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Darren Brant turned a fat reed caught bardie grub into a nice Murray cod.

In the great sport of angling it seems you learn something new on just about every outing. And so it was on a recent trip to the Murrumbidgee River where the art of catching bardie grubs for bait was taken to a whole new level. The trip had begun with high expectations of landing a few nice cod on lures and while the water clarity was good, the falling river had the fish fairly tight lipped. After a bazillion casts for one strike that turned out to be golden perch it was a unanimous decision to break rank and have a go at drowning some bait. Of course before this could be done we were going to have to go out and collect a few grubs from the surrounding bush.  This is where the learning curb began as while we had remembered the shovel as you do when you head to the river; we had unfortunately managed to leave the bardie wire at home. Never mind, one of our group assured us he could extract these fat grubs from deep in their earthen tunnels with the use of a fine piece of riverside reed. This would be interesting to say the least and after collecting several long pieces of reed from along the river’s edge Phil pinched the thin end of each piece flat before tying a small knot in it. The trick he went on to say was to lightly touch the grub on the head, of course this is all done by feel. Once the grub grabs the reed just above the knot with its pinches, you quickly yank the grub clear of the hole. Sounded good in theory, now all that was left to do was uncover a few holes and put it to the test. After puffing and snorting for some fifteen minutes or more in the hot sun we managed to uncover several grub laden holes rimmed with the bark coloured silk that assured an occupant. This was backed up by flicking the rim as it made a distinct popping sound if a grub was hidden inside. Down went the weed and within seconds the grub had taken hold and was jerked skyward and caught in the users free hand as it cleared the tunnel. I was almost tempted to make an appeal with a boisterous “how’s that” but the splendid catch left little doubt the grub was well and truly out.  Just to prove it wasn’t a fluke several more were extracted in quick succession with minimal fuss and all caught in similar fashion. After witnessing this great new trick it was back to the river where several cod were landed on the freshly caught grubs. It appears that just when you think you know everything there is to know about fishing and all that goes with it, along comes something out of left field that proves the art of angling, like mathematics can never be learnt in a single lifetime.  What a handy little trick should you happen to leave your grub wire at home.

A simple change was all that was needed to put a few nice Estuary Perch on the board.

There are many famous lines in fishing other than those we choose to drown a bait or lure upon. You should have been here yesterday is one most commonly used and a sentence we have all endured at one time or another. And so it was as we entered the bar at the Nelson hotel to talk all things fishing related with the proprietor Neil Shelton. Situated on the Victorian South Australian border, the Glenelg River is a fishing haven that provides anglers much promise on a variety of species but none more special than the mighty mulloway. Every season these fish track from the ocean and enter the river via the mouth at Nelson, from here they traverse upstream and break off into groups and individual fish. If luck might have it to stumble upon an active school along one of the towering limestone cliffs or tea tree clad banks is to experience a slice of fishing heaven. Having been there before was reason enough to listen with intent as Neil spilled forth the good oil on where and what these fish have been doing of late. It seems there were plenty of Mulloway in the river and they had been running hot for a few weeks now with some anglers hooking and landing up to a dozen or more in a single session. It all sounded so simple and we hit the water next morning full of line sizzling expectations. By chance over the course of the next few hours we were to talk with several other keen fishos and each and every one bestowed the same dreaded line. Should have been here yesty mate, they been running full on for a couple of weeks now but nothing at all this morning. And so it was for the rest of the morning as each and every effort was left wanting by a fish that had suddenly decided to lay low. I guess that’s fishing, but in the same vein there had to be some reward for the long trip down, so it was time to change tactics and turn the tables on another of the rivers many draw cards. Estuary perch are another species that reside along the Glenelg River and while their numbers are supposedly very prolific they are quite the challenge on rod and reel. Often a social fish, they will take up residence on one particular snag that can lay along a bank of many. The hardest part about catching estuary perch is actually locating them, from there it’s simply a matter of delivering the right lure amongst the snags and holding on for some full on action. As luck might have it, our timing was spot on as over the course of the afternoon we were to catch several good sized perch and turn a quiet trip into one that was memorable for many reasons. Fishing is often like that where the ability to adapt can open a whole other world of opportunity. While we should have been here yesterday for the mulloway, a simple change in tactics put us right on the money for today’s hot bite.   For more info of whats on the chew at Nelson contact Neil & Kerrell at the Nelson Hotel on  (08) 8738 4011

The boys from Game On Fishing Charters with a 177kg Mako shark caught off Portland.

