Birthday boy with his bass.

(19), 20 and 21 November saw four members and one guest meeting at Brogo Dam for a great weekend of bass fishing. Scott’s birthday was hallmarked with taking the largest bass of the weekend (34cm) with three others released all on live yabbies.

Sunday dawned fine with many rises but unfortunately no takes. Nevertheless, no doubts all left the camp with some good memories – see you next time.

Fri 26th: Unpack 3 tonnes of equipment. Baby wants to go "pishing". Down to lake jetty at dusk. Shock! Have forgotten to pack tackle box for light saltwater. Scrounge size 10 nymph hooks from Loungecruiser and fish unweighted baits. Catch trevally, mullet and thumping blackfish. Back to camp for dinner, retire early for dawn start on beach. Shock! No alarm clock. Wife shrugs shoulders, avoids eye contact.

Sat 27th: 5.30am, post-dawn start. Quiz 2 fisherman already on beach. Have fished since 3.00am (!) for 1 lousy tailor. Glad we forgot alarm clock. Give beach a miss. Lots of salmon on rocks, kept one good tailor. Rest of day is relaxed. Evening: fry tailor fillets in Peter Watson seafood marinade – spectacular. Evening fish on jetty, trevally and mullet. Go to bed. Baby won't sleep, playful, tickle her, she vomits on my pillow, playfulness ends.

Sun 28th: 5.30am – wife opens eye 1mm and says "you go fishing". I go to rocks. Fishing so-so. Lazy day. Evening: warm, mill pond conditions on jetty. Assemble deck chairs, bottle of wine. Both lines go before sit down, busted off by big fish. Re-rig. Plastic picnic wine glass has base that sticks onto the stem. Base falls off, falls straight between slats in jetty, spirals into gloom. Baits go again. Juggle wine glass, two-year-old, rods, video camera. Goes on like this for two hours: trevally, mullet, blackfish, tailor and salmon (1 salmon was 3.5 lbs). Baby has great time. Beautiful sunset. Katherine thinks fishing is a deadset lark. Summertime and the fishin' is easy ….

MDF

AH food food glorious food . nectar of the gods.. caught at silver ponds Tuggeranong Sunday am hrs ,,, 37cm (14") 1lb 8ozs yummmyyyyyy

Members present: Ian, Bill, Stefan, Peter, Scott, Norm, Mark F, Stu, Max, John and new member David

Apologies: Geoff and Bruce

President declared the meeting opened.

Disseminated via newsletter – minutes were not tabled at the meeting.

The executive met before the meeting to review actions arising from last meeting. Key points and discussion in main meeting:

• Stu has received a ‘new’ price for a similar Hardy Rod – we need to consult with Geoff on whether that is an appropriate figure for audit purposes. His action to propose a fishing ‘jumble sale’ remains extant.
• Stu and Scott to provide receipts for engraving the trophies they won when available.
• Correspondence/investigations with respect to affiliations continue.
• Members are asked to register comments directly to the president in private by February with regard to the club purchasing items related to the boat from Max. Ken’s Marine suggested the motor (4.5hp) would be worth in the order of $400, trailer would be similar value. (Max will retain the electric motor but is happy for it to remain on long term loan to the club.) Noting our financial situation, it has been suggested that the club purchase these items from Max at $800.

• Ian has sent letters/emails to Bryan Pratt and Rob Paxavanos for their assistance with the fly casting day. The thankyou gift of a book to the Eucumbene trout farm was purchased (later signed by members ready for dispatch).

• Ian and Mark F have located the audited statements for 02/03. The ending figures need to be correctly transcribed into 03/04 statements prior to auditing.

• Stefan made some calls to the ‘new faces’ based on phone numbers provided by Geoff with some limited success. Geoff is asked to contact ?Janene?

No significant financial transactions.

A reminder to non-financial members to submit their subscriptions is required in the next newsletter.

Lyle Knowles was won by new member, Col Jones, with a 35cm brown.

Max is leading the 20-21 Nov trip to Brogo. Water is at 64% and 4 m down so is definitely fishable. Agreement reached to camp at Old Riverview Homestead site (no facilities). Route instructions are available from him.

Jindabyne trip is 11-12 Dec. Peter will arrange (consulting with Bruce)

Reminder that the end of year barbeque (Lotus Bay near Hyatt Hotel) is on 8 Dec. Starts 6pm – barbeques are available.

Feb 2005 talk is by Bill on digital photography, Mar arranged by Geoff on major trip planning and Stefan is exploring getting a professional fly tier (from the Bus Depot Markets) to show his stuff in April.

The President declared the meeting closed. Stu and Danny Spelic provided videos and slides of their Weipa trip (plus some misplaced slides of trout and beach fishing J

President Secretary