Well I have caught my first ever fish on fly. O.k. they weren't humungous, but a bit of a thrill nonetheless.
I went walking the flats along the North-Arm of the Brunswick River. We were actually getting yabbies for bait, but I took the fly rod for a bit of a go, as I hadn't really christened it at this point! The water was extremely clear, the tide was running out and there was a fresh north easter blowing over my right shoulder. I wandered up stream a bit as I thought I'd start up there and walk back. I put a pink an white Clousers Minnow on the end of the leader and started casting for all I was worth.
The river isn't real wide up there at low tide, which is probably for the best, because casting wasn't a strong point yet, so it was easy to get to the bank on the other side. Anyway a few casts and strips of about 15 - 20cms and bang, a big puff of sand and a nice little flathead of a bout 20cm inhaled the fly and ran for it. Like I said not huge but a real buzz to feel the fish hit and run and also to be able to see it as soon as it took the fly.
Obviously the battle didn't last long and a quick flick of the fly with the pliers saw the lizard return to the dropoff from whenst he came. A short time passed and just as I was about to pull the line out of the water for another cast, smack, another lizard inhaled the Clouser and of he went.... again another lizard a little over 20cm and the scenario ended the same as the previous one.
Unfortunately that was the only real chance I got to throw the fly around the banks as the NE winds really took a hold and howled in for the remainder of the holidays, pretty much shutting the fishing down. Caught a few fish on lures..... but that's another story, right!
Last Updated - 14/11/2000