I was raised at Ettalong from about 7 years old, learnt to fish in the channel and yes, it does run fast. As a kid I'd be up early, on the pushy and off to find some fish. Woy Woy Railway Bridge, the old baths, a dilapidated wharf at Orange Grove, Anderesons wharf, Pages Wharf and the channel from Bangalow St. to Half Tide Rocks. Never causght a flattie like that though - not until I got to Lake Macquarie. 8lb at the Drop Over and sometime later 7lb off Wangi. Ah, it's all such great fun still, 50 years on!