THERE’S something timeless about fishing from a jetty – the slow rhythm of the tide, the scent of salt in the air, and the quiet chatter between generations.
For Steve Maggs of Lamb Island, it’s more than just a pastime – it’s a way to bond with his 13-year-old grandson, Hugh Gordon, a keen young angler with a growing collection of stories and even bigger ambitions.
“We’ve got 12 grandkids, but Hugh – he’s the one who’s properly hooked,” Steve said.
Hugh picked up a rod two years ago, cutting his teeth on carp with his mates at Underwood Park.
But it’s the call of Moreton Bay that reels him in when he visits his grandparents.
The water’s bigger, the stakes are higher, and there’s always the chance of a decent feed.
“It’s the competition and the challenge, I reckon,” Steve said.
“There’s just something about sitting there with him on the community pontoon.
“You chat to the other fishos, watch the tide come in – and if you’re lucky, land something worth talking about.”
Luckily, they do.
“Just recently, Hugh caught two good-sized bream,” Steve said.
“We filleted them up and had them for dinner – just enough for the three of us.
“One of them was the biggest fish he’s ever landed.”
The moment wasn’t just about the meal, but the memory.
“I’m proud, not just because he caught the fish, but because he’s out there doing something real,” Steve said.
“He’s a sporty kid – plays rugby and does the nippers at Burleigh – and sure, he’s on screens too, like all of them.
“But when he’s out here with me, rod in hand, it’s different.”
Steve chuckled, leaning in slightly, as if sharing a secret.
“The day before, he went out with his grandmother and didn’t catch a thing. But don’t tell her I told you that.”
Just another day on the jetty – lines cast, stories shared, and another chapter written in the tale of grandad and grandson, chasing bream and building bonds that’ll last long after the tide rolls out.