To rock in the swell of the ocean waves as they roll into the beach has all the hall marks of the seaside summer holiday. The cool blue waters a stark contrast to the dry arid heat left at home for all but a brief few days. As you wade out a little further you wonder why it was you sat up and watched the rerun of jaws on television the night before. You also question what might possess the station in question to run this movie during the prime seaside holiday period in the first place. Not too deep now, you decide you might turn your back on the sea and wade in a little closer to shore. All the time that stupid da dum theme music to jaws is rolling in your mind. You hasten your pace as the retreating waves slow your progress, it’s about now a wayward piece of seaweed brushed the back of your leg. Now let me tell you, the great art of walking on water is not that difficult under these exact circumstances. And the twisted sense of humour that is obvious of our broadcasters, while funny to some is lost in a flurry of arms and legs as you land intact on the beach.
And so it was on a recent trip to Portland where later that day I was fortunate enough to be at the boat ramp as the crew from Game On Fishing Charters returned from a day on the water. Their prize in tow a massive Mako shark that when put across the scales weighed an impressive 177kg. Not quite your jaws but impressive none the less. The skipper in charge Phil Daffy said they hooked and fought the big fish for almost three back breaking hours. They estimated that it towed them some 10 kilometres out to sea and jumped several times during the fight, easily clearing the water on each occasion. Daffy said they were drifting dead baits in a burly trail and the shark, just like in the jaws movie came from nowhere and screamed off with the line. Looking at the bite radius and menacing teeth did nothing to calm my seaweed encounter earlier that day. For my money, next summer holidays knee deep will be quite a sufficient distance to wade in the surf. I will also make it a point not to watch any shark movies. And if I do have the good fortune to see one of these incredible fish up close and personal, it will be out on a Game On Fishing Charter where the action can be safely observed from on board and not in the water. For bookings and more information on a Game On Fishing Charter contact Phil Daffy on 0419 100 324

A big ray on fly provides more than its share of white knuckle action.

It seemed like madness at first as the fly was placed in front of the cruising ray and the half grin and lifted browsaid it all as the large shadow shifted across and settled on the offering. Anyone who has ever caught an eagle or blue spotted ray will understand the term madness in relation to the act as these are the only rays to be recognised and classified as a blue water sports fish and they are rightly deserved of their rank. Surely it would not take the fly, were the thoughts echoed from those who had seen many angling moments unfold. In that instant the tranquil shallows exploded as the rays powerful wings beat a hasty retreat that lay the rod flat and made the reel howl at a pitch that seemed impossible to keep pace. In an attempt to slow the run, a well weighted palm was used in a fashion that had to be tempered so as not to burn skin. The look on the fluff chucker’s face was like that of the boy who pulled the dog’s tail only to have it reach around and savage him. Yep, didn’t expect that and what to do next were the thoughts brimming aloud as the ray powered several hundred meters across the shallow bay at a blistering speed. Amazingly enough the small reel stood fast and as hot as it was it had failed to seize which was something you would have laid good money on. For the next forty minutes or so the ray was worked towards shore before finding its head and heading seaward again. On each occasion the reel would protest with a high pitched wail that by now smelt similar to burning plastic. Even so, each dash for the horizon was becoming shorter than the last and dare to hope but it looked like the angler might actually be winning. Near on exhausted, the fluff chucker and beast were to meet in the shallows almost an hour and a half after the cast was laid in front of the ray. It was a strange moment for the captor and one marked with an air of respect at the power delivered by such a beast. At the same time an angling feat not to be scoffed as it was accomplished on a six weight rod and 4kg tippet. The kind of tackle more suited to carp and the likes than one of the fastest rays known to cruise the oceans shallows. As fishermen do, it was time to take that angling moment to the next level. And so it was the very next day armed this time with a twelve weight rod suited to smaller marlin and the like a larger ray was spied and hooked in a similar fashion. Only this time the howling run overheated and seized the reel, dragging the angler viciously across and into the corner of the boat before the line parted with a rifle shot crack. Mmmm and they say fly fishing is supposedly a relaxing form of angling practised by gentry on a finesse level to outsmart some of our more finicky fish species. I guess the extreme side of this sport is practised by those who are yet to understand where the outer boundaries of fly fishing actually lie, or even if there are any for that matter.