Oldfella

Hi Kingierun; A few nasty gashes. Being oyster cuts you will have to be extremely wary of infection. A painful way to find out but; NO BLOODY BIT OF GEAR IS WORTH THAT!!! If you get reefed break the thing off!! To replace the bit of gear would be around 1% or less of the bills to mend the hole. Put this in the file in the front. Under; "YOU DON"T DO THAT THERE "ERE!! Take things easy. Cheers. OLdfella.

Hullo Boss Lady; Well said and beautifully put!! I am no spring chicken but every time I fish it brings back a heap of memories of the old hands, Probably ( almost certainly I am a better person from meeting these old blokes. From sitting on a rock being shown how to rig up to being attached to a bait pump whilst instructions were given. Also being taught etiquette in fishing and dealing with people. Would not hurt a majority of the yoof these days! Mind you some of these old blokes were pretty hard bitten. One old fella that was a luderick specialist off the rocks was a good teacher. First mistake you were told , second mistake you were REA LLY told third mistake you got a light clip under the ear or a kick in the bum!! Strangely you never made a fourth. They were just like a team of grandfathers or uncles. When we grew up a bit it used to be a pleasure fishing with them and after adjourning to the local water hole for a beer, Lot of fishing problems ironrd out and quite a few personal ones too. That is why I give the younger ones all the help I can. Again well done!! Cheers. Oldfella.

Hi Again L A, That sandy hole behind the rock heap previously mentioned would be worth a go. Also Bayview Wharf. That could be tiger country though with the marina there on your left. Directly out in front of the wharf could be another spot to try. Could be one sitting in the shadows under your feet Only thing there is the wharf used to be a lot longer than it is now and there is a heap of old piles etc on the bottom. Another spot that could be worth a shot . Opposite the Pub on the end of the sand there is a starboard hand channel marker, (green.) About 20 metres or so back towards the ramp there is usually and eddy where baitfish shelter. Usually small mullet , hardiheads and at times small garfish. A few casts there may help. Let me know if any success. Cheers. Oldfella.

Hi mate; Think if I was going to try a fly around Rowland Reserve personally I would be thinking about either a yabbie or a squirt worm pattern. Do not think a weed fly would be very successful this time of year. If you are going to wander further on over the weeds between the Sea Scout Hall and Bayview Baths maybe a throw or two with a shrimp patters might be worth a go. Anyway , using a yabbie or a worm pattern could result in whiting , a flaiite or a flounder. Also don't forget the sandy hole behind the rock heap out from the Scout Hall. There have been some strange beasties come out of there over the years! Best of luck. Cheers. Oldfella

Hi Siesta; Passing on info like this has got me into strife on a couple of occasions. First was a young fella that fishes the top end of Pittwater asked a couple of questions. One of the "gurus ' came out with the "it,s a big secret I will not tell you " card. I replied on open forum and near told him what rock or patch of weed to cast to. The young guy caught fish. Good luck to him. The amount of personal abusive emails I received was unbelievable Second one was one of the " legends in their own lunchtimes' was slagging off at professionals.!I pointed out if the pro fishes to the letter of the law they are primary producers This character I might add was involved in bream tournaments and was crowing how much he had won. I pointed out rather strongly that as he fished for gain or reward HE was a professional. Talk about causing a stink!! Net result was I was banned from the site!! That is why I now post here. Have to watch out sometimes. There are quite a few sensitive bar stewards around!! Cheers. Oldfella.

Hi Again Siesta. My Pleasure to pass on the info. I do not believe in this guff that some of the "gurus' ,"experts" "legends in their own lunctimes" carry on with. What I want to know is How the bloody hell did they learn?? I would think same as I did. Fishing with and listening to the old blokes on the wharf or wherever, The old blokes that taught me have been fishing in another place for many years , They always told us "When we have gone it is up to you young fellas to pass on what we told you"I I agree!!. You go fishing to prevent bloody ulcers not to get them Soapbox now stowed, Cheers. Oldfella.

