What's the Goss'?
G'day
Another fishing year has passed us by and a new one is under way, its about this time we realise all the fishing trips we had planned to do but never actually managed to do. Like the trips
- Up to the Murray in December chasing Murray Cod
- The bass trip to East Gippsland
- Whiting at Walkerville
- All those Beach Launches
- The Rebel run to Bemm River
- The quick trip up to the Gibbo Park
- Fraser Island
Just to name a few, and the list goes on. Still there is always next year (I mean this year). The point is don't just think about it just go and do it.
FEES
yes its that time of year again when all our fees are due the cost has not changed and is still set at $20. At the AGM we introduced a new category STUDENT membership for young people who are to old to be classed as juniors or whose families may not want to join the club. Student membership is $10. Just a reminder that the standard $20 membership covers the family including kids up to 16 years of age. So please see Dave or myself and pay membership fees as soon as possible.
CLUB CALENDAR
At the AGM the club calendar was set in stone (except for any last minute changes that inevitably occur) so start planning to attend the club runs now don't leave it till the last minute. The calendar is in the booklet and also the newsletter so there should be no excuses for missing any of the runs.
SURF SHIELD
Yinnar took the honours again this year, our club will have to improve significantly on this years performance to win it back next year a full run report is in the newsletter.
TOCUMWAL COD RUN
Is set for early May only about a week after our next nexting in April (Friday 3rd - Sunday 5th) Greg Button is run co-ordinator and we will be staying at the TIME OUT caravan park located on the banks of the Mighty Murray River. Greg will need to know who it going and when, to arrange accommodation etc Please contact him if you are going. After last years effort anyone who wants to catch a Murray Cod would have to attend.
Well another year has come and gone, too fast, and once again I sit here writing this report. I have chosen a different style this year, in that this report will be briefer and more to the point. 2001 turned out to be a bit different in that we gained a few new faces in the form of new members and an imported angler from the land of the dark and gloomy (England). We also had the absence of the bearded burbler who had twelve months in pommy land. It's good to see him back enthusiastic and willing to tackle those elusive fish. He commented that he did learn two important things while in England that there is no fish and no place like home.
Our 2001 calendar was fairly full with about eight different runs, all of which where well attended. There were three that stuck in my end as truly memorable occasions and which sums up our club spirit (not the alcoholic kind either). The first being our cod run to Tocumwal which saw our usual run coordinator absent basking in the land of chicken dinners. We managed to haul in 19 cod, kids had fun on the yabbies at Helen and Erns, who as usual lid out the welcome mat to one and all.
The second run was up to Bemm River, which was very successful and extremely well attended. One could no help but notice one lunchtime during the run that the entrance channel looked like a used boat shop. We must thank Cheryl and Tom Purcell from the Bemm river holiday flats for donating first prize of free accommodation on a return trip.
The third and possibly the won I would vote as the most memorable was the Tambo River run with a good family turn out. A great time was had by all on the Saturday night, with plenty to eat and drink. Sunday the weather was better but fishing was a bit slow for some, who did not even get on the water. It was more successful for some like my youngest son Rohan showing Phil the Pom the finer art of fishing using the Pom's own bait and catching a nice bream. Once again a special thanks must go to John and Denise Nonnellan from Swan Reach Gardens Tourist Park for donating first prize of a weekend free accommodation.
While on that note of thanking people I must take this opportunity to thank all our sponsors for without them our club would not be what it is today. Firstly special thanks must go to Loy Yang Power for their ongoing financial support towards our club. Secondly I would also like to thank Mick from Alpine Country for his ever-generous support yet again this year and thanks also to those who supported us with our minor raffle prizes. While I am thanking people I cannot forget the most important people who support me and keep the club running and that is all the committee members. While I do not like naming one person as all the committee members contribute equally in their own ways I must commend Dave Becker our secretary who has again done a fine job. It is dedication like Dave's that got me thinking that the club should begin to thick about setting out guidelines for life membership. Part of the criteria for being made a life member could be dedicated service and input towards the club. This is about it for the year but I do hope that the club will continue to grow and prosper with continued enthusiasm.
I cannot leave it here without congratulating ou champion angler who is once again Squizzy Taylor on 66 points, which was an amazing effort and a dam lot of fish. Runner up was Jimmy on 34 points, best junior was Rohan MacDougall on 15 points and best female angler was Samantha Becker on 4 points. Congratulations to one and all.
So I would like to wish everyone the best for the next 12 months and may all your future fishing trips be bountiful.
Yours in fishing
Rod MacDougall (Rags)
FISHTALK
Peter: Bagged half of 900 g of good sized prawns at Mann's Beach recently. Shane: Caught 16 fish of 4 different varieties whilst fishing at Port Albert with the Kiwi. Dave: Bagged the other half of the 900 g of prawns from Mann's Beach. Rick: Had a poor day with the family at Holland's Landing but recently angled up a few flatties at Port Welshpool. Butto: Some nice Yella's and a couple of small Cod during the school holidays, around Tocumwal. Fiona May missed something big !!! Jimmy: Prawning at Lakes over the past couple of moons has seen lots of wind, 2.5 kg, lots more wind.....and now blue green algae.
NEXT MEETING
Thursday 25th April
2002 LATROBE VALLEY SURF SHIELD
Friday 15th-Sunday 17 February at paradise Beach
Once again Yinnar has taken out the honours in the annual Latrobe Valley surf shield event. Unfortunately Heyfield could not make this year due to other commitments, which left just Loy Yang and Yinnar to fight it out. Yinnar to their credit put in a big effort with 25 members including 4 juniors camping at the beach for the two nights weighing in a total of 33 fish for a total of 13.5 points. While Loy Yang could only produce 3 fish for a total of 1.5 points. With no members there of Friday night Rags and Parry (and numerous juniors) on Saturday and Graeme, 3 juniors and myself fishing Saturday night and Sunday mourning. (Its good to see Graeme has taken to his role as junior development officer in such a serious way). Loy Yang was seriously outnumbered and comprehensibly out fished.
Those who did attend enjoyed perfect weather with little wind, no side wash and almost no weed. Yinnar put on a BBQ tea Saturday night for their members and kindly invited us for a feed. The had a large recently acquired tarp set up 6m*9m to provide some shelter from the elements. Sunday lunch time we had an informal presentation for the prize winners, Fortunately we managed to collect one prize thanks to Sarah McDougall who managed to land a 400g flathead on Saturday and take out the Best Flathead prize.
Prize winners
Best Flathead Sarah McDougall (400g) Loy Yang
Best Australian Salmon No Salmon weighed
Best Gummy Shark John Shields (5.77 kg) Yinnar
Best other John Shields (Trevally 320g ) Yinnar
Junior prize Gary Rendel Yinnar
Surf Shield 13.5 point YINNAR
A pleasant weekend was had by all those who attended and we will have to make a bigger effort next year to win the shield back from Yinnar. Thanks to Will Thompson from ALWAYS ANGLING for donating a fishing reel for the junior prize.
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