The money was raised at weigh-ins and a big junior comp last year before COVID restrictions kicked in.

"We were supposed to hand it over in March this year," club spokesperson Randal Mason said.

"But COVID got in the way.

"We didn't want to breach social isolation rules at the time so we kept putting it back.

"Anyhow, we were able to hold our first club weigh-in about a fortnight ago, where we also held our annual presentation, and we decided then that we should move forward on presenting this cheque sooner than later.

"So we headed over to Pelican on Thursday morning and did the business."

Charity officer Lorraine Peterson, junior co-ordinator Lea Guy and club president John Thoroughgood were amongst the contingent from the club that attended.

"Marine Rescue do such great work," Randal said.

"They're getting a headquarters built and they only have so much money themselves and need cash to fit it out. So they were over the moon too and blown away by the initiative."

Next year Terlaba Lakesiders intend to raise funds for Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service.

Teralba have led the way in responding to restrictions imposed during the pandemic.

With normal club activities severely curtailed, the club was quick to initiate their "Non-Comp" which enables anglers who might be time poor to be involved in a competition with slightly more flexibility.

"The Non-Comp is set up so you can fish anytime," Randal explained.

"It's done on a catch and release, bragmat basis.

"If you catch a fish, you take a pic on the bragmat and send it in to the club or myself for registration and I put it up on the club Facebook page.

"There are 16 species categories and will be judged at the end of the year.

"So far we've had a 46cm bream and 46cm luderick.

"There's a few others up there too

"The fishermen in the club are that good there's always chance they'll knock someone off."

The club held its first official weigh-in on July 18 where six big jew were presented.

"We took the chance when it presented because, who knows, it might be the only one we get in the next couple of weeks, months, whatever," Randal said.

"We were able to assemble then but we had to be social distanced and seated.

"We had a few people inside the club [Teralba Bowling Club] and called them out as it rolled."

The club also held its presentation on the same day.

Notable winners included: Estuary champion Ian Weimer; Offshore winner Ian Guy; Womens' champ Leannder Guy; and biggest fish, Paul St John for a 10.5kg jew.

"We've got the strongest estuary comp in the lake by far," Randal said.

"And although we're just a young club, last year we had 70 active members and this year, despite all the COVID nonsense, we have already resigned 55 members."

Local estuaries continue to resemble a cup of tea, with lots of brown water still flushing out courtesy of recent rains.

It looks like we might be in for a bit more precipitation too over the next few days, combined with some cooler temps.

"Definitely a case of opportunity knocks for the more hardy souls this weekend," Randal said.

"There's still a fair few salmon in Swansea channel, and a few tailor about - the birds have been working.

"I fished Monday and got my bag of bream and a 79cm flathead that went onto the bragmat for the Non-Comp.

"There was also plenty of luderick about."

Geoff "Kanga" Ruse, from Freddy's Fishing World at Broadmeadow, reports plenty of trevally throughout the lake responding to plastics, little metals and blades

"There's also bream and flathead throughout most estuaries, and the jew fishos have been having a ball with all this dirty water," Geoff said. "I think it's been one of the best jew fishing seasons we've ever seen.

"A lot of guys have been venturing inland to Copeton dam to chase Murray Cod

"Offshore they're still getting a few yellowfin.

"Salmon and tailor off the beaches has been a no-brainer and the beaches, though eroded, remain fishable."

If you've had some joy fishing recently and you're interested in potentially winning a prize, email your pics into Fishing@newcastleherald.com.au.

We love hearing about your success and the fame and glory that comes with it will last at least a lunchtime..