Rambo the Sambo

Some people like ‘em, some people hate ‘em – and I absolutely love ‘em. I’m talking about Australian salmon. Being a bloke who fishes for fun and whose primary mission is to be hooked up, I always look forward to the spring run of salmon around Sydney Heads. We got the good news on Friday – the same day Mike Fitzgeralds’ new boat arrived, from South Australia. It’s the same model as mine, a little 4.2 metre slide console. We met at Roseville ramp on Monday morning for what was to be a top light tackle session:

The tide was all wrong because it was high – but the salmon way prefer the run out. Yet from what I was hearing, from clients and friends, there were so many around it wouldn’t matter. That’s how it turned out:

The fish were operating in their usual preferred spot – between Outer North Head and Blue Fish Point. The bait they are feeding on is tiny! And because the salmon imprint on them after days or weeks of eating the same thing, you have to match the hatch. We rigged up with our deadly water filled bubble float and plastic fly rig:

For rods and reels we were both using the Downrigger Shop 802 Blue combo. A lot of guys say to me, ‘I’ve got three 7 or 8’ rods in the garage, Andy. I don’t need another one, just to chase salmon.’ DEAD WRONG. Without sounding like a know-it-all, can I mention what I saw on Monday morning? Some young blokes in a centre console, casting relentlessly into the salmon swarm. And, from what I saw, getting no hook ups. Meantime we were hooking up time and again:

This chunky model took five or six minutes to land on three kilo and ran through every weapon in the salmon arsenal:

Crash dives;
Topwater fast runs, trying to keep up with the school;
Standing on its tail and doing head shakes to throw the lure.

Do yourself a favour? Our 802 Blue combo is only $120 and includes:
Rod
Reel
Your choice of 3 or 6 kilo colour change braid
A 16 pound fluoro carbon leader tied on with an FG knot
And some floats and flies to get you started.
Everything in the combo is perfectly matched:

You will be able to make:
Long casts, even into the wind;
Present a lure that is exactly the same size as what they are feeding on – but is normally too small to be cast on anything but a fly rod;
And when you hook up, have a long but light rod which soaks up the shock;
And a reel with a super smooth carbontex drag system.
More information here:

802 BLUE COMBO WITH FLOATS AND FLIES

After a fantastic mornings’ sport, Fitz and I wrapped the session up with a burger and coffee at the marina:

This weapon was berthed right next to the restaurant:

3 x 425HP! Another magical day on the water and looking forward to doing it all again next week – maybe even trying my old fly rod, for the extra challenge. Thanks for reading
Andrew Hestelow

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