STLAA Trout 2002 by Norm Cribbin

Angling Report of the Southern Tasmanian Licensed Anglers Association

Index Editorial .................................................................... 2 Inland Fisheries Service .......................................... 3 Ministers Report on Inland Fisheries 2001-2002... 3 Recreational Fisheries Management Activities ..... 5 Hydro Tasmania Report – Angling for Energy .... 7 MAST Report ........................................................... 9 FACT Report.......................................................... 10 Shack Sites Project – Benefits to Angling ............ 11 Tasmanian Angling Hall Of Fame Project .......... 12 STLAA Reports...................................................... 14 STLAA Executive................................................ 14 Presidents Report ................................................. 15 Club Reports ........................................................ 17 Australian Polish Anglers Club ....................... 17 Bothwell Angling Club .................................... 19 Bridgewater Anglers Association .................... 21 Clarence Licensed Anglers Club ..................... 23 Huonville Licensed Anglers Association......... 24 Kingborough Anglers Association................... 25 Lake Pedder Anglers Club ............................... 26 Maydena Anglers Club .................................... 27 New Norfolk Licensed Anglers Association ... 28 Tarraleah-Bronte Anglers Club........................ 30 Features & Special Reports................................... 31 The Policeman and the Bunyip ............................ 31 Tasmanian Dream ................................................ 32 The Origin of Lake Burbury ................................ 34 A ‘Real’ Community Project ............................... 36 The Dee................................................................ 38 A Day Out with a Trout Guide ............................ 39 Arthurs Lake with Mr Davy................................. 41 Arthus Lakes 1927-1963...................................... 42 As It Was – 1964/65 ............................................ 45 Angling in the Derwent Valley ............................ 47 Lagoon of Islands................................................. 49 Tupp’s Indispensable ........................................... 50 Days of a Long Lost Era ...................................... 51 Using the Ashley Spinners................................... 53 A Jassid’s Life...................................................... 54 A Proud Achievement.......................................... 56 The Humble Gum Beetle ..................................... 57 Great Lake............................................................ 60 Season 2001-2002 Photo Gallery......................... 61 Mercury Newspaper Clips from 1966.................. 68

Trout 2002 Tasmanian Angling Report of the Southern Tasmanian Licensed Anglers Association is published annually by the association and it’s affiliated Clubs.

Cover Photo: This seasons trout from Arthurs Lake, Penstock Lagoon and Bronte Lagoon

Report Committee: Bill Cornelius Lake Pedder Anglers Ph 0429 851 875 Norm Cribbin Clarence Licensed Anglers Ph 6272 8124 Leanne Datlen Bothwell Anglers Club Ph 6259 5728 Duncan Hughes New Norfolk Anglers Ph 6263 7963 Harvey Taylor STLAA Honorary Historian Ph 6247 6400

Editorial

f the enthusiasm of a small group of dedicated anglers could be caught by the majority of the angling community, then we would have a tremendous reserve to call on when things need to be done with our fishery. Unfortunately, this does not and probably will never be the case, however there are those out there who are willing to raise their hands when ever a job needs to be done. I refer in particular to the small group who took on the task of preparing this annual report, there was no other incentive apart from the fact that due to economic downturns and lack of sponsors support it appeared there would be no TROUT 2002. For over twenty years there has been a combined report of the three Associations, and in the South reports go back to around 1912. To have seen this continuous annual event fall away this year stirred in some of the members a need for action, and this, albeit reduced report, is the result of their actions. The angling community should be thankful of the actions of a few to ensure a report was prepared and published this year. Working with the committee responsible I was both delighted to be able to assist, but even more, proud to be associated with such a dedicated group whose one aim was to achieve a positive result despite the hurdles placed in their way. Harvey J Taylor

Brown Trout by Ashley Kent

Inland Fisheries Service Ministers Report on Inland Fisheries 2001-2002

largest remaining populations of the endangered Clarence galaxias, Galaxias johnstoni. Inland Fisheries staff have been working hard to minimise the impact on the galaxias, firstly, by removing the trout which are growing rapidly and predating on the galaxias. In addition, a barrier has been installed in the inflow stream to prevent fish accessing potential spawning habitat and possibly moving into upstream ponds. Information signs have been placed by the Service adjacent to the lagoon to explain the problem. The Inland Fisheries Service is now developing a statewide stocking policy to address the issue of illegal stocking of trout.

his year, two staff members of the Inland Fisheries Service have been formally recognised for their commitment to the environment. The first is Inland Fisheries Project Officer, Todd Walsh, who was presented with the Professor Harry Bloom Memorial Award for Environmental Excellence last year. Todd was presented with the Award in recognition of his outstanding contribution to protecting and enhancing the natural environment, and in particular, for his work helping to save the Giant Tasmanian Freshwater Lobster. Todd developed and implemented a public awareness and education campaign in the North of the State, with the aim of broadcasting the need to conserve lobster habitat and prevent poaching of the species. As a result local communities in the area have embraced this unique Tasmanian species as a symbol of healthy rivers and river rehabilitation.

This situation at Johnsons is one example of the severe effects of illegal introductions and transfers of trout, and any other fish (including native species), between waters. Illegal introductions cost Tasmanians, in terms of degradation of waterbodies, loss of species, damage to recreational fisheries and management costs. Direct impacts on anglers of illegal trout stocking activities include loss of trophy waters, degradation of wild fish stocks with domestic strains, the closure of a club rearing unit, and the current moratorium on access to fish for stocking of farm dams.

The second acknowledgment to the Inland Fisheries is through the hard work of Jean Jackson, Native Fish Conservation Manager, who has been nominated in a joint application with Hydro Tasmania, for an Environmental Award for her work implementing the recovery plan for Galaxias pedderensis. This focuses on the galaxiid refuge, which has been constructed at Strathgordon and has enabled the transfer of a remnant population of Pedder galaxias from Lake Oberon to breed up in Lake Pedder.

Other introduced fish in Tasmanian freshwaters, namely carp, gambusia, yabbies, redfin, tench and goldfish, have the potential to cause severe damage to aquatic habitats and fisheries. An obvious example is the introduction of carp to Lakes Sorell and Crescent, which has resulted in the long-term closure of the Lake Crescent fishery.

Native fish conservation suffered a major setback last November with the discovery of illegally introduced rainbow trout in Johnsons Lagoon, on the Central Plateau in the World Heritage Area, which contains one of the

Another example is Eastern gambusia, which was recently discovered in the

Museum of Trout Fishing, which is housed at the Salmon Ponds.

Tamar River. These introduced pest fish probably came from a population originally reported in a nearby farm dam in 1993. The Service poisoned that population and subsequent investigations suggested that this strategy had been successful. However, the Service is now in the process of determining fish numbers and distribution in the Tamar catchment. The species has been listed as a 'controlled fish' under the Inland Fisheries Act 1995, which means that it is illegal to import, release, transfer or have possession of these fish in Tasmania.

Of major interest to anglers are the proposed improvements to the fishery at Lake Echo, which has a healthy population of trout and offers a significant recreational fishery. The Service proposes to increase fishing access to Lake Echo by seeking agreement with Forestry Tasmanian and Gunns Ltd to open roads around the Lake, enabling anglers to access the Lake's northern and western shores. Access to the northern end was lost about 20 years ago and anglers have not been able to fish the waters safely due to strong prevailing winds. The Service has also sought involvement by MAST in the construction of a first boat ramp and parking area about 4km from the southern end on the western side of Lake, which is due to be completed mid year and be available for next seasons' opening. The Service also has long term plans to open a second boat ramp at Tea Tree Bay at the northern end of the lake. The opening and development of the Lake Echo fishery is seen by the Service as a strategy to reduce the fishing pressure on the State's other premier trout fisheries, such as Arthurs Lake and waters in the Western Lakes Fishery.

The need to enable fish passage in rivers and streams arose as a critical issue last year for freshwater fishery management and it has been approached on two fronts. Firstly, an NHT project was mounted specifically to address the removal of artificial barriers, that is, redundant weirs in Tasmanian waterways. Secondly, an inter-agency mechanism for the assessment of dam construction applications has been established, which includes an Inland Fisheries representative on the Technical Assessment Panel that advises the Assessment Committee for Dam Construction (ACDC). This means that in future, farm dams will be constructed to provide adequate fish passage for both trout and native fish species.

Work has proceeded well with the Lake Sorell-Crescent Rehabilitation Project and a model for the future management of the fishery is now being developed. A critical element is the Water and Catchment Management Plans for the lakes and the Clyde River system. It is expected that a draft Water Management Plan will be released for public comment in August 2002. It is the view of the Service that minimum water levels must be set for both lakes if the problem of turbidity (which has been experienced in recent years) is to be avoided in the future.

The redevelopment of the Salmon Ponds kicked off late last year with $500,000 being allocated for improvements aimed at presenting the site as a significant nature based tourism destination in Tasmania. The State Government has provided $400,000 from the State Government's Infrastructure Fund and a further $100,000 was obtained by the IFS from the Federal Government's Strategic Natural Heritage Fund. In addition, 20,000 has been allocated for the development of an Anglers' Hall of Fame for inclusion in the Tasmanian

World Heritage Area Consultative Committee and be in place by the end of the year.

News about the carp problem has also been good over the past year, with the carp population at both lakes having been reduced significantly. The number of carp in Lake Crescent has been estimated at 50 adult fish and there has been limited spawning and recruitment of carp. In Lake Sorell, a similar number of adult fish has been estimated and future efforts there will be put into fishing-down the juvenile population before these fish can mature.

The Fishery Management Plan for Great Lake is now well under-way with the establishment of a reference group to develop a vision for this important fishery. The Service expects to submit the draft Plan to IFAC later this year. The Service has also commenced work on an interim Fishery Management Plan for Lake Crescent. It is possible that there may be a limited opening of Lake Crescent in early 2003 depending on lake water levels and recommendations from the carp management program.

The planned road sealing at the Shannon Lagoon will proceed later this calendar year. An agreement has been made with Hydro Tasmania on a new water management regime for the Lagoon. However, a decision on raising the water level of the Lake has been deferred until Hydro Tasmania can confirm the impact on dam safety of a higher water level.

I would like to end this report by thanking the angling community and individuals for their support, hard work and commitment to the future of our inland fisheries. I look forward to reporting next year on further government initiatives and progress in managing this, one of Tasmania's most important, natural assets.

Fishery management plans have become an important focus of the Service over the past year. The public comment phase for the Draft Western Lakes Fishery Management Plan has been completed and the Service is now in the process of finalising the Plan which will be presented to IFAC and then submitted to me for final approval. It is expected that the Plan will be endorsed by the

David Llewellyn Minister for Primary Industries Water & Environment

Recreational Fisheries Management Activities

nland Fisheries Service - Overview of Recreational Fisheries Management Activities 2001/02

success of Program.

the

Carp

Management

A considerable amount of effort was put into examination of the Lake Sorell trout population. During the spawning run of 2001, the entire run of brown trout spawners (2872) were weighed, measured and tagged. An extensive recapture program was conducted later in the year to estimate the population size.

The Carp Management Program at lakes Crescent and Sorell has now being running for six years. During this time European carp have been contained within the two lakes and carp numbers have been reduced to very low levels. The Service is currently developing a strategy to open Lake Crescent to angling without compromising the

(brown trout) were monitored, and a sample of two hundred fish from each run were weighed and measured. Brown and rainbow trout from the spawning runs at Liawenee, Great Lake, were stripped of eggs and milt to provide restock for numerous waters around the State. Modification of the IFS trapping facilities at Great Lake were undertaken this year and should greatly improve this collection in future years, particularly for rainbow trout.

For the sixth consecutive year, recruitment of brown trout fry from Mountain Creek (Lake Sorell) was examined. This involved the trapping and counting of all fry that dropped out of Mountain Creek and entered the lake. During February 2002 a sample of one hundred brown trout was taken from Lake Sorell for the examination of the diet, age and growth rates.

The sixth and final year of monitoring of the effects of environmental (summer) flows in the Mersey River was completed. The analysis and reporting of this study will be completed later. Eradication of illegally stocked rainbow trout from Johnsons Lagoon is continuing.

Spawning Fish – Mountain Creek As part of the adult brown trout transfer program, mature fish from Great Lake were stocked into the Western Lakes area, Penstock Lagoon, Lake Crescent and several other small waters on the Central Plateau. All adult fish transferred into Penstock Lagoon were tagged, while fish transferred to Lake Crescent had their adipose fin clipped. Tagging and marking of these fish will enable later examination of the brown trout populations within these waters. Restocking of Blackmans Lagoon and the Waterhouse lakes was undertaken using a combination of juvenile and adult brown trout collected by the IFS from overpopulated streams within the Scottsdale area.

The Fishery Management Plan for the Western Lakes has been completed and the Great Lake Fishery Management Plan initiated with a workshop held in June to discuss stakeholder management options. New fishery signage was installed at Penstock Lagoon and the Western Lakes. The angler postal questionnaire has for the sixteenth year been circulated to a sample of ten percent of all licensed anglers. This year the Service will be examining angler satisfaction levels for the State’s Inland Fisheries.

The spawning runs at Lagoon of Islands (rainbow trout), Great Lake (rainbow trout & brown trout), and Arthurs Lake

Rob Freeman – Inland Fisheries Service

Hydro Tasmania Report â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Angling for Energy

needs of all those who rely on and enjoy our waterways and water storage resources.

or over 80 years, Tasmania's hydroelectric system has supported the development of our world-class recreational fisheries resource, providing access and facilities, as well as funding for research and species protection.

Steady winter and spring inflows to rebuild our storages will be welcomed by industry, household consumers and anglers alike.

Anglers have a vast choice of diverse and spectacular locations where they can enjoy fishing, boating or sightseeing locations where unsurpassed recreation and vital energy generation go hand in hand. As the manager and significant proportion fresh waterways and Hydro Tasmania takes very seriously.

Hydro Tasmania has an impressive record of managing Tasmania's hydro catchments and the quality of our water resource. And as far as possible, it is done in a manner that accommodates the needs of recreational users and anglers in particular. In fact, the very development of our hydro-electric system has provided many of the facilities now enjoyed by anglers. In building its power schemes, Hydro Tasmania has also provided boat ramps, picnic grounds and access to prime fishing areas that are enjoyed by thousands of anglers each year - facilities that attract anglers, not only from Tasmania, but from throughout Australia and around the world.

custodian of a of Tasmania's water storages, its responsibility

The rivers, streams and lakes that provide the sport and enjoyment for thousands of anglers also provide our clean, renewable electricity resource, enabling us to produce more than 60 per cent of Australia's renewable energy. Given the vagaries of nature, it can be a challenging management task, but it is a responsibility that Hydro Tasmania exercises in the best interests of all Tasmanians and with considerable success.

As well as the development of facilities around the state, Hydro Tasmania's support for angling includes the provision of increased water flows in the Mersey River costing some $600,000 a year in energy forgone, the permanent provision of land at Bronte Lagoon for the angling community, the provison of regular lake level and river flow data to anglers and the funding of a range of studies, research and management projects aimed at nurturing and protecting this valuable recreational resource.

This challenge can be exacerbated in times of extremely low rainfall such as that experienced in the first half of this year, which has seen some storages fall to record low levels. April and May 2002 inflows were the lowest on record and Hydro Tasmania was required to pull out all stops to meet the state's electricity demand. The operation of some storages was varied to maximise output and major industrial users cooperated by modifying their energy demands to assist at such a critical time. It is this sort of understanding that enables Hydro Tasmania to meet the

The advent of Basslink and the development of wind farms will further enhance Hydro Tasmania's ability to successfully manage our water catchment resources. Indeed the

additional off-peak electricity resource available through Basslink and the new wind energy will provide the flexibility to better protect our water storages.

valuable natural resources, our inland lakes and waterways, are managed and preserved for the future.

