February 2013

Next Meeting Friday 22nd March TPI House

171 Richmond Rd Richmond 1000h

The WVFG meet at 1000hrs on the last Friday of each month, except when the last Friday coincides with a

public holiday. It will then be brought forward one week.

The Group does not meet in December.

Volume 18 Issue 1

THE WAR VETERANS FISHING GROUP IS A NETWORK OF VETERANS DEDICATED TO ASSISTING DISABLED VETERANS TO PARTICIPATE IN RECEREATIONAL FISHING

ROLL CALL:

Paul M. Ron S. Aldo Z. Kevin S. Mike C. Sid J. Vince I. Leo vW. John M. Ray V. Jeff B.

John H. Ike T. Graham P. Greg D. Nick W. Tony L. Paul M.

LEAVE PASS ISSUED

Lofty A. Mick M. Tug W. Norm B.

AWOL

John S. Mick VB, Bernie C, Graham D. Warren K. Garry C. Peter C. Fred de L.

Trevor W. Ron M. Gavin T.

COUNTRY MEMBERS

Max G. Rob S. Rob N.

NEW MEMBERS

No new members this month. All present and accounted for.

Graham Parks chaired the meeting. Mick Cleary read the Ode

They shall grow not old as we that are left grow old

Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn

At the going down of the sun, and in the morning

We will remember them.

Lest we Forget

Any enquiries about the

War Veterans Fishing Group

Should be made to

Mick Mummery OAM WTFRW

Ph 8378 6707

THE GROUP WISHES TO THANK NICK CHAMPION , MP FOR WAKEFIELD AND HIS STAFF FOR THEIR GENEROUS SUPPORT IN THE PRODUCTION OF OUR NEWSLETTERS.

ACTIVITY REPORTS

Tues 4th Feb - absolutely oily calm, but a dodge. An ideal day to check out some spots that I haven't been to for years, or marks given to me by other guys. Some of these spots were non-events but others will be worth a visit on other days. At the end of this I decide to try for some gar, and am surprised to get 63 nice tommies, 6 big gar and a squid. For a dodge- I'm happy.

John with his filleting ahead of him.

17th Feb - also oily calm, a hot 39deg, and good tides. I decide to fish around Gull Rock, and get 4 nice KG's before being plagued with mini tommies. I shift inshore near Gull Rock and get one lone squid. So I shift north to Moana to an offshore weed bed, and in the next hour wind up with 37 gar, 23 tommies, 3 Leatherjackets, 2 sweep, and 9 trevally in addition to the KG's and squid. So I'm happy to be heading home before lunch with a bit of filleting to do.

Sutt with a nice KG caught on the day

Tuna at Victor for Victor

I just wanted to let you know that the day after the some of the guys did the tuna trip to Pondy, I went out with Lisa's (my daughters new friend in the picture, he likes fishing so we both have a common interest) out of Victor Har-bor.

We went out around the Bluff south west about 400 meters. We noticed birds diving so we hit the area with lures. We had 3 on at once. One rod broke and half the line went out before breaking. I brought one in about 17 kilos the other was 13 kilos.

They stopped to take photos of their catch while I continued to fish. I brought up a

21 kilo Tuna , then a 13 kilo fish.

The sea sickness played its dirty

trick and we came back. The swell had to be 5 meters and it felt like going down a

lift.

It was my first tuna catch and it

will not be my last. I had no idea how much a fish can bleed. I have never tast-

ed tuna steak before and must admit has

to be the best fish ever.

Good luck for those that want to

give it a go. regards Vic.

Vic’s new found love…..Tuna and a prospective son in law

CHARTER TO PONDY

Kevin, Tony, Jeff, Tug all travelled to

Pondy for a charter chasing the Tuna and Snapper as reports had been that the Tuna was aplenty full and the Snapper were still

holding their grounds.

As the Tuna spots were about a 90 mi-nute boat ride from Pondy an early start was

planned, the time out to the area passed reasonably quickly although the last few kilo-metres seemed to drag out in anticipation of

what the morning was going to produce.

