Fishing with the Boys
Copyright 2010 Russell Leslie Howells
Jim stirred at the sound of the alarm going off on his bedside table.It was four o'clock Sunday morning and he had arranged to go fishing with a couple of mates who were visiting from down south.He wasn't too sure it was a good idea after the belly full of piss he had consumed when they had arrived late yesterday arvo.He wasn't used to drinking like that,in fact he couldn't remember the last time he had even came close to being drunk.Since meetig his new partner Jen, the wild nights and drunken weekends with the boys had become a thing of the past.But what can you do when they come armed with eskies full of piss and enough steak and snags to feed the local footy team.
They had lit the barbie,cracked the tinnies and proceeded to get absolutely blotto.Chatting about past fishing trips and wild piss ups.
Jen rolled over to face him and gave him a poke in the ribs.
"Thought you were going fishing big boy?"she murmered.
"I am,just as soon as I can bare to get my head off the pillow,It's a tad sore."replied Jim.
"Ha ha! that'll teach you to drink so much you big piss head.You should know your not used to tieing it on like that anymore."
"You should have stopped me' he groaned "How can I go fishing with a hangover like this?"
"Not my problem darling" she laughed "I'm gonna spend a nice morning at the markets and I shall be thinking of you out there bouncing around like a cork in the ocean."
She gave him another prod and said "C'mon pisshead get outa here so I can go back to sleep.I was having a nice dream before that bloody alarm went off."
"Oh my head" Jim moaned as he rolled out of bed and fumbled in the dark for his shorts and t-shirt.
Jen flicked the switch on her bedside lamp and the room lit up like daylight.
"Did you have to do that" complained Jim,squinting as if was gonna go blind from the glaring light.
"Thought you might need a bit of help finding your clothes and putting them on the right way darling" she smirked sarcastically.
"Right" he said as he slipped his t-shirt over his head."I shall see you later my lovely one,we'll be having fresh fish for tea"
He slipped into his leather thongs and quietly left the room.
The flourescent light in the kitchen flickered for a microsecond and then burst into life as Jim walked over to fill the kettle from the water purifier.In days gone by he would have filled it from the tap but Jen insisted they drink filtered water."You never know what shit they put into the scheme nowadays" she had lectured him.
He had to admit though, that it did taste much better than it used to straight from the tap.
Glancing across to the living room Jim could see his two mates were still out to it.They had camped on the living room floor with their canvas swags. John the older of the two was snoring and Bill was busy catching flies,his mouth wide open,head tilted to the side and sleeping on his back.
"Come on you two" Jim bellowed "I thought we were going fishing,they'll be off the bloody bite by the time we get out there"
One of them farted and the other groaned.But neither moved.
"Coffee,tea or beer"quipped Jim.
"Fuck off"replied John"It's still dark outside"
"Won't be by the time we get to the boat ramp,come on girls,wakey wakey hands off snakey"
Jim made three strong coffees and set them on the dining room table.He opened a packet of panadol and took out three.He figured that with the king size hangover he had he would need each and everyone of them to gain a modicum of relief. He placed the rest of the painkillers in the middle of the table knowing full well the boys would be in dire need of them also.
"So who's up for bacon and eggs then?"Jim asked of the two carcasses still lifeless in their swags.
There was no answer and he sipped at his coffee while pulling back the curtain to see what the weather was doing outside.
"Bugger all wind out there,come on lets get it happening girls."
The boys started to stir and raised their sore heads towards Jim.
"Hope you got plenty of Panadol over there mate,otherwise I won't be going nowhere."groaned John
"I didn't think alcoholics got hangovers"laughed Jim.
John climbed reluctantly from his warm swag and took his time getting to his feet.He looked like shit and Jim knew he was probably feeling about as good as him at that moment.
Bill started to emerge from his swag too,like a butterfly emerging from it's cocoon, but he didn't look anything like a beautiful butterfly.Quite the opposite in fact.He looked far worse than John.
