Favourite dish returns to Winter Menu

Lady fishers scale new heights of success

Story and pictures by Debra Douglas. On-the-water pictures: Betiana Marquez & Marie Hensley.

The PIC Insurance Brokers Ladies’ Fishing Day competition was a day of firsts for Squadron team member Marie Hensley. Not only did she take up rod and reel for the first time, but she caught a couple of prizewinners – biggest kahawhai and closest to average kahawhai.

“I’m hooked on fishing now; can we go out again tomorrow?” was her excited response.

Not so prolific was Dinah Dolbel. Perhaps it was her choice of bait. Her candy-coloured slider lure didn’t live up to its promotional hype and snared only one fish, albeit a prize-winning one.

“Sliders are best for deeper water, but my snapper obviously didn’t see the video,” said Dinah. “I caught it near Rangitoto Light. Birds led us to schooling kahawai, which led us to snapper cavorting underneath.”

Dinah, whose first fishing experience as a child saw her standing on the end of Panmure Wharf with a safety pin on the end of a line, says the highlight of the day wasn’t her solo catch, but watching the shags and juvenile black-backed gulls waiting for the small fish to be thrown back.

“How do they fit the fish into their mouths, then down their slender necks? Talk about biting off more than you can chew. Another highpoint was watching the two newbie fishers catching their first fish. You could see the buzz it gave them. Better than actually fishing.”

Kathleen Sando went the more traditional way. Opting for pilchards as bait, her four snapper gave in to temptation off Waiheke.

“It was close to Matiatia, but it could be a secret spot,“ said Kathleen. “Best ask our wonderful guide. The highlight was the whole day out on the wonderful Hauraki Gulf, with great people and a great driver.”

Two Squadron teams on board Tiri, skippered by Squadron CEO Hayden Porter and Double Trouble skippered by Richard Watson and Jamie Logan, took part in a day that began with an early breakfast at the Squadron and ended late afternoon with a champagne prizegiving.

The fish caught were photographed on a measure board, so the fishers were able to release more than they kept. Prizes included Shimano Sorocco rod and reel sets, PIC Insurance Brokers BLUNT umbrellas, Legasea hats and shirts and Koparepare wine.

1/ Betiana Marquez took out the ‘Largest Other’ category. 2/ Dinah Dolbel’s ‘Closest to Average Snapper’ catch-of-the day earnt her a BLUNT umbrella. 3/ From left, fishers Jo Logan, Abbey Watson and Hayley Gillespie. Jo won the ‘Largest Snapper’ category. 4/ Marie Hensley receives her prize from RNZYS CEO Hayden Porter. 5/ Celebrating a big day out. 6/ Hauraki Gulf fan Kathleen Sando.

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Members share their favourite way to cook their catch … Sizzling snapper With heaps of butter. Flour fish, then dip in egg. Don’t overcook as the fish continues to cook when you take it out of the pan. - Dinah Dolbel

Kahawai Fish Cakes 400 grams of cooked flaked kahawai 400 grams of mashed potatoes 50 grams of butter Salt & pepper 2 tablespoons of cream Seasoned flour or breadcrumbs Cooking oil Put the mashed potatoes into a bowl and fold in the cooked kahawai and the butter. Mix together adding the salt and pepper. If the mixture is too thick, add cream. Shape by hand into cakes. Roll in flour or breadcrumbs and fry both sides until browned. Serve with hot sauce.

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