The signs from the birds above did not bring much hope for the boat load of hope-

fuls, however after much traversing the ocean, back and forth it all led to the confir-mation that on this day the Tuna were not

going to show up to be part of the catch.

Moving to the Snapper grounds it looked like the same results were going to be

the way of the day, the boats echo sounder

Not a good days effort

suggested that there should be some fish

around however they still were elusive to-wards the baited hook, those we did catch

were good solid fish.

The boat skipper didn’t appear to be over interested in finding the fish as many spots were sat on for too long a period with

no bites forthcoming, a few small Snapper, K G’ees, and the usual variety of reef fish were

amongst the days catch, but in the long run a days fishing turned out to be a days boating, perhaps the most notable fish caught for the

day was the Pike caught by Jeff B, which fin-

ished being fed to the dog.

To summarise, a most disappointing

charter with all members voicing their disap-proval of what was to be the start of the new

years fishing season.

Mannum and the Murray

Ray and his wife Kay spent a few days at Mannum towards the end of the month do-

ing some of the touristy things we all tend to do as we get a tad older. On two occasions Ray was able to make good his escape and

glide down un noticed to the banks of the Murray with his Yabbie nets in hand. After

trying his luck with the yabbies and different types of baits he was unable to get anything to enter his traps other than a few shrimps,

According to some of the locals, Yabbies should still be around and easily caught,

maybe the locals know something the visitors don't know, but Ray returned home each

time with nothing to show as to where he had been and why it had taken so long to achieve it. So if you are going to Mannum to

try your luck for some Yabbies, Ray thinks it best if you don't try near or opposite the

bowling club.

ELECTRIC HAND REELS

This is NOT the model that Vince bought, this is the $3999.99 model

Vince now has joined the electric reel

club. His recent purchase along with Kevin, Nick, Tug Mick M, and Mike C, have started a mission to out fish any person on board with

their conventional rod and reels. After they have been given a good testing and through

workout I would expect to get some good re-views on the plusses and minuses of their ad-

ditional wares.

DAY TRIP TO PORT VINCENT

An early morning departure for Port Vincent had Ike on the road for the 2 hour car trip, where he was to meet up with his

friends on Yorke Peninsula, their intention was to get out early chase the Salmon Trout

and return early. The Salmon Trout were in plentiful supply and they were prepared to

smash into the baits on offer in the berley trail which was streaming nicely from the rear of the boat. The Garfish stayed down the

bottom amongst the weeds as the Salmon Trout just ravaged every thing around them,

one lonely squid was caught which Ike got to take home with him as well as around 30 nice sized Salmon Trout. Once the sun was

up the fish just went off the bite, with noth-ing interested for the remainder of the time

spent on the water, so it was back in the car

and off home all before lunch time.

PT HUGHES

SLOWING DOWN

Tony has not been out much in the Pt Hughes area for a month or so, as the re-

ports coming from the local had not been encouraging enough to take the boat out of the shed. Although if you were prepared to

put in the time and distance then the Snap-per would still be there for you, locally the

Garfish are about in many locations and good numbers, although there are many Garfish on the legal but smallish size, there

are plenty of larger species if you are pa-tient enough to look around, find them then

catch them, you should always come home with your bag limit. The Tippera light is still the best place to get the Garfish, with Whit-

ing also in the same areas in the sandy patches, it is always worth you efforts to

throw in a snapper line as the more than occasional 80cm Snapper has been know to

go looking for an easy meal.

RECCIE AT VICTOR

Graham had a couple of quiet days down at Victor Harbor where he and his La-

dy friend Martina went to relax etc., whilst

there the did a reccee around the area scouting for likely spots that we could go to

as a group at a later time. As usual the winds were savage at times which kept any prospective fisherman from heading out to

sea. When the weather permits the reports of Tuna being caught close in by many local

and visitors has been encouraging. Vic and his new found fishing son-in- law, can back up Grahams story, the whiting grounds are

producing as well as the Garfish, Squid and

Salmon Trout.

