Okiwi Bay
21st January 2006
The day started with a leisurely rise for most, rendezvous time of 8:30 am at Paul's house. Number's confirmed with Stu, Angus, Mark, Irish and I present, Pauline unfortunately was ill and unable to attend. We made our way to Okiwi Bay launching ramp with the club boat in tow. A decision to go for scallops first was made and making full legal use of the new Fisheries rules Angus, Irish and I went into the water to collect scallops. Returning with a successful catch, despite the poor visibility in which we lost each other.
Now it was time to hunt down the elusive crayfish. Venturing on to a spot Angus recommended. Stu and Mark were first in, while the rest waited for a surface interval in lovely flat sunny conditions. Stu and Mark return with some specimens for the bag. Now it was the turn of Angus (with Hawaiian sling) Irish and I. Angus returned with some fish which was good considering the viz. I had a very average return but did manage to collect the target species, while Irish did fairly well in the acquisition stakes. It was excellent to see a lot of good size Cray's about, including some very large ones, unfortunately in very deep holes.
Irish also had a little personal adventure on ascent with his weight belt slipping to one side during ascent causing him to spiral at an alarming rate. He thought he saw a large fast moving dark shadow go past (this was later dismissed, amazing what you imagine under stress!!). This had visibly upset him, but after a while we managed to convince him not to sell his gear.
Mark and Stu went for the next dive, which turned out to be a scenic dive in the gloom, during which the afternoon wind got up a little with a bit of chop on the water. So it was back to Okiwi Bay boat ramp and then on to the Rai Valley for the all essential debrief. During the trip home Irish kept us entertained between his Nana naps with some very interesting stories which cannot be put into print, including an explanation of an upcoming dinner for three. He seemed very excited about this, we are looking forward to his report.
All had a very pleasant and reasonably successful day.
See you next time.
Allan
