SQUIDGY SOUTHERN BREAM SERIES - ROUND TWO

A win and two donuts, better than we predicted...

The Clyde River round of the 2011 SSBS tournament series was held on Sunday the 27th February in mixed conditions. The weather was quite surreal as it changed from rainy and overcast to muggy and hot, far from the predicted 30 degrees a local assured me of (Yes Moi Moi, you). Another great field turned out with numerous boats and 20 kayakers, all ready to take on the stubbornness that only Nelligen’s fishery could produce. I had some demons that needed exorcising here and promised myself I wouldn’t rest till it was all said and buried. There is never a clear winner at the Clyde round, just scrappers and bleeders battling it out on a very level playing field.

Before I go any further I must say that as a system I detest this place, it’s not that its a bad location (Far from it) for a tournament it’s just my general fishing experiences here have been rather poor. It’s a very up and down system and it should be noted that many moons ago it was an ABT fishing arena but was removed from their calendars due to its poor bag limit showing (Guessing that last part). The facilities in the area are great, the township of Nelligen quite pleasant, the bloody Jewfish iconic but when it comes to Bream fishing the Nelligen end just plain bites. Can you tell that I got served up a big fat donut at this round, making it a hat trick at this venue and putting me well on the way to half a dozen Krispy Kremes? (Or do I need more passion?). Just remember though, I’m not suggesting the SSBS follow the ABT lead here... Not at all.

Thankfully it was fun day on the water but the exercise in both my legs and patience were probably overextended. Met a few new people and caught up with ‘The Massive’ crew out in full force, minus master Patwah. Good old Craig Coughlan took out the Nelligen round (Well deserved) followed by Andrew Death and Rob Chambers. Stu somehow managed a fish on his way back to the beach while both Jason and I shared similar stories of lost fish and bloody Estuary Perch. More than once I had my ‘Pants pulled down’ by finicky Bream that would hit hard, even returning to nip and run (Brand new lure, straight out the pack). For some reason I just couldn’t find a hook set all day, the only patch of Bream I could of possibly managed a fish from was right near the end of a 18km round trip from start to finish (Lessons learned, don’t explore and stick with what you know).

My example of the day comes from a wayward cast into an elongated snag pile in a foot of water. As the lure sailed over a branch miles to high off the water it tea bagged into the drink and was hit hard on a light drag. All I could mutter was ‘Oh no’ as this Bream took my Khamsin deeper into the tree, swimming under branches and by now lying on its side. My braid resembled a spider’s web and just as I positioned the kayak in a way that would allow some kind of lateral thinking on how to reclaim at least some of the braid back the Bream swam out past me. With no pressure on I quickly gathered up my now limp line and peered in the water, great its a bream and legal too.

I reached for the net and noticed my Nitro rod bent in half stuck in-between the rear rod holder and a rather large tree branch. Expecting two snaps now I somehow managed to free my rod from its barky grip and returned my attention to this trouble causing bastard fish, which in the end simply smiled, opened its mouth and swam away. It didn’t change my day as I was sincerely humbled by this fish (And that’s an understatement) and was feeling both ends of the spectrum (Devastated and delighted). On one hand it would have been an average start to compiling a bag (By legal I mean maybe 28cm tip?) and I blew it, but on the other it was still early enough to do something about it. Oh Big Island must be just around that corner, perhaps I will just meander a couple more kilometres along the banks and hope to god the tide stops ripping through... Oh dear oh dear.

My original life plan for February was take a trip to Tasmania, catch up with Claire’s family and fish the St. Helens round of the ABT. As I drove home I pondered their leader board and felt quite jealous of the blue nosed bruisers that they had to of been catching. One could only imagine that these two events, in different locations (On the same day) would bring about such strikingly similar results. Congratulations to the Basin Lure and Fly crew for another great round. Great result again Craig and congratulations for taking out a round close to home; good to see you back on a kayak and doing so well.

For full tournament results, please click here.

LIBERALS/NATIONAL COALITION FISHING POLICY

The Liberals/Nationals coalition have released their policy on Marine Parks and Recreational Fishing, in the lead up to the NSW state elections on 26 March 2011.

