Narralakes

well done Pete, pretty consistent record there.

Hard day at the office Joe, dont worry, once you start fly fishing, you'll catch more fish and its heaps of fun as well. What George was saying about the scent people give off scents on baits, lures, flies etc, its true. When I 1st started flyfishing the guys were telling me to never wipe sunscreen with your hands, use your forearms, I now use a tube that allows you to rub it on from the tube, yeah baby! Also, smoking, that is a no no for fly fishermen, gets on the feathers or what ever your fly is made of and stays there, the trout in particular have very sensitive smell, saltys as well. If you do smoke or give off more scent, then apply a fish attracting scent to the fly or lure, or a drop of tuna oil, that should sort it out. See you all tomorrow.

Yeh, I heard that Andrew had problems with his, so have a few other guys. I'm purchasing a Motor Guide soon, but was thinking of the Minn Kota.

Hey Jewhunter, I also read your reports with anticipation of another good report and tips to come. Everyone has there own view on secret spots and catch and release, the big picture is, we gotta look after mother earth and our limited resources. If we take fish, just take enough for a feed. It would be sad if you left the sight, as the boys have said above, your contributions are valuable to the site, but if you feel like youv'e had enough, then thats of course up to you. Dont forget, everyone on this site loves fishing, unfortunately, there may be a few who use it to cane a spot.

Great fish there Matt, well done, and good onya for letting them go. How long have you had your Minn Kota? Iv'e heard a few people have problems with them.

Hey Stu, I notice the Mrs isnt centred in the picture, but another fine catch is...any close ups Getting consistent with those jews as well mate, well done.

Thanks George and Tyronne, good points made there. Probably will just bolt some wooden blocks there, I'd appreciate those pics Tyronne if you get a chance later. Thinking of a place to put the battery, in a box below the front casting deck is the obvious place. Hey Tyronne, Steve at Torque said they only have the 46 lb ones now, about $80 more than what yours was, so its still a pretty good price. 46 lbs should be enough power. Cant wait for the bass now.

G'day Raiders, getting a Motor Guide soon, foot control bow mount. Need some ideas how to mount it or get the shop to do it for $200. Might need to cut away some of the bow rail on the port side, see pic in red, blue outline is where the plate will go for the motor. Any ideas welcome. cheers Narra

If its blowing southerly, its no good at the park to fish as we'll be facing and casting south. Otherwise, if we still go and its southerly, we can always go over the other side...Luke....

I will take the diagram Pedro sent me a while ago of the hook removal procedure, not for the squeemish! But flattening the barbs is a great idea, but I recommend that all the first timers use a but of brightly coloured wool instead of a fly for while learning and practising. When we practice casting at the Sydney Flyrodders, even the top guys use wool, might save a bit of angst. With so many people getting about, dont forget it wont be only us, its a popular park for lots of people, go the safer option. I suggest the wool for on the grass, flies for when we go for a fish in the lake.

What a drama with the boat and those pumps fellas, think I will stick to the old bucket! Patl, sounds like you got amongst them.

As George was saying, it may be crowded when everyone goes for a fish. from the meeting spot, if everyone spreads out, it might be safer for everyone, flycasting takes a bit of space. From the sand flats adjacent to the grass area, walk out to the edge of the flats, watch out and dont fall in the channel, waders fill up fast. There is quite a large area to fish from, from the western side of the flats all the way down to the boat ramp, about 150 metres long, fish anywhere there for bream, tailor, mullet, lizards, trevs and blackfish (bring some weed flies as well as the breaddies and clousers and charlies). Have a wander along the wall, ie past the boat ramp heading east, just at the caravan park, wade in the flats there, there's are couple of holes. If you want to get away, walk across the bridge about 100 metres, turn right at the first street and find the path to the flats opposite to where everyone will be starting from, there are some nice weedbeds and holes on that side where lizards and blackfish are. If you are bringing your yak or tinnie, there's a million places. If you have a moment, check out the article on Narrabeen Lakes (lagoon) on Ken's website, there's more spots and a map there. Dont forget, we'll be fishing in the middle of the day, so fish might be a bit timid, plus with maybe 30+ people whipping up the water, it might pay to spread out a little. Might be a challenge to hook up, so dont be disappointed if you dont catch one first time up, it took me 3 months b4 I caught my first fish on fly. I'm sure alot of you guys will catch a fish on the day though. Just a few tips. When you feel a fish on, dont lift the rod like you would a spin stick or bait rod, on the retrieve (stripping back line) have the tip of the rod just in or above the water, when striking, leave the rod parallel to the water then pull the line back and then lift the rod slightly, we'll explain more on the day. Should be a fun day, well organised George, looking forward to seeing everyone.

