“The solution to any problem –work, love, money, whatever –is to go fishing, and the worse the
problem, the longer the trip should be.” so said American writer and fisherman John Gierach. The
Long Paddock can certainly provide some solutions - if not for all your worries then at least to
finding some of the best fresh water fishing in Australia.
It is fitting that December 1 marks both the opening of the Murray Cod season and the beginning of
summer. For many visitors on The Long Paddock the two go hand in hand. Long summer days spent
trying to catch the elusive Murray Cod across the Darling, Lachlan, Murrumbidgee, Edward and
Murray Rivers. It seems they are the perfect bait for anglers from across Australia to try their luck in
the iconic brown waters of NSW.
For many fisherman (and women) the annual fishing competitions in the region provide a great
excuse to get away from it all with the promise of coming home with some great prizes. The
Deniliquin XXXX Fishing Classic is recognised as one of the best and biggest in NSW. The two day
event (15 – 16 February ) is held on the Edward River and this year promises to be better then ever
with three boats on offer as prizes and an extra 20km of river to fish.
The Mathoura Fishing Classic is also one for the diary. With over $40 000 in prizes this family friendly
event, now in its 15th
year is a great way to get the kids hooked. From Friday 28 February to Sunday
2 March the little township on the Murray River uses the funds raised to restock the river each year.
Like many country towns, the annual Hay Fishing Competition, this year held on 22-23 March also
serves as a fundraiser for the local AFL & Netball club. The competition is all about fun and a chance
to fish some of the prettiest parts of the Murrumbidgee River.
Each of the towns swell in population as anglers from all over NSW, Victoria and even Queensland
try and land the big one, with most hoping to hook a Murray Cod.
For those who like to fish away from the crowd, the Billabong Creek at Wanganella, the longest
creek in Australia, is just perfect for a weekend away. The Wanganella Creek Camp has great
facilities for camping or the caravan and access to some of the best fishing along the route. The
Darling River at Wilcannia also provides some brag worthy fishing experiences.
Fishing is a way of life on The Long Paddock and all of the towns and villages are set up to meet your
fishing needs from bait to license. Although you might struggle to get the directions to the best
fishing spot from the locals, they will happily listen to your stories once the day is done.
About the Long Paddock- Cobb Highway Touring Route
The Long Paddock – Cobb Highway Touring Route follows The Cobb Highway (named for the famous
coach company) from Echuca Moama on the Victorian border, through to Wilcannia leading to the
iconic outback towns of Bourke, Broken Hill and White Cliffs.
The Long Paddock includes 47 road side information panels, located at various sites of significance
along the route. These tell the stories and history of the region in words and images and are a great
way to get to know the area.
Five great rivers, major museums, National Parks, Red Gum forests, wetlands and waterways, the
flattest, natural open plains on Earth and one of the world’s oldest geological landmarks – welcome
to The Long Paddock.
www.thelongpaddock.com.au
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