It really was this big

Dad and I have had a great day with my mate I tramp and fish with. I love the opening of the high country fishing season and today was special to have Dad there with me to share it.

It really was this big ;-)

Plenty of new things for Dad. He'd fished for trout once before at Lake Taupo but not like today on a high country lake.

It was windy but from behind us. No dramas for us but we were on the edge of a near tragedy. As the wind got up those fishing from kayaks exited the lake. Just as we'd got M's tied down on the truck we noticed someone in trouble.

Rather than take a safer but longer route close to shore, a kayaker tried a direct course across the centre of the lake. The wind was side on and he capsized. A big sit on kayak isn't easy to get back onto and he couldn't.

Kayak off the route and M headed out to a clearly distressed and fading bloke. It was helpless watching from the shore. M said he had less than 5 mins in him and he wasn't sure he'd hold on to the back of his kayak as M paddled and pulled him to shore. Fortunately a small dingy with an outboard appeared and prevented a drowning.

Rather than battle the wind M left his kayak and walked back to us. We picked it up as we left and the guys partner came and thanked M for his help. I can't begin to imagine what she felt as she watched from shore.

Dad had a strike and briefly had a trout on his line but it got away. But as always it was the being there that counted and on this occasion the pleasure of having my Dad with me.