4.   Today was the first day of Newfoundland's 2009 Recreational Summer Fishery. This morning Captain H, Terry and I hopped aboard his boat under sunny skies and low wind and headed down the shore towards LaManche Placentia Bay. We dropped our lines over the side in one area with no success, then moved further up the shore to try again. At this time we were visited by friendly DFO officers who were checking boats for daily bag limits, having caught no fish so far they wished us well and continued their way up the bay.

3.   Their well wishes did us a world of good as we soon struck right into a school of fish. Both Captain H. & Terry who were using traditional hand-lines fitted with 3 hooks managed to land 3 fish at one time! I was using a treble hook on a 5oz lure with my saltwater spinning reel and also had great success. At this rate we rapidly caught our quota of 5 fish per person, maximum 15 fish per boat.

2.   Since it was still early we headed back to the wharf, put our fish on ice and our fishing gear in the truck. We then headed back out for a run around the bay and enjoyed the rest of the morning. When we finally got back we began the task of cleaning and filleting our catch, quickly realising that we needed much better knives to tackle this sensibly. Luckily a neighbour helped us out by lending us a brand new filleting knife, and I will remember to pick one up for myself before our next trip!

1.   That evening, my wonderful future mother in law fried up many pan full's of fresh fish in pork fat for all of us to enjoy. There is nothing quite like eating fish caught that same day!

Cheers, MIKE