CAUGHT ANY LATELY MATE

 I really didn't get fishing for quite some time.  I got eating the catch.  But all that time sitting and waiting for a bite - nah!  

Being the eternal two year old, needing constant entertainment, the waiting game was not my scene.  Then things changed and the fishing comp was on.  Most of my fishing stories were gathered from my patient husband Brian - I will add these in for your enjoyment.

This one is set at Jew Fish Beach on Wonboyn Lake NSW where we still live and work from.  Since the bush fires the boardwalk across the swamp behind the beach has not been re-built so bring your waders if you want to visit this pretty spot where the kangaroos feed at the water side.

CAUGHT ANY LATELY MATE?

 

My husband – the born to fish bloke, enjoys his meditation while waiting for the elusive bite.

His lakeside reverie at Wonboyn is often joined by Eastern Grey Kangaroos.

While he sits on his seat – a tall white lidded bucket, the kangaroos start to close in.

 

Blokie rarely misses anything.  His senses are tuned to the sounds and sights around him.  He’s always been a solitary soul finding his time at the lake, or the beach, his way of turning off his over active brain. He calmly watches the world go about its business.

 I sometimes join him bringing my camera, along with an assortment of books, crosswords and a notepad with pens in my amusement backpack.  While l read l blissfully ignore my rod, bouncing merrily with bites.

  Soft swishes and gentle thuds alert him to the kangaroos approaching.  “Kangaroos behind you,” he calls, softly.  In the mounds of tussocks, just behind the lakeside beach, a female kangaroo and her youngster pop up inquisitive heads, taking a breather from their meal. 

 They blend so beautifully with their surroundings and hardly seem to mind the intrusion of a couple of fishermen.  Grabbing my camera l gather some lovely shots, finally becoming a little more aware of my surroundings.

 Above us three curious Wedge-tailed Eagles circle, keeping an eye on us and the kangaroos, barely flapping a feather as they soar on the thermals.  They move off towards the surf beach in just a lift of a wingtip.

 

A ripple along the water alerts us to a school of bait fish on the move in a mad rush to escape a predatory tailor.  Every fish seems to be frantically escaping becoming dinner for a larger swimming, eating machine.  The living food chain evolves before us in an endless wave of motion.

Down the beach a rod jerks and bends.

 The kangaroos stop munching, ears twitching they watch as the fisherman races to his rod.   A tussle begins as line sings along the surface of the lake and a silvery fish jumps, heading for freedom.   With a swift jerk it’s hooked and the battle commences.  As the fisherman works his fish, the fish keeps trying to find release. 

 It pulls with all it’s might in resistance.  It jumps trying to free the hook.   Then in a sulk it finally gives in and admits defeat.  When it’s landed on the beach the fisherman becomes quite excited.  It’s bigger than even he expected.  Often the really large fish are returned to the water to continue breeding.   He has set up his own catch and release rules allowing for the recovery of fish species.

 This one, however, is dinner.  It will be marinated in soy sauce and sugar, smoked to retain the sweetness of its flesh and eaten with relish.   A fine and fitting celebration of a day’s fishing.

 The kangaroos, heads down, are again feeding.

The entertainment of the day has come to an end.