Brought to you by www.fishntrips.com.au

---------

Windamere Windamere Dam has continued to fish pretty well over the last week. The secret is to get out and fishing before the wind picks up mid-morning.

Nick van Lijf and his birthday crew got out early and managed 3 good fish to 53cm on lipless crankbait lures at the southern end of the dam. One visiting angler came in and spoke to me at the shop and said she and he girlfriend had been pulling up 5 or 6 fish each morning and afternoon with the biggest going 64cm. Now that’s a good yella!

Local anglers have been having success recently catching yellowbelly on surface lures out at the dam. Using frog imitations they have been casting onto the bank or within 30cm of the bank and hopping the lures back across the water like a frog jumping. Surface lures always make for exciting strikes and apparently the big windy yella’s cause quite a commotion. With the water levels dropping recently the weed beds are close to the sure and this has really lent itself to this style of fishing.

There were some weary looking eyes for the 6.15am start to the kids fishing trip last Thursday. It wasn’t long before the convoy headed out to the dam and upon seeing the boat everyone became a little more excited. After a few instructions on fishing and boating we headed off on the Wollemi Afloat pontoon boat the ‘Swamp Hen’ to our first fishing location.

It looked to be a good day when 10 minutes in the trip Ayden pulled up tight on a 58cm Yellowbelly which was landed and released. Unfortunately after this fish the wind really picked up and the fishing quieted down. We did get a few more bites with a couple of yabbies coming up bitten in half. Although we only landed the 1 fish we did have a good day.

▲TopMiddle Cudgegong

It was a good opening weekend for the 07/08 trout season over the long weekend. Plenty of fish were caught, just as many released and all anglers getting in on the action. Fish responded well to all methods; bait, lures and flies and showed good potential for the coming season. The trout season opening has been spectacular with plenty of good fish caught. I took some clients out and we got several fish over 50 cm and one fish over the 60cm mark which was quite exceptional. I noticed that this week the fish started to go a little lure shy which is to be expected with so many people out after them. Rhys Tiggeman did exceptionally well catching and releasing 25 trout over the first 2 days. Remember to try and release the larger fish if possible. Not only are these the breeders but we need them to pass on their genes to get a strong population of wild spawning fish. The smaller fish taste better anyway.

▲TopDunn’s Swamp

Dunn’s Swamp is beginning to fish well; reports have already come in of good captures of yellowbelly on bait as well as some on lures.

Burrendong Dam Burrendong continued to fish well over the last week. Many good catches were reported with a high number of native fish being caught up our end. Small boats can even launch at the River Park and are taking good captures.

Many people who have caught fish out of Burrendong would have noticed that many of the fish have sores on their bodies. A lot of the photos I put in last weeks column were of fish from Burrendong and many of them had the sores. I contacted fisheries about it and they sent me some information on it. The sores are actually from an Anchor Worm that is a naturally occurring parasite. They live in warm water environments like Burrendong. They may affect the fish but cannot be passed on to humans.

▲TopLower Cudgegong

The boys from Hooper’s Engineering had a great days fishing last week reeling in several big carp on lures! Mick Honeysett informs me the funniest part of the day was when one of his fishing companions was concentrating to much on his refreshments to even notice he had hooked a 72cm fish!

Other Stuff Trespassing I’ve received a fair few complaints from local landholders recently about people trespassing on private land. Remember to always ask permission before entering onto private property.

Pub Challenge Round 4 of the Fish N trips Fishing Club and Pub Challenge is on the 11th of November and is to be held at Windamere Dam. The competition is open to any fishing clubs, pubs or clubs that wish to nominate a team and enter. Entry is only $100 per pub/club team and you can nominate as many anglers as you want to compete. It’s open to anyone; members of your club, regulars at your pub, kids of patrons, etc, or even yourselves. Entry fees must be paid PRIOR to the competition to Bluey in person, posted to Fish N Trips or dropped in at Mudgee Camping World. No refunds will be given for teams who do not show up. The winning Team (Pub/Club) will receive half the prize pool (taken from the entry fees), the perpetual trophy, the RESPECT and the right to host the presentations for the next event at your pub/club. This round is being proudly sponsored by the Tooheys Group. This will allow us some additional prize categories and an ‘after match’ function including some free XXXX refreshments. We will be holding an on-site BBQ and presentation after this event. Any donations toward the BBQ (E.g meat, help cooking etc) would be much appreciated and help enhance the social atmosphere of the competition. The Lue Hotel have already offered to donate a sheep. Last rounds winners, Gulgong Fishing Club, will be holding a raffle to raise money for stocking. More information will be posted out and can also be picked up from Mudgee Camping World.