FLYLIFE FORUM WEEKEND #1 - 2005

 

The synoptic charts looked ominous, the red-sky-at-morning threatened, but in the end, the first forum weekend was blessed with the best weather late May can offer.

As the gates opened at 3 pm Friday, 12 stout souls converged on Millbrook like bargain hunters at a Myer sale. The following two days saw individual fortunes rise and fall, long stories told, the barbeque working overtime, and beanies replaced with broad-brims. New tackle was inspected and cast, pros and cons were debated over some fine reds, and flies exchanged. In the end 52 trout were landed, with rainbows outnumbering browns about 3 to 1. Perhaps fittingly, organiser Andrew ‘Wet’ Connell landed the best fish - an 8 pound Cabin Lake rainbow.

 

The Cast:

Grant ‘Graser’ Fraser. Last year’s self-declared lake-hater was always going to be a contender following a life-changing Malmsbury brown a few months ago. Fished with quiet determination to take out the Spotters Polaroids prize for best fish post Saturday lunch. Won on count back from Dave Warnes.

Dave Warnes Fished well, but arguably peaked too early with a 6 pounder on the first night. Generally solid performance may have been hampered by an almost unhealthy  love of the MK II Woolly Bugger.                                                        

 

Andrew Warnes Struggled bravely on with a braided leader, finally finding success in the second half and coming home strongly. Is rumoured to be considering naming his first-born Buzzer.

Chris ‘Gringo’ Tyler Broke a string of guide’s hearts with his ruthless ‘Love’m and leave’m’ approach. Did well, but his antics may have cost him fish, with one jilted guide rumoured to have sprayed Gringo’s flies with Mortein ‘Fast Knockdown’ during the dead of Saturday night.

Andrew ‘Wet’ Connell Mild-mannered trip organiser, who gave a frightening glimpse of what he was capable of by sauntering 50 metres from the cabin without waders, net, or vest and capturing an 8 pound buck rainbow. Like San, too relaxed after that to pose a threat.

Trevor Martin Solid performer right through. Quiet pipe-puffing persona disguised a ruthless determination to catch fish. May have broken off a trout bigger than Wet’s at Middle.

David ‘dctrout’ Coutts Unwittingly risked damaging the whole team result by giving Phil a fly box he couldn’t open. Won the originality award for catching a big ‘bow on a Mini-Troll.

Glenn ‘gcourt’ Court Lulled other competitors into a false sense of security by not catching any for the first day-and-a-half. Came home hard on Sunday, and was the last person to catch a trout during ‘official’ time. May well have caught the most trout had the trip lasted for 3 days.

San ‘Chanfn’ Chan Finally broke a long-standing Millbrook curse by landing the weekend’s best brown¾a 6 pounder¾on Friday night. Too relaxed after that to seriously challenge the leaders.                                        

 

Ning ‘Chanfn’ Chan Galvanised out of lethargy by his brother’s early success, Ning ultimately went on to catch the most fish, scoring 8 for the weekend.

Rod ‘BaldBug’ Stagg  The group’s quiet achiever. Showed an almost moving level of faith in his fabled Chickenfeed fly. Would probably have won the weekend if the weather hadn’t been so darned fine.   

Barry Jacobsen Struck fear into the hearts of the competitive-minded early, with two beauties in no time at Causeway. Suffered a mid-weekend crisis, but then ‘brought home the bacon at Bunny’ with the Stick Caddis/buzzer combo. Now practices staring at fly lines in his spare time.

David ‘Slammer’ Lam Late wildcard entry. Pretended that he didn’t know how to fish lakes, but struggled to look surprised each time he hooked a trout. May be hired as a guide next year.