Angling Report of the Southern Tasmanian Licensed Anglers Association
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Index Editorial .................................................................... 2 Inland Fisheries Service .......................................... 3 Ministers Report on Inland Fisheries 2002/03....... 3 From the Director................................................... 4 Summary of Inland Fisheries Activities 2003/04 .. 5 Hydro Tasmania Water Management Report ...... 9 MAST Report ......................................................... 11 FACT Report.......................................................... 13 IFAC Report - Reflections Season 2003/2004...... 14 STLAA Reports...................................................... 16 STLAA Executive................................................ 16 STLAA Presidents Report ................................... 17 Club Reports ........................................................ 20 Australian Polish Anglers Club ....................... 20 Bothwell Angling Club .................................... 21 Bridgewater Anglers Association .................... 23 Clarence Licensed Anglers Club ..................... 24 Huon Licensed Anglers Association................ 25 Kingborough Anglers Association................... 27 Lake Pedder Anglers Club ............................... 29 Maydena Anglers Club .................................... 31 New Norfolk Licensed Anglers Association ... 33 Tarraleah-Bronte Anglers Club........................ 35 Features & Special Reports................................... 37 Season 2003-2004................................................ 37 A Memorable Day................................................ 39 Writing an Article about Fishing ......................... 41 Gordon River Trip................................................ 43 Tarraleah and Nive River 1941............................ 45 Arthurs Lakes - then there was one! .................... 47 Tasmanian Tigers................................................. 49 Lake Sorell – Meagher’s Bay .............................. 51 The Nive River..................................................... 53 Season 2003-2004 Photo Gallery......................... 55 Historic Angling Images - IFC ............................ 66
Trout 2004 Tasmanian Angling Report of the Southern Tasmanian Licensed Anglers Association is published annually by the association and it’s affiliated Clubs.
Cover Photos: Searching for shoring fish – Western Lakes Photo by Louis Molnar
Historic Photos: The historic photos in this years Trout 2004 were kindly supplied by Bob Ward
Report Committee: Bill Cornelius Lake Pedder Anglers Ph 0429 851 875 Norm Cribbin Clarence Licensed Anglers Ph 0408 144 587 Leanne Datlen Bothwell Anglers Club Ph 6259 5728 Louis Molnar Bridgewater Anglers Ass. Ph 0419 309 932
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Editorial
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having his or her own pet theory as to why a particular fishery is doing this or that. An example of this is, the IFS stock fish in a water, some anglers will say that it was long over due and heap praise on the IFS, others will just as emphatically say that they are over stocking the water and all that will come of it is small fish. Anglers views are diverse and the IFS is endeavouring to mange the fishery for all, in the present and the future. I personally am glad we have such dedicated persons managing our fishery, even though I some times also think, that’s not how it should be done.
eason 2003-2004 was an enjoyable season for me personally, it was spent with family, friends and angling companions but it is now over and all I have to remember it by are some photos and the reminiscences when I talk to those whom I was fortunate enough to shared the past season with. I hope you to had a pleasant season, be it because of the fish that were tempted, the time spent in the beautiful surrounds that make up our fishery or the friendship that was shared whilst angling. In Tasmania we are fortunate to have such a wonderful place to practice the noble art of angling. I know some of you out there will say that it is not as it was in past, maybe so, but time waits for no one, not even Mother Nature. As Anglers we have to be adaptive and flexible, if it was easy there would be no enjoyment, no challenge, nothing to keep the mind active. The day angling losses these things it is time to hang up the rod.
This is the third Angling Report I have been involved with and continues the long tradition of Reports presenting the efforts and views of Club’s and Angler’s that make up the Southern Tasmanian Licensed Anglers Association. The input for this years report has once again been outstanding and I commend all those who have contributed articles, photographs, comments and critic.
I have heard many say this past season that the fishing is better in this country or that country. This maybe so, but having being fortunate enough to have angled in a number of overseas waters, I still find the lure of the angling style we have in Tasmania drawing me back the Highland Lakes. It is definitely a case of the “Grass appears greener on the other side” but when you get there home does not seem so bad. Do not get me wrong I love the challenge of new waters and styles, but it is always nice to get back home.
Once again special thanks must go the Report Committee who spent many hours arranging advertising sponsors, following up on reports and collecting the articles that appear within Trout 2004. Finally I would ask you to support our advertising sponsors. Without their assistance it would not be possible to publish this annual report. So next time you are making use of any of our advertising sponsors services thank them for supporting Trout 2004.
The Managers of the Fishery, the Inland Fisheries Service, have I believe a most unenviable task, image trying to keep some 30,000 anglers happy, each angler
Norm Cribbin
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Inland Fisheries Service Ministers Report on Inland Fisheries 2002/03
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the physical products of its service – the trout and the trout fishery – which are the main attraction for anglers. The emphasis has been on fisheries performance assessment surveys to identify those fisheries currently under performing. Several of these were followed up in the additional stocking program and they will continue to be monitored next year.
s the new Minister for Inland Fisheries, I am pleased to provide a report on my initial observations of the Service and on its operation in a few key areas. I bring to the portfolio a background in law and business management, and so my initial interest has been on the finances, and the business end of fisheries management. From this perspective, I see the need to halt the decline in angling licence sales which has occurred over the past five years, and is part of a longer trend over the past twelve years. I am pleased to note that the Service is aware of the situation with licence sales and has taken practical steps to counter the trend. It has also commenced a review of the Licensing system, which aims to assess the most cost-effective mechanisms for selling angling licences. I understand that this review will consider other aspects of the angling licence, including the demand for a simplified product, over the following year.
The aims of the annual stocking program, which included the additional transfer of adult trout, were to improve under performing fisheries and increase angler participation at currently underused waters. Successful examples include the stocking of brown and rainbow trout into the Bradys chain, rainbow fry into Great Lake and the addition of brook trout into Bronte Lagoon. The Service intends to continue with these programs and strategies and build on recent stockings to create a range of productive fisheries for the next season.
This year is also the third of a three year trial of ‘renewals’ offered by the Service to full season licence holders. The Service is preparing to send almost 19,000 renewal forms to 2003-04 full season licence holders. A full range of payment options is available through the 2004-05 renewal process, including payment through tackle stores and fishing agents, as well as through Service Tasmania shops, over the phone or via the internet. The renewal form offers a peel-off laminated paper Licence card individualised with the Licence holder’s name and number, address and date of birth.
A final reminder that fishing should be about fun, but it’s also about business since it costs money to administer the fishery. I see a role for you, the angler, the user of the resource, in helping to manage the business of fishing as well as to protect the environment and enhance the fishery. By being responsible for your licence, fishing methods, your knowledge of the regulations; and encouraging a responsible attitude in others, you are assisting the Service in the smooth running of the trout fishery. Until next year, all the best in your fishing endeavours.
The Service has continued to take important actions this year to enhance
Steve Kons Minister for Primary Industries & Water
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From the Director
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individual fisheries through the angler questionnaire survey. This was combined with the catch data collected from creel surveys undertaken by the Compliance staff, to provide an indication of overall fishery performance.
he high note for the year is the planned reopening of the Lake Crescent fishery after its closure in 1995 due to carp. Our preparation has included the writing of regulations to restrict certain fishing activities that might interfere with carp management objectives, along with information in signs, a display and brochure, to educate users of the fishery about the restrictions and responsibilities.
With nine full time inspectors in the Fishery Compliance section, the team concentrated on checking the licences of anglers fishing at designated waters. They tallied around 3,500 checked licences over the Season.
While our view was on the completion of the Great Lake Fishery Management Plan, this year, it has now switched to the implementation of the Plan, and the planning lens is focused on Penstock Lagoon and Lagoon of Islands.
Thanks to the production team at the Salmon Ponds hatchery, 450,000 rainbow and 290,000 brown trout fry (originating from wild Tasmanian genetic stock), were grown for the restocking of our inland waters this year.
Fishery performance assessment was in full swing, with surveys of Bradys Lake, lakes Mikany and Ada, Little Blue Lagoon, Lagoon of Islands, and the Flowerdale and Inglis rivers. Reports on Penstock Lagoon and Lake Lea were completed and published electronically and in the fishing press.
The carp team continued its successful work, reducing the number of adult carp in both lakes to manageably low levels and reducing the population of juveniles in Lake Sorell to a quarter of the original number detected. The team, which remains dedicated to the battle, has also demonstrated its success in the application of innovative methods for pest fish management.
The benefits of the revitalised stocking regime began to pay off this season with increased angler participation at stocked waters. This initiative has seen a major boost in rainbow trout stockings for Great Lake, a return to large scale stockings of wild adult brown trout, and the increased stockings of brook trout to ear-marked waters. This is in addition to the normal fry stocking program conducted each year.
I hope the past season held a win for every dedicated angler. Wishing all of you, good luck and good fishing for the 2004-05 season. John Diggle Director of Inland Fisheries
Fisheries monitoring activities included an assessment of the number and quality of fish in the spawning runs at Great Lake, Lake Sorell, Arthurs Lake and Penstock Lagoon. As well, there was the annual collection of data on
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Summary of Inland Fisheries Activities 2003/04 and Penstock Lagoon were initiated, with workshops being attended by angler interest groups. The plan for Penstock Lagoon is due for completion during the 2004-05 season while the plan for Lagoon of Islands may be delayed due to the need for further assessment of the lagoon’s environment.
Lake Crescent Reopens The Service has been preparing for the 2004-05 Season reopening of Lake Crescent, after its closure in 1995 due to the discovery of carp. Over the past nine years, the carp management team has succeeded in containing the spread of carp, confining them to the waters of lakes Sorell and Crescent. Using effective fishing methods and advanced survey technology, the team has also been successful in drastically reducing carp numbers, bringing the population to a manageable level.
Fishery Performance Assessment Following establishment of the Fishery Performance Assessment program during the 2002-03 season, a number of fisheries around the State have been surveyed. This program involves the collection of creel data by inspectors, the collection of survey information via a postal questionnaire, review of individual water stocking histories and collection of trout population information from priority waters. During the past season, surveys were conducted at Bradys Lake, lakes Mikany and Ada, Little Blue Lagoon, Lagoon of Islands in addition to the Flowerdale and Inglis rivers, while the survey of the Coal River was deferred. Fishery Performance reports were completed for Penstock Lagoon and Lake Lea, and were made available on the Service’s website. The remaining reports will be completed this year.
Installing Carp Fencing at Lake Crescent Given that the risk of an angler catching or translocating a carp is low, and considering the demand for the return of the Lake Crescent fishery, the Service will reopen the water for the 2004-05 Angling Season, from 7 August 2004 to 1 May 2005. The proviso is that a number of restrictions have been placed on fishing and associated activities, including camping and boating. The good news is that recent surveys show that trout stocks at Lake Crescent are healthy with a good number of fish in the 3-5kg range.
Trout and Salmon Stocking Following a review of the Inland Fisheries stocking program during 2003, the Service has in the past season concentrated on consolidating the new stocking regime for public waters throughout the State. This has seen a major boost in rainbow trout stockings for Great Lake, a return to large scale stockings of wild adult brown trout, and the continuation of an increased brook trout stocking program. This is in addition to the normal fry stocking program, which includes both brown and rainbow trout. As a result of this change
Fishery Management Plans The Fishery Management Plan for the Great Lake was released in May 2004, with many of the recommendations from the plan being implemented for the 2004-05 season. Development of fishery management plans for Lagoon of Islands
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in the overall stocking program, during the past season, a total of 10 170 adult brown trout were transferred from local streams and the Great Lake to stock various waters throughout the State.
General Fisheries Management The spawning runs at Great Lake (rainbow trout & brown trout), Lake Sorell and Arthurs Lake (brown trout) and Penstock Lagoon (rainbow trout) were monitored, and a sample of two hundred fish from each run (except Penstock) were weighed and measured. The angler postal questionnaire has for the seventeenth year been circulated to licence holders. Fisheries inspectors, while checking licences, continued to collect catch data as part of their normal routine. Fisheries Compliance Fisheries compliance remained at its highest level yet, with nine full time inspectors throughout the State. In addition to these staff, four fisheries management staff were appointed as authorised officers under the Inland Fisheries Act, and were given essential training in legal procedures. Licence checking was the priority activity for Fishery Inspectors with approximately 3 500 licences checked during the 2003-04 season.
Typical Great Lake Rainbow This is in addition to 108 600 brown trout fry and 900 yearling brown trout. In the period May 2003 to May 2004 brook trout stocking consisted of 22 700 yearling brook trout and 13 000 brook trout fry. Adult Atlantic salmon numbers were well up with 2 130 stocked into various waters. The rainbow trout stockings were the most diverse with a mix of wild and domestic stock, with a few waters receiving triploid rainbows. A total of 535 000 wild rainbow trout were stocked into waters on the Central Plateau with the bulk of these fish made up of 450 000 wild rainbows into Great Lake. Domestic rainbows made up the bulk of lowland water stockings.
Salmon Ponds Hatchery Production 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. Fish production at the Salmon Ponds focused on the raising of wild brown trout fry for public waters, as well as the supply of rainbow trout for the Great Lake fishery. Some 450 000 rainbow trout fry were stocked into Great Lake last season. Brown trout fry stocking for public waters remained at previous levels at approximately 290 000 fry.
