Fishing Europe with Captain Terry Fisher

I do not know exactly the reason(s) motivating ‘Man’s desire to fish. Is it merely the solace that one experiences? The mystique of what one might ‘catch’, or the fact our bodies are made up of 65% of water and we are naturally drawn to it? My 1st Mate, Vicki and I travel with great anticipation and excitement to different destinations to experience and observe people’s everywhere sitting at ponds, lakes, creeks, riverbanks, coastlines and on vessels to enjoy the most popular activity of all time; fishing.

This is an activity that knows no language barriers. Even though I only speak English, I have spent countless hours in distant lands ‘communicating’ with Turks, Grecians, Italians, Frenchmen, Canadians, Spaniards, to name a few. At the end of the day and when it comes down to fishing, ‘we all speak the same language’.

A recent trip found us on a month long venture starting with Istanbul, Turkey (where the east meets the west). We set our sights on the Galata Bridge (spanning the Golden Horn) at the Bosphorous Strait. The Golden Horn is a strategic inlet branching off the Bosphorous Strait (‘Strait’) and defines Istanbul’s Old Town peninsula. The city’s fate has always been tied to this stretch of sea. It is Istanbul’s highway, food source, and historic harbor all rolled into one. We were soon rubbing elbows with many fishermen. They were lined up with rods, reels, tackle and baits of all sizes catching varieties of small fish. Walking along the lower deck, we would see abandoned, broken lines hanging down with attached weights from the morning or day before. Numerous fishermen positioned on the deck above us with long poles, some with small corks bobbing on the water’s surface, in anticipation of catching the evening meal. We witnessed no big fish being caught or large amounts of fish, just little silvery fish (that here in the United States they would be used for bait), but that did not deter any of the fishermen from staying hours along the concrete docks and on the upper part of the Bridge. We would playfully ask, ‘Yem mi, yemek mi?‘ (Is that bait or dinner)? Their main catch(s) of the day were anchovies and mackerels and they proudly showed us their buckets of fish. Some were doing it for food, while others to earn a little extra money. There is a commercial fishing ban from June to September (no nets or sonar), which does not affect these rod and reel fishermen, but does affect the price of fish at markets and restaurants during these months.

The Galata Bridge is a long expanse connecting Old Town Istanbul with the ‘New District’. Restaurants are on both sides as well as lined along the lower deck of the bridge, offering a variety of fish dishes. On the ‘Old Town’ side, ‘fish and bread’ boats or small barges, sell cheap fish sandwiches.

Unfortunately, time did not allow a trip to the ‘old’ Asian fishing village of Anadolu Kavagi. It is at the entrance of the Black Sea and offers visitors fresh catches of seafood out of the ‘Strait’. Their specialty is deep-fried mussels. We did have the time to visit the Asian seaport district of Kadikoy to experience fabulous displays of fresh fish offerings from a number of Asian vendors and purveyors.

Next stop was Kapadokya, a region of central Turkey. It was our intent to discover what type of fishing was available to visitors in this desert region and if peoples of the region shared the ‘lure to fish’, as in other parts of the world. We took a ‘hot air balloon’ ride over the vast region to view what types of water (creeks, rivers, ponds or lakes) were available for fishing activities to the locals. We found that opportunity for us was virtually nonexistent. Nonetheless, we chose a land tour that included an extensive walk with lunch along a small river in the Anatolia Valley. Since no fishing equipment was anywhere to be found, we had to be content with asking questions and trying to spot what types of fish one might catch. We were told that only small fishes were available. Upon inspection, the species were similar to the ‘suckers’ (bottom feeders) and minnows that inhabit many back woods creeks and rivers of the Midwest (where I grew up). The ‘hot air balloon’ ride was fantastic, but we have no plans to return there.

Greece offered a number of options, which included snorkeling, diving and fishing at various destinations. Departing from the Port Piraeus (Athens), we cruised to the strategic Seaport of Hydra. This is the where the historic battles took place that saved Greece from being over-run by the Ottomans. Donkeys still provide land transportation. This quaint little island proved to be one of our favorite Greek destinations. Known for its sponges, we interviewed seamen in regards to their fishing techniques, equipment and huge stacks of fishing nets. We rented a boat and explored uninhabited islands and beaches while snorkeling to observe marine life along the coral and rock formations. Trolling for fish here yielded Mackerel and small Tuna.

