“What - has Riley gone bonkers?” I hear you ask, no, it is just another example of if you have something on like work or a wedding or Bathurst (in my case) the fishing comes good and forces you to watch on as everyone else catches the fish. 

In my family motorsport holds a deep tradition and watching Bathurst is a custom near and dear to my mother so every year I sit down and watch the mountain battle rage, but it seems this time in October every year all the fishing moons align. 

The whiting are moving around and are biting well in spots but are picky and fickle in others. I think the key at this time of year is to find that slightly warmer water - places with darker water and the wind blowing onto them seem to heat up after a day in the sun. 

In these places don’t be surprised if some true crocodile-sized flathead make an appearance as they are there for the same reason as the whiting ... warmth. Plus the added chance of a stray whiting to ambush. 

I have heard reports of the opening of trout season and from the guys I have spoken to they said the water was un-characteristically low for this time of year. It also seems that the masses of small trout usually seen in the rapids are absent, which suggests stocking has not taken place this year. Most likely because of the lack of water flow. 

As the water warms further we can expect mangrove jack to start making themselves known. 

Afternoon sessions in shallower water would be the first spots I would target (remember this is what Riley Reckons).

If I was patient enough I would use mullet fillets or small dead mullet. But for me, a diving minnow or plastic is more likely to get cast (maybe less likely to be eaten). 

If I can get old dogface jack to strike a lure, that is worth 10 jacks on bait.