Hunting and gathering

[thecrab87]

I went for a quick after work dive yesterday. The conditions were
horrible. I had to swim across the normally dry stream bed and the
bay was full of muddy runoff, so I was forced to hike out to the point
in the rain. On the point, the surf was banging one side and the wind
swell was crashing into the other. Terrific. When I jumped in
though, the water was clear... aaaaahhhh! FREEDOM! I love the
feeling of flying through crystal clear water. Ulua hole #1 was
empty, but #2 was holding a small white.
Dropped down on the outside ledge: right time, slightly wrong spot...
a 30# white ulua popped up, just out of range. It was so rough, that
by then I was starting to feel seasick, and the brown water was
starting to move in, so I headed back to shore. I did see a cool
shark, swimming right in the middle of a ball of opelu. Neat. I got
out on the point, and was immediately almost cleaned out when a set
came in and washed over the point. Good grief! One nice thing about
all this rain though... my watercress spot is looking great. I picked
a bag, and made stirfry when I got home.
http://www.geocities.com/haolecrab/watercress.html
http://www.geocities.com/haolecrab/completelydifferent.html

[soupknot]

Enjoyed your story. Your cooking is right on, watercress and pork, simple is good! And a wild watercress stash, now that's awesome!

I lived in Kawaihai on the Big island for year or so back in '86, god I loved it. That was before any serious spearfishing days but I remember visibility that I can only dream of these days. Here in New England crappy vis is routine. I love to forage a little seaweed or shellfish not to mention fresh fish. Oysters and clams get me by during long winter months. At various times during the summer there are some wonderful mushrooms to be had in the forests and mountains for those who know.

Looking forard to your other foraging stories and recipes!