"Jesus,you two look like utter shit.What's the story?"
"Mate we don't drink like we used to when you were around,we ain't used to it anymore"murmered Bill.
"Fuck I thought you blokes hit the piss every weekend"laughed Jim."What happened to ya?"
"Old age mate"replied John"Gotta give the ol' liver a break every now and then."
"Well this ain't getting us no fish,hanging around whinging and bitching and farting like a bunch of old geriatrics"said Jim"lets get the fuck outa here and hit the boatramp before every other bastard does."
The boys downed their coffee and Panadol and ventured out in the pre-dawn darkness.There were still a few stars visible but they could see the promise of a beaut sunrise out to the east.A band of clouds was hanging low over the horizon and it looked like the forthcoming sunrise would be a real stunner.
They loaded the gear into the back of the 18' fibreglass half cabin runabout and a quick checklist of gear and bait was done.There was nothing worse than getting out to your favourite spot to find some dick had left the bait on top of the freezer back home.They clambered into the old Nissan 4WD ute that Jim kept specifically for fishing.It was battered and bruised and scratched and dented but he didn't give a rats arse 'cause it did the job.
Within minutes they were winding their way through the back streets to the small fishing boat harbour.The sun was now starting to make a very visible and colourful entrance to the day.Being a relatively small coastal town it only took about six minutes to reach the boatramp from Jim's house and there wasn't a soul in sight.Jim reversed up to the ramp and the boys climbed out to check that the bungs were in place and to release the winch.There was still a bit of chill in the air and they were glad they had worn their jackets.John grabbed the short rope off the bow that they used to steady and hold the boat once it floated free of the trailers bonds.
They gave the word and Jim reversed down the ramp keeping an eye on his side mirror to see when the wheels were submerged enough to allow the boat to float free.At the right moment he would hit the brake and the momentum of the boat travelling down the ramp would continue while the ute and trailer came to an abrupt halt.
Once free Jim drove back up to the carpark and parked in the nearest bay to the ramp.The boys were holding the boat alongside the short wooden wharf and Jim jumped aboard and went to the steering wheel on the starboard side.He depressed a switch on the controls and lowered the outboard into the water with the aid of an electrically operated hydraulic ram and then he turned the start key.
The motor burst to life in an instance.Jim knew it would,as he regularly had it serviced and always kept the batteries well charged.He knew how dangerous it could be to go to sea in an unkempt vessel.Lives were lost every year due to the blaze attitude of guys who went out to do a spot of fishing and never bothered to check their gear.
The boys jumped on board and Bill gave a gentle push to clear them from the wharf and away they went.The sun was rising quickly now,bursting through the low cloud banks and there was sufficient light to see where they were heading.Jim cranked the motor up a few revs and they glided through the still water toward the flashing lights atop the cardinal markers at the end of the channel.He took a few seconds to turn on the marine band radio and gps.There was no other traffic in the channel as yet and Jim turned his attention to the gps.He punched a few buttons on the panel to bring up their course and then returned his attention to the entrance channel ahead.Once clear of all the channel markers he slowed the boat to a slow crawl and picked up the microphone for the radio.
"Carnarvon Sea Rescue,Carnarvon sea rescue this is Big Boys Toy,Big Boys Toy.Do you copy."
"Big Boys Toy,this is Carnarvon sea rescue,go ahead please."
"Carnarvon sea rescue,we are going to the eight mile bank,three persons on board and 100 litres fuel.Returning approximately 1400 hours over."
"Roger that Big Boys Toy,have a good day,Carnarvon sea rescue out."
With the formalities out of the way Jim pushed the control lever forward and the boat lifted out of the water and shot forward gaining speed and coming onto the plane in no time at all.He adjusted his steering slightly to follow the gps and then gazed out at the horizon to make sure all was clear.
"Here we go fella's,this is what lifes all about"yelled Jim above the roar of the outboard.
"Yeeha!" cried John at the top of his voice,momentarily forgetting his thumping head.
Bill held on tight and remained silent.