Collecting fish from Liawenee
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Pest Management The Service’s Carp Management Program at lakes Crescent and Sorell has been running for eight years. European carp continue to be confined to just these two lakes. Adult carp numbers have been reduced to very low levels in both lakes Sorell and Crescent although a small cohort of juvenile carp was found to be present in Lake Sorell. These juveniles have been the primary focus during the 2003-04 program with 2 300 fish removed from an estimated 3 000. Substantial effort was also put into the installation of a number of fish traps and carp exclusion fences. These structures are designed to prevent and capture carp entering the marshland areas during spawning times.
Environment, Conservation and Native Species Management Last season saw the consolidation of the 1998 recovery plan for threatened native freshwater fish species and implementation of a new five year recovery plan covering all eleven species listed under Tasmanian threatened species legislation. Eradication of illegally stocked rainbow trout from Johnsons Lagoon continued, with no trout found during the most recent surveys. During the past season, the Service completed a World Heritage Area funded program to assess the distribution and abundance of the endemic Western Paragalaxias. A paper for the Royal Society of Tasmania is in preparation. Recent monitoring of a number of sites where weirs had been modified or removed under the Redundant Weirs project, which was completed last year, showed that various fish species were migrating upstream successfully. The program to monitor the effects of environmental summer flows in the Mersey River was extended for a further two years. The analysis and reporting of this study will depend on the future requirements of Hydro Tasmania.
Electro-fishing for Carp Over the past twelve months the Service has inspected several reports of European carp around the State. To date, these sightings have proved to be other species such as goldfish. The Service has also re-visited a number of waters (primarily farm dams) to assess previous efforts to control populations of Eastern gambusia and the introduced yabby.
Commercial Fisheries The Service continued its role in administering the aquarium industry, the commercial eel fishery, licensing of private fisheries, fish farms and other commercial areas. The supply of juvenile eels for restocking for both the commercial industry and natural restock continued. The sale of elvers returned income to the Service to support the management of the fishery.
Distribution surveys for Gambusia in the Tamar River area were undertaken. These surveys unfortunately showed this species to be more widespread than initially anticipated.
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regular liaison meetings with stakeholders, presented plans to special interest groups, and passed on information to anglers at a range of events.
Bio Consultancy This past season saw the Service's consultancy covering a wide range of work. The routine monitoring of water quality within Hydro Tasmania storages was the primary focus, along with the mapping of weed beds in Great Lake and support work to examine the impacts of Basslink on the Lower Gordon River.
Licensing Review The Service began a review of its licensing system this year, which covers everything from the design of the actual licence to the administration system, through to licence distribution and sales. The review has arisen due to the number of changes to the licence and the licensing system over recent years, including licence fee increases, new categories (eg seniors, additional rod), 12 month season, 12 month licence from date of purchase, 12 month fixed term licence, a new look licence card and paper licence, and renewal forms. There have also been administrative changes within the Service over the past few years (eg computerised financial system, new angler database) as well as changes to the distribution and sale of licences (eg expansion of agents, use of Service Tasmania outlets, introduction of a renewal process and expanded electronic payment options). The review, which will continue over the next season, will include an assessment of the most costeffective mechanisms for selling an angling licence in 2004-05. It will also consider other aspects of the angling licence, including the demand for a simplified product, and establish a set of marketing strategies for 2005-06.
Releasing fry Publicity and Promotions The Service concentrated its public display activities at two main events this year, Agfest and the Liawenee Open Weekend. Both featured the Inland Fisheries Trout Lagoon, a childrens’ education program, which is in its third year of an industry sponsored promotional competition using brown, rainbow and brook trout stickers on vehicles. The Free Fishing Day, which was held again last November succeeded, with the support of several angling clubs, in attracting new anglers to the sport of trout fishing. Staff attended angling club and association meetings throughout the year, conducted
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Hydro Tasmania Water Management Report
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Some of the technical studies that would be of interest to recreational anglers are:
s part of its ongoing water management programs, Hydro Tasmania has begun to study issues relating to the Derwent catchment. The Consultation Stage for the Derwent Water Management Review (WMR) is completed, and the response to the consultation process from stakeholders has been excellent. Out of 618 stakeholders initially contacted, 228 responded that they wished to remain on the mailing list, and 97 of these returned surveys in which they commented on issues and concerns related to Hydro Tasmania’s water management in the Derwent catchment. As part of the consultation process, attempts were made to contact all respondents by phone to give them further opportunity to discuss issues. In summary, anglers generally raised concerns about the lakes in the Shannon, Ouse, Nive-Dee and upper Derwent catchments, and landowners and irrigators raised concerns about the Ouse River and the Lower Derwent area. Other respondents raised concerns about a wide range of issues, from threatened fish species to Aboriginal heritage. The Derwent WMR Community Consultation Report, a document that details the outcomes from the consultation process, has recently been completed and distributed to stakeholders. Briefings have been completed for all stakeholders on the outcomes of the community consultation process that will form the next stage of the Water Management Review process. The technical studies are in the final stages of being scoped, and job managers have been appointed.
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Pest Fish Management Study: This study will collect data on the current distribution of pest fish (e.g. redfin, tench and carp) within the Derwent system with the objective of identifying locations of critical importance, and specific options for halting the further dispersal of these species into areas where they don’t already exist.
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Lagoon of Islands: At the current time investigations are continuing through a PhD study that is aimed at identifying viable longterm management solutions for the lagoon.
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Lake St Clair (to start in 2005): This study will review the existing management of water level in Lake St Clair and St Clair Lagoon. It is also likely to involve discussion with angling interest groups on perceived requirements for fishing in St Clair Lagoon.
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Shannon Lagoon: This will take the form of native fish, invertebrate and vegetation surveys aimed at giving some indication of local distribution and habitat preference, and an assessment of how any proposed changes to the present management system might affect these species
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Recreation Management & Planning: Anglers concerned about the environmental conditions at some storages (in particular Penstock Lagoon) have also questioned boating use and have suggested
potential alternatives for managing access. This study will review the level of concern across the catchment with the aim of identifying or developing options for managing these issues at key waterways (initially Penstock Lagoon).
Environmental Services Management Reviews Hydro Tasmania GPO Box 355 Hobart, TAS 7001.
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Water
Hydro Tasmania acknowledges the continuing role the Inland Fisheries Service is continuing to play in many of our studies, including the Basslink Fish Monitoring Program and assessments of pest fish and fish migration. The IFS is providing collaboration on these studies and ongoing liaison relating to various fisheries issues.
Regular communication through newsletters, discussion forums and stakeholder meetings will ensure that all interested parties are kept informed of progress. If you would like any further information on the technical studies, community consultation or environmental review, please contact:
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MAST Report
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licence revenue. MAST understands that Hydro Tasmania will also set aside funds for upgrading facilities on inland waters. However the final selection of projects is dependent upon discussions with Hydro Tasmania as land owner and manager as to which projects should receive priority and funding.
n 2003/2004 Marine and Safety Tasmania (MAST) is pleased to announce that there were again no fatalities on inland waters. During patrols on the lakes by MAST’s Recreational Boating Safety Officer, Peter Gibson, it was great to see recreational boaters responding to MAST’s safety messages, by carrying all the correct safety equipment on board their vessels and wearing life jackets whilst under power. In 2002/03 boaters agreed to a renewal fee for recreational boat licences. In conjunction with MAST’s recreational boating fund MAST undertook a major upgrade of boat ramps on Great Lake. MAST spent $174,514 on completing 60 metre long concrete boat ramps at Cramps Bay, Swan Bay and Brandums Bay as well as upgrading the boat ramp at the Dam on Arthurs Lake to dual width. MAST received $50,000 in assistance from Hydro Tasmania towards these upgrades in facilities. MAST is now investigating an upgrade to the ramp near Tods Corner on Great Lake. The shortages of rain in the past year again lead to a decline in water levels in Great Lake and in Arthurs Lake. Hydro Tasmania advises that the lake levels at year end are lower than the previous year. Anglers have encountered difficulty in launching on Great Lake due to the siltation at the base of many of the boat ramps. Fortunately this year the winter rains have begun early and we hope will continue often. MAST has set aside $220,000 in funding for 2004/05 for recreational boating projects. In addition MAST has a further $50,000 specifically for inland water projects from recreational boating
Submissions for 2003 were received to provide an opening through the “Cut” on Arthurs Lake. Hydro Tasmania undertook an environmental assessment
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report to assess the impact on aboriginal relics/sites, aquatic issues such as tubidity, water quality and siltation mitigation during rising waters through the “Cut�. This report recommended that the project could go ahead subject to certain conditions. However, the water levels in Arthurs Lake during the year have prevented the project from proceeding. MAST has continued with education nights around the State, these have been highly successful with nearly 500 people attending the 7 meetings held between Summer 2003 and Autumn 2004. The school education program has also continued and this is now being supported with the introduction of a video for every school outlining the curriculum. A program for a practical tuition course to get your motor boat licence has also been written and trialled. This program is designed to assist those with limited knowledge on handling a motor boat. The course will be available through accredited providers of MAST. In May MAST once again had a stand at AGFEST. It provided an opportunity for inland water fishermen to meet MAST staff and discuss any issues 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. For further information on MAST, please visit our website on www.mast.tas.gov.au. Colin Finch
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FACT Report
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The Hydro have a PHD student working on water problems and it is hoped that the results of these tests will shed some light on what needs to be done to improve water quality and fish viability.
hange has been evolving in our fishery during the last twelve months. Ministerial changes from David Llewellyn to Bryan Green and finally (?) Steve Kons. We were heartened with Bryan getting the job as he was a hunter and angler and although some may not have liked the look of the future under his leadership, it was in the best interests of the fishery that decisions were made.
A stakeholder meeting was also held in June to look into management needs for Penstock Lagoon. This water suffers from having over sized boats scouring the bottom and speeding. This ruins the prospects for those who are looking for a quiet days angling. Boat ramps, parking and camping will need to be carefully managed if this water is to remain one of our best.
Our new Minister is as different as trout and carp. Not knowing much about our trout fishery, it is interesting to know that Steve Kons is willing to listen and learn. He has said as much at an IFAC meeting in Burnie. The Great Lake Plan was released at the Liawenee weekend and little has changed from the draft process. IFS management have had their way with the 400mm limit for rainbows and this will see a greater head of fish in the lake. This will be reviewed in five years.
Land management plans are being looked at for Tooms Lake. Erosion concerns, litter, tracks, conservation, camping, wood-cutting, shooting, flora and fauna and native species will all be looked at.
A stakeholder meeting was held to look into Lagoon of Islands and what can be done to bring this water back on line as a great fishery.
Peter Richards President
The western end of Bronte Lagoon looking to the Long Shore
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IFAC Report - Reflections Season 2003/2004
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One can only hope that all anglers appreciate the Tasmanian trout fishery whether or not they return home with fish. Angling is not based on a bag full of fish flesh.
hile some anglers may be of the opinion that IFAC is not vocal enough, let me assure them meetings seldom last less than five hours and debates always are robust, constructive and well considered. As Chair of IFAC, I have tried hard not to take sides in debates but to remain independent, yet guide discussions. It is not for me to judge the success or otherwise of my chairmanship, however, I am able to comment on the contribution of the members of the Advisory Committee.
If anglers believe that Fordidge trout should never exist then, in my view, they would be better concentrating their efforts on ‘put and take fisheries’. Wild trout fisheries such as ours in Tasmania are rare and in this day and age should not be seen as killing fields. It is abhorrent when one hears of weekend fishing parties bragging about killing 6080 trout.
Over the past five years, I can not remember an ill-tempered exchange. Indeed I feel privileged to have chaired this advisory committee and am convinced its advice has contributed to the well being of the Tasmanian inland fisheries. It should be noted that all members will be up for re-election by the end of 2004.
Looking into a crystal ball, it will be essential for all anglers to realise that access to our fisheries will become easier for greater numbers of people, more boats will appear, and new lures and fishing methods will be developed to catch even the non feeding Fordidge trout.
As a practical angler, I am not well qualified to give a first hand account of the past season since I barely ventured forth owing to work pressures and a damaged shoulder. I will admit to three outings but have been forced to conclude that the trout were related to those originating from a river at the town of Fordidge in England, which according to Isaak Walton (1676) never feed and like the birds of Paradise and chameleon are said to live by the sun and the air (I did manage a galaxid on a red tag!).
These factors will put real pressure on fish stocks, the environs of our lakes and rivers, and their inhabitants. Also, human demand for freshwater itself is likely to increase over the ensuing years, impacting on the non-angler and angler alike. Failing to support our trout fishery by walking away is an easy way out. It is well documented that licence purchases are decreasing, perhaps as a result of an ageing population, disgust at other anglers encroaching on hallowed fishing spots, angler access being limited by landowners, new regulations restricting bag limits and/or fishing methodologies, or the pressure of modern family life.
