Waited for Jamies grocery delivery service to buy a pumpkin to use as bait for the red claw. Needed my biggest knife to make any impression on the pumpkin but eventually cut a quarter and then smaller pieces. Took till almost 12am to set off to check the nets when I found that pumpkin will last for at least two nights before needing replacing. The first net no redclaw but the second had two similar to yesterday's monster.
Again I paddled to the bank and got out of the kayak to deal with the situation and perhaps as well 'cos one jumped loose and took off, if I had been on the water I would have lost it overboard. I have been called chicken for using my leather fire gloves to handle red claw but I am an unbitten chicken. Returned back to camp with my prizes which now are headless and without the tract in the freezer.
Having given my card to campers going to Eidsvold one returned with the glasses from the Qld Gov. very happy with the result and the bifocal section now allows me to read books so much easier. The other two expected deliveries have not yet arrived, the side sun shades and the glasses from zenni both expected this week but I don't know anyone going to Eidsvold tomorrow.
Getting on well with campers near where I launch the kayak, one has a Hobie kayak and can paddle or pedal and cover distances easier than with my inflatable. He goes right round the corner another as far as I go where the wind is stronger and comes back with many more red claw. He has the right idea and has a holding net bought from Monto and keeps his catch alive overnight to get enough for a bigger meal.
Our quiet area has been invaded by other vans and now there is much less space available than before. Next week Billeee and Jules are expected with Paul later, as we have said previously the sooner the better to find good camping places. Went to launch my kayak and my friends were bringing in most of their nets ready for a set off in a couple of days, I was offered an extra one and readily accepted.
Off I went with an extra net tied to the front of the kayak and found one net empty but the other had 4 biggies in it. Brought them to the bank separated the float on one and set the new one up with a name and bait then the job of handling the 4 red claw in the other net but am getting better and handled it easily (soon without the help of the leather glove). Threw all 3 nets in and paddled the floats out as far as they would go.
So now to put the new catch into the freezer then off with their heads and tails so now I have 6 with todays catch to come, planned a potato and onion boiled and mashed together with the cooked red claw. Otherwise the weather has been good but the temperature soared up to the mid 30's and I decided after several swims in the dam it was time to wash my hair and accordingly set up the shower tent and Coleman Hot Water on demand and had an excellent shower.
One of the side benefits of mounting the shower against the bus is that with the open window there is a ready shelf for accessories, shampoo, soap and deodorant. plus a mirror per courtesy of the window tinting. I used cable ties to mount the shower head to the support rail pointing away from the windows. All up a huge shower area with the holey rubber mats on the floor although early on there is no mud just grass.
Had a call from Eidsvold P O apparently the glasses from Zenni have arrived but no one is going there today so they will have to wait till next week, no success with the side screens as yet. Have put up the old tarp as a temporary shade don't like to be scruffy but like the excess sun less. Went visiting this afternoon to see Tom and Dennise and was invited into the biggest circle of happy hour campers from all around the dam and between the dam and road, was made very welcome.
Making regular trips out to check on red claw with various results, I have had one meal and have some in the freezer ready for the next. My objective of catching a meal of red claw has been achieved as well as acquiring the necessary information to handle them. Went down to the campers who made me welcome the other day and canvassed for someone heading to Eidsvold tomorrow, Wazza said he was going so I gave him a card to present for collection at the P O.
Just had an email from Peter and Annette who we met on our first day here, will be good to keep in touch. Another benefit from having the Vistaprint business cards and handing them out to interesting campers. Today is cooler and just the time to light up the choofer and cook potato bake, am proud of the end result with no cleaning of the camp oven needed, excellent tasting potato bake and half left over for tomorrow
So after a trip to Eidsvold Wazza came back with both parcels and I have the glasses from Zenni and the side sun screens from Coast to Coast. The glasses look well and give good vision so I am happy with them and the sun shades are up and in place giving shade from the afternoon sun. Nothing else to pick up but am getting down on food, mainly I want more berries, strawberries, blackberries, blueberries, oranges, apples and bananas for the bullet. Am still ok but using the berries frozen whilst on the Gold Coast.
Visitors arrived late on today, Billeee and Jules have arrived and are set up next to Cruising Cruze and that is the start of our expected Grey Nomad contingent. Hopefully after Easter will see Sarg, Paul and Rod arrive plus any others who wish to visit or stay for a while. Good to catch up with Billeee and Jules, June and I camped with them for a few days at Boonah during my efforts to get June out camping.
Back to the happy hours extending until 7.30pm, good job I had my bullet blitz prepared during the day. I used to walk home with no enthusiasm for cooking so my plan is starting to work out. Up early Wednesday and checked the nets with no result but back in time to go to Monto with Jules so I am ready to go with a list of provisions, a wallet and primed for action.
