Kids Clinic – 5 January

Plenty of smiles to go with the fish

Mason’s beaming smile was the best possible validation of the success of the Angling Section’s January 5 Kid’s Fishing Clinic.

With 14 kids aboard, as far afield as Joondalup, and many more from the northern suburbs, the eight-year-old was as happy as Larry for the entire trip out on Success.

But Mason, pictured, wasn’t the only one willing to share his feelings as skipper Martin Smith found a productive sand patch nor-east of Mewstone where the herring frolicked like toddlers at a birthday party.

The herring came in like lemmings to Bert Zuideveld’s magic berley potion, and entertained the kids for hours, with all anglers aboard sharing in the spoils. Several skippy and three king george whiting also were caught.

A few on board had even more reason to smile because it was the first fish they’d caught while nothing was going to wipe the grin from Lachie’s face when he landed a nice-sized king george because his Dad had promised him $20 if he caught one.

Volunteers Denise Bech, Bert, John Holbrook, Martin and Ray Wilson were kept on the hop helping the kids bait-up, take off the blowies and butterfish, and filling the esky with the lively herring.

While a few of the young anglers turned up solo, the day was especially one to remember for those who registered with mates or siblings.

George, Nixon and Sam, along with Penny, Eden and Archer were trios who delighted in sharing  the day’s activities while brothers Lachie and Riley, and Hugo and Jayden also had some stories for the dinner table that night.

Each of the happy anglers took home around five fish each, along with big smiles and fond memories of a great day out at sea.

The next Clinic is scheduled for January 19. It is fully booked, and another Clinic, probably April 13, is planned for the April school holidays. More information will be released in early March.