Some of you may not like these changes, but everyone had a chance to submit their thoughts to the Department of Primary Industries and if you didn’t put your thoughts forward, you can’t blame anyone.

I have mentioned that the VIC rule changes are still open for you to submit your thoughts, but following are the new NSW regulations.

The government listened to the feedback and issues raised as part of a comprehensive consultation process which attracted strong interest from fishers and resulted in 5440 submissions on 43 proposals. 

As a result, Minister Hodgkinson has announced a total of 16 changes to bag and size limits and gear changes which apply to recreational saltwater and freshwater fishers from November 3. Of the 16 changes, five include minor adjustments to streamline fishing rules, and will have little or no impact on recreational fishing activities.

Key changes include:

* A reduced bag limit from 20 to 10 for flathead species (other than Dusky Flathead), Bream and Tarwhine, Tailor, Blue Swimmer Crab, Trevallies and Luderick. The possession limit of 20 will remain for these species.

* Introduction of a catch and release requirement (maximum size limit) for Murray cod caught over 80cm (the current minimum size limit of 60cm remains). Permit the taking of two cod per person during the closed season within Copeton Dam.

* Extension of spawning closure for Australian Bass and Estuary Perch to four months (May to August) to protect early migrating bass. Catch and release will be permitted during the spawning closure.

* A reduction of the number of witches hats/hoop nets/lift nets from five to four and increase the number of crab traps from one to two in saltwater.

* A change of marking requirements of recreational nets and traps to specify trap type, fisher’s initial and surname, year of birth and postcode. 

* Permit bow fishing for carp in select inland waters as part of a strictly regulated pilot program, to be trialed in 2015.

* Permit fishers to use five hoop nets to take yabbies in Lakes Lyell, Lake Wallace and Googong Dam.

Importantly, fishers will have time to adjust to the new rules. An advisory period of three months from the commencement date will apply to allow time for adjustment.

The paragraphs in italics are the ones that will mostly affect our area, but as a lot of Riverina fishermen also fish for different species all over NSW and other states, you had better take note of all the others.

The bow fishing for carp is an interesting one as well, but do your research and make sure you get in early for a permit as my thoughts are there will be plenty of people applying.

My opinion regarding the new regulations for anyone who is interested is that any regulation that is good for fishing in NSW, especially for my kids and my kids' kids, is a good thing.

The weather is starting to pick up, the footy season is nearly over, time to get the boat out and get ready to go fishing.

There are no excuses now, but what I have had in the shop recently are people who have stored their boats for the winter trying to use the fuel that it was stored away with.

I have said it before; fuel starts to lose its bang after about four weeks, so after 12 weeks there isn’t a lot of bang left, not only does this make motors hard to start it can also lead to low power and cylinder wash.

Worst case scenario is that the dye in the fuel separates and can block the carburetor jets making it necessary to remove the carby and clean them in an ultrasonic cleaner, so hopefully on carburetored four-strokes and premix two-strokes, you have removed the fuel line and ran the motor until it stopped; and on EFI four-strokes and oil-injected two-strokes, you have left as little amount of fuel in the system as possible. Better still, have it serviced before you go out this season and you should be sweet.

Burrinjuck: The weather has been excellent, beautiful days and cool nights allowing for the fire bucket, heaps of serenity and a few fish starting to play as well. Some nice yellas being caught, the odd cod as a bye catch (obviously must be released unharmed) a couple of reddies and the carp are starting to become prevalent in the shallows

Blowering: Starting to pick up as well. Grant Higginson and Wayne Dubious had a pretty good session last weekend with some very nice yellas, could be worth a trip during the school holidays

Talbingo: Quiet. I know a couple of locals ventured up there but at time of writing I had not received a report – I think it’s pretty quiet

Eucumbene and Jindabyne: Haven’t heard of much happening up there, a couple of fish between a few boats, so a bit quiet.

Hume Weir: Picking up on the yellas with a couple of pigs being caught mainly on lures. Still a couple of trout, mainly browns and not overly huge.

Mulwala: Still haven’t had many reports possibly because not too many people heading down there.

Murrumbidgee River: The river is pretty good; the yellas that are coming out are of good size and in good condition – another good place to possibly take the kids for the school holidays.

South Coast: Reporting some good snapper in close on the reefs, salmon from the beaches and flathead in the estuaries.

Eucumbene 44.8%

Hume Weir 73.4%

Blowering 72%

Burrinjuck 82.9%

Jindabyne 65.3%

Tantangara 39.1%

Talbingo 90.9%

Mulwala 96% 

Send your pictures to craig@waggamarine.com.au or 0419 493 313 – if anyone has sent MMS's to my mobile in the last week, please resend them as I didn’t have MMS messaging turned on – bloody technology.