On returning to the boat ramp after all three outings, I could only look in envy at the angling parties cleaning their catch of non-Fordidge strains. Of course, my three days of fishing were as exciting and relaxing as ever and whether or not I caught a trout was of no importance; it was the privilege of being at liberty to go fishing which counted.
One thing is for certain, if Tasmanians do not wish to pay their $50 odd per year for an angling licence, many from elsewhere will be prepared to spend
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much larger dollars for the privilege of fishing here- look at the UK and USA.
The future is bright if we participate in informed debate and cast aside emotive prejudices. We have the expertise in Tasmania to overcome the new pressures so let’s use it to the full. I am sure the new IFAC will support such an endeavour.
We should remember that he/she who pays the piper calls the tune. Our Minister, the Inland Fishery Service, the IFAC, FACT and angling bodies all have endeavoured to safeguard the fishery. Government will have to further support the IFS financially and those that love the sport embrace change, otherwise a new piper and a new tune may be called by external forces.
The Chair of IFAC
Typical view at the new, improved Lake Pedder.
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STLAA Reports STLAA Executive OFFICE BEARERS 2003-2004 POSTAL ADDRESS: GPO Box 159 Hobart 7001 CONTACT POINT: Mr Terry Byard PATRON: Mr Des Cranfield PRESIDENT: Mr Terry Byard VICE PRESIDENT: Tony Blackwell SECRETARY: Mr Louis Molnar HONORARY TREASURER: Mr Neil Pinkard FACT DELEGATE: Mr Norm Cribbin EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE: Messers Terry Byard, Louis Molnar, Neil Pinkard, Norm Cribbin and Bill Cornelius CLUB DELEGATES: Australian Polish Tony Blackwell, John Lewis Bothwell Anglers Harold Chivers, Leanne Datlen, Bridgewater Anglers David Goss, Trevor Sutton Clarence Licensed Anglers Norm Cribbin, Neil Pinkard Huon Anglers Robin Henzler, David Roberts Kingborough Anglers Association Peter Thompson, Mal Reardon Lake Pedder Anglers Bill Cornelius, Don Emery Maydena Anglers Club John Barratt New Norfolk Licensed Anglers Duncan Hughes, Elaine Aitchison Tarraleah/Bronte Anglers Jenny Beard, Anthony Jones LIFE MEMBERS: M.O. Wood E.T. Smith A. Maclaine Mrs J. Walker C. Smith R. Cairns
1968 1970 1979 1981 1983 1983
K. Morley D. Lynch R. Ryder C. Bourke L. Ward B. Creed
1983 1983 1983 1985 1987 1992
P. Lowe R. Aitchison K. Jones D. Cranfield R. Bradshaw T.Byard
1992 1995 1999 1999 2002 2004
ANGLING CERTIFICATE AWARDS: R. Bradshaw P. Woods L. Datlen K. Hanson W. Knight N. Cribbin B. Sherriff
2000 2000 2000 2000 2000 2001 2001
D. Triffitt T. Sutton W. Seabrook N. Pinkard F. Johnson J. Bluett B. Jordan
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2001 2001 2002 2002 2002 2003 2004
E. Aitchison K. Walker B. Johnston M. Sherriff R. Walker D. Cranfield
2004 2004 2004 2004 2004 2004
STLAA Presidents Report
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formed part of a Special General Meeting which was held at the Polish Club in November. The meeting was open to the public. Despite some spirited debate on the TCT's position with regard to trout and water management generally, the presentation was conducted in good spirits and it was acknowledged that there were many aspects about water management where there was common agreement between both parties.
ellow Association members - It is again that time of the year when I to put pen to paper to reflect on the activities of the STLAA for the past twelve months. In collecting my thoughts for this report, it was interesting to note the number of forums through the year at which the Association was represented in order to participate in fisheries management and related activities. These included: • • • • • • • • •
Freshwater Anglers Council Inland Fisheries Advisory Council Inland Fisheries Service Recreational Fisheries Forum Sorell/Crescent and Clyde River Water Management Stakeholder Consultative Group Central Highlands Council Highland Roads Consultative Group Forest Industries Annual Central and Southern 3 Year Planning Workshop IFS Reference Group Workshops for Lagoon of Islands and Penstock Lagoon Fisheries Management Plans. STLAA Sorell/Crescent Focus Group
I guess the big news of the season was the recent announcement from the IFS that Lake Crescent will be re-opened to angling from the start of the 2004/05 season. This is great news, not only because this trophy lake icon was a favourite destination for many of our members who at last can get back on the lake, but also, because it means that a major turning point in the removal of European Carp from Lake Crescent has been reached. Nine years is a long time and some things have changed since anglers last fished the lake - Water levels have changed and at present, the lake is operating up to 1 metre below where it was at the time of closure. The lake will re-open as an artificial lures only water, with a daily limit of five fish with fishing only allowed between sunrise and sunset.
Add to this our ever successful AGM and Dinner, our annual family day and BBQ at Talosa Park and eleven general monthly meetings four of which featured guest speakers, and it is not hard to see just where our year goes. With good club participation and strong membership, I think it can be said that our Association has enjoyed another successful year.
Given these changes, we should not be too hasty in initially judging the performance of Crescent. With another couple of seasons for the water level to improve (this is likely to occur with better water management of Sorell and Crescent under the Water Management Plan), and for the IFS to press on and remove that last female carp from the lake, it may then become possible for some of the re-opening restrictions to be relaxed. I am sure that all anglers will join with me in congratulating both the
Our guest speakers this year featured presentations on river stocking and licensing issues (IFS), boating issues (MAST) and water management and conservation, Tasmanian Conservation Trust (TCT). The TCT presentation
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which still drags on. Nevertheless, this is a process which we must be involved in if anglers interests in these lakes are to be reflected in the final plan. I therefore thank most sincerely, Trevor Sutton, Rod Walker, Peter Thompson, Bernard Creed and Peter Wood for their untiring commitment to this process.
IFS for the outstanding success of the Carp Management Program so far and the State Government for its ongoing commitment to funding this vitally important work. To many of us, the matter of our Association's records is not something that we readily think about, and why would we. However, it is something that our new Historian Mr Ray Aithchison has been considering. When you think that our Association is approaching its centenary of practically continuous operation, our history takes on far greater significance. Therefore it is very important where our history is kept, hopefully somewhere very secure but still available to anyone who needs to access it. The Association has agreed that our records should be kept with the State Archives and Ray has started the task of collating the records and lodging them with this organisation. So far, Ray has lodged our records for the period 1930 - 1949 and he is working on ensuring that other records of the Association's history will, in due course, also be lodged with Archives. It is good to know that this important information is safe and secure and will be available for future angling generations who might want to know something about our Association's history - thanks Ray.
Our commercial sponsors provide invaluable support to STLAA activities throughout the year, eg AGM and Dinner, our BBQ day at Talosa Park and the production of our annual "Trout" publication. To Hydro Tasmania, Stormy Australia, Bridges Bros., Spot On Fishing Connection and Boags Brewery, I say a very big thank you on behalf of all Association members. Finally, I would like to thank Club Delegates for their great attendance and contribution throughout the year (we may need to get the IFS to enlarge its Conference Room if the numbers get any bigger), Executive Committee members Louis, Neil, Norm and Bill, our Patron, Mr Des Cranfield and lastly, the Director IFS for providing the Association with such a good venue to hold our meetings. Best wishes to all for a safe off season and good fishing ahead. Terry Byard - President
Another successful year means that there are many people that I have pleasure in thanking, for without their support and commitment, the Association would not be in the good position that I consider it to be. Our STLAA Focus Group has spent many hours pouring over reams of documents and discussing many and complex issues associated with developing the Draft Sorell/Crescent Water Management Plan, a process
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ALLGOODS Launceston – 71-79 York Street, Launceston. Ph 03 6331 3644 Tent City – 60 Elizabeth Street, Launceston. Ph 03 6331 3644 ALLGOODS Hobart - 93 Harrington Street, Hobart. Ph 03 6236 9969 Uncle Sam’s Surplus Store – 117 Elizabeth Street, Hobart. Ph 03 6231 9180 ALLGOODS Devonport – 6 Formby Road, Devonport. Ph 03 6424 7099
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President: Tony Blackwell Secretary: Margaret Blackwell Postal Address: 30 Dixon St New Norfolk Contact: Ph 6261 3921 Meetings: 2nd Wednesday Monthly
Club Reports Australian Polish Anglers Club
ur club has had another successful season even though membership was down on past years. We held seven competitions throughout the season and three family based outings.
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Unfortunately the Lake Pedder comp had to be cancelled due to only four members attending. The fishing was good with fourteen fish being caught all in excellent condition.
Club members participated in a family fun night with many of us showing off our tenpin bowling skills. Laughter was the theme of the night and when the games were completed we adjourned to Cooley's hotel for dinner and the presentation of trophies for junior and senior champions.
During this year committee members from our club along with members from the New Norfolk Club rebuilt the jetty at the Dee Lagoon and done some clearing around the camping area. Last but certainly not least I must thank our hard working committee members. Without these people the club would not be in the position we are in today.
Our Christmas BBQ was held at Tolosa Park. Both seniors and juniors had fun challenging each other in the casting competitions.
From working at the weigh-ins to catering for the S. T .L.A.A. annual dinner at the Polish club they have again done a great job.
Thanks to Wigston lures for the donation of lures for the casting competitions.
Also a big thank you to Danny and Bob For the invaluable help they gave us in preparing the meals for the S. T .L.A.A. Dinner and also thank you to the other members that helped out on the night. Well done!!
In February we visited the Saltas Hatchery at Wayatinah along with members from New Norfolk, Bridgewater and the host club Tarraleah - Bronte. This trip was the highlight of the season. Many thanks to Graham Martin (General Manager), for the very informative and interesting tour of the facilities, for the opportunity to use the settling pond to catch and hone our skills on the monster salmon there. A very big thankyou to Ann Martin and the Tarraleah-Bronte club for arranging the day and for the great BBQ lunch.
Thank you to all our sponsors for their generous discounts and prize donations. I hope everyone has a successful upcoming season. Tony Blackwell - President
The Arthurs Lake competition stood out this season with a record number of fish being caught. The Saltwater trip was very successful with plenty of flathead being caught from boats and from the shore.
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President: Mr Bob Wilton Secretary: Mrs Tonia Branch Treasurer: Mrs Pam Jones P.O.Box 44 Bothwell 7030 Ph 03 6259 8373 Email bothwellanglersclub@bigpond.com
Bothwell Angling Club
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would be very pleasing to see a good turn out of members as the club is looking for a Secretary & Treasurer to carry on the good work of Tonia and Pam.
t is with great pleasure I give my report for 2003/2004
First I would like to sincerely thank our hard working Secretary, Tonia Branch and Treasurer Pam Jones for all their hard work throughout the year. The smooth running of the Club has been due in no small part to the their efforts. Regretfully both ladies have decided to step aside due to family commitments and on behalf of all the membership I thank them again for their past service.
Our Dinner Trophy night was a great success, due in no small part to the hard work of several of our members. I’m sure that everyone enjoyed the evening especially the “Paper Plane” competition. The Dinner Trophy night is a good opportunity for members to socialise and I hope next year’s event will be even better patronised.
Thanks are also due to Leanne Datlen & Harold Chivers as the Club’s delegates to the S.T.L.A.A. monthly meetings, which are held at Derwent Park. This means a long drive home for our delegates and we appreciate their dedication. I would also like to say thank you to Pat & Betty Branch for acting as weigh masters on Competitions days and Weigh-in Stewards for the monthly Competitions. Competitions are always well attended and are an integral part of the Club’s calendar The services of Pat and Betty have ensured that everything has always run smoothly. Our monthly meetings are held at the Centrelink Building, Market Square, Bothwell on the second Thursday of each month starting at 7.30 p.m. Our membership numbers have increased and it would be pleasing to see more members attending our meetings. An invitation is extended to all members to come along to these meetings and show support for the Club.
The Fun Fish Weekend, which was held at Arthur’s Lake on 17th “January 2003 was a great success. The weather was particularly unkind this year with a bitterly cold south westerly wind but in spite of this the event was well supported by members and 71 fish were weighed in. Chris Woolly won the big
The Annual General Meeting will be held in August and all Executive positions will be declared vacant. It
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prize, a pair of “Fly and Dry” waders donated by Anchor Wet Suits and Bothwell Angler’s Club. The raffle prizes was won by Julie Jones a fly rod, Pam Jones won a spinning rod and reel and Kevin Littlejohn won the umbrella, several other smaller prizes were on offer, so everyone was in with a chance.
incumbent of all members to follow the rules and do nothing that would result in the privilege being withdrawn.
I would like to take this opportunity of thanking our sponsors, “Anchor Wet Suits”, “Rod and Range” and also Mike Stevens, who donated the prizes for the raffle. Thanks also to all the members that generously gave up their time and worked hard on the day. It was due to your efforts the day was such a success.