PERFECT CONDITIONS

AT HALLETT COVE Leo made a trip out from O’Sullivans Beach ramp on Tuesday 27th Jan. Heading

down towards the Hallett Cove grounds, this time using one of the spots Spud had given him. Leaving at 6am it was a perfect oppor-

tunity to give the big Whittley a good kick in the guts and open her up for the short jour-

ney to the spot, Upon anchoring at X marks

the spot it was opening up to be a very fa-

vourable day for fishing. Leo had his Squid lines out early, managing to catch only 2,

but the main target for the day was Tom-

mies and Garfish.

The berley trail did its job and by late

morning they had 30 Tommies and 20 gardies, the Gar all being over 30cm, then

thought it was time to up anchor and head

back to home.

The boat now seems to have all it’s little bugs ironed out , so Leo is now hoping

to spend more time on the water rather than looking at the boat under the cover of

his carport.

COCKLES GALORE

AT GOOLWA

Greg and Leo arranged to travel down to Gool-

wa to stock up on cock-les, arriving about 2pm

the tide was on the re-cede which was going to

make it easier to get our quota. Our spot

was to the Victor side of the carpark, by fol-lowing the street before the carpark, con-

tinuing along to the end, then turn left into the small dead end street, a short walk along the path through the sand dunes onto

the open beach, then its pick any spot you

want.

It didn't take long to find the cockle

patches, doing the cockle shuffle in the sand and to get our quota of 300 per per-son. After measuring the first dozen or so,

it didn't take very long to return the smaller ones to the water and only gather the larg-

er ones, this season appears to be a very good one for the cockle fisher with plenty

about, which stems from good management by the fisheries department ensuring the

future of an industry.

REDFIN AT HOUGHTON

Monday the 18th of February some of

the group members travelled up to Hough-ton to try their luck in a dam which holds

plenty of Redfin.

Lofty arranged the day through his mate who has the dam on his property, for a change the weather was Fine, Hot, Sunny,

with no wind, perfect conditions for dam fishing, the dam was about 50 m long and

40 m wide, surrounded by tall shade cover-ing gum trees, a very nice picturesque spot just the tonic needed for a stress free days

fishing.

Kevin, Ike, Jeff, Graham, John H, Greg, Lofty and Helen, Mick M and Spud,

Nick brought a friend Alex along, as well as Tony making the trip down from Port

Hughes.

FUTURE

EVENTS

All found a spot to fish from, with

various methods, baits, lures, and rods it was on in earnest as to who would land the

first fish or the biggest fish or the heaviest

fish or the most fish.

Mick had the lure of the day, a big

bright yellow fish like lure that had a natu-ral action through the water, however it failed to impress a Redfin, Spud was on the

board early with a small redfin, which gave us all some hope of success, small fish were

caught by some while Spud seemed to have the magic touch with 7 for the day, Kevin chipped in with 3 fish, Tony a couple, Gra-

ham had the bites but no hook ups, Jeff al-so caught a couple of smaller fish. The

catch of the day were 3 turtles which were released back into the dam they were caught on pieces of Tuna meat, maybe it

was the same one coming back for seconds, no big Redfin were caught for all our ef-

forts. Just after 2.30pm we started to tidy

up and call it a day.

Thanks to Lofty for arranging the day, although disappointing with the catch

it was a terrific little spot and enjoyable for

those of us who were able to make it.

Jeff is about to release the Turtle back into the dam

Nick hitched on his recently ac-quired Haines Hunter ‘Breeze485’ then

headed for North Haven and the

Semaphore Reef to give the boat a

test run and have a try for Blue

Crabs and Gar. Travelling a line

from the Semi reef to the Black Pole try-ing for crabs, he did net 6 nice sized blu-

eys, then tried dabbing for Gar, this proved to be non productive as the Gar

were not on or near the surface. The

more often Nick is able to get on the wa-

ter the better he will be.

WEST LAKES DAY

Friday 12th April we have marked in for a spot of land fishing, we have selected to fish the West Lake area near the water

inlet, the area has BBQ facilities, toilets

nearby and a safe spot for parking cars.

The tide is at its lowest for the day at

9.23am, so there should be good movement of the water flowing into the lake any time

around then, all we have to do is hope the sun is shining. Bring you own drinks and BBQ lunch, then depending on the catch

home time will be around 2.30pm to beat

the afternoon rush.

