The much-needed downpour of rain over the long weekend failed to deter many keen Dubbo anglers who travelled across the central west to wet a line and take advantage of Monday’s public holiday.

Enduring 40 knot tent-trashing winds, lightning and whitecaps was all part and parcel of the October long weekend, and was seemingly well and truly worthwhile for many from all reports.

Burrendong Dam

Ben Mosely fished Burrendong Dam and found the goldens well and truly on the chew. Ben managed 16 fish for the trip, with the biggest measuring 51cm and weighing a hefty 7lbs. The fish was caught casting a Jackall Brothers TN 60 lipless crank bait with just 6lb braid and a 12lb leader used. For his report Ben picks up a selection of Jaz lures from Explore Outdoors.

Justin Hoy, Michael Cooper and Bill North had similar experiences trolling the walls near the spillway and casting timber in Oakey Creek, pulling in 15 fish with the biggest a 52cm Golden Perch.

Shane May and Curtis Barber fished the Cudgegong arm and also cast lures in the Macquarie arm. They bagged 8 ‘yellas’ and caught and released one 55cm cod that ate a Rapala hard bodied lure cast into the sticks.

Lake Glenbawn

Mick Coad, Neil Duncan and I fished Lake Glenbawn in some tough conditions.

Huge storms rolled across the dam periodically with gale force winds demolishing some unlucky campers’ tents, and blowing a boat from its moorings, forcing the owner to go looking on the other side of the dam the following morning. The many people at the lake were treated to a show by Mother Nature on Sunday night with spectacular lightning strikes blistering across the sky all night.

The final catch was a handful of Australian bass and five yellowbelly which were caught both casting and trolling.

Wyangala Dam

Staff at Wyangala Waters State Park were absolutely flabbergasted by the past week’s events, with silver perch literally jumping on the hook.

Anglers from all over NSW flocked to Wyangala to see the frenzy for themselves.