As I write, another season is over and no doubt like most of you, I have no idea where the time went. Already I’m looking forward to the 2004 & 2005 season with perhaps the opportunity of fishing Lake Crescent again. The regulations for this Lake have been changed and bait fishing will no longer be permitted. It is unfortunate that somehow carp were introduced to this lake with its resultant closure. The staff of the Inland Fisheries Service is to be congratulated on their determined efforts to eradicate the carp from this trophy water and let’s hope one of our members can land one of the 5-kilo fish that made this lake world-renowned.
Our Monthly competition “Field Days” have also been well supported by members, with good conditioned trout being weighed-in from Arthur’s Lake.
The Club ran two major raffles during the year and this has enabled the membership fees to be kept down. Thanks to all those who supported the raffles and I hope you were one of the lucky prize winners. If not, better luck next time. Woods Lake weekends have again been very popular with members, and the lake has fished well all season. It must be remembered we are allowed access to this lake due to the goodwill of the owner whose land we cross, and it is
In closing, I wish all members the best of luck, tight lines and a safe and enjoyable season for 2004- 2005. Bob Wilton - President
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President: Robert Bradshaw Secretary:A. Bradshaw Postal Address: Contact: Ph 0418 124 353 Meetings: Last Tuesday of each month except January
Bridgewater Anglers Association
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guest speakers including several from the IFS covering topics such as carp eradication updates, environmental policies for the Interlaken area, and the new licensing arrangements for the new season. Other interesting subjects were traditional ways of fishing the Derwent River, Where and how to fish the Western Lakes, and interesting slide shows on Antarctica the Himalayas and the Andes
he past season has been a busy one for the Bridgewater Anglers Association. With the firm commitment from club members to buy our leased land at our shack site at lake Sorell, it has been a full on year of fund raising, and work on the installation of the necessary infrastructure to enable the purchase to proceed . Some of the many fundraisers we have conducted have been Hungis’ at which around one hundred people attended. On each occasion these were a huge success and a great social event for the club. Other activities have been sausage sizzles at Bunnings, trailer raffles and many other smaller activities.
The club built fish trap on the Plenty River is again being monitored this year, and an added activity will be to actually tag the fish this season. IFS staff will be training members for this activity. The Club had been maintaining its tradition of volunteering to serve on various STLAA committees and currently has members on the Lakes Sorell /Crescent water management committee and the committee investigating a state-wide casting competition at the Salmon Ponds.
During the year we have had two full on working bees at the shack to install all the necessary hydraulic infrastructure required by the authorities. These have been enjoyable weekends with a lot of socialising being involved by the members attending. Through out the season we have conducted very successful field weekends to various locations, including The Derwent River, Tooms Lake, Arthurs Lake, The Western Lakes and The Bronte Area. All were well attended and attracted family groups to all venues. Arthurs in October was most productive with a large number of fish caught, Tooms Lake in October also produced good numbers of well conditioned fish to all angling methods
It has been a good year for the club with well attended fishing trips interspersed with successful fund raising and working bees. With Lake Crescent opening again next season we are looking forward to getting back to the Interlaken area and to make more use of our facility there. It has always been the nucleus of the club and has helped to encourage family participation in the great pastime of angling. We actively encourage new members, and enquiries can be made by contacting the following.
A special weekend to take senior members to the shack for a social weekend, interluded with visits to Arthurs Lake and Tooms Lake was a most successful event.
Robert Bradshaw (President) AH 62612702 Mob 0418124353 Email: bbradshaw51@hotmail.com Wishing all anglers the best of luck for the new season.
Seven general meetings were held throughout the year and a variety of
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President: Rod Walker Secretary: Norm Cribbin Treasurer: Neil Pinkard Postal Address: PO Box 281 Rosny Park 7018 Contact: 6272 8124 Email: clacinc@hotmail.com
Clarence Licensed Anglers Club
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Other trips included Lake Leake, Tooms Lake, Arthur's Lake, Lake Meadowbank and concluded the season with a family day at Snowy Range Trout Farm for the junior members.
nother year has passed us by and it with pleasure that I can report that the Clarence Club has had a very successful year both on and off the water. The club has been awarded and received the Bridges Brothers Trophy again this year for only the fourth time in the history of the Club. We have also raised a considerable amount of money for our shack fund and we are still being held up with Government red tape regarding this project.
Special thanks must go to the team of volunteers for producing our Trout publication over the past couple of years, a tedious task to be undertaken but very much enjoyed by all who receive it. To the committee and members of the Clarence Club, I also thankyou, for your support and help during my seven years as President, in particular to Norm as Secretary and Neil as Treasurer.
We must also celebrate the re-opening of Lake Crescent, congratulations to the Carp Team for enabling this to happen. Let us all keep our fingers crossed that the Carp can be eradicated from both Lake Sorell and Lake Crescent for future generations.
This years trophies were awarded as follows Heaviest Fish For The Season - Norm Cribbin Heaviest Fish On A Field Trip - Norm Cribbin Heaviest Fish For A Junior - Michelle Grainger Club Person Trophy - Ron Stow
On the angling front, the Club has enjoyed many field weekends to various locations, ranging from Pawleena Dam in the South East, to Lake Burbury on the West Coast. Here we challenged the Wynyard Club for the inaugural trophy between the two clubs. The Wynyard Club provided the trophy and the Clarence Club won, so we look forward to the coming seasons challenge.
Rod Walker - President
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President: Morry Slot Secretary: Christine Woolley Postal Address: 29 Tunbridge Rd Glen Huon Contact: Ph 0408 136659 Meetings: Monthly
Huon Licensed Anglers Association
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The fourth weekend was in November and saw 54 fish weighed in from Lake Burbury. The heaviest 1.320kg was caught by caught by Roger Woolley.
t has been another successful year for us with many going to the Lakes on our four social weekends. The first one in February saw 37 fish weighed in, the most successful was Larry Paul with 15 fish and the heaviest of 1.479kg by Peter Fewkes.
Overall for the club there were 358 fish weighed in for a total of 2638.13kgs. Larry topped the score here with 141 of those, and for the female angler 23 to Brooke Woolley and Junior Adam Trickey in his last year as a club junior took this out with 3 fish. As our trophy year is from January to December Larry missed out on the heaviest fish because he caught it in January this year but is still eligible for the Heaviest fish for the STLAA and this coming year for us.
The second one on the closing weekend weighed in 62 fish, once again Larry topped the scales and numbers with 19 fish and the heaviest 2.024kg. Roger Woolley took out the mystery weight prize with a 556gram fish. The third weekend there were 31 fish weighed again Larry topped the score with 14 fish, the heaviest going to Tricia Woolley with a 1.153kg fish. Adam Trickey took out the prize for the weekend with a 327 gram fish.
Larry was a good sport and never weighed his heavier fish he caught in the Tyenna River as he knew they were fish farm fish, good on you Larry. Larry took out our average weight with a fish of 737grams. Larry showed his brother in law Peter Fewkes one of his favourite spots just below Judbury and Pete landed the heaviest fish for this season with a beautiful brown from the Huon with a weight of 4.705kgs, Larry netted it for him so he did pay some part in the capture. Tricia Woolley took out the heaviest fish for a female landing 1.445kgs from Tooms Lake. The junior trophy this year was a small one of 350 grams caught by Adam Trickey. Our shack is now completed and we are awaiting final inspection. It has been a great effort from all those members who put in their time and energy into such a large project for a small club. Thanks to all of those people (too numerous to name) that donated just about everything from building materials/tools,
Larry Paul with his 9.7kg Brown caught below the bridge in the Huon pictured with Josh Bester
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scaffolding to the kitchen sink and the first aid box.
We have some small fries coming up and should be able to hold a rod very shortly. Congratulations to Joshua O’Connor for weighing his first fish in, it only went the limit but he got his certificate for this feat. Looking forward to more from you Josh and watch out for your little brother.
Special thanks to Chris Woods and Gary Clark from Clarkwood Kitchens for all their generosity and expertise of which without this, the project would not have got off the ground.
Thank you for a good year and look forward to catching up with you soon.
Our social BBQ’s are still not well attended and this will need to be discussed at our AGM coming up on the 22nd July. Membership is down from previous years especially the juniors as most of our juniors are now past the junior age and have better things to do with their time.
Tight lines everyone Marinus Slot - President
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President: Stephen Long Secretary: Nick Atkinson Postal Address: GPO Box 242 Kingston 7050 Contact: Ph 6272 0790 Meetings: Last Thursday of month.
Kingborough Anglers Association
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pril has now arrived, and with the cooler weather and shorter days, for many of us the season is almost over. For most of us it is now a time for reflection, where did the time go, which fly should I have used, why did I choose to go fishing on the weekend that it rained and snowed. With all this reflection comes the next stage of the anglers’ psyche, next season I will do better and I will develop that perfect fly that is indestructible and always fools the fish.
no different to any of the other clubs in this situation and required many hard decisions being made, especially after we realised that the land purchase price was expected to be double that on which we had been budgeting for. Basically, this came down to two fundamentals, how could it be financed and what improvements to the shack would be made. The improvements were the easy part, convert the ‘back shack’ into a bunk house, add a new toilet, add a new kitchen and extend the current lounge. In January work commenced and within two weeks it was all at lockup stage. Fitting out the extensions is almost complete and with final connection to the waste system, the ‘back shack’ area will then be converted to a bunkhouse.
As president of the Kingborough Anglers Association my term of office is almost over and it is now time to reflect on our achievements over the past year.
This will then enable the shack to accommodate more members with a greater degree of comfort than is now possible. To date all works have met with the satisfaction of our members, who are now looking to the future upgrades that have been envisaged, and have been done within budget allocations. As to meeting the land purchase, it is believed that with a stringent financial policy this club will be able to meet, and service, all our obligations in this respect, both for our current members and for future members. Commencing the sewerage works.
“What about the fishing?” didn’t they do anything else I hear you say
Without doubt the main emphasis this past year has been on the upgrading of our club shack to meet the requirements for connection to a common waste system, and purchase of the land on which the shack is located. Our club is
As with any club, there are a number of competition field days to attend. With a total of seven official days with trophies on offer and points awarded for overall “Master”, these days were eagerly
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the year. It is a very simple format really, come to the working bee, everyone brings a plate of food for all to share, and at the end of the day we all sit down and enjoy it. Along with suitable refreshments and lots of lies around the fire, this weekend has become very popular and sleeping space has been known to be cramped for those who arrived late.
attended by those with the competitive nature that lies within. Whether it was at Bronte for the opening weekend, Tooms Lake, Arthurs Lake, or the Dee, these days represent a chance for members to compete against each other, share tactics, and fly patterns. Most importantly it is the chance to share the knowledge that we all have gained over the years and maybe learn something new. Another important aspect of these weekends is that it gives us all a chance to socialise with those members that we only get to meet at meetings. With all competition days finalised, all that remains now is for the points to be tallied, and the trophies engraved and presented. Apart from official field days, there were many opportunities to enjoy a day fishing, either in the company of colleagues or in solitary reflection.
Our other major social activity of the year is the annual dinner and presentation of trophies in early July. This is more than just a dinner as this night is also a major night for fund raising. Taking the format of a silent auction for some items, and spirited bidding for others, the evening now allows for our partners to feel part of the club, and to be a participant of our activities. Due to the generosity of donors the club has been able to make a substantial donation to the Fisheries Habitat Fund and will be able to continue to do so in the future. With the presentation of trophies on this night, our year will be over, and the time to the start of the next season can now be counted in days. Looking back I think I can be honest in saying that the club has had a successful year, this success though has only been achieved by the contributions of all members. Whether it was those members on the committee, those who participated in the building works, or those who contributed in many of the other ways that has made this club successful, congratulations and thank you.
Back filling the trenches With the competitive nature of things finished for the year our thoughts are now turning to the really social side of club activities. The first activity is the yearly working bee on the shack, to ready it for the coming season, combined with our ‘gourmet dinner’. Held in early June, the dinner was introduced several years ago and has rapidly become one of the highlights of
Stephen Long President K.A.A.
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President: Bill Cornelius Secretary: Mick Corner Treasurer – Don Camm Postal Address: 63 Giblin Street Lenah Valley 7008 Contact: 6278 1454 Meetings: 2nd Wednesday of month
Lake Pedder Anglers Club
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ur club has struggled to provide successful events for members during the year due to a combination of a shortage of willing hands to assist with organization and a shortage of members interested in participating in such events.
The Back to Pedder competition is open to all comers. Emphasis is placed on the prize list to attract juniors, who represent the future of fishing. A sustainable fishing environment is vital. All fishermen should contribute at a club level to ensure that fishermen continue to have a say in the maintenance of our fisheries. The authorities charged with maintaining and preserving the fisheries need the support of individuals to ensure that needs are best met while ensuring the preservation of fish stocks and their environment.
It is quite a contrast when we look at our flagship event, Back to Pedder. This event is held each year over five days around the Australia Day long weekend. This event goes from strength to strength. We continue to receive strong sponsorship support that enables us to present a long list of valuable prizes for the competition and to produce a competition booklet of good quality. This year competitors numbered 244, 6 short of the record, and a record number of fish were weighed in.
Back to Pedder – Grand Prize Winner Our club has kept membership costs at a very low level to attract participation of all fishermen. We welcome all enquiries to join our club. Back Pedder - Presentations May all fishermen enjoy the coming 2004/05 season.
