Boys vs Girls

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.