THINGS do not always go as planned.

Let me tell you a story.

As I had spent most of December and all of January on the Tweed River I was anxious to return home to Fingal Bay and get stuck into the snapper out of “Stinkpot”.

It was over the weekend when the wind swung around to the south and the sea commenced to build.

With some degree of urgency I took the bait of frozen yellowtail, king prawns and slimy mackerel out of the freezer.

Petrol, kick the motor over in the boat shed, rods loaded, berley, untangle the anchor rope, in goes the bung and back the truck up the driveway.

I was itching to get on the water and so was my mate “Stinkpot”.

Down onto the beach and off the trailer.

Here we go!

I was halfway across Fingal Bay when I had a strange feeling that I had left something behind.

Where is my tackle box?

Nowhere to be found.

Now I remember – I had left it on the table in the Wirrah Shed. Desperate to continue, I reckoned that I had three rods with hooks so I didn’t need a tackle box.

Full steam ahead.

I still had the feeling that all was not as it should be.

Where is my bait?

Sitting in the back of the truck on the beach.

That’s it, I’m heading home.

There is a lesson to be learnt.

Go steady, slow down.

Don’t let your enthusiasm control your ability to make decisions.

I will learn one day.

By John ‘Stinker’ CLARKE