Lake Liddell Family Weekend - April 2012

Trip Reports

Lake Liddell by Chris Bannerman

Date: 15 April 2012

With the trip being a family weekend we tried to get away on the Saturday and join Dave, Joel & Brooke, Col, Paul, Len and Trent up at Liddell but life got in the way and we had to settle for an early departure on Sunday morning. So at 5.15am the Bannerman family headed up the freeway to Singleton. It looked like it was going to be a great day with a pink morning sky but clear to the northwest where we were heading.

Arriving at the golden arches just before seven we were soon joined by Bob and Dave De Luca and Murray and his son Josh who had camped at Lake St Clair the night before. Over breakfast Murray related Josh's fishing adventures the previous evening with a big bass lost being the main feature. With no one else arriving we all set off up the New England Highway turning off to Liddell about 20 minutes later. Pulling up at one of the picnic tables we found Sticker had arrived a little earlier (forgoing MacDonalds - he's watching his figure these days) and was rigging up along with Col who was still cooking brekky. Brooke and Joel were also there with their little one, Abby. The rest were already out on the water chasing the carp from their boats. Bob and Dave D, and Col soon joined them while Sticker headed around to the bay near the road.

Catherine was keen to get started so I rigged her rod with a corn fly and armed with a tin of corn we headed off to the boat ramp where it was easy to fish. We were soon joined by Murray and Josh as well as Brooke, Abby and Joel. I threw a few handfuls of corn out while Catherine practised her casting then helped her cast a bit further out where we'd seen a fish swirl. No sooner had I turned my back than I heard a "Dad, I think I have a fish" and sure enough she was on, rod bent over. Her first fish hooked on a fly (on anything in fact). Luckily it wasn't a monster and we soon had it beached on the boat ramp. Needless to say I was a pretty proud dad at that moment.

We continued there for a little while but nothing seemed to be around so we headed over in Sticker's direction to my favourite haunts - the small bay near the road and beyond. Sticker was busily casting to fish he had sighted in the shallows at the head of the bay while we fished half way down, Catherine with her corn fly and me with the traditional egg-sucking leech. It was blind casting as the water was quite murky and grey clouds prevented decent sight fishing. Luckily for me though I hooked a reasonable fish before we again chose to move on.

Crossing the fence and heading around to the next couple of bays we soon spotted fish in the shallows. I fired out a quick cast near them and was met with a tight line on the second strip. Bow waves went everywhere as the fish panicked and spooked others but I eventually landed it after much slipping around in the mud. Soon we spotted a school of fish 50m further on. They seemed to be chasing shrimp as we could see something jumping out of the water ahead of them. We quickly moved to casting distance (which involved wading out knee deep in water - knew I should have brought waders) and put in a cast to see if we could hook one. No sooner had I started stripping than I was on and another solid carp was landed. Next it was Catherine's turn. We changed flies to a red and yellow chenille woolly bugger and helping her to cast she also hooked up on a solid fish and backed out of the water to land it a few minutes later. She was pretty pleased with herself as this was a decent sized fish.

Sticker soon joined us and we were both casting to schooling fish with many swimming around us before being spooked by our movements. The fish were eager to take the fly and we enjoyed a good session there with two more each taken by Catherine, Sticker and myself before heading back to set up for lunch. On our way back the Bunneys arrived and headed out for a quick fish before returning for our BBQ lunch with everyone else. All reports were that just about everyone caught fish including the kids. We departed about 3pm leaving Col, the Bunneys and Stickerman to continue on while we took a leisurely drive back through the Hunter wineries.

As usual with this trip, a fantastic day with plenty of fish and fun. I look forward to next time.

Little Moonee Creek Working Bee - March 2012

Little Moonee Creek Working Bee by Chris Bannerman

Date: 18 March 2012

With only 10 members out of 40 turning up to the working bee at noon on Sunday we were always going to have our work cut out for us. The grounds required a lot of attention and the facilitites also needed work. After a quick tour of the grounds by Rob Harwood we split into groups and took on different tasks around the park. John Robertson, Jim Hollett and Richard Hassall went to work with the chainsaw clearing the casting platforms of shrubbery while Dave Witham and Rob took an early dip to clean the fish tank.

