the Spanish sort,
perhaps a tuna might be caught.
Or maybe, if we make a wish,
might even catch a sailfish

Weather's fine, warmed up a bit.
As yet no fish, and we just sit
and talk of other times and places.
Put some sunscreen on our faces.
A reel screams, Fish on the hook.
Bernie turns and takes a look.
"Ladies first", he points to Dot,
"take the chair and in the slot
that’s on your belt, the rod end fits.
Now take the weight, see how it sits.
Lift the rod, then lower and wind.
Its easier like that you'll find.
Just wind him in, and take it slow
and steady. That's the way to go."

Fifteen minutes now have passed.
Dots winding still, but not as fast
as at the start. Her arms and back
are aching but she lets no slack
get in the line 'tween fish and her.
We see him now, but still a blur.
He tries to have a final run.
Dot holds him back, his strength is done.
With gaff in hand, Ivan's ready,
"Bring him in and hold him steady".
Three minutes more, Dot's got her wish.
He's on the deck, a mighty fish,
four foot of tuna, grey and sleek.
Dot's got the shakes, her knees are weak

Applause all round for fish and Dot,
then off we go.It's got quite hot,
the sea is calm , a bit of swell.
Victor says he feels unwell.
We troll some more but no more strikes.
Samuel tells us that he likes
to eat raw fish and tuna's great.
Ivan's cutting up the bait
It's troll lines in, we're nearly there
as Bernie tries to put us where
the fish show up on echo sounder.
He says he caught a twenty pounder
yesterday and stops the motor.
"Lines in", he says, "lets get our quota".

Its six on winches, two on rods,
two hooks on each improves the odds.
Lines go slack at sixty metres
On the bottom, bite on Peter's.
I've got one on, up he's coming.
Joe's winding too, his lines humming.
Mines on deck, an Emperor, Red
"I haven't had a bite" says Fred.
Dot and Flo are winding fast
"Hooray!" says Fred, "A bite at last"
I'm told I cannot take the prize
For first fish caught, its undersize.
So back it goes so it can grow
Next fish on deck belongs to Flo

Another Red, this ones fine
three centimetres more than mine.
Then in they come, there's fish for all.
They're all quite legal, none too small
Emperors Red, and others spangled
A wrasse, a cod, our lines get tangled
as Dot brings up a huge trevally.
Lines back down, no time to dally.
Catch them while they're on the bite.
Some are sluggish, others fight.
Ivan's busy cutting bait.
Peter says he's going to wait
a while before he tries for more
He says his arms are getting sore.

An hour later, fish stopped biting.
Sam is in a corner lighting
up a smoke, while we have lunch.
We are a pretty happy bunch
Of fisherfolk. Except for Fred.
Cos all he's caught is just one Red,
and that one wasn't very big.
Victor says as he takes a swig
on a can of beer "This is great.
I'll recommend it to me mate.
He's been out with the other lot
And just a few was all they got."
"Lines in" says Bernie "time to go"
"and catch more fish." "Hooray" says Flo

The wind's picked up, we've moved inshore
a little further than before
Lines back in and a shout from Dot
"I've no idea what I've got
but I can hardly wind my reel".
"I'll bet," says Fred, "she's caught a seal.
She's got near every type of fish
that's in the sea. I only wish
I had her touch with hook and line
then more of those fish might be mine".
"It’s sex appeal", says Dot to Fred,
"try using that for bait instead"
"What's up", says Vic, my lines gone slack
"Mine too", says Flo from down the back

I lend a hand to a tired Dot
and soon we see just what she's got.
What a mess, there's lines all tangled
Two on hers, a Red, a Spangled
One on Flo's , a big Trevally
A Cod on Vic's makes up the tally.
Dots had enough, she's got her eight
Ivan says "You'll have to wait
till I can sort this tangled mess".
Its time to have a short recess"
A bite to eat, then back fishin'.
Everyone wants Dots position.
We fish some more, then time to go.
"I think I've got enough", says Joe

We're heading home, can't be stopping
on the way, the tide is dropping.
We've got to take the long way round.
The short way home, we'd be aground
and have to spend the night at sea.
It really wouldn't worry me.
But Bernie likes to stay afloat,
he doesn't want a holey boat.
So on we go, no ifs, no buts
while Ivan's scrubbing off the guts
and blood, and bait, and shiny scales
All spattered on the deck and rails.
And we all help to put away
The fishing gear we've used today

Its four o’clock, we're back on shore,
we're sorting fish, to know our score.
And showing them to friends and wives
while Ivan's busy sharpening knives.
With fish in boxes on the back
Of Bernie's ute. (it's painted black)
We head off to the cleaning table.
Victor says he hopes he's able
to find someone to freeze his lot,
’cos just an Esky's all he's got.
He says he's had a wondrous day
With lots of fish to give away
To all his friends who didn't go.
"I'm keeping all of mine", says Joe

So Bernie and his deckie mate
They clean our fish while we just wait
and watch the sunset out to sea.
Then Fred, he turns and says to me.
"How does she do it? What's her trick?
If she was mine, I'd be quite sick
of watchin' her get whole lots more
than I could get. Back on the shore,
Is where I'd leave her. Doin' dishes.
It's blokes that should be catchin' fishes.
Tough luck, I said. That’s how it goes
I taught her everything she knows.
And I quite like it now and then
if she gets more than all the men

We wait around till all is done.
We see the last of the setting sun.
The fish are packed, all washed and clean.
Biggest catch I've ever seen.
It's been a great day, catchin' fish
And Dot has filled a long time wish
Three cheers for Bernie, Ivan too
They even helped Fred catch a few.
So home we go, elated, tired.
Perhaps to write some words inspired.
But long before I sit and rhyme
my tummy tells me now's the time
to have some wine, (no need to chill it)
With salad, chips and grilled fish fillet

© B. Langley 3^rd Oct 2000

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