These two initiatives, along with Hydro Tasmania's continuing professional management, will ensure that our most

Helen Brain â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Hydro Tasmania - Public Relations Officer

MAST Report

required to remove sand and silt build-up in the intake channel and to stop the potential for sediment to be discharged into Brumbys Creek. The build up of sand and silt may damage the power station infrastructure, especially the Poatina Turbines due to the abrasive nature of the sediment. The work started on 20 May, 2002 and may take up to five months to complete. For safety, boats should be kept 200m from the works. MAST has continued with education nights around the State, which have been widely attended. These were held in Spring and again in Autumn. Over 1000 recreational boat owners attended these sessions. The school education program has also continued and MAST has scheduled appointments with schools to December, 2002.

ortunately we have got through the 2001/02 year without a single recreational boating fatality. This is a tribute to recreational boat owners who have taken on board the safety lessons learned from past tragedies. It is great to see almost every boat owner wearing their lifejackets while their boats are under power. This year Marine and Safety Tasmania provided gravel to extend the boat ramps at Brandum Bay, Tods Corner, Breona and Cramps Bay on Great Lake. The Barren Tier UHF repeater again received funding. However, the shortage of rain and the consequent rapid decline in water levels in Great Lake meant that by the end of autumn ramps on Great Lake had been long left behind. Anglers have had difficulty in particular launching at Tods Corner and Cramps Bay due to the level of silt at the base of these ramps. Unfortunately it was not possible for MAST to undertake any further extension of these ramps task as there is no sound base to lay more gravel. Hopefully these very low levels, which last occurred ten years ago will not be repeated and winter rains will see lake levels in Great Lake increase. Funding from the recreational boating fund this year will see work undertaken at the following locations: • • • • •

MAST Stand at AGFEST Recently MAST had a stand at AGFEST, it was an opportunity for inland water fishermen to voice any concerns they may have with regards to legislation, facilities and licences, the stand was well attended and the response from the general public was very positive. A buoyancy display was set up in a swimming pool displaying incorrect and correct buoyancy in vessels. It was a great opportunity to catch up with anglers and we were pleased to be able to meet so many in person. For further information on MAST, please visit our website on http://www.mast.tas.gov.au

Butlers Gorge, Lake King William – upgrading access to the ramp. Tooms Lake – gravel launching area. Pumphouse Pt – provide additional car parking spaces. Lake Echo – construction of a new launching facility 3 km from the dam wall. Barren Tier – continued maintenance to the UHF repeater.

Hydro Tasmania has advised that access to Great Lake from Poatina Intake Road has been closed due to urgent work

FACT Report by Peter Richards

drive club members away in droves as they rebel against this intrusion on there time. This will ultimately mean that Associations will be forced to provide the information needed for this task. This places an added burden on those few members who are already working hard for the fishery they love. It will also place further onus on FACT Delegates to visit clubs in their area. This will also place these Delegates under intense scrutiny as the workload becomes an unacceptable burden.

ACT is working harder than ever. There seems to be a never ending stream of problems associated with our fishery. Unfortunately, the problems that beset us today look remarkably similar to those we encountered when we started in 1981. Access, conservation areas, camping, selective angling practices, rules and regulations, commercialisation and management plans. The present management plan for the Western Lakes, although good in many aspects, lacks detail, especially in relation to stocking matters. What is minimal? What is moderate? There appears to be little done for shallow lagoons being ruined by wading! Boating has not received the attention that befits the area, and the task of addressing canoes and float-tubes has been passed.

Nevertheless, we will continue to represent all anglers at the highest level to the best of our ability - anything less would be unacceptable. On a much happier note, it is with great pleasure that after five long years the Hall Of Fame has received funding and will go ahead.

Many anglers are upset that items such as some size limits and the 'possession limit' were not addressed in the Issues and Options Paper have been included in the Draft Management Plan without discussion. Why have these options been included at a late stage without going through the consultation process?

$10,000 from the Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal in South Australia and a matching amount from our State Government which was thankfully secured by our Minister, David Llewellyn, will see this project underway shortly. Members of the angling fraternity who have given outstanding service to our great sport will now be honoured.

The bait-fishing issue has raised the ire of many anglers who follow this traditional form of angling. They can't understand why, without scientific proof, they are bearing the brunt of the introduction of pest species. Not that the IFS are saying this, no, but the stigma is there. It is hard to understand why bait fishing is being so restrictive when other forms of angling can cause environmental damage and little is done.

A former FACT project, "Stepping Stones to Freshwater Angling is also enjoying success in many schools. The upshot of this is that junior anglers are joining clubs to further their new sport. The paintings and drawings at Liawenee over the last two years show that the effort is more than worthwhile.

We have been informed that a new draft management plan will be sent out at the rate of one every two months. This will

Shack Sites Project â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Benefits to Angling

he Shack Sites Project has been very busy over the past 12 months. Across the State the future of more than 1,000 shack sites have been determined, with more than 97% of shack sites suitable for retention. The benefit to our for our beloved fishery is that due to the retention of the shack sites over $4 million dollars is being spent over the next three years on upgrades and installation of wastewater systems across the State that will eliminate the pollution problems of the past. There will also be formalisation of all traditional accesses to and along the lake, river or sea foreshore. These accesses will be signposted and formed where required.

A Western Lakes Shack If any of you wish to know more about the Shack Sites Project please contact our office on (03) 62332866 and we will be glad to inform you on our work in any area that you have an interest in. Tight lines and good fishing to you all! Scott Marston Project Manager Shack Sites Project

A Typical Highlands Shack in Winter Each of the lots created under the Shack Sites Act also have had best practice bushfire management strategies applied to them, and all accesses onto major roads upgraded to contemporary standards. Shacks are firmly part of the Tasmanian culture and the formalisation of the Shacks on Crown Land will ensure that the tradition of families enjoying the use of their shacks can continue into perpetuity.

How not to leave the Westernlakes Area after you have been camping. This depression is full discarded cans, bottles and plastic.

Tasmanian Angling Hall Of Fame Project

This Board comprises the State Minister for Inland Fisheries David Llewellyn, Senator Guy Barnett, Tasmanian Senator, Mr. Peter Richards, President of FACT, Ms Julie Avery, Executive Officer of Inland Fisheries Service, and Mr. Harvey Taylor, Project Manager and Angling Historian.

he Tasmanian recreational angling community initiated this project in February 1998. The aim was to record and preserve the history of both the events and people who have created Tasmania’s world-renowned trout fishery. The project received unanimous support from angling clubs and associations, as well as from the private sector and the broader community.

The Board has held it’s inaugural meeting, and has agreed that two panels, plus six ‘heads’ would be ideal to start off the display. A reference visit was made to interstate Halls of Fame, to ascertain the best possible way to develop the Tasmanian operation, and in conjunction with local graphic designers a final outcome in regard to both event panels and personality ‘heads’ has been decided.

The Salmon Ponds at Plenty, an hours drive north of Hobart, is the site where trout were first acclimatized in the Southern hemisphere in 1864, and on the site is the Museum of Trout Fishing, which will be the home of the Tasmanian Angling Hall of Fame.

The Inland Fisheries Service of Tasmania has been very supportive of the project, and have made the space available in the Museum of Trout Fishing to accommodate the display. The State Government of Tasmania will of course be the final owner of the display when completed.

The Museum and the Hall of Fame will compliment each other with displays of both artifacts and pictorial evidence of the history of Tasmania’s trout fishery. The Freshwater Anglers Council of Tasmania (FACT) is the body which manages the project, and they have been actively collecting over the years both photographs and descriptive notes of persons who could possibly be nominees for the Hall of Fame. As well there has just been released to the broader community a nomination form, with closing date of first round of nominees by end of August this year.

Currently the Salmon Ponds site is undergoing some major re-development and it is hoped that that commencement of the Hall of Fame areas will be in place by either June or July this year. This will give the angling community time to prepare the rooms for the display material of both the events and people nominated for inclusion into the Hall of Fame.

It is hoped that the response for invitation of nominees will be taken up by both the anglers and the wider community, it is most important that the whole process be seen as completely transparent and above board and to this end a Board of Management has been setup.

FACT have so far managed to develop up two significant panels. Future panels will be considered at later stage of the project, the costs of these panels is expensive so they will be limited in number.

project, as without their support this project would never have ‘got off the ground’. The FRRR funding generated equal support from the State Government of Tasmania, and FACT are now confident that other supporters will be found once the project is under way.

The emphasis initially being on the ‘heads’, and the nomination form has now been released, copies are available from Inland Fisheries Service (6233 4140 or FACT 6344 6835) The nomination forms have also been distributed to angling clubs and associations, tackle shops, and advertised in the media. It is to be hoped that the general public adopt the Hall of Fame project and contribute the necessary information for additional nominees apart from those from the angling community.

The achievements to date have been significant, with approximately 50 persons being submitted for selection. The compilation of photographs and text is time consuming as it is only done on a voluntary basis, and it is vitally important that any data displayed is historically correct.

The re-development of the Salmon Ponds site will be completed and an official opening of the Hall of Fame be made then. It is intended to have this as a high profile event, as the Tasmanian Angling Hall of Fame is the only angling Hall of Fame in the Southern Hemisphere and will be a big draw card to both Tasmanians, and interstate and overseas visitors.

The preparation for the displays took some time to decide on a final outcome, but FACT now consider what is in place is the very best approach to the displays and feel confident that the final outcome will be equal to or better than other similar projects worldwide. Harvey J Taylor Project Manager

FACT is delighted that the Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal was able to supply seed funding for the

Mayfly by Ashley Kent

STLAA Reports STLAA Executive OFFICE BEARERS 2001-2002 POSTAL ADDRESS: GPO Box 159 Hobart 7001 CONTACT POINT: Mr Terry Byard PATRON: Mr Des Cranfield PRESIDENT: Mr Terry Byard VICE PRESIDENT: Vacant SECRETARY: Mr Louis Molnar HONORARY TREASURER: Mr Neil Pinkard FACT DELEGATE: Mr Norm Cribbin HONORARY HISTORIAN: Harvey Taylor EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE: Messers Terry Byard, Louis Molnar, Neil Pinkard, Norm Cribbin and Bill Cornelius CLUB DELEGATES: Australian Polish Tony Blackwell, Noel Doyle Bothwell Anglers Bob Wilton, Leanne Datlen, Bridgewater Anglers David Goss, Trevor Sutton Clarence Licensed Anglers Norm Cribbin, Neil Pinkard Glenorchy Anglers Club Ken Koerbin, Basil Farnell Huonville Anglers Harry Roberts, David Roberts Kingborough Anglers Association Wilfred Knight, Lake Pedder Anglers Bill Cornelius, Paul Roach Maydena Anglers Club John Barratt New Norfolk Licensed Anglers Duncan Hughes, Wayne Perkins Tarraleah/Bronte Anglers Robert Aitkenhead LIFE MEMBERS: M.O. Wood E.M. Beechy E.T. Smith A. Maclaine Mrs J. Walker C. Smith R. Cairns

1968 1968 1970 1979 1981 1983 1983

K. Morley D. Lynch R. Ryder P. Hodge C. Bourke L. Ward B. Creed

1983 1983 1983 1984 1985 1987 1992

P. Lowe R. Aitchison K. Jones D. Cranfield R. Bradshaw

1992 1995 1999 1999 2002

Presidents Report

Angling Report in its consolidated format covering the three Associations and their activities etc, was in production from 1981 to 2001 and was eagerly awaited on each season by a great many anglers. Despite a great deal of work by the Report Committee and our Editor Mr Harvey Taylor to keep the book going, in the end it was simply beyond our resources to continue with it. On the bright side however, it seems that a "local version" will arise to replace Trout and will be available to our members.

t is with pleasure that I am able to report on the activities of the Association for the 2001/02 year. There have been Jots of issues to deal with and on the fishing front, well, many might say "that was the season that was". After the encouragement of good autumn/winter/spring rains which "broke the drought", good fishing was generally patchy. I suspect that the unusually cool summer had a bearing on this. Certainly, some of the good traditional insect hatches just did not occur.

One issue which has continued to focus our attention on throughout the year has been the Lake Sorell/Crescent Rehabilitation project and its progress towards completion. With much of the scientific work nearing completion, the final and perhaps most critical phase of the program has commenced. This involves the preparation of Water Management plans for both lakes and the Clyde River. The STLAA Focus Group which was established in February 2000, has worked very hard throughout the past year to make sure that the Association was kept up to speed with project developments and to ensure continued involvement in the process as a major stakeholder.

Throughout the year, Association meetings have been well attended and we managed to cover many issues impacting on our patch. In October, the first of two special general meetings was held. This took place at New Norfolk and was somewhat historic in that it was the first occasion, as far as I am aware, that the STLAA and the Clyde River Trust had met to discuss the issue of water management within the catchment. The meeting was informative, very well attended and was held in good spirits. One of the outcomes from the meeting was that both groups agreed that we should continue to have discussions on this most important issue.

In recognition of this contribution, the Association has two representatives on a Consultative Group which has been formed to assist in the development of the Water Management plans- these reps. are Trevor Sutton and Peter Wood, both of whom are members of our Focus Group. Along with Trevor and Peter, I would like to sincerely thank the other members of this group, Peter Thompson, Rod Walker and Bernard Creed for their great commitment and contribution throughout the year.

The second special general meeting was held at Lindisfarne in November and involved a very informative presentation by Hydro Tasmania on Basslink. This meeting was also well attended and provided our members with a very good overview of how Basslink is intended to operate and how it might impact on some of our lakes and river systems. On a sad note, it was particularly disappointing to see our long standing production of "Trout" fall victim to economic circumstances. The Tasmanian

The STLAA calls on our Government to take urgent action to protect community, not for profit groups from litigation. Unless such protection is forthcoming, groups such as ours will be forced into oblivion and this does not bear thinking about.

The demise of this once famous fishery has been well documented and the road to recovery has been long and still continues. Despite this, the STLAA stands committed to the return of these waters as a popular angler destination. The Association will continue to strive to ensure that a water management framework is put in place to both protect and sustain the environmental and ecological values of these waters.

Other events of note for the year were the successful family/BBQ day at Tolosa Park in September and the presentation of Services to Angling Certificates at our last AGM to Norm Cribbin (Clarence), Trevor Sutton and Barry Sherriff (Bridgewater) and David Triffett (New Norfolk).

The Associations wetland project to restore Hazelwoods Lagoon continues with very good recovery of aquatic vegetation etc within the lagoon. The working bee conducted last May to dam the main outflow drain was very successful and the effects of this work will be the key driver in the overall recovery of the wetland. An aquatic vegetation survey has been I completed and the Project Group is currently pursuing aspects involving species reintroduction, long-term protection status for the area and stock grazing. I sincerely thank the project group members Rod and Kelli Walker, David Driver (Clarence) and Trevor Sutton (Bridgewater) for their continued assistance and support for this project.

In closing can I say thankyou to Club delegates for their contribution and attendance at meetings, our Patron Mr Des Cranfield, and Executive Committee members Louis, Norm, Neil and Bill for your support and the extra hour at each meeting to keep the affairs of the Association in order. Thanks also to Bernard Creed for representing us at IFAC and lastly, Greg McCrossen at IFS for providing us with a great meeting venue. Best wishes to all for a great season ahead.

Like many other community groups right across Australia, our Association is dismayed and shocked by the impact of the public liability insurance issue on our activities. The 500 % increase in our annual premium is clearly beyond the resources of our group and the viability of continued operation by the Association and its member clubs is under threat. To my knowledge, there has never been claim against a freshwater angling club in this State yet we are faced with this predicament. This Association and many of its affiliated clubs have been in continuous operation for nearly one hundred years and through this time, have contributed greatly to our community in many ways.

Terry Byard - President

President: Tony Blackwell Secretary: Margaret Blackwell Postal Address: 30 Dixon St New Norfolk Contact: Ph 6261 3921 Meetings: Monthly

Club Reports Australian Polish Anglers Club

Also I would like to individually thank the following members for their efforts.

I am happy to report that our club is going along nicely with all our competitions and BBQ nights well patronised by our members.

Angela Triffitt for her book keeping skills as Treasurer, her efforts in preparing kebabs for our BBQs and her help at the Saturday nights BBQ as well as weigh-in duty on the Sundays. Well Done Angela!

We had a couple of events during the season. One was the BBQ get together at Tolosa Park and the second was the BBQ Jet boat ride at New Norfolk.

Our secretary Margaret Blackwell for her work at committee meetings.

ell thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s another season come and gone and how quick it seemed to go.

Noel and Christine Doyle. Firstly Noel, Noel volunteered to be our S.T.L.A.A delegate along with myself. He attended meetings once a month at the Inland Fisheries for us.

The first event at Tolosa Park was a great success with a large turnout of members. I think everyone enjoyed them selves on the day.

Noel has helped me out when cooking at our Saturday night BBQs which I appreciated no ends. Also thanks to Christine for her help at the weigh-ins when Angela has been unable to attend and also when Ang has been there. Ken Tubb for his effort in arranging for our new tarp to be made. Ken has been our lighting man at the competitions by supplying his generator and light to light up the camp. Also for all the little things that have not gone unnoticed.

