When the Woman’s Weekly had the chance to speak to NZ’s First Man of Fishing, Clarke Gayford – there was one person we immediately thought of to send out.
Our columnist Kerre McIvor has a newfound interest in fishing – which even culminated in the purchase of a double kayak for her and her husband Tom – so we suggested Clarke take her out for a wee fishing lesson, and, being the good sport he is, he immediately agreed.
Unfortunately Auckland’s unpredictable weather didn’t play ball and the pair were unable to leave dry land (which, in the end, may have been a blessing – imagine the newspaper headlines if the pair had to be rescued from Kerre’s little kayak!). Regardless, Kerre was put through her paces and came out with many new fishing skills – as well as many new insights into the man who is partner to our Prime Minister, Jacinda Ardern.
Clarke Gayford and Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern.
Clarke – host of Prime’s Fish of the Day – could soon arguably become the world’s most famous stay-at-home dad, and it’s a job Kerre reckons he’s going to be fantastic at.
“Nothing much fazes him, he’s personable and friendly and he can see the positive in any situation – even my feeble attempts at getting our roads ready!” writes Kerre.
Waiting for the fish to bite left plenty of time for the two to shoot the breeze – and the two spent much time discussing his impending fatherhood and his relationship with Jacinda. Clarke even opened up about his first date with Jacinda – which just happened to be a fishing trip.
“It was a Champagne day,” he revealed. “The sea was glass flat and we had a huge pod of dolphins join us. It was literally Jacinda’s first cast and she was like, ‘Ooh! Something’s pulling!’ She pulled in a 5.4kg snapper. And she said, ‘Is that good?’ And I was like, ‘That’s real good!'”
Clarke goes on to discuss the signs that made it clear their relationship was meant to be – how and when he knew she was the one, how he’s coped with all the sudden attention and what his plans and hopes for the future are. As well, of course, as how to hook the catch of the day!
Read Kerre’s article in this week’s New Zealand Woman’s Weekly, in store from Monday 26 February.
