Woodlife Trails

Mmmm…thinks Pablo. Perhaps I can apply a few tracking techniques to get closer to the fish instead of splashing about like a proverbial one out of water (but in the water – if you see what I mean).

It wasn’t too long before I’d bought myself a mask and snorkel. As my principle for seeing fish was going to based on “stalking” and zoning in (as in the woods) I decided against the fins. (They used to be called flippers in my day).

I persevered though and was soon wheezing well just below the surface of the water. Now to put my theory to the test. I kept still, floating face down, trying to relax and steady my breathing and waited, drifting slightly on what little current there was. Observers from the rocks, including Mrs P, thought that my lack of movement was the result of a complete snorkel failure until a small spout of water was seen being expelled upwards through the tube. I didn’t appreciate the “Thar she blows” comments.

I soon had the last laugh as it wasn’t long before fish started coming into vision. Small shoals of tiny fish, larger striped fish and even larger fish with spots on their tails. After 10 minutes under water, I felt like I was floating in an aquarium. This was fantastic. More fish came into my field of view including some larger neon coloured ones. Excuse my ignorance, but I have no idea what any of them were called. It was just such a wonderful sight.

I did notice a couple of jelly fish in the water. This was a slight problem in the bay and a couple of people had already been stung. I made sure that I knew how to deal with it. I asked a local who told me the best cure was an amonia based substance. We all know what that meant! Failing that, lightly rub dry sand into the affected area and brush off. The old guy said that insensitive fishing had reduced the turtle numbers that feed on the jelly fish. I reflected that this was again another example of the circle of nature being broken.

 After a couple of days I was able to start “reading” the fish. I knew the best feeding areas and started “tracking” them through the water by following their crater-like marks caused by feeding in the sand. I knew that when one type of fish appeared, others would closely follow.

I saw him on a number of dives throughout the week just by looking out for the fish behaviour. A few other snorkellers failed to notice him even when I described the area and fish behaviour, which was perhaps testament to the success of my underwater tracking technique.

Hah! Perhaps Max Maxwell will take his next TV series underwater. Max, if you’re reading, I’ll take the Pitusan Islands Underwater Tracking course for you any time. No problem.

Of course as with any Zoning-in and close encounter, you can’t be sure whether this was down to luck or technique. But to me it’s proved with a reasonably degree of confidence that you can zone-in in any environment. It might not be true underwater tracking, but pretty close.