Guest Posted October 16, 2008 Share Posted October 16, 2008 It was with great pleasure that Smitty and myself were invited to fish the "DUNBOGAN GROGAN"comp which is a one day event held at Dunbogan on the mid north coast of NSW. Two species are targetted for the trophies,being the largest blackfish and the largest flathead. The Rules:- TRYING TO HARD NOT TRYING HARD ENOUGH PISSING INTO THE WIND FROM A MOVING VESSEL VISITING FISHERMAN’S CO OP DURING THE DAY NOT TAKING PHOTOS OF CATCH FOR WEB SITE REPORT DUMMY SPITTING NOT SHOWING RESPECT TO THE OLD FARTS TAKING PHOTOS OF SOMEONE ELSES FISH PICKING ON THE GNOME (ROBBO) We arrived on the tournee day to meet up with all the legends of this cult classic. Some of the names are a little weird ,but they all have their meanings. People like the Moose,Cogga,The gnome,Banana bob,Aqua monster,Banger,Emu,The Road Runner,The Target,The Tourist and others We met Ross Hunter and Steve(Emu) at the Dunbogan Bridge and quickly rigged our blackfish rods for the tide change,Emu already had one nice blackfish in the bag and our hope were high but it was not to be. As the day rolled on we tried many locations including the fabled South Breakwall and although the fish were there they didnt seem to come on the bite with a few big fish landed and lost. This was hard fishing with a roaring tide and heavy Nor Easter. Aqua monster came back to the weigh in with a thumper 43 cm blackfish and everyone questioned its validity as cheating was allowed as long as you didnt get caught. Glenn Hunter and Banger were out all day in search of flatties in the boat and had a few reasonable ones to weigh in. Smitty and I tried in vain to catch a blackfish and decided to throw a few soft plastics around the town bridge and on the third cast I had a good hook up and promptly landed a nice 51 cm dusky flathead. I rang Ross and told him we had caught something finally and he said "get back here right now !!! you are in with a chance for a shot at the grogan" as the finish time was nearing and we had to be back before close of measuring. Everyone assembled for the GROGAN AWARDS and the winners were announced. Catergories such as the PEST,THE DUMMY SPITTER were hottly contested and so it went with Aqua Monster called the winner of the blackfishing section and yours truly just pipping the Hunter Team on the flathead front. The jovial nature of this comp was unreal and legends were born We partied long into the night with copious amounts of beer and wine and wild turkey listening to the sombre tunes of Rossco and Banana Bob playing thier guitars. The fishing was tough most days and Smitty actually caught 3 good blackfish on our last day which really pissed me off as I just couldnt get a bite and didnt he let me know it . One of the highlights for me was actually seeing my very first wild koala right in front of the place we were staying and then a second encounter the next day. Great bunch of fellas and to the Gnome (aka Robbo),I hope everything goes well with your treatment mate and we can catch up again soon. Thanks to Bob Morgan for the great food and friendly way you welcomed us to your group. The trip up and back was great in the Pajero and with Smitty getting the foo fighters ,Aussie Crawl and living end pumping through the stereo. Thanks once again Ross for the invite mate Regards Stewy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jake Posted October 17, 2008 Share Posted October 17, 2008 Looked like some sweet times there. If that's the Dunbogan that lies on the Camden Haven River i know it well and have fished it for 25 years. An amazing blackfishing river and can be shoulder to shoulder when they are on at the nthn breakwall. Great nipper grounds too and a prolific system for all estuary species. I'll be back up there before xmas. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted October 17, 2008 Share Posted October 17, 2008 Looked like some sweet times there. If that's the Dunbogan that lies on the Camden Haven River i know it well and have fished it for 25 years. An amazing blackfishing river and can be shoulder to shoulder when they are on at the nthn breakwall. Great nipper grounds too and a prolific system for all estuary species. I'll be back up there before xmas. That would be the place Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smitty Posted October 17, 2008 Share Posted October 17, 2008 Mate, what a thoroughly enjoyable trip, thanks heaps for asking me to come along! Even with the Noreaster ripping along the wall then the rain then the southerly , I still had a great time. The fishing was a bit difficult and a few more fish in the mix would have made it even better, but thats why they call it "fishing" and not "catching". A BIG thank you to Ross and all the rest of the Dunbogan crew for making Stewy and I feel so welcome (even after Stewy took out one of the presigous Grogans after only being there a few of hours ). It was great to meet all of the blokes, thank you gents for your company and your hospitality! Hope to see you all again in the future. Cheers, Smitty... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
outdoordan Posted October 17, 2008 Share Posted October 17, 2008 Unreal fellas What a bugger i couldn't join you'se. Looks to be a bloody good trip and great to see a few top fish landed. Well done on takin the biggest flatty Stewy, Doin fishraider proud yet again mate. All the best Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arpie Posted October 17, 2008 Share Posted October 17, 2008 Well done Ross & Co for staging another terrific Dunbogan Grogan event! I was there last year when Glenn caught his first 'decent' blackie & he was stoked! Sounds like the boys all had fun & some of the fish came out to play! Congrats on bringing in the biggest flattie, Stewy - it would have been a hotly contested section!! Cheerio Roberta Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mondo Rock Posted October 17, 2008 Share Posted October 17, 2008 I'm jealous - sounds like a really fun trip. