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Gone fishin' in Canada!

 Just another fishing yarn!

GOANS, especially those who hail from Salcete, Goa which is blessed with some brilliant beaches … and fishing. But Goans will fish wherever they can catch lunch or dinner. Some of Goa’s rivers were probably made in Heaven.

Most of the Goans who fish in Toronto were probably baptised into the sport back in Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania and elsewhere in Africa which is blessed with some of the greatest fishing. We remember those who have perished in the sad process.

In Canada, one of the early “Samaki” (fish) gangs included Gilbert Fernandes, Mike Fernandes, Jules Fernandes, Norman Da Costa, and Xavier Fernandes … all were baptised in the fishing art in Nairobi.

There are many, many Goans in Heaven who took fishing almost as seriously as they practised their religion. No hijinks when any of them were around. Silence and concentration were paramount.

However, with the young guys a little fun and laughter, a huge joke on someone, or even tripping a best pal into a river, were all part of the day. Some of these traditions continue in Canada even though the practitioners are way, way past their teenage years. Sasa ni wazee!

Xavier Fernandes, who is not averse to pulling a leg or two all in the name of fun sent me this yarn:

By Xavier Fernandes

On a three-day fishing trip with Mike, Norman, Jules and myself. After a long day on the lake, we got to the cottage late at night and as usual Mike insisted on cooking while the rest of us showered and drank.

Mike and Norman were sharing a room and Norman went for a shower, I heard a bang and Norman stuck his leg out waiving enticingly. I went to the bathroom and found Norman had popped the shower door right out and there was water on the floor everywhere

Now Mike was frying the fish and was in a bad mood as hot oil had spilt on his arms badly

Anyway, I helped Norman put the door back on. We had to mop the floor but we didn’t have a towel. Since Norman had this gigantic green towel, he used it to mop and clean the mess including around the toilet

Happy with himself and a few stiff whiskeys later, he heard Mike in the bedroom screaming for his towel. Norman went in to help Mike look for the towel and handed Mike a green kitchen towel which was Norman’s!

Mike's towel, by the way, has long since been buried.

By the way, Norman and Mike will remain friends forever. They won’t let a towel get in the way of great friendship.

Mike as usual caught sunfish the equivalent of our bluegills back in Kenya while the rest of us were pulling huge bass and pickerel.

 

                       Jules, Mike, Norman and Xavier

Xavier, Diamond Mike, Jules


                                          Norman Da Costa with his back to the camera, unintentional!







Lydia Nazareth and Zenon DeSouza ex Uganda!






Christine and Tony Nazareth with Xavier!

Couple of pix from very long ago!





 


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