Safe Harbor - Fishing?

Posted on Tue May 20th, 2025 @ 12:26pm by New York Survivor Briar Maddox & New York Survivor John ("Dodger") Smith

1,326 words; about a 7 minute read

Mission: Safe Harbor
Location: Safe Harbor Island
Timeline: September 15th Day

Briar followed the path down to the dock and sea dock. She was on fishing and such with Dodger.

Dodger walked in silence, not that he was mad or upset. He was just thinking if they could catch some fish it would really help out their food supply especially with winter coming. He jumped up on the fishing boat he had unofficially renamed 'Shrimpy' and turned to extend his hand to Briar.

"How many rods have you got Briar and nets as well? I'm hoping we can get a decent amount to help with our food supply."

"Three rods, and four nets were in the boat." Briar said "And two small crab pots."

"That's good. We can use the rods, and I'll make some droplines and bait them with some of the fox meat. If we're lucky the crab will walk right up the line."

"Be nice to have a variety of food in our diets. You guys work well together you know." She said as she began handing out the rods and the nets. She paused and looked at the rocks below the dock. "I wonder if we walk the shoreline we might find shellfish or something like that."

"It sure would." Dodger agreed. "If we come across some big rods, we can even try surf fishing." He paused, "We all work well together Briar. You and your brother are important members of our little family." He paused again and said. "We can catch clams that way. Find a bucket and something we can dig in the sand with."

Briar began rummaging in the fishing boat and came up with a bucket and a long tube. "Clam tube!" she announced.

"That's perfect! Way to go!" He exclaimed happily "Look out clams here we come." He smiled at her, "I can already taste them."

"I'll start on the Clams. You handle the crabs and fish." Briar said. "And if we can keep them alive then they will be fresher when we get them to the kitchen."

"You got it!" Dodger replied excitedly. "Just one thing. don't go too far, stay in my line of sight please?" Dodger didn't explain his request, he just hoped Briar would agree to it,

Briar nodded and headed off down the beach a bit. She didn't stray from his line of sight. She began to pull for clams.

Dodger returned the nod and got to work baiting the rods and then getting some straight lines and placing hooks and bait on them. If all went well, they would have a feast tonight of fish, crabs and clams, with hopefully enough left over to store and save for future meals. He cast the lines out and waited all while he kept an eye on Briar.

Briar had to dig a bit before she got her first lot of clams, and soon she was putting at least 2 per dig into the bucket she carried with her. She hummed softly as she did so, loosing herself in the work.

Dodger kept a constant check of both the rods and the straight lines and was beginning to get disappointed with his lack of success when suddenly one line jerked and then another. Letting out a delight whoop of relief he pulled the lines in and was rewarded with two good size North Atlantic white fish (cod). He quickly got them off the hooks and onto a fish stringer and then back into the water. Giddy with his success he checked the crab lines and saw he had three crabs on the lines. He quickly got them into a pot and dropped the lines hoping for more success.

As the sun moved to the zenith, Briar looked at her full bucket and smiled. She packed it in and headed back down to Dodger.

Dodger saw Briar coming back to him and he saw her smile, which he hoped indicated good news. he didn't know how good so he asked. "So, how did you do?"

"35" Briar said. "Some are bigger than others. But I think thats enough."

"35? That's awesome! Way to go! You did great. You may have a career as a clam digger." He teased in good nature.

"We will need to train all the others on it. Best to have more people knowing how to use the Clam tube." Briar said as she looked towards the water. "And you?"

"Yes, I agree. It gives them a sense of purpose and involvement." Dodger answered and his smile grew. "Oh, I think I did okay. Not as good as you though." He finished as he pulled up the stringer to show eleven good size fish. "In the post closest to you are fourteen crabs. However, in that other pot the one with fishing net atop is an octopus."

"Not sure we can handle an octopus," Briar said "They are not normally cooked by normal people. The crabs and fish are good."

Dodger chuckled, "I wasn't going to suggest we cook the octopus. I was going to use it as bait so we can save the fish we catch for us."

"Ok either that or to bait traps for foxes and such." She suggested.

"That's a good idea. A real good idea. I can cut it up so there will plenty to use for the traps as well as fish with." He paused for a moment and then continued. "You know what I would like? A bow that has arrows with fishing line and reel connected to the bow. Spear fishing."

"Maybe one day" Briar said. "I think we should walk before we run."

"Oh, no rush. it's on my Christmas wish list." Dodger answered with a grin. "I think in our case it's crawl before we walk. One step in front of the other. As long as we keep moving forward."

Briar froze "Christmas.." She whispered. "Thanksgiving. How will we handle that?"

"By being thankful for what we have, our group. The trust, loyalty and friendship we have in and for each other. For surviving. As for a meal. We make it from what we have. Christmas will simple but from the heart with home made gifts ." Dodger replied quietly.

"Maybe we can try and find something to decorate one of the outside trees?" Briar suggested. "Though we do not know how much snow this island will get."

"That's a good idea, Maybe we can have the younger ones make homemade wreaths. As for snow and how much, you got me. I have no idea." Dodger said with a smile.

Briar nodded. "Well lets get this food up to the house and find out what is going on up there." She hefted the bucket.

"Sounds like an excellent plan to me." Dodger replied as he looked to the house, "No telling what trouble their getting into up there." He teased as he pulled the stringer line out of the water and then picked up the bucket with the octopus in it. "Briar can you carry the bucket with the crabs in it please."

She nodded and picked up the second bucket.

He fell into step beside her. He enjoyed her company. "We can fillet these, use what we need for dinner and save the rest."

"Amy said the Freezer should be ready to be used now that it has had time to get cold." Briar said. "Nice to have electricity and such."

"Man, you said a mouthful. It will be great to put this into the freezer. We should see if we can find some salt just to keep as a fail back if the power goes out."

"Not sure we will have a lot but we can look."

"Well, we don't need it now but we can begin looking for it and stockpiling it just to be safe." Dodger answered

Briar nodded and together they took back their spoils to the group and were soon busy sorting and preparing for the rest of the day.

OFF.

 

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