Winter is always a much quieter time of year for fishing in our area, not because there is less fish, but because the cool conditions dictate the available fishing days.

But when the frosts arrive so do huge schools of mullet, which enter our estuary and move up into the rivers and streams. When the mullet move, schools of bream follow, moving all the way up the Snowy past the town bridge at Orbost. The same happens in the Brodribb; schools of bream and mullet move up into Lake Curlip and cross into the Brodribb nearly up to Princes Highway Bridge.

With that entire river access it enables all land-based anglers plenty of good fishing areas to fish. The Snowy River has several fishing platforms specifically constructed for anglers to use and enjoy in prime fishing sites. The Brodribb River likewise has the boat ramp on the old Marlo road and the mooring at Tabbra that has been renewed to accommodate the paddle steamer Curlip and is an ideal spot for fishing.

Schools of luderick have inhabited the rock groins, structures and mud banks and many anglers have reported getting their bag in very short time using sandworm. The estuary also hosts plenty of flathead that inhabit most areas that is tidal, but the best results seem to be below the Marlo jetty along the sand flats all the way to Fench’s Narrows.

The snags and structures throughout the system often hold plenty of estuary perch; our premium fish. During the winter months lures should provide best results. Salmon and tailor are also in good numbers and can be taken on many different lures.

The surf beaches that have been producing plenty of fish all year are still firing. The huge salmon reported in the last few editions are still giving anglers plenty of action on both bait and lures. Other reports show good captures of tailor, mullet and shark.

Offshore our coastline is still fishing well, again weather permitting, and the boat ramp at Cape Conran being accessible, allowing boats to go out and get amongst the multitudes of flathead, gurnard, pinkie snapper, squid, barracouta, pike and gummy shark.

While the fishing has been very good offshore it is important to remember safety first when venturing out into the ocean. This season there have been some very lucky escapes crossing the bar at Marlo. While only one boat has capsized and crew were safe and sound it could easily have been disastrous and a real tragedy.