Green Cape March/April 2015Cam and Scotty set out fairly early Sunday morning for the 8 hour drive to the Cape. Land Based Game (LBG) fishing gear to the tune of a few thousand dollars was securely fastened to the old Hilux, along with the mandatory camping gear. Settled autumn conditions were promised with calm seas and minimal swell. One last stop at Eden for some last minute supplies and the boys were onto the dusty, unsealed Greencape rd for the last leg of the journey.

Finally they pulled into the picturesque Bittangabee Bay camping area in the vast Ben Boyd National Park, just as the Kiwis lost another wicket in the World Cup Final. Mc Cullum was gone and so too now was Guptill, bowled by Maxwell. Fantastic! An hour later the campsite was fully set up with one gammy leg of Cams sun/rain shelter firmly lashed to a neighbouring Melaleuca (ti-tree) for support. It wasnt going anywhere.

But chores were not over. Firewood was needed! With plenty of daylight left a visit to The Pulpit, a world renowned LBG location was in order before the firewood. The new steps down to the rock platform were a marvel, a far cry from the treacherous walk down the razorback of the 70s. As Scotty had said of other locations getting there is more dangerous than the fishing. The sea was dead flat- maybe too flat and departing fishos had no stories to tell of caught or missed fish. Next they investigated the track down to High Rock. It all looked a bit difficult and with reports you had to be a world class long jumper to reach the ledge, they gave it a miss. On the way back to the car they stumbled across a pair of old sandshoes, completely overgrown with moss and lichen. Maybe they were the ones Scotty lost in 1970. Finally the boys then walked in to City Rock, on the southern side of the Cape to check out the scenery. City Rock was named after the City of Sydney which sank there in 1862, the first known ship to sink in Disaster Bay. Rather fortuitously with the calm seas and launching of the lifeboat no lives were lost. The lighthouse was not to be built until 1883 but even then some captains failed to appreciate it. Apart from a bushfire destroying most of the cliff-side vegetation the place looked the same as it always had. Fish of note caught here in the past included a 27kg yellowfin (not by the author).

On the way out Cam cleverly spotted a pile of wood on the edge of the bush. Just what was needed. In fact so good was this wood-pile, a fisho/surfer was camped almost right on top of it. With camp fees at a meagre $10.00 per night you would wonder why except for the wood. Turned out the logs were old road barriers, mostly cut up and very very dry. Scottys bad back suddenly got worse and the most he could do was direct traffic as Cam loaded 5 or 6 huge logs using the iron spikes still imbedded in the logs as handles, onto the back of the Hilux. Would you go camping in anything else?A few smaller logs were thrown in to maintain the flames and it was back to camp to unload. The Kiwis had collapsed to be all out for around 180 life is Good. The chef proclaimed spag Bolognese was dinner, cooked at home and frozen for the trip. These Gregorys are organized! Meanwhile Scotty, still nursing a crook back, vacillated over decisions about the morrow. Because they hadnt sorted their LBG gear, and with the aforementioned affliction taken into account, the plan was to bush bash down to Disaster Bay on an old logging track to fish for drummer and other rock-fish. A late start would be OK as low tide was not till after mid-day. A roaring log fire did much to boost the spirits. And speaking of spirits, after a marvellous dinner, washed down by a few beers, Cam produced the bourbon bottle and offered Scotty a sniff of the cork.The next morning Cam was a bit the worse for wear, maybe he had over-imbibed slightly, but a few cups of tea and several jaffles later he was firing on all 8 cylinders. Gear was readied and piled on board the Hilux. The invisible track down to Disaster Bay was located but soon lost as it became more indistinguishable by the step. The pair blundered on down the slope, eventually picking up the track again at the bottom of the incline. Eventually they arrived at Scottys favourite rock; the sea was flat and the wind over their shoulders.

Massive clumps of cunje indicated this particular location gets very little fishing pressure; it wasnt too long before some was gathered and hacked up ready for the session. Plenty of fun was had on various wrasse species including large blue-throat before Scotty eventually bagged a feisty piglet. In all four were caught for the session with the biggest around 1.5kg. Cam also caught a massive leatherjacket and Scotty a humungous spotted wirrah, one of the prettiest rock fish around. Unfortunately the groper did not play ball; very unusual for this location. Plenty of dolphins were seen cruising back and forth, a good sign there were some bigger fish out there waiting.