Final details at the next meeting.

VETERANS RACE DAY

The 2013 Balaklava Veterans Race

Day will be held on Wednesday 10th of April. It is open to the public, Ex-Service & De-

fence Personnel, family & friends Cost is $20 per ticket which gives entry to the race-course, lunch and a chance in the major raf-

fle draw. Tickets are available at TPI House, RSL State Branch, participating RSL Sub-

Branches and the Balaklava Racing Club. This race meeting is in support of Veterans

so get some friends together and make it a great day. A bus has been made available from the TPI Association for $10 return.

Book at TPI House after the next meeting.

GRAND KIDS DAY

AT GARDEN ISLAND

During this terms school holidays which will be from 15th April till 28th April we will

again hold a fishing with the grandkids day. It will be at Garden Island again on Tuesday

23rd April. Luck is on our side this year as we will have an incoming tide from 9.30am till the high at 4.00pm. The BBQ area is nice

and clean, grass for the kids to run around on, toilet facilities, as well as having Kayaks

for hire alongside the boat ramp. A perfect time to spend some quality time with your little ones and get them into enjoying catch-

ing a fish. The finer details can be talked

about at our next meeting.

The very elusive 1 meter snapper has been an eagerly sought after fish amongst the group for some time now, in fact since the group was started many years back.

We now have 3 members who have landed that elusive monster.

THE ONE METRE CLUB

RICHARD IVERSON……....1.00M…..…..2009

TONY LAWRENCE………...1.04M….….. 2012

TERRY WHITE………………..1.00M……....2013

FISHERMAN OF THE YEAR

Mick Mummery……………….……...…………2012

Tug Wilson……………….………..……………….2011

Greg Dwiar……….………….……………………..2010

Lofty Atkinson…….……….……………………..2009

Tony Lawrence………….….…………………..2008

Tony Lawrence………………….……………….2007

Kevin Stone………………….…….……………...2006

Klaus Racman………………….………………..2005

Sid Jamieson……………………………………...2004

OTHER SPECIES CAUGHT THIS FISHING YEAR

TOMMMY RUFF, BRONZE WHALER SHARK, GURNARD, KNIFEJAW, LUDERICK, MOSES PERCH, PIKE, PORT JACKSON SHARK, SERGEANT BAKER WRASSE, COW FISH.

wishes was that the Group could

benefit somewhat as a legacy.

Rod asked that no tributes be

made, instead that anyone wish-

ing could make a donation to the

War Veterans Fishing Group.

Rod Langman Jnr was able to

present to us an amount of al-

most $750 through donations of

the gesture.

The group has now opened a

Bank Account with the Bendigo

Bank which holds all proceeds of

the group.

Kevin S was tasked to set about

opening the account, firstly by

obtaining a Business Registra-

tion name, ABN number.

It was moved by Mick M that the

signatories for the bank account

be Kevin S and Greg D, seconded

by Graham P, as all members

were in favour the motion was

carried.

The account is now operating..

Another sad day for the group

was on hearing that a very likea-

ble group member ROD LANG-

MAN has passed away after a

lengthy battle with Cancer.

Rod lost his battle with Cancer

on the 21st January this year at

the Mary Potter Hospice, where

he was surrounded by his family

and supported by his many

friends as well as the WVFG and

his comrades in arms 86

Transport. It was pleasing for

Rods family to see the number of

our group attend Rods funeral

and burial service.

Rod has left behind a gap that we

will find hard to fill, Rod was

always willing to share as many

good fishing spots with all of us,

pass on information gleaned from

others so we all could benefit our

full quota of fish.

Rods enjoyment with the group

through the years gave him to

think how he cold ever repay the

enjoyment, so one of Rods last

Dear Greg/Vince—and members of

the War Veterans Fishing Group.

It is now just over four months since Stan passed away and I am aware that this letter should have been written before. However there were many matters to take

care of as I am sure you will appre-

ciate, and it was always my inten-

tion to write to you eventually.

