The Monsoons are in full flow, in Goa. There are dark clouds hovering on the horizon, almost everyday as heavy showers come pouring down. It is also that time of the year when enthusiastic anglers pick up the angling rods, and with baits head to the nearest water body. Some diehard anglers will not exchange a day of fishing for anything in the world. Of course waiting for a bite with a fishing rod in hand, sometimes for hours at end calls for a lot of patience. And these angling enthusiasts seem to have it. At the end of the waiting they may have much to show by way of a catch. But that does not seem to deter the diehard anglers. Many probably consider that the time spent out fishing, is time well spent. Of course the activity could be soothing to the nerves. It could be one way to get away from the daily grind. Many do not go out fishing so that they have fish on their dinner plates. For them it is a kind of sport which is coupled with relaxation.
Many seasoned anglers know the place and time when a good catch could be got. Some stand on rocky terrain in the sea and try their luck throwing all caution to the wind. Recently ‘Herald’ carried a picture of two anglers standing on the base of a pier on the Zuari bridge with an angling rod dangling in their hands. That is the extent to which diehard anglers will go to get a decent catch. Angling as a hobby is a great leveller.
One sees elite of the society fishing side by side with unemployed youth and retired persons who have nothing else to do to kill time. While there are those who catch fish to sell it in the marketplace or by the roadside, others take it home to have some fresh fish for lunch and dinner. I am neither a diehard angler nor am I good at the art of fishing. One Sunday, as there was no fish in the refrigerator at home, I decided to go fishing along with a couple of my neighbours. Armed with a fishing-rod, a plastic bag in which to place the catch, a lot of hope and strict instruction from my better-half to return home with a good catch, I proceeded to the nearest water body. After several hours of sitting by the riverside with the fishing rod in hand I did not strike much luck. A couple of small fish was all I had to show for my trouble. But then I had to face my wife at home. That is when I struck on a brilliant idea. I headed to the fish market, bought a share of expensive fish and marched home with my “catch”. My wife was impressed. She suggested that I go fishing everyday.
