RARELY do I write about our country cousins and their fishing adventures.
With the local action slowing during the winter months it is time to head out west to check out fishing in the bush.
Champion inland angler Michael Noonan targeted the Macquarie River just out of the rural town of Warren.
Rising early Michael, who chooses to use bait in preference to lures and plastics, anchored beside a log that had fallen into the river and tossed his bait into the shade.
Within seconds the line tightened and the battle was on.
Following an intense tug of war Michael landed a thumping great Murray Cod.
“What did you use for bait?” I asked.
I was somewhat surprised with the answer.
“Chicken smeared with Vegemite!”
Michael then proceeded to inform me of all the baits that he has used successfully including cheese, pilchards, crayfish, prawns and a boiled egg.
I’m told that the town of Warren has run out of Vegemite.
Some years ago I spent a couple of nights on the Darling River behind the pub in the little country town of Louth.
Using cubed cheese I caught a pile of fish all between 3-4 kg.
Carp!
It seems from recent reports that the cod are making a welcome return.
One fish that unfortunately is not caught in the numbers of past years is the mighty Golden Perch commonly known as Yellow Belly.
Filleted, boned with the fat removed, the Yellow Belly is one of my favoured table fish.
When it warms up a bit I’m heading out west to join a few old mates on the riverbank not far out of Tilpa on the Darling River. There we toss out a couple of lines tied to a springer, light the fire and organise the BBQ.
A few cold tinnies and you wouldn’t call the King your uncle.
By John ‘Stinker’ CLARKE
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