Tolosa Park BBQ The second event at New Norfolk saw some inclement weather. We battled on regardless and had a memorable day. Those who were game enough to take the ride in the jet boat were thrilled with the ride which took them over white water rapids with quiet a few spins for good measure. If the weather had been better what Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve been told this day would have been huge. I would like to sincerely thank our committee members for their work over the season.

Devil Jet Ride

Our competitions this year have been excellent, with good turnouts at all the comps.

Please give your support to these businesses as they support us. Lastly I would like to wish the incoming committee all the best for the coming season and ask all the members to support and help them during the season.

We have made some record catches at some lakes and had great Saturday night BBQâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s.

Tony Blackwell - President

Arthurs Lake Weigh-In We now have our own Internet web site. Many thanks to Matthew Hill for his big effort and the many hours of his time he has donated to the club to build this excellent site. On the site we have competition results, club photos, links to other clubs, and other fishing sites, also weather reports as well as many other things. The club site address is www.angelfire.com/nc3/austpolanglers/ The new club e/mail address is now austpolanglers@hotmail.com Once again our club sponsors have been looking after us. Thanks to Steve Bax and staff at the Spot On Fishing store in Harrington St for his discounts and help they have given our members. Brett Blight at Caltex New Norfolk for his discounts on fuel, the competition raffle prizes. This year we have received the $20.00 petrol vouchers along with a fishing knife valued at $50.00. The petrol vouchers have totalled some $180.00 over the season.

President: Bob Wilton Secretary: Noelene Pearce Postal Address: P.O. Box 44 Bothwell 7030 Contact: Ph 6259 5774 Email: hijack@bigpond.com

Bothwell Angling Club

On 18 November, 2002 we had a FUN FISH WEEKEND at Arthurs Lake. It was a great success despite the wintry conditions of snow, hail and wind. 54 members entered with 53 trout weighedin. We had lots prizes donated as well as the meat for the barbeque. We also had Ross Heddle from ROD & RANGE in attendance, he setup a display and provided some advice for the new Anglers. “THANKS” to all who made this a great day and the sponsors for the prizes.

he Bothwell Anglers Club Presidents report for 2001/2002 season. It is with pleasure I give my first President’s Report and being my first year as Club President it has been an interesting year for me. I have met a lot of interesting people, anglers and worked with a team of dedicated committee members. I would like to thank Keith & Marge Jones for all the work they have put into the club over the years. Keith was the President of the club for the last 2 years and has been involved with the Club for 30 years, he has helped make the club the success it is today. I would also like to thank Tony Johnston for the work he has done for the Club and the past 2 years as Treasurer. A big thanks to the office bearers Noelene Pearce (Secretary), Pam Jones (Treasurer), Leanne Datlen (STLAA Delegate) for the reports from the STLAA we attended each month, Pat & Betty Branch for doing our weigh-in on competitions days and being the weighin Stewards for the monthly competitions. Also I would like to thank all the members who have turned up to our monthly meetings. All members are welcome and encouraged to attend Club meetings which are held every second Thursday in the month, if you have a view or a point to put across, these meetings are where you can have you say.

Bob Wilton at Woods Lake Woods Lake weekends are very popular with members and it is good to see that the members are looking after the property and following the rules set down. The lake has fished well all season. I had two trips to Woods Lake this season and I found it enjoyable watching the fish on the finder as I was trolling in the boat. Most of the trout caught weighed between 300g & 950g cleaned, and all were in good condition. I am also working with Parks and Wildlife to get the Woods Lake road upgraded, this will benefit all anglers. To

In September I attended the STLAA Barbeque with my family. It was a great day supported well by our Club members. Thanks to the Richard Bowden and Peter Bignell for the lambs that they donated for the BBQ.

Mercury, and through this publicity brought in new members. Ray Aitchinson has asked me for updates on the fishing and our competition weekends for the Derwent Valley Gazette which I enjoyed doing.

date research has found that the current road is listed as a 4-wheel drive track only. To have any work undertaken on the road it needs have a status change. Once I have all the paper work I will take it to the Government and push to have the status changed.

This season I have met members from other Clubs, formed new friendships, spent many hours talking mostly fishing, learnt different tips and gained a understanding of how their own Clubs operate. One angler I met said the only way to fish is to use a Cadis Moth pattern when the rise is on and kindly gave two of his Caddis fly patterns to try. One morning in mid February I went out on Arthurs in Tea Tree Bay and there they were, the Caddis rise was 2 metres high and 3 metres wide along the entire shore. I observed some good trout rising to them, so out came the fly rod and on went one of the flies I was given. I greased the line up and cast it to the rising fish. I grassed three nice trout that morning. I am still learning the art of fly fishing and have purchased a new $500 rod this season. Most of the trout that I have on this rod this season have been caught the Cadis Moth pattern. I now always keep these particular flies in my box.

Several members attended the Back to Pedder Competition and had a top weekend. The members weighed-in 6 trout to represent the Bothwell Anglers Club. Lake Pedder can be a difficult water to fish and it pays to have someone with local knowledge with you. Our monthly competition “Field Days” have been well supported by members. Good conditioned trout, most being caught on Mudeyes have been weighed in at Tooms Lake, Craigbourne Dam and Arthurs Lake. Not all “Field Days” however were successful fish wise, the sixth competition was on a windy weekend and only one small trout was weighed in. It was a shocking weekend all over the state. The Club prepared a submission and forwarded it to MAST, to have the boat ramp at Tea Tree Bay at Arthurs Lake upgraded, unfortunately it was unsuccessful in this years round of submissions. Next year we will put the submission in again, and I will endeavour to do more legwork, have all the detail worked out and tee up members to support the submission at all MAST meeting venues. The other submission being prepared is for a Floating Pontoon for the elderly and disabled, as there is no suitable access to the water at Arthurs Lake for them. It will also be a place to teach new anglers the skills and a place for a days outing for the elderly people that live in homes around the state. Hopefully Club members will be available on such days to teach their skills to others. The Club has had good publicity in Harvey Taylor’s angling column in the

Early on in the season at Arthurs Lake most of the trout we caught were on spinners. The best of which has been the Ashley No 14, it has never let us down over the years we have used it. After Christmas you don’t seem to do as good that is when you go onto Mudeyes or pull the fly rod out. If any member would like to learn more or find out about the condition at Arthurs you can always contact me as I live there full time and are only too pleased to help out. To all members I wish you good luck and a safe season coming up. Bob Wilton - President

President: Robert Bradshaw Secretary: Trevor Sutton Postal Address: 31 Girrabong Rd Lenah Valley Contact: Ph 6278 1883 Meetings: Last Tuesday of each month except January

Bridgewater Anglers Association

A very successful Hungi Night was held at Molesworth in May and some $1800 was raised for the purchase of the club shack land A special thanks goes to all those members who helped make this event such a great night.

nce again field weekends were held at the traditional venues that have proved popular in the past. Those being the Derwent River, Tooms Lake, Arthurâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Lake and the Bronte Area. The Derwent fished quite well early in the season, but by far the best results were recorded from Arthurâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Lake and from Tooms Lake

For all those members that were unable to attend this event the committee has programmed a similar evening on the 29th of March .So grab some friends and come along for some fine foods and an enjoyable evening.

As with the previous season Arthurs produced the best result at the late October field weekend, and is a period looked forward to again this year by enthusiasts of this venue Tooms Lake produced magnificent fish all season and the October and March events were the best patronised and most successful club trips for the year. With fish over the two kilogram mark being regularly caught this venue is sure to be popular with members this season, as those fish will be now approaching three kilos!!

The end of season working bee was held at the shack again this year and the hard working members that attended laid new carpet, replenished the wood supply and generally got things ship shape for the new season. Over summer a sizeable concrete slab was poured for a future barbecue shelter. This project will eventually make outdoor eating much more enjoyable.

General meetings were well attended through out the season, but unfortunately due to the issue of the purchase of the land at Dago point, much of our meeting time was devoted to that issue, & not to fishing activities. In an endeavour to make our meetings more interesting the committee has arranged a series of interesting activities this season for the General meetings. They will include Lure making, Fly tying, Videos and slides. Two meetings will be held at well known tackle suppliers, they being, SPOT ON on 27th August commencing at 7.30pm, and at BRIDGES BROS on the 25th February also at 7.30 pm. I encourage members to come along and participate in these informative evenings

With a possible opening of Lake Crescent for a short period next season the shack is likely to have more use than over the previous seasons Trevor Sutton again organised the manning and maintenance of the Plenty River fish trap this year, thank you Trevor. This season however has seen a very poor run of fish, with very few being processed through the trap. I feel the dry autumn may have had a severe effect on the spawning run. At the recent STLAA Annual General Meeting two awards were presented to Club Members.

Finally a special thanks to our secretary Trevor Sutton for his huge effort again this past season. The Bridgewater Anglers Association, strongly encourages family members of all ages to participate in all club activities. We promote angling as an ideal way to teach the younger generation how to enjoy the great outdoors in this State. Members are eager and willing, to teach others wishing to learn the art of freshwater angling, the best way of taking up this great pastime

One of our clubs most dedicated members Frank Johnstone was awarded a Services to Angling Certificate. I congratulate Frank for receiving this award, which was given in recognition of his great contribution to Angling. The second award was a life membership to the Association. This was presented to myself and is an award I feel deeply honoured to receive. During the season the weigh-masters job was performed with great precision and dedication by Noel Bester. Noel also managed to catch his fair share of the fish, and was only out fished by his archrivals the Nettlefold Family. Thanks Noel for a job well done.

New members are most welcome at any time, and should direct enquiries to: The President - Robert Bradshaw Ph 62612702 H Ph 62118449 B Mobile 0418124353

I would like to thank David Goss Peter Wood and Trevor Sutton who have represented the club at either STLAA meetings or special committees over the last year

Many of the lakes are very low at present, so we look to the new season with some trepidation, but with a great fishery such as ours I am sure members will find a favourite water to yield that winning fish.

To the Committee I thank you for helping to work through the issues of the club shack and all the other hard work put in to keep the club running smoothly . Also thanks to all the trophy donors both from within and outside the club. I ask all club members to support those businesses that have donated trophies

I wish you excitement on the water this season Robert Bradshaw - President

Youngest member of Bridgewater Anglersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Association, James Wynwood (6) with Encouragement Award and two trophies on the night of the Annual General Meeting on 26th July. Overwhelmed by the occasion, James together with his mother Giselle and grandmother Mrs Lilian Sutton is presented with his trophies by the former Minister for the IFS, David Llewellyn at the Brighton Bowls Club.

President: Rod Walker Secretary: Norm Cribbin Postal Address: PO Box 281 Rosny Park 7018 Contact: 6272 8124 Email: clacinc@hotmail.com

Clarence Licensed Anglers Club

Club as conditions at these waters are still not suitable for good angling. Additionally as shack owners at Dago Point, the Governments Shack Site Project, which requires the Club to either purchase the land and fund infrastructure improvements or remove the Club shack and leave the site, will see additional financial burden on the Club.

he Clarence Licensed Anglers Club has enjoyed another successful year with the membership remaining stable and our monthly General Meeting attendances averaging approximately 50 percent of our membership. Club finances have been assisted by the newly introduced mini raffles held at each meeting and from our Club's attendance at the annual IFS Liawenee Open Days where our food stalls raised some much needed funds for the Club. Members attending the Open Days also provided welcome assistance to Inland Fisheries personnel.

The Club wound up the traditional trout season with a juniors orientated fishing day at the Snowy Range Trout Farm near Judbury. It was a most successful day with our juniors eligible for prizes for their catch and our adult members having a huge amount of fun, so much so that this will be an annual event on our Club agenda.

I have concerns regarding the Public Liability Insurance problems, which have surfaced over the past twelve months. Reasonable policy costs have not been obtainable by the STLAA and therefore each member of the Clarence Licensed Anglers Club is affected and should be aware of the consequences of having no Public Liability coverage.

Season 2001-2002 Club Trophies were awarded to: Junior Award – Sam Pinkard. Heaviest fish for season – Rod Walker Heaviest fish on field trips - Rod Walker Clubperson Award -- Stephen Granger Tight Lines and Good Luck

The Club members have experienced some difficult weather conditions on our organised Field Trip weekends during the season. Some scheduled trips were relocated and others, including our participation in The Free Fishing Day at Pawleena Dam were affected by lower than average attendances as a result of the poor weather.

Rod Walker – President

The field weekends where good weather did eventuate were well attended and some great fishing and camaraderie was had by all. Lakes Sorell and Crescent are continuing to cause considerable concerns for the

Members at Thursday Night Fly Tying

Huonville Licensed Anglers Association

President: Morry Slot Secretary: Christine Wooly Postal Address: 29 Tunbridge Rd Glen Huon Contact: Ph 0408 136659 Meetings: Monthly

Henzler, many thanks to Jim for his continued support. Thanks go to all the volunteers of the day and Colin for cooking the spit roast. Thanks must go to Helen Lovell also, she makes the most beautiful meringue’s and has been supplying them for many years, thanks Helen. Thanks also to Griggs butchery for their meat and keeping us supplied at our social weekends and working bees.

his last year has seen our much appreciated President Howard Thurley retire from the number one man of our club. Howard was first elected president in 1986 and was one of the main instigator for buying our block of land at Miena. He has been a very hard working president in his term of office lasting 16 years and was a very appreciated member. He has given much to our club and we are very thankful for his contribution. Howard is carrying on his good work for our club as Vice president, all members thank you Howard.

We have had a very successful year with fundraising selling compost and wood. Many thanks go to Colin for all his work with delivering this. A wood cutting working bee was held with around 15 members turning out to cut around 12 tonne for the morning. Thanks to all those members especially Barry and Howard. Thanks also go to all who have donated items for our shack especially Don and Chris for donating frig’s. As in other years, Mitre 10 Huonville sponsored our social weekends, don’t forget they have a good range of fishing and other gear to choose from so give them a visit.

Twelve of our members attended the STLAA annual dinner at the Polish club, it was a very successful night with Larry Paul taking out the STLAA Heaviest fish for the season once again, Larry never ceases to amaze us with his fishing skills. Dean Bester also took out the heaviest fish for the Junior for the season, it was a great achievement for our club. We are finally approaching the completion of our much appreciated shack. It started out a small venture and turned into a two storey monster. There have been several working bee’s held throughout the year completing the plumbing, internal doors, outside porch and finally electricity on and hot water all over the place. Many thanks go to our hard working members especially Wally Slot who provided all the plumbing expertise and much more.

Larry was once again our fisherman of the year weighing 197 fish in for the year. Larry again proves that the Huon area is the best fishing spot in the state. We have been very pleased with Forestry operations in the Arve area this last couple of years opening up our area with new bridges allowing us to get to new fishing and camping spots. A new road to the Weld is much appreciated. Our members used to spend one whole day getting to our favourite fishing spot, now takes 1 hour and has opened the river up for new areas that have never been fished before. Corey Woolley reached the river at a new spot and within 30 minutes had landed 3 nice rainbows.

A very successful annual dinner and trophy presentation was held at the Glen Huon Hall with around 50 members and friends attending. A rod and reel was donated by The Huon Trophy centre for our raffle and was won by Billie-Jean

Cormorants are still a worry down our way, they seem to be getting out of hand again and members have given it great discussions at our meetings. In the 50s and 60s the Government paid a bounty of three shillings and sixpence a head, a shoot of the Huon Anglers netted 51 eggs and 32 heads. A trophy was offered for the most being shot over 15. (Taken

from the minutes of the Huon Anglers Club). Our next working bee is 23/24 August to finish off a few things at the shack, more hands make light work and more time to enjoy the time. Morry Slot - President President: Peter Thompson Secretary: Nick Atkinson Postal Address: GPO Box 242 Kingston 7050 Contact: Ph 6272 0790 Meetings: Last Thursday of month.

Kingborough Anglers Association

Forteath who was our guest speaker and to Frank Hussey who once again put in a huge effort organising and running the auction and setting up the "Candid Camera" photographic show. Congratulations to all the prize winners and thank you to all the members who supported the event.

s we prepare for the fishing season to come it is with a tinge of sadness that I write this my second Annual Report. Under Club rules it must be my last. I am able to report that the club is in a very sound position both financially and in terms of membership. The field days have been well attended and some good trout have been caught. Congratulations to James McIlhenney for winning the trophy for the largest aggregate for the season. The sale of the shack land is still in progress but will pose no great problems for the club when the process reaches its end point. Thanks to Scott Marston for keeping us up to date as the sale has unfolded.

