Somerset Dam - Whittleys in the Fresh,
October/November 2009
By Sue and Graham Booth
Hats off to another well organised, well attended Whittley weekend. The first but I’m sure not the last at the picturesque Somerset Dam.
It did not start off too rosy for Graham and I that Friday morning, all packed up and ready to go “Fox Sea Lady” refused to budge when trying to pull her out of the shed (Trailer brakes locked up). Nearly one hour later and a few choice words we finally got going.
We choose to drive through Esk and just before getting to the Dam we stopped at the “Catchment Cafe” to pick up the permit, Sue could not resist the homemade quiche & carrot cake for lunch on the boat, then proceeded to the ramp.
After launching we decided to anchor for a while thus discovering the electric winch did not want to work. Graham finds the plastic clutch release handle and before he could use it dropped it in the drink. More choice words followed, he turns suddenly then nearly pokes his eye out with the areal (tip of the year; make sure aerials are up before fiddling at the front of the boat.)
We met up with Les and Sharyl Tuton, and we decided to motor up to the next ramp to look for any other Whittleys. (We had both left the excellent instructions put together by Susanne & Bill Barrett at Home) We arrived at the ramp around 12 km later and about 10 boats were already there.
Then the race was on to catch the Biggest Red Claw in the dam. (I think Bill was telling us “Porkies” that he had never set traps before). That Friday evening we all went to the campsite for our usual gathering of nibbles and drinks, and catching up as you do between events.
Saturday morning more club members arrived exact numbers for the event I am not sure, but there had to be over 14 boats. Everyone spent the day doing their own thing, swimming, fishing and exploring the dam which is huge. In the evening after dinner Susanne awarded prizes to all for the largest, smallest, most Red claw, caught ectt. (photo attached is of our largest catch ) It was a great evening.
Sunday morning everyone did their own thing then went home at leisure.
Thanks again to Bill and Susanne Barrett, the organisers, for such a great weekend.
Sue & Graham Booth “Fox Sea Lady”
