There are two species of breams to be found in the Clyde River: the black bream and the yellow-finned bream. The black bream is a very deep golden colour with opaque fins. Their main habitat is just below and above the Nelligen Bridge, although they can be found right up to Shallow Crossing.
To quote from Lindsay Bond's booklet "Fishing the Clyde River":
"The deep holes and logs along the river are favoured both for food and protection. When extra high tides occur such as 1.5 metres to 2 metres, the bream will retreat into the shoreline mangroves and can be taken in just 2 feet of water.
The most effective baits are worms, peeled prawns and salt-water yabbies. The best time to catch these fish is the first of the run up tide and at night. When fishing an area where the tide is not running too fast, successful catches can be made right through the run of the tide.
The yellow-finned bream is very similar in colour with striking yellow fins. If the fish has been in the river for some time, they will be slightly bronze. I have found that they leave the river in the wintertime to cleanse themselves and return from September to May each year. Some do not leave the river in this pattern and catches may be made during this time.
The yellow-fins can be caught in most areas of the Clyde River, in oyster leases, deep holes, longs along the shoreline, under the mangroves at high tide and especially in the many creeks flowing into the Clyde. The most favoured bait for the yellow-fins is striped tuna, peeled prawns, worms, yabbies and strips of small yellowtail.
The flesh is quite firm and most pleasing to the palate."