I understand there was some dis-appointment over the fact that there was no funeral service for the Fishing Group members to Stan, and to say goodbye, but it was al-ways his strong wish for there to

be ’no fuss’ and no public an-nouncements, and so I felt I should respect his wishes. On the day of the cremation, my daughter, son-in

-law did feel it to be sad, and that was another occasion we had to

live through.

The main purpose of this letter is for me to express my thanks to you all , and especially to Greg and Vince, for the wonderful way in

which you supported Stan on the various fishing trips and made him feel part of the group at all times. It is to your credit that he really had a wonderful few years doing

something that he enjoyed so much and you went out of your

way to accommodate his approach-ing frailty with making him feel a burden. Stan was a fiercely inde-pendent person, and when he knew he could no longer keep up with you he had no option but to resign himself from the trips and the

meetings. He held you all in high regard and often recounted to me the highlights of the ‘various ad-

ventures he was part of. I wish you all the very best for the future of your Group and thank you once again and most sincerely for all

that you did to give Stan some enjoyment in his declining

years.

Joan Stone.

VALE ROD LANGMAN

A LETTER FROM STANS WIFE, JOAN

A discussion was started as to how the monies left to the group by the Legacy of our recently passed member could be wisely spent, a suggestion that we pur-chase a BBQ for when we have outings or day fishing trips was put forward, another that we use it for the promotion of the group to the younger veterans who are now based in Edinburgh with 7RAR, to en-courage them to join in with us once they have retired from military duties,

For placing a small advertisement in the TPI and RSL newsletters and other associated Veterans newsletters of our presence and aims, to encourage others with similar interests to ourselves.

Much discussion took place amongst those present, however the decision was made that ALL members should have some input as to how wisely we use this money, now and into the future.

You are welcome to have your say and your thoughts viewed at the next meet-ing on 22nd March, either by attending in person or a written submission outlining your views.

We all understand that this decision cannot be made by one or two people within the group, but as group input from our mem-bership.

Your thoughts can be emailed to :- mmummery@chariot.net.au

The members at the meeting also discussed the $25 donation which has been in place for a couple of years now. It was accepted that incidental expenses are incurred from time to time in the operation of the Group as well as the costs of despatch of hard copies of the Newsletter.

It was voted that the donation continue regardless of what method of receipt of the newslet-ter is opted for.

The Group has also just recently opened it's own bank account and accordingly the annual donation which is now due may be made by BANK TRANSFER. This is of course an add-ed option to our already existing methods of sending a cheque in the mail or by paying by cash at a monthly meeting. Cheques should be made payable to WAR VETERANS FISH-ING GROUP.

For your information the POSTAL ADDRESS of the WVFG is:

WAR VETERANS FISHING GROUP

26 GLOUCESTER DRIVE

CRAIGMORE 5114

The BANK ACCOUNT details should you wish to use that option are as follows:

BSB: 633-000 A/C No:148116791

A/C NAME: WAR VETERANS FISHING GROUP

Please ensure if paying by BANK TRANSFER that you include your SURNAME as a refer-ence so that I may know the origin of the payment.

I look forward to seeing you at a future meeting. Kevin.

War Veterans Fishing Group Official Records SPECIES WEIGHT LENGTH LOCATION CAUGHT WITNESS DATE

