After much success from producing the local Sunshine Coast edition of River to Reef four years ago, Bill Johnston was eager to bring out a bigger and better edition for the second book.
As a local angler and also esteemed writer, Bill draws on not only his own experience fishing but also the knowledge and experience of several other high profile local anglers. Since the book was first produced in 2007, a significantly improved 2nd edition will take its place in the tackle box, glovebox or wader’s pocket of any angler worth his salt.
Apart from the standard features such as tips and techniques for all freshwater, beach and estuary and offshore species found on the sunshine coast the book offers up a range of specialist articles including:
- Fighting Whiting (Aaron Fogarty – former Australian Beach and Estuary Champion)
- Targeting Tailor on the Coast (Cliff Andreassen – Champion Surf Angler)
- Fly Fishing on the Sunshine Coast (Gavin Platz – world renowned fly fisher and owner of Tie n Fly)
- Lake Kawana and Currimundi Lake (Chris Hill – local fishing guide)
- Reef Fishing with Lures – Thinking Outside the Box (Steve Dingle – Manager Tackleworld Kawana)
- Coral Trout on the Coast (Geoff Clarke – Owner Barra Jacks and Pro Trout Fisherman)
- Fishing for Roving Pelagics (Eddie Jebreen – Fisheries Manager)
- Game Fishing (Captain Andy Yeh – Game Boat Skipper)
The book also has increased its number of GPS marks for all local reefs, now offering 240 marks to assist local anglers. Accompanying the GPS references are detailed maps of the local reef systems. This alone is well worth the cost of getting your hands on River to Reef. The number of times customers at Swan Boat Hire requested information about GPS markers was astronomical last year, but having this information in one spot makes it much easier to explain to visitors to the Sunshine Coast reefs.
Additionally the book has increased the number of high resolution aerial photographs of all our major estuarine systems (19 in all) from Donnybrook in the south right up to Harry’s Hut in the Noosa River.
The book also has chapters covering crabbing (mud, sand and spanner), boat ramp locations, knot tying, fishing info (media sources, fishing rules and limits, coastguard info) and a range of seafood recipes from the locally produced “The Chef and I” cookbook.
The River to Reef Sunshine Coast fishing book truly is a comprehensive guide to fishing and boating along our beautiful coastline with 184 pages packed full of information, and a worthwhile addition to any tackle box. The book retails for $29.95 and is available in most good tackle stores and selected book stores.
Bill has done a fabulous job and I am really impressed with the level of detail in the 'how-to' guides from the wealth of local fishing talent. I have my copy already, so will the Mother-in-law who will be pleasantly surprised around Mother's day. Have you got yours?
The 2nd edition of the River to Reef book has even more local GPS marks, aerial shot of the river systems and feature articles by local expert anglers.
Rob Merchant caught and released this 55cm school jew in the lower Mooloolah river.
Finn Davis was pleased with his solid golden trevally that took a gulp soft plastic while foraging around the Bli Bli Islands.
Ben Forgan was stocked when he potted several full buck mud crab around the 1kg mark in the middle reaches of the Maroochy River yesterday.
Fishing Reports 