You can read the policy at http://nsw.nationals.org.au/images/stories/pdf/marine%20parks%20policy.pdf

In the latest newsletter from Fishing World (http://www.fishingworld.com.au/news/coalition-fisheries-plan-reveals-commonsense-policy), Fisheries shadow minister Duncan Gay is said to have promised that the coalition will re-form a stand-alone fisheries department and add a parliamentary secretary to look after the recreational fisheries sector, invest more money in commercial buy-outs and form advisory committees with elected rather than appointed angler representatives.

According to the policy, the coalition will:

• Maintain the existing six marine parks and a moratorium on the creation of new marine parks and fishing closures, pending the outcome of an independent scientific audit.
  
• Subject to the results of the scientific independent audit; expand the current Habitat Protection Zones within existing marine parks.
  
• Commit to removing pressure on fish stocks and marine environment through a $16 million, 4-year commitment for a commercial fisherman buyout policy. We will continue our commitment for a voluntary buy out of commercial fishers where it represents the most appropriate means of reducing excessive pressure on the natural environment subject to the wise and sustainable supply of seafood to consumers.
  
• Ensure the conservation needs of the grey nurse shark are met well into the future.
  
• Implement recovery/preventative measures for any identified problems or potential threats including initiatives like seasonal closures, gear restrictions, tougher bag limits where needed and/or protection zones for identified species.
  
• Immediately commission an independent scientific audit of the effectiveness of existing zoning arrangements in meeting domestic and international commitments to the conservation of marine biodiversity.
  

As part of the scientific audit we will initiate a comprehensive trial of environmentally friendly recreational fishing techniques in areas under review. We will address the problem of aggregation of fishing effort caused by Labor's current zoning arrangements within marine parks. The audit will examine which lead agency (Fisheries or the Department of Environment and Climate Change) is the most appropriate to manage Marine Parks. Local Community Social and Economic Impact Statements will include the audit into the design/effectiveness of Marine Parks.

Follow the scientific audit with site and species specific assessments of local environments to identify real and/or perceived threats from fishing and other sources. Ensure that the NSW Liberals & Nationals Marine Parks Policy will be in accord with future fisheries reforms and greater integration with urban planning, including issues surrounding agricultural land use and water run-off from urban areas. Create a new joint Recreational and Commercial Fishing Advisory Committee including stakeholders from the fishing industries.

Part of the NSW Liberals & Nationals action plan is to restore accountability to government by giving people a say on issues that affect their lives. A NSW Liberals & Nationals Government would audit the current management of NSW Fishing Trust funds, including the process by which trust funds are allocated, in order to ensure this money is being used in the most effective and appropriate manner and the process of allocating funds is a democratic one.

Improve the awareness of anglers of zoning arrangements so fines are not handed out to unsuspecting people drifting into restricted areas. This may include simplifying zoning arrangements and better markings of restricted areas. Review the current system of inspection by Fisheries compliance staff with a view to improving the NSW Government’s commitment to greater public compliance with rules and regulations governing sustainable conservation of aquatic systems.

Shooters and Fishers Party announce position statements:
The Shooters and Fishers Party has released four Position Statement and Action Plans on its website http://www.shootersandfishers.org.au/.

Titled ‘Safeguarding the Environment’, ‘Natural Resources’, ‘Fair Recreational Access’ and ‘Society and Service Delivery’, the papers cover many issues related to recreational fisheries management, regulation and access and includes points:

We will encourage the new Government to immediately legislate to create a Statutory Authority for recreational fishers. We will aim to have the Government establish a single authority responsible for management of fisheries and marine parks. Merging Fisheries NSW and Marine Parks as one Authority – Fisheries NSW, to eliminate conflict and improve customer service for rec. fishers in this state.

We will strive to open Marine Parks to sustainable recreational fishing, using evidence based management programs. We will pursue ongoing Government funding of recreational fishing advisory bodies. We will work to improve recreational fishing opportunities, through the implementation of sustainable utilisation programs, such as catch-and-release, and breed-and-release programs for Native Fish Species.

