LAST weekend I mentioned how much water is around and how it will be for quite some time.
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While that brings some problems, it also creates an opportunity to view some things that don’t happen very often.
If you get the chance, have a look at the water flowing over the spillways.
There are a couple of reasons for doing this. You will see something that only happens every now and then; you will see how much power water actually has in large volume; and you will also see VERY large fish just hanging in front of the overflowing spillways.
I have been told fish do this for a couple of reasons; one is that is to do with natural instinct of flowing water for breeding and possible relocating purposes; and the other is to lie in wait for smaller fish caught in the “rip” for an easy meal.
Sometimes this easy meal is to the detriment of the larger fish as they too get caught in the “rip” and have a bit of a rough and tumble ride down the spillway.
Last time I saw the water come over the spillway, our son was about two years old, he is now 27.
Quick story, I was rebuilding the pump motor at the Tumut Trout Farm at the time and saw all these large yellow belly swimming past, so at lunchtime I grabbed my rod, (always carried a fishing rod and tackle in the work ute) and threw out a couple of lures and I actually hooked about a 10lb yella on a Tassie Devil.
I still have the picture on my desk to prove it.
Like I said, it doesn’t occur very often, so grab the chance to take a look.
Some of the dams to go to are – Blowering 100.6 per cent, Wyangala 100.5, Burrendong 121.4, Burrinjuck 102.4, Pindara 100.3, Googong 100, Carcoar 100.4, Brogo 100.4, and Eppalock 105.1.
These are just a few of the impoundments that are more than full, so there is ample opportunity to see some spillway action. You never know, it may not happen again for a while.
The down side to these impoundments overflowing is the rivers will be high for a good period of time and there is also a lot of submerged and semi submerged items in the water.
If you do go fishing or boating while the water is up, be VERY careful going at speed, especially water-skiing because you won’t see them until you are on them and this could do some major damage to your boat (especially a fiberglass boat), or worse, if the skier hits it.
Make sure your insurance is up-to-date, whatever boat you have.
It will be a phenomenal fishing season so don’t forget all the learned people coming down on Saturday, October 22, with the amount of food around there are going to be some PBs landed this year and with these fella’s imparting their knowledge, it should make it easier to land it.
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IF YOU haven’t heard Sunday, October 16 is “GONE FISHING DAY”.
NSW DPI is running a host of events to mark Gone Fishing Day, which is aimed at getting all Australians out on the water to celebrate our love of fishing.
Free NSW DPI community fishing events will run in six locations from 10am to 3pm.
- Wagga – Lake Albert, Bosley Memorial Park
- Port Macquarie – Westport Park
- Newcastle – Honeysuckle Drive Foreshore
- Sydney – Botany Bay, Peter Depena Reserve, Dolls Point
- Lake Illawarra – Reddall Reserve
- Dubbo – Sandy Beach
Free fun-filled fishing activities at each location will include: how-to fish workshops, casting comps, goodie bags with bonus lures, expert fishing tips classes, touch tanks, loads of kids' activities and activity marquees are just a few of the exciting events on offer! Snappy, the crab mascot, will also be making an appearance and handing out lots of cool prizes.
A recreational fishing licence will not be required in NSW on Gone Fishing Day, so everyone from kids to adults is encouraged to get out there.
So grab a mate, take the family or enjoy some time out for yourself but make sure you wet a line this Sunday.
So for us Riverina people, get down to the Lake for some fun and good times and you may just learn something.