Hydro Tasmania, the new operators of the Lake Pedder Chalet, Channel Marine, Customer Electronic Services plus many more sponsors deserve the support of all fishermen as a return of favour for their contributions to our Back to Pedder competition. We plan another competition for 2005, to run from 26 January to 31 January.
Bill Cornelius - President
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Gundars Simsons 9a Beechworth Rd SANDY BAY 7005
Mr Bill Cornelious The President Lake Pedder Anglers Club 63 Giblin St LENAH VALLEY 7008 5 February 2004
Dear Mr Cornelious, I wanted to thank you for the wonderful prizes we came home with, from this year’s 2004 Back to Lake Pedder Fishing Competition. What a weekend we had. My son and I had never fished Pedder before. We had been laying a concrete slab at my sons proposed shack at Adventure Bay on Bruny Island on Friday January 23rd. Once done, we felt like rewarding ourselves after a week of pretty hard work. A good friend of ours, Nigel Heaven, had invited me to the competition. So having laid 18 tonnes of concrete, we left Bruny, picked up our boat in Hobart, got some supplies and arrived at Strathgordon a bit before midnight! We fished Saturday and Sunday. We had a great time on this magnificent lake, catching about 10 fish, some of which we released. We entered 7 fish in the competition. My weekend was complete. My son and I had had a great time fishing together and in the company of others, like Nigel. We had enjoyed the ambience of this very well run event, enjoyed the social interaction, caught some fish and generally ‘chilled out’ in what must be one of the most breathtakingly beautiful places on earth. It would have been hard for the experience to get any better, But it did! I was absolutely delighted when my son was awarded the trophy for the biggest fish. What an achievement, for we were surrounded by hundreds (literally) of very, very good and very dedicated fishermen and women who had worked very hard. If this were not enough, to have my number drawn as the winner of the boating package, left me speechless. The enclosed photo sums up this families good fortune. (I apologise for the quality. The image is really quite good but it’s printed on ordinary paper with a tired ink cartridge. If you wish to use it for promotional purposes I can get a better copy.) I have rarely won anything, so this was quite a surprise. It was obvious how much work and effort had gone into this event. I would take this opportunity to commend the committee and all who assisted, right down to club members like Paul who so generously offered to tow the prize back to Hobart for me. I would also like you to pass on my thanks to the sponsors who so generously support the event. They clearly earn a great deal of good will through their generosity. Like other participants, I will where possible, try to direct my business their way. Congratulations on such a well run event. Sincerest to thanks to all for their efforts.
Gundars Simsons
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President: John Barratt Secretary: Dorothy Nichols Treasurer – Carolyne Mapley Postal Address: C/O Post Office Maydena 7140 Contact: 6288 2234 Meetings: 2nd Tuesday of month
Maydena Anglers Club
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s the season of 2003-04 came to a close I am pleased to say that the Club is still going strong. Our Membership is about the same as last season, we lost a few and gained a few and I thank the members who are non fishing people who are keeping our Club going.
Our annual BBQ was again held and enjoyed by 35 members and friends and it was good to see juniors attending and winning trophies. All our monthly trophies were won this season. This included 9 Senior trophies and 7 Junior trophies. As we have had some rough and wet weather, with the lakes rising and the rivers in flood we should have a good seasons fishing ahead.
We gained some new members who are well known in the fishing circles and they produced some of our best fish for the season, including the heaviest fish for the S.T.L.A.A season 03-04, with a fish of 11.140 kg caught in the Tyenna River.
As a Club we look forward to the Back to Pedder competition on Australia Day long weekend and the challenges it brings.
On a sadder note our Secretary for many years, Jim Schultz passed away after a long illness while holidaying on the mainland. Jin was a dedicated angler and will be missed by all in our Club.
Good Luck for season 2004-05 John Barratt - President
I would like to thank Dorothy Nichols who was elected as our new Secretary.
Month
Angler
Weight
Location
August September
Andy Menderson Jason Raspin Nerisa Raspin (J) Max Croswell (J) Brad Kemmler Adrian Hepburn Josh Raspin (J) Nerisa Raspin (J) Adrian Hepburn Stephen Barratt Andy Menderson Max Croswell (J) Jason Raspin Tony Raspin Adrian Hepburn Josh Raspin (J)
4.535 kg Brown 11.140 kg Brown 0.330 kg 0.485 kg 2.140 kg 4.760 kg 1.495 kg 1.380 kg 8.020 kg Rainbow 6.140 kg Brown 4.420 kg 0.705 kg 3.575 kg 6.400 kg 2.300 kg 1.07 kg
Derwent River Tyenna River
October November
December January February March April
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Tyenna River
Tyenna River Derwent River Tyenna River
Discover an oasis in the middle of paradise Great Lake Hotel, in the middle of one of the world’s greatest brown trout fisheries, is renowned for its friendly atmosphere, great food and as a meeting place after a long trout filled day. Counter Meals – 7 days a week Motel Accommodation Fisherman’s Cabins Family Units Public Bar
GREAT LAKE HOTEL 32
New Norfolk Licensed Anglers Association
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President: Ray Aitchison Secretary: Elaine Aitchison Postal Address: PO Box 411 Contact: Elaine Aitchison – Phone 6261 4083 Meetings: 3rd Wednesday of month
During the season we completed, except for a coat of paint, the shelter at the Millbrook Rise boat ramp. In a joint venture with the Australian-Polish Anglers Club we rebuilt and widened the jetty at Spillway Bay at the Dee Lagoon, Marine and Safety Tasmania funded this. If you want to end a drought just organise a working bee as it rained on both the days that we had working bees.
ur season has again been a very successful one, both on and off the water. At the end of the 2002-2003 season our club was awarded the Bridges Brothers Perpetual Trophy for club achievement, this followed us also winning this award in 2001-2002. We commenced the 2003-2004 season with our Annual General Meeting and Dinner/Trophy night once again being combined. There were some concerns expressed as when this had occurred in the past some in attendance had not been very considerate to the guest speakers. When discussions took place regarding combining the two events again I promised that the meeting would not be a long drawn out affair, and even though we held the Election of Officers at the meeting I kept my word and nobody became bored.
We conducted nine weekend competitions during the season with an average attendance of 18 members, a total of 288 trout were weighed in, a barbeque was conducted at all weigh-ins. For the first time these competitions were self sufficient. A major down side of competition entries was the lack of support by junior members, after receiving 16 entries for the first four competitions only 3 juniors entered the remaining 5 competitions.
We made a successful application to have Mr. Hector Jones included in the second group inducted into the Anglers Hall of Fame. For those who don’t know, Hector was involved in the Tasmanian trout fishery for all of his life, He was born in the house that is now the Salmon Ponds Museum on the 8th of May, 1907 and became Caretaker of the Ponds in 1925. He remained in that position until 1959 when he became Secretary of the newly named Inland Fisheries Commission, he retired in 1971. He served on the Committee of the New Norfolk Licensed Anglers Association during it’s inaugural year in 1927-28. He was a Life Member of our Club as well as the Southern Tasmanian Licensed Anglers’ Association and the Northern Tasmanian Fisheries Association. Hector passed away on the 31st of October, 1991.
This situation raised some discussion and it was resolved that apart from the opening weekend competition, a joint event with the Bridgewater Anglers Association, separate prizes will not be offered for a junior section. Should junior entry numbers improve the position will be reviewed. A further 96 trout were entered in the monthly competitions, the best of these being an 8.02 kg. (cleaned) rainbow caught in the Tyenna River by Adrian Hepburn. Adrian also caught a brown trout from the Tyenna which weighed about 11 kg., due to a technicality this fish was not entered in any of our competitions. As well as these fish Adrian also caught trout of 3.05 kg., 3.1 kg., 3.5 kg., 3.6 kg., 3.9 kg. and 4.76kg. Tony Raspin, Adrian’s father-in-law, entered trout of 3.72 kg., 4.16 kg., 6.4 kg and 6.47 kg., while Lex Wilson weighed
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It would be remiss of me not to pass on the thanks of this Club for those who support us in making donations of various types which helps in the running of the Club, namely, The Derwent Valley Council, Ray Williams at True Value, Martins at the New Norfolk Newsagency, Tony Nicholson, Des Cranfield, Rod Ryder, Jim Terry, T & M Trophies, Clark’s Butchery, Elaine Aitchison, Tassie Devil Lures, Garth Wigston, Norske Skog, Wayne Perkins, David Triffitt, Judy Bromfield and Wayne Newitt, Tony Raspin, Marine and Safety Tasmania, Devil Jet boat ride, Barry & Carol Bank-Smith, Teena Whelan, David Llewellyn and Michael Aird. I apologise if I have missed anyone.
in trout of 4.93 kg. & 5.205 kg. Most of these fish came from the Tyenna River. These weights contrast with the previous season when the heaviest fish weighed was 2.96 kg. During the season I heard reports of the lack of trout in the Huon River, well this complaint doesn’t appear to be isolated to that area as very few trout of 2 kg. or better have been reported as being caught from the Derwent River, especially in the tidal reaches. The ever increasing cost of public liability insurance raises quite a bit of discussion and while I can see the need for some kind of insurance I wonder about the value of our cover. I understand that we are covered for some Association and Club activities but not for member against member, if you consider that only a minority of members actually participate in the events covered what is the true cost?
Over the four years that I have been President we have covered much ground and been involved in many varied activities and I would like to thank our Committee, especially Vice President, Tony, Secretary, Elaine and Competition Master, Duncan, for their efforts and support during this period. I am sure that my successor will receive similar support.
In February, with Australian-Polish Club members, our members were hosted to a social day by the Tarraleah-Bronte Anglers Club at the Safcol hatchery at Wayatinah. This was an excellent and well attended day and I offer our gratitude to Anne and Graham Martin and the Tarraleah-Bronte Club for a wonderful experience that was enjoyed by all who attended.
Ray Aitchison President
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President: John Jago Secretary: Anne Martin Postal Address: C/O Post Office Bronte Park Tas 7140 Contact: Phone 6261 4083 Meetings: Bi-Monthly
Tarraleah-Bronte Anglers Club
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the hatchery by Graham Martin was well appreciated, thanks Graham. There was over 80 members from TarraleahBronte, Australian Polish, Bridgewater and New Norfolk present, thanks to everyone. Thanks to Ray Aitchison for his report in the Derwent Valley Gazette.
arly in the season the Bronte-Bradys chain was fishing well, but as the season went on it became very patchy, like the weather. Laughing Jack Lagoon was like a weedy mud pond. It was that bad that when the wind stirred it up it was coming right through to Bronte Lagoon, better fishing in 2004-2005 season?
8th April 2004 Our ongoing concerns with I.F.S over the Laughing Jack spawning creek has been finalised, it was cleared by Noel Bradshaw with his excavator, by digging a neat channel so the fish get up the creek without problems. Thanks to Phil Potter (I.F.S) and a couple of Tarraleah-Bronte Members who helped. A good job well done, Thanks.
Upon a brighter note I would like to thank Anne Martin our Secretary /Treasurer for her good work throughout the season and also our Club Delegates Jennifer Beard and Tony Jones for representing us at the S.T.L.A.A. Committee meetings and reporting back to our Club. On 1st November 2003 we had our Dinner and Trophy Day at Tarraleah Chalet which was well patronised by members and guests. Bob Ward presented Barbara Jordan (BJ) with Life Membership, Congratulations.
Good news, I.F.S at the end of April 2004 released 6,000 300 gram Brook Trout into the Bradys chain and a further 5,000 adult Brown trout from Liawenee. To help I.F.S statistics could Members catching tagged fish notify the I.F.S with weight, measurement and condition details.
Our Christmas BBQ was held at the Plenty Salmon Ponds on 6th December 2003. We had an enjoyable day but it was poorly patronised.
All campers and anglers please take rubbish home leaving sites clean and tidy for the next group.
7th February 2004 We had a BBQ and social day at Saltas Hatchery, Wayatinah where we enjoyed some catch and release angling. A guided tour through
Thank You, John Jago, President.
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Features & Special Reports Season 2003-2004 by Phil Ellerton
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confined water, I believe the water coped quite well – but this will not be tangible for at least two or more seasons. Bait, lure and fly anglers all converged on this water, and rightly so as it produced some memorable fishing. This water gave up good numbers of fish, and size and condition were a definite feature. It was not uncommon to hear of fish in the 6-8lb. mark being caught every weekend.
t is a difficult task to reflect on a years-angling season, because as we are aware each individuals opinions, comments and beliefs are going to vary. After ‘soaking’ up information from various anglers it is time to reflect on just how successful or otherwise the past season has been. The season as always started with a ‘flurry of activity’ as anglers statewide took up the challenge and decided to fish opening weekend – rain, hail or shine!
As the season pushed on our whitebait run never really eventuated and southern anglers were once again to be disappointed. The occasional seas run trout was taken from the smaller southern estuaries, but these waters did not produce the fishing that they are sometimes renowned for. I did hear reports of some very fine resident fish being caught in the Huon; locals normally take these fish on live bait.
