This area around Ft Meyers, Cape Coral is situated on a large river estuary. The water area that I can see from this house, which fronts directly onto the waterway would cover an area about the size of Lake Kaniere. As you cam imagine a lot pf Canals have been built and each house has a Jetty and on the Jetties are a large variety of private watercraft. The commercial operators are closer to the open sea. Prawn fishing boats fish in the shallow gulf waters and ferry companies operate daily carters down the Quays and outpost of Key West.
I planned to go down there scuba diving. It takes a four hour boat ride one way, leaving early in the morning and returning at 10.30 pm.
Bill and Paul where keen on an evening shark fishing trip and Adie was persuaded that this was not a boys thing and joined in also. The boat could take up to 40 fisherpersons. This trip had a 25 paying customers on board, so there was plenty of room. I made sure we had the back of the boat and had first dibbs on the big rods with larger hooks and bait for the big ones. The deck hand built up the anticipation by saying that large hammerheads had been recently caught and released. Going shark fishing does not take a lot of skill. The deck hand chopped up CHUM, a mixture of sardines and fish oil. Once at anchor about five miles off the Ft Meyer Beach, where unsuspecting tourists swim, and the brew is sprinkled into the tide. Most of the people on board have never fished for anything let alone a shark and the deck hand was busy untangling and baiting rods for the novices. I assisted Adie to get going with her rod and developed a birds nest with her reel. I quickly handed it to Adie and called the deck hand.
I was the first to land a fish, cat fish. As the foot long fish swung on board I reached out to grab it to get it under control. A spike along its dorsal fin pierced the palm of my left hand. The pain generated was similar to standing on a four inch rusty nail, a dull graunching throb.
It bleed like a stuck pig and wanting to be seen as a sook I kept on fishing and manipulating the wound to encourage the bleeding. When the thing had settled I asked the deck hand my prognosis. He thought I had about three hours to live which shocked me.
After about an hour fishing, multiple small fish had been landed but nothing big. After dark things changed. The two large rods at the back of the boat were set as far back from the boat as could be casted. The tension on the drum was negative and the ratchet was set on the on position. When a shark struck the bait the reels would scream out a warning and the deck hand would rush over and ensure the shark was hooked. It was then the turn of a member of the fishing party to have a go at fighting the shark as it endeavored to swim free. Several four foot lemon shark came onto the deck at regular intervals, photos were taken and the hapless sharks where thrown back over. It was only towards the end of the evening that two of the larger lemon shark where thumped to death with a baseball bat and gutted as food for those who wanted to take home a fillet or two.
Bill did get to fight a big shark which gave him a thrill. We all thought the fish may have been up to eight feet long. (No Exaggeration)
The trace used was only heavy nylon as opposed to a steel trace that I would have used and of course the big one got away.
It was lovely out in the bay after dark. You could see the coastline by the array of Condominiums right down to Naples. Adie cooked the fillets on the BBQ grill with some seasoning and lemon, very tasty morsels.
Niki works with a woman who has a interest in American Quarter Horses and had offered Niki the opportunity for her to take Uncle out to their ranch horse riding. A I mentioned I have been an avid fan of Roy Rogers and rather fancied myself abreast a well trained quarter horse experiencing the comfort of a big Mexican Saddle. Here was my chance. Adie looked after the kids and Niki and I set of for the range. Jennifer has a miniature horse stud along with a menagerie of other animals, ranging from Lama’s to Pigs. I was not interested in riding lamas or pigs but focused on the quarter horses that a couple of kids were riding. We arrived as a big horse float was entering the yard. I watched as a quarter horse mare was let out of the float. She had just been on a date with a champion stallion. Unfortunately I did not get to see him but the mare looked very happy and had a large smile on her face as she feverishly chomped grass.
I was given instructions on how to ride where to have my feet in the stirrups etc and climbed aboard. It felt real comfortable and I had assessed the horse as being used to different riders and safe as I had seen kids riding it. I noticed it was a bit foot sore and encouraged it to move off the park area in front of the stables where there was gravel. He was foot sore and slowly moved over to the sandy part of the paddock. I was wondering if he had another gear so pressed my heels into his guts only to find myself in a fast canter in a flash. He missed a gear. The kids around me were in a bit of a panic and two of them on another horse were soon by my side “You OK Mister” they said with popped eyes. I responded in the affirmative and soon found a harmony with this wonderful horse. The girl riding the other horse asked me about my riding skills and corrected me when I used the wrong term i.e. canter = loop, gallop = run. I found this horse up there was the best I had ever ridden, responsive, sure footed, attentive and rearing to go. I was aware the horse had been saddled up for several hours and the temp was bout 30 degrees even in the late evening. I reluctantly climbed off and gave the horse back. That was fun.
The beaches along the coast are often murky and have mangroves along their banks due to the river and estuary. About an hour drive north there is a popular swimming beach. Adie was keen to go there because not only is it good for swimming but you can screen sand and find fossilized sharks teeth.
Niki four year old Angie, Paul, Adie and I filled the cooler with drinks and set off.
There are not many people swimming there yet. They all thinks its too cold and are sunbathing in the hundreds on the beach. As we know the sea temp in NZ is about 13 or 14 degrees and is tolerable. Over here 20 degrees is too cold. There were several scuba divers off the shore trailing buoys behind them. I swam out about 50 meters to be above them and watching their progress. I had my mask and snorkel. One bloke came up to get his bearings and got a hell of a shock to see me there. “Where did you come from” he asked. “New Zealand” I think he was even more confused as he went back under. We collected about a half dozen fossilized sharks teeth. They are black and are deposited on the Venice Beach as part of the Gulf Stream current. I was careful not to get sun burnt when I was on land, but my hour or so in the water gave me a hot glow across my back and neck. I didn’t need any blankets that night.
I’ve been sussing “Thing Psychiatric” here this week and will be attending a recruitment fair being held by a Mental Health Provider this Saturday.
They are looking to set up level three community home and services similar to the TACT service. The Crisis Team here is advertising for staff and the money for experience MH state registered nurses in a clinical capacity is about US $20.00 and hour.
I’m off to the UK next weekend
I wonder what will happen next.
Bye for now
George Dubys
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