Australia pipped at the post
 in Kingfish competition








 I

 've just returned from 10 
 days in New Zealand where I 
 fished for Australia in the 
 International Kingfish Tournament,
  held at the famous Bay of 
 Islands. 
 


 The tournament, the 47th in the 
 series, is one of the most prestigious
  light tackle tournaments in the 
 world and attracted 130 anglers 
 from Australia and New Zealand. 
 It is a demanding competition, 
 commonly fished in difficult weather,
  with strong cold winds and big 
 seas.
  The kingfish grow big and tough 
 in New Zealand, far larger than in 
 Australia and are a testing opponent
  for even the most experienced 
 anglers.
 This year there were plenty of 
 fish in the 7-14kg range, a bit 
 smaller than normal, taken on jigs 
 and live baits. The top fish caught 
 weighed 20.9kg (46lb), and was 
 taken on 6kg tackle by an Australian
  female junior.
 The contest was a close one but 
 New Zealand prevailed with a run 
 of good fish on the fourth and final 
 day. Australia however was not disgraced
  and came a credible 
 second. 
 This was my 26th try at the tournament
  and my team came in at a 
 pleasing eighth place out of the 28 
 teams participating.
 Increasing numbers of Australian
  anglers are showing interest in 
 fishing this competition and if you 
 would like further information feel 
 free to contact me via this column.
 Trout on move

 The mountain lakes have taken in a 
 lot of water from recent rain and 
 snowfall and Jindabyne is now at 
 80 per cent of capacity and Eucumbene
  37 per cent. 
 Best fishing is in the middle of 
 the day when it is warmest.
  Rainbows are in prime condition 
 and some nice specimens have 
 been taken from Jindabyne in 
 particular on wood grubs, Power 
 Bait and scrub worms. 
 Several nice fish were caught 
 also in Eucumbene on trolled 
 Rapala Spotted Dogs.




 Anglers should note that brown 
 trout are still migrating to their 
 spawning grounds in the Eucumbene
  and Thredbo rivers in large 
 numbers but fishing for them in 
 moving water is prohibited. 
 If in doubt about the status of the 
 water throw in a stick. If it moves it 
 is classed as a stream and you cannot
  fish it.
 Try yabbies

 Runoff from rain has discoloured 
 all of the local lakes and brought 
 lure fishing to a standstill. 
 Baitfishing, however, is still 
 effective and persistent anglers 
 using scrub worms and yabbies are 
 getting an occasional golden perch. 
 Best locations have been around 
 rocky outcrops in Burley Griffin 
 and the bridge pylons in Ginninderra.Wild
  weather

 At the coast fishing generally has 
 been difficult because of the wild 
 weather. Many rivers and estuaries 
 have become flooded and too turbid
  to fish and it will be some time 
 before they clear. 
 The best strategy will be to fish 
 well offshore beyond the flood 
 zone, on beaches that are isolated 
 from major rivers and in estuaries 
 with limited inflow from feeder 
 streams. 
 Wagonga Inlet is one of the 
 clearest and would be my best bet 
 for this weekend.
 Try bait rather than lure fishing 
 and use baits with a strong odour 
 and lots of natural oil, such as 
 pilchards and striped tuna.

  + Dr Bryan Pratt is a Canberra 
 ecologist.