I’ve had some pretty awesome adventures over the last few years. But because of the pressure involved in the filming, and a sometimes crazy schedule, some of the experiences pass me by without the full effect sinking in.
For example I might have been working for days or weeks to catch just one particular fish in some weird and wacky way; and when I pull it off I’m often concentrating on the light being on the correct side, communicating the experience to the audience, making sure there isn’t too much wind on my microphone, and positioning the fish just so, in order for the camera crew to get the perfect shot.
By the time all of that is done we often have to film the pick-ups (the other bits to put the scene together), then it’s time to pack up all the gear and get off to the next location to start again.
Amidst all that, I often don’t have time to take in the stunning surroundings, feel the full thrill of the fight or savour the sight of the fish as it first glints on the end of my line. Recently, I was in Vanuatu, and had just come off the thrilling high of catching a blue marlin from a Jetski, when we packed up and trekked about 180 miles north to the Island of Gaua. My mission this time was to catch enough fish to feed a village, but I only had a hand line and I would be fishing from a dug out canoe. This adventure had its challenges, the dug out leaked, the seas were rough, I was plagued with sharks, but still I had an awesome time and caught some big dogtooth tuna and had run-ins with marlin and sailfish.
What really stuck with me was the reaction from the villagers when I paddled up onto the beach with the front of the canoe stacked with three solid dogtooth. They hooted, cheered and danced up and down the beach. I couldn’t quite figure out whether it was because they had some fresh fish, or because they didn’t expect a skinny white boy, who could barely paddle in a straight line that morning, would turn up in the evening with the canoe full of fish. These people had nothing in terms of worldly possessions, but they had everything in terms of a happy disposition, and whatever they did have they wanted to share with us.
Yes we were there to make a TV show, but for me personally it was great to have something to work for other than an exciting finale to the show, the long hours in the canoe were all worth it, and it will be an experience that will stay with me because of the people and the place, more so than the fishing.
Keep ‘em Tight
Matt
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