Clubs great to dip a line in

AS this year draws to a close, I find it a good time to reflect on the year that was post Covid and with new regulations for some fish species coming in to force.

More people seem to be getting into angling with many clubs hosting events throughout the state.

Clubs are the way to go if you want to get a different angle on your fishing, personally having been involved with clubs and associations over the years, I find them a little too political for my liking. That aside, clubs are still a great way to get your youngsters into fishing, but family experience is the best. Kids will remember forever the outings with family members, whether it be grandparents, or mum and dad.

It is the same with hunting, which is my other passion. I was lucky – my late dad was an avid hunter more so than a fisherman. We must have done something right as my two daughters now work in a hunting outdoors store.

Fishing is the way to go if you want that experience with family members.

A great place to do this, especially with school holidays about to start, is Craigbourne Dam. Recently stocked with Atlantic salmon by the Inland Fisheries Service, this water is a very safe location for youngsters (and oldies) to flex a rod. Gently sloping banks are suitable for littlies to be kept under control and if a fish is hooked, it can be skull dragged or netted close to land. Those with a yearning for adventure can fish the rocky crags that are located further around the dam, where bigger fish usually swim along the edges.

Lures that work well in these waters are the white bellied spotty types, especially with a flash of red around the gill covers. I have even known fish to take a black lure from the surface or even a silver slice.

Baits that are good are worms under a float or, if you can afford it, wattle grubs or mudeyes. Powerbait seems to be making resurgence and is a non-smelly way to catch a fish.

If you are lucky enough to land a fish, and if you plan to keep it, do the humane thing and dispatch it quickly. Best way to do this is to tap it on the head between the eyes with a “priest” or a short billy club. Many of us carry such a thing as part of a fishing kit, for respect of your catch will reflect in the table qualities.

You may plan to let it go, which is your choice, and to do so, minimise the time out of the water for your fish and remove the hook as soon as possible and in a safe manner. If you can’t remove the hook, cut the line close to the fish’s mouth. Don’t worry, hooks are fairly inexpensive these days and the hook will either work loose or dissolve. If your fish is bleeding from the gills, there is not much point in returning it to the water, as it will not survive but even if it goes belly up, you must return it to the water if it’s undersize. You cannot keep undersize fish even if it dies and you can be fined by IFS officers if you are in possession of undersized fish.

Until next week, take care.