Jack’s 15 & Still Growing - Scary!!



Sunday 10th April about lunch time we left to meet Kym, John and the Birthday Boy to do some trout fishing near Mt. Compass. Maybe Jack will catch a fish, 15 years of John training him in the finer points hasn’t done it get. That certainly says a lot about John fishing ability - zilch, or maybe less than that! Just before we got to Willunga Kym rang to find out where we were & it was decided that they would go on ahead as Jack was straining at the leash and they were having trouble keeping him in the car. So on they went and as we were entering Mt Compass they rang to say Jack had already caught 2 trout. Yeah right I thought, Jack with the fishing guru along side him coaching---what was happening, was the Lady of the Lake throwing them ashore?

We finally arrived at the Tooperang Trout Farm, Jane all rugged up against the weather and JC with his designer rod & reel, deck chairs, snake skin boots what a sight. 2 trips to the car later and finally all the paraphernalia was by the side of the freshly mowed lawns that surrounded the many pools & lakes. The deal was, a nominal entry fee, for which they supplied fishing gear & bait, each fish you caught you had to keep and depending on which pool you caught it in it was then so much a kilo. The fish was weighed on your way out which could be quite costly.

Jack’s Grandpa and Grandma arrived, presents were given, but there wasn’t any birthday cake. What no cake you say, Kym how slack, besides we were hungry, oh well snacks would have to do. Low and behold Jack had caught 2 trout but they were from one of the small fish ponds. JC thought if he was going to have to pay for everything he landed it better be a big one to make it worth while. At the same time Jane was panicking, thinking not same old uncontrolled spending.

The excitement of the moment got to John, so much so that with an uncontrolled look in his eyes (I’d call it a glazed glare) he picked up a handline & cast it in then the penny dropped, if he caught a fish he would have to take it off the hook, oh no, the line smoked as it came out of the water it was travelling that quick. Jack caught an adult trout this time followed by JC and Maurie (Jack’s Grandpa) caught 2 nice size fish. By this time Jane was panicking and pulling at JC’s arm as he was casting, she was cold and it was time to go. It was also closing time and they were throwing us out anyway.

After loading the costly catch (only joking, it was good value & not bad fishing for the beginner & experienced alike) we were off to Kwik Sticks next to the Parafield Airport. A short trip from Mt Compass to Parafield where we were joined by more of the Hill Clan for a marvellous feast, but still no cake, then to Jane & JC’s where Jack learnt a little bit about filleting fish.

Happy Birthday Jack

JC



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