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Surf Casting and Angling Club of W.A. (Inc.)
Club Magazine "Reel Talk" June 1954 |
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Annual General Meeting and Dinner.
The Annual General Meeting and Dinner will be held on Friday, 11th June, at 7 pm, at Marlborough House, Cnr. Hay and George Streets, Perth.
It is most essential that all members participate in this meeting. The overall cost for the dinner and refreshments is 15/-
Members are reminded that prospective members are welcome to attend,
We Started Something
Almost three years ago about half a dozen rod and reel enthusiasts sat and waited for the fish to bite. As usual we were
"shooting a few lines" as well, and before the evening was over a club was formed.
We had amongst us an extraordinary personality; a chap by the name of Gordon Hume. Gordon was a man of no mean ability. He did
most of the spade work on the constitution for the club, and, in his position as secretary, was a tower of strength in our
early days He was gifted with an amazing imagination and could tell fishing tale so well that he, believed them himself.
Then there was Dudley Brown. Dudley would take the biggest hook, line and sinker that he could find and throw it so far out to
sea that the bait was stale before it hit the water. To see Dudley wind his rod and 14 ozs of lead three times around his head
was enough to clear the beach for miles.
Nelson Smith, who always thinks that some place four miles away is the best place to fish; Noel Knight who gets so scientific the
fish die laughing; Vic Davis, the only man who ever had to set fire to 200 yards of overrun to get it off his reel, and Lloyd
Dunn, who took over the secretary's job, were among the early members.
We really had some rare times and some of those warm summer nights when we fished from sunset till dawn will always be remembered.
Aussie Cycles were good enough to let us use their premises as a meeting place and one by one we recruited some of the finest
and most knowledgeable rod and reel exponents there are in the State; chaps like Bob Agnew, Bill Griffiths, Bill Bridger, Vern
Pocklington and Felix Holywell. I sometimes wonder if the younger members of the club appreciate how much specialised knowledge
and how many years of experience are at their service in the form of advice that veteran fisherman can give them.
We started early to organise our field day trips and some of these, for various reasons, have been really memorable. There were
the Rottnest trips (Blue with the tame jewfish, and Lloyd with his pet groper), Mullaloo, one of the maddest shambles of lines,
sharks, rays, rods, tailor, gaffs, and of course, Noel, that we ever saw.
And who could forget Penguin Island? Lord Nelson (Captain Carlsen) Smith and the boys chasing a rabbit for three days in a tempest
and eating burnt wobbegong. The 14 mile trip by truck with Lloyd's driving? Noel, Reg and Vic perched on a sand hill all night?
Like all really good trips we remember, these as much for the good comradeship as for the good fishing.
All the time our gear was evolving from the crudest to the most refined. Split canes replaced bamboos, geared reels and light lines
instead of drum reels, star drag instead of skull drag. This is no reflection on the old gear. It caught, and catches some good
fish, but progress is inevitable.
Gradually new clubs were formed, in other centres; Bunbury and Geraldton having thriving clubs and undoubtedly there is a great
future for surfcasting in this State.
So we come to the dinner, general election of officers next month and the end of the road for most of the original committee. We
have worked hard and, we hope, well, for the club, and we are seeking a rest. It is up to the ordinary members to come forward
and accept nomination for office. We want new ideas and a new committee to use them. Never has the club had a more propitious
moment. We can go forward to brighter and bigger club activities. With a little organisation we can have a lot of good times;
but you as individuals must do it. So, be at that election and if nominated, BE IN IT.
Vic Davis, President,
Agenda For Meeting.
1. Loyal Toast
2. Minutes of last annual general meeting.
3. Business arising out of such minutes.
4. Apologies.
5. Introduction of visitors.
6. Introduction of new members.
7. Reception and adoption of annual report and treasurer's statement and auditor's report.
8. Correspondence.
9. Election of Officers.
President
Vice Presidents (2)
Secretary/Treasurer
Assistant Secretary
Social Director and Publicity Officer.