Trent Morson and Mick Dillon took to the grassed areas with brush cutters and Stickerman attacked the casting practice area and the walking track around the main dam with his trusty mower. Meanwhile Col Breese cleaned up around the main biuldings and weeded the top pond while yours truly got sutck into removing the blackberry that had started to take hold around the main dam.

By 2pm we had made some good inroads to the main dam but Rob and Dave were struggling with the fish tank. The cleaning tools weren't really doing the job and Dave had sprung a leak (in his waders). Not to mention he had lost the BBQ scaper which had been pressed into service as an improvised glass cleaner.

We all adjourned for lunch, enjoying a sausage sizzle and a drink before heading down to the main dam for a fish. Dave had thrown a few pieces of bread in to see if there was any activity and was met with massive swirls and chomps as fish eagerly took the offerings. We had soon rigged up and first casts were all that was required to hook a fish. I landed the first bass quickly followed by Dave with another and then a silver perch. All were taken on bread flies.

Richard was next onto fish with a good-sized silver. Fish were busting up where there was bread but they soon became wary and the catch-rate slowed. Those who weren't fishing bread flies were having no luck at all. With members spread around the lake it became apparent that the end nearest the buildings was holding the majority of the fish. This may have had something to do with the fact that the owner of the park comes down regularly to feed the fish at this end. No prizes for guessing what he fed them.

The fishing at this end continued all afternoon. The fish still eagerly took the bread but they became increasingly harder to catch, often refusing a floating bread fly but taking all bread off the surface around it. A few fish were caught on the odd nymph and woolly bugger but the majority were taken on bread flies. Luckily we had a supply of bread left over from lunch to get them berlied up. Dave, Col and I managed a fish each from the silver perch pond but once again after the fist few catches the fish became very wary and no more were caught.

By 5.30pm we had all congregated to the active end of the main dam, each one of us eagerly casting our bread fly to the dozens of surface splashes. Every now and then a cheer could be heard as someone hooked another fish. I gave it away a 6.30 with the fish still smashing the berly - I had a dinner to attend. Three species were caught on the day - bass, silver perch and golden perch. The bass averaged about 20cm in length with the odd larger specimen to about 35cm while the silver perch were all about 30-35cm. All pulled well on our light gear and everyone caught fish. Ample reward for the hard work put in earlier.

CFA Interclub - March 2012

NSW Council of Freshwater Anglers Fly Fishing Meet by John Humphries

Date: 9-11 March 2012

This year’s NSWCFA Fly-fishing Meet was moved forward to the earlier dates of March 9th to 11th and thirty four keen anglers attending to fly cast, tie flies, fish and socialize in pleasant conditions at Wallerawang. On Friday evening a finger food supper was served and Jason Baldwin, Supervising Fisheries Officer, Fisheries Compliance, North West Zone gave a power point presentation on some of the compliance issues that DPI Fisheries have been involved in recently. Saturday evening saw forty people enjoy a well presented two course dinner in the new Black Gold dining room. During the evening several fund raising competitions were held and all in attendance appeared to have an enjoyable evening. Unfortunately our special guest, Scott Levi, couldn’t attend as the ABC required him to report to Wagga Wagga to cover the flood crisis down there. Approximately $5000.00 worth of prizes were donated by generous donors, among these were cameras, fly rods, waders and tackle vouchers, portable fly tying benches and kits, flies, accommodation vouchers etc.; some of these were issued as lucky door and competition prizes while others were used to raise funds for the NSWCFA. Approximately $3111.00 was raised for the NSW CFA. Several local enthusiasts joined us for the dinner and prizes draw’s. Several cash donations were received from people that couldn’t attend but appreciate the effort that NSWCFA put in to maintain a sustainable freshwater fishery and we owe them a big thank you. Rob and Linda Cluff and their team at Black Gold continued with the usual high standard of hospitality that we usually experience for this weekend and I recommend it as a base if you want to fish the area as an individual or on a club basis. The Central Tablelands press gave the Meet good exposure and they are always prepared to print a press releases if the trouble is taken to give them one. Although the Meet is more a friendly social event there are four not so serious competitions and the results are as follows. Photo competition sponsored by ‘Fujifilm’: Angler with fish: Min McClelland, Fly Fish Bathurst (FFB) Fishing scene: Ken Colmer, Central Coast Fly Rodders’ Club (CCFRC) Humour: Murray Keating CCFRC. Fly Tying competition Sponsored by ‘Tiewell’: Open: Lewis Williams Sydney Fly Rodders’ Club (SFRC) Advanced: Ken Webster FFB. Beginner: Nathan Webster FFB. Novelty: Dan Engel Lithgow. Casting competition sponsored by ‘John Coles’: Distance Accuracy: Open: Greg Hayman Singleton Fly Fishing Club (SFFC), # 1 handicap: Roy Browne CCFRC. # 2 handicap: Steve Newman The Lakes Fly Fishing Club (TLFFC). Dry Fly Accuracy Open: John Coles SFRC/Don Salter Lakeside Fly Fishing Club (LFFC). # 1 handicap: Kevin Kai SFRC. # 2 handicap: Ray Tang CCFRC. Fishing: Longest rainbow: John Coles SFRC 53cm. Longest Brown: John Coles SFRC 44cm. Otto’s trophy for the longest fish: John Coles The fishing comp is catch & release. There were several fish recorded over 60cm but they didn’t qualify in the catch sheet time frame which was for Saturday only. The Ross Salvato Point Score Trophy was won by Central Coast Fly Rodders Club. The NSW Council of Freshwater Anglers are extremely grateful for the generous donations that were received for this event. My thanks to all the guys that helped me at the Meet particularly John Robb and Ray Tang who gave me terrific support.

