davebrewer

If you can get your hands on a canoe Bulldog the possibilities really increase .Upstream there are a number of prime flathead spots-sandbeaches with deep dropoffs.We use to pull up at likely spots and fish off the shore and always managed a feed.First bream I ever got on a lure was well upstream there.There are deep holes I bet but I guess you'ld need a sounder or else prospect with a sinking SP for deeper water.Or you could try trolling deep running lures.It's a great area-very scenic and peaceful. Cheers, Dave.

Can't help with all of NSW but for the Snowy and Monaro,"Trout Fishing the Snowy Mountains",Steve Williamson, Australian Fishing Network,1999, is a must have.Incredibly detailed, lots of maps and photos,it's virtually a how to for trout fishing[and cooking].Less than $20 if memory serves. Cheers, Dave. The third link in Richie's post is the book I'm referring to-and that lower one on the same page on the Murrumbidgee is great too.

Nice work Dan,that's the way to spend a weekend!There's some very scenic water in that area,can't wait to get up there again. Cheers, Dave.

Interesting,I'm running the same braid on the same rod with either 6 or 8lb fc leader 1 metre long.I use a "twisted leader knot" out of Calcutt and Simpson's "Book of Lures" which is easy and has not failed so far,and I don't replace it until I'm down to 45 cm which may be a few sessions-you wrap the braid around the leader about 20 times so that you have enough to form an overhand knot but pass the combined wrapped section through the knot 4 times,then lubricate and pull snug,and clip off each tag NOT too close. Centauri to lure unless I want a loop,then a modified Perfection from the same book with 3 or 4 wraps back up the leader instead of 1 before going back through the loop. Dave.

The smaller northern gutter can be good too when it's clear-I used to fish the area 2-3 times a week when I lived at Dee Why and usually managed a feed of blackies.Saw some good pigs taken there also.Fishlexic is on the money about safety there-my mate's wife went in there at 8 months pregnant-lucky he is a lifesaver but he still had a bugger of a time getting her out ,and hasn't been back since. Dave.

That's good advice from Slaka-Sydney guide no no no also has a DVD out [using Storm but of course the info applies to all SP's] and it is very detailed-I learned heaps from it.Trolling the reports here will give you an idea what SP's have been working.HTH, Cheers, Dave. Whoops!That'll teach me not to check before I post.

She's one nice rig Buster,congratulations,I bet you'll have loads of fun with her! Cheers, Dave.

Well done Mick -to think I sat home whingeing about the rain while you were just up the road having a session like that! It's shaping up to be a good year for finesse fishos-just need the bream now. Cheers, Dave.

Thanks guys-I know the 5120 and 7144 well from earlier days but I want to take advantage of newer technology to make life easier -after 15 years away from HSS, 2 hours of spinning with my old gear last week had me ready for the chiropracter.The ZWS10LJ looks interesting Shane, and I just found a Purglas blank that sounds suitable but it looks like W.A. is the only source and I've never seen one up close. Cheers, Dave.

Thanks guys-I think the kids are hooked now. You're a lucky man living in such a great place Hodgey,I can't wait to get back there!It's just south of Moruya pops,so we went via the Southern Highlands and Nowra-the drive itself is a real treat. Cheers, Dave.

I'm looking for a lighter replacement blank for my ancient Guttsbutt Ugly Stick and have come up with Pacific Composites FSU4120G-that's thePowergraph one(not the glass one which my mates have broken a few of between them) with alconites.I want to be able to cast around 60 grams for tailor,salmon,bonito,tuna etc and am looking at an Epix EFS 60, loaded with 8 kg braid-opinions on braid or mono for this job also welcome. Thanks in advance, Dave.

I get mine from Plywood Express here in Gosford-I usually use Pacific Maple for boatbuilding as it's cheaper and lighter than the pine stuff.The lightest MP is Gaboon which is cheaper for me to ship down from Brisbane.For internal stuff I agree with the other guys-topgrade CP has the same glueline,just more allowable voids, surface flaws etc .You can easily see all but the hidden voids by checking the edges,just pick the best sheets.WEST system or similar epoxy is the glue to use,and can be used unthickened as a sealer and primer for ultimate durability.It needs topcoating for UV protection-Norglas marine enamel is tough as teak -I've got it on a 10 year old skiff and it's still good as new.HTH, Dave.