We recognise the impact that invasive species like European Carp have on our inland native fisheries and we commit to implementing a carp bow-fishing program through Game Council NSW to help reduce the impact of this pest on our native fish species. We will ensure the important work done by the Gaden and Ebor trout hatcheries receives on-going funding so that they can continue to provide trout fishing opportunities in NSW.

Recreational fishing can at times be associated with risk to personal safety. We will establish on-going funding of community fishing safety education programs and expansion of the 'Angel Rings' placement program at key areas along the NSW coastline. We will ensure that Government maintains proper public access to all inland and estuarine waters for the benefit of recreational fishers. We know it is important to have safe, good quality boating facilities. That is why will advocate for more and improved boat ramp facilities, across NSW.

(Excerpts taken from http://www.freshwateranglers.com.au/)

THE 'SPOT X' THAT SHALL NOT BE NAMED (O.T)

I read a few comments about a particular spot on a fishing forum recently, observing them speaking in code (Or tongues) and evidently trying to keep a spot off the radar. Funnily enough this particular location has been the subject of secret squirrel mutterings for a few years now (That I have noticed ) and it got me thinking, how really untouched is your super special spot X?

Being from a freshwater background this subject comes up now and then, either fiercely contested or quickly swept under the carpet. You see, round these parts a great spot can be hard to come by and pulling a nice fish is, how do I say it, gratifying. Living where I live and belonging in a previously decade long parched environment some of the more iconic spots round the way have simply vanished.

Government bodies offering incentives to fishing clubs have provided Canberra and its surrounds by replenishing recent doldrum fisheries with good numbers of Native species (Well done I might add). Subject to introduced species invasion some even remained pristine and as far from rural as possible (Forget the 'Bush Capital' logic). One in particular was seen as shooting fish in a barrel to many angling peers but yet astounded onlookerswho were naiveas to what lay in front of them.

It's funny as at one stage myself and some mates called this particular location 'Spot X', hardly ever spying another angler(In many years) gracing its presence. The fish were immaculate, healthy and sizable and we literally thought we had the place under the thumb. It was never mentioned on forums and was a taboo subject in outsider chit chat/fishing circles.

Turns out that we basically fished it so early in the day or late at night that we missed the other 9-5 crowds attendance (Discarded fishing line and all). Urban population increased, road conquering drives were formed and civil planning took over. Before we knew it a weekends jaunt heralded a dozen or so anglers on the water, some in boats (Illegal I might add), others in kayaks and some bank bound. These weren't your everyday fisherman either, they were all hunting the same glory we were and new what was there (Be that a photo, a memory or a feed for the table).

Water quality began to deteriorate, weed growth flourished and eventually the dreaded Redfin appeared. How the pest fish appeared was anyone's guess but rumours of illegal stocking and adjoining suburb runoff ran rife (I sure as hell was confused). Either way they weren't stocked by the Government, far frombeing a naturaloccurance and in the past totally nonexistent. People were pissed that this might ruin the pondage, but it was proved the stocked Natives had held their ground and many anglers continued to flock to the area.

My point is I was in a bubble, a small secluded world were everything revolved around secrecy (And I am guilty as charged). I can think of a dozen locations off the top of my head I don't like mentioning in public and as a fishing journalist I often feel perplexed. I want to publish and expose these areas as a unique angling opportunity, one to visit and treasure for the rest of your life. However, having been shown these spots by peers and after researching any history on the location(Be that print or studying the land) I have concluded that nine times out of ten it would be highly irresponsible of me to do so (But it can be done in the right ways).

My 'Spot X' might not be your 'Spot X', as it turns out you have probably fished it before (Or someone you know has). Case in point being the opening paragraph relating to another particular spot, and this time involving saltwater. In 2006 I and many others were shown an area that was out of the wind and far from any maddening crowd. Being a frightfully helpful fellow, I am damn sure not a singular thought regarding secularism crossed his mind before guiding me and a dozen other kayak fishermen onto this waterway.

