Good deed for the day?

[big Neil]

Hi all, went down to the Murrumbidgee to catch a few and met 2 "grey nomads" at the boat ramp. We got talking and the husband said that he'd never fished fresh water before, so I offered to take him out with me "for an hour". 3 hours later we returned to the ramp with he having 1 Trout Cod and 3 Murray Cod and me having 3 Murray Cod. Dropped him off and took his wife out and she managed a nice little Murray Cod too...I managed 0 , though I did get busted off by a decent fish which got to the snag before I could turn it. Anyway we had a few cold ones and I made the half hour trip home with a couple of new friends.

img 2231 is the Trout Cod. All fish returned to grow bigger...till next time. Cheers, Neil.

[Hodgey]

Nicely done mate. I hope they don't think it is going to be that easy all the time!

Cheers

Hodgey

[Stimo1076]

That is such a good story mate well done. the couple will talk about that for a while i reckon!!!

it always makes you feel good after doing something nice for someone.

[pomey_git]

beauts mate! Still yet to see a Trout cod in the flesh. Where abouts were you guys?

[Devil Ray]

That is good karma right there..... Maybe i should take a few pensioners fishing with me next time lol

[Jew Stalker]

Nice work Neil, they looked pretty happy with their efforts. That trout cod is a beautiful looking fish, I have yet to come across one of those too. What were you using mate?

[big Neil]

Thank you all for your nice comments, guys. I have recently started exploring the Murrumbidgee at Narrandera where there is a Fisheries Breeding place and they restock Murray Cod and Trout Cod every year. Trout Cod are still on the endangered list and I don't know the extent of their range once introduced into the system. Suffice to say that at 50cm plus these Trout Cod would have to have survived at least 7 years or so...if their growth rate is similar to the Murray Cod. I catch most fish on 1cm cubes of matured cheddar cheese and in fact I've experimented extensively with a paternoster rig loaded with cheese on 1 hook and any combination of "natural " baits (shrimps, yabbies, worms) on the other. Invariably it's the cheese that gets hammered. Caught a few Cod the other day that had tags in them but because I don't take my reading glasses fishing with me I was unable to report the information to Fisheries...lol. Heading out again today hoping (fingers crossed) to get one of the ones that keep busting me off in the snags. Watch this space (lol). Neil.

[pomey_git]

Can't wait for the next report mate

[big Neil]

Yesterday saw very different conditions at Narrandera. The river was down at least a metre and had very little run happening so I knew I was going to have a hard time getting amongst them. However all was not lost and I moved from 1 snag to another picking up a fish each time. Managed 4 of the 5 possible species...all caught on cheese (even though I was using shrimp also). Managed to get Trout Cod, Murray Cod, Carp and Silver Perch. Once again no Yellowbelly (Golden Perch). It's been almost 6 months since I last caught a Golden Perch and that was only 15 cms long???? Where are they? More investigation needed to answer that one, I'm afraid. Anyway it was a hard day but I still managed a total of 11. Neil. Ps...it's good to note that the Trout Cod and Silver Perch are appearing more regularly in larger sizes. They are both listed as endangered, but are obviously doing ok in this neck of the river. Have caught 2 Silver Perch this week, well over 30 cms and very healthy.

[paul.kenny]

Good on you Neil and thanks for sharing your experience. I reckon those grey nomads will be telling their grandchildren the story of your generosity and their first Murray Cod for years to come. PK

[Jew Stalker]

Hey Neil, you might be interested to know that there are no silver perch or trout cod in the records listing here... You might do well to register them for records no matter their sizes.

[big Neil]

I will do if somebody can tell me how. Thanks Luc. Still planning on coming to Merimbula to wet a line with you...till then. Neil

[Jew Stalker]

Just go over here Neil and start a new topic with your fish.

http://www.fishraider.com.au/Invision/index.php?s=138d597d1d93658a095b8a010ff14da1&showforum=25

And I look forward to the fish, just give me a bit of notice so I can line it up without the chasing me around with one of those rolling pins.

[big Neil]

Will do Luc.

[luderick -angler]

Mate I'm impressed with your numbers of trout cod your getting good to see the fisheries work on these stunning natives returning starting to pay off there's a few. Ow showing in the Macquarie!

[big Neil]

Luderick angler... I have a daughter at Wellington and have occasionally fished the Macquarie River but only got Yellas and Carp. What part of it are the Trout Cod showing up in? Do you ever fish Burrendong or Windamere? Neil.

[luderick -angler]

Mate the trout cod are showing up in Bathurst.itself along with Murray also near the junction of the turon. Have been told the turon is well stocked by the CAS boys and there's some good murrays in its deep holes below turondale and sofala. Never dished the dams I a real trout fanatic for fresh water stuff how sat from the tumut confluence on the bidgee are you? See trout as far as that at times and lower! Need to get your way to crack a few murrays on the fly! And a trout cod is on the bucket list such a marvellous looking native by far prettier than any other we have dare say bass included!