Last fish of 2017, first of 2018 - 3 outings in one report

[arpie]

Hi guys

Since my last report, I've been out a few times .... with some fish landed (mainly bream) so here are some pics

Topwater is working well - but deep divers are doing well too!

This was on Dec 31st .... sadly I'd caught yet ANOTHER COLD & was miserable thru Xmas, so figured the fresh air would do me goo don Dec 31st!!

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Then the deep diving Crackjack worked it's magic

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On New Years Day - not feeling much better & knowing that I wouldn't staying up late that night .... so i decided to give it another go!

This one had had a hard life The CJ deep diver working again!

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Then I saw this 'bloop' ... and another 'bloop' .... something you would normally associate with a bream hitting a surface lure - but I didn't have one in the water! I watched it happen a few times, wondering what the hell it was ... and finally pedalled over & grabbed the culprit!! Who remembers 'Double Drummers' from your childhood???

He was a WHOPPER!! He didn't want to fly away - I picked him up & allowed him to dry off - and encouraged him to fly off - but he didn't want to!! You can see a video here - how it didn't want to fly away! LOL
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid ... =3&theater

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Sadly, shortly after this outing ..... I was diagnosed with breast cancer & will be seeing a surgeon in Sydney next Monday - to see what the time frame is for surgery etc.... so fingers crossed ..... I have good friends who have been thru similar & come out the other end OK .....

cheers,tight lines

Roberta

[scorpio]

Enjoyed your report. Shocked at the last bit. Praying it all pans out well for you. Fingers crossed for you as well.

[Rory222]

Great pics as always Arpie - that 2nd last bream is a cracker!

The cancer has picked the wrong person to mess with - determination, guts and persistence - you'll give it one hell of a fight!

Thoughts are with you and Keith!

[pdfarrell]

Top effort Roberta... do you get many 'saddleback' bream in the lake up there?

As I've told you before, myself, the Midcoasters and no doubt most of KFDU are behind you!
Kick that cancers butt!

Let me know if we can help with anything..

Cheers,
Paul

[arpie]

Thanks guys ..... I was quite upset to start off with after hearing the news - but now am just angry!

....do you get many 'saddleback' bream in the lake up there?.....

HEAPS of them, all the time - and our system has 30 pro fishos who are out netting most evenings.

More often than not, the first few fins missing (including the big one) - tho I have also seen quite a few with middle ones missing

Personally - I reckon that name is a load of 'crap - I've seen the pro fishermen up here, removing undersized bream that are so small they are STUCK in the mesh of their nets - and instead of removing them head first so they 'slip out' (which would be the logical way of doing it) they just wrench them out backwards, busting their fins & damaging the fin line. I know I am not a scientist .... but they now need to do a study in Lake Macquarie - which has been net free for some years. If there are NO bream (of any size) that are damaged - they'll probably just say it is a healthy system & they haven't 'caught the disease'!

I'd like to see the scientific evidence of the infection/bacteria that has caused the 'disease' ie, slides of the damaged cells etc ..... it can really only be called a disease if they have identified the source of it.

Here are some of the probably hundreds that I have caught:

[lantana]

Good report and great photos as usual
shocked to hear of your health, our thoughts are with you and Keith, take care you will win over this

regards
Eric

[ytumer]

I always enjoy your reports Roberta. I don't normally leave a comment but felt obliged to in this instance. Wanted to let you know my thoughts will be with you and wish you all the best.

[bmiers]

Much like Ytumer; I don't tend to reply but I really rate your stories and photos. Best of luck with your treatment. You are one hell of a lady.

Brad

[rocketV]

Some great fish there, I agree with your thoughts on net damage to those bream.

Best wishes in your coming challenge, I can tell you are a very motivated and positive person so I'm sure you will take this in your stride and be bothering bream for many years to come

[Colin98]

Great report as usual!! Very sorry to hear the news! I hope it all works out well and see you slaying those big bream in no time!

[arpie]

Thanks guys - I appreciate your support & understanding. Just promise me that you'll get your ladies (partner, wife, mum, sister) to get their boobs checked every time they have a pap smear. It was my gp who found mine. I totally missed it, even tho i did checks in the shower now & then! And boys ..... check yourself too. Men get it too - so don't be complacent. A 'clear' mammogram means nothing. My one in July was clear - as was the one they did the same day as the ultrasound. Only the ultrasound (and my gp) picked it up!

cheerio

Roberta

So get out there fishing, & put up a report - so that I can start reading YOURS!

[mouse]

Roberta, ever since I joined KFDU (2011) your reports and knowledge have been inspirational too both new and seasoned fishing kayakers.
Wishing you and Keith all the best for your challenge ahead.
Look forward to many reports in the future.

[flattyakker]

Hi Arpie

Great report as usual except for the last bit! I'm sure with your tenacity you'll chase that cancer out of town. Keep the reports coming and take care!

[Mr T]

Hi Roberta



You have the the strength I have no doubt
Will Keith by your side and a forum full of friends
You will never walk alone

One of my legends in the kayaking world

Best wishes mark Mr T

[clutch]

Thoughts and prayers with you Roberta.

You sound like a strong woman, and hopefully cancer discovered early, and treatment will get a good result.

Best wishes, Dave