The next meeting will be held at Royals Rugby Union Club Weston Creek at 8.00pm on Wednesday 10 November 2004. Stuart will give a talk on his Weipa adventure, with photos, video (we think) etc. Please note this will be the last meeting at the club before the break. The December meeting will be a BBQ by the lake.

Max should also be briefing us on the 20/21 Nov trip (hopefully to Brogo chasing bass).

A dirty Cotter River saw a good turn out for the annual Lyle Knowles competition. Held in mild and slightly humid conditions under revamped winner-by-length-of-fish rules, some fished all day, others squeezed out some time from work to waive a wand, but the prize went to latecomer and new member, Col, who in 30 minutes pulled out and put back two trout of 13 inches and 12 inches. Our winner – who has been known to sniff out a fish or two – caught both on a fuzzywuzzy.

He was not the only successful angler. Some recorded catches of fish on the surface during the day (caddis were about) and others down deep as dusk approached (see photo of Mark S also casting a luminous fuzzwah).

At the end of the day there was, of course, the traditional BBQ (see photo)

Lake Wonboyn NSW – September 2004

Voyagers: Mark F, Bisika and Katherine (age 2)

16th – arrive. Campground largely to ourselves. Bend 6 pegs setting up on concrete-hard ground. Another family arrives, sets out tent. No hammer, sparks our interest. Wife offers mallet to them. Offer declined, "Will push them in with feet". Wife gets mallet anyway. Offer accepted by camper with injured feet. Dinner, bed. Shock – these thermarests have shrunk. Mental note: buy XXL thermarest to accommodate middle age spread. ZZZZZZZ

17th – 5.00am. fishing on rocks. Gentle swell. Take turns pursuant Marital Fishing Rules: when fish caught spouse must surrender rod and retire to cliff base to mind baby. Demarcation dispute: contend fish "caught" when lost at feet due to negligence, must surrender possession of rod. Contention unsuccessful. Change to lures, still catching. This is easy. Katherine disappointed she cannot fish.

Lunch – Eden Wharf – calamari, fish, chips, oysters and chunk of fresh tuna. Katherine, excited, has her rod for first time. Better catch something. Berley yakkas. Katherine catches first fish (see photo). Huge excitement. Everyone on wharf knows about it. Catches 4 more, satisfied but wants to catch bigger fish. It's genetic. Leave. Buy XXL thermarest.

18th – 5.00am. ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ. Lunch: Eden etc

19th – 5.00am. On the rocks. No bait. Who needs bait? Sling lures until blisters appear. Skunked. Zippo. Nil. Play with crab. Lunch at Eden

20th – pack Loungecruiser, seem to have twice as much stuff. Blame XXL thermarest. Baby sleeps most of the way home.

Mark F

(from Cheryl)

The Sunday Wichita Eagle Newspaper reports a couple weeks ago:

In a housing development, a resident in the area saw a ball bouncing around kind of strange like in the development's pond. When he went to investigate, it was a flathead catfish who had obviously tried to swallow a child's basketball which became stuck in its mouth. The fish was totally exhausted from trying to dive but unable to because the ball would always bring him back up to the surface. The resident tried numerous times to get the ball out but was unsuccessful. He finally had his wife cut the ball in order to deflate the ball and release the catfish.

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

Apologies: Geoff.

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 still chasing up-to-date costing for the Hardy rod. His action to propose a fishing 'jumble sale' remains extant.

 Reimbursement was made to Peter for engraving the trophies he won. Stu and Scott to provide receipts when available.

 Correspondence/investigations with respect to affiliations continue.

 Max was pursuing the question of the club purchasing items related to the boat. 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. Members can register objections directly to the president in private.

The association has a balance of $1985 as at end of Sep. $328 was obtained from the final day raffle of the fly casting ($456 for the two days). A reminder to non-financial embers to submit their subscriptions is required in the next newsletter.

The fly casting weekends went well - good weather was experienced. The day at the trout farm was an excellent addition to the program. The owner was very amenable and a book has been purchased as a presentation from the club as a token of our appreciation. Ian will bring it to the next meeting for people to sign. Well done to Geoff for arranging the trip.

Ian will prepare letters/emails of thank you to Dr Bryan Pratt especially for donating the raffle prize and to Rob Paxavanos for advertising the day.

It was noted that none of the new faces from the day have come to the meeting. Stefan will give them a call to encourage them to November meeting.

Much discussion about the opening (see also October newsletter for Bill and Peter's experiences).

20 Oct is Lyle Knowles. Stefan will send out the flier reminding people.

Max had been asked to lead the 20-21 Nov trip to Brogo. Local advice was that the water was down to 22%. He will pursue status later and report on arrangements (or alternative) at the November meeting. An established commercial camping ground (Nelligan?) is likely rather than bush camping.

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

Next meeting is on 10 Nov 2004. Stu will be arranging a talk by him and Danny Spelic on their Weipa trip. Reminder that the end of year barbeque (Lotus Bay near Hyatt Hotel) is on 8 Dec.

The President declared the meeting closed.

President Secretary