Lord Howe Island is one of the most unique places off the East Coast of Australia. The species of fish we are targeting is Doubleheader Wrasse and it can only be found in the island’s spectacular blue lagoon.
The Lord Howe locals have a reputation for fierce independence and that has helped them protect their Pacific Idyll from developers. Gary Crombie is Marc’s fishing guide and a sixth generation Lord Howe Islander. Gary is an impressive looking man with a striking mohawk hair cut.
The water in the lagoon is so clear that Gary can actually spot the fish for Marc and coach him through every single step of the fishing process.
In no time at all Marc is finding out why Doubleheader Wrasses are such a challenge. The fish actually pull the boat around in its effort to break off on the coral. With Gary’s expert coaching Marc is able to land a fish and marvels at their uniqueness and an appearance “that only a mother could love”.
On the next day Marc meets up with another local Harry Rourke. Harry is a younger model of Gary and his family have also been on the island for six generations and established the famous Pine Trees Lodge. The family fishing boat is the Albatross, a fine old craft that once ferried passengers of the Flying Boats that stopped off at Lord Howe in the 1950’s.
Nowadays the Albatross is Harry’s fishing boat and soon Marc is wishing he hadn’t taken on a bet with Harry over who could catch the first fish (using bread as bait). Marc settles up with a swim around the boat.
Gary Crombie wants to try and get Marc a really big Doubleheader and they are soon out again after collecting some crabs for bait. The imposing twin mountains that are Lord Howe Island’s most recognisable feature (other than Gary’s Mohawk) are shrouded in clouds and mist as the fishing begins.
Marc manages to catch and release several more Doubeheaders as his time is starting to run out on this fishing adventure. Suddenly a big one is on the line, but is pulls so hard it busts off and all Marc and Gary can do is share a hearty laugh and call it a day.
As Marc’s plane departs he is left pondering how he would look with a Mohawk and the uniqueness of Lord Howe’s beauty, fish and locals. Marc realises the locals love seeing the tourists arrive, but that they also love to say farewell to them also.
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