The up side is there will be high tides after lunch Saturday and Sunday which might appeal to those hedging their bets on a morning fish.

"Plenty of salmon and tailor about in the lake and along the beaches," Jason "One For" Nunn, from Fisherman's Warehouse at Marks Point said.

"Offshore fishing will be marred by a predicted increase in swell so everyone is better advised targeting the bay or the lake where they'll find plenty of flathead, bream and tailor.

"But it will take a bit of bravery what with daytime temps tipped to top no more than 16 degrees."

A talking point while we cuddle the hot chocolate is that today (Friday) is the shortest day of the year.

"The sun is at its furthest point from the earth in 150 years," Jason said.

"The beauty is that the day after is slightly longer, so it's all about attitude - things are on the up and we've turned a significant corner."

Jason's never been a calendar man when it comes to the seasons, preferring to gauge off the moon in the manner laid down all those centuries ago at Stone Henge, and replicated these days at Pelican.

"They reckon winter starts on June 1, but I prefer to measure off longest days, shortest days, equal days - stick to the pagan rituals," he said. "Bit of pillaging and all that. Speaking of which, go the Blues."

The annual whale migration is in full swing off the Hunter Coast at the moment.

We've already seen a carcass washed up on Moon Island, and this week.NBN had amazing footage of a whale just off Bar Beach that attracted lots of attention.

These big mammals are everywhere and with number increasing each year, encounters are not uncommon.

For boaties, it's important to be alert to the dangers they can pose.

"It pays to be aware of your surrounds," Jason said.

"If you're anchored and a whale or a pod come through they can get caught up in your anchor rope.

"With that in mind, it's important to keep a knife handy because if they do get entangled, you will need to cut your anchor rope.

"Otherwise the boat could be pulled under.

"There have been numerous instances of this type of thing over the years and you have to be prepared.

"Don't panic, but be onto it."

Not that there's any malice from the whale involved, it's just what they do.

And with whale numbers increasing every year, the likelihood of it happening again is always there.

"We have a very heavy traffic area off our coast in terms of whales and boats, so it will pay to be particularly alert in times before dawn and after dusk when light is low this next month," Jason.

"Particularly those guys who like to do the long hauls up to Seals Rocks or Broughton.

"Perhaps better to wait for light."

It's not always anchor rope whales get caught up in.

Jason recalled an incident several years ago in which a whale passed under his boat and suddenly the call went up from his mate.

"I think I'm on," he called as the rod bent.

"We all laughed and told him he'd need more than 30lb line to stop that one.

"Ping, $60 worth of braid gone in an instance. Whale wouldn't even have felt it."

Three-year-old Fish of the Week winner Knox Evans from Macquarie Hills is showing early signs of being a fishing fanatic.

Fresh from a productive sunny Sunday on the lake with Nan, Pa and buddy Mat Greentree, Knox was still revelling in a 77cm PB flathead reeled in personally and scooped by buddy Matt.

"Knox is fishing mad," Nan Evans reports.

"He practises casting at home on the lawn. He aims for his Nan's plants and adjusts his drag to suit."

On a recent safety check by the Water Police while fishing on the Lake, Knox asked the officer if he new how to cast.

"The officer played along and said, 'No can you show me,'" said Nan.

"The police boat moved aside with Knox letting one of his big casts go to the amazement of the police officers, one of whom commented his 12-year-old son can't cast like that."

Knox recently had his flu injection and was told he could get a toy if he was good. Knox was good, but no toy, so he was off to the Tackle Box Shop (Local BCF) straight after that.

It was reported in error last week that Charlestown Anglers Club were holding their next meeting at Warners of the Bay Hotel.

Not casting any aspersions on the fine establishment Warners at the Bay is, but Charlestown Anglers' home base is actually Warners Bay Hotel. Apologies.

And just to be clear, Charlestown Anglers' next meeting is Tuesday, July 2, starting 6.30pm at Warners Bay Hotel.