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05/10/2006: "EAST COAST SAFARI '63 ...Woolgoolga to Tweed Heads"
8 August On Ron’s suggested we breakfasted on ham and pea soup, Weetbix and milk. Finally we launched the boat and set course for Groper Island which is about five miles south of Woolgoolga.
The going was a little on the slow side and we were head straight into a strong southerly wind complete with moderate and choppy seas. At times waves broke over the rear of the boat.
We had our first look at coral since we left Sydney. All the formations seemed to be dark green in colour and most of it was mushroom formations. I didn’t notice and staghorn or brain coral.
Fish were scarce. Snowie was using his new big gun and got a purple sea perch and a sweetlip. We saw Ron plant a spear into a kingie (kingfish) about 30 pounds but it was a long shot and the spear tore free. We can sell kingies for sixpence per pound to professional fishermen to put in lobster pots.
Ron was telling us later that he lost a nice flathead also.
Snowie suggested we take a look at the reef off Woolgoolga Bay. Fish were scarce and we were just about to leave when I shot a groper about 15 pounds – he tore free and shot under a ledge – in doing so he knocked forward a spider lobster.
So I put on my gloves and with Ron filming the action on colour film, dived down and pulled the old cray (lobster) from her hole. We took a couple more shots of the cray in the boat. Later we weighed it – 11 pounds 4 ounces.
6 August We can’t say that we brought good weather with us as it rained a little last night and a strong southerly wind blew all day. We didn’t bother erecting the big tent. Ron put up Val’s small two-man tent and we did most of the cooking in there.
We decided to look for lobsters around the rocks not far from where we are camped. We walked a couple of hundreds yards around the rocks and then swam back to the beach. When we came across the bugs they were all in the same are more or less.
Snow and I got five each, Ron got six. Also we got a small blue (groper) red rock cod and luderick and a couple of abalone. Ron and Snow were troubled with green eels while getting the crays.
In all we got 16 crays weighing 23 pounds. We tried hard to sell them for four shillings a pound. One idiot offered us thirty shillings for the lot. We wanted at least 2.5 times that. (Four pounds).
Had some fun preparing tea tonight. We cooked Rice a Risbo by the light of a torch in Ron’s tent.
7 August Snowie and I got a fire going under a copper in the (laundry) camping area. The idea was to cook our crays. It took about three hours to get the water boiling. Finally we got them cooked but the main portion (the tails) cooked into a funny blackish colour. They tasted alright though.
We went water skiing in a nearby lake this afternoon. We took our wet suits off under hot showers which was a real lifesaver as we were almost numb with the cold.
After a nice meal cooked by our newly appointed chef which consisted of tinned spaghetti, cheese and sausages we called it a day.
9 August The strong southerly continued to blow all night. We packed up all our gear and put the outboard motor in the back the Holden wagon. Had some lunch the other side of Ballina. It was here that it started to rain.
We had the big live lobster in a cardboard box in the boat covered with wet bags, wet with sea water.
As soon as we arrived in Tweed Heads we drove around to the Pet Porpoise Pool where we met former Australian spear fishing champion, Ron Cox who is manager of the pool. Ron was very happy with the big bug and paid us four pounds for him regardless – if she died or not. We will probably get a further six pounds when Jack Evans returns.
We put up the tent in the camping ground and went around and collected our mail.
Tonight we let the profit from the lobster pay for our tea at Kev’s Diner (The Chew and Spew) in Griffith Street, Coolangatta.
We had a couple of games on the 10 pin bowling alley. The place is a little quiet at this time of year. I wouldn’t like to be here looking for fun.
10 August Gave Dad a ring in Sydney and gave him all the latest news. We went around to the Porpoise Pool and said hello to Ron Cox. The lobster is still alive but looked frightened of the bright lights above his tank.
We watched Sammy the Seal Show and the porpoises do their tricks and Snowie, Ron and I all fed a porpoise each. This was done by standing out on a springboard and holding a fish on the end of a stick. The porpoise jumps into the air and takes the fish in its mouth.
For lunch we ate some Moreton Bay bugs which tasted lousy and some frozen prawns and hot chips. Ron took us for a drive up the coast where we visited Tommy Thomas.
Tommy has the honor of spearing the most giant cod and Queensland groper than any other spearman in Australia. Tommy has his own boat a great big thing with a 40 nHP Johnson.
Ron and Tommy talked for over an hour on fishing conditions, the conclusion was that Point Lookout would be the best area for our spear fishing – as soon as the wind drops.
Ron phoned Val tonight and found that he has to made a quick trip back to Sydney to fulfill a business deal with some of his movies. We tried to persuade Ron to take the plane back as the 1,124 mile drive would tire him out, however he left at about 7pm.
14 August The weather has improved at last for us to take a look at Fido Reef and Cook Island.
We had a bit of fun getting the boat in the water and finally we were off down the Tweed River. The only hitch in going out this way is that you have to dodge the great line of surf breakers at the mouth of the river.
Anyhow we buzzed around in circles waiting for the right opportunity to get out. There was a group of fishermen - watching us to see if we’d make it. We did.
At Fido Reef we found the water very clear, deep and with a fast current running. We tried Mary’s Rock off Cook Island and again there was a fast current unlike anything we have in Sydney.
We hopped in where it was about forty feet deep, the clear water made this seem like only 25 feet deep. A few good school mackerel and kingies were about. I got a nice mackerel, only small, gee they are strong fighters.
The way we had the boat anchored the water was sloshing in over the sides. We packed up and came home. Had some more thrills (fun) riding the boat through the surf once more. It’s easier coming in than going out.
This afternoon Snowie went to see Ron Cox while I walked up to Greenmount Beach and read a book in the winter sun.
