by Richard Hassall
The venue was Lake St Clair. Bass, one of my favourite. On Friday I set off keen to get there like all the guys. The first snag was close to an hours delay before the Singleton turn off. It was a car park due to an out of control fire on the left. I later found out it effected at least another keen three. I finally met Jeff at the knob, a great spot, with panoramic 360 views of the lake.
One large fly caught bass on the barb wire a good start for him. Later that afternoon we were joined by Bob, Richie, Col, Mac, Janice, Mat, Leon & Bunney full of good humour and expectation.
We set off down the hill, trying our luck with with the sun setting down behind the far side, serving as a reminder of why this place is so special. The big difference was the lower water levels changing the usual haunts and the honey hole spots dramatically. I especially like the transition of day to night as the light changes on the reflections across the vista and the emergence of the stars.
It was a forced change up for all of us & I had numerous hits with no success. Richie and I walked with our rods under starlight and new moon to the far left and up to the fire keen to hear how others had gone. Around the washing machine drum we swapped stories, laughs with a few fish caught and certainly nothing like the month ago report we were all expecting. An excellent turn up but early days.
Saturday flew with Col reporting of a rare double with both flies taking bass on the same retrieve. The fur flies had done the trick and Cols skill had done the rest. Custard eye was envious.
A move was now on with Bunney retiring with his five bass going for carp further a field with Mat a bass virgin on fly. Jeff with runs on the board went to watch rugby (why I don’t know as I later found out the result!). He was playing the next day himself, rugby I think.
Bob enjoyed his hot shower. Setting up In the park was good. Out of the corner of one eye I saw vehicle towing a huge log nearly as big as the forby. It was Bunney & Mat log in tow and carp success. Col whittled away with his log bomb and hatchet in vein to set the fire. Janice & Mac fished the local banks and most went back to the haunts down from the Knob.
The next day after slow start we looked back over the events that had taken place with Steve coming up for the barbie. By far the highlight was not Janice out fishing Mac but knowing she had caught her first fish on fly, a job well done! They also had trouble with there sleeping arrangements. Later revealing they replaced a lilo on Saturday afternoon due to a little prick (from sticks at the previous sleeping accommodation).
Richie caught his first catfish on fly on a Craig’s nighttime the night before, well done. Leon persevering early Sunday with his spey rod with many a re-rig. Matt christening his camp oven, opening it along time after we had all eaten only to find … it was perfectly cooked. Bunney finding the honey hole, well done! Col pumping his lillo up for ages, his double catch and BBQ.
Ninja Murray’s quote “it not all about the fishing” after touching my hand. I was grateful for Richie supplying the tissues, Janice supplying the eye cream as I was indeed the custard eye. As for me of course, I gained a nasty case of pink eye, which left me struggling with vision while I fished with no hook for half an hour, catching a turtle and one target species.
Later, I went back for my chair, having left it behind, after hitting the road for home. Now I am currently licking my wounds with a week off from work both eyes infected and a cold. In all a great turnout with most catching some fish and certainly a few firsts. Thanks to all who attended. I look forward to our next adventure together.
