Ghosts of Boneheads Past

[Tony Ong]

Looks very likely that Boneheads 2020 will be put on hold. This year would have been the 20th anniversary of Boneheads being run along the WA coast. Dirk Hartog was the first location. Dampier Archipelago location number two. Third boneheads was held in Gnarloo Station. There was a slight road bump where we fished Mackerel (Thevnard) Island. All other boneheads trips have been held in Exmouth.
I thought it would be a good idea to post some pics up of past boneheads trips.

[Tony Ong]

Boneheads 2004. This was the first year that Boneheads was held in Exmouth, and first year that I have copies of pics from. We were a lot younger then. A bit fitter, and had more hair (not as grey). Hopefully, we have become a little wiser in the process.
A lot of us were shore based in those days. A handful of guys had boats, but the majority of us hoofed our way through the week. Didn't stop us from catching some great fish. The first few years of boneheads, we were really spoiled by spangled emperor. It was not uncommon to catch half a dozen spanglies to 50 - 60cm. Smaller ones were in plague proportions. In fact, at times, we were walking away from spots that held spanglies just to try and catch something different. One of the changes that have been most apparent over the years fishing Exmouth.

Steve with a Mangrove Jack From Murion Island

Ross with late evening spangly

Those who have fished Exmouth will recognise the background.

[Tony Ong]

Morsie organized a charter to fish Murion Islands with Danny O'Sullivan? Trip across was bumpy. A couple of the boats were supposed to tag along behind the charter, but pulled the pin half way across. The deal was half of us would be dropped on the island. The other half would fish from the boat after mackerel and anything else that came up the burley trail. Well, those of us that got dropped off on the island didn't what to come back to the boat, and the half that stayed on board didn't want to leave the boat. Worked out pretty well, I would say.
I was one of the ones that jumped ship.

Past secretary Cole hooked up.

Result

Simon hooked up.

[Tony Ong]

Simon's fish

Double hookup

We had pretty good weather that trip. Didn't get chased out of Exmouth by a cyclone. We fished hard and late into the day. We were rewarded with some spectacular sunsets.

Keep adding to this or post other year Boneheads trips guys.

[Torren]

There was definitely a lot more hair back then

[Dave Bailey]

and no buffs!

[Tony Ong]

This is a photo that Rohan took of us returning from the islands on that day. The guys on the island figured that when they wanted us back on board, they would come and find us. One of my all time favourite pics, as this day stands out as close to one of the best days that I've had on the water.
Well, the return trip was a little last minute. The dramas getting back to the boat made the perfect end to a fantastic day. The sun was dropping. It was a spring low tide meant, so we had to navigate through a field of nasty bommies. We were in an inflatable dinghy that was probably meant to carry 4, but only enough sunlight to make one trip back to the boat. That meant the little dinghy was carrying 7 or 8 of us. The dinghy had a hard floor and a blow up skirt. Well, water was coming in between the hard floor and the skirt. Just as well it was 16 years ago, and 100 kgs lighter.
Exmouth late afternoon glass off back to the marina was pretty cool too.

[Stephen Bradbury]

Great idea Tony, here's a few favourite photos from that 2004 Boneheads of mine.

[Arnold Tucker]

Guys just a few from my 1st Boneheads

It was as if the place had been untouched.

Seems a long time ago Dave.

Arnold

[Arnold Tucker]

This was one of those magic days on the other side of the gulf.

Rohan Smith and Paul Cunningham at the back of Tree.

One of those glamour days on the way back from the other side.

Most of the return trips were a bit of a bashing and most certainly jarred your arse.

To be honest I can not remember which Boneheads but it was some time ago.

Arnold