The fly-fishing group of Australians called the Boneheads are in Exmouth again. It is their tenth year anniversary of getting together in an area they choose as being a great location for fly-fishing in Australia. We’re pleased to say that they have visited Exmouth more than any other destination! David Bell is one of the guys in the group of 35 that are here and came in to the store sporting a green Columbia shirt with black ink all over it.  He said that he caught squid bigger than he has ever seen off Thevenard Island. Fly-fishing legend Peter Morse is also in the group and had a few casts at billfish yesterday, but did not stay connected. The group are tempted to return again in mid-March for the Australian International Billfish Tournament (AIBT) that EGFC are hosting because there is a fly-fishing section in this event. The section is for champion team tag and release billfish on fly because it is definitely a team effort to get a billfish on fly!

The bad weather with northerly winds and rain had dampened a few tourists thoughts, but that has been taken over by the brilliant sunshine and calm conditions that we usually have at this time of year.  In fact, one visitor was particularly pleased when he brought in a mackerel estimated at 15kg off the rock wall at the marina in front of the EGFC clubhouse! He had a standing ovation from the people there having morning tea after the short tussle on his spin rod. The fish was much larger than people first thought and the angler was extremely chuffed.

The Exmouth Classic fishing competition was a great success with 19 boats and loads of prizes. The fishing that weekend was not fantastic, but the presentation evening was full of smiles, great prizes and good cheer from the crews. The prestigious section of champion boat was taken out by team ‘Pussy Galore’ and several juniors were full of smiles when they received prizes for simply fishing! The tournament is to run again next year around the same time. Meanwhile, crafty anglers are getting geared up for the next event which is the Ultra-light Tournament in August, followed by the Billfish Bonanza in October. Now that there is a clubhouse, the club is busy with several events throughout the year.

PIC: The happy winning team ‘Pussy Galore’ Mark Horn, Brad Spiers, Jasper Spiers and Turk Sales.

Team Pussy Galore