Hunter Coastal Challenge

by Jeff Yates

We have heard so much about chasing Luderick in the surf, and while some of us have sporadically caught fish in the estuaries, this is ratcheting up the challenge to another level.

Patrick has been negotiating with our good friends from BWCflies about running a workshop on how to tie luderick flies, set up leaders and finally, the practical application.

But all good plans can come unstuck, in this case, the Trip Master was unavailable at the last minute, however, in true form, Patrick had everything organised with Brett and Cherie, and Peter stepped in to do the catering.

Sunday is a day off for BWCflies, however, today the Shop has been specially opened for our club. We arrived before 8.30am to a packed carpark, a gazebo and bbq set up at the door. Greeting us were BWC helpers Shane and Jared, ready to show their barista skills with a fresh cup of coffee each and a tour of the shop.

Next, we ascended the stairs to the inner sanctum, where Brett described and tied a few luderick flies, spoke about weed fly materials, hook selection, trials and tribulations of varying hook patterns used throughout the season and those who brought their vices, followed, and applied themselves to the task. Soon, a number of finished flies were trotted out before the master, to get his tick of approval and a fine tune, before being put away for the afternoon fishing session.

Time management was an important factor today, as the Luderick start to appear, feeding on the freshly submerged weed covered rock platforms around 2 hours before high tide and for a further hour after the peak. With this in mind, we adjourned down to the gazebo where Peter had the snags sizzling, buns and filling ready to go. While having a briefing over the early lunch, Brett and Cherie described their preferred leader arrangement, and the two weed fly rig. They also spoke about fly line management and fly presentation between wave sets to maximise the time the flies are in the zone. Drifting flies and flyline drag / mending were also discussed to ensure better presentations.  All-important skills as we were soon to learn as we packed up and headed for the beach for a fish.

The beautiful spring day had attracted a lot of sun lovers to the beach, most oblivious to the casting habits of fly fisher folk, but we all know that it is our responsibility to check behind before casting. Soon there were several rods being waved about to the amusement of many of the bathers. Fish started to appear, initially just a few further out on the outer edge of the rocky platforms. Russell got his range early and managed to be the first to break his duck on a surfing luderick.

Brett, Cherie, Shane, and Jared wandered about the group, directing people into known haunts, and pointing out fish as they miraculously appeared in the window of a wave, or flashed across the platform. It is evident that a good line holder is essential to stop the line being washed around the feet by wave action. The style of choice is the spike type, which hangs from the belt and plastic tags hold the line as it’s stripped in.

Some people have keen eyes and are able to see the fish after having them pointed out by the experts, while others take a little more convincing. Mark, who is an optometrist, could not see a fish if his life depended on it, but Cherie saw this as a challenge and continually pointed out fish, until finally the penny dropped, I think the pictures tell the story!

As the tide rose, rafts of luderick could be seen tailing in the receding wave, busily feeding over the rock platform. Now, the flies were being thrown in earnest, and to show the guys where the fish were holding Brett and Jared lobbed their flies into the wash, and they quickly hooked up. These fish are solid and feisty and are good sport even on the 8wt rods.

The fishermen that were having very little luck initially started to hook up, as they learnt the importance of line control, being in constant touch with the line. Even the most delicate take will be noticed and reacted to. Chris was soon on the money, along with Mick and Tom.

I will let the pictures tell the remainder of the story, but would like to end with a lovely note from Mark, the blind optometrist :-

 “I want to publicly thank our most gracious hosts Cherie and Brett of BWCflies today.  They gave us such insight into this new form of fly fishing, that I think many of us may be hooked.  Speaking of hooked, congratulations to all those who caught fish.

 A morning of learning, followed by a nice lunch courtesy of Peter Sewell (thanks Pete…you always step up to the plate) and an afternoon of experience made for a well-rounded event.  Perhaps if we all beg nicely, we can convince them to host another event in 2023.

 And thanks also to Patty for organising the event.  Clubs like ours need people like you.”

From Cherie and Brett,

 Thanks so much to everyone who attended the HVFFC open day at the Shop.  It means a lot to both of us to see the store full of great people, having a likeminded chat, learning, sharing, and having a good time. Those involved in planning and assisting on the day have made it seamless.  A special thanks to Jeff who has captured the essence of the day with his great write up and photos of the event. Peter and Mark were great on the BBQ – very tasty and enough of a feed before the arvo session.

 Looking foreward to hosting more events in the future.