Committee (4)
Where?
Where are the lads of the old Brigade?
Where is the beach where they all parade?
Where's "Gaffer" Mac and "Kingy" Knight
Where do they roam to fish tonight.
And where is Vic the wily one?
And old "Felix" that fishing son?
Old "Gramophone" Smith and "No Fish" Dunn
And Kev Hanson with bream by the ton?
So come on you lads whose names are not here
Roll along to your club and turn on the cheer,
Come along to the meet and show us the way
And join in the fun on our next Field Day
Noel Knight.
Cosy Corner.
Situated approximately seven to ten miles this side of Augusta, and five miles from the turn off at Karridale, nestles Cosy Corner,
the rod fisherman's dream. The main highway down is perfect, and one can travel at any speed in complete comfort. The five miles
of track to the beach is in very good condition, making the journey from Perth and return a pleasure.
Vic, Mac and myself left on Thursday afternoon at 2 pm, and had set up camp by seven. A stroll over to the beach to wet the lines
produced only a few herring. Friday am, saw us fishing from the "honeycomb" rocks, and as usual Vi. goes to town on the first
salmon that goes by, and as usual poor old Mac takes up his exalted position of gaff boy. If anyone tells you salmon are not
delicious to eat (and this is for Noel Knight in particular) ask Vic to cook the next one for you.
Between the three of us we landed a good bag of herring, skipjack, and garfish. Friday night unfortunately produced nothing, as we
were not familiar with the surroundings. We did however, see one chap coming along who was the nearest thing to the character on
a bottle of Scott's Emulsion that one could wish to see. This character had landed a silver kingfish (mulloway) so large that
with a piece of rope through its gills, and carried over his shoulder, the tail was flipping against his ankles. Weight
approximately 50 lbs.
We also watched another chap who had set a line overnight bring in a Dhufish 35 to 40 lbs. Another fortunate person landed a
50lb sea kingfish with the greatest of ease. The three of us had a wonderful morning on Saturday catching herring, and in no
time we had six dozen good ones. Vic and Mac had the time of their lives pulling them out with spinners. Saturday afternoon we
had a long walk to a beach which we thought may produce a kingfish or two, but on this occasion Mac took the laurels with the
only Kingie, of 14 lbs, and a sea tailor, 3 - 4 lbs.
To anyone looking for a few days away, I can really recommend Cosy Corner. The camp site is well protected, there are no flies,
but unfortunately, no water. The most important part being that there are plenty of fish.
Doug Edward.
To Be a Successful Angler.
To be successful, a surf angler must be prepared to put more than casual thought into the whys and wherefores of the sport.
Those who live close to the sea have the advantage of constant observation. Others must rely on information in respect to
weather reports and Fisheries reports.
It is not possible to give advice with any degree of certainty but there are obvious indicators which will allow the
travelling angler some promise of success.
First choose a rising tide, either early morning or evening. Bright sunlight is not always a condition to be avoided, but
mid day flood tides do not usually produce best results. Beaches in the vicinity of estuaries are surf angling beaches
By fishing as close as possible to submerged reefs, or from the rocky approaches, the surf angler will often be rewarded
for his efforts. When working the beaches after dark, short casts are most advisable.
During rough seas, watch the amount of sand lifted in the breakers. Where constant sand curtains exist, it is unlikely surf
feeders will be present. Choose the edges of sand bars bordering channels to place your bait, and where fast drifts and
sweeping currents are present, look for where such conditions become less active.
Fresh bait is almost essential though salted varieties will be found successful when small fry are scarce and when fish are
working the surf. Heavy seas are not a deterrent, but, on the other hand often bring in surf feeders to dine on the disturbed food.
We often wonder if we enjoy catching fish as much as we relish the fact that we are going fishing. If it were just a matter
of going out and dragging fish out of the water, present day fishing tackle would be as it was a hundred years ago. Our main
object is certainly to get among the fighting fish of the surf, but it is also to use modern tackle that requires a little
skill to manipulate.
