fishing

Date: 17 July 2006 13:08:10

One of my favourite fishing spots is the Point Lonsdale Pier, 12km from my home. This pier reaches from below the lighthouse on the western of the Port Phillip heads out into “The Rip”, a swirling deep and mysterious channel of water connecting Port Phillip Bay to Bass Strait. The “Lonnie” pier is a recognised land-based game fishing location, sharks are often caught there by those with staying power and the right tackle.
I usually throw a line in about three quarters of the way along the pier and hope for an Australian Salmon, Trevally or even a nice Snapper. Often I come home empty handed but that doesn't really detract from the experience.
It's a cold exposed place for this time of year so I prefer to remain in front of the loungeroom fire and think about the spot, knowing that it'll still be there in summer.
I imagine sitting there on the wooden jetty, on my little back-pack that converts into a seat, one line has been cast out as far as possible with a heavy sinker and another is sitting in close with a floater. I'm dreamily mesmerised by the sun, the gentle bobbing motion of the waves, but quietly expecting a twang on my line any moment.
There are a few fisherpeople spread along the pier, each quietly watching their own space, when into this idyllic daydream a newcomer arrives, sets up right beside me and casts straight over my line. This is an affront, it's annoying... anger rises.
I was reminded about the frustrations this situation evokes a week or so ago, when the TV news carried the story of The North Koreans sending a few missiles over towards Japan. I sort of felt it helped me understand the feelings the Japanese people were probably having.
Of course, since then we've had the Indian train bombings and the terror engulfing the Middle East and I am at a total loss to comprehend how people on either side think or feel in those situations. I can only pray for world peace and be so extremely grateful that I have a place like the Lonnie pier that I am free to go to.