The Ponde Tree
What do we know about Murray Cod? It seems much of our information on the fish scientifically known as Maccullochella peelii peelii remains somewhat of a mystery.
The Murray cod is an icon of Australian angling. Known in some parts as Ponde, goodoo, or greenish they are embellished with a burden that few other fish would aspire. Stories relating to this species are as common as the many pubs and bars they stem from. Some are founded on fact, while others are sat in judgment by self-anointed experts that lay claim to have seen a Murray Cod once. Their giant frames adorn the walls: motionless trophies trapped in time, a testament of man’s cunning when in reality, a sad reminder of the respect shown an Australian icon. Times are changing and with it the attitude of a growing audience of anglers. The existence of these giant fish relies on new fishing ideals. Positive fishing practises and restraint in the face of a dwindling river system is a responsible step towards perhaps a brighter future for these fish. The Ponde tree is becoming a thing of the past, as is the use of skin mounts for pub and private viewing. We have reached a new age where fibreglass depicts the trophy and catch and release is becoming the norm. Hopefully such images reflect a time almost forgotten.
Tis a saddening sight the angler see’swhen they stumble upon a Ponde tree. Their giant frames adorn the bark,their sunken eyes set silent dark. Iconic trophies dried in skin,where once they roamed the depths as kings.Now each sits in silent stare,these iconic fish will go nowhere.No sadder sight will you seethan the man made plant the Ponde tree.
Rod
The best short piece of writing I have ever seen that relates to Cod. Unbelievable story and pic. Have never heard nor seen of this stuff before.
I must be living in a slightly different world where our fishing mentality has a bit more respect hopefuly.
Cheers The Big Cod
Rod,
Have never seen one for cod but have seen tree`s and piers with large flathead frames nailed to them around the mallacouta & bemm river areas. One would hope that I never come across a Ponde Tree.
Steve
unreal, like TB and Steve I have never seen a pic of a Ponde Tree, heard about them years ago but thought it was another fishing story.
Good little story.
-Boobs
I have had the misfortune to have seen several over the years, each as glum as the other. There’s nothing pretty about death, regardless of what it is and even less when it’s put on display in this manner.
codmac
Great peice of poetry to sum up a sad looking picture Rod.
I’ve seen a couple of lonely heads nailed to trees but nothing like this ponde tree, and I’m sure we have all seen Cod heads hanging on the walls of many small river town pubs, but the biggest collection of mans cunning over beast was the Ponde Wall in a pub at Coonabarabran in mid NSW, the heads where racked up side by side from the biggest of about 80lb down to the smallest of about 10lb, their would have been about 40 of them, At the time which was about 18 years ago, It was an impressive sight for a young bloke that didn’t give a hoot about fishing, Not sure how I would react nowdays knowing I’d rather have the swimming in the river catch myself.
Cheers.
This reminds me of something my grandfather said to me years ago.
“Thank God we didn’t have chainsaws in my day”
Hi rod,iv seen two of these trees up along the murray at merbein and never heard of the name
befor .
Good story.
Hi Nuffster,
Mate I think you will find one of these trees in most well fished areas. With time they will become fewer with any luck. Thank you for your comments on the yarn. Ponde tree, cod tree one and the same.
man thats completly and utterly carless
these fish are as deep rooted in history as they are in their snags!
save the fish or else the next time you go fishing youll go hungry!!!
catch and release ONLY!!!!!