Corralinn Fly Fishing & Casting Association

Launceston. Tasmania. Australia.

Fishing Reports

Club Outing

Arthurs Lake Outing 2nd-3rd October 2009

 Over the weekend twelve members and one prospective member turned up for the first club outing to "Arthurs" this season. It was a mix of one and two night campers and day trippers. The weather was a bit ordinary but at least it wasn't raining for a change.  The record winter and early spring rains had left the camp ground a bit wet but everyone who had to pitch a tent managed to find a dry spot. Another effect of the rain was to make the long drop toilets not so long drop.  The water table was just about at ground level and great care had to be taken, but we won't go into that........ and there are no pictures. The lake level has come up over three metres since the end of last season, so much so that fishing from what have come to be known as the Corralinn Rocks below the campground is once again possible, although the wade out to them is a bit fraught when the water is cloudy and you can't see the bottom. Likewise getting down off them when you can't see what you are stepping into.

 During the afternoon on Friday most of us went to the point south of the bay to fish the deep water off the rocks but the only successful fisherman was Bob who persevered and got a fish of about 700gms. That was it for the day despite our best efforts in the evening at both the point and off the Corralinn Rocks. A brisk southerly wind sprang up at dusk so nobody was too late getting into there sleeping bags.

Saturday morning saw the southerly still blowing so only Alan B.(the youngest and fittest member there) got up to try the dawn patrol. He didn't get anything so the rest of us didn't feel too bad about having a lie in.

 After breakfast Ron and I headed north to try our luck in Duck Bay but although it looks nice along there we saw no sign of fish.  It will be nice when the weather warms up though and fish start taking stuff off the top. Bob got another fish off the point and Alan B. got one wading the bay. He had it for lunch and says it was very tasty.

 After a leisurely lunch I headed off with Allan E, Ron and Garry south of the bay to one of my favourite stretches of Arthurs Lake shoreline, especially now that the tide has come in and the water is back among the drowned timber.  It looked nice but I didn't have any luck. Can't wait for the summer along there.

 At dusk a few of us went back to the point but the only one to have any success was Allan E., who was just up for the day this trip. None of the other departing day trippers, including John H. and his boat companions, reported any fish, or even missed takes.

 A fresh northerly wind was blowing on the Sunday morning and only our prospective member, Erick, was game enough to go out early.  He waded the bay but for no result. None of the rest of us fancied the now gale force northerly wind and the mutual decision was made to call it a day. Bob and I drove round and tried fishing from the point at Pumphouse Bay for a couple of hours but didn't trouble the scorers there either.

So, twelve good men and true and only four fish in two days.  It doesn't sound much fun but it was. As usual, I enjoyed the company and I think everyone else did too.  Arthurs Lake will start firing soon, I'm sure.

Report by Alan T.