John ‘Stinker’ Clarke shares his fishing expertise during Port Stephens talk

JOHN “Stinker” Clarke has lived in Port Stephens for more than 50 years and can hardly remember a time when he wasn’t fishing.

To him, it’s not just a hobby, but an entire way of life.

Equipped with a lifetime of knowledge and local expertise, Stinker shared all his best tips in a talk at the Port Stephens Visitor Information Centre on Monday 7 April.

“That’s the trick of fishing,” he enthusiastically explained to a captivated crowd.

“Catching them is easy. Finding them, that’s the tricky part.”

As it turns out, fish can be found almost anywhere.

For example, flathead can be caught on the Nelson Bay waterfront, mulloway are plentiful at Karuah Bridge, breams are at Tomaree, and snapper, Stinker’s specialty, can be found by taking a boat off Fingal Bay.

“Port Stephens is half-water and half-land, so if you haven’t got a boat, you haven’t really experienced all it has to offer.”

Boat-fishing is also perfect for children, whose safety was a special focus of the presentation.

Stinker recommended avoiding rocky areas and fishing from jetties inside harbours, or from beaches, especially Fingal Bay.

He said crabs are also easy and fun to catch – as simple as putting crab traps on rocky reefs.

Muddy areas also work well.

Stinker also talked about the way in which the hobby has changed over the years, especially the relationship between fishers and fish.

“In my day, you went to catch as many fish as you could, it didn’t matter what you did with them. But fish have dignity like any other creature. Now, I’m very respectful of fish.”

By Nico LOMBARDO