Black and white flash design of a fish caught on a hook above waves, with the words Good Hope in lettering along the bottom.

Fish on a hook with Good Hope lettering

Blackwork · Black and grey · Flash

A black line drawing of a fish hooked through a large curved hook, with waves and stippled water filling the background. The fish has a detailed eye and scale texture, and the hook is shaded with dense engraved hatching. The words GOOD HOPE sit in ornate lettering along the lower edge, framed by swirls and dots.

Blackwork Fish Wave Lettering Water Dot

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A story inspired by this tattoo · fiction

Dear Tom, the gulls have been screaming over the quay since before dawn, so forgive the smudge. I'm writing with the lamp pulled close and my elbow on the net bench. The Good Hope came in at four without you. Dad said not to fret, that you'd sent word from Lowestoft that the hold was full and the engine was grumbling, and you'd be back on the Tuesday tide. I've counted Tuesdays since.

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I found the hook yesterday when I was turning out your oilskin for the wash. It was tucked in the inside pocket, wrapped in red wool, with a little tin tag stamped GOOD HOPE. Grandad's tag, I think, from the boat he sailed before the war. The point was bright as a needle. You always said a hook should be sharp enough to hold a promise and blunt enough to let a fish go, and I laughed at you for it then.

This morning young Pender hooked a pollack off the harbour wall and shouted for the whole street. It came up spitting silver, flashing like a dropped coin, and then it twisted free and went back under the green water. He stood there with his line hanging and his mouth open. Mum says that's the trouble with the sea. It takes what it likes and gives back only the stories.

I've tied a fresh trace on your rod and left it on the rail where you'll see it first. Come home before the mackerel run finishes. I'll have the kettle on and the tin tag in my palm, ready to hand you back your luck.

Your loving sister, Nell