How, where and with whom do you start your weekend? Erik Haaijema from Aduard prefers to cast his fishing rod and fish at sea.
First check the tide, then arrange the bait, prepare the gear and he can start. Erik Haaijema (59) prefers to go to sea to fish in his spare time. “It’s a hobby that got out of hand.”
He casts his fishing rod at least twice a week. Near Lauwersoog or in places a little further away. The location and period of the year determine what he fishes for. “On Saturday I ate my own dab, in the spring I catch flounder, which is a slightly larger flatfish and in the summer it is mainly sea bass and garfish, and that is also very nice,” he says enthusiastically.
Just a moment to collect myself
The fresh air, being in nature and fishing itself feel like therapy to Haaijema. “Business and private life are discussed and in the meantime I enjoy fishing and nature. It really is a moment to come to myself and clear my head.”
He does his fishing at the weekend, but the preparation starts early. “On Friday afternoon I go digging for lugworms. I go onto the mudflats, stick my fork in the ground and dig up the piers. They go in a bucket of salt water for the next day.”
From the first moment
He fishes alone or with his regular fishing buddies. They know each other well. “Sometimes you have nice light conversations and you’re talking a bit stupidly. At other times you talk about things you have experienced in life and the conversations are very difficult.” Both bring him relaxation.
Haaijema was 7 when he went to sea with his father for the first time. Driving very far, very big water and many impressions: that is what he still remembers about it. But he was infected from the first moment. You don’t need any special qualities, but you can learn from experienced people, he explains. His tip: go with someone, watch and ask as much as you can. “Then it will become your own.”