Our esteemed magazine editor Ian Shaw is still meeting the publication dates for "Tight Lines" much to the delight of all the avid readers. Whether it be an article on a favourite fly or some club chat, each paragraph is devoured like a trout sucking down a large dun. I would like to thank our Secretary, Nick Atkinson for his excellent minute keeping and the agenda production to keep the monthly meetings running smoothly and the Treasurer, Wayne Smith who has also done a very good job keeping the financial books in order. Thanks too go to Hayden Spencer for weighing the trout at our field weekend competitions.

The Annual Working Bee and Gourmet Dinner were once again a great success. A lot of frenetic wood chopping and clearing and cleaning was done during the day and the members were rewarded with the usual fine fare of "haute cuisine" at dinner time. Another great success was this year's Annual Dinner. Held at the Welcome Inn, we ended up having to ask for extra tables to accommodate the larger than anticipated turnout.

Lastly my sincerest thanks to the many members of the club who have made my two years as President and in fact my many years in the club so rewarding and so much fun.

Many thanks to the venue for a very nice meal and cosy atmosphere, to Dr Nigel

Peter Thompson â&#x20AC;&#x201C; President

President: Laurie Harrison Secretary: Mick Corner Postal Address: C/O 16 Sharps Rd, Lenah Valley Contact: 6228 6784 Meetings: 2nd Wednesday of month

Lake Pedder Anglers Club

New life members were declared in April. Any association can only succeed through the efforts of willing helpers and our Club has been blessed with some staunch supporters. We have a core of ten or so ongoing contributors, but with age and ill health taking its toll, this number is slowly reducing. We have some fresh faces offering enthusiastic support and we are grateful for this. More support is needed to ensure the ongoing success of the Back to Pedder Competitions. Our new life members are Marie Felmingham, Trevor Dingle and Michael Comer and we welcome them to join the select company of Stephen Felmingham and Baden Oates.

eason 2001/2002 has been another successful year for the Club. The results from the Back to Pedder Competition show Lake Pedder to be an improving fishery, with the average weight of fish caught up again. The condition of the fish caught during the January Competition is notably very good. A record number of fish were caught, even though competitor numbers were down slightly on the record number at the 2001 Competition. The Back to Pedder Competition represents the most notable achievement of the Club. Prizes in excess of $10,000 were given away to all comers, not just members of the Club. The Competition is again planned for 2003. The sponsors of prizes must be thanked for providing the incentive that draws such a large number of competitors. Especially thanked is Hydro Tasmania, who provides substantial contribution towards the major prize of a boat and trailer as well as providing facilities and manpower assistance during the Competition. The Competition would be very difficult to hold without Hydro Tasmania support. Other sponsors, both big and small, are providing the incentive that ensures most of the competitors leave the Competition with a prize of some sort. The Committee is especially mindful of junior fisherman, providing many prizes aimed at juniors, and ensuring that every junior receives a prize.

A questionnaire has been sent to all members of our Club in an endeavour to determine if the Club is needed for anything more than the Back to Pedder Competition. The response is not yet received and seeks input of new ideas in addition to asking some basic questions. We are hopeful that the response will be sufficient to illuminate the future pathway for the Club. The Lake Pedder/Lake Gordon fishery is very important to our members. One role of the Committee is to take action to restrict or prevent threats that may damage the fishery. Hard work by government and others has created facilities that must be protected and maintained. The Club's major social event each year is our Annual Dinner, held during July each year. This year our Dinner is to be held at the Navy Club in Pearce Street, Moonah. Everyone is welcome to attend; members, sponsors and others interested. Details can be obtained by ringing the Treasurer, Don Camm, on 62781454.

An endeavour to run monthly competitions was not as successful as hoped, with attendance generally poor. Those who did attend really enjoyed their fishing and some good fun besides.

Phil Chinnock will again provide the catering. The theme this year is fishing stories, so come along and tell us yours. We often get caught up in the problems of the moment and we sometimes lose sight of what it is that we are really seeking. Our real interest is to catch fish,

or just to go fishing. May all fishermen achieve more fishing this coming year than they did during the last. Enjoy your fishing. Laurie Harrison - President

President: John Barratt Secretary: Jim Schultz Postal Address: C/O Post Office Maydena 7140 Contact: 6288 2237 Meetings: 2nd Tuesday of month

Maydena Anglers Club Early in the season the trout were quite active in our river (Tyena River), with some nice specimens being caught by our members. The biggest fish for the year 5.60 kg was caught by our Club Secretary Jim Schultz. With this fish and others Jim also won three other Club Trophies. Andy Henderson also hooked a couple of nice Rainbow Trout of 4.0kg and 2.50 kg.

challenge was won by Maydena Anglers Club with a total of 19 fish being weighed in.

Later in the season the fishing eased up owing to our rivers being low, but I am confident, following the good June & July rainfalls that this coming season will see the rivers once again fishing at their best.

Membership for next season is solid with all existing Members rejoining, as a result the future of the Maydena Anglers Club looks sound.

The Clubâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s annual BBQ was another great day with nearly all of our Members, both old and new attending. The annual BBQ was well catered and we had plenty of food and drink for everyone.

The Maydena Anglers Club would like to wish all the Angling Clubs of the STLAA all the best for season 20022003.

Our challenge weekend at Teds Beach, Lake Pedder between Lake Pedder Anglers Club and our own was enjoyed by all those members who attended, especially the BBQ held at the end. The

John Barratt - President

New Norfolk Licensed Anglers Association

President: Ray Aitchison Secretary: Elaine Aitchison Postal Address: PO Box 411 Contact: Elaine Aitchison – Phone 6261 4083 Meetings: 3rd Wednesday of month

he 2001-2002 season has been a very busy one for us, as well as completing a major project we have taken two more on board which will be finalised before the end of this year.

During the past season membership numbers have again dropped marginally which raises the question of just what encouragement is needed to increase numbers.

Although our Committee has been operating with lesser numbers attendance at meetings has been quite good with many interesting matters raised and discussed. Some of our Committee members also hold office with other Clubs and their availability and contribution is greatly appreciated. We have also had a reasonable attendance to the monthly S.T.L.A.A. meetings.

Our competitions were well patronised with many nice fish entered, the best in the rostered competitions were – Katie Russell, 3.205 kg , Lex Wilson 2.755 kg. and Rowan Collins, 2.365 kg. The best entered in the monthly competitions were by Heath Hardwick, 2.59 kg and Wayne Perkins, 2.725 kg., from Tooms Lake and Lex Wilson, 4.9 kg., 2.935 kg and 5.155 kg from the Tyenna River, all weights are for cleaned fish. A disappointing aspect was the lack of junior trophy winners for the last four rostered and the last three monthly competitions.

We hosted the S.T.L.A.A. October meeting and in excess of forty persons attended, the main topic on the agenda was the Clyde River Water Trust. Richard Bowden, Henry Edgell and Peter Bignell gave enlightening talks on the Trust and it’s management. They answered questions from the floor which appeared to satisfy those in attendance. During the warmer months (the water didn’t seem to be any warmer) our partnership with the Derwent Valley Council provided a new triple boat ramp on the Derwent River for boat users, details of this project can be found elsewhere.

Some beautifully conditioned trout from Tooms Lake were entered in our competitions with sixteen brown trout and sixteen rainbow trout weighing 1.5 kg. or better. Six Atlantic salmon were also entered. The weight range for these was from 3.65 kg. to 5.055 kg. and they were all caught in the first eight weeks of the season. I thank the Committee for it’s efforts over the year especially Des, Elaine, Tony and Duncan. In closing I offer best wishes to the incoming Committee.

The Club made a successful application to Marine and Safety Tasmanian for funding for a walkway/jetty adjacent to the Millbrook Rise boat ramp and our partnership with the Council has been renewed for this project. The other project we have on our books is to reerect a 9 metre by 3.5 metre shelter at the ramp site. Club members dismantled the shelter at Fitzgerald Park in May.

Thankyou Ray Aitchison - President

N.N.L.A.A. Competition Results 2001/2002 Rostered Competitions Date 4-5 August 2001 Club section 1-2 September 2001 29-30 September 2001 27-28 October 2001 1-2 December 2001 25-27 January 2002 16-17 February 2002 9-10 March 2002 20-21 April 2002

Senior Junior Average weight Joint competition with the Bridgewater Anglers Association Allistair Duggan Bradley Moles both from the B.A.A 1.4 kg 1.23 kg Justin Causby Alice Russell Gerald Russell 1 kg 465 grams Rowan Collins Daniel Pursell Justin Causby 2.365 kg 305 grams Katie Russell Hannah Crosswell Heath Hardwick 3.205 kg 555 grams Blair Browning Thomas Rolls Ken Tubb 1.955 kg 1.385 kg Craig Marshall James Lee Tony Blackwell 760 grams 865 grams Ken Tubb no entries Ken Tubb 970 grams Ken Tubb no entries Ken Russell 1.155 kg Lex Wilson no entries Tony Blackwell 2.755 kg Ken Tubb no entries Ken Tubb 1.175 kg

Monthly competitions Month August September October November December January February March April

Senior Duncan Hughes Brian Fros Heath Hardwick Heath Hardwick Wayne Perkins Lex Wilson Lex Wilson Lex Wilson Tony Raspin

Weight 1.72 kg 1.91 kg 2.025 kg 2.59 kg 2.725 kg 4.9 kg 2.935 kg 5.185 kg 2.070 kg

Junior Todd Bennett Chris Fenton Chris Fenton James Lee James Lee James Lee no entries no entries no entries

Weight 1.72 kg 1.5 kg 1.425 kg. 1.455 kg 1.73 kg 1.265 kg

Season Awards Heaviest Fish overall Heaviest fish on an artificial lure Heaviest fish by a female member Heaviest fish on a fly Heaviest rainbow trout by a senior Heaviest fish by a junior Heaviest rainbow trout by a junior Heaviest Atlantic salmon Secret weight

Lex Wilson Lex Wilson Katie Russell Tony Raspin Heath Hardwick Todd Bennett James Lee Michael Morgan Tony Blackwell

5.185 kg 5.185 kg 3.205 kg 2.070 kg 2.135 kg 1.84 kg 1.265 kg 5.055 kg

President: Max Magennis Secretary: Anne Martin Postal Address: C/O Post Office Bronte Park Tas 7140 Contact: Phone 6261 4083 Meetings: Bi-Monthly

Tarraleah-Bronte Anglers Club

finer techniques of fishing while providing practical demonstration of what not to do. Despite this many happy anglers landed some of the large and small specimens found in the farmâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s settling pond. This provided much merriment to those that chose to sit on the bank watching.

eason 2001/2002 was a quiet one, with member numbers down on previous years. Fishing activity was also down in part due to member numbers and also the less than desirable conditions. On a positive note the enthusiastic participation of the younger anglers bodes well for the future.

In January a BBQ was held at Bradys Boat Ramp and those present had an enjoyable day, even though the fish were elusive.

A successful Trophy Presentation Luncheon was held at Tarraleah Golf Club in November. This was well attended by members and guests.

Overall our club has progressed in a positive way and this should be reflected in the increasing membership numbers and activities.

A Christmas barbecue was held in early December at Saltas Fish Farm at Wayatinah. This was well attended by all ages, the older members giving sound verbal advice to our youngsters on the

Anne Martin

A perfect Day on Bronte Lagoon

Features & Special Reports The Policeman and the Bunyip by Ashley Kent

It was in that same year that Wilson was instructed to follow up several reports of a large unidentified aquatic beast lurking in the Great Lake. Steady reports were coming back to Hobart over a long period, the first recorded sighting was in 1852 on Lake Tiberius. The beast was again sighted on Great Lake in 1862 and 1863 and on other waterways such as Lake Echo. In these early days of settlement there was a growing belief that the Great Lake harboured a ‘Bunyip’.

ext time you are camping at Great Lake, enjoying the scenery as the sun sets, spare a thought for the Bunyip and the Policeman. During the mid 1800’s the vast and lonely central highlands became a hiding place for Tasmania’s habitual vagrants, hawkers and runaways far from the reach of the law and the Government. Bushrangers found that the shepherds, mostly convicts themselves were happy to assist in the disposal of stolen property, swapped for food as well as information. So in 1864 James Wilson was appointed Chief Constable of the Great Lake District, he acted as mailman, rate collector, Bailiff and overseer of stock. Wilson came from the family that opened up the Highlands. He was a skilled bushman and hunter, an ideal man for the job considering the type of people he was to deal with.

Everybody knows or has heard of the Bunyip legend that lurks in water holes and creeks, entrenched in Aboriginal folklore. Some say it is a myth that came about with the introduction of cattle to the land. It was thought that the sight of a trapped beast in the mud, bellowing in fright played on the aboriginal imagination. However descriptions of the Bunyip vary greatly, from being bullock sized, to having fur or feathers, or with an Emu type head. However, many of the sightings came about when our unique fauna were being seen for the first time. Imagine what the first white man thought when he laid eyes on a Platypus! Wilson together with a chap by the name of Charles Gould from Hamilton who was the son of the Government Geologist at the time went about speaking with several witnesses. Wilson reported several “credible” accounts back to the Chief inspector in Hobart. An extract from his duty log entered at ‘The Steppes’ in 1870 reads -“....Francis McPartland who is an extremely intelligent and apparently truthful youth, stated that two years previously he had several times seen water animals in the lake at different places; he had a good

In 1870 Wilson in company with Constable Ryan from Longford carried 120 young Trout from ‘The Hermitage’ and conveyed them in billycans on horse-back to Great Lake. The stocking was a great success as no further stocking took place for 40 years.

the

view of them off the shore of Swan Bay; going from the station towards Mr Smith’s Neck. They were within a stones throw from the shore, and seemed to be three or four feet long, they were three or four in number and seemed to be playing about; they did not jump out but were splashing about, and sometimes threw the water seven or eight feet up in the air. They showed their backs above water, also heads, which were round, ‘round like a bull dog’”.

Shannon

and

Ouse

rivers.

There were hundreds of recorded sightings over the years to follow, even the hardened ‘drifters’ of the Plateau feared the Bunyip and stayed clear of the Great Lake shores. Gould was to become obsessed with the beast eventually writing a book ‘Mythical Monsters” in 1886. James Wilson became snowed down with Police duties due to the increase in stock theft. He was to protect flock owners, provide the means for surveillance of hawkers and to locate strangers at shepherds’ huts for many years. He died in December 1922 aged 86 believing the Bunyip existed.

Other sightings were entered saying, “.......Sightings were most often in Swan Bay, sometimes rather near the shore, sometimes out in the middle.” “.......Resembling a black sheepdog with only its head above water, it was usually found to be solitary, around twice the size of a Platypus but darker”.

The last recorded sighting was in September 1986 at Lake St. Clair. While zoologist’s support the wandering seal theory, I think the Bunyip is far more interesting.

One theory was put to Wilson that the creature was a seal which had somehow made its way inland, however he dismissed this possibility by virtue of the considerable waterfall at the junction of

Information source: Wilson’s Log (Police Academy library). Tasmania Police Association.

Tasmanian Dream by Bob Kowal

be willing to have me join him on one of the club fishing outings. We communicated several times with e mail; finally October school break came and I was on my way to Hobart.

ave you ever had a dream of the perfect fishing trip? Mine started many years ago when I saw an article about trout fishing in Tasmania. It seemed the perfect place to fish. When I received notice that I had been accepted for a teaching exchange in Australia, I knew I was one step closer to making that dream come true.

He arranged to have me go to Paul (Rabbit) Burrow’s cabin on Bronte Lagoon. I arrived there on Friday at 11:00, met Paul, and soon we were in his boat fishing. It started to rain and the wind came up. I cast a copper bead head out for awhile, my enthusiasm waning with the increasing rain and wind. Bang! I felt a hit and set the hook. A brownie jumped clear out of the water 10 meters out in front of me. Four seconds later it cleared the water 90 degrees to the right, and again out to the left. This fish was none like I had ever

After arriving in the Byron Bay area to teach early this year, I found the Australian Fishnet website and put out a request on it to anyone who would be willing to take a Yank fishing in Tasmania. I heard back from London Lakes (@$500 + a day) and other companies. Then Norm Cribbin replied and I was ecstatic to hear that he would

We saw a few fish, yet none willing to take my Red Tag or Norm’s shrimp fly. Rain began to fall in earnest and reluctantly, cold fingers barely able to function, we headed back to Rabbits’ and hunkered down for the day until the weather improved. It didn’t. Norm left in the afternoon and Paul and I kept warm near the fire watching white caps on the lake. A day of fishing lost, and I was growing impatient to fish again. Paul took me to dinner at the Bronte Lodge and I feasted on the finest meat I had ever sunk my teeth into, wallaby steak. We had a great time sharing our past and life’s joys. The owners of the Lodge invited us for a drink after dinner and as I sat in front of the huge stone fireplace thought, “Life is good.”

caught before! Using the right hand, left hand, mouth line retrieve method, I got it closer to the boat. Paul netted it and I said, “Wow, what a fish, let’s release it.” Paul replied, “No, it’s a tradition to always keep the first fish.” “OK.” I wasn’t going to disagree and was as happy as a boy who just got his first puppy. Norm and his son Aaron arrived later that evening and we shared our success. Saturday morning at 4:30 AM Norm and I headed for the south end of the lagoon and worked dry flies for a couple of hours. We saw no tailing fish and not a fish was rising to our flies. I was blind casting just to have my fly out in case a fish cruised by.

