2013 Ausfish Annual Agnes Water / 1770 M & G.

[uripper]

## ROAD REPORT ##

Over the past 3 days I travelled Brisbane – Agnes/1770 (via Bundaberg) then onto Gladstone and back via the highway to Brisbane - 1240kms. I see the thread has grown three pages in that time so we'll have to catch up with the no doubt invaluable contributions.

One word springs to mind ..... ROADWORKS !!

There are a number of jobsites just south and north of Maryborough and on the bypass itself though most were reasonably negotiable with only a few minutes delay at each stoppage.

There looks like a couple of big jobs just starting after Howard about 15-20 kms before Childers.

The worst by far was a major upgrading immediately south of Childers. My stoppage time today was 17 mins !! With a queue in excess of 80 vehicles stretching over 2 km long. Fortunately I was near the head of that queue so didn't take long to sort out once we got to "works free" open road again. From experience on the way driving up, those at the back of the queue may be greeted by a red light. It is simply horrendous and poorly organised by any standard. Bunching traffic up like that creates a lot of frustration. This job looks like it may be in its final stages so hopefully will be completed by the September M&G. Fingers crossed.

No doubt, all of these circumstances will change over coming months (sorry Phill, how many sleeps is that exactly?) So as we get closer to the event, perhaps others will be able to provide more current information. Hopefully the Saturdays will have less interruptions than during the working week - wishful thinking maybe.

The Bundaberg to Agnes/1770 Road looks pretty much unchanged so the hilly /windy sections around Rosedale are probably still a bit of a challenge, particularly for those towing larger, heavier rigs. I missed the Tablelands Road turnoff (I'm blaming the grey nomad who was swaying all over the road in front of me) so I had a scenic detour via Lowmead. Been there, done that and don't want to again. I stopped at the pub asking for directions .... it was a scene straight out of the movie "Deliverance" but all okay as I escaped with my anal virginity. Now, don't you guys get any ideas.

MalM

[Lucky_Phill]

122 days.

Thanks Mal.

Unfortunately I believe we will hit roadworks in September.

Nothing we can do about that, other than be patient and be prepared.

I calculate 6 hrs travel from Rochedale to Agnes with boat and that only allows for one stop. But I will be doing the " 2 stop hop ".( 7 hours )

First one is at Curra ( 10k's north of Gympie ). It always has fuel at a good price, easy access and exit, clean " facilities " and a large choice of fresh food, both hot and cold. However, I don't rate the hot box food.....

Second stop is Appletree Creek just a few k's north of Childers. Plenty of parking and great cooked food with endless tea and coffee.

From there it is into Bundy and onto Agnes.

This way is about 530k's.............


cheers

[uripper]

## RED EMPEROR SPOT A ##

During my road trip over the last few days I stayed overnight Monday at Agnes and went to the Tavern for dinner. They have various specials on each night for $15 so I enquired what was the "Reef Fish" special on offer that night. Answer - "red emperor". Okay, I thought, I will give that a go expecting something a bit substandard. What I got was one of the biggest slabs of fish I have ever seen at a hotel meal and it tasted absolutely faaarrking incredible !!! So for those who might experience a donut or three like me, there is a backup plan.

Enjoy, MalM

[Lucky_Phill]

Yep, locals supply the " local " market.

The Captains Creek Community Sports Hall has meals on Thursday and Friday nights. Last time it was $12 for Red Emporer, salad and chips. Couldn't eat it all... too big.

You have to be a local to even know where the hall is.......... secret squirel stuff.

OH... Mal........... No donuts allowed at 1770 M & G's.

If you don't put a red in the esky, get on the VHF and call Muddy, he will have a few spares

LP

[Tangles]

If you cant get Floosey salt, you can also use non iodine salt... just saying..

Phil let me know when this is happening

[Lucky_Phill]

I have a full 25kg bag of Flossy here. That will be enough for 200kgs plus..........

OK I'll put you on the list Mike.

LP

[jtpython]

Guys question please why the salted down baits if u are crevac ing them ? Am interesting in the aspects

[Lucky_Phill]

I don't cryovac salted fillets. NO point...... IMO.

Salt is a natural preservative.

cheers

[cobiaman]

What about if you want to put the bait in your food esky? Wouldnt vac sealing help then?

[Horse]

I still vac them down to make them easier to handle. The salted fillets are much tougher

[Lucky_Phill]

What about if you want to put the bait in your food esky? Wouldnt vac sealing help then?

Why would even consider that ? Unless of course, you intend catching bugger all and want to cook up the old bait ?

If you don't have enough eskies to go round:-

I salt the mullet, place in zip lock bag, freeze, and pack a few bags per Coles plastic bag. Hence they be double wrapped, me 'arty !

I also utilise plastic containers, chosen from the elegant store know as " Sam's Warehouse ", for about the cost of a smallish Maccas meal.

You can vac seal if you want, glad wrap them, tie a yellow ribbon around them or plonk them in ya chilli bin bare and smelly, all up to you.

I suppose the question is... How big is ya food esky ? If it is bigger than ya fish esky, you need a re-think. !!

on ReBait there is:-

1 x 150ltr fish esky
1 x 140ltr esky filled with ice
1 x 45ltr esky for food

and a Partridge in a Pear Tree

I take most of the bait in containers / buckets in the fish esky. Transfering ice to that and bait into ice esky as the day / evening progress's.

If the bait is kept cool and not used at the end of the trip, it will freeze down again OK.

Utilisation of Kill Tanks and Live Tanks works as well.

OH...... you'll probaly need a tea spoon and some " product " from Bill to keep up to speed on all this


cheers........

[cobiaman]

Bill sells speed???

[Lucky_Phill]

Cement............ ya feret.............

[Muddy Toes]

Woo hoo!!!!!

How fast has this year gone, see you guys up there Saturday!!!

[mustang5]

122 days.

Thanks Mal.

Unfortunately I believe we will hit roadworks in September.

Nothing we can do about that, other than be patient and be prepared.

I calculate 6 hrs travel from Rochedale to Agnes with boat and that only allows for one stop. But I will be doing the " 2 stop hop ".( 7 hours )

First one is at Curra ( 10k's north of Gympie ). It always has fuel at a good price, easy access and exit, clean " facilities " and a large choice of fresh food, both hot and cold. However, I don't rate the hot box food.....

Second stop is Appletree Creek just a few k's north of Childers. Plenty of parking and great cooked food with endless tea and coffee.

From there it is into Bundy and onto Agnes.

This way is about 530k's.............


cheers

The gold nugget 8km south of Gympie is worth a look in Phill!