Shades Fishing News

A big crowd is expected to head to Wyangala Reservoir this weekend for the annual Grabine Fishing Tournament being staged over three days, starting today.

There is a stack of prizes on hand for Murray cod, silver perch, golden perch, catfish and carp and there will be a lucky draw for the main prize, a Brooker boat, motor and trailer worth $10,500. Total prizes exceed $20,000.

Plenty of camping is available and anglers can fish anywhere within the reservoir, currently at about 10 per cent capacity.

There will be strong emphasis on conservation fishing during the tournament. Anglers will be encouraged to weigh their fish alive and then release them as soon as possible.

There also will be a nice touch, with local NSW Police at the camping ground offering free breathalyser tests for drivers before they drive home. A great safety feature that will be much appreciated by responsible drivers.

Felt soles banned

Anglers heading to New Zealand on annual trout fishing trips should note there will be a ban on the use of felt sole boots in trout fishing waters that comes into force on October 1.

The ban is to assist in slowing the spread of a nasty form of algae known as Didymo, and other micro-organisms, and applies to all forms of shoes or boots with felt, matted or woven fibre material.

It will initially apply to all trout fishing areas except the Taupo fishing region but that is also expected to be banned.

In the South Island, Didymo grows in streams and lakes and covers the bottom of waterways with a stifling algal mat, but it is likely to spread unless preventative actions are taken.

Anglers returning to Australia can expect strict quarantine measures to be followed at airports, including washing and cleaning of all fishing gear by Australian Quarantine staff.

Jindabyne’s browns

The good news in the mountain lakes is that Jindabyne is producing some great fish in some easily accessible areas.

Angler Rory, who has just returned from a residential stint in Jindabyne, reported catching huge browns night after night on small soft plastics, from the shore, right in the middle of town.

He said the best times were half an hour before dark and half an hour afterwards and the fish ranged from 1.5kg to 5kg, Well worth a look.

The bad news is that a prominent illegal setliner is active at Eucumbene again.

In recent months, anglers have retrieved dozens of his illegal lines from the lake at Seven Gates and tossed them in the fire. Last weekend he was back, setting at least a dozen lines which other anglers found and burnt.

They said they would like authorities to check out a fellow driving a white Toyoya Hilux with a canvas canopy and who prominently displays a Queanbeyan City Council witch’s hat at his campsite.

Redfin at Googong

There have been reports of big redfin in local waters and it is obvious the fish are on the move as water temperatures increase.

Some big fat fish were caught on spinnerbaits and celta at Googong. Nathan Walker landed an absolute monster on a Jackal lure in the Molonglo River.

The fish are bulging with roe and are well worth pursuing from now on.

Mallacoota worthwhile

If you are looking for a bit of new water to fish, consider a trip to Mallacoota. It takes about four hours to drive from Canberra and in recent times has provided some superb fishing.

Canberra identity Jim Seears went there recently and despite some inclement weather he had a ball catching bream on soft plastics and hard-bodied lures.

The best of the bream were great fish, some of them up to 50cm and they were testing opponents on light tackle.

Jim tells me the man with all the local info on where to fish and what to use is ”Bob” at the local Ampol Service Station.

Bryan Pratt is a Canberra-based ecologist

Source: Canberra Times

The Murray Darling cod season closes between September 1 and November 30 each year to protect the native species during their breeding season.

NSW Primary Industries Minister Ian Macdonald said the Murray cod were a prized catch of freshwater anglers. He said when the season reopened on December 1, fishermen should note that the minimum size of Murray cod would increase to 60 centimetres.

NSW Department of Primary Industries Manager Fisheries Compliance Glenn Tritton said the Murray crayfish season would also close on September 1 and reopen on May 1 next year.

It is important anglers are aware that the Murray cod breeding season is just days away.

The news of some sensational fishing arrived on the desk of Dubbo Catches from the massive Murray Cod heartland of NSW, Copeton Dam, on a bitter note this week.

