The One That Got Away

During a past summer, Robert, Rod and myself travelled down to Mornington to embark on a fishing experience.  This is the story of the one that got away.

Now, before I go on, I need to explain how diametrically opposed these two friends are : Robert and Rod.  The only similarities are that their names both begin with R.  

Lets Start with Robert.  Robert is one who is most dignified and cultured.  Rumour has it that he descended from the Royal family (still to be confirmed).  At home, i will find him drawing a castle or playing the violin or polishing his Queen Anne couch.  But, above all, his faith  in God inspires me every day.

Let's move on to Rod.  Rod is one who is the quintessential bachelor.  As soon as you walk in the house and past the line of fishing rods, you can sense that he is unique.  But, above all, his faith in God inspires and encourages me.

So, back to the story.  We hiked for a kilometre or two to a river.  For some reason, I was the designated one to carry the bait and equipment all the way (I am still bitter).  Anyways, when we arrived at the river, the conditions were pristine.  The birds were chirping, the water was sparkling and the sun bathed us in its warmth.  With much excitement, I baited my hook and cast the rod with much vigour.   Sort of.   The hook caught on the collar of my shirt and the line tangled around me.

So, on my second attempt, I cast my rod again.  The hook flew through the air and across the river and landed on the other side of the river.  So, I slowly reeled in the line; when all of a sudden, a blur of grey ran out of a bush and bit my hook.  A moorhen came from nowhere and grabbed my bait.  Hook, line and sinker.  

Now, according to wikipedia, "Moorhens, sometimes called marsh hens, are medium-sized water birds which are members of the rail family Rallidae. They constitute the genus Gallinula.^[1]They are close relatives of coots, and because of their apparently nervous behavior (frequently twitching tail and neck) are sometimes called "skitty coots". Often, they are referred to as (black) gallinules.Moorhens can walk very well on strong legs, and have long toes that are well adapted to soft uneven surfaces.

These birds are omnivorous taking plant material, small animals and eggs. They are aggressively territorial during the breeding season, but are otherwise often found in sizeable flocks on the shallow vegetated lakes they prefer."

Now, let us pause and consider what is happening.  I am in the beautiful Mornington Peninsula wiht two good friends on a fishing experience.  Now, generally, fishing, according to wikipedia, is the "activity of catching fish."  But, instead, I have caught a hen or a bird!  

So, I had no choice but to reel in this moorhen to retrieve my hook.  As I stood on the jetty and reeled in my line, the moorhen had other ideas and tried to fly away.  The battle was set.  A five foot uni student on a jetty versus a medium - sized water hen in the air.  It was vicious; but eventually, I won.  Sort of.  After I reeled in the moorhen onto the jetty, Rod pinned it down and tore the hook out.  By that time, the moorhen was quite violent and scratched Rod's hands quite badly.  But, Rod was brave and once the hook was removed, the moorhen was released and got away.

So, ends the story of the One that Got Away.  

NOTE : To all environmentally conscious readers, the moorhen is fine.

2nd NOTE : To all non-envrionmentally conscious readers, Rod is fine