Posted by Meggs | Environmental Posts | Posted on January 28th, 2008
I was out at the Sydney FC game last weekend and had a great time. It’s good to see that areas of Sydney still have a pub on every corner and we made full use of them to and from the ground. As for the soccer I saw most goals scored and managed to escape the sudden downpour.
Speaking of which it’s been raining a treat up north and I’m saddened to hear that the resultant floods have caused widespread reports of dead fish and prawns washed up on the banks of the Richmond River. In fact the system is now closed to both recreational and commercial fishing.
This is a far cry from the days when I was a lad and a big fresh would flush the river systems out and make the resultant fishing at the river mouth and nearby beaches an absolute treat.
Outside fishing was pretty interesting as well after a flood and if you were lucky enough to troll the edges where the murky fresh water met up with the clean salt water you were always pretty much guaranteed a feed.
I remember once seeing a huge tree washed out miles offshore and it acted like a gigantic FAD providing cover for rat kingies and baitfish which in turn attracted hordes of albacore and yellowfin tuna wider out.
But alas, today with chemicals, algal blooms and artificial fertilizers it seems that a flooding is often at odds with good fishing.
I once caught a decent kilo plus bream at Shoalhaven Heads Beach after a flood in the Shoalhaven River and thought to myself at the time that it looked pretty lethargic as I pulled it from the water. It just didn’t seem to have the kick of a freshly caught bream off the beach. No doubt it had been affected by the pollutants in the fresh water at the time.
There are of course some fish that depend on floods – silver perch for instance will only spawn during floods. Up north the big wet season certainly brings on the barramundi and the locals count on a good wet season for prime fishing at the end of it.
Some research suggests that frequent freshwater flooding in the north is important for future fish populations. In fact researchers found that there was a direct link to healthy numbers of barramundi after the flooding of the Fitzroy River in 1973, 1975, 1991 and 1996. It would appear that the floods improve the habitat and the chances of the younger fish to survive.
With southern estuaries in more populated parts of the country it seems that there maybe issues with urban runoff of sediments and nutrients, heavy metals and litter throughout the systems and this peaks at times of flooding. This has a tragic impact on fish populations and hence situations as the one described in the Richmond River.
Sea you later,
Skipper Meggs
Old Iron Guts actually has a boat license but you don't need one to skipper a bareboat
For those with little experience at being at the controls of a luxury bareboat cruiser or the helm of a houseboat the question most often pondered is “do I really need a boat license to drive the vessel?”
Of course the technical answer to this question is no.
The reason for this is that these boats are unable to do more than 10 knots.
Still, my personal opinion is that anybody considering the use of a houseboat or a bareboat cruiser should give some serious thought to obtaining their boat license.
The reason for this is simple. Not only will it add to your enjoyment, it will also take a bit of the pressure off and save you from having to wear a green sock on your right foot and a red one on your left.
NSW Waterways have recently upgraded the boat license testing procedure and have introduced an interim step in the process by including a compulsory Boating Safety Course see https://online.maritime.nsw.gov.au/OnlineBSC/ . The course will cost you $10 and anything that improves your knowledge about safety on the water should be viewed as a good thing.
Many years ago when I obtained my boat license I attended a Basic Seamanship Course that was run by the local division of the Volunteer Coast Guard. It was a five or six week course that ended with a Boat License and Basic Seamanship exam. Boating Safety courses are still conducted by the NSW Maratime and you may be able to find one close by, see; http://www.waterways.nsw.gov.au/seminars.html .
I’ve always found it strange that I could’ve grown up in outback Australia never ever laying eyes on the ocean before (let alone being in the drivers seat of an actual vessel) and as long as I passed a test I would have a boat license.
But fair enough that’s the way it goes and it isn’t cost effective to have a Waterways person tag along with you on a boat to make sure you have some practical knowledge.
Once you have completed the Boating Safety Course you then have to pass a test comprising of 40 questions, 15 of which are compulsory and must be answered correctly. Generally speaking these questions tend to concern the common “rules of the road” for boating.
The “Boating Handbook” is the Waterways bible when it comes to explaining all the necessary background knowledge an individual should have to obtain a boat license. It can be viewed at http://www.waterways.nsw.gov.au/sbh.html .
If you would like some practice answering some likely test questions or even review how much you have actually forgotten since obtaining a license all those years ago you can try your luck at the following link; http://www.waterways.nsw.gov.au/boattest.html
So how much will a license cost you? Well as I said before it’s $10 for the online Boating Safety Course. The test fee is presently set at $27. A one year license will set you back $41 whilst a three year license costs $97.
I personally believe it’s a worthwhile investment and can add to your overall fishing holiday experience.
The bottom line is that I can’t see any downside at all so if you haven’t got your license why not give it a go?
Sea you later,
Skipper Meggs
Posted by Meggs | Fishing Holiday Stories | Posted on January 10th, 2008
It was one of those moments of sheer brilliance that sometimes happen between the hours of 3 and 4am but more so when you find yourself in a spa with friends after a fairly major New Years Eve celebration.
“Crown Lager Hangover” – that’s what I would call my greyhound if I was ever lucky enough to own a dishlicker.
Not that that’s the point of this post but it was a worthwhile thought that needed to be captured.
Of course, Phil from the Workers Club was quick to point out that it was better name for a trotter than a kennel creature.
Fair enough.
Oh, and of course other things happened in the spa.
For instance Iron Gut’s spa has two temperatures – mudcrab hot and toadfish tepid. In fact, when people relieve themselves in old Iron Guts spa it actually makes the water warmer.
But enough of that.
The other poignant moment was when someone, most probably me as I think it was on my mind for awhile, suggested that the Fishing And Reef Tour Specialists (FARTS) get together with their partners, the Tantalising And Ravishingly Terrific Spunks (TARTS) on a Hawkesbury River Houseboat for a weekend full of fun, frivolity and, of course, fishing.
So there you have it – with this epiphany I now have yet another trip to plan in addition to the Weipa extravaganza for the boys.
No problem though, I took the liberty of combining a quiet Sunday drive with the bride up to the Moonee Moonee Workers Club with a pit stop at the Oyster Barn 500 metres away for a quick dozen (superb!), dropped into the Brooklyn Hotel for lunch and found our way back to Sydney via an ice cream stop at the Berowra Waters Ferry crossing.
Magnificent!
With a quick check on the net when I got home I discovered the going rate at the end of April/early May for a 10 berth houseboat from noon Friday to 4pm Sunday was around the $1200 mark. Between 4 couples this would work out to $300 each for two nights accommodation with a different water view each day. Sensational!
Of course petrol, food, drinks and entertainment are on top but for a weekend of too much fun the Skipper Meggs way it’s both doable and importantly affordable.
Anway I’ll keep you posted on future progress!
Sea you later,
Skipper Meggs
After
