big Neil

Great post again Bob. I thought about contacting you while I was up at Orange over New Year but decided you would probably be busy, No probs. Hope they are still biting by the time I manage to get up to Sydney. Will keep you posted in case you're free. Good start to the New Year, hope it continues. Cheers, Neil

So I am back from Orange to find the gale force wind from the recent storm has blown off part of the fascia and broken a roof tile. The fascia also knocked the cover off the solar inverter but (luckily) no damage to the inverter. The COW went well and my daughter was able to turn off some of the very annoying bells and whistles... not all but enough to maintain sanity. I did a bit of research on fishing near to Orange and FrankS helped out with some excellent spots to have a look at in the region. Thanks Frank...beautiful areas you suggested. After a late morning arrival I set up my gear and James gear for some potential Carp fishing. Tried Lake Canobolas for 4 hrs using bread, worms, and corn kernels...not even a bite. There were others fishing too, and they suffered the same result. We also tried Spring Creek Reservoir and Gosling Creek Reserve for ZERO fish. The next full day we set off to explore the area where Frank suggested...OPHIR. What a cracking place this was. Spectacular views, beautiful Trout streams, Gold panning, and hundreds of people camping and enjoying the regions offerings and beauty. What a cracking place. Fishing wise, it looked very fishy but my lack of mobility coupled with James lack of ability left us fishless again. That was alright and we headed back to Orange quite weary at days end. The next day I was up early and changed the rods and reels over to suit Murray Cod and Yellowbelly fishing. James and I set off for an 80 minute trip to Forbes and the Lachlan River. I have fished the Lachlan before North of Griffith at Hillston and Booligal. Caught Cod, Yellas and Carp in there so I knew its potential. We drove round for over an hour and found some beautiful spots, if you had the agility of a mountain goat. Eventually, we found a place where we could get to the water's edge with a bit of effort. It was well worth it though. I hooked a good Cod with the first cast but lost it on the retrieve, James also had a hook up but lost it too. A few corrective words of wisdom and a bit of encouragement saw James get 2 very hefty Carp, perfectly angled into the waiting net. I managed one also but that was irrelevant as the mission was accomplished. Just need to work on the patience side of things, but that will come in time. Last night I went through the Uni knot with him until he had it down pat. Conclusion: There are NO FISH in or around Orange...LOL. There is some beautiful scenery to be enjoyed. And finally, James is coming down here to go out in my boat, fishing for Cod. Next school hols. Thanks for reading, bn

One of the few "couples" to post on Fishraider. Unusual in itself, but more so when the combined passion of you guys is included. You have spent some quality time together in far-off places and still find some time to fish locally. Great to share a common passion with one's partner, and even better that it takes you outdoors in the beautiful Aussie countryside. May your relationship flourish and you both continue to contribute to the forum. Looking forward to it, bn

Best wishes for the new year. Hope everyone is able to get onto some fish and learn something new from being on here. bn

Firstly, Happy New Year Bob. Good that you caught up with the Rev although things didn't go to plan fishing-wise. You always seem to end up with something, testimony to your keenness and knowledge of the piscatorial world. Cheers, bn

Nipping up to Orange for a few days. One of the grandkids has developed a sudden passion for fishing and I aim to give him a few clues whilst there. Should be fun. On a more serious note, I am enjoying the comfort of the new COW but it's doing my head in with all this daily technology intervention. BEEPS, BELLS, and WHISTLES...and I haven't even gotten out of the garage. Everything is supposed to operate via the mobile phone, and I don't even know how to use it properly. Anyway, these things are sent to try us and they are playing their role well. Happy and Healthy 2024 to you all. I will endeavour to catch up with some of you in the new year and continue to post and comment on things relevant on Fishraider. Cheers, bn

So glad that you caught something. It takes the pain out of donut days and lost tackle. Lovely area Yarrangobilly and well worth another visit if the opportunity presents itself. Regarding your frustration with lures, every Fishraider would have experienced what you are feeling right now. There is a learning curve with everything from soft plastics to surface lures. Much of it is based on understanding what the lure is doing and how the targeted fish species sees it. Most fish species will jump on an easy feed, so making the lure imitate a sick or wounded fish will often do the trick, Put the time in and it will happen for you. Thanks for the follow-up post and good luck with your lure fishing practice. bn

Very well done on catching such a fine specimen in the Harbour. Great report. bn

Well done on the firsts, very hard to do what you did. I'm sure you have much to chew over having spoken to Derek. I fished there once with him and we had some success. Good luck with your next visit there, I will look forward to your report. bn

I fully understand your reply BaitrDropper. One thing I can say is that fishing makes us better people...there is nothing negative gained from doing it. Cheers bn

