Each year, a merry band of eight good mates gather for an annual pilgrimage to some of our finest beach locales for a few days of R&R, camping and fishing.
Our little posse is otherwise known as the Magnificent Seven (Plus One).
For the first 12 years, R&R and camping took centre stage, and while rods and reels were always taken, they most often served merely as a glorified collection of vehicle hood ornaments.
That all changed last year when the Mag 7 Organising Committee ruffled our sandy feathers and locked in a trip to Awoonga.
Although sweet angling success was akin to digging up rocking horse poo, it nevertheless whet the appetites of mostly barra virgins for yet another crack at this iconic species.
This year, our 14th, was to be marked with a visit to Lake Monduran.
One of our founding members JC (aka the Bear) was missing due to unforseen circumstances, however Ben (aka eotbmg or “Barb”) kindly stepped up to fill the void.
Our week was memorable in many respects, not so much for the quantity of barra gracing brag mats, but rather the personal milestones and firsts created along the way.
Without launching into a blow by blow description of how the week went, it will be far easier and less boring to summarise our trip more succinctly.
The Crew
Gaz, Rob, Ben, Paul, Al, Graham, Dave and Ross.
The Reason
Magnificent Seven (Plus One) Annual General Meeting (for a week).
The Air Temperature
Lucifer would have complained it was too damn hot.Quite a few days in the mid to very high 30s. Thankfully we were able to stay out of the heat in the air-conditioned cabins overlooking the lake.
The Water Temperature
Not much difference but occasional variations between 28 and 31.7 deg C, depending on time of day, locations fished, depth of water and the underlying effect of wind and current.
The Wind
Warm northerlies mostly all week. Stable conditions were experienced each day.
The Barometer
Generally hovering between 996 and 1000, it never rose above 1006 for the entire week.
The Moon
A waxing crescent, visible by late arvo and setting in the hours towards midnight.
The Water Current
The northerlies pushed lovely water into our chosen locations. It was quite strong at times, particularly when hitching a ride with the wind.
The Bait and the Birds
Plenty of bait (bonies and gar) were present when we caught fish. The pelicans and shags were also there in numbers.
The Successful Lures
Hard bodies – XRap 12s
Softies – Modified and standard Slick Rigs, modified Storms, Hollowbellies.
Most lures received some form of alteration – so long as they swam strongly at slow speed (including on the drop) or suspended well (lures with slightly positive or negative buoyancy were tried).
The Areas Fished
Bird Bay, B Bay, Main Basin, SDA Bay, Bass Straight, A Bay.
The Depths Fished
For the majority of the time, we fished in waters ranging from 1.5 foot to 20 foot.
The Fish (for the stat lovers – in cm)
122, 114, 102, 3 x 99s, 2 x 98s, 93, 2 x 91s, 71.
Total length of 1177cm with an average of just over 98cm.
Not a big swag of fish, but the quality more than compensated.
The PBs
Gaz’s 122cm, Paul’s 114, Al’s 93, Rossco’s 102, Rob’s 99 and Graham’s 98.
Al, Rob and Graham were all deflowered.
The Dropped Fish
I think we only counted about a dozen – which was not too bad considering.
The Outstanding Efforts
Gaz’s first 120 was a special. He chased it for at least 400 metres before it finally relented…….all on 20lb.
Ross’s 71cm on a little bibbed minnow flathead lure…..some might call it lunacy with no hook or ring upgrades.This little “go to” lure later paid the ultimate price and was kidnapped by a rampaging fish.
Comment of the week came from Dave who chirped that Ross’s fish was extremely healthy and was doing “laps” around his Environet in the water.
Dave’s continued cheeriness despite baking the dreaded pastry. He hooked up to two metries in the space of 10 minutes on our last night but luck was against him.
Warning**
If you are driving a boat over 5 metres long, it might pay for you to launch from the concrete ramp. The gorge ramp is getting very tight with the dam at 26% (last week) and falling like a rock. Consider that if your rig is over 5m, then your trailer will be about 6-7m....there is little room to manoeuvre and even less margin for error. I sliced a rock in the gorge loading the boat and now have a scalloped prop blade for my troubles, along with numerous scratches.
The Summary
The weather gods smiled, the fish gods to a lesser extent, but with six new PBs and three deflowerings, who could possibly complain.
I’m sure some of the boys will add to this but I wanted to put it down while fresh in my mind.
Magnificent trip, magnificent company, Magnificent Seven says it all.
Cheers
Paul
The Pics
Here’s a selection.
Gaz's 122cm mutha
Rob's 99cm barra to get off the nut and break his virginity....the look of sheer relief is priceless
Al's PB 93....another vestal virgin deflowered
Graham's 98....yet another deflowering.....and knows how to pose for a camera
Anxious (but not overly) to net Graham's first ever barra
Al's great jump shot of Gaz's 122....all the more meritorious considering our boat was more than 400 metres away
First fish of the trip....Gaz with his first of two 99s
Looking into the sun.....Gaz hooks up
My 91
Al's 91.....is he asking her to keep a secret????
Ben with his 98
My 114 and PB
Another shot
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.....very hard to beat Paul spending quality time with your Mates.......Good captures as well Paul with ideal conditions helping out......Thanks for the Report mate.....Cheers. PS: Well done on the PB Paul
Congratulations to all milestoners & Paul for actually landing a fish 
well done mate 
