River Heads Fishing Club

Welcome from the Fishing Club.
Merry Christmas and a happy new year to all Progress Association and Fishing Club members. After the year we have endured, I think most people will be looking forward to a better year in 2021.

The final Fishing Club Chook Raffle will be on Friday 11th December….. Hams, Christmas Cakes, Gift Baskets and of course Chooks will be some of the prizes up for grabs. So come along and join the fun, watch us spin the wheel.

November’s Fish Meet was a bit of a battle with the weather but most participants recorded fair catches. Smaller than average fish lengths appeared to be in the majority. The end of year is fast approaching with fishing trophies to be decided after our next Fishing Meet. Good luck to those members battling it out.Unlike the good old US of A, we will have a smooth changeover of the club’s committee for the next year. On behalf of the members, I would like to sincerely thank the outgoing committee for all their efforts over the last year. The club would also like to thank the sponsors for their support.

The new competition year starts on the first Friday of February and members need to be financial to participate. Membership forms will be emailed to members in January and returned prior to or at February weigh-in.
Now that the state election is over, the government can get back to the business of the 3 years overdue review of the Great Sandy Marine Park. We believe it is all but completed and the draft will be released for public comment shortly. We are also very confident that commercial netting will be removed from the yellow conservation zones which will allow barramundi and king salmon and other species to breed up to the sustainable levels relatively quickly. An example is the Rockhampton area which was declared a net free area about 3 years ago and barramundi are now caught quite easily. If the editor can catch them, it must be easy.
A couple of questions. Why are Irish jokes so simple? Answer… So the English can understand them.

An Irish lass customer asks “Could I be trying on that dress in the window?” The shopkeeper replied “I’d prefer you use the dressing room”.

Paddy.. ”My wife has a terrible habit of staying up until two o’clock in the morning and I can’t break her out of it.” Mick asks “What on earth is she doing at that time”. Paddy replies “Waiting for me to come home”.

May your lines be tight, hooks sharp and knots strong.
The Editor.

Welcome from the Fishing Club.

At time of writing, still no news from either major party regarding policy on removal of commercial nets from the conservation zone or yellow zone of our marine Park. We can only hope the right thing is done for the majority of the people and not a small minority.
The end of the club’s competition year is December so trophy night is something to look forward to. AGM will be held on Sunday 8th November, nominations now open for all positions in the club.
New members are always welcome so if you are interested in joining, come on down to the hall at 2pm on the Sunday of monthly fish meets for the weigh-in presentation. Fish meets commence at 5am on the first Friday of the month and continue through to Saturday and Sunday except January. Next fish weigh-in is Sunday 8th November. Free sausage sizzle and bar open at normal RHPA prices.

October’s most outstanding fish, 81cm Flathead recorded by Judy Smith and a Coral Trout (double point species for the month) caught by Gary Bateman. Well done!
The annual club trip away was held on 16th, 17th and 18th October with 28 members, boats and kayaks in tow, travel a short distance to Burrum Heads for a weekend of fun and fishing.
Those traveling out to the 8 Mile had several dolphins coming up alongside their boats to make friends, a rare and wonderful experience. Local Water Police were also on patrol with all members passing mustard. Great job members!

Up river there were Grunter and Whiting caught and the kayakers spotted some interesting Flathead lays along the banks with one almost landed.

Happy hour every day was a time to catch up and enjoy a beverage or two before the night’s activities.

Photos of members lining up to launch at the boat ramp and the evening debrief of the days activities.

An interesting question: There is a spike in Covid 19 cases because there is a spike in Covid testing. If we had a spike in IQ testing, would we have a spike in morons?

May your lines be tight, hooks sharp and knots strong.
The Editor.

Welcome from the Fishing Club. The state election is close now so some interesting times ahead with all candidates looking for our vote. The club is non political but I am sure many members will support whoever promises to remove commercial nets from the yellow conservation zone in the Great Sandy Marine Park.September Monthly Fish Meet had 14 members weigh in their catches with some good fish recorded. Most Outstanding Fish was awarded to Darryl Smith for his 83cm Blue Salmon just 1 cm shy of the current club record. Congratulations Darryl. The annual club trip away is on 17th and 18th October to Burrum Heads. It is a long way to travel but I am certain it will be worth the drive for the 20+ members and partners going. The editor will be interested in receiving feedback on those who misbehave, especially if photographic evidence is supplied. The social fish meet last month to Power Island area was enjoyable with a few edible fish and plenty of catfish caught. The sausage sizzle and drinks afterwards was also a good time. The pizza night at the River Heads Café and Takeaway was well supported and everyone enjoyed the excellent pizzas. One member was suitably embarrassed with the average rendition of Happy Birthday. A couple of isolation observations…. When I grow up, I would like to be a retired lottery winner. Try to remember, the greener grass across the fence may be due to a septic tank issue. When you’re dead, you don’t know your dead. The pain is only felt by others. The same thing happens when you’re stupid. May your lines be tight, hooks sharp and knots strong.