The weather this week has been sensational. 20 degrees during the day and cool at night, but no need for heaters etc. The blackfish are all through the river and biting freely when the tide is moving.

For a number of reasons I didn't chase flathead in the boat today. So, this afternoon we had another shot at the blackfish around the T-piece. It's great to be able to ride bikes to your fishing spot, catch a few fish and ride home. Yamba is at its brilliant winter's best this week, it was warm enough to swim today and we did, having a body surf at the main beach. The river is full of fish of different kinds around the walls and the dolphins are having a ball bailing them up against the various structures. This afternoon while we were catching blackfish, 2 dolphins were smashing into the school of fish that we were fishing to. In truth there could have been a school of mullet next to them, but I actually had my float hit by one of them!

Back in Yamba for school holidays. We stayed in Grafton last night and arrived via Lawrence and the Bluff Point Ferry. It's superb coming in that way along the river, and especially on such a magnificent clear winter day. We stopped at Palmer's Island on the way in and grabbed some blackfish weed, black magic and some lovely fresh green weed.

Last weekend was spent cleaning the fish way at the Lane Cove River, and kayaking for bream and flatties was the easiest fishing outing.

Pretty soon it's going to be too cold for chasing bass, especially in the kayak. So, I was determined to catch at least one more before the end of the season. With a good forecast, I thought the early morning would be good and looked forward to hopefully being the only boat on the water.