7 minute read
Passing of friend Bill Spring . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . by Mark Templeton
Bill Spring – friend, gentleman and fishing legend.
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Will getting in on the flathead action.
–WANTED–
Pre-trained old fishing gear! We will come to you if you have bulk gear!
n Options for northern Moreton Bay
FAREWELL to a true gentleman and friend Bill Henry Spring, August 5, 1929 - April 4, 2022.
On April 4, 2022 I received the news that my friend Bill had cast his last line.
Bill had been coming to the shop for as long as I can remember, drinking his coffee in the corner and telling yarns that spanned his 90 plus years to everyone he met.
Bill will not be forgotten – every time we pick up a customer’s Alvey reel that is missing a washer, a screw or has the parts around the wrong way, we will remember Bill!
Bill was my personal sparring partner.
Every Friday we would see who could take the mickey out of the other and tell the worst dad joke.
Bill managed to get a few in and, just quietly, I think he gave a couple away!
We will miss that cheeky grin, the hidden giggle when he had a win, the spilt coffee, the biscuit crumbs on the floor and the cracking yarns.
I did not have the heart to tell him that the photo of the massive whiting he carried around was actually a mullet, but then I think he knew that already!
Carry on Bill, keep telling those stories to the fishos who went before you – know you will be missed.
For you now there no such thing as a last cast.
Rest in peace, my friend.
June is a month we look forward to every year – the days and nights are cooler and the water temperature is dropping too.
Time to drag out the winter gear, salt down some pillies or bonito fillets and get into the tailor run!
We have seen some good-sized tailor being caught already – from around the bottom of Stradbroke Island and a few beasts from the mouth of the Pine River.
Woody Point and Shorncliffe have also seen a few being landed and, after the floods, we should have a cracker season, all going well.
Flathead have certainly been on the menu throughout the Moreton Bay Region, from Straddie, Bribie Passage and Newport –
Northern Moreton Bay by MARK TEMPLETON
Coral trout
in the spotlight
We know you love ‘em. We do too! Coral trout is one of Queensland’s most iconic species, and the latest stock assessment estimates that stock levels are at around 60%. Stock levels have recovered thanks to a total allowable commercial catch limit, closed waters and seasons that protect peak spawning, and size and possession limits. In addition to the data we have collected from commercial and recreational fishers, the coral trout stock assessment is informed by over 15 years of fishery independent scientific surveys. The Australian Institute of Marine Science conducts these surveys, and the results are consistent with our fishery data. With compliance rates above 90%, we would like to thank all fishers – commercial, recreational and traditional – for helping ensure this species is in great shape for future generations to enjoy! Visit fisheries.qld.gov.au and search ‘common coral trout stock assessment’ for more information.
Common coral trout stock assessment: 2022
Years 1953 to 2022
Consider yourself a keen angler?
Our Keen Angler Program is a citizen science program that relies on voluntary contributions of fish frames and catch information from recreational fishers. Members of the program donate fish frames of species monitored by our fishery monitoring team. We use the biological information from the frames and other information provided by recreational and commercial fishers to assess fish stock health and evaluate the effectiveness of fisheries management arrangements. Thank you to everyone who has contributed to the program. If you’re interested in becoming a ‘keen angler’, visit fisheries.qld.gov.au and search ‘keen angler program’ to find out more.
Glenlyon gold
Glenlyon Dam continues to produce some nice golden perch (or yellow belly). Keen fisher Sam recently made the trip up from Victoria and was amazed by the beauty of this spot. Glenlyon Dam is stocked with golden perch, Murray cod and silver perch by the Glenlyon Dam Fish Restocking Group Inc. Head to qld.gov.au and search ‘SIPS’ to purchase your permit to fish in Queensland’s Stocked Impoundment Permit Scheme dams and weirs.
Caption: (L to R) Fisheries Technicians Jack and Shannon and Fisheries Biologist Jonathan holding pearl perch frames donated to the fishery monitoring team via the Keen Angler Program
Contact us
Yellowtail
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fisheries.qld.gov.au 13 25 23 FisheriesQueensland FisheriesQld DAFQld
Joseph landed a cracker flathead from his local hot spot at Newport canal recently.
Levi had a cracker day on the water, topped off by landing this little tuna.
from P16 fat, healthy flathead are being caught.
Joseph was at his local hot spot at Newport canal recently and landed a couple of cracker flathead – he lost a few as well but that’s all part of fishing.
Joseph does well in this area – from cod and bream to his favourite… flathead.
Well done Joseph and thanks for the photo!
Also getting in on the flathead action was Will.
Not the first time, Will has starred in this publication.
Will and his brother Finn are ones to watch and I am sure they are going to have many more fishing adventure to share.
Well done Will – I am sure dad Tony would have done this one proud.
I love it when we hear stories about parents getting their kids out fishing and making awesome memories that they can take with them through life.
‘Grandie’ did just that… she certainly showed her grandchildren how it’s done when it comes to bringing in a feed of bream!
Well done Grandie, sharing your time and making awesome memories with your young ones is priceless.
We have had a few great windows of opportunity to dust off the boat and get out to Moreton Bay to put a feed on the table and stretch the arms a little.
Levi had a cracker day on the water, which was topped off by landing a little tuna.
Levi was so excited to share this with us and, while he had a great time with the family, boating this little brute topped it off.
There is more to this little tuna story than meets the eye.
Levi, his brother Josh and even mum Rebecca have all caught a tuna, but poor Dad can’t seem to land one!
We do like to remind him of this whenever we get the chance and I dare say we all know someone who has had the same problem!
Hopefully this month the weather will play the game and the wind and rain will ease up so we can hit the bay and bring home a few great feeds, and of course lose a bit of tackle while we’re at it.
There will be plenty of species to chase out there, though remember that there is a snapper and pearl perch closure coming up.
Whiting are still being taken in good numbers, with a mixed bag of summer and winter being caught.
The summer whiting sizes have been really good, with a number of them over the 35cm mark.
Most people we speak with are using either live bloodworms, beachworms or striped squid as primary bait, a small long-shank hook in size 4-6 and a piece of pink tubing as an additional attractor.
If you are out in a tinnie, you don’t normally have to travel far.
The grounds between Scarborough and the Caboolture River produce well and Nudgee Beach is up there for good fish too.
Whiting are also a great teaching species for the kids as you don’t have to cast out very far to get good fish.
Stay safe out there, make memories and maintain the passion.
