Melbourne, May 4 : He might have had many people at his beck and call when dealing with the affairs of the state, but Former Prime Minister Malcolm Fraser is apparently having a tough time finding a fishing buddy - and so he’s placed an advertisement in a local newspaper.

Fraser, known to be an enthusiastic fisherman, placed the ad in the Mornington Peninsula Leader, and is willing to pay 400 dollars for somebody "who knows Westernport Bay fishing intimately" to take him on the water for a day.

"Guiding fees for a successful operation $350 to $400 a day," The Daily Telegraph quoted the ad, as saying.

While the ad did not clarify what constituted a successful operation, but it did offer a 20ft (6m) boat to be supplied to Fraser’s fishing buddy.

He has already rejected the first few offers that he received from potential fishing buddies, but one of the popular fishing personalities, Rex Hunt, has also volunteered to spend one day fishing with him.

"I would be only too proud to take him out for a day's fishing as my repayment for the time and energy he gave to this great country," said Hunt.

He also advised that that Fraser should wait until after the AFL Grand Final as with decreasing water temperatures in Westernport there was a decline in fish numbers as well.

Meanwhile, Fraser was not available for comment, even on the number provided in the ad. (ANI)