I go to the water, because I must. 😉
-Joe
WOW!! …I truly thought this was a snag! (HA!) Joe had taken the boat out to drop bait earlier in the day and ended up having to cut the line because it had gotten snagged. Frustrated (really frustrated!), but still determined, he put the boat back in the water and did it all. over. again. Now, it should be said that this [taking the boat out] is NOT something he enjoys; he’s way out of his comfort zone here. He has a real fear of the ocean and what’s swimming in the depths (understandably…just look at the pictures below! Not to mention the fact that my mother reminds him every time we talk, that he’s just a boy from Indiana… thanks MOM!) 🙂 But he’s doing it anyway! Overcoming and staying with uncomfortable feelings, in spite of the fear. And that’s exactly how we grow (and catch BIG fish!)
The last couple of times he’s pulled in a shark I’ve heard his line zinging- no doubt there was something on the end of it! That’s how I knew, before, what was happening (besides Joe running to his pole!)
On this particular night, Ettie and I were sitting by the fire talking, and enjoying the view. Then all of the sudden this was happening! Joe didn’t seem excited or say anything; he didn’t run to grab his pole, so we just didn’t know. I even turned to Ettie and said, “I think it’s a snag.” But Dave quickly corrected me, “No, he’s definitely got something! Maybe a stingray..?” …hmmm…or maybe a SHARK!! OH MY!!! This is the third big shark he’s reeled in this month, and I can tell you…it was just as much fun the third time as it was the first!
We don’t keep the sharks, they just feel to human to me. I know they’re a fish, but they’re majestic. We have eaten the smaller (much smaller) ones in the past, and they are delicious, but these big boys, I just couldn’t bear to see eaten. I suppose because of their size. So Joe thanks the shark, (yes he does…gratitude), cuts the hook (that will fall out on its own) and “coaxes” them back into the water. Yes, he talks to them as he pushes them forward back into the surf (check out the video below).
(I do always wonder though, what are these fish thinking..
We were so happy to share this evening with Dave & Ettie; we call them family, but they are truly friends. Dave stepped up (another diehard fisherman) and helped Joe to land the shark. At one point Ettie was even holding the pole and I’m not sure how, but I didn’t get a picture of that! I think it was when the hook was being cut. My job (obviously) was to get the shots. As you can see below by Joe’s laugh, I got quite wet! And it was well worth it. Teamwork!
The last picture is NOT a shark, but a dolphin that swam by after all the excitement. A perfect end to a perfect day.
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