Fish didn't get the memo

At ramp at dawn

Heading off to Lee Point as the sun got above the horizon

Water was fairly calm most of way to Lee Point - though a little wind wave and some swell at East Point

There was a heap of bait dimpling the surface Fanny bay side of East Point

Out from the sewer outlet (always smell it before you get there) - found brown boobies diving at Fringe-finned trevally

But onward to Lee Point - found it calm if a little swell coming from the NW

Hung here for two and a bit hours but nothing showing - no birds - no fish

Didn't they know this was one of the best days weather wise in a very long time

And I wanted some pictures of fish being caught to send to a sick fly fishing companion hold up in bed - sick as!

But nothing to make him feel better!

On way back to ramp went via Mandorah

At the T rock formation - heaps of bait on Wood's Inlet corner, with occasional disturbance- but 30 casts yielded nothing

Next was Weed Reef

With 1m low tide hit a few rocks but there were very big milkfish busting around the surface

They seemed to be actually chasing baitfish or jelly prawns - things were dimpling the surface

Tried a tiny white clouser I have had milkies chase before in such situations but only managed a small trevally that I sent home to his mother to check at least if she got the memo!

Tried several different flies I have in a box just for these occasions of swirling milkies in dead clam water, even in desperation ripped the eyes off a small green polar fibre clouser, and added a tuft of foam so it didn't sink too fast - this one seemed to generate the most interest

Had one big milkie swimming in circles around the boat just within casting distance (a tad shorter in distance then normal due to the tennis elbow that still hasn't healed! but a thermo-brace is helping it not ache so much while casting).

I would lead the milkie and strip the fly careful to intercept its path - but difficult as fish very touchy and nervous

Had it nudge the fly once - causing my knees to go weak with anticipation of that first run if it hooked up

Man these things must have good eyesight - every time I stood up on front deck, they would take off

Most casts made were crouched in the lower section of my boat

   

Then again I was dressed brightly on this outing with one of my new face shields and arm skins - these ones in Mahi Mahi colourings

I need the arm shields as I always seem to get burnt between the end of my shirt sleeves and the gloves I wear (long arms and shirts with sleeves never long enough)

Have tried safety pins to join gloves and sleeves but always when strained bend or stretch or tear

These fix that dilemma

Tide was too low to get in at ramp so decided to visit the harbour again

Still nothing

So anchored up near Shellie Island near the East Arm wharf - slimly hoping for some fish in the tide/current line that forms off edge of island, that at other times on an incoming tide preforms well

Play games on my phone till this hopefully happened, but eventual enough water at ramp and still no fish - so home I went.

So sad with such a great day weather wise - must ensure everyone gets the memo next time - 

                   Good Tides, Good Weather - Fish need to show up!