Hi Siesta; You do not have to travel all round Pittwater to find kingies this time of the year. They love structure, So any wharf , marina , or large moored boat is worth a look. You usually get a strike where the light changes. A troll around Towlers Bay is always worth a go. Not only for kings , you can pick up nearly anything in there. The entrance to Mc Carrs creek is another spot to try. along with Browns Bay. Only thing is with the water being still and clear they are awfully choosey.. Fish too heavy and you will not get at touch fish too light and you will be around a mooring chain like a shot!! Same applies to the Naval wharf at Taylors point There are usually quite a few kingies in the shadows under the wharf. But if you hook one Best of British luck trying to keep it out of the piles!! I have often seen them on the flats around Rowland reserve chasing baitfish when I have been spinning for flatties. As I use a 2kg outfit for this as far as I am concerned Discretion is the Better part of Valour Hope this bit of info is of use to you. Cheers. Oldfella.

Hi DRC: Do not let the rain put you off fishing in that area. South of Rowland Reserve can fish really well after heavy rain. I have caught good fish up in there when you think you should be using a shovel!! Flathead and bream mostly. Have caught large bream in there which were full of garden snails so who knows how far up the creek alongside the High School they went. Probably near into Mona Vale shopping centre!! Lures are a bit of a lottery. Have caught fish on Gold ,bright blue and silver and poddy mullet colour. A lot of success also on a nauseus bright pink with either black bars or dots on it. Maybe it frightened them or something but it looked like nothing you would see naturally in the water! SO give it a go in the wet and anything weird or wonderful in the box chuck it in and gice it a go. You may be pleasantly surprised. OR get one hell of a shock!! Good Hunting. Cheers. Roger.

Hi Tash; Since you are in Sydney could I make a suggestion. Get in touch with The Australian Museum and have a chat with someone from the Marine section. Give them the photo if requested. There are some extremely talented people in there that should be able to help you. That is the Museum in College Street. Do not think the Sydney Aquarium would have the information Good Hunting. Cheers. Roger.

Hi James; If you can find a copy or Google it up look for "What Bird Is That? The author is Neville Cayley. An oldie but a goodie. Almost the Bible of Australian birds. Cheers. Roger.

H Hi Guys; I was just using a purely generic Tassie name for the bird. Boobooks,,Frogmouths are usually called Mopokes on the Island. Cheers. Roger.

Hi Fellas. Unusual to see him out in full light. Another name for him is Mopoke. That is the fella you hear at night or early in the morning. Very rarely they call on a wet day too. Cheers. Roger.

Hi mate; There are three things that could have done you. One is an extra large luderick or it could have been a black trevally or a surgeon fish. Watch yourself handling both of these. The Black trevally dorsal spines are slightly venomous. Another name for these is " Happy Moments"' If you get spiked I can assure you will be VERY unhappy! The Surgeon Fish is well named. They have razor sharp gill covers so watch this. As regards to the brown slimy weed. No good for anything. Basically just shows the water is still cold. Personally I think the brown slime puts the fish off. As the water warms up or you have a good fall of rain in the estuaries the slime disappears. That is when the fish come out of their winter mode. Hope this helps. Cheers. Oldfella.

Hi TrailcraftII I think you will find that the photo is of the Murk at Bondi. That has been moved offshore since then I think. You must admit that anybody that went to those extremes for a feed of fish must have been hard up. If you wen tin off there you were in the poo in more ways than one!! Cheers. Roger. I

Hi Guys; You often see Groper feeding on the flat rocks around the baths. Surprisingly big fish In very shallow water. Fossicking in the crevices for crabs, urchins etc. Mostly blue but I think that is mainly because of the colour. As for blackfish there is a technique used by a lot of very old blokes (now sadly fishing in another place.) It goes under the strange name of "Pussy Footing"'. It involves fishing the wash and edges with no float , a light sinker and normal cabbage bait. I was fortunate enough to be taught this technique when I was a young fella. It is surprisingly productive especially at Mona Vale , Long Reef and similar places with wide rock shelves. If you would like further info fire me off a PM and I will give you the guts to it. Cheers. Roger.

Hey Fellas!! Remember Coal and Candle Creek is not the only place in the Pittwater system that carries hair tail There is a deep hole out from the Basin that used to have heaps. Should be able to pick it up easily on a sounder. Also the old torpedo targets used to be a great spot. Rough bearings: Go to the front of the naval building at Taylors Point. Move out about in the old scale 100 yards. That is about where the torpedo tube building used to be. Then go straight up the Bay towards lion Island. The targets used to be at 1000' 2000 and 3000 yards respectively. First target no good, second target a patchy spot but the third target was a real hotspot for anything. Hair tail, jewies, kingies, not bad sized reddies you name it. Should be easy to pick up on a sounder as the Navy left a heap of cables etc on the bottom. Give it a go you might be pleasantly surprised. Cheers. Roger.