The Entrance - February 2012

Trip Reports

The Entrance @ Night

Date: 18 February 2012

4pm start, stiff sou Easter blowing, overcast with storms threatening, from what I have read of previous trips this was standard weather procedure for The Entrance outing. Let me introduce myself first, my name is Len Verrenkamp, I have lived and fished on the coast for over 30 yrs and until this trip had never used a fly rod apart from a few casting sessions in the car park at work over the last week in preparation for the night. Let me tell you now, standing on a concrete slab where there are no rod holders, outboard motor or seats etc for your fly line to snag on is a totally different environment to standing in the back of a 14' tinny with a bloke you have never met before trying to learn to cast, learn a new language and not clouser the skipper! Pardon the pun, but this was a sink or swim scenario, in the end neither of us ended up in the drink, some fish were caught (yes I nailed an EP on my first outing) and I had a ball, not so sure on Chris, he had 3 cans of what looked like coke in the first hour and I am sure they were not because he was thirsty. With around ten boats and twenty fly fishers turning up for the evening it was an excellent roll up. After dinner was organised (KFC for all and sundry) boats were launched and most headed towards the bridge with a few venturing up the north west channel to fish around the islands (all sounds very exotic doesn't it).

From my observations the night was an outstanding success, the storms stayed away, the wind dropped off to a gentle breeze and conditions appeared to be pretty good, the water clarity left a little to be desired making sight fishing almost impossible so lots of casting and stripping was required. The KFC was procured and delivered to each boat (great effort Bob), some shuffling of positions continued until dark when life jackets were donned and everyone settled in for the evening with the odd holler breaking the relative quiet indicating a netted or lost fish. Species wise Tailor seemed to make up a fair majority of the catch with a good smattering of Flatties thrown in to around 45 cm, I heard of a couple of Bream being caught and also some Mullet, oh and did I mention the two EP's caught by Chris and myself! I did not hear of any Whiting being caught, however they will certainly be a focus for me on the next trip as they are often around in good numbers in late summer. What a refreshing experience it was to fish with the club, the fact it was not a competition and there is no kill and grill mentality made for a great first trip for me, thanks to all.