Back to the car without getting bushed again was a remarkable feat, a little more firewood was loaded on and back to camp to ready for some serious LBG the following day with the weather unbelievable. A roaring fire was once again soon blazing as Magician MacGregory pulled another meal out of his hat (esky?), this time a wonderful stew that Suzannah had prepared and frozen. Talk about spoilt rotten. Washed down by the odd cold beer it was a great finish to the day as the boys made sure their LBG gear was ready for early the following morning. Once again around midnight the resident possums raided the camp table clattering dishes to the ground, but who cared as thoughts of that big tuna were foremost in the dreams.Darkness still prevailed when the boys arose next morning; a cup of tea and they were on their way to the Pulpit with daylight breaking as they made their way down the steps to the platform below. The sea was that flat as to belie belief. Another fisho, Mick had also just arrived. Hed been up at Tathra and was smart enough to bring some live yakkas with him, for as he said, they had been very hard to secure at the Pulpit. Very soon he had a balloon out in the prime corridor. While Cam did a little spinning Scotty proved that years of practice at the Gulf had served him in good stead as he succeeded in pulling out two yellowtail (yakkas) in quick succession. One of these was soon attached to the brand new LBG gear and sent into the briney. But the lack of wash and a somewhat fickle yakka meant he just could not get that live bait out in the danger zone. Eventually Cam also tied on a yakka and with great perseverance had his fish 80 - 100 metres out from the ledge, in front of High Rock and looking good for a strike. This became even more apparent as a school of yellowfin tuna cruised into sight. This certainly had the adrenalin pumping! Soon one of the spinning fishos got a solid hook-up out wide and proceeded to haul in what was most likely a yellowfin, perhaps 10kg. Oh no hes dropped it as the line breaks. This bloke came to be known as the guy who lost the tuna, he reckoned a wind knot in the braid caused during casting had caused the breakage. Micks ratchet goes off but no hook-up. He pulls in the balloon and the yakka is gone. Another fisho claims he saw an orange balloon go under briefly. Interesting as the only other balloon out there is Cams and its green. Is he color blind? We will never know as Cam eventually finds he is snagged up on the bottom. Moments of mayhem but no fish landed.

The yakkas are getting harder to catch in the dead flat conditions and bright sun-light. Finally Scotty gets another and wanders off to another ledge as there is very little wash, its crowded and its hard to get a balloon out. Next minute its party time as 2 brightly coloured balloons are seen airborne, perhaps 80 feet up and flying high out to sea. Apparently its the new craze. Two of the older fishos had lugged a gas bottle down onto the Pulpit and were filling their balloons with helium. These were set above the live bait (somehow) and catching the wind current transported the yakka far out to sea, probably 200 metres or so in this instance. You live and learn.But despite the innovation no hook-ups by them or anyone else present although not through lack of trying. Scotty returned to the main ledge just in time to see Mick get a hook-up on the spinning gear. Of course just seconds earlier Scotty had disassembled his gaff; had to be an omen. Now he had to put it back together again as no-one seemed to be too interested in helping Mick out (in fact all gaffs were still two piece affairs). Was I missing something here was it ill-omen to assemble a gaff before a fish was hooked? Perhaps it was, as no fish had been brought to the gaff while my gaff had been assembled.Mick really put his back into it and very soon a solid king was awaiting the gaff man, yours truly. First shot, sorry to say missed completely, but then Scotty hadnt gaffed a fish since 2002 when he pinned a 13kg king for Phil at the Gulf. Next shot was true, right through the side of the head and a nice solid king was hauled up. Not a long fish but very stocky in build. On the lie-detector it went 6kg but it sure looked heavier. Other kings had chased Micks in and of course with interest renewed everyone dived for the spin gear but there were no more hook-ups.

