Trip Reports
Lake Liddell by Len Verrenkamp
Date:
15 April 2012

Well after an auspicious start I have come crashing back to earth coming up with a duck (figuratively speaking) on the Lake Liddell trip. This was the clubs family trip and another favorite on the calendar. With a good turn out of around 30 people including a few kids and better halves it made for a top day on what I must describe as a hidden gem in amongst the overburden of the mining boom. Having driven past the Lake Liddell sign countless times and looking at the insipid bit of water viewable from that great artery to the north west the New England Hwy I was quite surprised to find a waterway that really deserves a visit or two if you have never been there.

An easy drive up from the coast late saturday afternoon had Grace (youngest kidlet) and myself arriving just as the camp fire was being lit and with refreshments being extracted from eskys was great encouragement for a quick camp set up . With this out of the way aquaintances were made and the chair suitably positioned for an evening chat whilst a few bottles of lubricant were adminstered for the casting arm.

The kids quickly made friends (girls are like that) and soon had an endless stream of charcoal enhanced marshmallows flying in all directions and lots of giggling in the process. With the pillow beckoning we broke camp and retired to the gentle hum of the Liddell PS turbines humming across the lake and the coal train just reminding us every hour or so that some one was at work!

Sunday dawned a little overcast and with no winds the lake was like a mirror, water visibility was good and improved as the day brightened, however never reaching the promise of clear skies as indicated by the BOM. We hit the water at around 7am and as Trent convinced me to take the boat at short notice I thought I should at least offer him a seat (unlikely to be so generous again) and off we went to conquer the carp.

Trent was quickly onto a nice fish and after a battle of a few minutes the fish buried it's self in the weed and despite our best efforts a distance release was effected without fuss. That's one! This is good I am thinking, fish are hungry, obviously have the right fly, let's catch some fish. Ahhhh, Trent is on again, with a leader upgrade after the previous experience he soon muscled a 45cm fish into the boat for a quick photo and release. That's two! Oh gee Trent is on again, 55 cm this time and his grin was about the same size! That's three! One more distance release and another in the boat (net your own fish this time! ) had Trent gushing all over the boat, Grace and myself!!!

Thinking it's about time to head back to the ramp we arrive to find everyone with the same idea, most likely due to the fact there was a BBQ on offer. Another sterling effort by all involved fed a mob of hungry fisherfolk in quick time and with the hours ticking away the tent was packed up and the journey home began.

To sum up. Put Lake Liddell on your bucket list. A boat is great but it scares the fish so get out and walk once you pick a spot.

By the way, Trent revealed around the camp fire that he likes mullet, to eat that is!!
That's one to me.....

Grace's comment : It was great camping with everyone I even met some new friends. Fishing was great but not when I did not catch any fish and nearly had to throw Trent over board out of jealousy.