Christmas Fish and Lunch - December 2011

Christmas Fish and Lunch

Date: 11 December 2011

Well it's been a quiet year on the trip report front but at least it ends with one. In our annual Christmas get-together to celebrate the festive season we all met at the Koolewong boat at 6am to have our last fish together as a club for the year. Half a dozen boats departed the ramp and went their seperate ways. Roger and I decided to fish the flats around Ettalong to see if we could snag a few flatties or bream and spent a relaxing morning drifting the flats between Ettalong and Pretty Beach. With no success there drifted along the mangroves between Pretty Beach and Hardys Bay casting poppers into the mangroves and watching bream chase them out. We had a couple of half-hearted hits but no hookups and the fish soon became wary of our presence. From there we travelled up to St Huberts Island meeting up witht he two Jimmys (Jims Hollet and Hyatt) and we spent until lunch time fishing the inlets of St Huberts hoping to pick up a flathead or bream. On returning for lunch we met up with families and members for a fantastic fish and chip lunch. Our heartfelt thanks go to Catherine Tizard for her wonderful lolly bags for the kids. They were a great hit. Even Brownies boys enjoyed them - they must have, they were fighting over them for half of lunch. And our thanks to Steve for organising what can only be described as a smorgasbord of fish and chips. There wasn't an empty stomach to be seen. By 2pm storm coulds were starting to gather and we all decided to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and head home. As usal a great day for everyone.

Williams River - April 2010

Williams River

Date: Saturday, 17 April 2010

Forecast: Fine; Wind, E to NE @10 to 15kms; Temp, Air 22-26, Water 17; Tide, N/A ; Seas; 30kms away, Moon, Half, Barometer; 1014, steady.