Ok $109 later and I am back with plenty of fruit and other necessities for life at Wuruma Dam. Had plenty of time to go carefully through IGA, the berry selection was not the best I could only find blueberries so I took a couple of punnets. They will freeze if I don't get through them and I have one of the original ice block holders having used some over the past few days.
Another extended happy hour, Jules cooked some silverside and vegies on the baby Q and invited us all for tea. Very enjoyable meal we had and by the time we went to our respective vans it was dark. Another great day in paradise. John
Another good read yeoeleven, look forward to them, we will be on the road ourselves net year so your posts are a great assurance of good time to come. Cheers.
Don't think I'll make it this time either John. Pete [Ontos45] went back into hospital yesterday at Yeppoon, and Paul [My Van] went into the Base in Rocky today. His legs gave up totally again. Not sure if he'll make it down there either yet.
Just a quick Thank You John, for your weekly insights. I have been slowly working my way through your blog (still a long way to go! ) trying to learn things before Maz and I set off eventually ourselves.
We have been trapping Redclaw from kayaks for several years & have picked up lots of tips along the way ..
eg..
For handling your catch ... Use a very large woven plastic bag held between the legs (Its mouth must be larger than the open trap). Shake the catch towards the rear of the trap while holding the trap mouth pointing upwards. Open the trap clips & put the mouth of the bag over the open trap. Tip up the rear of the trap & give it a good shake. They (mostly) all slide into the bag. Don't worry about those that spill out. They move rather slowly & are easily picked up & rarely bite. Fold over the mouth of the bag & leave it between your legs ready for the next lot. Give it a good shake to ensure that they fall to the bottom before pouring in the next lot.
Don't be frightened about picking them up. I've had them crawling all over me & pick them up without protection. Never a nip. But watch out for the sharp spikes if you grab them too tightly, especially when twisting off the heads. I use gloves for that process & small pointy nose pliers for extracting the digestive track attached to the center 'tail' section. Twist off head, grab center tail with the pliers, twist to detach & pull gently.
We find the best bait to be rock melon. A small handful of dry dog food added to the melon is good too. Our current 'best' bait pouch is a takeaway container with several holes drilled through it. We previously used pouches made from gutter guard. Water melon is good bait too as is most (over) ripe fruit like mangoes or avacadoes. Some use sunlight soap but we don't. Have successfully tried cans of cat food. Works but a bit messy. Fish frames might work. Son In Law used par boiled potatoes with good results.
The best trapping time is undoubtedly overnight & in around 4 meters of water. We always visit the traps just before dark & re bait from a stack of preprepared bait pouches. Then out again at first light to pick up dozens/hundreds of red claw. 4m of water near structure is often the best spot. They don't dig in the mud but rather hide in structure or weeds.
I carry as many as 16 folded traps in my Viking Fisherman kayak. (Includes my four & those of 3 of my friends), but you have got to be very organised. Lost my best $14 Wilson trap overboard in choppy water. I often have trouble in lifting the heavy bag of catch out of the well of the yak. Then comes the tiring job of processing them after breakfast. Time then for a leisurely lunch, beer & nap under a tree before the evening rounds.
Our best recipe is to halve them along the spine & gently grill them in a little olive oil & butter, seasoned & flavored with sweet chilli & chopped garlic (I prefer a big dab of hot chilli jam too - a bit of ginger is good as well). Cook the flesh side first until it just becomes white then flip, sprinkle on top powdered Parmesan cheese & chopped parsley & cook briefly until shells just turn red.
Don't over cook.
If you want to be indulgent, add a cup or so of cream to make a beautiful sauce. A bottle of very chilled white wine goes well with it.
Others cook them in a broth of three cheese mix.
-- Edited by Cupie on Friday 27th of March 2015 01:39:21 PM
Great john, your really liking your bullet!!!, those yabbies must be amazing to eat. Good to see Jules n Billeeeeeee have caught up with you., tell William your supposed to have liquid in that glass, good to see his substaning from the amber stuff hehehehe. love your posts john. - fran
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"I'll know what I've been searching for, when I find it"
I'll spend a bit of time on it tonight. Much better than the box. (On second thoughts, I can actually bring it up on the smart tele too ... so we'll have it in 'wide screen' The pics should look good.
I'll spend a bit of time on it tonight. Much better than the box. (On second thoughts, I can actually bring it up on the smart tele too ... so we'll have it in 'wide screen' The pics should look good.
Thanks for sharing ... lots of good stuff there.
Thanks for your comments Cupie, there are several ways to view the blog. If you go to the top left of the page either printed across the top or on a drop down list shows other options which may suit a bigger screen. Snapshot, flipside or magazine may be more suitable than classic. John