Being part of a larger system and with the weather poor our visit was brief but spectacular. I swore black and blue to return and have done so with others who either knew about its location previously or didn't (Not that it mattered anyway). Having a plethora of vintage fishing magazines and books at my disposal I considered myself a bit of a location buff but this location was so far off my radar I had skipped over it many times, searching maps for its upmost reaches where Bass may lay.

Finding the facts in a faded freshwater journal I traced the rivers history and found half a dozen articles over the last 20 years that detailed its exact whereabouts, its popularity and its profitability (By angling standards). These were no sordid articles either, pure old school information worth more than its weight in gold. As time went by it most probably appeared to be forgotten about, tell tale fishing floats and 'Others' soon put that reasoning to bed. By 'Others' I meant the tinny full of overweight men that grunt at you on the way past upriver, not any individual perpetrates of all things secret.

Communication on the internet whilst mentioning certain locations can be a hard knock affair, those that can remember will recall KFA coping a serve previously (Via search engine results). A spots success can get out of hand rather quickly and even a fishing bible/encyclopaedia dated B.C, rereleased and reprinted thousands of times becomes dated information, thanks to the art of Google. In my published opinion there is nothing wrong with mentioning areas and providing detailed information to the public on the internet or in person, but be advised some of those 'Others' don't think so.

In summarising, this post was all just about getting your brains ticking over, nothing more and nothing less. There is no personal pot-shots, no skulduggery and no self vilification. Nobody should take any offence, just read and take in any differing opinion on the subject (If you have one). Indecently that last place I mentioned was Bumbo Creek (Upper reaches of Tuross). It's not hard to find and worth a visit, especially if you want to chase E.P's or decent Bream (Never mind the large Flathead). My Dad once told me he used to fish it a bit in his earlier years and it was full of Bull Sharks...

Go figure!

NSW S.COAST - ST. GEORGES BASIN 9/2/11

St Georges Basin is quite a system, both from a size health perspective. Its one of those places that can kick you in the arse if you’re not careful (Think wind gusts) but continue to deliver the goods time and time again. When my good friend Tim Allard (Canadian Fishing Journalist) started frothing over another trip to the salt I knew only one destination could really supply the goods. You see, our recent Durras trip was hit and miss (Some fish, mainly small and scattered) and the Clyde spectacularly bombed out (No fish, except massive random Long Tom), there was no way I was just venturing just down the mountain.

Extra distance would be worth the effort (Given the forecast) which involved an early start and a jaunt down Nerriga Road to Basin View. I haven’t travelled this road for many years (Since my childhood) and only remember parts like forests and dirt. Was good to see nothing much has changed, although from the township of Nerriga onwards it was quite a pleasurable experience ($80 Million dollar road upgrades will do that). My Forester, towing the kayak trailer, hates round marbled surfaces so slow and steady got us there bang on 7:45am (Easy two hours +).

Conditions were almost perfect for fishing, albeit a little drizzly. The 5% chance of rain predicted eventuated on arrival and hung around most of the morning. As usual I was unprepared for the weather (No spray jacket) but Tim was a little smarter. It was the first time Tim had been in the Hobie Quest so there was more than a little change from the mighty Pro Angler. Its worth mentioning that he has fished from a paddle kayak before, just not whilst on Australian soil (Vanuatu does not count Tim). He relished the opportunity and grabbed it with both hands (Paddle that is).

Launching from Basin View was the best option as I knew the chance of possible action was a lot closer than say a Palm Beach posting. As we paddled over we noticed a good drop off just out from the entrance of Wandanian Creek, an area that we began working with hard bodies (Both surface and sub). Flathead was the target from the table and Bream for the mercy release, anything else would just be a celebrated by catch. I have to say it was great fishing the Basin outside of a tournament and weekend situation, a few boats may have been in attendance but we literally had the place to ourselves.

The fish came on a little slow, only to pick up the pace and the turn of the tide. Flathead after Flathead, Tailor after Tailor, it didn’t really matter what we threw. Blades worked well with both Tim and I collecting fish on Berkley Big Eyes and an Ecogear VX (Both gold patterns). Bream weren’t responding to the surface until the receding water pushed the bait into venerable positions. Tim caught a couple on a blade (Including his first Bream, a cracker too) while I slugged it out with a few decent specimens on ultra finesse gear in a foot of water (Heart in mouth stuff).

