Smoked snapper

November 2

Tom awoke with anticipation.  That little-boy excitement that something new and great was about to happen.  He crawled out of bed and decided to break a 3 week habit.   Why not have breakfast downtown? Do not let habits develop that have no benefit.  A two block walk ended at Sofa's Cafe in downtown Thames. Brashly he stepped up to the waitress, ordered, and sat thinking about the day to come.  Some type of coffee cake arrived with a pumpkin flavor and 10 ml of extremely black coffee flavored liquid.  A 'short black' the menu said.  Not the American interpretation of coffee, but this day cannot be ruined.  Returning home, he organized his gear, checked the map, and filled the car with another 5 gal for $40.  Nothing ruins this day.  He is going fishing.

Hamdy, an Egyptian anesthesiologist working in Thames, arrives at Tom's house with his chilly bin (cooler) and dressed for the wind and water.  They met two days prior and he kindly extended an invitation to come with Tom to the hospital's biannual fishing trip.  Asking whether Tom had a district-medical-issued auto ( he did ) or otherwise, Hamdy decided they would go in Tom's car.  A pleasant conversation of international locums jobs and families in different worlds ensued.

There was a planned get together in Coromandel town after the excursion.  Hamdy was not interested in staying, so arrangements were made for his return. Tom looked forward to tell fish stories that would rival Bill Wehrkamp.  Bill, a small time prairie lake fresh water fisherman always had stories that were difficult to verify.  Fortunately for Bill, he is an excellent cook.  Bill's friends would never question the means by which he obtained his catch.  Tom was on his way into the deep blue ocean to chase whatever lay before him.  And verification.

Hamdy and Tom arrived first and waited on the Te Kouma wharf.  Took a couple pictures and the remainder of the group gathered in time for the fishing 'barge' to leave.

                                                                      The Coromandel bay area looking from Te Kouma.

                                                                       How many fish out there waiting to jump on my hook?

 The fishermen and women piled onto 2 barge-like fishing vehicles operated by "Mussel Barge Snapper Safaris".  For 10 extra bucks (8 American bucks), Tom was issued a rod with real fish hooks and a stout sinker.  By the looks of the boat, the boys did not expect to chase marlin.  But, nothing could ruin this day.  Off they traveled through the islands and eventually hooked onto  the mussel farms in the Coromandel bay.  Red snapper hung out there.  Unexpectedly, the red snapper were about to do battle with a guy with years of anticipation.  Skill had little bearing in the upcoming dual.


Bits of squid and bonnie were impaled on the hooks. The rest of the day fish were caught.  They almost jumped into the barge.  Tom landed an unbelievable 5 fish, but threw one back for the simple gesture of sportsmanship.  Three snapper and a travally.  One snapper was a monster.

The expert fishermen arrived back at the wharf 6 hours later.  Very few people decided to stay to hear Tom's story of great fish success.  Hamdy's chilly bin was completely full...

They fishermen realized they needed to clean the fruits of the sea.  Tom had no chilly bin.   A crisis point brewed.  The fish wrapped in plastic bags and thrown into the back of the hatchback arrived back in Thames that evening.  Caring for those fish took primary importance.  The audience of fish stories did not materialize.

It became apparent to Tom why a decision to use his district-medical-issued car.  By the time they returned home Hamby and Tom smelled of each other as socially unfit.  The Corolla spent the night with the windows down and febreze liberally applied the following day.

The cleaning experience utilized the backyard hose and several dull knives.  The three nice sized catches were placed in the freezer.  The monster barely fit into the refrigerator.  Following a night of chilling down, Tom received advice from several veteran fishing experts. He should smoke that big snapper.  Overall, it was a very satisfying experience.  He seems to yet be coming down from the anticipation, actualization, and aftermath.


Oh, the blonde woman is having fun, too.  She is no longer at home in Thames.  She left.  Tramping with Liz in the south island.  That story will follow.