March 4, 2010
Chathams Stay
New Zealands Chatham Islands is one of the more talked about fishing destinations around the country. Many men dream of going there, and those who do, talk fondly of their time away at Chathams. My experience is listed below, I hope you enjoy the read:
I remember when I started fishing and used to go out in my 'good old days' with my grandfather and dad in the dinghy. A bag limit of fish was normal, such as ten snapper or ten yummy blue cod. Aint always like that now. I also remember also, my grandfather talking cheerfully as he remembered it, fishing from home, getting a boat full of good groper and blue cod, on basic gear. Certainly, it was the sort of amazing thought that made me dream. I had always thought this was the thing of old peoples memories.
I had always heard awesome things about the a Chathams Stay, so when the opportunity came up to join 12 other like minded blokes and make the journey over for a week, well, its fair to say that the old man and I didn't need to be asked twice. A rare occourance!
What made us gasp at first was the sheer size, much bigger than we thought it might be. Expansive, sparsely vegetated and being pounded by huge swells, the Chathams Islands was surely a sight to behold. Val Croon, host of our chathams accommodation, initiated us with an island tour and awesome meal, before we settled into the bar and a while later, our beds.
The next day, we did a fishing trip out to a close by reef and landed many huge fish, including great bluecod and groper or hapuka. Crays, sometimes called lobster, were bountiful! At the end of the day, it was a fishing trip that will always remain in my mind!
Filed under Fishing Rod Building by Mick