"JT" wrote in message
...

"Robert from Oz" wrote in message
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We got off to a good start... 5:15am wake up from the kids (departure
time was 11:00am.)
Had breakfast, showers,packed the car and an extra frothy hot chocolate
for good measure.
Got to Alexandera and found the hamburger shop closed due to flash floods
on New Years Day, kids were disappointed, and so was I some what. best
burgers in Victoria. We settled on the local pub for lunch, got a licence
and headed off to the river.

Arrived at a hole that consistently holds trout... problem was it sits
under a bank of weeping willows. We decided on lure fishing as it was a
bit too windy for flies. Kids caught 23.7 willow trees and one pricked
thumb. I did get one cast in with a good yellow belied brown follow the
lure in, but alas it wasn't enough to get the kids interested so we had
to find a place with NO trees.

After a 10min drive the competition started afresh. Sunscreen, hats,
bathers, tops, rods and we're off. As soon as they see the river they had
to have a paddle and throw rocks (It's really hot dad). I get to have a
dozen or so casts and land a pretty little rainbow - 6". They all race up
to have a look and feel with the last one plonking it back into the
river. Now that got them going!

We all race back to get the rods and the comp is back on. My little girl
picked out a pink 5' spinning rod with L.E.D's that glow as you reel,
after 2min tuition, she was putting every ounce of strength in each cast
and after 10 odd casts she was getting it in the water - in the strike
zones! They all read the water quite well... and the lingo. Aaawwwwwww,
got a bite! Accompanied each cast.

After 2.5hrs we went back for a drink, swim and rock skipping. They
decided the fish must be on holidays in this stretch of river so we went
to the Pondage (a large impoundment under a power station which is
stocked heavily during all school holidays). We swapped rods and soon it
became a casting comp. Meanwhile Mum caught a 9" Redfin (Perch), pretty
fish in good condition. We called it quits about an hour after that and
debated who won the comp over a Mars Bar and a drink. We could not come
to a decision as the boys did not think the Redfin should count and the
girls said their fish was bigger..... and prettier.

We all decided on a rematch.

Hope there won't be any low flying plane next time my little girl casts.

Rob.


Good stuff Rob,

Thanks for the TR from the warm lands.
JT
- Hope they are getting the fires under control...





Yeah, me too JT.