FOR Peter Lou, a day spent fishing off the coast of southern Queensland beats any overseas getaway.
“It’s not just about catching fish,” the 60-year-old said.
“It’s good to see the ocean. I’ve travelled around the world, and you can’t beat a good fishing day.”
Mr Lou, of Macleay Island, originally moved to the island with an ambitious plan – to open a takeaway store and catch enough fish to sell.
“It was just an idea, and it obviously doesn’t work,” he said.
“First, because I am too busy at the takeaway to do much fishing, and because by the time you fillet the fish, they are too small.
“I can buy some for a few dollars.”
Mr Lou has operated the takeaway business for the past 11 years and believes it is now the longest-running business on the island with a single owner.
“Most businesses last two to three years here before they change owners,” he said.
“I bought this one for $25,000 and I really was just buying myself a job.
“I don’t have much skill, and this was a guaranteed job for me.”
He arrived on the island with his own boat but sold it seven years later when it became clear his fishing-for-profit dream was unrealistic.
These days, he heads out whenever he can with a friend who built his own vessel – a six-metre half hard-top powered by a 240hp motor.
“He cleans the boat and takes me to where I want to go fishing. We like the company,” Mr Lou said.
A favourite fishing ground lies off Moreton Island near Tangalooma, where he regularly hooks bream, kingfish and snapper.
But despite his passion, Mr Lou rarely keeps his catch.
“I just catch and release. I don’t eat fish. I only keep some if someone asks me to,” he said.
For him, the excitement lies in the unpredictability.
“You never know what you will get next. I like to catch the biggest fish I can, but there’s never a guarantee,” he said.
While others may find joy tending gardens, Mr Lou has taken a different approach at home.
“I concreted the front and the back at my place and now I don’t have to worry about flowers and mowing the lawn,” he said.“Not working on my yard gives me more fishing time.”
That time on the water – rod in hand – is the ultimate reward.