Monday morning brought overcast weather, but the wind was down and the lake somewhat calm along the shore. Rabbit and I headed out, my Red Tag ready to catch a big brownie. This was my last day. We saw tailing fish and my heart beat faster. My first cast spooked a fish and I saw a torpedo size wake heading for the deep. I was frustrated. Another fish was nearby and I cast to it; it didn’t spook, but it ignored my fly. After more than an hour of fruitless casting, Rabbit hooked a huge brown, but it broke off. About 30 minutes later, I heard him cry out and saw him into another trout. “Great, Rabbit”, I thought, yet a little jealous and wondering what I was doing wrong. I ran over to where he was and got some photos of him landing the trout. It was about the same size as the others we had caught. After another hour of fishless casting, Rabbit headed for the cabin.

”Yes,” I cried as a solid fish took my White Ass fly and headed for the middle of the lake. It fought hard, diving deep and swerving in every direction to release itself from that foreign object in its mouth which was taking it into shallow water. As it got two feet from shore, I pulled on the leader to get it onto the bank, and SNAP! the leader broke. “OH SHI$##@*()%^&^%” I thought and with a carefully placed boot, unceremoniously pushed the trout to the grass. I took a picture of the 1 1/2 - 2 lb brownie and released carefully to fight again. Just then I looked over at Norm to tell him and saw that he had a fish on. “Great,” I thought, “Now they are starting to feed”. Norm brought his fish over to where I was and I snapped some pictures of it.

Not yet resigned to not catching anything, I slowly worked my way back towards the cabin, casting ahead of me around the edge of the lake. I was about 7 meters out into the water. I was cold and thought, ‘A few more casts and that is it.” But I kept

Try as we did, in the next few hours, no more fish rose to our flies. Sunday brought rainy, cold cloudy weather, yet Norm and I once again headed for the South end of the lagoon.

visualizing a fish taking the fly and my landing it. It happened suddenly as I saw a swirl at my fly and subconsciously I set the hook. The fish fought hard and I had no net. I waded towards the shore and although it made several powerful runs giving me the frights that it would break off, it slowly tired and I got it onto an “island” about a meter in diameter and led it onto the grass. It lay there and I thought of releasing it. But then remembered that my wife, waiting in Adelaide had told me “Bring back a big fish”. I didn’t have a big one, but this along with the first one would make a meal for four. I killed the fish and headed for the cabin. It was 11 AM,

about six hours of hard work and casting for this beauty. Thanking Paul all he had done for me, I headed back to Hobart with two fish and a happy, contented feeling. I stopped on the way to Hobart at the Salmon Ponds and watched huge 4 kilo fish roll to the surface. What a thrill, and my mind started imagining what it would be like to hook one that big. I stayed at Norm’s that night, took he and his wonderful family out to dinner, and went to bed, dreaming already of my next trip to Tasmania. Thank you Norm and Paul for making my dream come true.

The Origin of Lake Burbury by David Driver

he West Coast of Tasmania has always been an interesting place. It is only in recent times that we have been able to circumnavigate our island by car.

tin, copper etc were found and the huge boom began and its history as a mining area was assured at Queenstown – Rosebery – Zeehan – Williamsford Etc..

My first venture to the west came when I was 18, and the road from Ouse was all gravel and at times extremely rough with trucks pushing the mud into the middle of the road causing high mounds which scrapped on the sump and suspension. The only way to drive was to have the inside wheels running along the crest of the mound. Thank goodness that’s in the past! And the road from Zeehan to Rosebery was even more of a hazard (– the present road is the 4th and I used to travel on the second). Especially in winter with snow and ice everywhere!!

The West coast are open to the Westerlies which travel uninterrupted from South Africa 12000 km’s away, dumping high rainfall along the coast. It was natural for the Hydro to investigate having power generation in the area along mighty rivers like the Pieman – Gordon – Arthur - and the King. With the confrontation over the Gordon/Franklin scheme and its subsequent shelving the Hydro turned to places like the King River. In 1917 the Hydro investigated the feasibility of utilising the King River, preliminary surveys and plans were carried out towards the end of World War 1. The aim was to generate power to supply the mining industries, which were in full swing in the area. The scheme was put on hold when plans were made to ship

To get up to Burnie the car would be put on an Emu Bay Railway flat tray from Rosebery to Guilford Junction. Prospectors began looking at the West Coast for mineral deposits in the early 1800’s. Around 1860 large deposits of

relocating a family sawmill at Princess River owned by Cliff Bradshaw, and building a 354 metres bridge now named “Bradshaw Bridge” across the lake. Mr. Bradshaw is now situated at Lynchford (South Queenstown) on the Mt Jukes Road and has many acres of Huon Pine, which was salvaged from the lake as it was rapidly filling.

the ore to Hobart for processing and it wasn’t till around the 1950’s that the idea re-immerged but it took till 1983 for Parliament to approved the development. It is interesting that the plans were not unlike those proposed in 1917 except that a 7 km tunnel replaced the original flume, 1 generator instead of 4 and the dam would be higher.

Crotty Dam is named after a prospector who surveyed the area and had enormous visions for the future. In 1897 he formed the Mt Lyell Copper Mining Co with huge prospects for the minerals in the area, he spent vast sums of money developing a mine, railways system, smelters and a port at Pillinger on the Macquarie Harbour (where an Aunt of mine was born) plus the township of Crotty. Unfortunately the venture failed and the MT Lyell mining and Railway Co took over his company in May 1903. The township of Crotty at its peak in 1901 had a population of 800.It is now under the new lake.

There are 2 dams. The main one is The Crotty Dam and the lesser one is The Darwin Dam The Crotty is on the King River and the Darwin built on Andrew’s Divide. The building of these 2 structures forms Lake Burbury which is some 27 km’s long and covers over 54 square miles and in places is around 240 ft deep. Water is taken from the Crotty Dam via a 7kms tunnel, with a drop of 184 metres to the John Butters Power Station near the Newall Creek where 6% of the States needs are generated. The station is on automatic and controlled from near Sheffield.

Lake Burbury is indeed most spectacular throughout its entire length, with many huge bays like Nelson Bay fed by the Nelson River and The Governor fed by the Governor River and numerous small inlets providing enticing fishing for some beautiful browns and rainbows. Along its length the lake has awesome scenery provided by countless mountains such as Mt Lyell in the north, Mt Owen in the centre and Mt Jukes to the south all of them ever changing in colour, sometimes they are blue, then grey, or golden and as you move around in the distance you can spy Frenchmen’s Cap maybe with a mantel of snow on top.

Typical Lake Burbury Scenery The Lake reclaimed a great deal of land including 6 km’s of the old Lyell Hwy. This necessitated realigning the road,

There are several launching ramps on the lake. One at the caravan park but I’d give that a miss as it is too steep and difficult at the best of times. The ramp down near Darwin dam and the one at

Thureau Hills, which has reasonable camping accommodation, is the one preferred by the Clarence Anglers. It is along the old Crotty road, which is sealed and ends at the ramp and campsite.

A ‘Real’ Community Project by Ray Aitchison

At the Anglers Club ‘s annual dinner in July, 2001, the Deputy General Manager of the Council, Rob McCrossen, gave a summary of the almost endless red tape involved before any physical work could begin. Eventually the all clear was given.

he proposal to construct a new boat ramp on the Derwent River on Crown Land below Millbrook Rise near New Norfolk was discussed at a New Norfolk Licensed Anglers Association meeting in August, 1999, it was resolved that the matter be pursued.

The location chosen for the new ramp had for many years been a popular bait fishing site and anglers who used the area voiced their disapproval at the loss of the site. Consequently, the first work done in the area was in November, 2001, when members of the Anglers Club conducted their first two working bees.

At a Club meeting a month later Tim Morris, the Derwent Valley Mayor, expressed Derwent Valley Council support for the development of a ramp. The Anglers Club decided it would provide labour but would not contribute towards funding, this was on the basis that the former Marine Board had never provided any facilities to fresh water anglers in the past. Plans progressed slowly and the Council allocated $16,000 towards the project and offered the use of plant and equipment. A joint meeting in October, 2000, between Council and Angling Club representatives formed a Boat Ramp Committee and a course of action was planned. During the next twelve months the Committee conducted meetings and much unseen work was performed including, obtaining a site licence, a ramp design and a planning permit, soil was sample tested, car park surveyed and an access demonstration, complete with boat and trailer, given to Transport authorities. An application for additional funding was successful in obtaining $15,880 from Marine and Safety Tasmania. The Derwent Valley Council allocated a further $10,000 to improve the highway junction.

Forty metres of river bank was cleared of willows, tea tree, blackberries and general rubbish to offer an alternative site for the bait fishermen. The river bed was also cleared of snags. In December a start was made to excavate about four hundred cubic metres of soil after which geofabric was to be laid, spawls placed, road base applied, boxing positioned, reinforcement placed and finally the ramp concreted. A bit of work but it all seemed so simple.

Rob McCrossen, sub-contractor, Wayne Newitt, who appeared to live on site, earthworks contractor, Kevin Hodge, Council Works Supervisor, Ken Wall, and the Derwent Valley Council employees who freely gave their time at evening and weekend working bees to operate machinery.

Unfortunately at this point the first obstacle was met, during excavation it was discovered that after the top soil was removed the remaining ground was too soft to bear the weight of the twenty three tonne machine. The machine had to be taken to another site where it spent about a week breaking several hundred tonnes of large rock to provide a work base and foundation.

On the technical side, the ramp is eleven metres wide (able to handle three boats at a time), and twenty four metres long with a gradient of one in three, there is a metre of water over the end at low tide, it contains twenty four sheets of galvanised reinforcement and fifty three cubic metres of concrete was used.

The ramp base was then prepared and the six inch by three inch hardwood boxing joined and placed into position only to have to be removed again when it was found that the outer levels were not correct. This was the only time during the project when there were looks of dejection on the faces of those involved. Two weeks later, after much more preparation, some in water up to chest deep, the ramp was again boxed and ready for the concreting.

The total cost was $37,000 with M.A.S.T. and the Council providing another $2,000 each and the Anglers Club $1,000. This was a cheap project as in September, 1999, M.A.S.T. gave a figure of $35,000 for a new single ramp and at one point tenders were called and figures as high as $110,000 were submitted. About seventy people attended the official opening of the ramp followed by a barbeque on Sunday, February, 24th . The Anglers Club has applied for funding to construct a jetty adjacent to the ramp and other developments are also planned.

Professionals were used to finish the slab with the upper two thirds laid at low tide and the lower section completed underwater later by divers.

On behalf of the New Norfolk Anglers Club I would like to thank the Marine and Safety Tasmania, The Derwent Valley Council and the Councillors, some of whom like myself were initially reluctant but eventually warmed to the project, for their input and support in providing this much needed facility.

In all, New Norfolk Angling Club members attended six meetings and ten working bees as well as unorganised tasks. Some working bees were called at extremely short notice, i.e. two hours, and sometimes involved in working until dark and under some trying conditions but not a cross word was heard. As well as Club members who helped those who deserve special mention for their efforts are, project organiser and fund manager,

The Dee by David Driver

fish were bound to be lurking so spent an hour, drifting and casting away and sometimes hooking up on underwater logs and branches, which litter the shallow bottom. But no fish, however we were treated to a display of 3 Wedge tailed eagles soaring on the currents way up into the sky making a magnificent spectacle. Later on we came across 2 eagles also soaring amongst the trees. Sights like these help to make lake fishing so special.

s usual our final trip for the year is to The Dee. It’s a hard lake to fish but is pretty well sheltered in all weather so hence we like spending our last fling there. Harold rang during the week and checked if I was Ok to go. Silly question but everything depended on the weather, which had become a bit ordinary after an “Indian Summer”. Harold picked me up at 6.30 am and we piled in our gear and then picked up another mate, Chris on the way past Old Beach. It should be mentioned that Chris was a “virgin”. This was going to be his first!!

By now lunchtime beckoned so we pulled up on the island and lit a “you beaut” fire to warm us and cook the steak and kebabs. These with a couple of nice bottles of premiums made a lovely meal.

The weather wasn’t too bad, a bit overcast but acceptable. We made good time (who wouldn’t, even the crows were still asleep!) arriving at the launching ramp by about 9am. After packing the boat with our fishing gear, Barbie and “essentials” we set off towards the bottom area and commenced spinning. There was no sign insect life anywhere on the lake, and no other movement as we fished. We drifted across towards the dam and moved out several times without getting any response.

Back into the fishing again. We motored up the lagoon and started spinning amongst the trees. Chris (the virgin) broke his “duck” with a small brownie. Harold and I didn’t even know he had one until he “keel hauled ” it into the boat with no fuss or sound, ---- not like us!! Chris looked at it and decided that it was a bit small so he released it. What a good fellow! After a few fruitless hours it had become a bit cool so we turned for home, trolling along the shore. Near the final point I hooked a nice 2 lb brown in beautiful condition and no way was I going to do a “Rex Hunt”, so into the bag he went. This one was caught on a “Christmas” cobra.

On our last drift I flicked out my lure only to see it loop around a low-lying hydropower line. Harold was pretty worried about the likelihood of a “belt” but I couldn’t see how it would affect nylon line until I grabbed it and got a sting. This convinced me to listen to an expert. We finally retrieve the lure by wrapping a cloth around the knife to stop the contact to our hand and cut the line carefully. We motored out of the area pronto thinking that there should be some warning about the lines across the lake and above us.

After loading the boat and cleaning the catch we set off home, contented with another trip up into the highlands. I presented Chris with the sole catch of the day, Harold and I instructed him on the cooking method. We hope that Chris will become a convert, only it is a bit much to expect seeing he regularly frequents Maria Island with a lot of success!

Trolling up the shore towards the creek we found some beautiful places where

A Day Out with a Trout Guide

by Norm Cribbin day as planned. This proved to be a good move as the fish started to rise, all be it for 15 minutes, on Monday evening. Even though the duration was short I managed to miss 1 fish and boat another 2 using a Comparadun style dry fly.

ww.fishnet.com.au in 2001 held the second of its virtual fishing challenges which involves registering on the internet and downloading a registration card and number. Once equipped with this you then had to go catch a fish and have a photo taken with the registration card visible. You then submit the photo to http://www.fishnet.com.au and hope for the best. Well as you have probably guessed I was lucky enough to win a prize. The prize was 1 fully inclusive guided trout fishing day in the Central Highlands of Tasmania for 2 anglers with Paul Kaine of Trout Central Guided Trout Adventures.

Tuesday morning arrived and I though I might go and do some early morning fishing before Paul arrived but their seemed to be little activity and I decided to stay at camp instead and get things organised. At precisely 10.00 am as planned Paul arrived at the boat ramp and we made the usual introductions. While Paul was organising the boat, Steven Granger, his daughter Michel and Gary Davy motored in from the island where they had been camped overnight. Michel had caught a lovely fish, Stephen 2 and Gary 5. Once the boat was in the water Paul motored it down to where I was camped and we had a cup of coffee and discussed the day ahead. I told Paul I was keen to understand more about the Loch Style techniques and with that said the day was set.

Well due to work and other commitments I still had not redeemed my prize some 12 months after winning it, and with an expiry date of 30 April, 2002 I thought I better do something about it.

