Our Not So Triumphant Return

[outdoordan]

Plans were made & dates set, We were going to make our return to the land of the giants.

With their futile attempts at spawning hopefully over we had anticipations of tussling with some hungry spring trout.

I arrived at Stewy's joint at the ungodly hour of 4am, packed the gear and began or pilgrimage up the mountains.

Arriving at thommo's at about 6ish, we got our gear sorted, had a coffee(which Stewy thoughtfully supplied), loaded our packs and started the walk in. The day was glorious, the sky was clear and the air was filled with the sweetness of spring with a crisp breeze gently blowing in our faces. This only heightened our expectations of the day before us.

With the casting commencing, a wager of a $2 lottery ticket for the first fish landed, only proved our confidence. After a few ours of peppering the dam with casts and coming up with a whole lot of nothing, our concentration was dwindling when stewy's voice bellowed down the shoreline "I got a Hit". This was all that was need, with new found enthusiasm we persisted with our assault on the resident trout population.

Several more hours passed and by this time we'd made our way up to a few shallow bays down the back of the western bank. A few casts into our assault, i noticed a dark shape about a foot long follow my Celta to the fringe of a drop off before turning away, this gave my motivation the kick start it needed. A dozen casts later While studying the water a little closer than before i noticed what looked like another dark shape emerge from the shadows of the drop off, but this one was bigger, much bigger. My lure was already in the water and on track to cross paths with the silhouette, the approaching lure slowly fluttered its way towards the tail end of my quarry, and only a few metres from my feet and in clear view the fish swung its large body around, lined up my lure and in one swift movement engulfed my lure with such ferocity it snapped my 12lb leader like cotton. It took a moment to compose myself but once i did i let out a barrage of F's and C's that would make a sailor blush. On telling Stewy what had just unfolded all he did was laugh(ya bastard).

We persisted for about another 5 hours for zip, there was no interest in our offerings what so ever. It was time to experiment, we were contemplating leaving shortly and i was getting a little desperate. I sent my lure out for what felt like the millionth time, but this time i let it sink and sink and to my amazement it just kept sinking, once satisfied with my lures depth i began my retrieve. I had only retrieved a metre or so of line when i felt the familiar tap of a hit, with a swift lift of the rod tip i had my first hook up of the day.

Happy does not even begin to describe my euphoria, and after a reasonable tussle and a few photos i had landed my first male Rainbow trout. It measured in at 45cm and after a few more quick photos it was promtly released. After about 9 hours a nice trout was a welcome reward for what had been a test in patients and sheer determination.

We kept repeating what had brought success for me but had no more hits. We proceded further up the bank gradualy making our way towards the dam wall. within 30 metres of the dam wall Stewy recieved a solid hit but to his and my dissapointment failed to connect, not much was thought of it until a few casts later Stew inspects his Celta to find the Treble missing. Was this the reason for the missed strike? More than likely.

Soon after we decided it was time to pull the pin, around 10 hours of casting takes its toll and we still had a few Km to walk out.

The Drive home flew by with good conversation and jokes passing the time, and Mrs Swordie had organised a chinese banquet for us when we walked through the door.

Life doesn't get any better than that

Pics to follow

Thanks for reading

Dan

P.S. Mr & Mrs Swordie, Thankyou for a top day and a fantastic meal.

[Guest]

Great report Dan and you are one of the true gentlemen on this planet

It really is a pleasure to fish with you and the lottery ticket will be forthcoming.

Cheers Stewy

[Guest Saqa]

nice report Dan

[Guest BBM Rick]

Thanks for the great read, Dan, awesome report mate.

Not to many folks put one over on the old Swordie, so you should be rather pleased with yourself!

Rick.

[Flattieman]

Well done, Dan and Stewy. My hat goes off to you once more. Wrasseman, look how hard we have to work for trout up here!

Flattieman.

Edited September 22, 2006 by Flattieman

[Guest]

Thanks for the great read, Dan, awesome report mate.

Not to many folks put one over on the old Swordie, so you should be rather pleased with yourself!

Rick.

I dont mind eating humble pie But geez Rick not too much of the old there

Cheers Stewy

[Guest BBM Rick]

[wrasseman]

Great report, well done to both of you for persevering (spelling??) pity about the misses but at least you scored in the end. Nice fish too.

cheers

col.

[Jewhunter]

Dan, that is a top report!

Yes the 'old' Swordie is hard to get one over! I've tried a few times & can honestly say I've been lucky to break even!

I really hope your lottery ticket wins a motza. Then it's your shout!

Well done fellas, sounds a bit like Jewie fishing to me!

Cheers,

Grant.

[outdoordan]

Great report Dan and you are one of the true gentlemen on this planet

It really is a pleasure to fish with you and the lottery ticket will be forthcoming.

Cheers Stewy

I'll go ya double or nothing on the lottery ticket.

Thanks for the kind words fellas

As for pulling one over stewy, it was pure fluke. We both fished bloody hard.

And i don't care who catches more or bigger fish, i just enjoy the company.

And Jewhunter, for blokes like you lot its my shout all the time.

Thanks Fishraiders

Edited September 22, 2006 by OutdoorDan

[breambusters]

Great read Dan,

You sure do have patients. I had be thinking about a trip to Thomos soon myself but now I"m not so sure! Either way it is still a great day out at Thomos.

Cheers

Brad

[russel_pollard]

Gents pray tell how a man may get to this illustrious spot and if it would be suitable for fly? e.g. bushes/trees & other foliage fish that tend to hit the fly on the ol' back cast

[troutboy]

Zuluboy, thommos is the perfect spot for flyfishing,no trees within cooee,plenty of good spots that are easy to access.Heading west from lithgow take the mudgee turnoff and follow this road until you come to the power station on the left. Take left turn after the power station and drive through Wallarawang until you come to a small railway overpass, veer to the right and follow this road for about a kilometer or so and you will see a cemetary on your right. Take a left turn opposite the cemetary and follow this road all the way to the parking lot at the dam. you will have to park your car and walk the rest of the way in, the walk takes about ten minutes or so. There are some very big fish in the dam, but it is very exposed to the elements so make sure you have some warm clothes with you even at this time of year. If you are spin fishing use some tassie devils from the dam wall. Large size deep divers work very well also. There are plenty of places to flyfish as well. Good luck cheers troutboy

Hi ther outdoor dan, just wanted to ask why you were using such a heavy leader, 12lb is a little heavy for trout, Did you have your drag set right as I cant understand how you managed to snap your leader on striking the fish? Thommos has very little in the way of structure or snags and most people fish 4lb to 8lb leaders. I usually fish 4lb and have caught some stonking trout up to 8/9lb using very light leader as there is very little in the way of structure. You may have increased your chances by using a lighter leader. Just my 2 bobs worth. cheers troutboy

[Matt]

Good read Dan Thats a fit looking Rainbow and its still wearing its spawning colours.

I reckon thats about average for a trip to Thommo's, 1 fish. I was going through my diary recently and the trips averaged out at a shade above 1 fish a session.

Cheers

Windy