| Lake Liddell |
| Date: September 2005 |
| The club’s annual carp outing was on for this month, and with conditions looking pretty good four boats and 9 members met at Maccas at Singleton at 7am. I hitched a ride with Ken for this trip and by the time we had reached Liddell the wind had picked up a little. With boats launched we each headed off to explore different parts of the lake. Ken and I headed west up into one of the bays looking for some protection from the stiff breeze. The water was deep and clear which made it hard to sneak up on the carp. As we drifted along with the wind parallel to the shoreline we cast at many likely looking structures until suddenly I could see a carp following my fly back to the boat. I paused my strip, let the fly sink back and as soon as it disappeared I lifted into a nice little carp of about 40cm. As we continued we started to get an eye for spotting carp in the shallows behind and between clumps of weeds. I cast into some reeds and was met by a slashing take of my fly, however it didn’t stick and line came up slack. A bit further along the shore I spotted a huge carp. I quickly cast, landing my fly right beside it’s head and without even stripping, the big fish turned and my fly disappeared. I lifted into it and the fight was on. The fish swam towards us between the submerged weed beds and under the boat. Ken quickly maneuvered backwards but I could feel my leader touching the keel of the boat. Soon the fish was clear and heading deep into weed country. I tried to ease him out but my 5lb leader, already weakened, soon parted company with the fish and it swam off with my fly. Oh well, you win some, you lose some. Rigged up again I soon spotted another smaller carp in behind a large clump of weed and rushes. A quick cast over them (there was no other way) and after a couple of short strips the fish had my fly and was struggling as much as I was. Luck wasn’t with me however and the fly pulled out when the fish got in amongst the rushes. By now it was nearing midday and the wind had picked up to gale force (well it felt like it). Hamish and Bob soon appeared and tried a small bay opposite us while we decided to move around near the power station. The trip was a little bumpy but we soon arrived at the far side of the power station to find the Browny brothers fishing the banks. With reports of minor successes we decided to head back to the boat ramp as it was nearly lunch. The wind had whipped the chop up quite a bit by now and although Ken’s Quinny had no trouble cutting across it, the trip wasn’t exactly dry. Actually I was dry (having huddled behind the big blue esky now mounted on Ken’s casting deck) and I quite enjoyed the view of the water flying straight over me and hitting Ken in the face. By the time we had reached the boat ramp Ken was drenched but I had barely a drop on me. Thanks Ken for the great castig platform, it worked a treat. Everyone else soon arrived back at the ramp and we managed an enjoyable BBQ in one of the shelters while we traded stories of our catches. Rob Harwood had the largest fish, and it was his first (but not last) carping trip. As ever, a good day out in great company. |