mmg.com.au

IFISH television presenter Paul Worsteling has landed in town to explore Deniliquin’s cod-abundant Edward River.

And he has even caught one of the famed Murray cod that attracted him to visit in the first place.

Mr Worsteling will be in Deniliquin until Wednesday, with his Edward River expedition being made into a segment for season eight of his popular television show.

It will help cement Deniliquin as one of the best fishing spots in the country, a reputation already started as a result of the Deniliquin Fishing Classic.

Mr Worsteling arrived in Deniliquin on Saturday and is being guided by two of Deniliquin’s most well known fishing advocates — Murray Catchment Management Authority officer - water John Conallin and Deniliquin RSL Fishing Club member Ian Fisher.

When he caught up with the Pastoral Times yesterday, Mr Worsteling said Deniliquin had already lived up to expectation.

Mr Worsteling said he wanted the world to be aware of the fantastic fishing conditions in the local area.

‘‘Murray cod in this river are the most iconic freshwater fish.

‘‘Those that don’t fish might not understand the importance of the Murray cod, so I wanted to showcase this.

‘‘The river is the lifeblood of the town.

‘‘It holds not only an economic importance, but also family importance.

‘‘It gets kids away from their iPads and iPods and gets families to spend time together.

‘‘And to get 1700 anglers here for the fishing classic (in February) is pretty mindblowing if you think about it.’’

Mr Worsteling’s tour of local waterways has not only included the Edward River, but also the Colligen, Billabong and Yallakool creeks, and the Wakool River.

The IFISH tour also included a trip to the Charlie Carp processing factory in Deniliquin’s industrial estate, to highlight the innovative business of turning pest into produce.

Local projects combining the efforts of multiple organisations were also showcased, including the Edward-Wakool Fish and Flows project.

There is no set date for the footage to air, but viewers can subscribe to the IFISH website www.ifishtv.com.au. for the latest updates.

IFISH airs on channels Ten and One.