Blowering Dam 29-9-2010

Headed off to Blowering yesterday morning to spend some quality time with my brother in-law, Andrew. This was my second time visiting Blowering in the last two weeks, however this time I wasn't taking my yak. Andrew owns a beautifully set up Quintrex Hornet 435 with a 50hp Yamaha, all the bells and whistles you could think of, it is by far the most comfortable fishing platform I have fished from. Only recently had Andrew upgraded his electric motor to an I-pilot, so I was very keen to see if these I-pilots were as good as people say they are.

Andrew and his two sons (My Nephews), Hunter and Angus

We arrived at the Dam and had intentions of spending the day casting in the shallow margins of grassy bays in the hope of snagging a Golden Perch or two. But due to the rising water it was only possible to launch at "Log Bridge'. This was because each of the other launch sites were either extremely shallow or covered in a forest of trees.

The snake!

We finally got on the water at 10.30am, with the changed plan of fishing until dark and spending the last 2-3hours of light on the flats. First up we headed up Log Bridge Creek, set up the electric and started casting some spinnerbaits to some nice snaggy/rocky water in the hope of snaring a Golden. On our way we came across a very keen Brown snake which was having a swim, we took a photo and left him to enjoy his swim. Water visibility was about 4-6m, very clear. I made a cast next to a couple of standing dead trees which had some bushes down the bottom that I could just make out. As I was bringing the spinner bait back, a massive shadow started to follow it, as it got closer we saw it was a huge Murray Cod.  He followed the lure to within 3m of the boat and then took off...frustrating but also exciting, we both estimated it to be 80-90cm and bloody fat!!! Now I know it is closed season on Murray Cod, but I would like to see someone show the restraint needed to not make another 100casts in the same area. We didn't see the big fella again, but I think I know where he hides..... and I will be back!

The wind had really started to pick up now so we went in search of some shelter and eventually found some in a little grassy bay just back around from Log Bridge, we cast to this area with a lipless crankbait and spinnerbait for nothing. Then the wind really started to pick, I mean really pick up!!!!!! So we headed in to shore to have some lunch. We were hoping the wind would die down but it didn't.... Instead it only got worse, so strong we had to tie up, but even then it was difficult to make good casts. So we gave it until 4.45pm and finally called it a day. It was a reasonably disappointing day, with the highlight being that big Murray Cod. I will definitely head back there within the next month in search of some good Golden Perch.

I'm off to Eucumbene next Tuesday for 3 nights, I have had great sessions catching cricket scores of rainbows at Eucumbene, but I am really going to focus my efforts on catching a nice brown next week. Hopefully I can snag a good one.

Weather

• 15*C
• 1017
• Very strong winds
• Patchy Cloud
• Water temp 15*C

Results

• 0