For those that own shacks in the Central Highlands it was the perfect opportunity to get away and enjoy the wild, open spaces. Therefore waters such as Great Lake, Arthurs Lake and the Bronte Chain were always going to have a following. The Bronte Chain, in particular Brady’s Lake and Lake Binney fished well early season, possibly due to the fact that the Inland Fisheries Service had stocked some of these waters with some good sized brown trout and some smaller specimens of brook trout. Troll and bait anglers had good success fishing during the late afternoon, and after dark, for those that chose to use a grub or worm as bait. In particular there were good numbers of well conditioned brook trout taken on bait, and they would readily take a grub or ‘bunch’ of worms fished on the bottom.
Late October was good fishing for those that were lucky enough to get away when the weather was favourable and I personally found the tailing fishing to be a feature. I still think for the fly angler these fish provide one of the true challenges of our sport. Even the infamous Lake Sorell saw some action! Next came the awaited dun hatches, and these would hopefully get the fish looking up for all of us! Penstock fished well and was once again put under a great deal of angling pressure for such a small water. Maybe in the future we will need to address the size of the powered craft on this water, as it was once again bought up in various conversations?
By far the standout, in regards to early angling numbers and success was Tooms Lake on the East Coast. The milder temperatures although still often freezing were easier to handle compared to the cooler highland lakes. Although there were always some ‘politics’ involved with such a large number of anglers in a
As the weather improved more ‘fair weathered anglers’ now began to get
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of was at Lake St. Clair, and this was only one Jassid! The Dee therefore was not recognised as a popular fishery.
their boats out and unleash them. Troll anglers converged on waters such as Lake Echo, Lake Burbury, Lake King William, Lake St. Clair and of course Arthurs Lake.
The Tyenna once again fished well, and as always produced some huge fish for the bait or lure angler prepared to put the hours in. During April I witnessed a photo of one of the finest 8lb browns I have ever laid my eyes on!
Lake Echo fished well for those that new the water, anglers who have mastered this water with leadline and in some cases flatfish caught some good fish. The new ramp is a feature and from reports I heard it was well received.
The grasshopper fishing was a bit of a let down, but caddis and other insects were still in good numbers.
With summer upon us, and the tourist season in full swing waters such as the Western Lakes, Penstock Lagoon, Little Pine Lagoon, and rivers such as the Macquarie were all popular locations.
The season was too finish as it began at Tooms Lake; the fishing was very productive as the big browns and rainbows charged around in the shallows chasing the prolific galaxid population. Anglers who were prepared to use soft plastics, lure or fly imitations had some simply great fishing.
Little Pine Lagoons clarity at times was once again a concern, but nevertheless it produced some nice fish. The Macquarie is and always will be one of the states more infamous streams, and it produced some great ‘red spinner’ fishing early. Due to a lack of still warm days the hatches were not common, but when the weather permitted it was on for young and old!
For those that don’t mind a travel, Lake Burbury was definitely the place to be. As we prepare for next season, it is once again easy to say an average season, but I believe every season in our waters is always enjoyable. Here’s to next season!
Bronte has been subject to its fair share of criticism, especially with constantly fluctuating water levels, but it did produce some good fish during February and March. I believe this water is one that deserves more attention from anglers. I don’t think it will ever be a trophy water, although there are some very prime conditioned rainbow trout available. I personally had a very successful trip during March taking fish on both fly and lure.
tassietrout@bigpond.com
The fly angler waited with baited breath for the gum beetle, and Jassid falls to arrive, but with no prevail. I believe on of the only confirmed Jassid fall I heard
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A Memorable Day by Harvey J Taylor
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case!) and a size 8 hare and copper that I had tied up the night before.
I thought that I would fish with light tackle as I knew that the lake had only a few snags and if I was fortunate to hook one of these beauties then I felt I could manage to land and release it without too much trouble.
We proceeded to the waters edge, had a few preliminary casts to test things out, then proceeded to fish. Little action though the guide did give me some tips on how to strip in the line, slow and little jerks seemed the way that attracted these fish. An hour or so of this and I was getting a little bored with no action, when suddenly something pulled my line under and started to strip off the reel at a great rate of knots.
week or so ago I had heard about some large Atlantic salmon which ran wild in a lake in southern Tasmania. The report I had suggested that the fish were up around the five pound plus mark and I decided I must follow up this one as the challenge to hook one of these fighters was too strong to try and forget.
Nothing broke the surface so we did not know what had been hooked, although from the pull on the rod I knew it was well over ten pounds, it drove relentlessly on, down deep and I had to let it have it's head until it eventually slowed down. I was down to the backing when I managed to turn the fish, and ever so gradually it came to the net, it was right at our feet before we could see, a lovely Atlantic salmon, but big! Landed and weighed it came in at 15 1/2 pound, a lovely healthy hen fish. Duly photographed it was returned to the water where it swam away, healthy and alive.
Arrived at the lake around 10am on Friday February 13, not superstitious but a Friday dated 13 always seemed to remind me of black cats! Anyhow met with the guide for the morning, a dour Scot with the build of a sumo wrestler, but very amiable and knew the fishery.
Wow, what a battle, bigger than any fish I had ever taken on a fly before, my hands were shaking at the event, and a cup of coffee calmed us all down.
He was a little taken back when I produced my rod, a Scott SAS754, a seven and a half foot stick with a Cortland four weight double taper. Nevertheless, little was said as I tied on some eight pound Orvis tippet (just in
I still had half an hour before I had to leave so started to fish again, my mind was thinking of the big hen when after about twenty minutes, pow, another strike, the fish was on and it felt bigger than the first.
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What made it better was the fact that it was caught on a seven and a half foot four weight rod, bit like David and Goliath!
We knew what this one was just after it took the hook, it leapt from the water in a series of high jumps, a magnificent Atlantic salmon again, a lot larger, and probably a jack fish as they leap whereas the hen fish just dive down deep.
Again duly photographed it was released unharmed. Still shaking I was surrounded by onlookers who wanted to add their congratulations. I was done, exhausted after fishing two magnificent fish in twenty minutes on light tackle.
Well, as you can guess, my heart was in my mouth again, I was shaking, what a monster, would the tippet hold, how good are my knots, all these terrible thoughts crossed my mind as the monster leapt and fell in a splash of water.
All was over time to go, but the memory will remain ever etched in my mind of this jack fish leaping high out of the water, spray going everywhere.
After quite a battle I managed to bring this fish to the bank, and what a fish it was. A big brightly coloured Atlantic salmon, a jack of 20 Âź pounds, just over a figure of twenty pounds which I never thought I would exceed on a fly rod.
Quite a memorable day, considering it was my last fishing trip as moving back to Victoria a week later, however I will be back to battle these monsters again!
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Writing an Article about Fishing by Anonymous
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two shillings and sixpence of hard earned wages on a wooden Nottingham reel and had to walk to and from work for a week. Then I decided nostalgia was not very fashionable, and who would be interested in ramblings of an old man and a bygone era. Anyway, I doubted if younger readers would be interested or even believe the half of it.
etting started is probably the hardest part of any exercise. From mowing the lawn to painting the house, taking those first steps towards final accomplishment is always the most difficult. Once underway, the job may not be all that thrilling, but at least you've made a start towards the finishing line, where you can look back and say to yourself, "It wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be". If that makes sense.
I considered giving a detailed account of one of my numerous fishing trips, but having scanned the diaries kept for a number of years, I couldn't find anything that would be mildly interesting to anyone else, and in fact, if I stuck rigidly to the truth, may well raise hoots of derision from my peers. Like the time I was stepping out of my boat, caught my toe on the gunwale and promptly took a dive in the lake. That's something I would not like to be generally known.
Recently I was none too pleased to get a telephone call asking me "To write something about fishing" for a local magazine. Well, it's not what you might call a magazine, more of a circular really but nonetheless, well read. The caller intimated that as I had written an article previously, then surely it was just a question of sitting down and putting pen to paper and let the words pour out, with little or no effort, and could we please have it by Monday?
I considered a treatise on modern fishing tackle and thought that might be the go. Every fisherman loves fishing gear. Whether he actually needs or not is irrelevant, and any article written about the various items of tackle we hold dear to our hearts, would go down well with young and old. And so I turned to a wellknown catalogue for inspiration.
I am not a natural writer and admire people who can write (or say) just the right thing at the right time. My previous effort required considerable editing before the finished article even looked like taking shape and here I was, expected to idly jot down a few anecdotes about fishing for readers who have probably forgotten more about the sport than I'll ever know. But I had given a commitment, albeit grudgingly, so had to make an effort to meet the deadline.
However, having studied the volume for well over an hour, and deciding nearly all of my tackle was so antiquated it obviously needed urgent replacement, I thought it would be very dangerous exercise to encourage other people to spend huge amounts of money on pieces of equipment they probably didn't need either.
I started searching for that elusive starting point that would make the writing a simple chore, but try as I may, nothing seemed to spring to mind. Should I start by relating my early days when a hook cost a penny and a bamboo stick filched from the garden, was magically transformed into a rod? Or the time when, having started work, I blew
Then I had another bright idea. It is usual for manufacturers to supply writers of tackle reviews with the latest of their produce, hoping for a few kind words in
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couldn't be easily verified, and pretending I had misunderstood the content of the article had to be about fishing. I even gave very serious consideration to writing about some really weird subjects but realised at least one of my readers was bound to catch on that I didn't know what I was talking about, and expose me as a fraud. From a writer's point of view there is absolutely nothing worse than being caught out that you are making it up as you go along. Even plagiarism is more acceptable than that.
print, extolling the virtues of their products. At first I thought this was a marvellous idea and got quite excited about it, but then realised two things were against me. One, I only had three days to suggest to the distributors of fine tackle they should forward the recently released Sage or Loomis rods or the latest addition to the Hardy reel range, for my expert appraisal. Then I would need time to conduct several field trials and write a scintillating review, which would earn me considerable praise from the various manufacturers, (And would I please keep the said items for my continued personal use, as a token of their appreciation for of the increased sales which were bound to follow.) The second obstacle to this idea was that no distributors or manufacturers in their right minds would send me anything to review anyway, no matter how politely I asked. So that was another starting point that never got off the ground.
The last resort was attempting to write something funny. But there is nothing more serious than trying to be humorous. Try as I might I could think of nothing that would raise a smile on the faces of my readers, other that telling about the time I caught my toe on the gunwale of the boat and took a nose dive into the lake, but as I have already said, I wouldn't want that generally known. So it appeared humour was out too. In the end I had to admit defeat, and, as you've probably guessed by now, I never did get to write that article.
Time was a wasting. I thought of writing about something fairly outlandish that
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Gordon River Trip by Stephen Granger
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fantastic & the camera is already out. After a couple of minutes we pass the Heritage Landing which is as far as the Strahan based tourist boats go. The weather is fantastic & the tranquil waters beautifully reflect the surrounding vegetation, mountain ranges & clouds. The tourists are in for a real treat today but ours will be better.
t is 5.35am and we are abreast of Sarah Island as Gremlin punches her away across Macquarie Harbour en route to Strahan. I sit down on Gremlin’s large purpose built ice box & take a moment to reflect upon a marvellous six day stay at the ”Boom Camp” on the Gordon River. What was so special about this trip? Was it Paul catching his biggest ever trout, the jokes, my fishing companions, Kevin’s sneeze? Indubitably, it had been a truly great trip for many reasons but the absolute stand out reason had to be the Gordon River itself. Rising at Lake Richmond the Gordon is not as long as the Derwent but it sends down more water than any other river in Tasmania. The Gordon’s flow is mitigated by man but I think most people still consider it to run wild and free because of its many deep & rocky gorges. From Macquarie Harbour the Gordon River is cruised by large purpose built vessels showing tourists magnificent rainforest brilliantly reflected in the broad, deep flowing waters.
As we travel up the river Bob shows me the barely discernible entrances to old huts & where the Spence River & Eagle Creek join the mighty Gordon. When there isn’t any vegetation right to the water there are cliffs. The sensational looking cliffs appear to be sandstone or limestone & naturally the water is still very deep. Butler Island comes into view & I am immediately recalling that famous photo by Peter Dombrovskis but there is no eerie mist to be photographed today. After travelling twenty kilometres up river we come to Warners Landing & the old Hydro camp. We visit Sir Johns Falls & have a look at the old remaining buildings. I have a spin from the jetty & manage to catch a small brown on a Pegron lure with a Brown Trout pattern. He is not a keeper for two reasons. One, he isn’t big enough & two, when I lift him out onto the jetty the knot gives & the brown & my lure rapidly
Tuesday, December 2nd, 2003…..was a magic day. Around 9am we push off from the Boom Camp jetty & Bob has Gremlin planing at a steady 30 knots in no time at all. The reflections are
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descend back into the deep tannin stained water.
I didn’t get a photo – Bob, I guess we will have to go back!
Back in Gremlin & a further five kilometres upstream brings us to our destination. The Big Eddy is the first set of white water. Apparently, it is navig table for a vessel like Gremlin but this is as far as we are going. The flow is three knots. Last time Bob visited the Big Eddy it was seventeen knots! We have a spin for half an hour before reluctantly starting our homeward journey. Silly me,
On the way back we do some trolling & at one point adjacent to the cliffs we find a vertical drop off from twenty five metres of water back to five. It is really hot so we stop at Snag Point, strip to our undies & have a spin from the shore. The river is so tranquil & the environment so pristine. What a great day, what a great river!
