WEIR THE HELL IS HAY?

Sitting at my desk looking out the window, I watched as the morning sun melted the late August frost off the grass. My mind was wandering away from work with thoughts of large green fish becoming prominent, when the phone rang.

No introduction, no small talk, it was that special question fisherman love to hear.

“Want to go fishing? Dad and his mates are going to the Hay Weir this weekend.”

All work related processes were instantly shelved as my mind raced back to the last time I had fished this magnificent stretch of water over ten years ago.

I returned the special question with the secret response “Yes, I’m in,” and the fishing juggernaut rolled into action.

For some reason I had not considered travelling the 270km to Hay from Wagga Wagga over the past ten years until now. What were we thinking! An easy drive across the plains, pick up some supplies from Hay supermarket, past the Shearers Hall of Fame, 5 kilometres out of town and you are there. Simple!

Troy Ashcroft (Trucky) and I arrived last to find that Trucky’s dad, John (Old Trucky), and his mates had already set up camp and were launching the boats. We wasted no time in getting unpacked and were soon coasting down river soaking up the nostalgia of revisiting a forgotten destination.

The Weir had been full up until two days before our arrival when a metre of water was released into the Murrumbidgee. The plummeting water levels combined with the fact that it was still winter time, were going to make the fishing difficult.

Prospecting around, the sounder showed big fish holed up in the deeper water. In 6-8 metres of water we both clipped on the serious hardware. I opted for one of Anthony Curtis’ excellent AC Invaders and a large Custom Crafted Hammerhead, whilst Trucky stuck with his favoured pair of Hammerhead’s. The big AC Invader was easily bouncing off logs ten metre’s below and it wasn’t long before the rod rattled in the holder as a small cod grappled with the lure. No joy however, as this fish released itself.

With this bite and a couple of small touches in the first two hours, we thought the dropping water may not have impacted the fish. However, many, many hours later and apart from snagging occasionally to break the monotony, we had no action at all.

We interrogated a couple of local anglers which we found casting lures into the snags. They indicated that the fish had been biting well, but with the falling water, they were getting harder to catch. They showed us a 60cm cod caught earlier that day and spoke of others hooked and lost. Buoyed by this new intelligence, we relentlessly fished on for the next two days without turning a reel.

By the last morning we were broken men, resorting to bait fishing in the hope that we could hook a carp or two. Anything that would bend a rod would do. The fish won this battle and amongst the twelve fisherman in our camp, no-one landed a native fish. Somewhat dejected we packed up and drove home.

Undoubtedly the burning desire to catch a fish is heightened when you have a fishless trip. The more effort you put in on such trips makes it even worse.

Settling back into my chair at work, I was far from satisfied and started planning my next assault to the Hay Weir. I had an itch for cod that needed scratching.

I simmered slowly for a week and this time it was my turn to deliver the fisherman’s friend. I rang Trucky.

“Want to go fishing to the Hay Weir again?” I asked, “We should go on cod opening weekend.”

Trucky declined as he was fishing the Mulwala Cod Opening Classic on the same weekend, however Conrad Haggar (Hags) jumped at the opportunity, as did Grant Ingram (Curtly) and his father Barry.

A NEW DAY

The clock radio burst into song at 4.30am, but I didn’t need it. The build up to this trip made sure that I had already eaten breakfast well before I needed to be ready. All the alarm did was to wake my wife. Hags, Curtly and Barry all arrived early and we rolled across the plains toward Hay spot on 5.00am.

The time passed quickly as we chatted excitedly about the tactics to be employed for the next day and a half. We decided on big lures and deep water. Perhaps sacrificing some of the smaller cod and yellowbelly on offer, but we thought with patience that we may turn a big greenback.

The morning sun pierced deep into the clear water as we jumped eagerly out of the four wheel drives. We were all smiles as we unpacked the non-fishing related equipment and reversed the boats into the water. Minutes later Hag’s 385 Explorer and Barry’s 435 Edgetracker were racing down river. The temperature gauge showed the water at 24 degrees, which early in the day was the same as the air temperature. The conditions could not have been better.

Hags and I clipped on our biggest, baddest lures and started the routine of working the deep bends and sunken timber adjacent to the lagoons. Not having been here before, Curtly and Barry followed our lead. The UHF quickly crackled into life as Curtly spruiked that they had taken first blood with a 55cm cod.

