It has impacted every aspect of our lives, from work to leisure and relationships — nothing has been spared — and as of a few days ago recreational fishing is no longer allowed according to Victorian Fishing and Boating Minister Jaala Pulford.
I have never heard of any event or disease having such an effect. Even the great London plague, the more recent Spanish flu and a couple of world wars; none measure up to the impact of COVID-19.
I conducted a phone-around earlier this week before the halt to personal recreational fishing, and the latest measures had put a stop to the fishing charter industry.
Rod Lawn from Adamas Fishing Charters at Queenscliff has ceased operations until further notice. He was in fact cleaning out his boat and putting all his gear in storage. Then he was off to speak to his accountant to see if any assistance from the government applied to his business.
It was a similar story from Eden, where Mark from Freedom Charters is likewise off the water.
At Narooma, Graham Cowley said that while the pro boats were still operating, the charter boats were all tied up until the restrictions were lifted. James Luddington at Flinders Island said the same thing.
Rod Lawn said it was a shame that he could not go out fishing, as the tuna were still off the coast in large numbers and he would have loved to get out and among them as there are reports of some larger fish among them.
I must say I did hear of a group of anglers who were three to a boat and were fishing along the estuaries around Narooma.
Then, when the fishing was done, they all piled into the same car to drive home — so much for social distancing.
I would like to think that we all use common sense and put up with a little pain so that we can get past this crisis as quickly as possible.
Fishing reports have been restricted; but those who had gone angling reported some good catches of cod around the region.
The Goulburn River between Shepparton and Nagambie has been one of the more consistent areas. Cod were being caught in good numbers with some keepers among the catch. The Goulburn above Seymour and Eildon was seeing trout on the go, falling for lures and bait.The Goulburn downstream of the city had also been fishing well, although the water has been a little on the dirty side and bait has been the best option to attract a bite when fished among the snags.
The Murray has also been worth fishing and cod have been on the chew around Ulupna Island and also the Barmah area.
Lake Mulwala around the Ovens River has been worth trying, although Nifty Lavis, a former neighbour, said he could not buy a bite when he was there last week.
The fishing at Dartmouth had been picking up as the weather cooled.
Closer to home, Waranga Basin has been producing redfin. Although most fish were small, some larger ones had been caught.
Speaking of disruptions, George the Collingwood supporter who hassles me to no end over my team, found that when there is no footy he might as well go fishing and that is just what he did. He went to Eden, and while the boats were all tied up, he fished from the jetty and bagged a good haul of flathead while his wife landed a small kingfish. It was put back as the minimum size for a king fish is 60 cm.
There has been no news from Western Port although the last I heard they were still catching pinky snapper around Hastings and gummy shark were biting on dusk in the deep water off Cowes and San Remo. Meanwhile King George whiting were being caught inshore among the grass beds.
Everyone stay safe, stick to the rules, keep washing your hands — and stay at home.