It was Saturday morning, 4 a.m. to be exact as we rounded Renews head on our way to “The Rock” in efforts to get a top stamp for the week. We needed another 700 lbs of cod.

As we rounded the head the waves crashed on the bow. I didn’t feel great either because we weren’t long home from a wedding. My stomach was turning over faster than our 35 Johnson but I was determined I wasn’t going to be the first to throw up. After all I needed that top stamp for good ol’ EI in the long winter months ahead.

I held on tight as my husband braved the waves that were gently slapping his face as he steered our old 20 footer. I tried to stay positive by thinking to myself “at least it’s not foggy” and “I can sleep in tomorrow.” I dreamed about how there had to be an easier way to make a dollar. I thought, oh how I wish I had to stay in school or marry a rich man and could go on a real cruise, not one to Renews Rock every day. Instead a fancy cruise to Jamaica, the Cayman Islands or I would even settle for Bell Island this morning.

I woke from my dream as Leonard, my husband shut off the motor and grabbed the ol' Norwegian Jigger. It hadn’t advanced that far so I grabbed my good ol’ reliable Newfoundland lump of lead and slowly released it over the side. I managed to rise slowly but my stomach was telling me I wasn’t going to make it. I felt like I had wine for breakfast and it just wasn’t setting right. My husband was swaying left to right as he was hauling in our first fish of the day. I yanked harder on the line knowing I had to keep up and I desperately needed that top stamp to buy Christmas presents for our four kids this year. I knew I didn’t have to worry about feeding them because we would live on moose soup, stew, roast and sausages.

The rails started to crack as we had a good drift. I threw out again but this time I was having trouble - stuck on the bottom I guess. I held on tight to see if the strain of the boat and the waves would break my jigger free. I gave another pluck and it seemed to move but not for long. It brought up solid again. Sure enough it moved again. It’s heavy to be a fish. With my luck this morning it’s probably a dead body. Leonard shouts “Are you going to pull in that fish this morning or ya goin' to wait till tomorrow?” My stomach started to turn again but I couldn’t give in. I hauled again until it brought up solid again. I must have a big fish by the gut. My arms were weak, my legs were weak and my stomach just about had it.

I looked over the rail to see if there was anything in sight. It seemed like I had been hauling for at least 20 minutes. Holy moly – I have a whale. I saw all white and the biggest head I ever saw. I had him good – right by the jaw, but used the gaff for reinforcement. I got a good grip and yanked with all that was left of me. I landed on my butt and the biggest codfish I ever seen in my life landed right on top of me. I saved my pride by not giving in and I knew at that moment my kids would get their gifts this Christmas.
  Submitted By: Holly Reddy