Category: From the mind of an angler

Thoughts and experiences

Struggles of a solo mission

enough to drive you a little “goldfishy”

I have been fortunate enough to have had companionship on most of my fishing adventures, very seldom have I needed to cast a line and chew the fat by myself. Sure some people are loners and prefer it that way, but I think they might have already passed on to the dark side. The last year or so most of my fishing buds have developed other interests and my boet who usually was the go-to-guy also left for greener pastures. Just the other day, while prepping my fishing kit before a weekend away I could have sworn I heard a voice sounding like it came from behind a mask, gghhh, … I am your father… gghhh…

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The mombakkie

because it happens

Few words in the Afrikaans language scare me more than the mombakkie. It is probably the only equivalent to my mother using my full name when she addresses me (spine-chilling). It tests your very being as a fisherman and is only defeated by the possibility of around the next bend, on the next cast or remembering what has been. For as long as I can remember it has been a word that has plagued me.

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Beyond the next bend

just a little bit further

The crunch of the dry sea sand under your feet is only drowned out by the sound of your heart pounding out of your chest. Small beads of sweat run down your cheeks and evaporate before reaching your collar.

I keep checking over my shoulder to see if Jay is still keeping up, I feel bad for pushing him this far, but it will be worth it if he hooks into that bus, surely then all will be forgiven?

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“Nog net 10 gooie!” (Just 10 more casts)

perseverance or madness

Fear, adrenaline, uncertainty, excitement, hope, joy… you pick the emotion and I will tell you why.

I have often told the stories of catching large Garrick on chisel nose poppers in the Breede River or double-digit Kob on bucktail in the surf in the Eastern Cape. Truth be told, none measure up to that one late afternoon from the launch pad in the Kariega River.

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