Due to the success of the Interclub meet held at Wallerawang a couple of weeks ago & that this months trip targeted trout it was decided that we would return there. Mac Lyall organised some dormitory style accommodation, welcome news as the night time temps were in the single figures & small ones at that. Along with Mac, Murray Keating, Richard Hassel, Andrew Waters, Col Breese, Roy Browne, Max Gear & Jim Hollet turned up ready to brave the elements & tame those tricky trout.

The elements were there in abundance on Saturday morning with winds reported as fresh (read blow the milk out of your tea) & temperatures equally “fresh“. Mac & Murray went to the Fish River where they found that while the trees were thrashing about on the stream things were much calmer.

Col Breese & Richard Hassel had arrived Friday afternoon & went to the Fish River which they found low & slow. After spending several hours there without turning up so much as a scale they renamed it the Fishless River & concentrated on Thompson’s Creek Dam for the rest of the weekend. Saturday morning as mentioned before was wet, windy, overcast & bloody cold but Col & Richard soldiered on as only men who know they’ve used up a heap brownie points just to be there can. It’s no use complaining, She who must be obeyed doesn‘t give refunds. They used woolly buggers to good effect, catching Rainbows of 2 to 4lb on the windward shore. They put in some hard yards punching flies out into the teeth of the wind before deciding to fish the opposite side. Here they met up with Jimmy Hollet, who, having never been to this area before, had got himself lost & had been driving here & there trying to find club members. The day ended around 4.00 pm with Richard having caught 4 fish & Col 2. Jimmy had lost time driving around & he had yet to open his dam fish account.

Sticker, Max & Browny arrived too late to fish Saturday but that didn’t stop them catching whoppers from the comfort of their bar stools when they gathered with the rest at the Commercial Hotel for dinner. Then it was back to Luft Stalag 17 for further mature discussion & contemplation, all the while paying homage to Bacchus, God of wine. The next morning revealed Murray taking on the chef’s role assisted by Stick & feeding the troops some truly delicious egg & bacon rolls. The eggs were donated by Maisie & Daisy, Mac’s chooks, and were acclaimed by all. Once again Mac & Muzz headed off to The Fish River while they rest went to Thompson’s Creek Dam. At least the weather had improved.

Which one of the dam mob caught the first fish is unclear but get amongst them they did. Richard & Col almost shared a double hookup when Richard hooked a reel screamer then lost it as soon as he applied pressure with Col coming up solid about 30 seconds later. Richard did land a rainbow which he tried to release but for some reason his usually impeccable fish handling skills were of no avail & the trout floated off belly-up. A bloke of around Sticker’s size tried to snag it with his fly, not to claim but to eat but it eluded him. Andy moved to another spot when guess who came floating by? Even so Sticker’s enthusiasm was waning when a huge fish swam almost within touch in fairly shallow water. He reckoned it had no idea he was there. This had a galvanic effect on his gumption & he went on to catch 2 fish, live ones this time.

Brownie is no stranger to this area & has done well in years past but on this visit the fish proved elusive, even dead ones. Max had a slow time too which is out of character for the club’s quiet achiever. I can’t remember a trip where Max hasn’t caught something. Jim Hollet did catch something though, & he broke 2 ducks in doing it. He finally bagged a trout in a dam & it was his first Rainbow, proving good things come to those who wade. In the end Murray caught 9 fish over 2 days, Mac 6, Richard 5, Col 4, Sticker 2 & Jim 1. Bare numbers never truly reflect the experience of getting out there & the camaraderie of like minded individuals pursuing their sport. Thanks to all the guys who put up with my interrogation in order to produce this trip report. Everyone enjoyed this trip & really liked the venue. Me, I can’t wait to fish it myself.