Suffer in your jocks!

[Mutley and Scruffy]

Hi all

I am back…the member formerly known as Rod Bender aka Jim aka Miffy and Sparkles (yes, there is only one of me but sometimes the way I function, it feels like more)! For the newer members here, I live in Shepparton, northern Victoria. I fish fresh water and have been concentrating on using bait as it is so much easier for me sitting down. On saying that, I have been using lures more of late. Lure fishing was / is my preferred choice.

What have I been up to? Still working casual at DEDJTR. Don’t ask me to write out the full name but we just refer to it as ‘ded jitters’! Department of agriculture may be a better word to describe it…research in agriculture. Has its advantages though, fisheries work out of the same place so I see them at times. I somehow ended up working casual with The University of Melbourne as well. Not really sure how that happened, same field of work, a joint project and I ended up on their payroll! Between both employers I still do not work full time.

Fishing wise, I started an institution (of some sort) at Shepparton East called ‘Club Bender’! A group of us would meet up on a Friday evening at ‘Spot H’ and stay until around midnight or later. Thanks must go out to my ‘bouncer’, Dave for keeping control of the crowds! Small cod were caught mostly and some larger models (you may have seen some of Dave’s pics). I picked up my first ever yella from a channel…strange that as I have fished the channels for so long with lures and caught redfin but no yellas. This yella was caught on bait.

‘Club Bender’ is in recession now until next season but I am working on some improvements. There are a couple of us interested in astronomy so I want to get a telescope. One of the gang is into fly fishing…haven’t told him yet but next season he is going to give us all lessons. These improvements may be accomplished easier than my other ‘improvement’ that I have promised the boys…’hot bikini fishing chicks’!

I wish I kept better records as I caught my first redfin on a lure this week for perhaps 4 years! I then followed it up with another one on the next trip, both in the Waranga Basin area. Strange what happens if you make an effort. I also caught my first River blackfish (a few months ago) from the local channels in about 30 years or more…smallish as you would expect from this side of the divide. My local ‘trout spot’ has been nothing less than disappointing! To the point where I don’t think it can be called a ‘trout spot’ anymore! Only saviour is that another ‘local’ who has fished the same spot for over 40 years is not having any luck either so it isn’t just me.
I look forward to participating again!
cheers

Team M & S

No emoticons were harmed during this post!

[deathray]

Great news your back Jim. Feels like order has been restored in the universe!

[VooDoo]

Welcome back Team M & S aka Rod Bender aka Jim

Look like you have ditched your sponsor Krispy kreme donuts .. Well done!!!!

[ducky]

So you weren't the whiskers bloke I recently accused of being you? Haha.

Welcome back

[drew 2]

Morning Jim :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup:

[Texas]

Great news your back Jim. Feels like order has been restored in the universe!

somehow this seems appropriate

Cheers
Gra

[poppy62]

welcome mutley and scruffy.... welcome back Jim

[jedgpz]

Welcome back Jim!
Cheers
Jed

[Lightningx]

Welcome back mate

[slotzz]

Miss the aaah 'friendly' banter M&S/Bender/Jim??
And how are you going with that international attempt, no death threats yet?