Dory Story

Dan Bolt · Issue 54, May/Jun 2010 · pp. 45–49

Products mentioned: Canon 1000D, Canon EF-S 18-55mm, Canon EF-S 60mm Macro, Tokina 10-17mm, Epoque ERX-C1010, Sea & Sea YS-110a, Halcyon torch, Fantasea Nano Focus Light

It’s 7pm on a still autumn evening and our breath hangs on the crisp air as we discuss final plans, exchange signals and descend into the inky blackness. I am in Torbay, south west UK, with my buddy Paul. Our dive has one aim: searching for the enigmatic John Dory. My eyes scan the gloom straining for that distinctive profile, but almost before I’ve settled into the dive I see Paul’s torch flashing in my direction. The beam dances frenetically and I know exactly what that means. Once again, he has spotted the first fish of tonight’s dive. We can only come here for a couple of months towards the end of the year and with precious few weather windows I was concerned that we may have missed the action. I needn’t have worried because this year’s autumnal gathering is in full swing. ‘Saint Peter’s Fish’ as they are sometimes known, can be seen all round the UK in both shallow and deep waters, …