Mudgee Region Report - February 2008

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A very short report form the Mudgee Region this week, I’ve been out fishing too much to be typing on the computer!

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Sydney Weekender Last week I had the pleasure of taking Mike Whitney and the crew from Sydney Weekender Fishing. We had a good time and got some good footage which will be airing on the show on the 23rd of this month (February).

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Does number and size matter? or species the trump card? – By Peter Orr “On a recent later afternoon, Danny Baggett and I headed out to Windamere Dam. When I told him talk is cheap and action is louder than words, a fishing comp was instantly put on the agenda. After launching the boat we got our lines rigged and lures sorted out. After fishing with Bluey and some friends only a few days before and seeing the luck that Bluey had with his purple JAZ lure, I had made the same investment and put it straight on the line. A few minutes later we were cruising past a favorite rock wall when I picked up a nice 42cm yella. Another 200m later, the rock wall had stopped but we continued closely along the bank line and I picked up a 46cm yella. Danny's smiling was fading fast. We then pulled up near two trees that stood about 4 meters out from the bank in a nice little cove, and started casting near them. 'Sorry Danny, my line just went straight over and behind your line'. 'Leave me alone, you'll probably catch my fish now'. Bang! I pulled out a big 48cm yella. We get going again and as we trawl close to a steep bank, Danny says, '3 to nil, its going to be tough' Bang! Danny is onto something. He hauls in a nice 42cm murray cod, and says, 'Now that one is a winner?' I reply, 'I don't think so, 3 beats 1 everyday of the week, plus mine is bigger.' Danny continues trying to convince me that a superb species like the Murray Cod beats all Yellowbelly. We lock in our arguments and phone for some Bluey wisdom. Bluey (the diplomat) takes the easy path and sits on the fence. A final victory decision is still being argued. After a quick photo all fish were released.” - Peter Orr

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Pub and Club Challenge Round 5 – Dunn’s Swamp Derby Round 5 of the Fish N Trips Pub and Club Challenge was held at Dunn’s Swamp on the weekend of the 9th and 10th of February, with two fishing sessions from 3 to 6 on Saturday afternoon and 6.30 to 12.30 on Sunday morning. Although many anglers were worried about the storm clouds gathering on the way out, only a few minor rain showers were experienced on the Saturday afternoon with fine angling weather for the rest of the competition. 5 teams entered the competition: Lue Hotel, Gulgong Fishing Club, Oriental Hotel, Court House Hotel and the Federeal Hotel. All teams signed there anglers in at the Fish N Trips Gazebo and were all soon on the water and fishing at 3.00pm. True to form the Court House Hotel again had no anglers turn up and took out the toilet seat award. Saturday proved to be the better fishing day with around 15 fish measured in, all Yellowbelly. Tehre were quite a lot of small cod caught but being undersized none of them were elidgable for the competition and subsequently released immediatyely. A few minor mishaps occurred on the Staurday including one angler getting ahook stuck in his leg and another getting one caught in the finger. And I thought fishing was a non-contact sport!

Saturday night saw all competitors relax in between fishing sessions with BBQ’s, Drinks, Guitars and Good Company the order of the day.

Most competitors were up early for the 6.30am start although many looked like they would still rather be in bed. The Sunday sessions proved to be much ahreder fishing on the falling barometer with only a few fishing being caught.

Results: 1st Gulgong Fishing Club – 430cm (11 Fish) 2nd Lue Hotel – 165cm (4 fish) 3rd Oriental Hotel – 122cm (3 Fish) 4th Federal Hotel – 113cm (3 Fish) 5th Court House Hotel – 0cm (0 Fish)

The biggest yellowbelly for the competition went 43.5cm and the only a species caught and measure din was a catfish of 37cm.

Thanks again to the boys and girls at National Parks who allowed us to use the venue for the competition.

We are looking at Setting out about 3 dates for the remainder of the year to hold the competition. If your pub or club is interested in competing please email Bluey or ring him at Camping World to put in your preferences for dates. We’re going to try and hold the competition 4 times a year on set dates. I’ve got a sneaking suspicion we might see a few new competitors in the next competition including a team from Capertee. Stay tuned!

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Gulgong Amateur Fishing Club News - The club is planning a carp call for the Easter long weekend. More information to follow.

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Where they are biting: Cod up to 58cm and 7 pound are biting at Rylstone weir and Catties are on chew at Burrendong.

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40,000 Murray Cod In January this year over 40,000 Murray Cod were stocked into waterways in the Mudgee Region including Windamere Dam, Burrendong Dam, Dunn’s Swamp and Rylstone Weir. This is part of the NSW Government’s fish stocking program that has seen a record 776,500 Murray cod released into freshwater dams across western NSW this year. This is an example of your fishing license fees at work. I hope they grow big and fat!

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Pub comp dates All those teams wishing to participate in the pub and club challenge are urged to put in their preferences for dates for the rest of the year. We are looking to set about 3 dates for the rest of this year and lock them in months in advance to give everyone a chance to prepare around work and other commitments. Get your dates together and drop them in to me at Camping World.

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Fishing Clinic Camp In the Easter school holidays I will be holding an overnight kids fishing clinic/camp. For more details drop in and see me at Mudgee Camping World.