The issue is less about the specifics of the changes for me (on this occasion) than the apparently nefarious manner in which they have been introduced.After having a good look at what happened with the Batemans Bay Park last week,I don't think their culture is half as concerned with a sustainable fishery as it is with the more self serving agenda of their political masters.I wouldn't count as ignorance as a defence-that's going to depend on how decent the inspector is and what directios he may have received from above. Dave.

Just returned from a week at Tuross-what a great place,at least the Marine Park hasn't intruded on the Tuross system itself but it is absolutely apalling to see the number of spots which have been shut off for no valid reason,and the impact it has had on local anglers and related businesses.Imagine building a house next to a beach,headland or lake and being summarily banned from fishing it,or even from swimming at the beach in one case. Anyway,a successful stay for us-around 24 Estuary perch up to 40cm over 3 sessions of about 1 hour each at dusk.All four of us were using 1-3kg or 2-4kg Sicstiks,Dropshots etc with 4lb Fireline and 6lb FC leaders.The most consistent lure was an Sx48 in grassminnow followed by an Sx40 the same colour-water was dead clear and only a couple of metres deep.My biggest buzz was fom a popper smashed on the second hit by a 39cm fish,far and away the best fight of any I hooked. We also scored a handful of flathead up to 59 cm well upstream adjacent to a creek on a couple of subsequent dusk sessions and lost a few trying to steer them around snags from high banks down to lower areas where the landing net could reach.Deception Shrimp and Nippers and McGrath Attacks all drew interest-unfortunately one particularly successful tiger striped Shrimp went on a oneway flight when the knot slipped off the split ring-those bloody things are coming off all my HB's after that. All in all,a top trip-P.B.s on EPs for all of us-not one of us had caught one before! and a P.B. lizard for Julie. Pics of Lachy and Eliza with their P.B. perch above. Cheers, Dave.

I'm with Jewgaffer-this story could be out of a Patrick O'Brien novel brought forward 200 years-astonishing stuff you love reading about but a graphical heads up that you don't really want to experience it personally even if you have the training and vessel to cope with it. Good on you Ross, Dave.

Thanks Hodgey,that's just the report I needed to see-we're off to Tuross on Saturday for a week,including 3 dogs!Can't wait to check the place out,I haven't been there before.Hope we do better than we did at Narrandera last weekend on the Murrumbidgee -complete blank but my 11 y.o. daughter's casting improved no end after I got her a pink Uglystik spinrod (that is after she wrapped a brand new $16 minnow 15 foot up a gumtree). Cheers, Dave.

I read an article some years back about Lefty Kreh,a big name in fishing in the 60's and 70's I believe.After his stroke he devised a simple system using a shoulder harness with a connector clipped to it and his rod-I suppose it limited travel of the rod and made it possible to control with the affected arm.I don't know if the connector was rigid or not, or adjustable unfortunately.I hope this is of some use,and my best wishes to your Dad's mate in the face of this challenge. Dave.

The family is off to Tuross for a week at the end of the month for the first time-I'm unsure if I should bother taking our 5.4 m Rumrunner,as the lakes look pretty shallow in the main,or just go with canoes.Any advice would be greatly appreciated.TIA, Dave.

Thanks for the replies guys,I've just got back from Port Macquarie and checked my emails.Huge seas and winds the whole time but my 12 y.o. son scored his first decent bream off a sheltered beach corner,and my mate who lives there gave us a tour of his best spots so well worthwhile.I think that's TMC Chris but they moved a while ago and I don't think they do regos-likewise I know Mark at Insinc-nice bloke and I'm not just saying so because his shop is one of my lawnmowing jobs.But D'oh if anyone knows he will-I'll go round and ask him.

Can anyone recommend a place to get an inspection in the Gosford area? The old one no longer does them and my car mechanic reckons he's supposed to do them without the boat-fat chance of that happening. TIA.