Many thanks for your post, Donna. I would like to echo the special thanks to the moderators. Without you (Donna) at the helm, and the amazing moderators as a very willing crew, the good ship Deckee/Fishraider would have floundered many years ago. I hope that I can speak for the ordinary members and say that your (collective) efforts are magnificent, we all appreciate them and hope that you will continue to provide them in 2024. To the "ordinary members," I would like to encourage you all to participate in the forum. There are no dumb questions, nor pathetic fishing reports. We are all here, as members, to help each other, and to be helped by each other. There are many excellent members on the forum, each with their own set of values and the majority of members are on here to improve their capabilities in the worlds of boating and angling. This site has provided me with the opportunity to grow as an angler and I have found many really good friends as a result of being a member. I wish every member, their family, and their buddies, a VERY HAPPY CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR. May you all have PEACE at this special time of the year. Cheers, bn

Every donut is a day nearer to a cracking day. Keep fishing. Cheers, bn

Yarrangobilly is a very good small creek that holds a lot of Trout. The best way to fish it is a bunch of worms on a small hook and a split shot for weight. Either fish the deeper holes or cast the bait upstream and let it bump back down the rapids toward you. Keep your line to the bait fairly tight to aid the hook up. You will need to fish light though. A 1-3 or 2-4 kg outfit fitted with 4lb line is ideal. Alternately you can use the same outfit to fish very small lures or soft plastics. For the soft plastics use a 1/12oz or 1/16oz jighead and a small grub-type plastic. If you can get them Strike Tiger nymphs work a treat paired with the Strike Tiger jig heads. Once again fish as light as possible. These are best used in the deep pools rather than the rapids. There are some interesting caves at Yarrangobilly and also some good swimming spots...so take your swimmers and towels. Hope this helps, have fun, bn

Thanks for the advice folks, it appears there are lots of small creeks in the vicinity that should be fairly accessible. Good chance they may hold Redfin, Trout, Bass. Time to sort some suitable gear cos I haven't fished for those species for quite some time. Once again many thanks, bn

Thanks for the information Frank. I will have a wee look on my map where Ophir is, relative to Orange. No the new COW is only front wheel drive. Couldn't afford a 4WD new and didn;t want a second hand vehicle at my stage of life. Not going to Orange for another week so if you can give any other info, it will be much appreciated. Many thanks, bn

Many thanks Bob. I still have that burning desire to catch a decent Kingfish and Jewfish. bn

Howdy folks. I will be headed to Orange on 29th Dec. Does anyone have info on fishing in that area? Nothing elaborate just fishing land-based with young grandkid. I will take some bait and some soft plastics as there may be some Redfin around. Cheers, bn

Good luck, will enjoy your report. bn

I don't have any suggestions for the build Frank. I guess the outcomes will be decided by what the end use of the vessel will be. I know that you will do whatever is needed to deliver the best possible outcome toward the finished product. I would like to add my warmest wishes to you and Val for a peaceful Christmas followed by a New Year that allows you to continue doing the things you are good at. I am hopeful that I will be able to visit you in the early part of 2024. Till then keep on keeping on. Cheers, Neil

We've certainly noticed your absence from these pages Scratchie but knew there would be good reason. I would like to wish you and your family continued success in all that you do. I also wish you all a great Christmas together and Peace and Happiness as you each go your own way in 2024. Cheers, bn

I have had some extensive discussions with the manager of the Narrandera Fisheries Centre where much of the States fingerlings are bred. They get stock from the local areas of the State and breed these. The reason being... that the fish become acclimatised to their particular environment and adapt accordingly. Breeding from the fish's unique gene pool helps their survival rate. Hope that makes sense. Another thing that he told me this year is that they can now test water samples and determine exactly how many of each species of fish have been in that sample of water, via their DNA. Science is well used in fish management these days. Cheers, bn

Well, what a fantastic initiative this is Mike Top marks for compiling this for Deckee. The combination of Deckee and Fishraider is covering more and more relevant issues applicable to boaters and anglers. This can only be beneficial to the wider audience as time moves on. You moderators are the absolute best and I wish to thank you all for going that extra distance and keeping the joint forum running like a well oiled machine. bn

dirvin21 and I caught heaps of these right opposite the boat ramp at Nambucca River. Great fun on small soft plastics. bn

Sometimes tough days on the water are easy to take when everything else falls into place. No crowds would be a good starting point/ Cheers, bn

An excellent report and video Jason. The realistic retrieve of the lure simulating a prawn or something slipping across the surface would attract any fish to think it had an easy meal on hand. What rod and line details were you using? Thanks for sharing your video. bn