Hunger, rather than lack of action got the better of the lads so they headed back to camp for some delicious jaffles cooked on the open fire. It was a massive surprise to find the camp over-run by school-kids from the Snowy Mtns Grammar school (Jindabyne). But they were only there for one night, passing through on the Tower to Lighthouse walk. Cams massive logs were still smouldering so it didnt take long to get a fire going and lunch was summarily devoured.

The afternoon plan was a bit of a swim followed by a visit to City Rocks where Cam was keen to do some more spinning and Scotty would have a crack for a drummer if there were any around. Refreshed by the dip they arrived at City Rocks late afternoon but alas without the gaff. Deciding not to risk it Cam went back for it while Scotty, as always, collected cunje for the drummer session. But it was a disappointing afternoon. Was it because the gaff had been fetched? Was it because the gaff had been assembled? Whatever the reason the fish didnt cooperate even though there were plenty of baitfish being pursued just off the rocks. Cam also spotted some very large pigs under the ledge below but they were always going to be difficult to extricate.The lads chucked it in as nightfall approached and headed back to camp. The students were busy but remarkably quiet. Maybe the long trek had subdued them somewhat. The wind got up that evening, quite strong from the north and like it or not, most likely the protected City Rocks was going to be the only option in the morning. Before that they took a drive to the Graveyard of the ill-fated passengers on board the Ly-ee Moon, originally built as a paddle steamer but converted to propeller drive later in its life

The Ly-ee Moon sank in 1886, almost below the Lighthouse which was fully operational (visible from 40kms) but there were claims the Captain was drunk in his cabin and failed to act when called. The Captain of course refuted this and blamed the sailor on watch for not calling him. Although both were charged with manslaughter they eventually walked free. A total of 71 people died, with only 10 survivors, mostly crew members. A notable death was the mother of Mary McKillop, Australias only saint. In addition Mr K. McGregor(is he related?) a promising young actor/musician on his way to Brisbane to join the Howloways (cant help thinking it should be Holloways) Dramatic Company also drowned.The boys found they couldnt get down to the rock ledge below, it was far too choppy anyway and Scotty later determined that this particular graveyard ledge is in fact much closer to the lighthouse. So back to City Rocks to have another spin. Scotty still hadnt twigged to the fact that assembling the gaff is a typically bad sailors omen (as Cam would say like having bananas on board a boat). So even though they tag teamed the spinning rod nothing turned up. All good things must come to an end and so it was they had to leave the rocks, return to camp and pack up the gear. Just as they left the rocks the Brothers Helium arrived, keeping gentlemens hours for sure as it was well past 10AM. Once again they had lugged the gas bottle in, but would have little use for it on this day with the howling northerly behind them. While the intrepid campers were indulging in the final meal of jaffles the man who missed the tuna came over for a chat. Turned out he had bagged a 135KG black marlin of the stones at Jervis Bay a few years previous using a rat king as live bait (he looked a bit sheepish as he mentioned the king as for sure it was undersize). Nevertheless after one and a half hours, without a gymbal belt he still managed to bring the marlin in on 24kg string. In fact some later checking revealed the Australian LBG record is only a fraction higher at 151kg.Three guys gaffed the fish and a local went around to Currarong, fetched his boat in the dead calm conditions and then brought the fish back to the ramp. Our hero eventually had a cast of the fish mounted on the lounge room wall, as you would if you could beg permission. Despite all this we were still cruelly calling him the man who missed the tuna.A final swim and the boys were on their way for the 8 hour drive back to Sydney, not with a lot of fish on board but undoubtedly enriched by the experience

The Phantom.

Cam gets dinner on the hob at Bittangabee Bay camping area.

Scottys favourite drummer and groper hole at Greencape. Nadgee Nature Reserve in the background

The Eastern Rock Blackfish (Girella elevata) aka the drummer or pig taken on a cunje bait.

Cam spinning at the aptly named Pulpit. Check out that dead flat sea. But no prayers were answered this day.

Micks Kingy, a solid fish spun up on a metal lure. It went 6kg and was gaffed by the author

Scottys old green suede shoes aka Kadaitcha boots lost in 1970 at the Pulpit.

A wonderful campfire and a resident Wonga Pigeon (Leucosarcia melanoleuca).