[Mike Oliver]

Crafty Angler

Thanks. My trip is 17 days so a gallon of Guiness will not last the four of us too long. I regret to say I don't drink Jamesons or any whiskey but that don't mean I won't substitute a really good Rijoca or two.
I typically start fishing on Xmas eve about 22.00 and go into Xmas day until dawn. It is a very magical and spiritual experience to be standing in white water holding you rod horizontal just above the suds and right behind you are mountains shrouded in mist or with a dusting of snow. On the far side of the bay you can see the odd twinkling light from a house in the tiny Hamlets. Your ears are full of the sound of the tearing roaring surf and your body is tossed around like a cork as it comes rearing up in the dark in a solid menacing wall of water. You are locked in place by the previous receeding wave, balance is critical at this moment, when the water pressure from the oncoming wave and the receeding wave is balanced you are released and up you float up the side of a 4 foot wave. To topple over now means a very long tumbling ride under water at times onto the beach some 70 yards away and a cold sobering soaking. Yes it sometimes happens but its worth the ride to be there with no other human beeing in site. Some years I catch a Bass on Xmas eve and Xmas day in the one session. I call it Gods gift. This is the kind of church I feel closest to God in.

Have a peaceful Christmas everyone.

Mike