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Penguin Posted October 18, 2008 Share Posted October 18, 2008 Well done guys, those Groagan awards would have been a laugh to attend penguin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Red Posted October 18, 2008 Share Posted October 18, 2008 Good report Stewy Judging by the amount of bottletops in the last pic, a great time was had by all. Congrats to the award winners. Cheers Red Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slinkymalinky Posted October 18, 2008 Share Posted October 18, 2008 Sounds like you had some fun and I bet you didn't go thirsty mate. Next year you might need to take a packet of those eucalyptus scented, soft plastic gum leaves... you don't want to miss out on a Grogan for a trophy marsupial like that again. Good work on the flattie. Cheers, Slinky Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jewgaffer Posted October 18, 2008 Share Posted October 18, 2008 ....... Next year you might need to take a packet of those eucalyptus scented, soft plastic gum leaves... you don't want to miss out on a Grogan for a trophy marsupial like that again. Good work on the flattie. Cheers, Slinky I think Slinky may be joking on this one Stewy. To win the biggest flathead again next year it might pay to forget about eucalyptus scented gumleave sps and fish koala droppings off the bottom jewgaffer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ross Hunter Posted October 19, 2008 Share Posted October 19, 2008 I think Slinky may be joking on this one Stewy. To win the biggest flathead again next year it might pay to forget about eucalyptus scented gumleave sps and fish koala droppings off the bottom jewgaffer Raiders, Here's a few more pics of the Big Grogan And as Swordy said It has become a cult standing just like "Water World and Mad Max"...life sometimes can be far too serious and when you compete in the Grogan that side of things just goes out the window. Ah! lazy days getting up at 5.30 am fishing hard all day to return for cold beers and huge steaks.. Sit around with the mates and guzzle down a few a re live the epic adventure of the day ..maybe even a hearty sing along after dinner when the red wine kicks in. Ross Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ross Hunter Posted October 19, 2008 Share Posted October 19, 2008 Good report Stewy Judging by the amount of bottletops in the last pic, a great time was had by all. Congrats to the award winners. Cheers Red Red, How could you compete in The Big Grogan without beer and steaks that resemble half a a cow.. It's compulsory Ross Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ross Hunter Posted October 19, 2008 Share Posted October 19, 2008 Well done Ross & Co for staging another terrific Dunbogan Grogan event! I was there last year when Glenn caught his first 'decent' blackie & he was stoked! Sounds like the boys all had fun & some of the fish came out to play! Congrats on bringing in the biggest flattie, Stewy - it would have been a hotly contested section!! Cheerio Roberta Roberta, We missed you this year You would have brought on the blackfish The tides were all wrong I am just about to get on the net and get it right for 2009. Despite everything we had a great time Have a look at this desperate ready for bed complete with his favourite footy teams slippers....... Isn't he cute? Roscoe Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted October 19, 2008 Share Posted October 19, 2008 Roberta, We missed you this year You would have brought on the blackfish The tides were all wrong I am just about to get on the net and get it right for 2009. Despite everything we had a great time Have a look at this desperate ready for bed complete with his favourite footy teams slippers....... Isn't he cute? Roscoe I think you looked cuter in your night gown Rossco ,but that is just my personal opinion Thanks again for the invite,great bunch of fellas. Cheers Stewy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ross Hunter Posted October 20, 2008 Share Posted October 20, 2008 I think you looked cuter in your night gown Rossco ,but that is just my personal opinion Thanks again for the invite,great bunch of fellas. Cheers Stewy You are right Stew the nightgown is spectacular, but it was a cooler night and the winter pj's were needed You know that when you get to my age one has to dress for all occasions including sleeping attire. I slept with my South Sydney slippers under my pillow just in case one of you snuck in and stole them. Ross Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
willy Posted October 20, 2008 Share Posted October 20, 2008 I love fishign along that inlet wall, its massive and you can always catch something just about anywhere along it ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ross Hunter Posted October 20, 2008 Share Posted October 20, 2008 I love fishign along that inlet wall, its massive and you can always catch something just about anywhere along it ! Will i am Your right but this year the big tides made it tougher We all did a lot of trudging and got great excersise following our floats Ross Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
achjimmy Posted October 20, 2008 Share Posted October 20, 2008 Will i am Your right but this year the big tides made it tougher We all did a lot of trudging and got great excersise following our floats Ross Great read and sounded like good fun. We love Dunbogan/Laurieton spend most holidays there, passed it up to go to Nambucca this time but will be back there next time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ross Hunter Posted October 21, 2008 Share Posted October 21, 2008 Great read and sounded like good fun. We love Dunbogan/Laurieton spend most holidays there, passed it up to go to Nambucca this time but will be back there next time. It sure is a pretty place We have been going there for 36 years Ross Raiders, We have just posted a new report on the Big Grogan and our tuna and marlin catches follow this link if you'd like to read more along with some great photos My Webpagewww.gamefishingcharters.com.au go to FishingStories and Hints..Hope you enjoy Ross Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ross Hunter Posted October 21, 2008 Share Posted October 21, 2008 Good report Stewy Judging by the amount of bottletops in the last pic, a great time was had by all. Congrats to the award winners. Cheers Red Yeh Good report Stew.. who put those bottl tops in the jar. It was to have a trivia night on the questions on the lid The more ya drink the more intelligent ya get Ross Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ross Hunter Posted October 22, 2008 Share Posted October 22, 2008 Unreal fellas What a bugger i couldn't join you'se. Looks to be a bloody good trip and great to see a few top fish landed. Well done on takin the biggest flatty Stewy, Doin fishraider proud yet again mate. All the best As they say in the classics Dan "Arse beats Class" Stew had three casts in desperation and jagged the big boy. Good Luck to The Swordy He always goes hard! Here is a link to my update of The Big Grogan........My Webpagewww.gamefishingcharters.com.au Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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