The ocean was relatively calm but the speed at which they were traveling had the boat bouncing about and coming down hard every now and then.Jim was well used to the motion and flexed at the knees with each bump but the boys only ventured out once in a blue moon and they had no sea legs at all.It wasn't long before they were starting to feel a tad queasy and John asked how much longer before they get there.
"What's the matter mate"grinned Jim"You look a bit green around the gills"
"Yeah,must have eaten something a bit dodgy last night"replied John.
"Don't worry mate 'nother mile and we'll be there"
The boys held on tight and did their best to keep their stomachs in tact for a bit longer.It wasn't long after that and Jim pulled the throttle control back and the boat slowed to a stop.
"This'll do for starters"he said"Who's gonna go forward and drop the pick?"
John looked at Bill and it didn't take a degree in rocket science to see that he wasn't up to it.He was doing his best to stay focused and keep from heaving his guts.
"I'll do it " said John and he climbed up the side of the boat and made his way forward, hanging on to the windshield.He was glad they had stopped bouncing through the water at 20 knots and hoped his stomach would settle once they dropped the pick.
Once he was sure the anchor had a good hold on the bottom John made his way back to the rear of the boat where the other two were baiting up with large pieces of squid and cuttlefish.He grabbed a handline and proceeded to follow suit.
Once the boys had sorted out who was going to fish from where,it was just a matter of dropping the lines overboard and waiting for them to hit the bottom.
The tide wasn't too bad today and the lines went pretty much straight down.
Everything was quiet for a minute or two and then Jim cursed "Come on ya bastard,take the fucking bait."
"You getting bites already?" said John
"Yeah,but they're a bit finicky" Jim replied with concentration etched across his face.
All of sudden Bill's line went tight and started to run out between his fingers.He had been caught off guard thinking about his queasy stomach and trying hard not to throw up.He straightened himself up and started to exert some pressure on the line.He could still feel it sliding through his fingers and tightened his grip trying to ignore the pressure as the line started to cut into his soft hands.
"Come on Bill,pull the fucker in" yelled Jim with a smile to go with it.
Bill didn't look up,but kept his eye on the taught line and started to pull as best he could.He couldn't let the boys down by letting the fish get the better of him.He finally got a good grip on the slippery nylon line and started to haul the fish in.The feisty pelagic gave a good fight darting from side to side and slowing it's ascent to the surface as best it could,but in the end Bill won out and pulled it on board with one almighty heave.
"You little fucken ripper"exclaimed John as he saw the size of the pinkie bouncing on the deck."Don't think you even need to measure that one mate.She's a fucken ripsnorter."
Bill managed to get hold of the thrashing snapper and in one quick flick of the knife he cut it's throat."That'll slow ya down a bit mother-fucker" he said between breathes.The excitement seemed had taken Bills mind of his queasy stomach and after tossing the fish into the icebox it didn't take him long to bait up and get his line back in the water.
"Come on you bludgers,I don't want to have to catch all the fucking fish you know"he gybed.
"Yeah that'll be the fucken day" Jim chortled as his line went tight and started to peel away through his fingers.He gripped it hard and pulled the fishes head round in a heartbeat."Go hard mother-fucker" he cried in excitement as the fish tried to pull away from him and dive to safety.He reeled line in hand over hand and didn't miss a beat bringing the fighting fish to the surface within a minute.It was another pinkie about the same size as the one Bill had just hauled in. Jim leant down low and with a last grasp on the line hauled it aboard in a flying arc.
"Come on Johnny boy,your getting left behind here mate" gybed Jim once again."You sure you got bait on ya line?"
"Funny ha fucking ha" he replied.
"Better check it mate,no good dangling an empty hook over the side all day" he laughed.