Relaxed after getting ‘off the mark’ so quickly, we felt confident that we may be in for a good trip, when Hag’s rod wrenched down in the holder and line peeled from the reel. The drag was firm, but this fish was unrelenting. I cleared the rods, and picked up the net in time to see a massive cod poke its head clear of the water. The fish rolled back to the depths and extreme pressure was applied to keep the fish clear of the snags, before I was able to slip the net under Hag’s personal best cod of 110cm.

I called the other crew on the UHF and they raced over for an inspection. We exchanged handshakes and high fives as Hag’s flopped down in his seat, still shaking from adrenalin.

The gold & black Stumpjumper was carefully extracted from the back of the big fish’s throat, before the cod was lowered over the side. Hag’s squawked as the big fish bit down hard on his hand. The fish almost taking my shirt (used to protect from the teeth) as a souvenir before the big tail pulsed into action showering us with water as it swam away.

The moment was savoured for a few minutes before both boats sauntered away looking for more action.

It didn’t take long for Curtly to find another fish, as a 67cm cod crunched his Stumpjumper. This fish was strong and presented nervous moments amongst some heavy timber before succumbing to the 15kg braid and allowing Barry to hoist him aboard for a photo shoot.

We continued to get bites and land the odd smaller fish through until lunchtime when the bite completely closed down. Out of frustration with trolling, the Edgetracker crew were working a large cumbungi bed with spinnerbaits. As Hags and I pulled alongside, Barry nailed a beautiful 50cm cod in the shallows. Buoyed by this action we cast ourselves into a frenzy, but could only raise a small yellowbelly.

We worked fruitlessly casting and trolling all afternoon in the oppressive heat, looking forward to happy hour (the last hour before dark), which we hoped would see the fish start to bite again.

HAPPY HOUR

With happy hour fast approaching, Hags was in mid-sentence reminiscing about the big fish landed some nine hours previous, when the lethargy of the long fishless hours evaporated with the phrase, “Yep, I’m on”, rocketing out of his mouth.

I snapped into action clearing the deck as Hag’s commentated the fish’s actions.

“I am not gaining on him,” Hags said, “This is a good fish.”

I manoeuvred the boat into mid river, where ten metres of water gave us protection from the snags, as the fish rolled on the surface beside the boat and then bullocked into the depths. Three more times the fish was worked within reach of the net and each time it powered deep under the boat taking minutes before the next opportunity to net it.

At full stretch I lowered the net in the path of the still rampaging cod, and nearly went over the side as it powered into the back of the mesh. We both lifted the fish onto on the floor of the boat and sat in amazement at our second 110cm cod for the day.

Feeling very much like a tour guide, I removed the prized gold & black Stumpjumper from the fish, handed Hag’s a beer from the esky and drove over to the other crew who were just upriver to show them this great fish.

Pulling alongside the Edgetracker we all sat in amazement at the fish, and more so that Hag’s had caught two fish-of-a-lifetime in one day!

THE NEXT DAY

The first few rays of light had barely risen above the horizon before we were out of the swags and again racing downriver toward the prime locations of yesterday. It wasn’t long before Curtly was on the radio indicating that they had landed a 55cm cod and had also had a couple of other bites.

Hag’s and I trolled relentlessly through the early morning for nothing when I noticed activity coming from the other boat. Curtly’s rod was bent double as he tried in vain to stop a strong fish from reaching the red gum that lay five metres below them. As they backed up to the snag, Hags and I wound in and motored across to watch the show.

Curtly pulled and jiggled the line from all angles before the fish rocketed into clear water, doggedly staying deep. The fish continually dove back into the snags before the heavy drag took its toll and the fish surfaced. Not beaten, the fish circled the boat for a few tense minutes before Curtly was able to swim the cod into the net.

At 87cm it was a personal best for Curtly and a great way for them to end their weekend of fishing. With a long drive back to Canberra, they left mid-morning, leaving the entire Weir to Hags and myself. With the Edgetracker barely out of sight, I clunked the motor back into gear and flicked out my favourite redfin pattern AC Invader. Before I could reach my other rod, line was buzzing out passionately.