Hi Mike; First thing to do is give the grips a wipe over using fine steel wool and metho to clean them. I then use a boot waterproofing paste called "Boot Goo'. It is basically beeswax. Put the rods out in the sun to warm the cork and apply a light coat, Let this soak in and apply another couple of coats. Leave in the sun between coats so it will soak in. If you want to risk a trip to the dog house use the Bosses hairdryer! Wipe any surplus off with a paper towel and that is it. This will last a couple of seasons, Just wipe them over with a damp cloth after using them. Has worked a treat for me for years. Cheers. Roger.

Hi Bloggsy; Will agree definitely a wirrah, There is a special way to cook them though. Poach gently in a mixture of onion ,carrot seasonings white wine and water. With a brick or a piece af railway line. When either brick or railway line is soft chuck out the Wirrah and eat either!! not a good eating fish at all. Known to rock hoppers as boots or @#$%**!! Things !! Cheers. Roger.

Hi Jd; Not surprised at all anybody catching a luderick in Narrabeen on a surface lure. Would have been over the weed beds or close to them I would bet. During the warm weather the Lakes are full of shrimps etc. Bream , whiting and luderick amongst other things love shrimps.. There used to be a few old blokes a few years ago used to fish with the lightest of lines,,no sinker and a number 12 hook baited with a single shrimp. They caught heaps of fish on that rig. It was finesse fishing long before the term was used. No expensive gear either. Usually a very light rod or the real old timers a handline. They were brilliant at it. Cheers. Roger.

Hi Guys; You do not need weed to catch them. When you are spinning on the flats you will pick up too many blackfish to call them by catch. Try Careel Bay , round Rowland reserve in front of BYRA places like that Use a small Crawdad or similar the colour of a yabbie or a soft plastic in a bloodworm colour or try one in a translucent green, Around the weed beds is the shot. You will still get them over clean sand though. It is surprising how many of them feed in the shallows. The water may be getting a bit cold to fish this way but in the summer it is productive. When the weather warms up to try something different I would try a small popper over the weed beds. Could be interesting. Cheers. Roger.

Hi Ryder; Just a little tip that may help. If you are getting an "up" you are probably fishing a bit deep. Try decreasing the depth you are fishing by a bit, That should help you as the fish are probably taking the bait whilst swimming upwards. Give it a go anyway. Cheers Oldfella.

Hi Wellsy; Take yourself into a tackle shop that has a good range of fly fishing gear. There are number of products they will have to treat leaders for dry fly fishing. When I lived in Sydney and fished off the rocks for blackfish I used "Floatol" for many years. It used to be in a small tin a bit bigger than a fifty cent piece. Put a bit on thumb and forefinger, run out your main line and run it between the fingers. Works a treat and lasts a couple of outings too. They will have something that will work for sure. Cheers. Oldfella.

Hi Fellas; I have used the old system to clean reels for many years. Screw down the drags and take them under the shower with you. Unscrew the drags and put them in the sun to dry. Then oil the usual places with a good lubricant. ( I use Inox.) Then wipe the reel with a bit of paper towel and the job is done. A good tip for yabbie pumps. DO NOT put any grease on them at all. Grease and sand is a fantastic abrasive and will wear out anything.. Just give the pump a thorough hose out and leave it. Above systems have worked for me for many years. Cheers. Oldfella.

Hi Matt; Nothing the matter with a beer or a red. This time of year personally I would choose a light red or a rose. Something you could chill. Room temperature reds at this time of year no way!! I live in Tassie and yes, a room temperature red in the middle of winter is OK but CERTAINLY NOT when it is 100 degrees in the water bag. No way a room temperature red here today either. Launceston Temperature 30 degrees. Have what you like with it mate. One thing I ain,t is a wine snob. Cheers. Oldfella.

Hi Matt; Maybe I should clarify my comment about frying. I DID NOT mean drowning the things in beef fat. ( Would completely ruin them) What I meant was just a little canola or olive oil in the pan to stop them sticking. If you are using a non stick pan you could get away with just a spray of cooking oil. Personally I prefer a neutral flavoured oil like canola or rice bran. Grape seed is good too. Either way, jackets ,chips (Oven baked if you prefer and salad is food of the GODS. Especially with a chilled glass of white to wash it down. Cheers. Oldfella.