Easter At Copeton, Few but big Options

[SUMOFISHIN]

Fishing with Sumo.

Its 6.00AM Good Friday Morning, we’re up and getting ready for our Trip to Copeton Dam.

This is our annual Manilla Bowling Fishing & Social Club’s trip away at Easter, and our decision was Copeton, although we had a little indecision with the Algal Blooms reported.
A posse of our members took the trek a couple of days early to check out the infestation and locate the campsite, the call came through that the Algie was subsiding so we were sticking to plan one.
The convoy formed at Coronation Park in North Manilla, we were ready to hit the track at 7:00 AM , We had campers , caravans, boats , and Sumo up the rear with a 40ft Motorhome ( Ex Coach), We left the Park in a convoy, we passed a couple of vehicles tightening their tarps at Upper Manilla, then a couple more that had a pit stop at Barraba Lions Park rest area, then two more at the Barraba Park, at this rate I thought we might be in the lead by Bingara, but the Nandewar range slowed the Bus even with its 200 Killer Wasps, and a few vehicles got past again.
We carried on to Bingara and had a reformation and check stop at the Park between the Bridges on the Gwyder River. Next was the climb up the Mountain to Copeton,
Our early Campers met us at the gate and escorted us to the Proposed campsite,
Everyone was scurrying around, our site looked like Tent City with our Club Marquee in the Middle and the Banner on the Roadside,
The Boats hit the water and the fishing had begun, Shane Miller, one of our older Juniors was the first back with a 3.5 kg Yellowbelly, which did end up as the biggest fish for the weekend, this inspired a few more to get on with the fishing and forget the refreshments for a while.
A Couple more fish and it was dark, the fish were few and far between, but the ones caught were big fish.
Some of the Children and not so small children spent the afternoon at the Water Slide.
Everyone joined in for refreshments and a chat that went long into the night.

Daybreak saw the boats trying new spots in between the Skiers, Our Brisbane Member John Smith (Director Smithy) as usual, brought his three man Jet Ski and Manta Ray Ski tube, and as always it was a big hit with the kids up to 50yr old, John used about 250 litres of fuel for the weekend and also sponsored all the prize money for the kids Karaoke which was held on Saturday night, another Big hit Thanks to John, The Fishing Club is very Proud to have such a Generous Member among it’s troops.

With Steak Dinners and Bacon and Egg Breakfasts I think we all put on a few kilo’s for Easter and that was without the Ale and Easter eggs.
Junior Members took home some nice Rod and reel Combos for their biggest fish of each species with runners up receiving Caps and Lures to try again.
Top Senior was your’s truly with an outstanding catch, followed by our President Simmo with his trophy Redfin.
Monday Morning saw everyone re packing their wagons and drifting off one at a time, A great weekend was had by all, and this one will be remembered as a favourite.

Until next time,
The Sumo.
 Copeton_Yella.jpg ( 57.73K ) Number of downloads: 26
This was my Smallest Yellowbelly.

[CATCH22]

well done sumo tryed to ring you but as usual your mobile phone off but try home and beau no answer anyway all good i knew youd be on the site posting you adventure good stuff bro .......like ive said many time its not about the fish its about getting out and about with good company ill be back soon ......if all goes to plan ...

[Christos]

I like your reports.

A bit of fishing, a bit of eating, a bit of comradeship.

And your slow bus?

[Jumpus GooDarus]

This was my Smallest Yellowbelly.

Struth I'm going colour blind

Looks bloody RED to me

Were the fush taken on lures ??????????????

[SUMOFISHIN]

I got 1 ON a new Manns lure, 1 on a Yabbie, and one on a Shrimp, I got two Redfin and two Spangled Perch on Shrimp.

[jasonb]

there a beautifull fish them speckled perch hey sumo ,,how big were they

[It'l Do]

Good write up Sumo.

Glad you had a good time and fond memories.


I assume the yabbie and srimp were live bait???

[SUMOFISHIN]

The Lure was hard bodied and definately dead, the yabbie was live hooked through the 3rd joint from the tail, the shrimp were mostly live but the one the Yella took was definately dead at the time, when cleaning all Yellowbelly had a gullet full of Yabbies, the first Spangled Perch ( Speckled Perch,Bobby Cod, Bobby Perch,) was 250mm the Redfin were a dad smaller as was the smaller Speckled, all were caught on half a shrimp.

[jasonb]

now sumo no fibbin ,did you catch them yourself or was that what was caught by everyone all weekend ,,,