I lent back into a large head-swaying fish and for the first time that weekend, I felt like a fisherman and not a guide. I couldn’t turn the cod’s head, and it was successful in making it back to the large submerged log that the sounder was showing underneath us. I could feel the line rubbing on the log, but as yet it was still freely running and not snagged.

I increased drag pressure with my thumb and led the fish through the underwater forest. The leader bumped past the log and I felt the hooks shift as the fish approached the snag. The lure hit the log, sending the fish one way and my lure the other. I now have another story of big fish lost and a lure with some deep teeth marks.

We made a couple more passes through this section of river with Hags rubbing salt into my wounds, landing two small cod, a yellowbelly and dropping another fish. This flurry of activity was short lived and consistent with the previous day, activity slowed toward lunchtime. We weren’t really expecting much as we trolled back toward camp.

Manoeuvring the boat deep into a sharp river elbow, I noted several fish sitting above some deep water timber. It was almost a foregone conclusion as Hags gun lure passed into the strike zone and was belted by a chunky fish.

The fish gave a good account of itself making several attempts to get back to its mates sitting on the old snag, but with Hag’s now being a seasoned big cod wrestler, this comparatively small fish at 63cm, was quickly netted, photographed and returned to its home.

Where the hell is Hay? Get your maps out because it is one of mid-western NSW best kept secrets. I won’t be waiting another ten years before I go back.

History of Hay Weir

The Hay Weir was constructed to regulate water flows and to provide additional water for irrigation. It was officially opened on 5^th November 1982 by the Minister for Local Government and Lands, the Hon. Lin Gordon, at a cost of $5 million. It began operation on 1^st September 1982. Johnston Park located on the Northern bank adjacent to the Weir wall, was named for the late Gavin Johnston Senior, opened in 1985, and has excellent fishing, toilets and barbeque facilities.

Fish Stocking

The Hay Weir has benefited greatly from the NSW Fisheries dollar for dollar fish stocking program with almost 25,000 Murray Cod being released into the weir pool by the Crown Fishing Club alone between 2000 and 2003. Significant other releases of both cod and yellowbelly as well as the wild fish, ensure that large populations of fish are maintained. Anecdotal evidence from NSW fisheries indicates that fish living in the weir pool have growth rates two to three times as fast as those fish living in the Murrumbidgee River above and below the weir.

Seasonal Factors

The Weir is usually maintained at a constant level, however at times water is released for use downstream or to alleviate flooding in times of high water flows. Dropping water levels trigger native fish into stasis and they become more difficult to catch. Similarly if the weir is rising or at its normal constant level, the fish respond by feeding actively.

Steady water levels for long periods increase water clarity and greatly improve lure fishing. The fishing is at a peak in spring (cod season closed September-December), through summer and autumn, however despite being less active due to the colder water, fish may be taken in the depths of winter on both lures and bait.

Points of Interest

The Hay Shire is located on the vast open and virtually treeless plain first commented upon by the early explorers and known today as the Hay Plains. With a difference in elevation of only 17 meters between the highest and lowest points these plains are recognised as one of the flattest sections of land in the world.

Hay has a population of 3500 and caters for all types of accommodation from caravan park, to B&B, to motel and pub accommodation. For the fisherman, however, Hay is blessed with some of the most accessible riverside reserves along the Murrumbidgee. Campers are reminded that many of the reserves are adjacent to private property and to ensure they keep to areas marked as public land. By camping on the river reserves the following conditions must be observed:

     - Travelling stock has priority and right of way at all times.

·          - Remove your own rubbish.

·          - Adhere to fire ban periods.

·          - The law prohibits no shooting or hunting on public land.

Launching your boat, whatever size, is easily performed by using one of the three boat ramps located above, below and in the centre of the township. Boat launching from the reserves located on the Weir pool is easily performed using a four wheel drive.

The riverbanks of the Murrumbidgee are the place to find seclusion and relax under towering river red gums for a picnic and a spot of fishing. Bird watchers will find 150 species of birds that make the river and plain home. The area was "built on the sheep's back" and is now promoted and documented as the home of Shear Outback, the Australian Shearers' Hall of Fame.

© Jamin Forbes December 2004