At the entrance to the hotel where they were going to eat, they spotted something that aroused the urge to fish, “A poster with fishing for halibut”. The two fishing-loving people then continue:
-I took a picture of the poster and called Michal who arranged halibut fishing the next day. Already at the first contact on the phone, there was a good contact and a pleasant tone. Genuine Northern Norwegian humor and an openness you only find in Northern Norway.
Michal told us that it was too windy for us to go out to sea, so we agreed to keep in touch. The very next day I called and asked, ‘We really wanted to fish’. Then we were told that the weather forecast was good for Thursday, and we agreed to call before we showed up for the trip.
The weather forecast hit and then it was just a matter of agreeing on the time and place.
We were excited about this. None of us had been on halibut fishing before. Once on the boat, we met Michal who turned out to be exactly what I associate with a true Northerner, -full of humor and good stories.
Before departure, we received a thorough review of the boat and safety equipment. Then came the thing that we have talked about many times afterwards, – Michal said that when we got the halibut, we should do this and that.
We smiled and thought that it would probably have been better to say “if we got the halibut”.
But our fantastic fishing guide would not have talked about anything other than when we got halibut.
We set out from the quay, and there was no wind and the sun was in a cloudless sky. We consoled ourselves with the fact that it was at least a fantastic trip on the sea, “Typical westerners to guard”. On the field, fishing rods and fishing equipment were prepared, and the safety routines were repeated.
There wasn’t time for many fishing stories before I got a bite, but he quickly found out that I was stuck at the bottom, and couldn’t reel in an inch.
Michal took over the fishing rod to get a feel. This is probably not the bottom. I’ve never felt the bottom move,” he said smiling.
I took over again, and never have I felt this feeling before. Slowly but surely, the halibut came closer to the boat, but it was heavy. The pulse increased with each meter that the fish approached. So far down there we saw it was like something big white coming up towards the surface of the sea. Now it was time to haul in on the starboard side and get the shark hook ready.
At first, this was estimated to be a halibut of 30 kilos. But when, after a basketball game and bleeding, it was to be dragged over the scratch, -then sensual Michal needed help.
“Ho must be over 40 kilos” said skipper Michal.
There were many comments and the laughter was loose, and in fact, the post-inspection showed that the halibut weighed a whopping 45 kilos.
This is the most amazing fishing trip we have had. The nature around us, the silence when Michal wasn’t telling stories, something that spiced up the whole trip. We plan a new trip and then we set aside several days for fishing. We realize the importance of the good weather and local knowledge of fishing.
We highly recommend this fishing trip, you will not regret a fishing trip with Michal.
A big greeting from Ove and Svein Helge – Newly saved halibut fishermen
Text: Svein Helge | Photo: Bjørn Eide