Paul rigged up a 10 foot rod, with an intermediate line coupled with a 5 foot sinking poly leader to which was attached a 13 foot fluorocarbon leader with 2 droppers and a point fly. This system he explained was the basic rig he uses for wet fly Loch Styling. The idea is to set the boat on a drift and cast the team of flies at about 45 degrees to the wind. Once the flies land on the water the flies are allowed to sink for a minute or so. The sinking poly leader helps to drawn the flies down and the intermediate line is not affected by the surface wind as it hovers subsurface. Next the flies are given a couple of quick pulls. Following this the flies are left to

In early March, 2002 I finally contacted Paul Kaine and arranged a trip for Tuesday 2nd April, 2002. I had organised for my son Aaron to come with me but at the last minute he had to do some relief Chef work and was unable to come. I had arranged with Paul to meet him at the Jonah Bay boat ramp at 10.00 am with the intention of gaining some experience with the much used these days Loch Style techniques. I arrived at Arthurâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Lake on the Monday afternoon with the idea of getting setup and having a fish that evening and then meeting Paul the next

drinks and cake a veritable smorgasbord. After this feast we decide to head over to “Tumbledown” and fish along the trees that follow the old creek bed.

sink as you drift up to them, it is important however at all time to stay in contact with the flies by using a figure 8 retrieve. When the flies are about 10 metres away and have sunk well down you the retrieve the team of flies in very fast strips for a distance of about 5-6 metres. At this point you stop the strip and allow the flies to hang for a short period before drawing them to the surface by raising the rod tip. As the top dropper (bob fly) breaks the surface it is waked across the surface with assistance from the wind. This is where the 10 foot rod comes in handy, it give you extra reach.

We used both the techniques described above but were not really doing that well. At this point Paul inquired as to how I would fish the water. I explained that would be using a team of wets fished static on a floating line. Paul was interested to see this method and I rigged the 9 foot rod with a Woolly Bugger on the point, Orange Glister on the middle dropper and a Yum-Yum on the bob. I fished these by casting down wind at a slight angle to the wind and allow the point fly to pull the team under. When the tip of the floating fly line starts to sink that is when I start the retrieve. Well after about 15 minutes of this I was into the first fish of the day. After releasing it I then cast out and hooked another on he very next cast. Paul said that he could see the benefits of the method and it would be good for those that could not cast continuously all day.

The other Loch Style rig Paul setup was a dry fly rig. This comprised of a 9 foot 6 weight rod with a floating line and the same 13 foot fluorocarbon leader (no sinking poly leader). Three flies were attached and fished at a slight angle down wind of the drifting boat. The trick to this method as I found out was don’t cast to far, this is a short cast method, say 10 metres average. The method involves casting the team of dries out and letting them sit static for a short period 10-30 seconds then if nothing takes strip the flies in making them wake the surface. The speed of the strip depends on the speed of the wind on the day. As a general rule low wind speed slow small strips, gale force - fast strips. When the flies are near the boat raise the rod and work the bob fly before recasting.

It was then Paul’s turn to boat two fish using the wet Loch Style method he had shown me. We release one fish and kept the other for a mate of his. We both then boated another fish each. All fish were about 1.5 to 1.75 lb and in good condition. It was about 6.00 pm and we decide to head back to Duck Bay to see if the fish would come on like they had done on Monday evening. I rigged the 9 footer with a Comparadun and Paul guided the boat around with the electric motor. The action was short lived but I did manage to land a small fish about 1 lb in size. It was now getting very dark so we headed back to camp.

Well we both fished these techniques for about 2.5 hours with only one rise and wondered what was needed to bring the fish on. At about 1.30 pm we decide to go ashore and have some lunch and revise our plan of attack for the afternoon session. We put the boat ashore at the “Opening” and unpacked the lunch gear. Well Paul had provided every thing, lovely fresh home made bread, cold meat & salad, hot and cold

The day was most informative and enjoyable. Paul is excellent company and has vast knowledge of how to tempt

our finny mates to take the fly. I would recommend anybody to have a day out with him if you wish to sharpen your fishing skills.

So if you think about it, you are out there for about 10 hours and if there are two of you it works out at $15/hr for professional tuition each, with meals and boat included. When you consider how much money we invest in rods, reels, boats, petrol etc to go fishing we should invest a little in improving our own skills, much as people who play golf engage a golf pro to help them improve there swing.

To this end Paul will be offering next season, tuition days where anglers can have a days guiding to improve casting, learn new methods etc. He has set the fee structure at $300 for the day which includes the boat, that fabulous lunch and all the gear if you need it. This rate is for one or two anglers.

Paul Kaine can be contacted 6259 8198 or via email: trout-central@tassie.net.au

Arthurs Lake with Mr Davy by Michel Granger

their lines all the time. They did not catch another fish till 6.15am. Mr. Davy had sausages and bacon for breakfast. It was so funny when they caught on fire to see Mr. Davy holding the frying pan and trying to blow out the flames. Mr. Davy had one of his fish stolen. He put it on a rock to clean it and a Tasmanian devil or a native cat must have taken it. We packed up early and my dad took the gear over to Jonah Bay then came back for us. We had to wait a long time because my dad talks to everyone.

i, my name is Michel Granger and I am eleven years old.

On Easter Monday my dad and I picked up Mr. Davy around noon and we went to Bothwell where we had lunch. Mr. Davy calls my dad “Ace’. They had a fishing trip last year when my dad did not catch a fish. My dad says that Mr. Davy is now the ”Ace” because he didn’t catch a fish last trip. My dad caught three. When we got to Jonah Bay we launched our boat and dad took Mr. Davy and me over to the island then went back for the rest of our gear. While he was doing that we collected firewood. When he got back we put up our tent and started to fish. Mr. Davy and dad used two rods and I had one. We used wattle grubs and worms for bait. Mr. Davy caught the first two fish and then I caught the next one with some help from dad.

When we got to the ramp we met Norm. Norm knows all about frogs. Remember! Mr. Davy caught five, my dad two and myself one. I had fun.

We had our tea by the fire and by 9.15pm.we had caught seven fish. I went to bed but dad and Mr. Davy always stay up all night because they have to check

Arthus Lakes 1927-1963 by Lionel Lewis

buildings we always camped in them and walked many miles up the shores of Blue Lake and down the Morass. Both Sand and Blue Lakes levels were raised a few feet by levies fitted with two sluice gates each, which were regulated and operated by visits during the summer months by an officer from the Launceston City Council, who took this water flow via Woods Lake, the Lake and Macquarie Rivers to augment the South Esk flow to their Duck Reach Power Station.

rthurs Lakes, Blue and Sand, with between them the extensive Swamp area, known as the Morass. Fishing there 1927 - 1963. My first recollections of Arthurs Lakes were in 1927. We then lived at Broadmarsh and my father George, bought a bull-nosed Morris car and we made our first of many trips to Arthurs Lakes via Hollow Tree, Bothwell to Steppes. From the Steppes an atrocious ”Track” of six miles took one to the old “Huts” below the Blue Lake outlet, from where it continued via a causeway and wooden bridge, north between the Blue Lake and Morass to Harry Neal’s at the North end of the Sand Lake at Tumbledown Creek. A track also skirted the Morass at the foot of Mt Penny down to Jack Jerkin’s at the south east of Sand Lake. Both Harry Neal and Jack Jenkins were long time Shepard’s, with their families we often saw them en-route to the Steppes going for provisions and mail.

The river from Blue Lake to Woods Lake was the domain of, and fished regularly by Mr Askin Morrison of St Peters Pass and his friends. My Father and his mates made quite a few trips to Arthurs Lakes each season and photographs show the large brownies taken mainly from the Morass area. The lake fish usually averaged about 2.5lb weight, while the Morass was the home to lots of large, wellconditioned brownies from 3 to 10 lb. The largest I recall being caught by Robin Terry, of 12lbs. The Morass was traversed by quite a few deep channels and streams, the north west area having some channels which appeared to be man made, and my father said that he had heard that during Governor Arthur’s jurisdiction, convicts were employed there to drain the swamp to endeavour to grow cotton and/or rice.

The 1927 model Morris was a most unsuitable vehicle for such rough conditions, combined with full loads, lots of punctures and broken spring leaves were the norm for each trip. However my father being a H.E.C. Linesman with Army and mining experience was always well prepared and we never failed to make the trips to and fro. In subsequent years, we were often accompanied by Dads’ mate Harry Barham who had a 1928 Chev National, a magnificent car for the conditions.

During these early days, ie 1927 –35, as a family we usually spent w week at Arthurs Lakes at the early January period, shore fishing the lake and Morass and walking many miles, After the loss of the “Huts” my father bought a large tent which was pitched near the causeway and bridge. One never walked

The huts mentioned, on the outlet river below the Blue Lake, were left from the failed attempt to build a dam to raise the level of Arthurs Lakes, in the mid 1920’s, and until vandals burnt down the

the Strip and walked back a mile to the shack loaded down with many ponds of fish. These were kept very well by being cleaned in the manner of a “kipper”, hung in a Koolgardie safe, which was hoisted, by a pulley system, up into a gum tree by the shack. My fathers diary, which he kept daily from 1937 to 1961, records every trip to this magnificent fishery throughout this era.

anywhere without a good snake stick, as the shinny black Tiger’s thought they had exclusive rights to the swampy edges and marshes. The year 1935 ushered in a big upgrade on transport, my father bought a Chev Tourer, a most reliable workhorse, hen in 1936 a Mr George Hazelwood of Tunbridge took up a 99 year lease on the land around Arthurs Lakes and Mt Penny area. N the edge of the timbered area near the causeway and bridge, he had erected a house and built stockyards and a woolshed. We became very friendly with the Hazelwoods and in 1938, my father obtained permission from George to erect a shack behind the woolshed. After a deal of work on pre-cutting and fabrication at Broadmarsh by Dad and his mates, the great day arrived in October, 1938. Harry Barham’s lorry was loaded up, and off we went. In the next three days the 16 x 12 ft shack was erected and the finishing touches completed over following weekends. The 14 ft dinghy being brought up from Bridgewater and thus began a new era of fishing both Blue Lake and Morass from the dinghy.

“The Strip” George Lewis & Bill Potter 1950 It wasn’t long before we realised that for every fish we saw or caught on the spinners I the comparatively open waters of the “Strip” there must be many more resident fish in the weedy sections of the “Strip” and Swamp, also in the streams from the bridge through to the Sand Lake.

During good weather we often circumnavigated the Blue Lake under oar power. We were also now equipped with casting rods and the Pflueger level wind reels with Blackspider braided lines. My father, Merv wood and Harry Braham found a way from the bridge down through the streams into the swamp, (Morass) to a large open stretch of water on the Mt penny side, which we named “The Strip”. Casting the Arnott spinners in this open water and also between the strap weed was a marvellous time with large brownies of from 4 to 8 lbs eager to strike the spinners. We usually left the dinghy at

So out came the fly rods, double tapered “Kingfisher” silk lines, cat-gut casts with a Clarrie Amott tadpole wet-fly. Going up the streams and into the Swamp, we found this soft hen hackled black fly to be a deadly lure. Many beautiful brownies of up to 9lbs were boated, but also many more were lost, because in these confined spaces in the streams or weedy verges, if one was not able to keep the fierce fighting large browns on

George he’ll be in the boat” George with much laughter finally cut the cast.

the surface, then they were soon into snags or swam deeply under the bottom rotten weed, thus breaking the gut cast or pulling the fly from their mouths.

My father who was familiar with this whole Morass area, would, on my more infrequent days with him, push paddle me, and say “Cast into that small opening, or under that tea tree, there was a fish there last month” or whatever, and sure enough on the fly being presented, out would come a bow wave and I would be into, then a very unhappy large brownie.

We took turns to manoeuvre the dinghy into the best positions for casting, with the aid of the early Polaroid glasses one could not only see the large fish under the bow wave, but the white lining of its mouth as the fly was engulfed. A typical diary entry of fathers: November 1st 1948: Merv Wood, Lionel and I – We were up at 4am, very cold morning. After breakfast, took boat down Strip. Fished all day with wet fly. 17 fish for day. Largest Merv 5lbs, Lionel 6.5lbs, myself 6lbs. Beautiful fish. A great Day This was indeed a golden era of angling for us, but very few anglers knew of or fished this Morass area, however my father brought several well known, at this time, fly fisherman to the shack to experience the magnificent fishing. I recall, and see by the Diary that Red Terry, Lou Benjamin and Ted Reading were among those who came.

Morass 1952 – Lionel Lewis

In 1950, my father and I built an 8’6” ply wood dinghy in which we traversed the whole Morass area, hooking up, boating and losing many large brownies who had never seen a tadpole fly before. Out friend Merv Wood of Bridgewater, recalls an occurrence when out in the outer Swamp with George Lewis, in this small 8’ 6” dinghy on a warm day, along came a rather large black Tiger snake, swimming happily along looking for frogs no doubt, George said “I’ll have that joker Merv”, cast his fly over and foul hooked the snake. The snake became quite angry and Merv who was sitting down in the dinghy with 4-5” of freeboard said “Let the bugger go

Up in the bridge area, upstream, there was a very deep channel. Out to which we waded in knee-deep reeds and water. This was a favourite evening fishing spot, named by Merv Wood, “The Plodder”, fish moved from this deep water in the evening to feed in the weedy shallows and verges. One evening my father’s fly was taken by a large eel, some 4 ft long. Quite a battle ensued, before I hit it midriff with a net handle. We not only enjoyed this phenomenal fishing, but through the 40’s and 50’s each season of the duck shooting, our group shot good bags. My father and I had the same duck hide each year, and our most successful opening weekend

welcome at the Lewis shack, with a meal and a yarn. All good things ultimately come to an end. In 1962 my father passed on to the big fisherman, then in 1963 with the dam being built and flooding of the Swamp and Morass eminent, with the assistance of the H.E.C. the Lewis shack was moved to its present site in Tea Tree Bay, now know as Wilburville.

was in 1950, when we bagged 38 ducks between us. One day in January 1954, the day before the deer season opening, I drove and walked on my own ti the northern perimeter of the Swamp. Wading out, I saw several fish feeding. First cast of the black fly and I was taken by a 5.5lb hen fish which put up a great fight. After sitting on an old duck hide to have my lunch the fish began feeding again, within an hour I had two fish 6lb and 6.25lb. I think I was, that day. The only person in the whole Morass area.

The Hazelwood house and woolshed was inundated and may still be seen at times of low lake levels, a few hundred yards up from the dam. I am indeed a fortunate angler to have experienced and can remember this superb fishery. My father George Lewis was a pioneer of and a great advocate of Arthurs Lakes in the days when most attention and publicity was focused on the Great Lake and Shannon Rise.

Arthurs Lakes may have been somewhat remote and unfrequented by anglers, but it was under surveillance by the Inland Fisheries Commission, viz police officer/bailiffs in the persons of Sergeant Challenger and Constable Brown then the redoubtable Arthur Fleming, followed by Doug McIntyre and Reuben Hooper, they all called and were made

As It Was – 1964/65 by David Driver (Article researched from previous Annual Reports)

A possible amalgamation of the Inland and Sea fisheries organizations.

ow times have changed! A quick review of the STLAA Annual Report 19644/65 contained the following data, which gives an insight into some of the worries that that generation had about their fishing and its future.

White bait regulations. One journal for the whole State.- which despite much in its favour made little headway – but worth pursuing. The meeting reported 2 new clubs in operation – Clarence and Kingborough. And there was a hope for the formation of branches at Ouse and Central Hobart.

The 53rd Annual meeting was held at the RSL Hall 147 Macquarie St Hobart 7.30 pm – preceded by a buffet tea at 6.30 pm (admission to tea 5/- {50cents}) STLAA membership was increased to 6/- per year (60cents)

Rejection of charging 2/-(20cents) for the Annual Report.

Inter Association conferences were concerned with the general Administration of fisheries in the State. by the Commissioner. and his Associates.

Deference of proposal to increase affiliation fees from 2/- to 4/- (20cents to 40cents)

Now is the time to see that our fisheries are preserved and waters improved. So that in 10 –20 years we are not fishing, hoping to catch a 3/4lb (375grams) – which is happening in other countries where an upsurge in fishing has occurred.

Association placed a 2/- (20 cents) levy on all branch members to assist in “this year’s financial crisis” 25 successful prosecutions for offences under fisheries regulations totaling £242.00 ($484) Note Quote “It should be remembered that enforcement officers also have duties other than policing the regulations. The more important ones include the assistance in winter transference programs, field intelligence reporting conditions of streams, fish movements and summer transfer programs.

Heavy responsibility lies with our fishing conservators in this State as our fisheries has “marked time since the war (1945). Although the present Authority cannot be held responsible for the present situation. It is up to them and fishermen to ensure that fishing is back to fishing of other days and ensure our fishing future.

Not all offences resulted in successful prosecutions, indeed cases against 10 persons were dismissed for various reasons in which instances were beyond the control of Commission staff” unquote.

