| Last updated at 1:54 AM on 24/07/08 |
Plenty of activity in the early morning hours of the recreational cod fishery 
DAVE WHITE 
The Western Star
Salty waters ebbed unto the last quarter of the waning July moon, Wednesday’s pre-dawn freshly tickled in the sky’s lingering red passion, a sailors’ delight. Almost.
The inviting calm of the new morning, foreshadowed in the crimson horizon off Bay of Islands only scant hours before, was ripe with expectation for writers seeking seeming sure-and-swift inspiration at the approach of another column deadline — which, also, is good reason for breaking rest at 5 a.m.
Like free fish, you’d think, because, cod does cost about $6 a pound in Corner Brook supermarkets, and an arm and a leg in area restaurants.
Yet, hardly a sound was evident in the half light of the new day, other than the common cacophony of newly fledged tern boisterously announcing preparations for the fortnight’s first departure from McIvers Island to points south as yet another shorebird breeding season draws to a close.
There was not a dory in sight, neither a keeled craft, nor a seiner.
Of course, real fishermen — those chasing the last of this year’s sea-run caplin in bigger ocean-going vessels — as well as assorted inshore harvesters with federally documented approvals to take Northern cod in that limited commercial play, which is now also at an ebb after hinting at promise of a species comeback, would already be taking care of their business through the afterglow of dark.
But, wait! It’s 6:08 a.m.
Punctuating rambling sentences bespoken of the muses of the season, comes the distant rumble of a freighter. Then, from nearer by, the hum of a outboard engine.
Two men in a painted white flat-bottom go heading out beyond McIvers on the bay’s north shore to points further west out the bay, and who knows where; most likely, seeking to catch some of God’s free food, just now being made legally available in the newest recreational cod fishery, which runs until Aug. 12.
Twelve minutes later, a second cup of java (actually tea, for those who know no better) washes away more of those waking cobwebs. The rolling wake of that passing container ship bound for Corner Brook splashes ashore in the square cove below my home-office window.
7:08 a.m: Another white-painted boat, a pleasure cruiser, appears off to the south shore of the Humber Arm, under Frenchman’s Head. Stopping something. Anchored. Fishing. Moving on to the east.
8:07 a.m.: Another dory, looking white and orange through my bargain store binocular, comes plying the waters along the John’s Beach shoal. Stopping. Moving. Fishing, too, like the European shags hunting smaller bait fish in the tickle.
A third cup
Tea is good for you, experts say.
Lots of anti-oxidants in it keeps the body from rusting, so to speak. Like the Omega 3s in fish. My third cup of the young day must now suffice until I can find some time free from on-call work commitments and a morning tide suitable for successful cod fishing. Maybe tomorrow, or next week.
Low tide is not much good for fishing, as it was to start the opening day. The wind was up 10 a.m. and the few who went out in the morning were back with just a few fish by noon. Not a total loss.
Meanwhile, the caplin are still running and area plant workers are processing the last lots of them this week.
Hopefully, the cod will be able to feed on their favoured summer bait around the small bays a while longer, keeping the bigger Northerns close enough inshore to make a day or three’s fishing productive and personally economical.
Sometimes it can be cheaper to buy fish, even at store prices, than to pay for that high price for the gasoline it’ll take to power the motor on the dory to get out on the bays and find the five fish which each person is allowed to catch each day, weather permitting.
Licensing a recreational cod fishery for residents in Newfoundland and Labrador, as is being proffered by federal regulators recently, may prove a less expensive way to stock family freezers with food fish.
Day quotas remain suspect at best.
If handled properly by the law makers, a licensed seasonal quota for recreational users could prove more beneficial to individuals concerned. A good run of fish on the high tides could permit the resource’s users to catch enough cod for their winter in just a couple of outings, maybe.
Big Hill fish to full
Next weekend’s Big Hill Festival, the culture and heritage music extravaganza now ready to make its fourth annual run in Cox’s Cove, should offer up a chance for a feed of fish or two among cod lovers during the July 31-Aug. 3 event, even an opportunity to hit the water and catch your own fish.
Boat tours, swimming at the municipal park, open barbecues, bingo, rides and games for children, card tournaments for the strategically inclined, and, of course, traditional music, food and flavour colour what is becoming one of the best-known summer holiday events on the west coast of the province.
Thousands of local people and visitors from afar partake of the Big Hill Festival for the enjoyment of some of the best downhome music you’re likely to hear anywhere.
Big-name performers and a host of local and regional talent showcase their talents at the festival and there is a growing wealth of other personal and family fun events that keep coming with it, worthwhile ventures all.
Bike rodeos
Later today in McIvers and on Friday in Meadows, student summer jobs program participants working under the auspices of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and the Federation of Newfoundland Indians will stage a pair of bicycle rodeos designed to promote safe bicycle use among cyclists in the north shore area.
Children and other persons interested in participating a fun day for biking safety may meet at the town hall parking lot in McIvers, beginning at 1:30 p.m. today or at Templeton Academy on Friday, starting at 10:30 a.m.
Rodeo riders will have an opportunity to test their cycling skills and learn to ride in safe and proper manners. Bikes will receive a complimentary checkup and some new and valuable riding and traffic skills testing will be involved.
Loot bags and draws for prizes will be featured to encourage involvement in the rodeos.
All participants are reminded to bring along bicycle safety gear for use during the events.
For more information, prospective participants may call the Corner Brook detachment of the RCMP at 637-4433.
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