TO FISH, OR NOT TO FISH?

Carmen and I are now living on Pulau Nias in a nice house that overlooks the ocean. It's a great view with clear water, and I can go fishing out the back door (the only downside is all the garbage the neighbor throws in the sea). We will be here for the next two months, or until a field base can be found.

Last week Carmen and I got back from Pulau Weh and I had a chance to do some more spear fishing. I wasn't quite sure if I would be able to do it because many people go there to check out the reef and do snorkeling and diving. I wanted to be sensitive about it so I asked one of the locals at the resort we were staying at, and one of the tourists. They both said it was "ok" for me to fish there, and they encouraged me to get a few fish for the BBQ that night! I was stoked to go because of the amazingly clear water, and the abundance of fish! I saw a nice parrot fish about 6 meters down, and I went around the back side of the coral bed to get behind him. I got the fish on the first try, brought it to shore, and was told by the cook to go get another one!

On the second trip out I saw a huge squid (cuttlefish), and took him with the spear. I then returned to the shore again, and the cook was really excited because it was so big! I put it in a bucket on shore and went out for another snorkel. When I returned two German tourists were on the beach...I hadn't even begun to take my mask off before the shouting began, but I took it from their comments that they weren't too happy about seeing the dead squid.

Now despite what some people may think, I am a conservationist at heart...I don't want to see all the fish or animals disappear because people are selfish and take more than what they can use. At the same time I have no problem with taking a fish or two, or shooting a deer to have meat for the year. I think God made fish for the specific purpose of BBQ (especially salmon...mmm). I got a strip torn off me about being a "cold blooded killer", and "how could I have killed this animal; it's so beautiful and it's my friend", and "squid are rare we don't see them often", etc... I was quite ticked off to say the least. Most of what was said was a load of bull (squid are not rare the locals eat them everyday); I guess they are not used to seeing their food before they eat it. I'm also pretty sure that they eat fish themselves, so they're being pretty hypocritical. Then the rumors started flying around the resort...the one German girl kept telling everyone she met that I had killed an Octopus and that I was a real bastard, and I ended up getting a few dirty looks from one or two tourists. I didn't invite them to the BBQ that's for sure!Other people didn't care in the least and told me not to worry about it... In fact, the cook only Barbecued the parrot fish, and the locals ate the squid themselves...I didn't really want to demand to have it since I had caused an uprising already so I didn't fight it. This episode hasn't dampened my spirits in the least; I'm going fishing tomorrow!

SPEAR FISHING 101

Spear fishing is a new activity that I'm really beginning to enjoy. I bought a spear several years ago in Australia when I was backpacking with Dan Bidne, but didn't really have much opportunity to use it until I arrived here in Indonesia. The biggest hindrance to spear fishing is water clarity, it's much harder to spear a moving target when you can't predict it's movement. Last week I was really lucky; the water off our main beach turned clear for two or three days in a row! I was only able to get a mask and snorkel for one night, but managed to get three fish (yeah they weren't huge, but they are getting bigger). I was especially excited to see a really nice parrot fish that was about 4-5 pounds, but it wasn't meant to be since it's favorite hangout was underneath a huge rock. Every time I attempted to get him, he would retreat into his cave where the spear could not reach, and then it would tempt me by coming out as I surfaced to breathe. Some fish are really easy to spear. I don't know what kind of fish they are, but they are either daredevils or just plain crazy. I have had several of them come and nibble at the end of the spear! They are way too tiny to be worth spearing, so I "usually" ignore them, but I have been known to get trigger happy...sometimes things look bigger underwater! Today I was lucky and found my first lobster. I happened to see two antennae sticking out from under a rock, so I reached down and pulled the lobster out...to bad he was only three inches long...I tossed him back in the sea to get bigger. Next week Carmen and I are going to be on our R&R and we plan on going to Sabong Island for a break. Apparently it is one of the best diving areas in Indonesia, so we are excited to go with a diving team and refresh our skills. Until next time...

REDNECK'S IN EVERY COUNTRY

Sometimes I really miss driving my truck. There is nothing better than shifting into 4WD, spinning the tires, and climbing a hill (or spinning out in the mud). There is some freedom in it; especially when you can go where few others have travelled. In Indonesia there aren't too many people who own vehicles locally. Most families are lucky if they can afford to purchase a scooter/motorcycle as the main mode of transportation....and then there is Apoang (pronounced A -pong). He drives a 1972 Holden (El Camino Style) boat, with Harley Davidson stickers on the side, and a picture of a gun on the rear window. His car is well known, you know it's him before he even see him, and he doesn't need a 4x4. This car goes wherever it wants; whenever it wants! He is my kind of friend; especially since he goes fishing at every given opportunity.
Over the last few weeks I have fished with him three times. Two of which have been disorganized and crazy; just like any typical guy who is planning on going fishing. One night he invited me to go lobster fishing. Upon arriving at the boat he then informed me that the water was too murky so we would do some fishing instead. This was fine news to me. So we got into the boat and were prepared to go when Apoang threw out his line and began fishing before the boat left the beach. I asked him what he was doing, and he replied "fishing, What, did you think we were going to leave the beach?" It was really funny to me, especially because his girlfriend got seasick (without leaving shore) and he kept fishing even though she was feeling green. It was hilarious. We didn't catch much.
This weekend I had a feeling that our luck would change. Apoang had arranged for a boat to take all of us to a local island for the day, to fish, read, relax, and maybe go for a swim. We were supposed to leave at 8:30am but his girlfriend took the 1972 Holden to Calang to get bait for the trip. The car broke down and she didn't arrive until 10:00am and from there we went indirectly to the beach. At 10:30 we left the beach to head to the island and we were all excited. It turns out that he didn't really know anything about the island we were going to, and we couldn't land the boat there because there was no beach, just sharp jagged rocks. We ended up taking an hour boat ride to a different beach, which was very nice and beautiful; however, we could have driven to in 10 minutes (it was a part of the main island)!

