As I had only lip hooked the eel it was my intention to release it, however, my partner told me she had a special recipe for such a fish. I have watched, and tried, everything she has done with fish, I have little doubt the dish will be delicious. The eel had lovely white flesh, I cut the body into six pieces and I believe these may be destined for the steamer.

I think like most people I held had a certain reservation about Asian cooking, now I know better. With the addition of certain sauces, herbs and spices, fish (and parts thereof) that we would normally be instantly rejected, can be made into a seeming gourmet dishes.

My partner is as keen as any member of this site to be on the beach fishing, she takes a keen interest in everything, often baiting my hooks and assembling and dissembling the gear. Three days ago she was watching a fellow angler land a small red cod, when he offered it to her she lit up. Once she had the fish at home she worked her culinary magic. I gutted and removed the gills for her, then not one part was wasted and the end result was brilliant.

When I told her this is usually a winter fish I am now under orders we must continue to fish through the colder months.

If that's not an angler's dream partner then I don't know what is???