Well done, Pete is a great guy and a good guide.

Nice one Captain, kingfish are a top fish.

Iv'e caught a couple of tailor on bread flies, as long as it is moving they go for it. Fishn, I know a few blokes like that!

Clutch, that is awesome, havnt seen that footage here yet, would like to though. That king is a beast, now the salmon know what the mullet feel like! George, just say when!

Jewhunter, I hope to get down your way soon to target those Hen and Chicken residents, maybe even a jew on a big piece of feather. Darryl, hoping to catch a lake soapie on fly one day, caught one on SP this time last year. George, sounds like a good day outside. Agent, if you get time, try the lake one day, heaps of fun for the flyrodder.

Thats a great report Scotty, and sounds very exciting. That is a big salmon, the ones around North head lately have been around that size or just under. Might have a few boats around there tomorrow after this report. Good luck in your HSC.

A reckon a 5 wt is perfect for the lake Stu. Maybe consider taking your poly in there, you can get to more spots, just watch the shallows, otherwise the waders are good, its good to get out and fish the flats on foot every now and then, there's mulloway in there as well...thought that might temp you.

G'day Swordfisherman, when I'm wading the flats, like today, and fishing the channel, I usually use a floating line with a 2 metre leader (30 cms of 30 lb mono butt joined to 1.5 to 2 metre 5 lb tippet), the flies usually sink enough to catch the mullet, bream, trevs, tailor and occasional blackfish. When in the tinny in the lake I take two rods, one with a intermediate and a floater. The intermediate is ideal when drifting around the bridge or when you need to get deeper. The lake doesnt get too deep in most parts, although there are some deep channels and holes that get to 5-6 metres, so a floater with a 2 metre leader is usually enough.

G'day Chris, if people have time, I reckon that is the best time of day, ie right on dusk. But, there should be some fish around during the day, just might need to move around a bit, there are plenty of spots to try out. It will be good to catch up and meet everyone anyhow.

Busy weekend with kids sport and my own school sport commitments, so no time this weekend for a fish on the tinny. Decided to have a quick fly fish at Narrabeen Lakes at the usual spot, I knew conditions would be good with a slight NE that died right on dusk, pretty usual occurance. With the lake still not open, there was hardly any water movement, especially when the wind died and the water glassed off, I love that time of day down there. From 4.30 to 5.30, there was not much action, couple of takes, but no hook ups, but right on cue, once the sun went behind the western hills above Narrabeen, the bigger fish moved in to the burley and for the next 40 minutes mullet, trevs, bream and even tailor were feeding verociously amongst the bread. I ended up with 6 mullet, 4 trevs, one tailor and one bream, nothing big, all around the 25 tp 30 cm mark, but they were heaps of fun on the five wt. Not sure how a middle of the day fish will be for the social next week, Iv'e always done better late arvo, it might be challenging to score a few, but who knows, someone should hook up.

Some great looking fish there, nice size too, beautiful looking country as well.

Thats a good report Jewhunter, I'm no spring chicken either, but enjoy the learning everytime I'm out there.

Sounds like a day to maybe include the dollies George, they must be around the same time are they?