We had a nice afternoon, but couldn't catch any fish. Then we took another one hour boat ride back home in the hot afternoon sun. It wasn't my idea of a well planned day, but hey I'm not one to talk. I've done similar things back home with guy's camping trips!I think next time Carmen and I are going to plan this weekend ourselves! We had a good time, but not what we expected. I guess there are Rednecks in every country.

FISHING IS GETTING BETTER

This week has been great for fishing! Usually the water at the beach in Jabi is a little bit murky, but the last few days have been amazingly clear and I was able to try some spear fishing! I did nail a few small ones mostly because things look bigger underwater, and because the small ones didn't take off as fast as the big ones. This was the biggest fish I caught spear fishing, I'm not going to show you the pictures of the other ones; they were really tiny! Today Carmen and I went to "Radio Tower Island" and did some fishing in the morning. As usual, I don't realize how long I am spending out in the sun, and got totally burned. I also had one small fish sting me and it hurt a lot; it felt like a bee sting and my finger started to swell up, but after an hour or so it was back to normal. I threw all of the fish I caught back because I kind of felt like I was fishing in an aquarium; they have some amazing colors on them! Today was a good day for fishing, and I caught 5!

Carmen and I are going to go swimming at the beach tonight. I'm hoping that the water is clear enough to take the spear; there is a nice little reef really close to us. This time I want to only get big ones, no more small ones because they are easy!

I've noticed that all of the small fish are in close to shore, so on our vacation we have been talking about doing some deep sea fishing! Who knows what will happen...stay tuned...

RAINY DAY FISHING

There is nothing quite like a rainy day in Sumatra. Sunday is the only day that Carmen and I have off work, so we decided to head for "radio tower" island rain or shine in the early morning. We don't know what the proper name for the island is, since it is so small, but it has a large tower on it, so "radio tower island" seems to fit.

The day wasn't going as planned; I broke out in the night with a rash all over my body (some sort of reaction to the heat or something I ate). I was quite miserable with the rash and lack of sleep, so we decided to wait for the afternoon to head to the island. After an anti-histamine my rash disappeared, but when we went to leave a big thunderstorm was starting. Well, as I said before, rain or shine, so we went fishing in the rain. It was great because it was the first time since being here that we have felt the slightest bit cold! Yes, we had chattering teeth, and we loved it, it was great and refreshing. I got lucky and hooked into a nice fish (shrimp for bait works well), and after 45 minutes of toughing it out in the rain we left for home. I cooked the fish Canadian style, with lime, onion, and black pepper. It was really good, but kind of small! Oh well, I'm having better luck now! This Saturday night I'm going Lobster fishing with one of our local staff who knows the area; it should be a lot of fun. Until next time...

FISHIN' AGAIN

Well, I don't have much of a story to tell. I haven't really caught many fish although I have tried to. Today Carmen and I walked to a local island, it's knee deep water, so we just wade over. I brought my fishing rod, and managed to snag a small fish for bait. After that I just caught bottom...
Last week I was more fortunate. I caught a small grouper with my fishing rod, and managed to spear a small fish with my Hawaiian sling. The funny thing about the sling was that I was aiming for a larger fish but missed, and ended up getting a small one! Since I haven't been catching much I think I will just buy them instead...lobster here is cheap!

ATTACK OF THE TIGER

Thursday was an interesting day. I traveled North about an hour and a half to do a survey for a water source up in the jungle. The Jungle Trek was about a half hour hike through some of the thickest bush I have ever seen! We surveyed the source and have decided to do a gravity flow system to meet the water demands of the village. Despite the annoying leeches, yes I got two stuck on my bum, the TREK went smoothly. We returned to our home town, to find out that the same day a local hunter was mauled by a tiger only a 10 minuite hike into the jungle! So far he's alive the tiger didn't kill him, but still, kind of scary. So far the only dangerous thing that I have seen are wild boars. One took a run at us as we walked home one night, then headed for the bush as soon as he got within flashlight range. I've started carrying a pocket knife for the walk home. Indonesia is a great place, exciting, warm, friendly people, and interesting wildlife...until next time...

HUNTING AND FISHING IN INDONESIA

Well most of you know that I'm working in International relief with MEDAIR in Indonesia. It is a passion of mine to work with people who need assistance, and as a Christian I feel called to this line of work. However, some of you might not be too familiar with two other influences in my life...hunting and fishing. I have always been interested in wildlife and all the little critters that creep and crawl. When you hunt and fish, you can get up close and personal with some animals, and they taste good on the BBQ. While I'm here in Indonesia, I will try and keep you updated on these two hobbies when they happen. Stay Tuned...