You may have guessed I’m back by now.

I’ve been missing in action the past few weeks up the territory again, chasing those barra and mud crabs.

You know the old line, it’s a dirty job ...

We had to work for them again but another couple of locals who fished the Roper River did well at the same time.

Trevor “Goat” Watt took his son Phil and grandson Tom.

Phil’s mate, Jamie Mainwaring, took his daughter, Zali, and Nick Smith took sons, Aaron and Tim. It was certainly a family crew.

They ended up landing more than 70 barra in the few days they were there with a 1.2-metre monster the biggest caught by the old “Goat” himself.

As you would imagine, the kids had a trip they’ll remember for the rest of their lives, all landing a barra or two.

Great stuff.

On the local scene, it might be worth getting out a pencil — for anyone under 30, pulling out your iPhone — and recording a couple of dates.

We’ve got a new comp being organised by the South West Anglers Club Association.

This one’s to be held between the Lake Hume wall and the junction of where Wodonga Creek runs back into the Murray below Albury.

It’ll be great for families and anyone else who hasn’t got a boat because there’s plenty of bank access.

That one’s on March 7.

Then there’s the BMC Dart women’s fishing classic. Jot down November 14 and 15 for that one.

You can only pre-enter that comp which this year is supporting the Border Ovarian Cancer Awareness Group.

Next weekend it’s the Leigh Martin Marine Mercury Classic Lake Hume.

This is a great comp with more than $40,000 in prizes.

Entry forms are available from the Compleat Angler and other selected tackle stores.

You can also check the website at www.lakehumeclassic.com.au for the details.

Why not get involved, seeing the yellas are starting to have a bit of a chew.

It seems to have been a bit patchy while I was away but this warmer spell has kicked things along.

Nigel Cox tells me he and a couple of mates picked up one or two each trolling in the Huon area and another bloke they saw had nailed five for the day, casting around structure.

That report, along with many more similar reports during the week, would make you think it could be an extremely successful comp next weekend.

The reddies have been reasonable, too.

Bait fishos have also been doing well when they find the right spot.

Most of the reddies I’ve been hearing about have been caught while either casting or trolling for yellas, and some of them have been very good fish.

Surprisingly, there’s been some great trout picked up this week as well.

Cod are also showing up a fair bit as a bycatch in Lake Hume and other areas.

I’ve had lots of people commenting on the fact that fishos are taking cod out of the water for pictures at this time of year and arguing that it shouldn’t be allowed.

It’s difficult to argue the toss about this issue when you consider it is closed season for a reason.

Hopefully, these fish we are catching are either full of eggs or milt, or they’re protecting a bunch of eggs down there.

I suppose the more we stress them, the bigger the chance they won’t lay those eggs or they will just leave the nest for good.

I don’t know of any studies done on this, but common sense would tell us that we should keep their stress to a minimum if we do catch one.

You should definitely not lift fish from the water during spawning season or closed season — for the good of our own fishing future.

I must admit I’ve done the same thing in the past myself, but after a bit of thought I’ll be releasing them with as little stress as possible, by leaving them in the water while slipping hooks out.

Dartmouth’s been a bit on the doughy side.

Most fishos are catching the odd one or two but they’re not going as well as they had been.

Maybe the warm weather has something to do with it and it’s time to rethink the tactics a little.

It’s certainly been down-rigger weather this past week or so, although Brian Dunkerton and son, Sean, did OK during the week on fenders and worms.

It depends on who you talk to and which creek or stream they’ve been on, but, in general, the streams seem to be fishing slightly better than last year.

That wouldn’t be hard because they were hopeless then. At least you’re going out with some hope this season.

Quite a few yellas have been reported from Blowering, mostly on yabbies from the bank, with a few being picked up casting to a bit of structure.

Same story as Hume, with quite a few cod “bycatch”.

It’s the same deal at Burrinjuck, both yellas and cod firing, particularly later in the arvo and into dark.

Anyhow, more next week.

Catch you then.