ON THE NEPEAN

Reporter: ADAM DIGBY

Adam is up the river with a paddle…and a rod in Penrith.

Riverview Canoe
Riverview canoe invites you to experience the natural wonders of the majestic Nepean River Gorge, part of the Blue Mountains National Park. Only 45 minutes down the M4 motorway, is a true hidden treasure of the Nepean Gorge. You'll be amazed by its pure beauty and pristine conditions. The Warragamba dam feeds an environmental flow into the Warragamba River, which joins the Nepean and supplies the river with wonderfully clean, clear water.

There are numerous sandy beaches, which make for the perfect rest stop as well as ideal picnic spots, and depending on the time of year you may experience the sight of some crashing waterfalls, hunting osprey, foraging rock wallabies, acrobatic mountain goats, leaping fish, curious water dragons and numerous other sights that you wouldn't think existed so close to Sydney.

The tours are designed as a fun adventure and not an Olympic canoe race; we go at a leisurely pace that will suit most so you can take in all of the beauty of the gorge. If you wish to just take in the view and not paddle, this can be organised for you as well. There is a minimum of 4 paddlers per tour and maximum 12 passengers. A supervising adult must accompany all children under 16.

Riverview canoe's owners and guides, Steve Defina and Michael Turner are not only fully qualified and experienced canoe instructors, but both are local canoe enthusiasts and know the river and its conditions like few others. Both are trained in first aid. Steve is also a local fishing guide and if you wish to wet a line, his instruction will help you land a fish. Both are there to help you enjoy your riverview canoe tour, provide expert tuition and advice, provide a leisurely pace, cruising slowly upstream of the river, making sure you can take in all the natural wonders around you.

Both are passionate about the environment and have extensive knowledge of the river and its surrounds. They will even have some entertaining stories of the river's history and events. There are numerous identified rescue spots up the river in case of emergency as well as sheltered area's in case of sudden storms. Although we advise you to turn your mobile phones off, most of the tour is in mobile coverage.

The canoes you will be using are new Australis "Bushranger" models that are manufactured in Australia from polyurethane and are almost indestructible. These were chosen after much test "paddling" of various types and models and selected as they are not only very stable, but are easy to use and manoeuvre, even for first timers. They are also very comfortable with good seating.

What To Bring?
You will need to be dressed according to the season, in the warmer months light clothing, sunscreen that suits you, a good pair of sandals with straps is advisable, a wide brimmed hat, your camera, swimmers and towel if you enjoy a swim at a safe location.

In the cooler months, we suggest light warm clothing, a cap or hat, sandals with straps or light footwear, we will endeavour to keep your feet dry when its cooler.

Of course your camera!

We will be supplying cold meats and various salads for lunch (full day tours only) and will be carrying sufficient water for the tour, as well as a selection of fresh fruit. We also supply all equipment including paddles, water tight storage for your mobile, personal flotation devices (lifejackets), tow ropes, first aid kit as well as some fishing gear, and lots of fun.

Times and Costs
Full day tours set off from the Nepean Rowing Club, Penrith at a time suitable, between 7 and 10 am, will return approx 6 hours later to the same spot. There will be regular rest stops at approx. 30 minute intervals to take on some water or fruit, lunch or just to absorb your surroundings.

½ day tours last for approx 4 hours and leave from the boat wharf at tench reserve, Regentville. As above there a regular rest and refreshment stops. Tours can be organised for either morning or afternoon times, with fruit and water supplied.

Twilight tours are available in the warmer months and are for 3 hours duration.

Full moon Tours are available in the warmer months on nights leading into and on the full moon. These tours are 3 hours in duration and a wonderful experience.

Full day tour: minimum 6 hours with lunch, fruit and water
Half day tour: minimum 4 hours with fruit and water
Twilight and full moon tours $POA
All tours require a 50% deposit on booking with the remainder paid prior to departure.

More Information
Riverview Canoe
Nepean River,
Penrith
Telephone: (02) 4735 8008
www.riverviewcanoe.com.au
Prices start from $50 for 2 hours.

Prices correct as at 05/05/07

Bass 2 Bait
Bass2bait freshwater fishing adventures specialises in the upper Nepean river, between the Penrith Weir and Warragamba Dam. One of the beauties of our tours is you're only 40mins from downtown Sydney, yet it feels like you're a million miles from anywhere.

Your guide Steve Defina, is not old enough to be fishing for 50 years like some of the guides around (not quite anyway), but loves his bass fishing and truly cares for the Nepean river system, he knows his bass fishing and is highly skilled in the art of surface lure finesse fishing. He lives only minutes from the river and has spent hundreds, if not thousands, of hours chasing fish in the mighty Nepean. Bass2bait fishing adventures is about having a great time, fishing and having a laugh and taking in the magnificent scenery that engulfs you, so bring your sense of humour with you.

It is hard to believe that you are only a few kms from Penrith, you are more likely to think you are in the Kakadu, it is so quiet, so pristine. The species that can be targeted in the Nepean are bass, mullet, carp, herring, catfish, eels and even some huge gold fish. Bass2bait promotes catch and release bass fishing, take a pic or video home and put the fish back to get bigger, fatter and get him again next time.

Duration
The half day tour, which is the most popular, is a minimum of 4 hours, we also do 2 hour, 3 hour and full day charters. One of the beauties with bass2bait is there is no long boat trips to get to the fishing spots, so you spend the time fishing not travelling!

The Boat
The bass2bait fishing boat was custom designed by Steve and the guys at PREDATOR boats. The boat has a class 2 survey (no. 22561) from NSW Maritime and can carry 2 fishermen plus the skipper. The boat is of a punt style (fairly flat hull) and is 4.63 mtrs long and just on 2mtrs wide. It is equipped with all compliant safety gear, and has bow and stern (front and rear) fishing decks, with stowage underneath, so nothing for you to trip over! The main engine is a 60hp, 4 stroke Yamaha, which purrs along nice and quiet.

The secondary motor is a Minn-Kota 55lb thrust electric motor, with auto pilot and all the bits so we can sneak up on the fish without scaring them away. The boat is also equipped with the top of the range Hummingbird fish finder with dual freq, side scanning, GPS, weatherwatch, everything but makes the coffee and lands the fish for you. The boat was first put in the water in Feb. 06 so its all brand spanking, it rides so smoothly in the water and is the most stable bass boat that predator has ever built, even the maritime survey guys were amazed at it’s stability.

It also features movable seating so you don’t have to stand up to fish, Steve understands how you have been working hard all week, he also carries a radio on board so you can keep up with the cricket scores as well!

More Information
Bass2Bait
Nepean River,
Penrith
Telephone: (02) 4735 8008
www.bass2bait.com.au
Prices start from $100 per person for half a day (during low season)

Prices correct as at 05/05/07

And for all your needs on the water give our mates at the BIA a call on 1300 7 BOATS
or set sail for their website at www.bia.org.au