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Some group therapy with good mates and nice weather,
It had been ages since I ventured onto Lake Burley Griffin, for most of the early parts of the year the lake had been closed due to Blue Green Algae. I used to know this place like the back of my hand, its weed beds, old river runs and potentially profitable snags. All it takes is a few months away from your favourite haunt and presto, you feel naked. As mentioned above this was not by choice mind you, there are other impoundments that drew my attention away but in mainly wavered due to closure.
Late August spells Wattle blooms and the early signs of windy wafts and warm weather approaching. The Golden Perch tend to venture out around this time, mingling around weed beds in shallow confines before returning to slightly deeper water and snag lines structure early in the New Year. A good way to check out wether it is worth a visit is by paying close attention to water temperature and Carp surface activity. Today saw below average water temps of 11 degrees and little Euro instinct.
Most of the weed beds had died off over the winter periods so finding fish proved difficult, the sounder showed promise but well worn lures scouring the underwater breadth failed to establish their prey. Koich, Squidder and I put in a grand effort and enjoyed the balmy conditions, slight wind and a vacant disposition. After a few hours the Ayu Chubby came up tight passing in shallow water between the Spinnaker island and Yarralumla Bay, nothing extravagant but any fish will do today (Sub 30cm Redfin).
While the wind blew harder, my mind grew stronger. I was chasing Yellowbelly but knew by this stage hopes were fading fast. After dropping another Redfin I commenced a drift towards the cars and the departure point. The same rod, same lure buckled over and an identical English Perch graced the deck. Squidder kept belting over to get photos, guess wbetween three of us over 4 hours any two fish was as exciting as it could get. My handling skills have been commented on, yes I released it.
Slow starts in August can change in as little as a week, I spoke with another kayaker (Cammers?) and some blokes in a tinny that hadn’t received a touch. Constant warmer weather will obviously warm water temperatures, my prediction is when it hits 16 degrees solid all hell will break lose. It has done this last year, the year before, the year before that… Its pretty much a given. Be aware by this stage Murray Cod season will be well and truly over till December 1st, time to downsize those lures!
