Palmfishing.com.au

Wollondilly Bass Club President John Mc Innes can be contacted at  This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it   The club meets every second month and welcomes new members and their families. Email or call 0432 231295 for more information.

River Rescue

by Michelle Fenech Wollondilly Advertiser, June 12, 2007.

There's a group of fellas in Picton who are hell bent on restoring our rivers- to fill them with fish. The Wollondilly Bass Club was established eight months ago amid increasing controversy and finger pointing over the deterioration of our waterways.

 The club has one major aim: to restore the upper Nepean and lower Bargo rivers and restock them with Australian native bass.

President of the club John Mc Innes said the rivers continue to suffer substantial damage to the marine life, river banks and fauna from man made pollution.

"We are working hard to restock Australian native bass above Maldon Weir through a long process of research with the Department of Primary Industries" Mr McInnes said.

"We are also working with the [department] on the tender process to investigate all man made obstacles that either have fish ways or do not, as well as the ones that have failed."

The bass club is now trying to initiate a re snagging program and signage at Thirlmere Lakes for the Australian bass.

Mr McInnes said the group was working with Wollondilly Council and has applied for grants to help fund the dollar for dollar restocking program with the Department of Primary Industries. "Through the council we also want to investigate a public access path for club members above Maldon weir to investigate weed identification and general river surveillance."Mr McInnes said.

"This relationship has been beneficial to both parties for more evidence to help the river."

The club is now working in prtnership with Centennial Coal at Tahmoor on the project. Dave Clarkson from the Centennial  said the company would assist with the provision of equipment to monitor the river.

"We jumped on the idea because it's good for the health of the river and the preservation of river supply."Mr Clarkson said. Ït won't end here either- we think it's great to be part of such a positive project to improve our rivers."

Members of the club now sit on the council's healthy catchment committee and have alliances with Sydney Bass and Southern Bass Clubs.

"This is a community based project which will allow everyone to utilise the upper Nepean River again and restore it to its former glory."Mr McInnes said.

http://www.wollondillyadvertiser.com.au/

Many local businesses and organisations are supporting the club in its effort to help our rivers.

Centennial Coal, C&G Waste, Australian Water, Picton Bowling Club, Macarthur Marine, Palmfishing and Outdoors, IGA Picton, PNM Bricklaying, Anglers Leisure World, East Coast Lures, Thirlmere and Bargo Vet Clinics, Redback Engineering, Mudeye Lures, Muldoon Lures, Secret Creek Lures, Drains by John Visarlo, St Marys Fishing Tackle and Dave Seaman.

Click Here for Wollondilly Bass Stories