I was lucky enough to get to fish a club dam on Saturday with two fellow strike hookers.

We arrived early at the dam and we were all hoping to tangle with a decent sized fish! Strangely enough I didn't really have a strong plan of attack in mind in regards to what lure I was going to use, and I started off on a favourite black tasmanian devil with silver speckles with little to no luck.

Reelin and Southie had spread out a little from me, when I heard a call from reeling and could see he had hooked something big and was trying to lift the fish up onto the bank when he snapped the fish off as it was still a little to green and too heavy for his 6lb leeder.

I was quite dissapointed for him as this could have been a trophy fish from all accounts as apparently it was a barrel of a rainbow.

We all continued on for another two hours putting in repeated casts until whilst kind of day dreaming, and having just upgraded the size of my presentation, thinking that these are big fish and will take a big food item, my rod went whack and I was solidly hooked up!

Reelin and Southie were somehow right behind me and in no time and I was getting all sorts of advice (or I think I was getting the take it easy we dont wan't to loose this fish), but to be honest this big fish had so much go in it that I was just holding on for dear life.
I didnt really have my drag set properly so was just lucky I was on 6lb fireline and 10lb leader or I could have popped this fish for sure Luckily the squidgee head didnt straighten, as this fish at one stage lept out of the water and jumped ten feet sideways...was totally nuts.

My heart was pounding and when I finally got it beached I was stoked and thought I was going to pass out. I was totally hyper at this point and it took ages for this high to pass and for me to calm down and contemplate casting again.

This is my second biggest rainbow Ive caught...and fish like that don't seem to come along to often in freshwater fishing!!

I was and still am pumped! This fish was in prime condition with full red cheeks and fantastic looking.

My lure of choice was a strange looking green squidgey on a huge black squidgie jig head. heres the pics!

pic 2

Just took some measurements from my rod and it was 53-54cm in length

champion stuff brett

dam nice fish mate! and just think... this is just the first of many trips to come

They are truly stunning fish from that dam with a phenomenal growth

rate due to the prolific Fly Life in this water

I caught a 1.38kg fish here last year and I swear it jumped clear of

the water a half dozen times

Have you got the weight registered for the Trophy yet?? Gotta be a leader so far for sure!!

Well done on catching such a great fighting fish in such a difficult

fishery (due to the extreme water clarity)

Del wrote:


Del... mate I want to thank you for returning the showing me a spot favour so to speek. Really really appreciate the favour.

She was successfully released in a timely manner and swam off to grow bigger again. This fish will soon be club trophy size. Another year and she could win it for someone!

tonyb wrote:


No didnt get the weight Tony.

It would have only gone 1.4max though. If it was fatter it might have gone close to the magic 1.7 but was only 3lb in my estimates.

I think the one Reeling hooked may have been a 4lber..but I didnt see it with my own eyes..

Great work UHF

I'm on my 4th trip to that dam, yet to get a big one! That's three times Del's seen one caught tho ??

With the new hatches will give a try with the fly rod.... After the tuition

Top fish UHF any chance of a a pic of the lure that did this puppy in??

no probs UHF! was a pleasure to finally get you involved in the club!! i know it took some time.. but now.. its opened up so much water to you!!! hope to fish it again with ya soon!!!

Del wrote:


Del - Im LOVING IT!

Rick..Tks for your kind comments. I am looking forward to having a crack at some cod on bardi's too. These rainbows will take a bardi no problem too. One of my biggest rainbows caught many many years ago was on a bardi grub on running rig.


OS- I will get some pics for you soon, but I have to go to a tackle store and buy some more. Fingers crossed they are still available. I used my last few up.

Will be getting some more black squidgie jig heads as well.

Good on ya UHF !! Great looking fish and they sure can fight can't they !

Bad luck Reelin.... next time mate !

I had bad vibes when you joined SAFWAA Brett

you're too keen and too bloody good at this fishing caper !!!!!!!

watch out when he gets the reddy bug Tony

and Cindy is worried that he might even put that belly-dancing outfit on to try and claim the women's trophy

Well done you have me excited, just gotta find time!!!!!

nice fish mate very heathly looking fish