September 20, 2009

Wassup wit Fishing Competitions?

I've always dreamed of catching the biggest fish at a fishing competition and winning the major prize.


A mere 7 years ago a bunch of us Guys and Gals from Zeal Church embarked on our annual Fishing Competition. We had some sponsors with a shiny new reel up for grabs.


The Venue: Kauri mountain Beach


Prize: For the biggest Kahawai (quite prolific at Kauri Mountain)


We spread out across the beach and began hurling our baits out as far as they could fly. Seaweed littered the sand at the hightide mark and many a cast reeled in hefty clupms too add to the smelly piles.

The going was slow and heads began to drop and murmers could be heard from the less stallwart amongst us.

Some waded out into the cold surf to gain a few important metres on their cast. Hours later they were seen stuffing as much newspaper, smelling suspiciously like bait, down their jacket to protect themselves from the bone-chilling cold. Full marks for perseverance.

A whooping shout could be heard from down the beach. The first of the long awaited Kahawai had been caught. It's shimmering silver form coming with a promise of a brand new reel.

Heads perked up and casts seemed to sail out with renewed vigor. As time went on several more Kahawai were harvested from the sea. Runners kept up a commentary as these 'non-fishers' ran between contestants shouting and comparing fish sizes.

Almost as a surprise a Schnapper was caught, not very big mind you, but all the same it was a Schnapper! Suddenly it was like the windows of Heaven were thrown open. Hoots could be heard up and down the beach as one after another the sea gave up Schnapper in increasing sizes.

I was watching this spectacle, enjoying my comrades success, but dreaming of my turn, when my line rapidly peeled off out to sea. My drag had been fairly loose so I tightened it a notch or two with no effect. As my heart began to beat faster I tentatively wound my drag tighter and tighter. The steamtrain on the other end began to tire and after three strong runs straight out to sea against almost full drag this monster was beat.

I hesitantly reeled in my prize with comrades searching the waves for a glint of scaly silver. Shauny leapt into the frey with a long handled Gaff and secured my prize! Thanks Shauny, I owe you one.

I could scarcley believe my eyes as a Schnapper as long as my fully extended arm flopped on the sand. Wooooo Hoooo!


Shauny 'Gaff Man / Hohepa / Honey Boy C. was having an absolute shocker of a night. Having borrowed a rod from his mate he promptly broke it and later injured himself (quite how I can't recall). Turns out the rod was his mates Dad's...oops.

In any case, with the promise of even larger Schnapper with the next cast, I selflessly baited my line and handed it to Shaun. "Catch a monster Mate"

Unfortunately Shauny had other plans and turned my reel into a fish mish ending birds nest of all birds nests :(

I don't know who I was more sad for...Shauny and his shockingly memorable night or myself for not having another crack at those once in a life time MOOCHERS!

At prize giving my mighty Schnapper dwarfed the competition. I was all smiles until I remembered the prize was for the biggest Kahawai. I wasn't worried, I already had my prize!

Good times all round I say. Here's a picture of the one that didn't get away :)

Wassup wit Schnapper prices?

At more than $33 per kilo for a fillet of NZ goodness, I think it's high time we all went for a fish and caught our own!


It's been so long that I can barely remember the feeling of reeling one of these delicacies from the ocean depths.


Having inadvertantly put our fishing spot in the Northern Advocate for all to see (here) I thought I would try and inspire myself and hopefully my good fishing buddy to clean our gear and head out for a fish mish.


So here goes...















'Never A Dull Moment' seems to encapsulate our fish mish's over the years.


We've caught: Schnapper, Kahawai, Trevally, Mau mau, Rays, Eels, Koheru, Piper, Sea weed, Rock Cod, Red Cod, Leather Jackets (Butterfish) and some weird stuff that Syms ate.


We've seen: Sharks, Sting Rays, Dolphins, Killer Whales, Sunsets, Sun rises and smiles galore.


We've experienced: Broken Rods, Flying Spools, Shattered Fry Pans, Scraped Skin, Falling Torches, Schnapper Dances, Stormy Swells, Sideways Rain, Busby Frogs and all with best mates giving thanks to the One who made it and holds it all together.


Thank you Jesus!

Colossians 1:15-17 (NIV)

15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.
16 For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him.
17 He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.
By the way...cleaning your gear is optional :) Woohooo...Schnapper time, Da da da da, wo o wo o o oh!





September 16, 2009

Wassup with Georgie Pie?

Ahh...Georgie Pie. An Ode to you


Cobb & Co now resides in your rightful place

Raising pie prices thus sealing your fate.

As much as we despise we also miss de pies

Cheesy! Yes it was my favourite choice

At one dollar each I would gobble down 4

With one dollar change a fruit pie...score!

Alas your memory fades away

Rumours of your return? I cannot say

In days of health and fitness supreme

The grams of globulated fat have lost their sheen

Like re-runs of six million dollar man and Jamie

I know going back will would be super lame(y)

So I choose to remember your once former glory

As a little boy on the north shore(y) - see photo





September 13, 2009

Wassup with Flashbacks ? - Part 3

Who's got the cutest little kid photo of themselves? Here's my entry...






They say you grow into your ears. Unfortunately they also say that your ears (and your nose) keep growing your entire life!!!

My question is why?

I know what the big bad wolf would say.

September 12, 2009

Wassup with Flashbacks? - Part 2

Continuing my Flashback series, I know you'll be pleased with the absolute perfection that are my Guns!

So without further ado...


Wait for it....

The 1970's were a long time ago...

Oh, wait a second...
You may have to squint a bit...
Ah, here we go...

Yes that is me. And yes that is a mask and snorkel on my head. And yes those are my guns.
Thank you, come again.








Wassup with Flashbacks? - Part 1

According to WIKIPEDIA - a flashback is a psychological phenomenom in which an individual has a sudden, usually powerful, re-experiencing of a past experience or elements of a past experience. The term is used particularly when the memory is recalled involuntarily, and/or when it is so intense that the person "relives" the experience, unable to fully recognize it as memory and not something that is happening in "real time". The medical term for the phenomenon is "hypnagogic regression".


That sounds a bit serious. I just wanted to put a few old photos on my blog to crack me up...and a few of you that know me (i.e. those that view this blog :)


I was inspired by Burtons recent post.






On Burtons post I commented about wanting a Grifter (the bike he had) or any other 'cool' bike like a Scrambler, yellow HMX 500...

anything rather than the Mauve Raleigh 20 I had (I did really appreciate it Mum and Dad). It just couldn't jump kerbs and stuff.

Sorry about the poor quality picture, but don't you wish you had this shiny example of bicicular ingenuity coupled with the matching saddle bags.

Oh no...Flashbacks!!!