A couple of interesting occurrences happened, mainly with Leatherjackets finning in the shallows and kamikaze Tailor going bezerk. I gave up looking for the Bream and started doing battle with these silver soldiers. A Hat trick of surface casts, some major lure carnage and a few tackle losses summed up my experience, I had an absolute blast and kept a few for the table. Time ran short like on all good days so we had to turn tail and run for the hills. Whilst packing up at the boat ramp and speaking to another Hobie addict a Ute pulled up with two guys who immediately asked how we went. “Want a Kingfish? Kingy in the back mate, it’s yours. “

Well I wasn’t going to look a gift horse in the mouth and went over to check the fish out. It was legal, well looked after and ready to rock and roll back to Canberra. Thanks to the kindness of strangers we returned home with a great haul of Flathead, Tailor and ofcourse Kingfish. Tim had a smile on his face the whole way home, and the images taken on both our cameras will capture those great moments forever. Glad you had a blast Tim, especially on the faithful Quest ‘Mary Jane’, a great steed worthy of a fish or two. I’m really looking forward to returning to the Basin for the SSBS and the ABT tournaments, and if I get half the chance I will return even earlier.

NSW S.COAST - NORTH TURA BEACH 29/1/11

After a big week long holiday kayaking and fishing (Separate, together, whatever) at Bemm River I returned back to Canberra and then left almost straight away. Had my step Mother’s 60th down the far South Coast of NSW (Pambula to be exact) and believe it or not I didn’t take the kayak. At first I thought I was going crazy but I soon realised I just needed a relaxing trip away with bugger all baggage. I still wanted to go fishing whilst there but what would be the easiest way to wet a line without plunging a family social calender into selfish disarray?

The easiest and most waining choice would be a quick beach session, most probably solo on the arriving night. My old 13’ outfit felt quite heavy and the 10kg Maxima Ultragreen wasn’t going to do me any favours in the ‘bite’ department, maybe I could (Make that should) buy a new outfit on the way?. I didn’t need a combo too crazy, just lighter and spooled with sensitive line. Rovex Aureus with under bound guides, made of a carbon composite fitted the bill nicely. I matched this to a more salt tolerant Rovex Big Boss 6500, spooled with 25lb Super PE and a 40lb Sunline Shock Leader.

Dad mentioned he was up for an early flick and that North Tura beach was a good option (backing up the actual helpful advice from the tackle shop employee). Tide chart suggested an early morning sortie so the pilchards were purchased and the sinker pounds packed. As it turned out the new rod made casting into the surf much easier, that and it was damn light. Accompanied with the Super PE and new reel, beach fishing proved to be a more enjoyable affair than I dared to remember (Not really fair comparison to my old heavy Penn combo).

Smack bang on the incoming tide the Salmon came on thick and fast. The first Salmon busted my 40lb leader on its primary agitated lunge (Bang,bang,bang, gone). Dad was loading up like a champ while I retied, spying my free hooked Salmon fleeing through the waves in the process. They weren’t the biggest I had ever seen, girth wise though they were massive. Just as quickly as they came on after a few fish each they simply disappeared. If we arrived 10 minutes earlier the score would have been doubled but hey, this was a quick mercy dash to keep my jitterbugs at bay.

Thanks for the company Dad, a throwback to good old Shoalhaven 7 mile...

DAIWA-HOBIE ABT RND 6 HOPKINS CANCELLED

(Taken from http://www.hobiefishing.com.au)

Daiwa-Hobie BREAM Kayak- Hopkins Round Cancelled

With the recent floods in Victoria and a host of rivers running high and brown the decision has been made to cancel the Hopkins River round of the Daiwa-Hobie BREAM Kayak Series scheduled for 13th February.

ABT, Daiwa and Hobie regret having to cancel the event, but we believe this is the best option. Any enquiries can be directed to ABT on (07) 3387 0888.