The above comments were found in the Annual Report of the STLAA for 1964/65 and it is so interesting to parallel our present thoughts and concerns with those of 38 years ago! It is also interesting to note some of the Branch reports on their fishing activities and trophy winners weighs.

Licenses taken out totalled 29,000 (A later report indicated that the number of licenses jumped from 3341 to 29,000 from 1945/45 to 1964/65!)

Maydena – 7lb 15 - 5 lb.1 – 7lb.1 (approx 3.7kg – 2.3kg – 3.2kg)

Inland fishing has become one of the States leading past times. Problems – Do we have enough fishing waters for all these anglers?

Bothwell – mostly in Clyde, Ouse and Jordan rivers – 2lb 8(1kg) – 9lb 12(4.5kg) – 5lbs (2.25kg) –

Will we have sufficient fish to accommodate the increased licenses?

Oatlands - 9 fish weighing 54lb 9 (24.8kg)

With the development of our sport there has been a steady destruction of our waterways – harnessing water for power generation – poaching – pollution by factories, work, orchards spray etc constitutes threats for future angling.

Geeveston (banks of the Lune River – whitebait running) – 5 to 10 lb class (2.25 to 4.5kg). All clubs expressed concerns at the dwindling weight and numbers of fish.

Angling in the Derwent Valley A copy of a talk given at a ‘Centenary of Federation’ event by New Norfolk Licenced Anglers Association President, Ray Aitchison.

On arrival in Hobart the cargo was again transferred, this time to a barge that was then towed the 20 miles to New Norfolk behind the river steamer “Emu”. From there the barge was towed a further 2 miles upstream by 2 rowboats. Interestingly, at other times, the “Emu” also carried the railway iron for the Derwent Valley Line up to New Norfolk. She was moored on the northern side of the Derwent River just below the old New Norfolk bridge where she sank and rusted away. In the near future her rare steam engine is to be retrieved.

hen Leon Glover first asked me to say a few words on angling I initially thought that the theme should be on the importance of angling to the Derwent Valley, but on second thoughts it is more appropriate to speak on the importance of the Derwent Valley on angling in Australia and New Zealand. I will also give some insight into the originality of the various Commissions and formation of the S.T.L.A.A. and the local Club. Early Tasmanian settlers were disappointed by a lack of freshwater angling opportunities in our lakes and rivers, so it was decided to introduce salmon from England to local waters. It is well documented that after much planning unsuccessful attempts were made to bring Atlantic salmon ova to Tasmania in 1852, 1860 and 1862. This proved difficult due to the time it took to sail from England to Australia and also the fact that the Equator had to be crossed.

Teams of men carried the packing cases of ova to the Salmon Ponds. When the ova was laid down amongst the gravel, it was estimated that 30,000 salmon and only 300 trout ova had survived the journey, within a fortnight of arrival the ova had started to hatch. The efforts to introduce Atlantic salmon to Tasmania proved to be a failure but Australia’s wild brown trout fishery evolved from the few ova that hatched. By 1872 ova and fry from the Salmon Ponds had been distributed to New South Wales, Victoria and New Zealand as well as most local rivers and inland lakes. Brook trout were introduced in 1883 and rainbow trout in 1898 with unsuccessful attempts also made to introduce Quinnat salmon in 1902 and Sebago salmon in 1910.

Ponds had initially been prepared on the North West River in anticipation of the arrival of ova from the early attempts but this site was eventually changed to the “Redlands” property at Plenty due to the availability of a more adequate water supply. After more experimentation, 100,000 Atlantic salmon and 3,000 brown trout ova eventually arrived in Melbourne aboard the ‘Norfolk’ after a voyage of 84 days. It took nearly three days to unload, repack and then reload the ova into the hold of the Victorian Navy’s warship ‘Victoria’. 6,000 of the salmon ova were left with the Acclimatisation Society of Victoria.

Over the years the trout fishery was under the control of the Salmon Commission whose members served in purely voluntary capacities. One of these was Robert Read, the owner of ‘Redlands’ where the ponds for the slmon had been prepared. He served as a

with the breeding of trout and the stocking of numerous waters in Tasmania, as well as the Salmon Ponds, the S.T.L.A.A. had a hatchery at Lake Sorell and the Geeveston and Lyell Branches also conducted hatcheries. Sea trout were imported in 1925 and bred successfully.

member of the Salmon Commission from 1862 until his death in 1902. The Tasmanian inland fishery was unique as until relatively recent times it was entirely funded by licence sales to anglers. In 1897 the Northern Tasmanian Fisheries Association was formed, while in the South, firstly the Anglers Club was formed in 1898, and existed for 6 years, then the Southern Tasmanian Anglers Association was formed in 1904 but went into recess in 1914. 2 years prior to this recess the Southern Tasmanian Licensed Anglers Association was formed and until the Inland Fisheries Commission was appointed in 1959 did practically all the outdoor work for the Commissioners.

In an effort to improve fishing locally, the New Norfolk Club built a fish trap in Sorell Creek in May, 1931, to obtain ova from sea trout, but it was destroyed before this could occur. In the 1930’s cormorants were recognised as a pest to the fishery. In 1932 the local club defended grub fishing. In 1936 Bridgewater and New Norfolk anglers voiced strong opposition to a proposal to restrict fishing to daylight hours only.

By 1919 the S.T.L.A.A. which at that time was a club in it’s own right had a branch at Bridgewater, in 1923 there was reference to forming further branches in the Midlands, at New Norfolk and Geeveston. Again in 1925 there were plans to form branches at New Norfolk and in the Huon Districts.

1942 saw the passing of Dr Read who still held the position of Club President, in his will he left the Salmon Ponds to the people of Tasmania. In 1950, after 23 years as Chairman, Hugh Warner became Club President and held the position until 1954 when he retired due to ill health.

On October the 28th, 1927, S.T.L.A.A. representatives, Messrs. Cramp, Butler, Andrewartha and Lovett addressed a meeting of New Norfolk anglers at the local Council Chambers. After a motion by Dr. George Read, seconded by Mr. Hugh Warner, the New Norfolk Branch of the S.T.L.A.A. was formed with Dr. Read as President and Mr. Warner the Chairman.

In 1957, Bert Wigston, the last original Committee member, retired from office, of his 30 years service, 16 had been as Secretary. The New Norfolk Club is the longest continually serving angling club in Southern Tasmania and over it’s 74 years of existence it has served angling well by helping Commission staff where possible, conducting or helping with projects to the benefit of all, not only anglers, and providing activities for members of other Clubs as well as our own.

I don’t know if it was by design or not but the six gentlemen just mentioned all later served on the Fisheries Commission. During the period between the two World Wars much activity took place

Lagoon of Islands by David Driver (Article researched from previous Annual Reports)

presented a view that caused onlookers to liken it to a “rice paddy”

During this time the water was below outlet level due to an abnormal dry period and also to evaporation losses, there had been no discharge from the dam site since April 1964 when the outlet gate was locked.

The weed matting consists of several species – Chorisandra symbaria and Cladium glomeratum, the later tends to favour the shallow water and the other the deeper areas. The weed mat is on a liquid organic slime about 2 metres deep, which can catch the unwary wader into sinking down into the slimy base, so it is essential to use a boat to navigate around the seemingly shallow waters.

he Lagoon of Island dam construction commenced in January 1964 and by May 1964 the works was completed.

The rainfall in the areas surrounding the Lagoon was estimated to be in excess of 20% below the average for that period. From when the dam was finished for a further 5 months the Lagoon only rose 1 metre to a maximum level of 750-metres (2488 feet) above sea level.

There are many small “islands” which float on mud, which is kept consolidated by the vegetation roots, and provide a habitat for the fish population. There was much speculation in the early days as to whether the weed mat would remain in place over the years or would the changing water level and wave action cause the vegetation to break up and disappear.

At the time of construction there was a resident population of tench and eels and no native species of fish had been found during sampling from the waters. Artificial stockings commenced in April 1964 with the liberation of 2200 Rainbow fingerlings.

During early sampling of the growth of trout in the Lagoon it came as a surprise to find that 25% of those captured were browns, however now that the dam has blocked the migration from Ti tree Creek, no further spawning would occur due to the lack of adequate spawning areas.

Low water levels, which continued in the Lagoon at this time, made the fish easy pickings for the Herons and other birds of prey, and for this reason further stocking was suspended until lagoon levels had improved.

All future stockings would be by artificial recruitment.

Additional stocks were liberated in July, 3,000, August, 4,000, September, 10,000 and in April 1965 a further 9,000 released.

The presence of browns was a worry as it was the intention to have the Lagoon of Island as a rainbows only lake,

The vegetation, by the very fact of the nature of the storage, (a guaranteed minimum level of just under 1 metre {2 ft 6inches}) is conducive to weed growth. Around May 1965 the Lagoon

It was recommended that all browns be speedily removed so that the hatchery rainbow fingerlings would not fall prey to the predatory browns.

Tupp’s Indispensable by Wilfred Knight score. Just to rub it in, he informs his Lordship the fly is called a “Tup’s indispensable” but the implication in the name goes over his Lordship’s head However, the gillie explains to his Lordship, it is essential to ensure the fly is dampened before being cast, to ensure it sinks quickly. Saying this, our friend motions that the fly should be drawn through the lips.

I pride myself in having a sense of humour. I enjoy listening to a good yarn and I like telling jokes. Perhaps in another life I could have been a stand-up comedian. I like my humour to be subtle and well crafted as opposed to would be ‘jokes’ designed to shock or disgust. My favourite comedians are Victor Borge, Peter Sellers, Woody Allen and the bloke that created the “Tup’s Indispensable”

His Lordship, having complied with instructions had sprung the trap as it were and that should have been the end of the matter. Something our gillie friend could savour in the telling to his mates over a quiet pint at the pub. But this is where fate stepped in. That smelly bit of yellow stained wool actually caught some fish, quite a few in fact. That evening over port and cigars, his Lordship regaled his audience with the sport of the day and sang the praises of the ‘new fly’ and so a myth was born.

Tupp’s Indispensable

For his sins, the gillie and his mates were probably required to shear rams where they were never intended to be shorn, to keep up with the demand for material for the new fly. When the fame of the “Tup’s Indispensable” had spread far and wide and shearing ram’s testicle had become almost a full time job it was no good throwing up one’s hands in the air and saying “Hold on, this was a joke for God’s sake” Who was going to believe it anyway!

For those new to fly fishing, or too young to remember, a Tup is a ram and the “Tups indispensable” is made from urine stained wool from around its testicles. Now come on! Who in his right mind would have seriously thought that wee-wee soaked wool from a belligerent male sheep is going to tempt a trout. It was originally stated that the urine created a yellow colour that was impossible to replicate in any other way. That smells to me like the groundwork in a well thought out leg pull.

As always, when someone hits on a winner, big business stepped in and it wasn’t long before several reputable suppliers of fly tying materials marketed “Tups” wool. Whether this was the genuine wee-wee stained article or something that had been sanitised, I do not know.

I have mused over the introduction of this fly to the angling fraternity and the one that appeals to me most is the scenario where a downtrodden gillie, who is being given a hard time by a member of the ‘gentry’ and is not having a good day, produces this ‘fly’ and swears by its ability to catch trout by the

Now it’s a well known fact that I am a collector of fly tying materials and I set out to find out if any of this elusive material was still available. (I particularly wanted to see if I could persuade someone to draw it through their lips before casting.) but to date, in spite of my best efforts, I have drawn a blank.

I sent e-mails to most of the World’s best know suppliers and was quite specific as to my requirements, urine stained wool from the testicles of a ram in its original condition, dampness not being a problem. But in most cases my enquiries have failed to elicit a reply. So if any one knows of a placid ram, preferably old, deaf and short sighted, would they please let me know. I’d like to perpetuate the joke.

Days of a Long Lost Era by David Driver (Article researched from previous Annual Reports)

number of fish were taken on the Eastern shore of the Northern portion of the Lake, however particulars were not recorded but it was estimated that “at least a ton (1018kgs) were caught”.

was fortunate in being loaned some old STLAA Annual reports by a Club member Geoff Watson. Geoff knew I liked looking back and seeing what life was like for those early pioneers of trout fishing.

According to the article the record trout for the Great Lake was taken by a Mr M Seal in 1897 and weighed 25.25lbs (11.5kgs)

One article that immediately took my attention was “Great Lake Catches” taken from a past Annual report of the NTFA (Northern Tasmanian Fisheries Association).

It is obvious that this great expanse of water has produced some magnificent fish over the century and here are some more details to wet your appetite.

As it said in the opening paragraph “gives some very interesting figures relating to fish caught at the Great Lakes”

The average weight per fish for seasons:1899-00 – 8.88lbs (4kgs) 1900-01 – 9.89lbs (4.5kgs) 1901-02 – 9.29lbs (4.25kgs) 1902-03 – 7.10lbs (3.25kgs) 1903-04 – 8.94lbs (4kgs) 1905-06 – 9.19lbs (4.2kgs) 1906-07 – 8.22lbs (3.75kgs)

It gives detailed figures for recorded catches for the season 1906-07. 84 rods – 355.5 days – 779 fish – weight 6339.25lbs (2881.5kgs!) These were official recordings taken by the Constable stationed at the Lake, but does not include the total of fish which would have been taken and not submitted for recording. His general description was that many of the fish were bright-scaled, small headed, and had the appearance of searun trout. Further notes indicated that during the early part of the 1906-07 season a large

The largest fish recorded during 1901/07 were:1901 1902 -

Mr N Giblin of Sydney 19.5lbs (9kgs) Dr H C Hallowes Ulverstone 17lbs (7.75kgs)

1903 1904 1905 1906 1907 -

Mr O Field 18.5lbs (8.4kgs) Maj.C J L Smith 20lbs (9.01kgs) Maj C J L Smith 21lbs (9.5kgs) Mr B Smith 19.5lbs (9kgs) Mr N J Wise 23lbs (10.4kgs)

Sept 23 Mr R Bowden 11 fish 62.5lbs(28.4kgs)

Deloraine Deloraine

Feb 10 Mr A French 10 fish 85lbs(38.6kgs)

Deloraine

Mar 2 Mr RC Gibson 8 fish 74lbs(33.6kgs)

Deloraine Bothwell

Mar 16 Mr A C Hirst 8 fish 48.5lbs(22kgs)

In the year 1907 from February till April there were 20 fish recorded as taken weighing over 15lbs(6.8kgs) – 15 of which were recorded in April!

There was also a note on several previous recorded catches worthy of note. Dec 29 1898 - Mr H W Bryant (Melbourne) 13 fish weighing 90 lbs (41kgs)

It also records “one day catches” of 8 or more in 1906-07 Sept 1 Mr A C Hirst 8 fish – 58lbs(26.4kgs)

Jan 16 1899 - Mr A D Hall (Sydney) 18 fish weighing 148.5kgs (67.5kgs)

Sept 1 Mr J Riley 8 fish - 58lbs(26.4kgs)

April 4 1899 - Mr R F Irvine (Launceston) 14 fish weighing 115.5lbs (52.5kgs)

Sept 1 Mr F Fleming 8fish 62lbs(28.1kgs)

A BUSY DAY! – A true picture of what all licensed anglers dream about. 34 Trout and one Quinnat Salmon (right) taken near Swan Bay in Great Lake before the drought – in fact. 1934

Using the Ashley Spinners by Bob Wilton

work the water in a fan shaped pattern before I move up the shoreline. It is the constant spinning that picks the trout up, while the spinner is in the water and your winding you will have success.

have been using Ashley Spinners for the last 6 years in Arthurs Lake with a good measure of success. I know a lot of anglers don’t like giving up their tips, nor the identity of that special lure they catch trout on, but here are the numbers of the Ashley Spinners I use, they are available in 7gm and 14gm sizes: • •

Casting the spinner in the right direction along side trees and stumps can turn into rewards as long as you don’t put it up the tree or on the stumps. I also troll with the Ashley Spinners and depending on the depth of water and how weedy the bottom is, I prefer to use the 14gm sizes. I have always had good rewards at the start of the season.

No 14 with the red dots up the side; No 14 and No 30 with the soldier strips up the back.

I set my rod up by attaching an anti kink to the main line with the swivel of the anti kink facing the terminal end. I then attach a 30cm trace of 8lb breaking strain line to which I tie the Ashley Spinner. I tie the spinner on; some anglers however use a snap swivel, as I believe it provides better action for the Ashley Spinner.

