Well the writing adventure started last week with a visit to Swan Bay and Karuah. Already I am beginning to realise what a big task it is to be undertaken.

There are so many involved throughout the port that it will take at least 12 months to see everyone. As with "Old Salt" I am finding the people very interesting and great to talk to.

Their life stories and old photos are fascinating - I have learnt more about oysters in the past week than I had in the previous 20 years and I have only just scratched the surface. Already your help is needed.

Can anyone identify those in the above photograph which, I think, was taken in Swan Bay and possibly involves the Davis family. Please contact me if you have any clues about the photograph stinkerfishing@yahoo.com

The fishing scene is red hot following the drenching rain. Expect excellent catches of flathead, bream and whiting inside the port with an increase in activity closer to the heads where the water is saltier. Concentrate your efforts on the top of the tide on Nelson Bay Beach, Shoal Bay Beach, Dutchies, Corrie Island and Jimmies Beach.

If the sea builds over 2 meters we will also be welcoming outside bream and snapper into the quieter waters of the harbour.

Do not be at all surprised to tangle with cracker snapper along the Nelson Bay breakwall.

By the way, it seems that the general opinion is in favour of the release of all the big female dusky flathead. The voluntary release of the flathead has been growing in popularity and now it appears that the fishing public will support the practice to be enforced.

Great news for the future as our first responsibility as fishers is to our natural resources and dusky flathead is certainly one of those.

STINKER