Yes, it’s a bit fresh, and yes, you do tend to dress like the Michelin man, but that doesn’t mean you have to stop fishing or at the very least, thinking about fishing.

Myself, I still go fishing when I can get away and if not, I tend to watch fishing shows on the box.

I have been watching a few shows over the last couple of weekends and these do put you in a fishing frame of mind.

The only thing I have against these shows is that none of them, well none of the ones I have watched, show you how to set up to actually catch that fish you dream about.

Every show that I have seen, only shows the fisherman catching fish.

Yes, there is a little introductory as to where they are going and how they get there and what type of rod, reel, line, lure, hook, boat, trailer, motor, car, fridge, tent, stove, etc that is being used.

I know this is how they get paid, by endorsements, but why can’t they have a five minute segment on the best type of knot to tie the leader to the main line, how to attach the line to the reel, how to tie leader to lead line, how to replace a rod tip runner that has been broken in the car, how to service a reel, just the basic stuff that we punters need to know.

I know that all the above information I have received by asking better fishermen than I (so, just about everyone) or looking it up when someone has made mention of a certain knot or taking a punt.

As much as I would love to say I catch a lot of fish, that statement would be a miss truth and when I do actually go fishing and catch a fish I don’t want an incorrect knot to let me down.

I know how to put a runner on a rod but that’s only because I made my own rods a few years ago.

Some people would not know where to start and, while it is not rocket science, it can be a bit finicky and unfortunately in this throwaway society it is easier to purchase a new one than to fix it.

I mentioned earlier about tying a knot to lead line.

Just last weekend I thought that I would put new leaders on my two lead line outfits.

I know I am getting old, but I could not for the life of me work out the best way to attach it, and I thought I’m a reasonably smart bloke, I am going to nut this out myself.

The first hour saw me get a bit frustrated as the usual knots I use on normal line didn’t cut it.

I had a break, and a can of lemonade, and then I had a thought, tried it and it worked, and it was so simple I felt like giving myself an uppercut.

I am not saying that any of the shows out there don’t do this sort of thing, the ones I have been watching haven’t been, but for a period of about three to five minutes watching a show, the light bulb could have flicked on a lot earlier.

I know that I would watch that show again, unfortunately these shows are now like the football, it is all about the business, not about the actual event.

Burrinjuck: No reports.

Blowering: I did hear on another metre-plus cod being caught but haven’t seen a picture and after the negative feedback that Chris and Rhys got when I mistakenly said that Rhys had caught the metrey two weeks ago, I don’t know whether I want to name names anymore.

Talbingo: A few trout recorded, mainly rainbows trolling Tassies.

Tantangara: Still some good numbers reported, nothing huge but quantity is up.

Eucumbene: Some big buck browns still being caught, one supposedly over the metre. You watch, it will “turn off” this weekend for the FYBO trip and at the time of writing it’s pouring with rain.

Jindabyne: Pretty much the same as Euc.

Hume Weir and Mulwala: No reports.

River: Same.

Lake Albert: A couple of yellas by a super keen young fella.

South Coast: Some blue eye at the drop off, a striped marlin off Eden, some nice Bream in the Malacoota inlet and a couple of blue fine at the edge off Bermigui.