Luring them in 

IN MY travels I stumbled across the rare sight of some big old murray cod that were trapped and needed rescuing.

The cod were trapped in a backwater where receding water and unseasonably hot Autumn temperatures had them stressed due to low oxygen levels. This stress also made them visible (they usually hide deep) and hence vulnerable to poaching.

Special permits were needed for relocate the stranded fish. This is because disease, noxious fish and other things can be spread to waterways if the right guidelines are not followed. Several government departments helped out to ensure the safety of the rescuers and the fish.

The whole area was thoroughly fished using the latest electro fishing technology and some of the cod were found to be much bigger than originally thought - the biggest one measured 120 cm which is around 70 pounds in weight.

The fish then went on a long oxygenated joy ride to the heart of Canberra, Lake Burley Griffin. The cod were checked and given a clean bill of health before swimming off happily.

While there are sometimes blue green algae blooms in the lake that are harmful to human, pets and other creatures - it doesn't affect the fish…these giant cod are already enjoying the extra water to live in and will eat large numbers of small carp along the way.

Come breeding time these fish will pair up with similar sized fish in the lake to make little cod…which will further bolster the excellent native fish stocking efforts of late.

It was fantastic to see rare fish over 30-years-old rescued the right way and placed in the national capital's best known water...especially in the centenary year.

The red fin bite meanwhile, continues to run hot and cold…but perhaps one of the most reliable spots has been in the ornamental Lake Tuggeranong…right under the main bridge of all places. There have been lots of small fish, with some big ones among them.

They have been responding to all manner of regular bait, fly and lures…even poppers which makes for great sport with a tasty result. Dawn and dusk is best.

Anglers fishing at Tantangara in the Snowies have been experiencing less luck of late on the trout scene and report remarkably quiet fishing.

Expert fly and lure anglers tackled the lake and caught zip when they normally catch good sized fish. They attributed the lack of success to the fact that the trout were spooky…which is rare, especially in the windy conditions encountered.

Finally, if you're headed down the coast this weekend or over the Easter break, the warm east Australian currents have pushed down hard and there is fishing to match.

Besides great marlin and mahi-mahi fishing there have even been a few extra-large Wahoo off Bermagui. These tasty speedsters have travelled all the way from Queensland and beyond and are a most welcomed catch.

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