The use of such tackle will not reduce the quantity of fish you will land but it will increase the qualities that go towards
creating sportsmanship. Surf angling is a sport which calls for a knowledge of fish and the elements that favour their presence.
Experience is the only tutor. Learn the use of the implements of their capture and the hours spent In gaining the experience
of locating them is the most enjoyable aspect of the sport.
Doug Edward.
Bobby Corking For Tailor.
Bobby corking can be a fascinating and interesting means of catching tailor or salmon.
It has the advantage of presenting the bait to the fish in the same manner as it would expect it, ie, a small fish moving in
the water.
The best place to use this rig is off the reefs into the broken white water, or to endeavour to place the bait in one of
the gutters or draw along the beach.
One can expect to get a bit damp wading on the reefs, but the promise of hooking a good fighting fish should offset this to
any true angler. And as any experienced tailor or salmon fisherman will tell you, the best fish hang around the reefs.
The rig consists of three or four 6/0 hooks on about six inches of wire. Tailor and salmon when on the rampage are voracious
eaters and the big hooks are so that the barbs of the hook are clean through the bait.
About 4'6" up the line we have two bottle corks opposed to each other, that is fat end to fat end, so you end up with a
combination which is tapered to both ends.
These must able to slide up or down the; line and are fixed in the desired position by inserting a match which presses against
the line and secures it.
For bait, the Scaly Mackerel in my opinion reigns supreme closely followed by Blue Mackerel or Garfish. The average scaly
weighs about 2 - 3oz and when combined with hooks and cork, makes a nice casting weight
This gear may seem unbalanced to some of us but quite good casts can be made by using a long drop and swing.
After having made your cast, take up any slack and retrieve very slowly; this, combined with the action of the small corks
which just make the bait buoyant, produces an action that a taller or salmon if present just can't resist.
Dawn or dusk seem to be the best times, but on dull overcast days a strike can be expected any time, particularly in the case
of salmon.
Well, there you are, fellows, if you haven't tried it, have a go, and I'll warrant it pays off.
Always remember - the best spinner is a drop of the real thing - a fresh Scaly Mackerel or Garfish.
Noel Knight.
Just Spinning.
Vic Davis is not a believer in anti-backlash devices on reels. To quote him: "An educated thumb is all that is required to
overcome backlash". Makes one think that maybe some thumbs are a bit backward and in some cases downright illiterate.
Heard Noel Knight thinks the chappie with the new aqualung is a sissy; he goes down without one.
Someone says in regard to a place to hold our drycasting "You only want a long straight strip of ground". I agree with him,
as long as its clear both sides and your sinker cooperates and goes where it's supposed to.
They say Doug Edward has a manicure set in his fishing tackle and uses it to manicure the fishes' fins as he cleans them.
Now Noel is getting a few fish I advise all who may come into contact with him to (a) get caps with good ear flaps; (b) leave
town; (c) make sure he has lead boots on next time he falls in.
Believe Vic Davis has not only lost his gaff boy (he is now catching fish), but also the gaff that went with him.
Try to imagine three men all trying to eat the same piece tinned fruit off one tin opener; Vic left the eating gear home
They say Doug Edward reckons that when you walk round the beach with a Davis you want seven league boots or a saw to take Vic
off at the knees.
There seems to be some doubt as to whether our president is a hard working and conscientious electrician, or just goes to
Rottnest to catch fish.
I believe those strange noises Noel makes when he gets an overrun are not really profane, but just the lad practicing his
Spanish so he can call in more Mackerel.
Congratulations to Vern Pocklington on his fine effort on his single handed rod and to Lloyd Dunn on his double hander. Both
fine efforts, an 8lb (unconfirmed) and a 7lb (confirmed) respectively.
Copyright © 2003 Surf Casting and Angling Club of W.A. (Inc.)
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This page last updated 31 January 2003.
Display of this page was updated on 21 January 2013. Contents updated as above.
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