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Hey Mates,

You can never get all the conditions 100% perfect when heading out filming in the field, however some of the best footage we've filmed is when we've had our backs against the wall; rough seas, fish not biting, then boom, we pull a special catch out of nowhere and get some hot action in the can. As we set out on our last shoot, the weather forecast was perfect; no wind, clear skies and we were heading to a slice of paradise on the Wairarapa coast where they get crayfish and paua in the rock pools… everything was in place and we were feeling confident.

We choppered into a remote hut known affectionately as 'the sugar shack'. With no power, no cell coverage and no internet connection, our plan was to get away from it all and 'live off the land and sea' for a week. If we couldn’t catch our own food we’d go hungry, it was that simple. Within a literal stones throw of the front deck of the shack there were crays and paua... which we would have gone and got if not for the 6 meter swells crashing over the rocks.  

Great, no wind and not a cloud in the sky, but the swell prevented us from harvesting the delectable seafood that was so tantalizingly close. It was a good thing that a short stroll out the back door we had some venison (well not such a short stroll, rather a gut busting hike up the hill)... but none the less I stalked and shot my first stag with help from a couple of pro's. Not satisfied with venison for dinner for the whole week, we added to the menu, blue cod, trumpeter and tarakihi. While the fish listed are tasty, you’d hardly consider them sport fish… that is unless the trumpeter were up to 15kg, at this size they were more then a challenge on 10kg tackle. I’d love to see one of the 25kg trumpeters that the locals have caught.  

So with more than enough fish to feed us for a week, it was time for some pork. With the help of the dogs, Rocky, Ferg and Ace, we got a couple of boars... then what do you know the swell subsides and we get some paua.  Now I've skimmed over the details, but of course with me and a few hard-case Kiwi blokes in the outdoors for a week, there was plenty of shenanigans caught on film; like a run in with a couple of fighting bulls that decided to come after me and cameraman Dave. I haven't been so excited about getting footage into the edit suite in a long time, so it's got to be good.

Keep 'em tight
Matt