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I feel like it's been a little quiet on the yak fishing front here lately, in essence I guess it has. Truth be told were all still getting out for a fish, just separately or in differing locations. Rather than trawl through the copious amounts of information I could supply I figured it would be an easier read if I just submitted a monthly recap (Bugger, sometimes time is of the essence when reports are due).
NSW - JINDABYNE 26/3/11
With a seedy swell developing down the coast Jason and I decided to head up for a spot of good old Trout fishing, including a very leisurely departure time. This would be a slightly different trip however, with Squidder relaying the art of Yabbying to an eager ear. Everyone knows how to catch a Yabby from a small pond, but to angle a lake for a feed was something quite new to me. Jason deployed his traps while I set about prospecting for Rainbows. Hatchery Bay was very full and our old school possie looked mega fishy but proved fruitless (Fishless?).
Trolling wasn't much chop either and the fish weren't in any sort of rising mood. In hindsight we probably arrived a little too late, but it didn't bother Jason (Frantically working the traps). Even with five traps out between two people (Way under legal regulations) the work involved in catching and storing the Yabbies became a full time affair. To the couple that rocked up to fish the western bank we must have looked like bugs caught in a wind lane, travelling neither here, there or anywhere.
We eventually headed to a new section of bank in shallower water and had another crack at powerbaiting. A rod eventually went off but the hook simply pulled and the bite alarm spun off straight away (Sure fire sign of bad luck). ANother gentleman rocked up to fish the western bank and started braining fish after fish in much shallower water. This was around the are our Yabby pots were deployed, and in turn the weed beds. Why hadnt we fished this part earlier?
Hatchery Bay is still a great place to fish when full but when a basin styled area fills and you haven't fished it for a while it can become bewildering.
Repeat attempts here would eliminate this, when close to or over 80% capacity the bank line choice diminishes to one rounded arena (Rather than a multitude of smaller bays). We came home with 70 decent Yabbies between us and no Trout, enough for 2 great feeds of freshwater goodness. Great trip, keen to get more amongst it.
NSW S.COAST - DURRAS 9/4/11
Reports of some decent Snapper had been diluting down through the drains back to the hub, something all good huberrans cant ignore. After a recon mission or two the greater majority of 'The Massive' attempted to make their presence felt (In a minimalistic way). Luke, Craig, Hammo, Stuey, Squidder, Paddy, Stevo, Koich and myself took to the water at various intervals. catching a combined assorted bag any random fisho would have been proud of.
Snapper, Morowng, Bonito, Ooglies, Squid and Cuttlefish graced the decks, with a few Kingfish scares chucked in for good measure (Bommie was going nuts, Pelagic central). Craig's plastic approach dominated, throwing 5" jerk shads and larger 7" models in Lime Tiger. A few others caught Snapper but Jase and I went without and started Squidding (Some purposely, others as bycatch). I hooked a decent Cuttlefish and was impressed with the tug of war but not the taste.
A few of the rascals packed up for quieter waters and had their hooks bent in the lake (Good fish around, Flathead and Bream). I've since read about some bigger reds that have appeared around the inshore areas... Beware the ticket machine malfunction and take care with the parking areas. We are pretty lucky we can access this area so easily from our kayaks, best off leaving clear access for all.
ACT - YERRABI 29/4/11
Forecasts everywhere were unfavourable and Yerrabi actually looked fairly clean. Water temperature was a little on the chilly side but the day started well. No natives unfortunately but some decent Redfin were landed by Jase (Cant believe I'm saying 'Decent', 'Redfin' and 'Yerrabi' in the same sentence). Hordes of little blighters were smashing stuff off the surface, some of the smallest actively aggressive Redfin I have ever seen. Patrolled both ends of the lake and had eventually had an interesting hook up.
Reviewed the camera footage and it was very perplexing, slow hit, big load up, hook pull, slack line, another pull, rod load up, nothing. Only way I can think of explaining it was a bigger school of Redfin became aggressive and actually chased my lure down, swapping attacking formation as each one pulled itself off the hook. Keeps you guessing I suppose, plastics accounted for all fish with hard bodies barely receiving a touch (Sans above).Was good to stay local for the first time in many months, albeit a little disappointing on the native fishing front.
Things are hopefully looking up here, perhaps the la Nina effect over Canberra has finally broken? God knows this little impoundment needs a break from all the suburban drainage its received from the newer neighbouring suburbs. I drive past occasionally and still spy one or two people fishing it after hours, not sure of their final results though. Weed growth was surprisingly minimal making trolling easier than expected, here is hoping the pond itself returns to reputable form later this year.
