▲TopMudgee Region Report – August 2007

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▲TopThe Redfin Run Continues

The run of reddies in the Mudgee region continues with Mick Honeysett and a mate catching 100 redfin at Twelve Mile last weekend. As soon as their Berkley Frenzies hit the water they were pulling up tight. Not a bad effort and considering the fish were all around 25-30cm they were a good feed. Redfin are regarded as an introduced pest/feral species in NSW. NSW DPI Fisheries recommend not returning pest fish (this also includes carp) to the water, preferring you to kill them humanely. It is illegal to transfer fish between waterways or use them as live bait.

Another story: “I finally got half a day on the weekend with nothing planned and gave in to 6 weeks of harassment to go fishing with my 13 year old son (Snozza) and his mate. Now he's not real keen on early starts, so by the time he woke and we hit the water it was around 10am. So i wasn't to optimistic of our chances, Oh well it was still a good opportunity to test some of his home made Celta's and Spinnerbaits (Which he hopes to sell locally).The first big hole we fished saw the boys run ahead with some worms and a yabbie to start their patient wait for the first bite. I on the other hand had a small spinnerbait tied on and within 5 casts had 2 plump 38cm Redfin a little over 1Kg and heavily in roe on the bank. The boys quickly pulled in their baits and tied on a spinnerbait (So much for the patient wait for the first bite on the bait ). At this point it was like downtown Beirut with the constant bombardment of Spinnerbaits splashing down and flying through the air. Had any birds been flying over at this time i am sure we would have brought one down. Anyway i think all this action then sent the fish a little gun-shy and that was all we got. Oh well still not a bad way to spend 2 hrs on a Sunday though.” Ian & Nathan Innes

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▲TopCrackers for Cod

Crackers McConnell sent me a photo of a big cod that George caught last week. To start with he wouldn’t tell me much, but after a bit of truth syrup at the rugby he divulged a general location. Although I am sworn to secrecy I can tell you that is it somewhere between Mudgee and Burrendong. Crackers said the fish tasted superb.

▲TopSustainable fishing

Just a reminder to fish sustainably. Taking fish for a feed is fine, that is why we are allowed a certain bag limit each, but only take what you need and remember to follow good C&R Practices when returning surplus fish to the water.

▲TopNew Fishing Rules

Over the last week I’ve been in contact with fisheries to clarify some of the points on the new freshwater fishing regulations that will be in force as of September 1st.

The first thing to note is that River Blackfish, or ‘Slipperies’ s they are more commonly known around these parts are now totally protected and should be returned to the water when caught.

The cod season is due to close in 2 weeks but when it re-opens in September the legal size will have increased from 50cm to 55cm. In December 2008 this size will increase to 60cm.

A closed season for Bass is sure to improve the wild Bass fisheries as this will give them a chance to spawn without targeting by anglers.

Setlines will now be totally banned. This has already caused a stir among many anglers is will continue to do so. It is now only legal to have 2 attended rods when fishing. An attended rod is an rod that is within 50m (this is an increase from 10m) of an angler and in line of sight.

Any traps set must be checked within 24 hour periods. E.G a yabby trap that is set must be checked every 24 hours or less. A reminder: Mudgee is in classified Platypus waters, therefore no traps are allowed to be placed in streams. In the Mudgee region yabby traps are only permitted in private farm dams.

Gaffs are now totally banned in freshwater.

Bag and possession limits now apply to all freshwater fish (apart from those purchased from a registered fish shop) that are in any individual’s possession. This is a change from fish in possession of an angler adjacent to a fishing location. An existing rule that is important to note is that fish must not have their heads cut off until you immediately intend to cook the fish. If you are out camping and want to store or freeze the fish, don’t cut the heads off or you could be booked.

Although trout and salmon fishing regulations have changed they will not effect the fishing in our area.

All in all I think the new regulations are a step in the right direction and will provide a better sustainable fishery for the future. I would like to see closed season for all native fishes during the respective breeding seasons to allow for a better wild fishery but we are taking one step at a time. If anyone needs any of the new rules clarified, come in and see me at Mudgee Camping World. -------------------

▲TopGetting Busted

Just a reminder to check the fishing rules and regulations before you head off fishing. Otherwise you may end up like one Mudgee group who were busted recently on a western fishing expedition. They knew better and paid the price.

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▲TopSnakebite

This is an old tale that was told to me: Two fisherman were in eel’n up the Goulburn river one night. Enjoying a good session the boys were having a laugh when one cursed and announced “I’ve just been bitten on the bum by a king brown!”. “I’ll go into town for a doctor,” His good mate promptly said. His mate ran the 5k’s to Wollar flat chat and quickly found the town’s only doctor, who was delivering a baby. “I can’t leave,” the doctor said. “But here’s what to do. Take a knife, cut a little X where the bite is, suck out the poison and spit it on the ground.” Ol mate ran back to his friend, who was in agony…. “What did the doctor say?” the victim said. “He says you’re gonna die.”

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▲TopPub and Club Comp

Just a reminder that the next comp is on the 16th of September at Windamere Dam. Some of the entry sheets may have had the 16th of December printed on them (a bad cut and paste job by the secretary) but the date is defiantly the 16th of SEPTEMBER.. This round should be a challenging competition as we already have 5 teams entered.

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▲TopWindy

Rod Wilson went for a fish at Windamere on the weekend for 2 bust off which he thinks were silvers. If we get a bit more warmer weather as we have been I will expect the fishing to pick right up over the next month.