A very rainy morning greeted us as we headed north to the meeting place at 5am. But as we arrived at The Entrance we noticed the rain had not reached this far north and we were optimistic about the morning's fishing. With the attendance book signed and everyone in tow (apart from Bob who had gone ahead to check the carpark gate was open) we drove the extra 10km or so up to the carpark turnoff where Rob and I turned in and everyone continued on. Dave soon realised they had missed the turnoff and led everyone back down to find us. We also found Bob was not where he should be (ie. the carpark we were now sitting in) and a quick phone call revealed he had driven up to the Soldiers Beach SLSC and was waiting there with Garry Kent. Both soon joined us and we all on our way over the dunes to the beach.

A few drops of rain and an easterly breeze greeted us on the beach and the surf conditions looked pretty good. Steve and Matty immediately headed up towards Pelican Point, lugging the esky and gas stove between them while the rest of us started to rig up where we were. Jimmy was first in the water and he was soon hauling in a small dart. This looked promising, so we all spread out along the beach and started wetting our lines. It wasn't long before our illustrious president was onto a good fish which was putting a decent bend in his rod. The fish seemed to be giving him a bit of trouble and we speculated it was a ray the way it pulled on each wash out. Eventually the fish was beached - it was a very nice flathead going a touch under 60cm.

We continued to fish this part of the beach but the rip and the rising breeze were making it increasingly difficult so we all decided to move up the beach towards the point where hopefully the current would be easier to fish and the others had been having more success. Most of us had the 800m covered in a short time and were soon fishing the northern corner of the beach. Matty, Steve, Bob and Garry were all fishing off the rocks while the rest of us spaced out along the beach. The current was definitely more friendly here and our lines spent more time in the water than the around our feet on the sand.

As we fished we watched the storms and rain to the south slowly edge their way towards us. Thunder could be heard as we walked up the beach and now the once clear view we had of The Entrance was replaced by a curtain of rain which appeared to be slowly sweeping north. Bob Beamish had already decided the smarter move was to head for the vehicles but the rest of us decided to press on regardless. Soon his decision didn't look so premature. The ocean to the east had disappeared in a grey mist of heavy rain and we were now looking at very impressive (and very dangerous) lightning strikes between ourselves and The Entrance. We downed our 9 foot lightning conductors and waited for the storm to arrive. It wasn't long before cold rain was stinging our faces and lightning and thunder were overhead. A few sought some shelter in the dunes behind the beach while the rest stood out with the gear. Either way we were all soaked through within the first minute or two and it was decided to make an undignified retreat to the cars and find somewhere to have our much anticipated bacon and egg breakfast.

By the time we reached the carpark the rain had eased but thunder could still be heard. We were all soon packed up and heading back south to The Entrance for breakfast, and the park near The Entrance Bridge provided an ideal location. With the help of a sheet of black plastic from Jimmy the cookers were set up and the smell of freshly cooked bacon, eggs and toast wafted from the shelter. The rain held off while we ate and a very enjoyable meal was had while entertainment was supplied by Browny. By 8am we had cleaned out the bacon and 2 dozen eggs and it was time to go. Bob had already departed, back off to start a day's work while the rest of us headed home to dry off and clean the sand from our reels.

Another enjoyable club trip even though the conditions weren't great and the fish forthcoming. The company was excellent as usual and thank god for bacon and egg sandwiches.