STINKER: Fishing in times past

BEING a fishing historian, I am always on the lookout for any information on how fishing was in the early days in and around Port Stephens.

Can you imagine how good it would have been?

Through my research I have uncovered many articles that give an insight into recreational and commercial fishing as far back as the 1880s.

You might be interested in this fascinating article written by my predecessor, ‘Pilot, who wrote the fishing column in the local paper way back when.

SCHNAPPER – Caught off Nelson’s Bay Wharf.

Mr. A. H Blanch sends along the following item showing what sort of schnapper have been caught off the Nelson’s Bay wharf from Saturday 2nd April until Tuesday 5th:-

Caught by J. McDonald, one 251/2  lbs weight: T. Disney “Forky” one 211/2 lbs, J, Hepburn, two weighing 16lb and 17lb respectively, Mr Barry caught four fish, two weighing 16lb each and one 15lb and one 6lb. The eight fish weighed in all 133lbs. In addition to this Mr Barry and party caught 33 good bream – Port Stephens ‘Pilot’

Can you help me by identifying any of the names and the year?

I have done some research and discovered that the only years with 2 April on Saturday were 1932, 1938, 1949 and 1955.

I think Jack Barry (b1903) was one of the fishermen.

What this article does tell us is that big snapper have been entering this port for many years.

I’m told by the older fishermen in the community that moving into the port is part of the snapper’s breeding cycle and is responsible for the thousands of tiny snapper that at times infest the harbour.

Interviews with an old commercial fisherman, George Todd, revealed many catches of monster snapper caught inside the heads.