Hey Andy ….after ending up with about 4 leftover squid from a shocking session at Longie early on Saturday morning (don’t ask, but didn’t turn a reel), and noticing the high tide at about 8:30pm, I thought I’d dust of the surf gear and hit the beach. I’ve never fished a NSW beach before, so I just went to a Northern Beach I’ve heard can produce, found a nice deep gutter and tossed out a couple of half squid. It was all quiet up until about 7pm, when I landed a big Sambo, and shortly after, a couple of nice tailor. Then just on dusk, my ‘Innovator Light Surf’ bounced a little then went slack. So I picked it up, felt a few more bounces then the rod started to load, and load and load….next thing I was off up the beach chasing a solid fish. Thankfully, after too many sharks on previous missions, I felt those distinctive head thumps I’d only ever read about. After a couple of solid runs, and the usual anxious moments in the wash on a steep beach, I’d landed my first Jewie! Fish went 86cm and made for one very happy angler!

Mate that is fantastic, and I say that as someone who lost a nice one last week while fishing with Mev atBarry N sends news of a bass tournament, in Sydney’s west:

Hi there I'm a member of the Hawkesbury Nepean Bass Anglers.  If anyone wants to join our  bass comp in a few weeks, entry forms are on our web site http://www.hnbaa.com.au/ The Spit. So I’m still working towards your level of accomplishment.

To politics, and whenever I hear someone say ‘all politicians are bastards’ or ‘pollies are only in it for themselves’ a pink mist of rage blurs my vision. Why? Because it’s not true. And if ever proof were needed of that, check this out. Neil Dodds writes from Melbourne:

Hi Andrew, I saw this article in the Melbourne Age newspaper this morning, I do not know if you know about it but I am sure you do ??? Anyhow I hope it is true.

Yes cobber it is 100% true, and an indication of how much influence the tiny Shooters and Fishers Party are having on the politics of access to public waters and lands. Note that, in the clipping above, ‘the Opposition’ refers to the NSW Labor Party. That bunch have thrown their lot in with the greenies, at the exact time Australia’s mood is changing. And here’s how much it’s changing. Wayne from Warringah Anglers writes:

For those of you that missed the news last night, the Fishers and Shooters Party have been working away at the government little by little and have come back an amazing gift for us Fishos. The Party has managed to give us back 85km of fishing grounds that we were locked out of. Thanks must go to them and receive our support for our fishing future. Refer to the attached press release from Robert Brown of the Shooters and Fishers Party.

Exactly, Wayne. And here’s what it all means in practice. Thanks to Marc Sams for sending:

The Marine Parks Authority is gone. Steve Larsson sends this update:

The greenies and their mates in NSW Labor have gone ballistic. Remember when Labor used to represent the interests of the average working bloke? Neither do I. Here’s Luke Foley, the number 2 in the NSW parliamentary Labor party:

If Labor are upset, the Greens are in a white hot fury:

‘Biggest threat to marine environment is now the O’Farrell govt.’ Have you ever heard such nonsense? Lads, please- just one or two lines of thanks, to those who do SO MUCH for us:

Robyn Parker MP, Minister for the Environment: office@parker.minister.nsw.gov.au

Robert Brown MLC, Chairman of the Fishing Inquiry: robert.brown@parliament.nsw.gov.au

Katrina Hodgkinson, Minister for Fisheries: office@hodgkinson.minister.nsw.gov.au

But the best was yet to come. Fitz was first with the exciting news from WA:

Here’s video: http://au.gwn7.yahoo.com/w1/news/a/-/local/16362081/shooters-and-fishers-party-close-to-winning-first-wa-seat-video/

Yep, the Greens have lost three out of five of their MPs in WA. You better believe that hurts! And with almost zero budget and zero media coverage, Shooters and Fishers have got an MP up. Or is the news even better? In the NSW Parliament, last night:

WESTERN AUSTRALIA ELECTION RESULTS

Personal Explanation

The Hon. ROBERT BROWN, by leave: I wish to make a statement to explain possibly having misled the House last night in my adjournment speech on the Western Australian election results. In that speech I said that the Shooters and Fishers Party had won a seat in the Western Australian upper House and that it looked as though it would not win a second seat. I can inform the House that on current figures it appears as though the Shooters and Fishers Party may be about to win that second seat.

Mr David Shoebridge: Leave is withdrawn.

The PRESIDENT: Order! The Hon. Robert Brown will resume his seat. Leave has been withdrawn.

Leave withdrawn.

Incredible. I’ve known Rob Brown for a long time. Here we are surveying the kit ahead of a week’s deer stalking and trout fishing in New Zealand, maybe twenty years ago:

Proud to be his friend, and even prouder to think of what he and his team have accomplished in the face of incredible hostility from the media, from other political parties - and even some people on our own side. Lads, if you’re thinking about getting involved, if you want to put something back in to the sport that’s given us so much, or if you understand how important the federal election on September 14th will be, get in touch with Shooters and Fishers. These people deliver results. At the end of the day, it’s results that count. Not promises or consultation. Results. Until next week, thanks for your pics, reports and support,

Andrew Hestelow

Managing Director