Trip Reports
Liddell Dad's Day Out
Date:
16-17 January 2010
Forecast:
Thunderstorms. Wind, light to moderate. Temp, 20 - 35. Tide; High = low, Low = very. Moon, New. Barometer, 1002, rising.
It was our first DDO & being a sticky beak I borrowed a couple of small nephews for the weekend in order to see how things panned out. Having collected James & Wilson Young from their grateful parents, "Are sure you want to have them Saturday & Sunday at no charge to us?" I headed up the New England Highway.

After giving them a treat & my wallet a beating at the Singleton Rotten Ronnie's I was starting to understand why I saw Mum & Dad giving each other high fives in the rear view mirror. Oh well, no body said being an Uncle would be easy so it was on to the lake where Stickerman AKA Andrew Waters AKA The Stik & brood were already on site.

Joseph & Jasmine, his charming children or Devil spawn as he prefers to call them, had already bagged some carp & Sticker was confident that the club would do well on the morrow. As his mob & mine were the the tip of the spear so to speak we had the place to ourselves. Or so we thought. The boys & I set up camp while the Waters' had a leisurely afternoon tea of soft drinks & nibbles. We no sooner joined them when Mack & Murray dropped by to say G'day. They'd been fishing the northern end of the park where Mac bagged 6 while Muzz got 3. Apparently they had a fast & furious time of it for nearly an hour then nothing.

Rod Dillon had also been reconnoitering the lake & he had a similar story to tell of bagging a brace of feeding fish before they shut down like a switch had been turned off. Rod left for home [ he lives just down the road a piece ] while M&M left for St Clair. I had a bit of a look around & found the water level very low. Once productive spots were now just dust-bowls. The water was cloudy as well making it a challenge for the shore based angler.

The arvo session consisted of Stickerman & Jazz working the southern side in his boat while Joe, James & Wilson went swimming. I pottered around camp then rigged the boy's rods as well as keeping a loose eye on the lads in case high jinx turned into high drama. The anglers returned with Jazz outscoring her Dad. The kids then busied themselves rounding up wood for a campfire, an endeavour in which they proved just how industrious pyromaniacs can be, even little ones. After dinner, campfire lighting, sparklers & lots of conversation it was time for bed. It was only then, while trying to get to sleep the amount of noise generated by the power station became apparent. Not to worry, the racket made by the near constant coal train traffic drowned it out.

The next day was fine but windy making sighting the fish very hard. Not that my nephews were fazed. They were only interested in swimming which again relegated me to the role of observer. Rod Dillon had no such restraints & scoured the banks. He came up tight to a couple of fish though he admitted to foul hooking one. That fish escaped. He was of the opinion the carp were pairing up. Stickerman took both Joe & Jazz back to the spot they had such enjoyed success the day before & before too long the combo of float & corn nibblets prove itself a winner.

By now both the McGrath & the Witham families had arrived. Paul McGrath was accompanied by his wife Colleen, daughters Phoebe & Pip as well as very serious looking Callum. Along with Dave came wife Jo, daughter Kate & son Brad. Steve Tizard had also turned with his little nephew. Richard Hassell also made the Dad's Day a family event with his better half Julie & daughters Lauren & Emma. The new arrivals settled on the northern arm which had plenty of shade if not much in the way of fishy action. Not so for team Sticker. Young Jazz lead the way with 10 fish in total from 2 sessions, her dad came second with 6 while Joe collected the family bronze with 5 fish.

The boys & I returned to camp around 11:45am to find The Stik had the lunch situation well & truly in hand. All that needed doing was to butter the bread for the expertly cooked snag sangers, with onions. I looked around but I was johnny on the spot so I sat down & started wielding the blade. I explained to my nephew James how being in a club meant that everyone makes it work by doing their bit. He surprised me by just sitting down, picking up a butter knife & helping do what needed to be done. I was one proud Uncle. Our efforts were kept light by the amusing fishing yarns supplied free of charge by Rod Dillon, his fellow Singleton FlyRodder 'Digger' & our very own Steve Tizard, who after his lap of Oz, had plenty of ammo in the Tall Tales but True department. After that it was dinner time with all concerned expressing their satisfaction with The Stik's efforts. I had to leave early in order to drop the boys off at their grandparents & so missed the afternoon session. The Stik decided he'd break camp & clean up in general so he too didn't fish.

Richard lead the pack. He fished the area Sou'east of the boat ramp mainly to get out of the strong breeze. He was rewarded with a hard bump which let him know there was something there. As the water was too murky for sight fishing Richard started to cast at shadows. He came up fast to a feisty Liddel resident & called to his daughters to offer them the honour of hauling it in. Unfortunately they were out of earshot then, & again when he bagged his second, both on fly. Kate Whitham got into the boat ramp action landing a carp on corn. Phoebe McGrath hooked 2 but 1 got away. Her dad Paul also came up tight but was busted off. Considering the wind, murky water & very hot sun I think it was a good result & well done to all concerned. Some might question the use of bait at a club outing but it was decided that the enjoyment of our next generation of anglers was more important than being pedantic. Thank you Stickerman for all your hard work & thanks also to all who made the long drive up to Liddel & in doing so made the day the success it was