We voted to fish on the Saturday in order to enjoy the early evening surface feeding behaviour of east coast Bass. Not exactly what you’d call a rise unless you consider a submarine launching a Polaris missile a ‘ rise’. Bass don’t sip, they smash. So in order to profit from their lack of table manners it was decided to fish the afternoon & into the evening, at a family friendly time. After the last visit when we were subjected to 70+ km’s of wind the roll up was understandably one of the smallest we’ve seen for a Bass trip for a while. Still, Bob Williams, Roy Browne, Richard Hassell, Rob Harwood, Steve Tizard, Terry Whitter, Jeff Medhurst, Gary Kent & his son David plus yours truly found our way up to Clarence Town ready to defy the elements. Said elements were benign this time. Sunny skies, b-all wind & balmy temperatures. Things were looking good. As my day was the shortest I’ll start with myself. I was late getting away & arrived after everyone else had already launched. That didn’t mean I had the place to myself. The was a jamboree of an aquatic nature held the same weekend & gazillions of Boy & Girl Scouts were at Clarence Town & they all had canoes. Once they were on the water I could’ve walked from one bank to the other such was their multitude. Before I left home Big Bob’s words still rang in my ears; “ If you want to throw big flies use a big rod”. Which was why I took my Jack of all Trades 8/9wt. From Bass to Salmon it has rewarded my faith in it’s purchase. But it wasn’t the rod that let me down it was myself. After making my way to the bridge via a long detour due to a collapsed walk-bridge I waited untill some of the Scouts went upstream while their mates went downstream. “Now’s my chance” I thought & started to flick around the nearest pylon. My day came unstuck when I broke my fly line, the result of a badly applied Dacron loop. I had applied it, now I had to wear it. As everyone was out of sight & also out of mobile range I made the decision to pull the pin. Such is life & fishing. Bob & Brownie had a plan. They would launch at Alison bridge. First however, they decided to look in at the Glen William bridge launching site & found Jeff & Terry already there & ready to rock. B & B wished them luck & continued on their way. They then proceeded to get lost. A lot. Repeatedly. The locals were of zero help apparently. Bob reckoned at no stage was the Alison Bridge more than 2k’s distant, at one time it was only 500 meters away. They started to fear it was a bridge too far. Then a gum tree looked familiar followed by a yokel who didn’t but who actually knew what they ‘wuz talkin’ about‘. They followed his directions & were rewarded. They were so relieved to see water they launched Bob’s canoe without stopping the car. With apologies to Mr Coleridge “Water water everywhere a not a drop to drink, Scouts, Scouts everywhere and how that knot did stink!”. I’m not about to dib dib dib, dob dob dob in the culprit. Lets just say tight lines aren’t reserved for when you’re on the water. Before is good too. Premature canoe ejaculation aside plastic did meet water eventually, unfortunately is was really cold water which meant bad Bass times for all concerned. This pair are experienced to say the least so you can be assured no nook nor Bass bearing cranny was overlooked. Bob told me that the water was at least 2 foot higher than when last he productively fished this length of the river. He swore hand on heart as to how picturesque it was. Alas it was also devoid of the equally picturesque East Coast Bass. The tip? 17 degrees; some fish like it, some don‘t. Just make sure those that do are the ones you’re hunting. Down-stream at Glen William Jeff & Terry were in Kayaks but were having a bit more luck. Jeff has been a fly boy for quite some time while Terry is still a bit green. This meant Jeff gave him the benefit of his long experience while taking a back seat in order to give his mate the best of chances. We all know the quiet joy of helping a good mate to capture his personal milestone species. It can even be better than catching something yourself. So both of them were rewarded when Terry bagged his first Bass on fly, his first fish as a member as well. Welcome aboard Tezza. The not so fat controller* then turned up the wick & added a Mullet to his bag of fish & species that fell to his well placed purple Baited-Breath. While he told me later conditions were perfect, the fishing was far from it. Terry added another Bass to his bag, using a green & white Gurgler but that was it. Meanwhile Jeff floated about, taking photos but no fish apparently. Next on the how far up the river can we go ladder was a couple of fisho’s who were teamed up by fate. Richard had trundled up the highway expecting to fish alone. Not that he’s anti-social, I ain’t that keen on sharing my bath tub with hairy fishermen either; it’s a space thing. Rob was prepared to fish alone as well in order to break new ground as the first CCFR’er to catch a Bass, hell, to catch anything from a Jet Ski. It belongs to his son apparently & long story short he arrived at Clarence Town ready for a ground-breaking fishy battle. Alas he was foiled at the water’s edge by a sign forbidding the use of PWC or Personal Water Craft. He was rescued by a knight not in shining armour but slightly scruffy aluminium instead. Richard & Rob decided to push upstream & went as far as they could, their way barred by rocks & weed. Once there they drifted downstream, flicking here & there. They finally found some playmates in the form of Herring. Rob was delighted with the sport they provided on light line. He liked it so much he caught another but only the first was his first, Herring on fly that is. Richard caught one as well but as it wasn’t his first I wont mention it. What, I already did? Doh! Steve Tizard used his “Inspector Gadget” vessel, otherwise known as a ‘Portaboat’. Maybe he should have used an Inspector Gadget rod as well. Then he could have caught some gadget fish. As it was some non gadget fish were interested in his surface fly & slashed at it but slashes aint catches. The one gizmo he found really useful was his ‘lecky’ motor. His outboard gave up the ghost but he was able to purr his way back to camp in an environmentally friendly manner. As it turned out he lost round one, not having boated anything, but tomorrow would be another day. Last rung on the river ladder was Gary Kent & his son David. Gary took his boy in order to share a bit of quality time while handing down some fatherly advice regarding the gentle art of the fly. Gary must have done a good job as David bagged a couple Bass on a day where some genuine guns came up dry. Things got even better when the light dimmed at dusk & surface flies proved irresistible. They ended up with 7 fish in the boat, by far the best effort on the day. This is why all children should listen to their fathers, we really do know what is best. While the rest retrieved their dripping hulls & faded into the darkness Steve turned in for a lonely night, surrounded by wall to wall woggles & Koombiyahs. Brave soul. He woke the next day ready to do battle again with renewed vigour & resolve. Unfortunately those basstardly Bass didn’t play the game & he returned to the coast empty handed. Not so the last of our ‘cast’ of anglers. Mac Lyall might have got the day wrong but not his choice of locale. Mac fished lower down the river than anyone, within sight of the bridge. He used a ‘surface fly’ [ now now Mac, you’ll have to tell us more next meeting] to fool several fish. He lost 2 but boated the same number, one at 26cm, the other the best of the weekend at 33cm. This was a funny kind of weekend for us as it was a haphazard & scattered affair, with the club launching in drips & drabs and with no real rally point. The club Barbie was missing which meant there was also a chance missed to share in our club spirit, at it’s best when we join together, regardless of our fishing success. * Terry is in the Train game.

Wallerawang - March 2010

Wallerawang

Date: Saturday, 26-28 March 2010

Forecast:

Some of our members went to Wallerawang on Friday while most turned up on Saturday. Mac & Murray fished the rivers where Murray outscored Mac 6 to 3. The rest mostly fished the dams where Jeff bagged 16 Trout.