Deeper into the Aegean Sea we visited the island of Santorini to enjoy some Scuba Diving. Cousteau Divers was the vendor and did a delightful job of trying to make our experience good. Unfortunately, unlike our east and west coast diving in Florida and the Florida Keys, there was a lot to be desired. The reefs that we dove were basically barren. Moreover, sport or recreational fishing as we know it are virtually non-existent, except for a couple of vendors, who advertised such but in reality was not much more than a trilogy of site seeing, stopping at a beach and on-board entertainment while hand lining an hour for small fish. No charters available for serious fishing. The Greeks are not ‘geared’ to serious sport or recreational fishing activities. It was just last year that the waters were open to recreational fishing activities due to ‘bans’ because of over-fishing and low fish populations. Most of the commercial fishermen in this area live on a small distant island, within sight of Santorini. They are the purveyors who consistently provide the Tuna, Sea Bream, Sea Bass, Dorado, Sea Mussels, Anchovies and Sea Clams, which were delicious.

The Bay of Naples (Italy) was by far the most productive for fishing. Sorrento (Amafi Coast) was our home base with time allotted on the Isle of Capri as well. This area offered more of what we are accustom to when it comes to fishing, equipment and vessels. We had committed to ‘hook’ up with our clients and good friends, Gino Mascarin and Jenifer Wintermans of Thunder Bay, Canada, who wanted to experience fishing the waters of the Mediterranean. We were honored and excited to join them. After weeks of discussing and planning, we agreed to meet at the harbor on Capri and spend a day on the boat to get familiar with the area and waters surrounding it. Our agreement was to spend at least two days on the water fishing and boating with additional shore time getting to know local fishermen to learn various techniques for fishing Italy.

I had arranged for boats and fishing through Capitano Ago Boat Excursions (www.captianoago.com/[email protected]). Captain Agostino runs a first class operation. He introduced us to Captains Piero Della Tommasa and Tonino Pane, owners of the Sorrento Fishing School (www.sorrentofishingschool.com/[email protected]).

We trolled for Dorado, Mackerel and Tuna and ‘free-lined’ for Red Grouper and big Red Tuna in deep water. Pictured here is Gino displaying one of many catches while trolling. I am pictured with Captian Piero and Jenifer. Many fish were caught. Prize fish like the Cernia Bruna (Red Grouper) being held by Captain Piero is common as well as the Tonno Rosso (Red Tuna) pictured with Capitano Tonino. The smaller fish were all caught while trolling small artificials while the larger fish where caught on Sardines ‘free-lined’ at deep depths. We chummed small sardines and utilized a ‘wind sock’ to slow the drift for line control. The equipment used and techniques are very similar to those we use on the coasts of Florida. These guys were fantastic and made our fishing and boating adventures second to none.

I recommend contacting these vendors when visiting the Amafi Coast for all of your boating and fishing desires. Words of caution; be sure that the vendors are aware of which type of fishing services you are contracting, as most European charters offer more of a recreational experience, which will include preparing your catch back at the harbor and will be included in the charter time frame you request and pay for.

Our adventure to Italy was during the Sorrento and Positano annual Fish Festivals (held on separate nights). It was at the Marina Grande Harbor (old harbor) in Sorrento and at the harbor in Positano that we enjoyed late nights eating seafood freshly caught and prepared before our very eyes. Both festivals were educational and fun. We gorged ourselves on seafood and wine.

We are looking forward to returning to the Amafi Coast to enjoy the scenery, the Italian hospitality, the boating and the fishing!

This is Captain Terry Fisher of Fish Face Charters reporting on the comparisons and opportunities that await fishermen and boaters alike at the mentioned destinations. However, while we enjoy other destinations, we have yet to find many places that offer the variety and conveniences like we have here in Florida. We are truly blessed.

Feel free to contact me direct with any questions regarding charters or services as ‘Captain for Hire’. I am easily reached at 239-357-6829 or via email at [email protected]. Check out my website www.fishfacecharters.com for services offered, including rates and other fishing tips.