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Tarraleah and Nive River 1941 by Lionel Lewis
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One Sunday', having heard that there was an old surveyor's track down stream from the Tarraleah Power Station, we took some lunch and my spinning gear and set off. It was pretty rough going, but by lunch time we reached the point where Wilson's Creek discharged into the Nive River.
hen I went to Tarraleah in 1941 and until the completion of the Liapootah Dam on the Nive River some two miles below the Tarraleah Power Station for the Lower Derwent Power development, the Nive River ran free, with beautiful pale green and opalescent water fast flowing and cascading over and around the boulders, on its race to join the Derwent River.
On the return journey, I found places where I could reach the river's edge and cast my light spinner up and behind rocks and into runs. Suddenly my spinner was savagely taken by a rainbow of about 3 lbs weight who soon showed me who was boss and took off down stream into some snags. Away went rainbow, spinner and all.
Looking down on the Tarraleah Power Station from the Valve House adjacent to the Chalet, one could plainly see the inky button grass-stained water discharging from the turbines with a clear demarcation line in the Nive River until the two waters mixed and tumbled away down the gorge. With no control of the Nive River catchment it was subject to seasonal flooding.
Anyway, on our way back to the Station, I hooked two more lovely rainbow of 2 and 3lbs, and, with my mate's assistance, finally, after great excitement, managed to scoop them onto the bank.
There was one exceptional flood in the late 1940's which undercut and washed out a large section of the high retaining wall resulting in the blacksmith's shop and part of the substantial services building being washed down river. The turbines were kept running and I recall standing on the machine floor and seeing the flood waves higher than this level. The Pelton wheel turbines, being designed to discharge freely with no back pressure had to be progressively shut down. In the early hours of the morning, the flood peaked level with the station walkway. Due to precautions taken and the sound construction of the Power Station building no damage was sustained, but, on normal river level being restored, many large trees and logs had to be removed from the tailrace area.
The Nive River then was a truly fine rainbow habitat, very difficult to fish, with vegetation right to the water's edge, with a constant full flow and strong currents due to the considerable drop in elevation in a comparatively short distance. There was also difficult but rewarding fishing at the Power Station tailrace, where mainly large brownies lurked in the eddies and backwater, growing fat on food brought down the canal, chopped up and discharged from the Pelton wheel turbines. We usually fished in pairs because, on hooking one of these large fish from 3 to 8 lbs in weight, the other chap would go down on a rope with the net or gaff to a rock nearer the river level and the lucky angler would manoeuvre the fish to
Being young and energetic, another chap living in the Staff House and I used often to go bushwalking at weekends along the canal and transmission line clearings.
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Then, horror of horrors, the 'backing' parted and the last I saw of my D.T. Kingfisher' line was the monster as it jumped twice in the glide at the river bend. Not a very happy day, as I climbed back up the haulage way.
within his reach. Once netted, you then helped your mate back up the rope to the walkway. To reach the Station, we walked from the Village down what was known as the 'pine track', which brought one to halfway down the 'haulage' beside the penstocks. It was then a knee jarring jog down the fifty degree slope of the haulage way to the Station. After a few hours fishing, it was the long climb back up the haulage track.
Another way of catching the Nive rainbow's was discovered by one of the Power Station fitters who, after lunch one day, was throwing his lunch scraps into the river just above the tailrace. He saw these being taken by several likely fish, so he soon had a system of attaching a triangle hook to sandwiches, and many a fine rainbow met its end at lunch time.
This sounds a very arduous way to catch a fish, but at times very rewarding; as I recall one evening I was using a large black hen hackle fly in the turbulent tailrace. Within an hour I had three brownies of 10, 4 and 3 lbs weight respectively, which was certainly exciting stuff playing them into a small backwater and kept my mate busy with the rope and net. This was a successful evening.
These are a few reminisces of the mighty Nive River which was Tasmania's nearest approximation to the fast flowing New Zealand rivers, and home to magnificent fighting rainbows. Well the HEC taketh away, but it also giveth and with the creation of the Tungatinah system of storages, we soon transferred our attentions to Bronte, Brady's, Binney and Tungatinah lagoons. From the latter two, especially, we were soon hooked to beautiful brownies of up to 8 lbs weight.
One afternoon disaster struck. I had been fly fishing the river above the Station and decided to try the tailrace before leaving for the climb back to the Village. Well, I soon felt a mighty solid take; obviously a very large fish which decided it was leaving the tailrace and off down stream. My first obstacle was the flying fox across the river. I managed to get round this, but lost a lot of line in the process, and still downstream the great trout headed. As it was well out in the midstream current, I had no hope of guiding it into the bank. At the end of the wall below the Station I was paying out backing.
Fellow fly fishermen, Dick Franks and Eric Fields joined me on some memorable evenings, shore fishing these lagoons through the 1950's, but this is another chapter in the saga of my earlier years of stalking, losing and landing these trout, but just as enjoyable were the many hours observing the bird and animal life and just being there..
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Arthurs Lakes - then there was one! sourced from HEC Cross Currents No. 106 - 1992
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This scheme took water from Third Basin via a tunnel, flume and pipes and because of the increased head would generate three times as much electricity. The Council did not act on this proposal and the scheme later became the Trevallyn Power Development, built by the HEC and commissioned in 1956.
he fishing season is- here again and many fisher-folk will venture to Arthurs Lake in the hope of a good catch. Resident historian LIZ EMSON outlines the interesting history of this Central Highlands lake. Originally Arthurs Lakes were two bodies of water separated by a marsh called the Morass.
Launceston continued to require more water to run Duck Reach and another small weir was built on the Upper Arthurs Lake.
The original lakes may have been stocked with brown trout in 1870 when fry were released into a number of Highland lakes, but this is impossible to substantiate. It is recorded that in 1904/05 rainbow trout fry were released into the Upper Arthur Lake and that Atlantic Salmon were introduced to the same lake in 1907/08.
By 1911 the Waddamana Power Development was under construction. This scheme used the water in Great Lake and the power generated was to be transmitted south where, in part, it was to be used by industry. In 1914 the State Government bought the hydro-electric undertaking from the private company building the scheme, set up the Hydro-Electric Department and instructed the HED to complete the scheme as quickly as possible. The first two generators began operation in May 1916.
Apart from interest by fishing enthusiasts, there was more than a passing interest in the water stored in Arthurs Lakes for hydro- electric use. The Launceston City Corporation, which had built and operated the Duck Reach Power Station on the South Esk River since 1895, required extra water to meet the demand for this clean, exciting and efficient energy source. A recommendation was made that the Duck Reach Power Station be enlarged and that small dams be built at Woods and Arthurs Lakes, thus ensuring a continuous flow in the South Esk River during the dry summer months. These small levees were completed in 1905.
Launceston continued to require more electricity and Duck Reach was enlarged in 1919. The Council made a decision that it would construct a larger dam at Arthurs Lakes and tenders were called. A tender was let in 1919 but there were difficulties in finding a suitable dam site. During 1920 work on the dam proceeded slowly and in 1921 all work ceased and the project was abandoned.
At this time it was also realised that the existing power station at Duck Reach would be fully loaded by 1912.
Between 1918-1923 the Hydro-Electric Department was busily enlarging its own scheme at Waddamana and constructing an 88kV transmission line to the north of the State. It was quite obvious to the
A confidential report was prepared by the City Electrician, William Corin, which outlined a 'high level' scheme.
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and in 1957 the HEC proposed the Great Lake Power Development. Part of this proposal involved pumping the water from Arthurs Lakes, to the Great Lake via a small power station at Tods Comer. This involved building a small earthfill embankment and a 15 metre high sloping core rockfill dam. These were completed in the early 1960s.
Department that once the enlargement of Waddamana was complete, there would be surplus electricity to sell, and who better to sell to than the City of Launceston! Knowing of Launceston's shortage of electricity, the HED negotiated a contract with the Council for it to purchase bulk power and distribute it through its own system. Bulk power was supplied to Launceston in 1923, thus raising the level of Arthurs Lakes was no longer necessary.
Thus Arthurs Lakes became Arthurs Lake. So we have gone full circle. The water in Arthurs Lake is being used as was envisaged by William Corin in 1905, but now it arrives at Trevallyn Power Station by a different route, and because it passes through the Poatina Power Station its value is increased many times.
During the early 1950s the lakes had gained considerable popularity as a recreational area and the terms 'Blue Lake' for the western storage and 'Sand Lake' for the Upper Arthurs Lake had been adopted. By the 1950s the State's electricity ends were barely being met
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Tasmanian Tigers by Lionel Lewis
L
how to set a "springer" snare for wallabies and told me about their experiences and knowledge of this dense forested area, including stories about tigers and devils taking their snared wallabies and their distinctive tracks and droppings.
etter to Sunday Tasmanian appeared 6 July 2003.
I'm prompted to write regarding the thylacine and whether it may or may not still have some survivors in remote areas (The Sunday Tasmanian, June 29).
During summer pumping periods at Lake St Clair, I saw both tiger cats (quolls) and devils and they often broke into the fowl house, with disastrous results. However, never a sighting of any thylacines.
To begin, I was born in 1922 and grew up at Broadmarsh, with a father who was not only a competent hunter/trapper and fisherman, but an enthusiastic field naturalist, who corresponded with "Peregrine" of The Mercury. Consequently I gained from my father a good knowledge of the animal and birdlife, not only of Broadmarsh and its hill country, but also the Central Plateau to which we made many trips both trout fishing and roo shooting.
After 16 years at these HEC areas, I was transferred elsewhere, and returned to the highlands at Waddamana in 1963, as a deputy superintendent. One day on patrol to the west of Lake Augusta, along Wild Dog Creek, together with my leading hand, we noticed some unusual animal footprints, which appeared to have been made by two animals, the footprints were quite plainly to be seen and followed in the rather coarse sand beside Wild Dog Creek. Neither of us had ever seen similar footprints, in our many years in both highlands and other bush areas. We followed these tracks for some way and it appeared to us, that they were a hunting pattern, ie, one animal remaining in a fairly straight line, the other circling in and out from the creek edges.
In 1934, on one of our visits to the Beaumaris Zoo, I remember looking for quite a while at the captive Tasmanian Tiger, and feeling sad for the poor creature, as it paced up and down its netting and concrete enclosure. In those days the animals and birds were for "display" purposes with little thought for their surroundings or feelings. In those years, 1920s and 1930s, in the Broadmarsh-Elderslie bush, ring-tailed possums were plentiful, brush-possums not in such numbers; kangaroos (bennett and rufus wallabies) were only found well back in the hills and gullies. Likewise native and tiger cats (quolls) together with devils were seldom seen, while tigers were hardly a topic of conversation.
We both came to the conclusion that these tracks were those of a Tasmanian tiger, as we had never ever seen anything similar. The next day being Saturday, I left Waddamana early, on my own, equipped with a can of plaster of Paris, and a tape measure. There had been an overnight shower, and consequently the footprints were not so sharply defined. But I took at least 24 plaster casts from them, and also measured the gait. These
In 1939, as a young HEC Power Branch apprentice, I was transferred to Tarraleah area and Lake St Clair, where some of the Ellendale past hunters and snarers, now employed at Tarraleah, showed me
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At the time of my 'tiger tracks" 1964, I was telling a friend Dr L.W. Bryant and he told me he saw a tiger come out on the Liapootah Highway, just out of Tarraleah, late one night when he was on a callout to a patient.
followed a consistent pattern of 19 and 21 inches between them. Also I noticed that, as in horse footprints, one foot tended to "half” overlap the others, as in a loping gait. With this information and the casts, I returned to Waddamana, and next day showed them to Big Jim Berry Fisheries Inspector and lifelong resident of the Plateau. Big Jim took a good look at the casts and said 'You've got him old mate, they are tiger tracks."
Also in the 1950s, another HEC chap, Frank Winkler, told me that a friend and he were spot-lighting down at Wilson’s Creek at Tarraleah and what they believed was a tiger was in their spotlight for enough time for them to ascertain that it was some animal they had never before seen. Both these men were very credible and reliable people. Now that 40 years have passed since these sightings, I am somewhat doubtful of any thylacines still existing. However, there are thousands of hectares of forests and reserve areas suitable for the tiger to survive and I don't believe that land clearing or forestry activities would have had a terminal effect.
As I owned a Labrador dog, I took his prints to compare and also had my son lead the dog up and down past me, to study his gait. Dog footprints in sand always have the distinctive toenails, whereas my "tiger-prints" were broader and more "pug-like." After displaying these casts locally, I sent them off to the Tasmanian Museum Curator, Dr Bryden, with accompanying text. Weeks and weeks passed. I had no acknowledgement at all from the museum. I then asked a head office engineer to phone Dr Bryden, who then told my friend "They are the tracks of a Labrador dog."
Second grade bush areas, which are never touched, remain and have these days large populations of wallabies and brush possums. I believe tigers never were in dense rainforest, because the wallabies etc would be too difficult to catch.