I like to hold the rod while trolling and give it little flicks every now and then so that the spinner jumps forward and sinks back in the water. This is a good trick to keep up your sleave if nothing is happing. The preferred time to go fishing is 2 hours before dark. I like to drift spin in the trees for an hour and then go trolling in the bay, where we have a shack, until dark. My children and I always come home with several good size trout for what seems little effort. Once Christmas comes the trout seem to go off the spinners it is then I go on to using the fly rod and the children use the Mudeyes.

When I start spinning from the shore I like using the 7gm No 14 as this weight spinner doesn’t sink too quickly. I start my retrieve of the spinner as soon as it hits the water. I wind at a steady pace and as soon as it gets close to me I lift the tip of the rod, this lifts the lure so it doesn’t snag up when it is in shallow the margins around the shoreline. When spinning from the shoreline I always

A Jassid’s Life by Ashley Kent

I know Jassid’s are fairly common around many waters, but when I think of Jassid’s, I think of Bronte. An ideal situation at Bronte in March will see a fairly strong wind the night before, followed by calmer conditions the next day. If there is a light sprinkling of Jassid’s on the water, it won’t long before the trout are licking their lips.

hy do Mayflies get all the attention? You can have a very frustrating season sometimes, if it’s duns you’re chasing. But in the later part of the season Jassid’s can save the day! When I first started chasing trout in Bronte Lagoon, my fondest memories were of cruising fish casually sipping down the funny little critters we know as Jassid’s. When the Jassid’s are about, trout seem to ignore any other surface offering in preference to the little red and black insect. Much the same way I always eat Mum’s roast lamb before the peas. Jassid’s are in the family of insect’s known as Leafhoppers of which there are many different species associated with Eucalyptus trees. They are essentially sapsuckers, feeding on the leaves and twigs of the host tree, living in colonies of mixed stages of development. Sometimes they are accompanied by ants feeding off the sugary secretion left behind by the Jassid, which probably explains some of the ant falls later in the season when Jassid’s are about in larger numbers.

JASSIDS IN THE WIND Most fishermen are familiar with wind lanes and how they can produce good fishing when they concentrate Jassid’s, they are probably the first place we look to fish when they occur. But what if the wind is too strong? You know Jassid’s are on the water but you don’t want to sit around camp all day! Well there is one option. If the wind is still persisting, it can pay to fish the windward shore where some Jassid’s will be drowned. It might not be the most comfortable place on the lake, but it makes sense that a lot of Jassid’s will have been washed there. As Bronte local Paul Burrows will tell

After the adults lay their eggs in the slits of the bark the nymphs emerge about two weeks later. They feed of the sap in young shoots and go through a series of five molts to become fully winged adults. This cycle usually starts in mid October, but it can be as late as December depending on rainfall and the health of the trees. When the population on a given tree becomes established, the adults search for new ground and become more active around March. This is when they really start to come into play for us fisher person’s.

Burrows, and Laurie Matcham’s Jassid’s look good, our Club Secretary Norm Cribbin ties a nice foam beetle that looks juicy as well. I bet there are as many Jassid imitations out there as there are Mayflies patterns.

you the windward shore is often the best option when all else fails. I like to just walk along blind casting on an angle, of course covering any sighted fish quickly. Often all you will see is a golden swirl in the waves, as the fish rise of the bottom and casually snip off the Jassid’s as they are brought to them by the waves. This is also a good place to start for the spin fisher to start as well. If there is a steady wave, I believe the trout have a better sense of security. And combined with the fact that Jassid’s are coming to them they sometimes appear to be frolicking in the waves!

So get out the vice and tie some Jassid patterns for next season. Here’s some food for thought.

Paul’ Foam Jassid Hook: Kamasan B400 Size 16 Body: Chinese Red Flex Floss Wingcase: 2mm black foam sheet folded back on its self & glued down Hackle: Black cock

Eurymela Fenestrata – Jassid Of course everyone has their way of playing with Jassid feeding trout, the technique I’ve described is my favorite. It seems every person you talk to can relate some sort favorite place or fly to hunt down trout chasing Jassid’s. It makes a good discussion point and a refreshing change from those Mayfly that seem unreliable at times. If you haven’t had much luck with the Dun’s during the season, chances are the Jassid’s will save the day before the end of the season as they are less affected by fluctuating water levels.

Norm’s Foam Jassid Hook: Kamasan B400 Size 16 Body: Peacock herl Wingcase: 2mm red foam sheet Hackle: Black cock

For the fly tier, it can create an interesting challenge, trying to copy that funny tent like shape, which is in reverse to most other insects. I’ve seen a few realistic flies tied by Paul ‘Rabbit’

A Proud Achievement by Trevor Sutton

In recognition of this service he was made Bridgewater’s first Life Member in 1947, and a Life Member of the STLAA in 1968.

here is no other Club or Association in Tasmania or Australia than can boast of such a record! Bridgewater Anglers’ Association Life Member, Merv Wood is Tasmania’s oldest continuous trout licence holder.

It should be recorded that regardless of what the so called experts have to say on the matter of the Derwent Fishery……Merv was instrumental together with another former member of Bridgewater, the late Hector Jones from the Salmon and Freshwater Fisheries Commission, now the IFS in obtaining 155,000 fry and 5000 yearlings which they liberated between October 1956 and September 1963 in the marshes at Dromedary and the Granton side at Murphy’s Drain.

Merv Wood was given a vote of thanks at the Association’s AGM for a wonderful donation that sets them on a course to raise upwards of $15,000 over the next two years that will allow them to have a wonderful three unit shack and the land, without the need for a mortgage. At 97 years of age he is the Club’s oldest member.

This idea produced one of the most productive periods in the Derwent, with annual reports recording 1500 anglers and up to 200 cars lining the banks at Bridgewater on the opening Weekend.

Merv, his father and uncle together with his son, son in law and grandson has a long association with the Bridgewater Club…..No one is sure just how old the club really is….All records were lost in a fire at the Bridgewater Railway station in the early 1930’s.

It was not uncommon for many anglers to catch 150 to 200 trout for the season with many 6 pounds and over……

However, it is known that there was a petition to the Salmon Commissioners dated July 23 1884 addressed from Bridgewater and signed by many anglers…..In the STLAA Report of 1919-20, Merv and his father Alfred are listed as Members..

It must also be remembered that it was the late Hector Jones who was the great influence on the Bridgewater Anglers’ Association taking the gamble to rebuild the Plenty Fish Trap after being in disrepair for many years through major flooding.

In that same year, Merv won the STLAA TJ Cane Trophy for the two heaviest fish landed in November.. This top rod was instrumental bringing Bridgewater back in operation in 1936…serving as committee man for 32 years, 23 Secretary. He was also delegate for that period with the STLAA.

Hector claimed there was no current barometer on the state of the fishing in the Derwent, unless they could monitor the spawning run on the Plenty River.

in to a as all

Merv Wood has also played a significant part in the Arthurs Lake fishery, releasing 10,600 fry and 9400 yearlings

Bridgewater Anglers Association is also quite fortunate in having a direct link with the wonderful fishing in Great Lake almost 100 years ago…..Merv can still recall his father’s trips to Great Lake in the old horse and cart with a bag of chalf on the back and a billy can of jollytails on the axle.

between 1956 and 1959 in the Morass, the marsh between the Sand and Blue Lakes. Many a silver brown from the Sand Lake area show their ancestry from the searunners hatched at the Salmon Ponds at Plenty. These fish improved the blood line and set the scene for the flooding of Arthurs in 1963.

First overnight stop was at Melton Mowbray and very late on the second night at Miena…..Fishing friend Arthur Fleming would leave a lantern in a gum tree to help show the way for Alfred Wood…..Two days up and two days back with the cart loaded with plenty of fish preserved in salt.

The Bridgewater Members are all very proud to have such a stalwart who has put such a lifelong effort into his favourite recreational pastime, his club and the Tasmanian Trout Fishery as a whole.

The Woods family have strong ties to the Association…That strong association continues today with his son Peter and Son-in-law Angus Maclaine.

The former Minister for the IFS, David Llewellyn who was a guest at the Association’s AGM also paid great tribute to his involvement with the Association. Quoting Mr Llewellyn he said, “This is a wonderful gesture from a man who has a long involvement with your Association, I am greatly impressed with Bridgewater. While I have visited many other clubs, yours is very different and I truly admire your membership for what it is doing for trout fishing. I hope others follow this example in purchasing the shack land.”

As the new season gets underway, Merv is looking forward to once again trying his luck. This year he has suffered a slight handicap in having a spell in hospital recuperating from a broken leg suffered in a recent fall. Son, Peter says he is making good progress and is in high spirits!

The Humble Gum Beetle By Ashley Kent It’s funny how out of all the billions of questions you ask as a boy, you can still remember the ones you asked about fishing. When I was a young tacker (not too long ago), I can remember fishing with my Father and Grandpa in the canal between Brady’s Lake and Lake Binney. I can recall collecting these funny little green domes that would stick to your shirt like little badges, “Pa, what are these called?” I asked. “Their Gum beetles boy, now sit down and be still, you’ll scare the fish!” I wasn’t to know

at that age just how much fun I would have in the years to come when these Gum Beetles were about. Many (not too many) years later, I still think of my Pa when I’m fishing and a little Gummy lands on my vest. The first dozen or so trout I landed on the dry fly were on Gum beetle imitations in Lake Echo, so I’ve always held them in high regard. Of course I hadn’t been jaded by the misconception that Mayflies provided superior rises.

going cranky, gorging themselves, but the problem was getting the fish to find you fly amongst the thousands on offer. There were so many beetles in fact they were forming little mounds as they piled on to of each other to keep dry.

Gum Beetles, or Tasmanian Eucalyptus leaf beetle(C.bimaculata), start appearing in small numbers as soon as the weather warms up in spring. They first appear brownish or even red at first, from overwintering. They head straight for the new leaves of the Gum Tree or Ash Tree and start feeding, after a few weeks they return to their usual shinny green/gold colour with two black dots near the head and body about 10mm in length.

BEETLES - FLIES - & BAIT? Most people have a favourite beetle fly to use, simple flies, even the old red tag is deadly. My favourite is a foam beetle, dressed in green and gold. I also like to use two patterns on the cast, a traditional dry on the top followed by a foam beetle on the point. This allows the top fly to be visible, while the foam beetle, which sits very low in the surface film or even just below it seems to be the best fish taker for me.

From then on they become a little more active and start to lay about 30 or so cream coloured eggs in neat rows on the new leaves. In an average season there is usually only one egg-laying peak in November. But in a hot dry summer there can be another peak in January, which will see high numbers of adults around until the end of the Trout season. Recent research conducted by Forestry Scientists found that a female Gum Beetle is capable of laying a batch eggs each day for up to 35 days, and with the eggs hatching every 7 to 10 days, thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a lot of beetles! When the eggs hatch, little grey grubs appear, they feed for about 3 to 4 weeks before they fall of the leaves and burrow into the ground. About 2 weeks later they emerge as adults and the cycle of life continues. So you can see that a warm spring and hot summer stimulates the beetles to produce more rapidly, and this is likely to reflect on the Trouts interest in them. The beetles seem to build over a few seasons before the health of the trees and the weather patterns change and then they go a little quiet for a season. But even more memorable fishing can be had after consecutive hot summers when beetles are about in very high numbers. But this is also a double-edged blessing as too many beetles actually make the fishing difficult. I can remember one very frustrating time at Teal Bay, Lake Echo. The beetles were falling steadily throughout the day in a strong NW wind, as evening approached the fish were

Green Foam Gum Beetle On one occasion I was fishing to some Rainbows near Canal Bay just on dark, they were obviously taking beetles but refused to take the dry. The foam beetle I was using began to sink on nearly every cast, which is when I started catching fish. So by accident I discovered that they would only take the fly a few inches below the surface (Rainbows have a knack of driving me cranky). However you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t need to know how to fly fish to enjoy catching those greedy Gum Beetle feeders.

rising fish, pay back some line to his chair, sit down and have a pipe until the next rise came. Now this seems like a fairly simple and enjoyable way to fish, bait fishing with a fly! So there I was, like the little boy again, asking all the questions, If only I knew about this when I was a young tacker. WHAT TO LOOK FOR Gum beetles are definitely on the menu. (Arthurs Lake Dec’98)

If the Gum Beetles are going to be about during the season in numbers you will see signs of them well before they actually appear on the water. Sometimes you will notice damage to the tops of the trees around the lake, especially the younger trees. Many of the leaves will have a ‘sawtooth’ edge on them in November, however this can also be caused by other insects as well. A more obvious sign of Gum Beetles is the stripping of the leaves at the top of the younger saplings, and even older trees where the new seasons leaves have grown. This is commonly referred to as the ‘broom top’ effect. Sometimes you can see this occurring right around the shores of lake echo and I have also seen this on the Northern end of Arthurs Lake near Duck Bay and the Transmission lines. The trees usually bounce back the following year, but Gum Beetles have been attributed for killing large amounts of young trees in plantations. Forestry may very infrequently use insecticides to reduce economic damage to plantations, however I have been unable to find any evidence of this having an effect on our fishery.

I can remember one balmy evening, walking past an older gentleman sitting by himself on the shore near Brocks Bay, Lake Echo. There was a light sprinkling of beetles on the water, the fish were rising well and I had managed to catch 3 nice browns. I stopped for a chat and noticed he had a set rod on a stick at the waters edge so I assumed he was drowning a worm or maybe a grub. “Any luck with the grub” I said. “Na mate there on the beetles” came the reply through a thick cloud of pipe smoke. I looked at him, then at his rod, then before I could ask him the obvious question there was a confident rise out in front of us, he picked up the rod, set the bail arm then struck. A few minutes later he had a nice brownie in the net which joined quite a few others in the fish bag. He eventually showed me his rig, quite simple really. He had a normal spinning / bait fishing rod and reel with fairly fine 6lb line. Attached was a small bubble float and stopper, followed by a long leader, then two dry flies, Gum Beetles, tied together from the hook bend. He explained that he added a fair bit of floatant to the leader and flies that were tied on size 12 hooks. The bubble float was quite small and half filled with water. He went on to say how he would quietly wade out with the breeze to his back, then cast his rig out amongst the

Unlike many other insects that trout ‘come on’ to after a while (in the case of Mayflies this can be some weeks), Gum Beetles arouse interest as soon as they arrive, and hopefully that’s when you’re waiting with the fly on the water, hands shaking, anticipating.

Great Lake By James Whittaker â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Age 16 Over the February long week end a couple of mates and I fished Becketts Bay at the Great Lake. We caught 5, all browns. The only rainbow we hooked was lost as we tried to land it The weather was foul. It rained and blew a gale all weekend. We caught three on

green and gold spinners, one on a wattle grub and one on mudeyes. All of our fish were caught from the shore. The Great Lake is a good place to camp the only trouble is getting weather. However, the fishing made for a terrific weekend.

James Whittaker, Paul Bricknell & Mark Whittaker

Catch by Mark Whittaker

Season 2001-2002 Photo Gallery

Jessica & Jarrod Wilton – Arthurs Lake

Bob Wilton – Arthurs Lake

Jessica Wilton – Arthurs Lake

Jarrod Wilton – Arthurs Lake

Brown Trout by Ashley Kent

Gary Davey – Henty River

Norm Cribbin – Arthurs Lake

Susan Bowden – Atlantic Salmon Roger Wolfe – Arthurs Lake

Ken & Christian – Tooms Lake

Ashley Kent - Tooms Lake

Tony Blackwell – Tooms Lake Lex Wilson – Tyena River

Mavis Russell – Atlantic Salmon Meadowbank Dam Katie Russell – Derwent River

Rowan Collins – Derwent River James Lee – Laughing Jack Lagoon

Michael Morgan – Atlantic Salmon Meadowbank Dam

Andrew Palfreyman – Derwent River

Emma & Christine Palfreyman – Tooms Lake

Damien Granger – Henty River

Kym Manten – Arthurs Lake Cameron Chivers – Tooms Lake

Steven Jones – Great Lake

Felicity Jones – Great Lake

Joshua Turner -

Jonathon McGee – Woods Lake

Mercury Newspaper Clips from 1966

Barry Sherriff – 18lb 13/09/1966

Gary Reid (New Norfolk Anglers Club) 11lb 31/08/1966

Frank Shadwick – 16.5lb – 01/11/1966 Tony Blackwell – 12/09/1966

Ken Sulman – 7lb 3oz – 29/06/1966

Nat Lovell 14.25 lb to 8.75lb 12/10/1966

Jack Oates of Grove – 14lb 2oz 22/10/1966

Lorraine Wilton – 4lb Blackfish 29/09/1966 Ross Tatnell – 19lb – 14/10/1966

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