Feb 2017 report

Blue water surging down the east coast meaning mucho offshore action – if the winds let you get out there. Gun fisho Mitchell Reeves on top of things at Coffs Harbour:

Don Cummings in Coffs Harbour reporting downrigger success. That’s a beautiful mahi:

Matt Loraway, you legend you! Closer to home, that’s good news:

Dan Anderson from Penrith Panthers FC pins a good one:

And then backs up with his mates. Mahi for all:

Excellent. Last but by no means least, Chris Gibbons with a 12 kilo Kiama mahi. Thanks to Mark Way:

Inshore news? Not so much. Sydney fishos tell me school kingfish back at The Cut again. The fun you can have when that happens surpasses all understanding. Kevin Olsen and Greg on top of it, of course:

Light Tackle Kings

Luke DeSylva sends a cracker pic. Kingfish, downrigger and facial hair all five star quality:

Getting so much intel from readers, clients and friends about the way mackerel season is heating up fast on the north coast and in SEQ! Here’s a great report from Glen Cadoo:

Hot sesh for Michael Frith and family in SEQ:

So much good fishing happening! Although I gotta admit, bad weather has been relentless here in Sydney. To tackle, and Roge Kila picked up one of our $170 Tournament 802 popping and stickbaiting rods before heading north on a big trip. That was a good move:

Super glad the rod delivered for you Roge and even more grateful you sent these killer pics! Specs and pricing on the rod here:

See our current rods and combos

Aaron Fielder in the NT pleased with his new combo:

To boating, and this Bar crusher centre console spotted at Appletree Bay in Sydney. The owner justifiably proud of his beautiful set up:

Richard Jamieson chasing kingfish in Middle Harbour. What a top setup:

I’ve finally got the folding boat sorted and on a trailer. First trip away was to Glenbawn Dam, chasing bass:

News of the Weird and this is pretty gross. I do have some reservations about posting it! But sometimes a shock is needed to remind us about the importance of being careful:

UP SCOPE! Submarine spotted. Out the front of Le Montage wedding venue at Leichhardt in Sydney. Dan Abadir writes:

Some cute little spud having fun, way back when. Imagine the mass triggering of snowflakes, if this happened now! There’d be a candlelit vigil with teddy bears and tealights at the end of Hale Street. NSW Fisheries Minister Niall Blair would visit to lay a wreath and wipe away a tear, on camera. Thanks to Dan Abadir:

Jay Barker back from a trip to Norfolk Island. Putting our 250 gram jigs to good use:

To points south, and hardcore fisho (who I’m proud to call a friend) Andrew Westlake, chasing bluefin down south Saturday 28th January:

Australia Day, and Rod and Christine Baker blasting up the Harbour on the way to a flyfishing session. Excellent!

JOHN KLAPSIS! Congratulations on your Australia Day marlin off Sydney, champion:

Nothing much to report personally. I’ve been super busy on a new project over January and, between that and rotten weather offshore, have been pretty much restricted to a few runs in nearby Cowan Creek. Friend Dean showed me how to chase bream on lures:

And it’s pretty addictive. Here’s my PB, on Australia Day:

To politics, and here in NSW we’re dealing with the state government’s latest assault on traditional rights. In 2016 they introduced a ban on parking large size boat trailers in suburban streets. Not horse floats. Not car trailers. Not caravans. The bias is blatant. Asked to comment by a reporter from the local Hornsby Advocate newspaper:

Harold Scruby (mentioned in the article) is a notorious fusspot busybody who I thought had thankfully disappeared from Sydney’s body politic. But under our politically correct state government, wowsers like this have a new lease of life. Easy on the Lady Clairol, Harry:

Needless to say mini Scrubys are on the increase in Sydney. Mediocrities who could never win respect in the real world but are empowered by the Liberal government’s attitude that more regulations, fines, speed cameras are the answer to every problem imaginable. And if those don’t work, at least you’ll score big bucks:

The Scrubies are now:

Trying to ban kids in boats on Narrabeen Lakes:

Attack of the NIMBYs

Slashing the shark nets which have kept Sydney beaches fatality free for 50+ years:

Hippies and Sharks

And of course, vandalizing boat trailers parked in suburban streets:

Soy Latte Vigilantes

What can be done, about the politicians who promise us the world to get elected, then pull a 180 once they're in parliament? I’m finding comfort in painting:

But as always, the answer is political. Two Sydney by elections coming up being Manly, and North Shore. Ground Zero for soy lattes and kale bischotti, but some real Australians live there too. Fishos. Boatowners. Do you know any in those electorates? If yes, consider onforwarding this email. My guess is there will be several parties sympathetic to outdoor recreation standing in these two elections. A protest vote for those alternatives will send a message to the Libs and Nats that we want them off our backs. Because it’s only gonna get worse. In closing, thanks as always to our many many readers and contributors. Deeply grateful for the time you spare to send pics and reports, and so are our four thousand readers. Until next time
Andrew Hestelow

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