Rest in peace Mark Neves
Rest in peace Mark Neves: I could write a book on the epic times we had with Mark Neves and his family over the years. He was one of our best clients for the best part of the early to late 2000´s at Bazaruto and most of all a dear friend whose memory we will cherish forever.
Mark always flew his own Euro-chopper to the Archipelago and without ever holding a fly-fishing rod in his life he did come up with his own style of what he called fly fishing!!!
Send the boys at sunrise on VAMIZI to the north point and after breakfast we would get on the chopper, land on the sandspit and within 5 minutes have the spread out. At noon we would get back on the chopper and come for lunch at the resort and a siesta. Get back on the chopper, land on the nearest beach to VAMIZI and enjoy an afternoon session.
But, always be back to the lodge in time for a cold one at sunset at Clube Naval!
One year while still a bachelor, after a week’s fishing and a couple days after Christmas he asked me how I was getting to Tofo, where I went every year for chasing tail and a wild new year’s party!
I told him I was getting a chicken bus (African taxi) – he had none of that, postponed his departure and had his pilot fly me to Tofo on his 20 million Chopper.
Late afternoon we landed on the beach in front of Fatima´s nest, hot chicks all round and here I came out the chopper like a millionaire…walked up the beach into the bar and asked for the most expensive whisky!
To say that was my most ridiculous awesome holiday ever and that I scored like a champion is an understatement!!!
Mark fished throughout the year and enjoyed all kinds of light tackle fishing but his favorite trip was always the May Day week which was also the beginning of the sailfish Season and for three years in a row we broke the daily sailfish record on the 1st of May!
We used to fish throughout the year but his favorite trip was always early Sailfish season and we broke the most sailfish released record in a day three years in a row on May Day.
To my desperation that was at his very chilled pace and with Andrew and Grant, who were like 4 and 6 years old at the time getting into the action. To my utter frustration he was all about having fun, I wanted the numbers but had to deal with the lunch breaks, siestas and all else that was not conducive to getting it done!
One special day is still printed in my mind – we went out early in the morning, only the two of us and the crew (Alex & Alberto) – the sailies were snapping like there was no tomorrow.
Constant pack attacks, we caught a bunch and at 11 he decided we should go back for lunch, have a siesta, get the boys and come back in the afternoon.
My frustration was at its peak. I mean we could catch dozens in that time and who knows what the bite was going to like later in the day!
Well, we got back out at 2pm and they were still snapping – imagine what the numbers could have been without that 4-hour break!!!! We hooked both boys up within minutes on a double and it never stopped almost to sunset, but of course we had to get back for that Vodka tonic!!!
Mark helps little Grant as he fights and releases yet another sailfish during one of many action-packed sailfish action days we experienced together for many years.
Myself and Gretha took those young boys for their first dive (where Andrew saw his first Bull Shark), taught them how to waterski and wakeboard, dune boarding….just so many memories!
I could go on and on…
Rest in peace Mark, thanks for the good times and all the laughs, fun and friendship.
Our deepest love Pauline, Andrew and Grant, we really hope to see you back in Mozambique sometime soon and that you see our boys and of course remember and celebrate Mark over a sunset and a cold one at Clube Naval where we spent so much time together – I know he will be smiling and cheering us from the heavens…
Duarte A. M. Rato
Fishbazaruto.com
Sportfishing Charters @ Vilankulos & Bazaruto Archipelago
MOZAMBIQUE
Email: dudas7mares
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