March 22, 2013
Cape Brett is the southern boundary of the Bay of Islands, and we wanted to round this cape in the early morning when it’s most calm. We decided to anchor overnight in the closest anchorage to Cape Brett: Deep Water Cove (Part of a larger area called Maunganui Bay.)
Maunganui Bay sits several miles east of the outermost islands in the Bay of Islands but is still considered part of it. That said, it feels very different as the closer you get to this bay, the more exposed you are to the open ocean. Once you get up into Deep Water Cove, though, it’s a well protected anchorage.
The anchorage sits tucked amid hills covered with native bush, with deep green water and a rocky beach. A navy ship was sunk near the entrance to the cove and has become a popular dive site, something we found out firsthand as we made our way in.
We were motoring along into the bay when we spotted a high-speed dinghy carrying a dive group headed our way. The driver thought he’d cut in front of us but changed his mind when he realized how fast we were going and abruptly turned to go behind us instead. Rich made a pointing gesture at our fishing pole so he’d realize we had a line trailing and not cut it too close.
We went about our business and were startled when this boat suddenly pulled up beside us and a guy started yelling: “You Get That Line IN Or Put Out a Trolling Flag NOW!” We stared at him, trying to determine whether this was some sort of prank. A trolling flag? That’s something a professional fishing vessel might have, not a recreational boat. We needed to bring the line in anyway as we were getting to the bay, and as Rich started to do so the boat sped off.
At this point, we were more amused than anything else. After anchoring and going ashore, we ran into another dive group and asked the dive master if boats here use trolling flags. She had never heard of such a thing, and confessed that the skipper was probably trying to save face in front of his group. She was so sweet and apologized on behalf of all New Zealanders. We accepted her apology on behalf of all Americans.
Of course I spent the rest of the season asking marine stores and various people if they’d ever heard if a trolling flag. The answer was of course no. But we’re glad that guy saw fit to yell at us about it, because in a 24-year marriage you can’t have too many private jokes and need occasional new material to replenish the supply. Those fishing poles do not get put out without witty remarks about how we’d better locate the trolling flag.
When not doing hysterical imitations of the guy pointing and yelling about the trolling flag, we hiked up part of the Deep Water Cove Track at the Manawahuna Scenic Reserve. We didn’t make it all the way to Rakaumangamanga, but when the trolling flag jokes wore thin we amused each other by trying to pronounce these things. By the way, Rakaumangamanga is the Maori word for the Cape Brett headland. –Cyndi
Above is a gallery of photos of our Deep Water Cove anchorage and our hike. As always, click to enlarge the photos, click right side to scroll through, and lower right x to return to gallery.
Update:
Brilliant Tom. Thanks for the great business idea!
Trolling Flags: $20.00 each.
