Sugarloaf Bay Salmon

[Flanman]

Big Mac and Flanman managed to convince our peoples that it would be a good idea to take the kids for a run on Middle Harbour in our beloved Paris (Bertie 25)

"You stay at home darlings and we will get these stir crazy kids out of your hair"

So it began.

The weather was looking average at best as the boys motored out from Roseville Marina and given that the start of the Sydney to Hobart was only 2 hours away, there was very little maritime traffic to be seen.

We poked into Sugarloaf Bay to check out our new mooring and then decided to make for the Spit, whereupon the Big Mun spotted a group of gulls and terns working some whitebait.

Needless to say we were on top of them at express pace and started throwing some 3" Green Smelt at them.

The Flanman in the space of about 90seconds let loose his oft repeated cry:

"I'm ON!

Given he was fishing with a 6lb rig, the ensuing battle took the best part of 8 minutes before the Big Mun reached for the net.

"Hey Flan, where's the net?

"Probably sitting with the rest of the stuff at home in the garage from our last road trip"

Next thing we knew Big Mac was practising the ancient art of 'Tickling Salmon'

His first grab at the tail was to no avail, however, the fish had had enough and the Man o' Flan swam him back to the Big Mun's waiting hands for a perfect slips catch into the boat.

As the water was still boiling around the boat, there was no time to lose in getting another plastic into the water.

In no time another salmon had taken a hook.

Indeed another ten minutes passed as this second fish met the same fate as his brother. This time, however, Big Macs hands were as safe as Ricky Ponting's!

Both fish were bled and their stomachs examined. Both fish were stuffed with whitebait abot 30mm in length.

The kids and dogs by this stage were going nuts and as the rain started to team down again the decision was made to adjourn to the half finished Monopoly game at home.

All in all, the boys have learned that it pays to have a line ready to go into the water at all times 'Just in case'

Merry Christmas and a Happy and Fishy New Year.