John started to haul on his line thinking it might not be such a bad idea to check his bait when it was almost wrenched from his hands."Holy fucken hell" he cried as he fought to pull the fish up from its run."This fuckers got a bit of grunt"he gasped through breathes as he fought the line.He didn't know what he had on there but he knew it must be a fucken monster the way it was pulling.He grunted and groaned and fought with the line with every hand over hand grasp that he took.It seemed like he was never going to get it to the surface when they saw a flash of colour.It wasn't pink like the other fish the boys had landed,but a rather large flash of silver.He strained and pulled and just when he thought his hands couldn't take anymore of the line cutting into his flesh,the fish came to the surface.Bill and Jim had wound their lines in to avoid a tangle and watched in anticipation to see what John had hooked.
"Grab the net"yelled Jim to Bill."He won't be able to pull that fucker over the side"
The large silver coloured fish was swimming exhausted in small circles at the end of Johns monofilament line.It had totally exhausted itself and it was just a matter of manouvering it into the right position so that Jim could slip the net in underneath it.Jim slid the large net into the water and with the expertise of a pro he ensnared the large mulloway on the first pass.One good heave,and it too was landed aboard Big Boys Toy.
"How's the head now John?" he enquired.
"Better than my hands I can assure you" replied John.
All thought of sickness and hangovers had been instantly replaced by the adrenaline rush of fighting the large mulloway.
They didn't waste too much time slitting the mulloways throat and putting it on ice with the other fish.When the fish were biting it was essential to get your lines back in the water as quick as possible in the hope of hooking another prize catch.
"Here we go again!"yelled Jim as he struggled with the line zinging from side to side."Another pinkie by the feel of it"he said.
He got right into it this time and hauled the little beauty straight up without wasting anytime.Sure enough,it was another pinkie and on par with the first two size wise.He hauled it on board and completed the requisite task of bleeding and stowing.
The boys pretty much took turns after that,landing an assortment of different fish,some of which were returned to the depths due to size restrictions and others because of bag limits.
With the icebox full to its brim and the boat catch limit nearly at quota the boys decided to call it a day and head for home.
"Seeing as you are not looking so green around the gills anymore you can get the anchor"Jim said to Bill.
"Aye,aye Captain Jim" he sarcastically replied and scrambled up to the bow with relative ease.The water was about 12 meters and it took a bit of pulling to retrieve the anchor but it was a lot easier than hauling in some of the fighters they had experienced today.
With the anchor up and stowed in its well,Bill returned to the deck and grabbed hold of the seat as Jim hit the throttle and they lurched forward and the bow rode up out of the water and they headed towards home.
The waves had built up slightly over the course of the morning but nothing the boat couldn't handle with ease.
A quick glance around the horizon and boats could be seen in most quarters of view.All enjoying another splendid day on the deep blue Indian Ocean.
As they re-entered the harbours narrow channel Jim called the sea rescue service and advised them of their safe return and thanked them for their coverage.
He could see a number of boats jostling for a place at the boat ramp.It was now a matter of queueing up for the retrieval as there were a large number of craft returning after such a pleasant morning on the water.
Conditions had not changed at the single small inadequate ramp in over 30 years that Jim could recall it being there.
He remembered launching and retrieving boats there with his father when he was still in his early teens.
Everyone was friendly at the ramp and each had a story to tell of the ones that got away.Bill and John could see why Jim enjoyed living in the north west.The fishing was great,the weather was warm and the locals always seemed to be a friendly bunch.
Once back at Jim and Jen's place it was time for the serious chores.The catch had to be unloaded along with the fishing gear and any rubbish,like plastic bait bags etc.Jim always insisted on everyone pulling their weight and delegated the jobs fairly.The catch was lined up for the regulatory photo session and then wheeled around in the large black plastic wheelbarrow to the fish cleaning bench in the backyard.
Each of the boys took turns gutting and cleaning the catch.Some of the larger fish were filleted and skinned for ease of freezing.
After they had finished Jim headed for the beer fridge on the back patio and called out to John and Bill."Anyone up for a cold one."
"Bloody oath"they both chanted in unison.
Jim laughed to himself as he imagined what they would look like tomorrow morning when he rousted them before sun-up for their long trip home.