Barracoutta N/R 1.10m Coffin Bay Tony L. John H. Oct 06

Barramundi 7.1kg 85cm Corroboree N.T. Tug W. Mal N. July 11

Blue Crab N/R 65cm Semaphore Reef Vic E. Anna E. Feb 11

2013 N/R 59cm Tennyson Greg D. Heather D. Jan 13

Blue Devil N/R 36cm Balgowan Pete S. Mick M. Sept 11

Blue Groper 20kg N/R Cape Forbin Mick M. Rob S. Failie 02

Blue Morwong 6.5kg 86cm Pondalowie Michael C. Nick W. Dec 11

Bream 1.56kg 48cm Pt. River Rob S. Mick M. Feb 98

European Carp 1.38kg 51cm Renmark Bob H. Vince I May 07

Coral Trout 4.2kg 70cm Fitzroy Reef Ted C. Laurel C. Aug 02

Crayfish 3.2kg N/R Corny Point Tug W. Lofty A. Jan 06

Cuttelfish 3.5kg N/R Corny Point Jeffery B. Paul M Failie 02

Drummer N/R 52cm Tipara Light Tony L. Fiona L. Feb 12

Eagle Ray 60kg 1.70m Ardrossan Kevin S. Nick W. Feb 11

Flathead 2.15kg 67cm Pt Turton Klaus R. Ross C. Mar 05

Flounder N/R 48cm St Kilda Sid J. Col F. April 00

Garfish N/R 41cm N.W.Grounds Graham P. Greg D. Mar 12

Golden Snapper 4kg 69cm Arafura Sea N.T. Bob H. Greg D. Aug 08

Harlequin 3kg 58cm Investigator Strait Kevin S. Vince I. Oct 10

Jewfish 27kg 1.12m Boyne N.T. Tug W. Bob S. May 00

Kingfish 27kg 1.40m Port Augusta Mick M. Max G. Aug 02

Leatherjacket N/R 43.5cm Port Hughes Tony L. Rod L. Mar 07

Marron 510gm 25cm Middle River KI Martina T. Graham P. June 12

Mud Crab 1.6kg N/R Leeders Creek N.T. Tug W. Mal N. June 11

Mullet N/R 31.2cm Coffin Bay Bob H. Greg D. Oct 06

Slimy Mackerel N/R 46.5cm Pondalowie Mick M. Nick W. April 11

2013 900gr 43cm Pondalowie Mick M. Tug W. Dec 12

Nannygai 4.4kg 65cm Pondalowie Tug W. Mal N. Dec 01

Octopus 6.74kg 1.32cm Pondalowie Mick M. Graham P. Jan 10

Golden Perch N/R 53cm Charleville Qld. Helen A. Lofty A. Aug 12

Redfin N/R 28cm Khancoban NSW Bob H. Kevin S. Nov 06

Silver Perch N/R 32cm Renmark Kevin S. Bob H. May 07

Salmon 4.12kg 69cm Gunyah Beach Richard I. Peter B Feb 01

Samson Fish 28kg 1.44m Wedge Island Tug W. Vince I Oct 11

Reef Bream 4.6kg 59.5cm Shoal Bay N.T. Tug W. Mal N. May 06

Gummy Shark N/R 1.75m Port Victoria Ike T. Vince I. Oct 10

School Shark 17.7kg 1.45m Pondalowie Terry W. Vince I. Jan 10

Whiskery Shark N/R Est 150cm Port Victoria Tug W. Mick M. Oct 06

Snapper 16.2kg 1.04cm Pt Hughes Tony L. Josh L. Dec 12

Snook N/R 89cm Roslyn Shoal Sid J. Mick M. Mar 08

Squid 1.4kg 88cm Arno Bay Leo v W. Greg D. July 11

Strong Fish 1.15kg 47cm Fowlers Ledge Mick M. Paul M. Sept 00

Swallow Tail 1.3kg 46cm Rivies Michael C. Mick M. Failie 03

2013 N/R 45cm Pondalowie Kevin S. Tug W. Dec 12

Sweep N/R 54cm Pondalowie Kevin S. Tug W. April 12

Trevalley 4kg 70cm Darwin Reef N.T. Enzo I. Kevin S. Aug 08

Brown Trout 2.1kg 50cm Khancoban NSW Kevin S. Beverley S. Nov 04

Rainbow Trout .9kg 41cm Lake Eucumbene Lofty A. Helen A. Mar 10

Bluefin Tuna 18.4kg N/R Port Lincoln Michael C. Bob H. Mar 03

Skipjack Tuna 3.5kg N/R Port MacDonnell Fred de L Michael C.. Mar 08

Yellowfin Whiting N/R 39cm Pine Point Colin S. Paul M. Mar 08

King George Whiting 1.3kg 57cm The Pines Tony L. Fiona L. Mar 08

2013 940gr 47cm Pondalowie Mick M. Kevin S. Dec 12