Just arrived at Greens Lake, Victoria...Well about 6 hours ago

Great spot. I have met some really nice people. I will be here for about 2 weeks or so in transit to my next house sit.

Hoping to catch some carp (yes, hoping to get at least a few out of the lake). I am told there might be some redfin in there too. The campers next to me have set some yabbie traps and if they catch some I have offered to cook them.



With a sun set like that, tomorrow should be pretty dam good...

that looks awesome. What's the temperature like?

How are you planning to target those carp?

Well, that didn't take long....

Thought I would get the hand held spot light out to see what was going on on the water...This poor little fellow got startled by my spot light, lost control and hit the drink. So of course I went into the water and rescued him.

I am not sure what sort of bat it is. But now I know they are there I might keep the spot light at bay. If I stand back 50 meters from the water I can see them flying around.

He was a bit cold and shivering. But he really did enjoy the tissue paper dry off...and then he flew off...

Bloody cold....and corn !!

We are just coming into winter, Greens Lake is far enough inland to get sub-zero temps. Not bad right now, about 7 to 20 C (7 overnight and 20 tops during the day).

I got some live worms on the way in. Earth worms that is. So I am right for any redfin or cod. The carp on the other hand like nothing better than canned corn.

Arrived on Sunday...Nothing much happened...One good strike but no hook up. It was strong enough to pull line off the Alvey.

Monday landed a small redfin. Then Tuesday landed another redfin the same size and a few hours later got a smaller one.

They must be hungry and not much food supply. I am using small long shank hooks and all 3 fish swallowed the whole hook. That tells they are starving. With hours between bites, I would guess the food supply is short and the fish numbers are going down as a result.

The people in the camp site next to me left this morning. Didn't get any yabbies. He did get what looked like a baby cod but I am not sure, it was only about 25mm (1 inch) long.

No fishing today, Wednesday...rain and a strong head on wind. Can't cast into this wind...Just have to drink beer instead

No carp yet, which is a good sign !! I have had a small rod with corn on for bait out constantly, and not even a nibble. Disappointing because carp are a lot of fun to catch...but really good because it indicates there are not a lot of carp in the lake. (carp are bad news in this part of the world).

Here is the second redfin I caught...didn't bother taking a pic of the first



For those interested, redfin are English Perch. Introduced "pest" to Australia. Very good eating. A lot of people target them and at times I have actually targeted redfin.

The fins are usually a very strong red colour. These 3 that I have landed have all been quite yellow. I am not sure if that means anything. The body stripes are also usually very dark but these are quite pale...Maybe a lack of food supply is the cause ??

Redfin are not a pest like carp. I am told that some areas even have bag limits. So it is introduced a bit like trout...but still considered a "pest" in most parts. I don't care, they don't do any damage, they are fun to catch and they are bloody good eating

hmm perch - they are really good eating.
Probably one of the best tasting fresh water fish.

How did you prepare them?

Normally I just gut them (don't even bother to scale) then skewer with a stick and cook directly over hot coals in the camp fire.

Today, Thursday, another small redfin...

I went up to a bigger hook and the greedy buggers are still taking the whole lot.



For those with a keen eye...yes, that is the kelpie dog in the back ground. No, my line is not all twisted up - it is weeds you are looking at.

I have never known redfin to be so aggressive. This little fellow will become bait...it swallowed a hook the size of it's head, there is nothing I can do.

On the carp rod...My corn is being stolen !!! Probably not a carp because they are usually like a vacuum and just suck up the corn. So maybe yabbies ??

Couple of days of rain and todays sunset was this....



So tomorrow should be good....or at least better

Got a carp...56cm (1 foot 10 inches).

Got it on the Alvey with worm...Still nothing is taking my corn.

The big question. To eat or not to eat ?

Got another carp. This time a little smaller at 53 cm.

The first one I took the fillets off. I am going to try them when I get to Lake Bunga. This second one I have bleed and will take the fillets to compare...



I took a pic of the first one after taking off the fillets.... There are thousands of eggs there. I was careful not to break the sack because these eggs can survive and these carp are a real problem here in Australia,,,

have you tried eating them before?
I didn't think they were very tasty.
Maybe smoked?

I had carp a long time ago cooked by a Fijian woman. It was good.

But no, I have never tried it myself, as in caught and cooked by me.

I got another one about an hour ago 53cm.

I have the fillets in the freezer (yes, I am camping on straight solar and have a freezer !!!). I am going to cook up a Thai style curry and see.

Might move on soon. The duck shooters are a bit much. I have no objection to the sport but really start shooting at 6:30 AM ??? The fact that they keep on hunting and shooting ALL DAY is proof that they don't "need" to start shooting when most other campers are still in bed !!!