Excellent fishing and warm weather has certainly been an ideal combination for visitors to Bemm River to enjoy their summer holidays.

The flathead have been prominent in the channel in addition to bream and trevally, mainly being caught on sliced pilchard, frozen or live prawn and lures. Anglers venturing out at night have been catching quality size bream and beautiful perch. The best location is the channel and lake, and use live prawns for bait.

The warm, calm nights have been ideal for those wanting to dip for prawns, either over at the channel or in Bobs Bay. The river is still producing quality bream. It is unusual to see the bream and flathead that have obviously sourcing an additional spawn for the season.

These fish are coming in full of egg and it is vital that anglers release these larger fish and be mindful of the new regulations especially regarding flathead.

Fisheries officers have been disappointed with the greed of some anglers who either have no brains or cannot count, by taking excessively large amounts of fish. I am sure when they face court after the seizure of their boats and fishing gear and the fines they will incur, that maybe they will wake up to themselves. Please be warned, locals will have no hesitation in reporting illegal acts as this is our livelihood and we aim to protect our area for the genuine angler.

Don’t let a few idiots spoil it for everyone. Fellow anglers – please do not hesitate to report these activities to protect your recreational fishing.

The Burkett family, who visit every year, have had one of their most enjoyable fishing trips in over 30 years, with a great abundance of fish, heaps of prawns and great surf fishing.

The Australian salmon are still dominant on our beaches and I have also had reports of good catches of gummies. The fishing seems to be productive on all our surf beaches.

If anglers see rubbish on our shoreline, whether it is yours or not, please pick it up. Some of the areas have been left filthy. Campers along our river and beachers need to remember that these areas are not toilets or rubbish tips, it just spoils it for the next person.

The quality and quantity of fish this year is bound to see a continuation right through the winter months.

There are some terrific bream still in the system.