Wednesday 10 April 2013

Fishing: It's in The Kiwi's Blood

If you live by the sea or a lake in New Zealand (and the majority of the population does) then fishing is just part of everyday life.  Not, of course, everyone fishes but if you don't then you know someone who does.  In Northland I photographed a lot of people doing just that.

We met this group at the far end of a tidal spit we had waded out to and walked along
The only person I've ever seen elegantly dressed in a skirt.  Oops. Thanks Monica.  That should, of course have read
The only person I've ever seen fishing elegantly dressed in a skirt.
Coming back after a fishing trip
Even the White-faced Heron was on the look-out for a fish or two
Could you find a more beautiful place to fish?
but you wouldn't want to have to walk there
Whether you are netting
or casting

15 comments:

  1. If I ever went fishing (I never did) it would be in the pretend style taken from a classic Swedish children's film (or TV series) where a little boy turns out to use neither hook nor bait because he really does not want to catch any fish...

    I think you need to do something about that second caption, or you risk upsetting all those of your friends who ever wore a skirt...

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    1. Thanks Monica. Duly amended and acknowledged.

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  2. This is a good post and the lass is a classic. You could have made your fortune had you asked her to scratch her bum.....sold millions of posters you would have.

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    1. I'd be dead by now had I done that Adrian. I used to be able to run faster than my foes but I can't even do that now..

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  3. Strange why some folk disapprove of shooting birdies for fun, but are happy to fish - me included. Discuss.

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    1. That's so true Marcel. I used to fish too but I always had the problem that I could catch, kill, gut and cook but couldn't then eat what I'd produced. I can eat and enjoy fish someone else cooks though.

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  4. Seeing that first picture today, and knowing where you live by the ocean in Lewis, it really dawned on me how strange it might be standing on a different shore a half a world away 6 months out of the year.
    I'm not sure why it struck me so today. But it's pretty cool!

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    1. It is Lisa and it's something that I don't think about most of the time now but when I do stop and think it can be quite overwhelming. One practical difference though is the temperature of the water when you go into it!

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  5. Once in the Bay of Islands my sister and I were taken out in a little aluminium putt-putt boat. She was 9 and I was 12. They stuck rods in our hands. Exactly 60 minutes later she had caught 13 (big) fish and I had caught 9. As fast as you could haul them in and re-bait the hooks, you had another one. And the second time I went fishing I caught a trout. The third, I caught 50 sprats off the Mt Maunganui wharf.

    I should fish more often!

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    1. No you shouldn't Katherine. The oceans would be empty!

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  6. Even if I lived by the sea I don't think I'd take to fishing - but that first picture looks so idyllic. It must be lovely to live near the sea! BTW When will you be returning to Scotland? It must be coming up to the time....

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    1. Jenny I have always lived reasonably near the sea and I don't think I could live away from water without feeling a very great emotional wrench. It's part of me. I leave here in 17 days 2 hours and 35 minutes and they are going to fly past in a whirl of frenetic activity. I shall get on the plane for a rest.

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  7. With that gorgeous scenery and lovely weather, I could fish all day.
    When I go fishing, my friends and I mostly go fishing at night on the coastline, but during the day, we use a boat....we always have so much fun.
    However, I have never thought of wearing a skirt to go fishing...I don't own any skirts.

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    1. If you don't own any skirts then it's unlikely you'd go and buy one to go fishing I guess. Fishing is an activity I keep intending to return to but there's just too many other distractions.

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  8. I thought of you when I read this statement in a book by Edith Nesbit the other day (The Magic City): "We're islanders, you know; we couldn't bear not to be near the sea. And we'd rather be afraid of it, than not have it to be afraid of."

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