During my early years at Tarraleah, on driving from Bronte, some three to four kms from Bronte, at Bally's Peak homestead building, I looked at tiger skulls nailed to sheds there, and was told this area was a known habitat of the tiger. Also, at this Bally's Peak, Big Jim Berry told me that one day in 1960 two sheep ran past him, followed by a tiger. Jim had stopped his vehicle, and said: "Lionel, it squatted in the middle of the road. We looked at one another and then it jumped into the bush and away. I have no doubt whatever that it was a Tasmanian tiger."
I'm sure Tasmanian tigers hunted at least in pairs and "wore down" their prey by relentless pursuit thus less dense bush suited this lifestyle. Having regard to recent times and the elusive "Le Reynard subtil" (the cunning fox) who knows? So, I never sighted a tiger but firmly believe I saw and recorded their tracks. As Big Jim said to me: "If you captured a tiger and sent it to the Museum, they'd tell you it was ‘half dog’."
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Lake Sorell – Meagher’s Bay by David Driver
D
o you have a fascination with names and how they come to be given to places? Well I do!
charged and sentenced to death - this was later commuted to transportation to Van Dieman's Land.
Meagher's Bay intrigued me. I wondered who Meagher was and what sort of connection he had with our past. As it turns out he was a very extraordinary man.
They arrived at Hobart Town on the 20th July 1850 aboard the "Swift". Others arrived a few days later on the "Emma" (O'Doherty and Martin). During the voyage he had added an "O" to his name. This was only used in Van Dieman's Land!
Thomas Francis Meagher (pronounced MAR) was born in Tipperary, Ireland on the 23rd August 1823.
A local priest, Father Dunn, took a great interest in the Irish exiles. The exiles were offered a Ticket of Leave providing they promised not to attempt to leave the Island - in all regards they would be like free men. Each was sent to a different part of the Island and had to report regularly to the local Police station. It gave them the freedom providing they did not break the rules of the Ticket.
His father was fairly well off and had been in the British Parliament. Thomas had a good education and as he grew older and developed, he showed a lot of promise and an interest in Irish concerns. His involvement in Ireland's internal struggles for self-determination is very interesting and too long for this piece. Suffice it to say that he travelled widely around Europe and his close acquaintances were the core of the struggle. Meagher spoke at many of the rallies and became a leader in the movement for Irish freedom.
Meagher went to Campbell Town and later moved to Ross -- McManus to Launceston --O'Doherty to Oatlands -Mitchell and Martin to Bothwell (Mitchell to Nant Cottage). O'Brien said “No” to the conditions of the Ticket of Leave and was sent to Maria Island where he suffered a great deal and tried to escape to America -but that is another story!
Meagher was also responsible for the Irish flag with its 3 colours. He was very taken with the French Revolution and the design of the tricolour hence the similarity, but in Orange, White and Green. He said the White would represent the peace between the Orange of the Protestants and the Green of the Catholics. This was around 1850 and his hopes and ideals are yet to be fully realised unfortunately.
O'Doherty, Martin, and Mitchell would meet Meagher at Lake Sorell regularly, sometimes weekly. They would meet at Interlaken, because it was central for all (almost a common intersection of each man’s region) and they could travel overland by horses. They used to meet at a shepherd's hut and talk of Ireland, their struggle and freedom. It is thought that Father Dunn helped these meeting and sometimes attended. Meagher loved
When a poor potato crop (potatoes were the backbone of Ireland’s economy) failed, the movement increased it's profile and eventually McManus, O'Brien, O'Donohue and Meagher were
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Meagher threw himself into his lectures and studies. He was admitted to the Bar in New York. He supported the Democrat Party.
Lake Sorell and eventually built a home there. A boat was built in Hobart Town and transported 75 miles by horses to Bothwell and finally by bullocks to Lake Sorell. The boat’s name was "SPREANZA"
Meagher met and married Elizabeth Townsend, but continued to love the memory of Bennie and his son. Civil War broke out between the North and the South over slavery. Meagher joined the North, became a Captain of an Irish Brigade, was later given a group and was made a Colonel in 1861. He was then given command as BrigadierGeneral of a Brigade, which was used to good effect in the war. Meagher and his men fought with distinction throughout the conflict. Eventually he was made a Major General of around 20,000 troops. He was wounded in action near the end of the war.
Meagher met and married Katherine Bennett 22nd February 1851. They lived at Lake Sorell in his house situated on Dog's Head in the bay where Dog's Head Creek enters the Lake. The foundations can still be found there. He worked the soil on St George’s Island and produced spuds and other vegetables. The exiles talked of escaping to America where they would get help to continue their struggle for a free Ireland. Meagher eventually planned his escape to America and arranged to have his wife "Bennie" and their expected child come to him later. This never eventuated as the child, born in January 1852, died at 4 months.
Following Lincoln's assassination, President Johnson, in recognition of his services, made him Secretary of Montana which was then a young and developing state. Unfortunately there were a lot of influential people who did not like the idea of someone coming to their State and telling them what to do etc. They worked against him continually but he was strong-willed and resisted them. However this told on his health.
Meagher arrived in America where he was met by sympathisers to the Irish cause, he gave talks around the country which were well received. Katherine (Bennie) left VDL to go to Meagher via Ireland. As she was a free person and did not need permission. She sailed to Ireland and stayed with Meagher's parents. She went on to America to see her husband but had to go back to Ireland due to her poor health. Her short stay with Meagher resulted in her becoming pregnant!
Meagher went on giving talks about Ireland. Being a Democrat and being the Acting Governor of Montana and his strength of character meant many enemies amongst the Republicans. He travelled frequently which did not help his health. He became more ill and his life was continually being threatened. Because he had been in the South before the War, his enemies questioned his loyalties, made more threats against his life and spread false rumours.
She gave birth to a son Thomas Francis Meagher the 3rd. (Meagher never met his son!) Bennie's health deteriorated and she died in May 1852, aged 22 years. She is buried at Waterford in Ireland.
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His son Thomas Francis Meagher 3rd died of pneumonia in the Philippines in 1908 and also has a statue in his honour there. He never met his father but revered his memory.
During one of his trips aboard a Missouri steamer “GA. Thompson”, to rest and travel up river, he became very sick and exhausted. He went to go to his cabin but quite mysteriously disappeared over the side. Stories were told of noises heard in the area of his cabin Also, part of the steamer’s railing was found to be broken. However, although extensive searches were undertaken over many weeks, his body was never recovered. He was 42 years old.
This just goes to prove what interesting stories, can be found in our beautiful and rich state. I obtained most of my information by researching in the library and talking to people. A prime source of information was a book written by a local author R Watson "The life and times of Thomas Francis Meagher". If you would like to read about it yourself why not contact Mr Watson on 62291239 to buy his book (approx. $11.00).
People must have held Meagher in very high esteem, for they erected a statue in his honour. This can be seen today in the Capital of Montana. Elizabeth died in 1906 - she never remarried.
The Nive River by David Driver
O
the main supply point for the French Army.
nce again I’ve come across one of those named places in my fishing journeys and wondered where it had originated from- The Nive River.
The position of Bayonne was important in that it had the Atlantic ocean to the west and the river Adour to the east, on whose banks was a large citadel which commanded covering views.
I made a search through the computer and came across hundreds of things associated with Nive. But the only one that made some sought of sense to me was the following.
The ground around had many streams and river and was very muddy after rains.
The Nive could have been named in ‘honour” of The Battle of the Nive which took place between the 9th and 13th December 1813. This was part of the Peninsular War with Wellington and Napoleon playing a prominent role.
Wellington made plans to split his forces and approach Bayonne from two sides. One force coming in from the Atlantic on the west side and the other from the east, after crossing the Nive, which flowed southeast.
Following the completion of the Battle of the Nivelle, the commander Soult withdrew his army towards Bayonne which was strongly defended. In fact during the Peninsular War Bayonne was
Soult took command of the area covering the Nive.
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The French attacked by using their artillery however they were in a more exposed area than the British who were in defensive positions in and around the church. The experience and accuracy of the British gunners and the exposure of the French forced the French to withdraw leaving many of their artillery pieces behind.
This was strongly defended as it was able to be supplied by craft on the nearby Adour River without any difficulties. Although Wellington’s force was greatly diminished by him sending home the Spanish troops, who were causing unrest due to wanting revenge after years of French persecution, he continued the attack.
Throughout the next several days Soult unsuccessfully tried to force back the remaining Wellington forces which were still in the area.
The battle for Bayonne was undertaken in poor weather and it was not until 9th December that the operation began.. As soon as Soult saw Wellington divide his army he began to attack at the Nive on 9th December 1813. D’Erlon who had 50,000 troops under his command moved them into the area and engaged Hope’s 1st and 5th Divisions who numbered 30,000.
He turned his attention to Hill’s troops who were left on the right bank and numbered only 14,000,.against 35,000 French. Hill had been marooned on the right bank when flood waters tore away the pontoon bridges, isolating him from the rest of the British. Hill stoutly defended is lines. The battle raged on with first the French driving the British back only to lose the ground in fierce bayonet counter attacks.
D’Erlon drove the British backwards to a village called Arcangues where Hope held on for the rest of the 9th.
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Season 2003-2004 Photo Gallery
Jessica Wilton – Arthurs Lake
Jarrod Wilton – Arthurs Lake
Kevin Littlejohn – Arthurs Lake
Jarrod Wilton with Dad’s fish – Arthurs Lake
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Vince Coyte – Lake Meadowbank Norm Cribbin – Arthurs Lake
David Riley – Lake Meadowbank
Luke Riley – Lake Meadowbank
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Louis Molnar – Western Lakes Bob – Gordon River
Stephen Granger – Gordon River
Kevin - Gordon River
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Elaine, Kaitlin & John Aitchison
Social Day for New Norfolk, Australian Polish & Bridgewater Clubs, hosted by Tarraleah/Bronte Anglers Club, held at Tasal Hatchery, Wayatinah.
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Senior Members Weekend Bridgewater Anglers Association Back row: Leon Hurd, Elaine Aitchison, Peter Wood, Bob Ward, Angus Maclaine, Muriel Sherriff, Barry Sherriff & Trevor Sutton. Front row: Noel Bester, Brett Sherriff, Peter Quin & Robbie Nettlefold at Bridgewater Anglers Shack, Lake Sorell. Photo taken by Ray Aitchison
Tony Blackwell, John Lewis & Spike Johnson - removing old timber from jetty.
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Courtney & Kimberly Brown – Snowy Range
Dylan Brown – Snowy Range
Chloe Cribbin – Snowy Range
Jake Datlen – Lake Meadowbank
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Owen Woolley - Social Day held at Tasal Hatchery, Wayatinah
Emma Datlen – Lake Meadowbank
10-yearold Bradley Harrison showing Helen Haymoles how it's done at Back to Pedder 2004. Jake Datlen – Woods Lake “Huston we have a problem”
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Weighmaster De-luxe Paul Roach in action at Back to Pedder 2004 Peter Fewkes with 12 trout he caught at Lake Gordon
Larry Paul, Heath Bester with sons Brent and Josh catch from the Huon River
John Bester 16.5lb Huon River
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Terry Byard presenting Richard Monks with the STLAA Trophy for the heaviest fish by a junior.
Ben Mansfield receiving his Trophy – Bothwell Trophy Night
Andrew Large – Tooms Lake
Mayor Flint is presenting Jarrod Quigley his trophy – Bothwell Trophy Night
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Phil Ellerton – London Lakes
Simon Gates – Penstock Lagoon
Craig & Emily Templar – Arthurs Lake
Charlie Harris – Tyenna River
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Debbie Vince - Snowy Range
Stephen Barratt – 6.14 kg Brown caught in the Tyenna River
Paul Vince - Arthurs Lakes Jason Raspin – 11.140 kg Brown caught in the Tyenna River
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Historic Angling Images - IFC Photos supplied by Bob Ward
Meeting No. 186 Inland Fisheries Commission 9 April 1984.. C.A Dodds–Secretarial Assistant, D.D.Lynch–Commissioner, K.D. Petterwood-Secretary
Meeting No. 186 Inland Fisheries Commission 9 April 1984.. C.C.Bryan-Ass. Commissioner, N.V.Scott-Ass. Commissioner, R.D.SloanneCommissioner Designate, J.J.Millen-Ass. Commissioner, C.A Dodds–Secretarial Assistant, K.D. Petterwood-Secretary
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N.V.Scott-Ass. Commissioner, C.C.Bryan-Ass. Commissioner, D.D.Lynch– Commissioner, J.J.Millen-Ass. Commissioner - 1984
Ian Cameron & Hector Jones – Examine a trout in a glass sphere – 1980’s (Does any own know why the trout is in the glass sphere – ed.)
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Viv Spencer, Phil Potter, Chris Wisniewski , Liawenee Police Officer, Gary Teelow, Wayne Fulton-Commissioner
Greg McCrossen – Commissioner, Jim Ferrier – Associate Commissioner , Les Monson – Associate Commissioner, Bob Ward – Associate Commissioner,
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