Curmudgeon
13-01-2008, 11:45 AM
I arrived at the Lakes at about 8 o'clock last night. Through some meteorological aberration, it wasn't raining, though distant lightning lit the sky from all directions. Against my better judgement, I popped the car boot and dragged the little flick stick out, all the while pondering the conductivity of it's graphite fibres. Approaching headlights heralded the arrival of my partner in crime, Mozza. He immediately grabbed his rod and trotted down to the water, pausing only to call me a whuss for being worried about becoming a human lightning rod.
This was not our first session at the Lakes. Mozza had got me interested in this nocturnal poppering charade weeks earlier. During that time, I'd had some knee trembling hits, and watched Moz land a couple, but I was yet to convert a strike.
The first half hour went by without incident. I struggled to maintain concentration. I kept flinching at the closer lightning strikes. The sound of thunder echoed over the noise of the speedway cars(?) at the showground.
Recognising that I was desperate to nail a fish on these damnable poppers, Mozza graciously gave me first crack at "the spot". I dutifully laid down a perfect cast and proceeded to bloop the little Rapala along a trajectory parallel to the bank. BOOF!!! About half way back to me, it disappeared in a shower of spray.
I was on!!!
The fight was short and sweet. I had finally caught a barra on a popper! At about 43cm, he was no world beater, but by golly, he was worth the wait. This poppering malarky is addictive stuff!
With renewed enthusiasm, we pushed on as the clouds drew even nearer. Mozza landed his first giant herring after a wonderfully acrobatic display (first by the fish, then by Mozza after it was photographed and released). Mere minutes later I found myself connected to a solid barra. Several jumps at close range confirmed he was a candidate for my first legal barra on an artificial.
Then the trace parted.
My new favourite lure was gone. Missing in action. So my big barra hoodoo continues...
Then the rain came. I'm amazed that we stayed dry as long as we did, given the storms that were moving through last night. I beat a hasty retreat to the car, leaving Mozza still casting. He may still be there. That boy is dedicated.
Cheers,
Brian.
This was not our first session at the Lakes. Mozza had got me interested in this nocturnal poppering charade weeks earlier. During that time, I'd had some knee trembling hits, and watched Moz land a couple, but I was yet to convert a strike.
The first half hour went by without incident. I struggled to maintain concentration. I kept flinching at the closer lightning strikes. The sound of thunder echoed over the noise of the speedway cars(?) at the showground.
Recognising that I was desperate to nail a fish on these damnable poppers, Mozza graciously gave me first crack at "the spot". I dutifully laid down a perfect cast and proceeded to bloop the little Rapala along a trajectory parallel to the bank. BOOF!!! About half way back to me, it disappeared in a shower of spray.
I was on!!!
The fight was short and sweet. I had finally caught a barra on a popper! At about 43cm, he was no world beater, but by golly, he was worth the wait. This poppering malarky is addictive stuff!
With renewed enthusiasm, we pushed on as the clouds drew even nearer. Mozza landed his first giant herring after a wonderfully acrobatic display (first by the fish, then by Mozza after it was photographed and released). Mere minutes later I found myself connected to a solid barra. Several jumps at close range confirmed he was a candidate for my first legal barra on an artificial.
Then the trace parted.
My new favourite lure was gone. Missing in action. So my big barra hoodoo continues...
Then the rain came. I'm amazed that we stayed dry as long as we did, given the storms that were moving through last night. I beat a hasty retreat to the car, leaving Mozza still casting. He may still be there. That boy is dedicated.
Cheers,
Brian.