WILSONS REEL WOMEN HUNTER VALLEY FISHING CLASSIC   November 2005

Last weekend I drove to Glenbawn Dam to fish in the inaugural “Wilsons Reel Women Hunter Valley Fishing Classic” organised by Leeann Payne, Steve ‘Starlo’ Starling and Emma Cartwright. 

An all women Bass fishing competition.  I’ve never seen so many mad keen fisherwomen in one place in my life.  It was the best weekend I’ve spent fishing for a long time.  The girls were unbelievable, not only were they competent fisherwomen, they could handle the towing, launching and retrieving of their boats with ease.   They fished all day in open boats in the worst possible weather with thunder, lightning and freezing rain and still fished on. 

I thought I had driven a long way to fish but there were lady anglers from Victoria, Northern Territory, Queensland and all over NSW.  It was catch and release of native freshwater species, Bass, golden perch, silver perch and Murray cod and all must be over 30cm in length using lure and fly only.  

The event was made up of 12 teams with 30 lady anglers.  Each team had to have a name and some of the classics were ‘Team Fishlips’, ‘Extreme Pussy’s’,’ Beat the Boys’,  ‘Port Stephens Wild Cats’ and ‘Gone Country’.  These women had the best sense of humour and really fished hard. 

Some ladies had their own boats, some had borrowed the hubby’s with strict instructions not to scratch it, others who didn’t have a boat were organised with a boat and skipper.

In all there were 6 teams ‘skippered’ and 6 teams ‘unskippered’.   I managed to get on a boat with another lady who needed a crew.  I’d never met Christine before, our details were passed on by Leeann Payne and we contacted each other by email and made all the arrangements. Christine was the best fun, I have never laughed so much and by the end of the comp. we were the best of friends. 

Friday night started with the usual briefing with tips on how and where to fish, but being a ladies comp. the comments at the briefing were hilarious.  One lady had borrowed her partner’s boat and asked if someone could put the boat in the water for her, this caused a great laugh.  In line with other Reel Women events, there was someone at the ramp to help out for anyone that needed assistance. 

Saturday was a big day with fishing starting at 6am and finishing at 6pm and all paperwork in by 6.30pm. 

The weather on Saturday morning was not so good.  About 10am a huge electrical storm came through, everyone had to sit it out until it passed, then continued fishing. 

Saturday night was a barbeque and presentation at the Marque and prizes given out to the various winners.  52 Point scoring fish were captured.  71 non point scoring fish captured.  Point scoring fish are native fish over 30cm. 

 A casting competition was held and tuitition was given to anyone who needed from Melanie Young who runs Young Guns Fishing. 

During the presentation another storm hit and the side of the Marque blew in and wet everything which sent everyone for cover.  When it subsided everyone ventured back to the Marque and continued on regardless.  Ladies that started the night looking quite glamorous were looking like drowned rats by the end of the evening, but it only added to the fun and excitement of the weekend.  

Sunday was the Sportfish $1000 Dash for Cash sponsored by Sportfish Australia

This event started at 7am and finished at 10am and the 1^st team to bring in the heaviest live Bass over 30cm won. 

The Dash for Cash was great fun.  We fished the weed beds close to the ramp hoping for a reasonable fish but were all under 30cm.  This event was not without the continuing electrical thunderstorms.  When all the boats congregated at the ramp at the same time at 10am there were boats lined up along the banks with the rain teaming down and everyone trying to get their boats out with lightning flashing all around.  Midday was lunch and presentation to the winners, then everyone packed up all the wet gear and headed the long trip home. 

It was a fabulous weekend even with the atrocious weather and all the ladies that were there have put in on their calendar for next year.  Some ladies gave each other their contact numbers to join up next year in case they can’t get in a team. 

This was my first time fishing in an all women competition and I was pleasantly surprised.  The humour, sense of adventure and great company was more than I expected.  When we passed a boat on the water and asked are they having any success, we were told where they caught it, what lure they used and how deep the fish were.  This was the best part of the fishing spirit.  It was all in good fun and if you caught a winning fish it was a bonus, but the real winner was the great atmosphere and conversation of women with the same interests. It was quite an experience listening to a large group of women all talking tackle, boats and fishing stories.  The guys who were there to drive the boats for their partners enjoyed the event as much as anyone. 

Having attended this competition and seeing how much women enjoyed their fishing, I would like to see a similar event for women on the Gold Coast.  The great news is that Emma Cartwright, from Reel Women, tells me that a Reel Women Fishing Classic will be coming to the Gold Coast soon!  I will keep you posted. 

 GOLD COAST FLYFISHING CONVENTION  

A few weeks ago I attended the SEQFFC Convention at Camp Bornhoffen and it would have to be the best fly fishing event that I have ever been to.   

The weekend started on Friday afternoon with welcome drinks followed by a great meal.  Peter Morse gave a very interesting presentation on fishing for Bonefish at Christmas Island and Nat Bromhead gave a talk and video about fishing in Weipa. 

Saturday was a great day with individual casting lessons from Peter Morse, Rod Harrison and Gavin Platz.  These guys were the best.  They stood all day and never stopped teaching and assisting the whole weekend.  I got to try out several brands and models of rods and spent most of the time casting a beautiful saltwater outfit.  At the same time Muz Wilson and Shaun Ash were demonstrating and teaching fly tying.   Later that day Peter Morse gave a workshop on rigging and fly line setup and after dinner Rod Harrison gave a talk on “What’s in my tackle bag”.  He’s a very funny man. 

They held a raffle and I won third prize which was three nights’ accommodation and fishing at Uncle Billy’s Retreat.  First prize was a  #2wt. Albright rod, reel and line. Second prize was a guided fishing trip by Gavin Platz. 

I was asked to look after any ladies that attended the weekend but unfortunately I was the only lady, a bit of a shame as it was the perfect learning venue.  Maybe next year more will attend.