IT’S ALMOST that time of year again, when we all get a break from work or school, some take a trip overseas while others stay right where they are because hey, we live where people take holidays.
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So it’s your hard earned break and you want to feed the tribe but you know it’s not going to be easy as the increased people on the water will make the fish extra wary, well that’s where maybe I can shed some light on a few new avenues.
While everyone thinks of prawns as a must have on Christmas day not many go and try to catch their own. It’s not as hard as it seems.
Back when I was a young whipper snapper my dad and I used to hunt the edges of the river and some backwaters on foot using a hand held prawn net and a dolphin torch and we caught plenty (while not enough to feed an army of relatives it sure was a nice treat among the rest of the Christmas spread).
The centrepiece of a Nambucca Christmas lunch really should be a couple of big buck mud crabs and either a few whiting or a nice big mangrove jack – all of which are around the valley at this time of year, although I would not refuse some lovely venison as I had last year, locally harvested of course.
Crabbing in the Nambucca is pretty reliable and popular which is pretty evident in how many crab traps we sell here – we have a hard time keeping up.
Make sure when crabbing you obey the rules and mark your trap appropriately with your details.
Otherwise you could get caught by the authorities which can carry hefty fines and even equipment confiscation.
I know some of you don’t eat fish but just enjoy the challenge of fishing itself. If that’s the case go and challenge yourself on the toughest challenge – jacks, jewies and kings!
If you are spending time with your fishing protégé like your grandchild get out camping in a remote spot.
Just be sure to enjoy all that’s around in the Nambucca Valley.