The Boulder Bash

1. Is it true that you have more rods and reels than Smart Marine and W S Lauries put together?

A1   This is not true at all I have a few (37 rods and 42 reels) all in current use, this includes the ones on long term borrows from well meaning friends. Many of these rods were purchased from those fine establishments above but of late a respectable number have arrived after a flutter on trade me

2. How did you first get interested in fishing and did they have rods and reels in the Stone Age?

A2   Unlike you Bacon Maker I led a well rounded and happy childhood being introduced to fishing at an early age both for trout at Lake Toupo and Whakamaru then spending every Christmas holidays for three weeks at Schoolhouse Bay near Te Kaha after Snapper, Hapuka and Tuna. We started with a Plylite 12ft6� driven by a mighty 4.5hp clutch model Seagull outboard and progressed though several boats to a Hanes hunter V196 with a Volvo petrol inboard and sternleg.

3. It is widely believed that your name Boulder comes from the fact you were actually born in the Stone Age. Is there any truth to that?

A3   Not so but unlike yourself I was born in an age where real men were expected to have real stones and I was fortunate to be so gifted. My Name comes from a sailing mate who looked at me one day and said �No one gets that fat from eating you must have swallowed a boulder� and I have been known as the boulder ever since. Though I recently implied to a lady I was talking to that the name described my matrimonial tackle size.

4. What do you rate as your greatest fishing accomplishment?

A4 This is an easy one and that is consistently out fishing you on your own boat. But some of the trips away to the Ranfurly stand out in my memory.

5. Over the next 5 year what are your fishing goals?

A5  I still have a list of places to go and some places to go back to as they owe me a fish or two. Especially the three kings and the Mokau trench as well as the Rumbles 60 miles out from White Island. The Mokauhinaus owe me a good fish and I want to spend a night or two in Whangamumu. Then I might think about Western Australia and Sailfish. The ten year plan involves most of the South Pacific and somewhere in there is a bash at those Tuna off Greymouth.

6. Apart from Bushpig. Who is your greatest fishing mentor and why?

A6  I acknowledge your input Bushpig as during my growth it has been comforting to measure myself against a truly average person to get a better handle on my progress. Sometimes though the handles in your case have been somewhat difficult to find for some very well known reasons! Seroiusly I have totally enjoyed learning from Kezza and PDS and many others while still looking forward to a day out with Lethal and my trip to Vanuatu with Matt and Kezza

7. Of the 300 or so rods and reels you own, what is your favourite bit of kit?

A7 That�s a hard one to answer as it has been said I am buggered for choice somewhat. Having started snapper fishing with a green handline and progressing after many years to 100lb Nylon handline it is a special treat to be able to choose the perfect bit of kit for a planned days fishing. I do favour my 8/10kg Catchalot with my TLD10 but if casting is involved I revert to my trusty Diawa sl30. For game fishing the Diawa 80wide that PDS got a fish on is a serious contender to make my day happiness filled.

8. Some forum Members rate you as a great guy. How much did you pay them to spread this news? , Or is it simply that your good at PR from your corporate environment?

A8    Quality and truth will always bubble to the top and you will be recognised for the wonderful sharing caring person you are. I am sure you will have found this equally true Bushie then again on second thoughts perhaps this is not yet in your stock of experiences. The only way to have good friends is first to be a good friend and if that means going the extra yards for a mate there is no question that�s what I will do.

9. How much are you willing to pay me to publish your replies with out editing them? What are your ban account numbers and is there any truth to the rumour that you and Billfish are brothers and you both appear to have been beaten by the same ugly stick?

A9     The answer to the first part is not one brass razoo and I have gone to extraordinary lengths to post this myself and avoid the tampering of trusty trotters.

It is true in part that Billfish and I are soul brothers both demonstrating all that�s best and manly in this modern world. As to our finely chiselled features a quick trip to a surgeon could if we so desired fix this. Others will never afford the psychiatric help that would be necessary to lighten their dark twisted souls

10. Its been said your involvement in this site and the people you have met through it have changed you, maybe even made you a better fisherman. How do you rate the impact of the people you�ve met through the site.

A10    At last a positive question as the many people I have met and come to admire and respect as friends have had a huge impact on me as a person. A better fisherman is also partly true as I have been exposed to many different styles and methods all of which has fuelled the demand for new and job specific tackle. This has caused some dissention on the home front but a clever use of spousal disinformation and plain cunning and deceit has overcome most of that. A months trip to Italy and much Gold jewellery has mopped up any residue of ill temper. Three years ago before F.Net I did not own a single gold reel whereas today�s tally stands at 4. I had never had the slightest interest in Game fishing till last year as I could never see the point in catching something you were going to let go and not eat.

11. Is it true that even if you catch your first marlin in Vanuatu with The ITM Fishing Show boys, you will still be a "virgin" as fish outside NZs waters DON'T count for squat?

A11    When I get back I am sure everyone who see�s my smile will know that I am no longer a Marlin �virgin� and as I intend to catch at least one more than your seasons tally Bushpig. My smile will be wider than the one on the town bike (an old expression for a verrry friendly girl) The only squatting to be done will be on your part as you hang your head so low in shame at being trashed yet again by a man old enough to be your father. Hold on a mo where did you say your mother lived, nonO NOOOOOOOOO that�s just too scary a thought to contemplate.

Conclusion   I have enjoyed meeting all the members I have come in contact with and consider those that I have missed as friends I just have not met yet

Boulder AKA Be older AKA Koru