NGFC postponed their events late last week because of the forecast of strong southerly conditions.

The new dates of April 24-25 were announced this week. Those entered who are not keen to fish in the timeslot can get a refund.

Meanwhile, the annual Twin Rivers Classic at Raymond Terrace this Friday, Saturday and Sunday is set to continue with a bumper prize offering, despite the predicted challenging weather.

The region could cop easterly winds in excess of 30kmph and more the 100mm of rain across Friday and Saturday before conditions are tipped to ease on Sunday.

Event organiser Peter Hughes was confident enough "hard-nosed fishos" would take on the elements with a long list of prizes up for grabs.

"We'll be going ahead, hell or high water, because we had to cancel it last year because of COVID," Hughes said.

"We don't want to cancel it two years in a row.

"The weather is not expected to be great, but those people who have a good raincoat and who are determined are going to win prizes.

"There's going to be a lot of prizes and I estimated over $8000 worth will be up for grabs.

"They will probably be between $50 and $200 in value, and then $2000 for the major prize. All for a $25 entry fee.

"There will be about 40 decent prizes and we typically get about 130 people sign on, but we are likely to be down on numbers because of the weather."

Hughes said Newcastle Harbour could be a go-to area for competitors, especially those chasing mulloway, given the heavy recent rain.

"There will always be fish in the harbour, especially on the run-in tide," he said.

The competition starts Friday at 5pm. The weigh-in deadline is 3pm Sunday, after which winners will be announced. All prize winners need to be present to be eligible.

In addition to the traditional weigh-in categories for mulloway, bream and flathead, the competition now includes a catch and release division of bass, bream and flathead.

The competition area covers the Williams and Hunter rivers, including Newcastle Harbour to the end of Stockton Breakwall and Fullerton Cove.

Registration points are Junction Inn Hotel at Raymond Terrace, Tackle Power at Mayfield West BP on Industrial Drive, Terrace Meats at Centro or Marketplace Raymond Terrace and BCF at Heatherbrae. Online registration is also available via Facebook, phone or email.

Apologies from esteemed colleague Simon Walker this week after he mistakenly attributed the Charlestown Anglers' March outing report to Teralba Lakesiders Fishing Club in last week's column.

The error was corrected in the online version, once pointed out, but the print edition was, well, the one that got away.

Don't forget to send in your Fish Of The Week entries.

With no entries this week, the prize went to Brendan Stobbart thanks to photos sent in as part of Teralba Lakesiders Fishing Club's news this month.

Rods and reels might be getting a rest as anglers ride out stormy weather but signs are good for fishing in the aftermath.

Port Stephens was battered with more than 50mm of rain on Thursday and more was on the way.

Brent "Hammer" Hancock, from Tackle World Port Stephens, said the short-term pain would bring gains.

"I'd say we're going to be catch trout and cod in the bay in the next couple of weeks," Hancock said. "But it will stir the fish up. When we have these big rain events, the water goes muddy and terrible, but it certainly spurs the fish on and when we get into Easter the fishing will be really good. The bay will clear in a couple of weeks and the fishing will be red-hot.

"And we still have warm water offshore. There's still plenty of good fish around - longtail, cobia, even a Spanish mackerel was caught last week."

Jason "One For" Nunn, from Fishermans Warehouse Marks Point, said Swansea Channel, Newcastle Harbour. and perhaps the western side of Lake Macquarie would be spots for those desperate for a fish this weekend as strong on-shore winds and rain hit.

"It's disappointing because there were a few fish about," Nunn said.

"We went out on Saturday and fished out on the shelf, catching a few marlin on board the Fifi.

"We got two blacks and a stripe and Steve Thomas' boat got a blue they estimated was between 150 and 160kg. Garry Hoff on Out Of The Blue, they got a little black marlin as well. There were also a few blacks, blues and a stripes caught at Port Stephens."