While it has taken a while, the Edward River has finally started to settle and clear up, which has resulted in some nice catches over the past few weeks.
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Plenty of fish reports are coming in from the Four Post Reserve downstream to Benarca Bend, which is great news looking forward to the Fishing Challenge next weekend.
Andrew Jefferies fished around Benarca recently and managed to land a few nice cod, the biggest going 84cm. All fish were caught using cheese as bait.
Tim ‘Wiggie’ Maher has been quite busy landing a few nice cod up to 80cm casting the 90mm Basko lures around the Lawson Syphon area, and Scotty Kilpatrick has been out showing his young ones how to fish, catching a couple of nice cod on grubs.
Colin ‘Colonel’ Sander tried a spot of fishing along the Colligen Creek and was rewarded with a few carp and a nice yellowbelly, while Tim Rose has been giving the Reaper Spinnerbaits a workout netting some nice cod up to 70cm.
Dean, Jake and young Leo Herberte haven’t missed out either, catching some quality cod up to 70cm just trolling Jumbuck lures around town.
Pat ‘Little Rang’ Westcott hasn’t missed a beat catching some cracking cod up to 90cm, and you can check him out on YouTube at Ranga With A Rod.
If you’ve watched Ranga With A Rod you would have seen the Jack Russell Harry fall out of the boat on a few occasions, though recently it wasn’t Harry that went for a swim, it was Pat.
He was fishing with Brodie McQuie the other night casting surface lures around and while Brodie landed a cracking 80cm cod on the surface and released to fight another day, the boys were drifting downstream when the boat hit a submerged log.
Pat went overboard, which was not really the splash they were after. Anyway, all was good, but perhaps stay in the boat in future Pat.
Pete Wills never misses out catching cod wherever he goes.
Pete and the kids have been pretty active catching cod up to 80cm fishing the Mulwala channel, Billabong Creek and the Edward River catching fish on both bait and lures.
Shan Martin caught a couple of good cod up to 60cm on cheese around the Syphon area.
Shaun Mills and his young bloke also wet a line fishing near the Syphon and managed to land a few fish including a cracking Silver Perch.
I’ve also seen a few reports of carp being caught on lures.
It’s not that often you’ll catch a carp on a lure but for a couple of unlucky fishos, Tim Maher and Brock Hunt, this feat became reality recently when trolling lures in the Edward River, from the excitement of the hook up and thinking you’ve hooked into a good cod to the disappointment when seeing the fish surface near the boat.
Oh well, at least they put up a good fight.
There’s also been a lot of talk about the closure of the Werai Forest, so here’s a message I received from David Crew, manager at Yarkuwa Indigenous Knowledge Centre explaining where it’s at:
“Werai Forest is currently closed to visitors following the transfer to freehold title.
“Current owners are working on ensuring that everyone is safe and that appropriate insurances are in place.
“People accessing the forest now are costing resources as repairs to gates and fences are adding to the cost. We ask that people be patient and, if possible, contact us to see how you can help.”
If you have any questions, get in contact with the Yarkuwa Indigenous Knowledge Centre, PO Box 276 Deniliquin NSW 2710; 5881 3312; or email admin@yarkuwa.org.au.
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Who’s looking forward to next weekend’s Edward Kolety Fishing Challenge?
It’s set to be a great weekend, so if you haven’t done so grab an entry ticket ($155 adult, $110 child), a fishing shirt ($55) or a limited edition or a handcrafted timber surface lure ($50).
The event is on from Friday, February 16 to Sunday, February 18 at the Memorial Park showgrounds.
Order online at www.edwardfishingchallenge.com.au.
If you enter you have the chance to win more than $50,000 in prizes.
Tickets also include:
• Entry into minor prize draws valued at $5000
• Entry into Sunday morning’s Dash For Cash competition
• Meals: Dinner Friday and Saturday nights, breakfast Saturday and Sunday, light lunch on Sunday.
All money raised goes back into restocking fingerlings such as cod, yellowbelly and catfish into the Edward River.
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Remember, for all your fishing tackle and camping needs call into see Pete at Deniliquin Outdoors and Camping/Deniliquin Betta Home Living, Deniliquin’s number one fishing and outdoor supplier.
For any of your boating needs, call in and see the guys at Deniliquin Yamaha.
Both are major sponsors of the Fishing Challenge.
And remember, if you see or suspect illegal fishing, please call 1800 043 536. Make the call and make the difference.
Senior journalist