Hi all,

Hot off the back of last weeks 'epic fail' in Port Denison, the boss granted me one last leave pass for the season before the baby arrives. I took off to Hill River yesterday afternoon, hoping to finish up my fishing north of Perth the way it started back in October, with a mulloway.

The drive towards Cervantes was magnificent, with the sun setting behind the hills as clawed the last 50k or so towards the coast. I love that stretch of the drive. The winding narrow country road, scrubland and the odd roo, rabbit or yesterday a first - an echidna wandering alongside the road.

I arrived at Hill River to find a few cars parked up but my favourite spot clear. I had my gutter all to myself. I just needed it to be full of fish! Got the berley trail going and chucked out the old paternoster with a scaly on 5/0s. Parked up in my favourite chair and watched the stars come out.

With a receding tide I didn't expect much and that's exactly what I got. A couple of random nibbles from the pickers - but no runs or signs of anything bigger lurking. I called it around 9pm and decided to get up early to fish the rising tide.

Dragging myself out of my makeshift bed at 3:30am was no mean feat. The fog was in and I reckon it must have been around 5 degrees. No amount of layers was going to keep me warm so the doona followed by down to the beach.

Out went the bait and the wait began.

5am came around and there was no sign of life in the water. The shooting stars were incredible though (no 'anomalies' in the sky this week :-p).

6am came around and I got the distinct feeling that I would be going home without a fish to my name. I decided it was time to throw a mulie on as if the tailor were around they would be on the bite shortly.

6:30am and the sky starts to brighten gradually. I felt that little change in temperature the signals the start of a new day. A few minutes later and theres the distinct 'nip nip nip' at my mulie. The herring are on the bite.

I grabbed the little rod and flicked out a tiny bait to confirm. A few seconds later I bring in a decent sized mullet. Fresh bait! I throw a fillet out to soak and continue to work the little rod.

Plenty of herring and some reasonable sized ones too. In among them the odd big gardie, another couple of mullet and a heap of sand whiting. Kept my quota but returned many more.

After 30 minutes or so I decided to throw out a livey on a balloon. So a quick rig change on the big rod, in comes the herring, out goes the herring and the waiting game begins.

I'm still waiting.....

But I had great fun catching a feed. :-)

For anyone heading up that way for a fish, the water is in good condition at the moment. There is a bit of weed in the gutters but it does not really impact on the fishing. One of the locals reported a school of salmon patrolling the beach yesterday too.

I planned to head out again next weekend with user Simmo Ryan....but Simmo, if you're reading this...according to the mrs I have buckleys.

Ever the optimist, I reckon I still have six sleeps to get into the good books and win a leave pass.... :-)