Hi all
Bit of unfortunate drama late the other night. Ross, Trev and Grant had been for an evening/night hunt at Grants farm, and were returning to the truck, when two of the dogs hooned off down the firebreak. One soon returned however the other guy was no where to be found.
Upon reaching the paddocks, the dog could been seen holding down a sheep and completely ignored their calls to 'come off'..........end result predictably not good for the dog, and heart wrenching for the guys.
What makes them turn ? Who knows but I would have bet the mortgage and Mrs Bryans Rants best slippers on that dog being completely stock proof. I guess you can never say never !
On a cherrier note and after much procrastination, a mate and I finally took the girls for a night at the impressive Te Mahia Resort in Kenepuru. I'm not sure what those two had in mind but I'm not convinced fishing was top of the agenda, judging by the various vessels of local Marlborough fare on display in the chilly bins !
Paul and I resisted the urge(mostly), and headed out mid afternoon in blustery conditions for a poke around. The girls waved us goodbye, or maybe it was 'don't rush back too soon' , before settling back on their nests overlooking the bay.
After a bit of hunting around we tied up to a mussel raft and flicked to berley and lines over the side. Plenty of bites, and mullet and garfish (piper to the Jafa's), in the berley trail kept us interested, whilst the wind did its best to blow us back to Havelock.
I managed a couple of 'pannies' that later provided a beautiful meal for us. These were on Carols rod with a short trace, single hook and a bit of pilchard. Just like spotty fishing. Paul managed a kahawai and a double of big mullet. We decided to change spots and try for a big snapper so headed off to a nearby bay and beached the boat.
I walked around the rocks and heaved out a whole mullet which was snavelled before I made it back to Paul. A quick run and the line pouring out as I approached. Unfortunately, the second I picked it up I could feel the line running under or around rocks......sure enough, as soon as the tension went on the line snapped.
Bugger.....back to the boat and grabbed the second mullet. This time out the back of the boat and rod in the holder.
5 minutes later and away she went, this time picking up Pauls line on the way past unbeknown to us. When his line started screaming he struck hard and the fish must have felt the extra tension and spat the bait.
I explained what had happened before reeling in an absolutely munted mullet. It had been hit fair in the old puku but withthe hooks in the head and tail, the fish got lucky and avoided the frying pan.
Darkness was all but upon us, and the wind still fairly crisp, so we headed back to our lovely wives, secure in the knowledge tea would be ready, and the beer poured and cold ! You could make a Tui billboard out of that statement !!
An evening of laughter and good food followed. Sleep was easy, and so was the decision to stay in bed when we heard the wind next morning.