Dahlberg Diver Click here for tying instructions

Come and have a great weekend or part thereof between Friday and Sunday 4 to 6 April on the Hawkesbury River at in the Lower Portland area.  The property where we will be camping is about an hours drive from Hornsby or Parramatta.  It has a small concrete boat ramp where small boats, canoes and kayaks can be launched.  From the boat ramp it’s a short paddle up or down the Hawkesbury to prime bass and estuary perch habitats around the weed beds, snags and against rock walls. If you don’t want to start your trip at some ungodly hour in the morning you can come up on Friday afternoon, have a fish in the evening, camp and be ready to be on the water in an instant on Saturday morning.

The camping is easy, there is lots of level grassy land, right next to a cabana which is equipped with a fridge and a BBQ and large covered eating/drinking/relaxing area right on the riverbank. There is also a toilet nearby.

For those arriving on the Saturday or Sunday, the aim is to get onto the water at first light (about 5.00am) and get off the water about 10 am for brunch.  After the BBQ, you can relax on the riverbank before you build up enough strength to go out for another session on the river.  Please note food and soft drink will be provided for Saturday and Sunday, but not for Friday evening.

Although the river is tidal in this area the water should be fresh, with all the rain we have had over the past few months. 
At this time of the year the bass will be thinking about moving down to their spawning grounds further downstream. 
For those unfamiliar with bass fishing all you need is a 5 to 8 wt rod, a floating line, some small Dahlberg divers, poppers, bass bugs or large dry flies and you are ready to go.
You can also get bass on a variety sub surface flies including woolly buggers, vampires and Clouser minnows. 
Fishing deep you have also got a chance to hook into an estuary perch.  There is also the possibility of catching bream, mullet and herring.