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Eating too many Molonglo donuts makes me rather crabby and rude,
Outlook for this weekend seemed crappy everywhere, up the coast, down the coast and inland all had severe cases of gale force wind. One of the only local places I know that is sheltered in all but the fiercest of storms is the Molonglo River, even Craig 450 had made the journey to Canberra to fish it land based and from a stinker. Thought about the pike and enjoying the home heating when Jason rang and mentioned two species of fish Craig had already caught since arriving, Golden Perch and Murray Cod. Even though it was raining I could hear the interpolation in Squidders voice, he was keen as much as I was game.
When it rains it pours, blows it gales and chills it freezes. This wasn’t easy going but it was out of the majority of the wind, unfortunately it was in the path of some serious thunderstorms. They past slowly and had me searching for a barometer onboard, something I must purchase soon in the form of a feature on a watch. Craig lost a few after they launched the boat and after four hours I eventually got whacked once, no sticky lips though but far different to the snag pulls received hours previous. With the willows removed on the Duntroon side it can be hard to judge what remains in the water and where but even a basic depth sounder can pick up high horizontal structure.
Squidder munched on donuts too, most probably the same fate as Craig’s mate Alf. A quick visit and inspection from the Water Police plus a friendly wave signalled my chance to head for home. After farewelling Jason I paddled hard, testing speed and fitness against an increasing channelling wind. An average speed of 7kmph was held for a lot longer than I expected, perhaps it was the dark gloomy clouds increasing my pace or the anticipation of more savoury donuts for dinner. I slowed for the popular snags but the large Viking Talisman or the 90mm AC Invader bothered no one, their presence only seemed to annoy the racing skis who use this avenue for fitness and physical exertion (Along with inane conversations about bugger all).
The latest issue of Freshwater Fishing features an article on targeting Golden Perch in Canberra. Probably a good idea to follow up on some of Ben Caddeye’s tips and techniques from the magazine, my free well earned advice is to definitely downsize lures and be aware Golden Perch are notorious followers, sometimes hitting on the pause or an arcing lures turn (Keep them guessing, predictable paces when trolling lose out).As of Tuesday 1st of September next week the Murray Cod season in Canberra will be closed until Tuesday December 1st. While by-catch can be an issue its worth noting that immediately releasing any hooked Cod is in their best interest (And yours in the long run).
