Posting this one of behalf of BlackGen as hes too modest to do it himself... I don't post much anymore, but under these circumstances, the story should be shared...

BlackGen has just got a brand spanker new Etec donk and was looking to do a short run to start breaking it in. Conditions were good so we were a bit spewing we couldn't head out to the normal Islands haunts so decided to putt around in close to a couple of usual hit and miss snapper spots in around 10m about 9 mile from town (Carnarvon), more to just put some hours on the clock and test it out than a serious fishing trip.

As we've had a good flow down the Gascyone river in the last few weeks, we feared the water would be pretty poor and when we arrived, our fears were confirmed. Murky and silty... Oh well, we though, we're here now, might as well have a go.

We started the burley trail and waited. and waited. and waited some more. after about an hour, there was finally a touch on his rod, and then the baby rat pink barrage began. One after the other they came up, as this spot sometimes produces, but nothing anywhere near size. Bugger this we thought, and out came the light 2-5kg gear for a bit of fun. All of a sudden, there was a big hit on my rod and it loaded up. Game on! after a 10 min fight and losing plenty of string, up came a... black tip reef shark. bugger. Then another. and another. great, turning into an awesome christening of the new outboard. not.

I pulled out and gave up. Bad move. About 10 mins later, Mrs. BlackGen 5kg stick buckled again and took off for the horizon. Great, another (swear word) shark... She battled it well and I got plyers ready to de-hook another reefy. Until I say colour. Me: no way! pass the net QUICK! BlackGen: What, finally a decent pink? Me: HUGE (another swearword) TROUT!!!!! BlackGen: yeah, right (obviously expecting another grey coat). I ducked over and grabbed the environet and scooped it up... Everyone on the boat: (swear word)! (swear word)!! (swear word)!!!

Those that know Carnarvon, know that trout are pretty rare to get on hook (unless your one of those straight hook scum anyway:)), especially away from the islands, especially at this size (it went 8.2kg, for the record), and ESPECIALLY in water affected by the river...

This pic is the better of the two for a POTM submission, but Ill post another that shows the actual size of the beast better

Lessons learnt:

1) You never know what your going to get wherever you are...
2) Never give up, never take your line out of the water...
3) BlackGens Mrs will always outfish him... always!