High Country Winter Reccy

The west branch of the Kiewa River rises from near Mount Hotham then flows in steep forested country, before reaching the township of Mount Beauty.

Locals

The Path

The bridge to Mordor

The West Kiewa River

Murray River Spiny Freshwater Crayfish

June is the start of winter and the fishing season of the Murray River Spiny Freshwater Crayfish, June till the end of August, so legal to target and take in winter only. Helen and I went up to the Goulburn River in Victoria to try our luck.

A legal Murray spiny freshwater crayfish must have a minimum carapace length of 10cm and a maximum of 12cm. The carapace is measured from the back of the eye socket to the nearest part of the rear edge where the tail joins the main body. They have a bag limit and possession limit of two.

We got five altogether in a couple of hours with just two hoop nets, you can legally use five. We released all but one (see below) which was legal the others were in berry, small (under 10cm) or too large (over 12cm). All in all a good day out up the river.

A legal Murray Cray.

The Goulburn River.

The fisherdog.

In the hoop net.

The area around the river.

Good to see juveniles in the system.

Jenny in berry.

Here is me releasing a Jenny. You can't take or possess female freshwater crayfish with eggs, that is in berry, carrying eggs.

Cooking the catch.

Cooked.

Crayfish and garlic pasta.