Managers of Copeton Waters State Park reported that four ‘fish of a lifetime’ Murray Cod were caught recently, weighing 52, 56, 60 and 90 pounds.

Unfortunately, all were killed for either human consumption or trophy purposes, meaning the loss of vital breeding stock for the upcoming breeding season.

The Murray cod has relatively low fertility compared to many other freshwater fish. Egg counts range from less than 10,000 eggs for a barely mature female to approximately 90,000 eggs for females about the 22kg mark. Large female Murray Cod in the 15 to 25kg range and “in their prime” are perhaps the most important breeders because they produce the most eggs and are also more experienced breeders that display optimal breeding behaviours.

Macquarie River

With spring officially only days away local anglers are expecting fishing to heat up in the Dubbo district along with the weather in the coming days.

Graeme and Nick Powel of Narromine enjoyed the superb weather at the weekend flicking lures on their local waterway.

Graeme reported that the cod didn’t start actively hitting lures until well into the afternoon, and were found in the faster-moving deep water. Six fish came to the bank between Graeme and Nick, with the average size about the 50cm mark.

Water temperatures rose between one and two degrees in the late afternoon sunshine, which could explain the feeding frenzy late in the day. Thanks to Graeme and Nick for their report.

Mick Coad, Brett Kleppe, Neil Duncan and I put in a solid day’s fishing at Trangie Ski Gardens on Sunday.

Casting hard-bodied lures, cod-botherors and spinnerbaits among snags complete with evidence of heavily worked waters saw just the one cod come to the boat at about 3.30pm after it decided to gulp a 75mm Oar Gee Plow in fluorescent green and black.

Jason Walters also wet a line over at Warren and picked up two Murrays casting spinnerbaits around structure. The fish went between 40 and 50cm on the brag mat and were caught during an early morning session.

Barwon River

Matt Campbell from Explore Outdoors enjoyed a week’s fishing on the Barwon River at Walgett with Dave, Graeme and Greg Campbell, Brett Owens and Jay Williamson.

Cod of about the 40 to 50 cm mark were actively taking baited lines with yellowbelly to 45cm providing plenty of fun on light gear. Hard-bodied lures, spinnerbaits and Jackall Mask Vibes cast at structure worked well in the dirty water.

Garden Hotel Fishing Club

The Garden Hotel Fishing Club enjoyed a trip out to Trangie Ski Gardens at the weekend with about 30 members and friends in attendance.

The brilliant team of cooks put a feed on the table that would put most restaurants to shame.

Nick Doran, Jamie Kennedy and Leigh McKeown hauled in the first fish which unfortunately turned out to be a nine pound mud marlin.

All in all fishing was slow with just a couple of small cod about, but a great time was had by all none the less.

Swain Reefs

Michael Coward dropped in a report of a recent trip to Swain Reefs aboard Australiana, along with an impressive photo of Greg McCann with a 12kg Coral Trout. The fish was caught on bait in 60 metres of water, and was put back in the drink to hopefully breed more trophy fish of this calibre.

The skipper noted it was the biggest trout he had seen come aboard. Mike reported a windy trip but still managed some decent fish with plenty of trout, sweetlip and a few mackies coming over the rail. For their efforts Mike and Greg pick up a Jaz Lures Prize Pack, including a selection of spinnerbaits, lipless crank baits, and hard-bodied lures.

Restocking Initiative

Rocla Rural Products this week donated a five-metre Rocla Square line 450 litre trough, complete with concrete valve cover, to the restocking initiative raising $400 for the purchase of native fish fingerlings.

Thanks very much to Greg and all the team at Rocla Rural Products.

Any local businesses who would like to contribute a product or donate to the initiative please contact Dubbo Catches.

Source : Dubbo Daily Liberal

I’m back again after a trip to Europe, and then up north to Queensland.

News and updates should continue again!

Thanks for your patience.

Shade