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 2005/06................ 3 From the Director............................................................ 4 Hydro Tasmania Water Management Report ............... 6 Didymo; A Serious Risk To Tasmanian Waterways ...... 6 MAST Report .................................................................... 8 Anglers Alliance Tasmania (AAT) Report ................... 10 IFAC Report - Reflections Season 2005/2006............... 12 STLAA Reports............................................................... 14 STLAA Executive......................................................... 14 STLAA Presidents Report ............................................ 15 Club Reports ................................................................. 18 Australian Polish Anglers Club ................................ 18 Bothwell Angling Club ............................................. 22 Bridgewater Anglers Association ............................. 24 Clarence Licensed Anglers Club .............................. 26 Huon Licensed Anglers Association......................... 29 Kingborough Anglers Association............................ 31 Lake Pedder Anglers Club ........................................ 34 Maydena Anglers Club ............................................. 37 New Norfolk Licensed Anglers Association ............ 39 Tarraleah-Bronte Anglers Club................................. 40 Features & Special Reports............................................ 41 Cascade Dam ................................................................ 41 The $3,000 2lb Trout – What a perfect day!................. 43 More on the Mostly Media Mob................................... 46 Clarence Weir ............................................................... 49 Derwent River 2005-2006............................................. 51 Mount Paris Dam .......................................................... 53 Lune River .................................................................... 56 Salmon Ponds Museum of Trout Fishing ..................... 59 Season 2005-2006 Photo Gallery.................................. 61 Historic Angling Images ............................................... 70
Trout 2006 Tasmanian Angling Report of the Southern Tasmanian Licensed Anglers Association is published annually by the association and it’s affiliated Clubs.
Cover Photo: Dry Fly Rewards at Arthurs Lake Photo by Norm Cribbin
Historic Photos: The historic photos in this year’s Trout 2006 were kindly supplied by Hildi Reinhart of the Salmon Ponds Angling Museum
Report Committee: Bill Cornelius Lake Pedder Anglers Ph 0429 851 875 Norm Cribbin Clarence Licensed Anglers Ph 0408 144 587 Don Emery Lake Pedder Anglers Louis Molnar Bridgewater Anglers Ass. Ph 0419 309 932
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Editorial
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If you are looking for a way to assist, then encourage other anglers to join Clubs and support the organised Club – Association – Peak Body structure. The more anglers band together the more we will be listened to by State Government Authorities, Local Municipal Councils and even the Federal Government as was proved in Tasmanian Anglers banding together to support the ban on the importing of potentially diseased uncooked Salmon to our state.
eason 2005-2006 has seen many changes throughout our fishery. These changes have occurred within the Inland Fisheries Service, the recreational anglers peak body FACT, within the three regional Associations and associated Clubs. This process of change has continued at an accelerated pace since season 200405 and has therefore required evermore vigilance from anglers to ensure that our views are considered along with all other stakeholders.
The input to this the fifth Angling Report I have been involved in has been outstanding and I commend all those who have contributed articles, photographs, comments and critic. I must however send out a message that in future publications a much tighter time frame for production will apply and as such there will be a cut off date for submissions. So if your Club does not wish to miss out in being part of Trout 2007 start planning a bit earlier.
I believe that the IFS are working hard to ensure that anglers will have a quality fishery into the future. This has been demonstrated by the release of a number of very important Fisheries Management Plans: x Western Lakes Fishery Management Plan x Great Lake Fishery Management Plan x Penstock Fishery Management Plan x Whitebait Fishery Management Plan
As always special thanks must go to the Report Committee and Club Delegates who have spent many hours arranging advertising sponsors, following up on reports and collecting the articles that appear with Trout 2006.
The next challenging phase will be the implementation, ongoing enforcement and review of the Management Plans. Without this our fisheries could start to decline once again.
Finally I would ask you to support our advertising sponsors. Without their support it would not be possible to publish this annual report. So next time you are making use of any of our sponsors services, take time to thank them for supporting Trout 2006.
I understand that not all agree with some of the goals of the IFS, and yes some decisions do seem to defy logic, but there is a plan and with our help we should be able to assist in guiding the IFS and our fishery to a sustainable future.
.Norm Cribbin
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Inland Fisheries Service Ministers Report on Inland Fisheries 2005/06
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fisheries development plan aimed at further enhancing the attractiveness of, and participation in, the fishery. I look forward to working closely with this new organisation over the coming seasons.
y return to the Inland Fisheries portfolio, following the 2006 State election in April, coincided with the final months of the 2005/06 trout season. This season was again very productive for anglers with several fisheries continuing to improve through enhanced stocking programs and infrastructure developments. Most notably the Bradys Chain of lakes, Craigbourne Dam and Lake Barrington fished very well over the season and the completion of the upgrade of the Woods Lake Road should ensure that all anglers are able to access Woods Lake in the coming season.
The Inland Fisheries Service itself continued with the implementation of its corporate plan, making significant inroads towards improving the efficiency of the organisation. In the coming year there are plans to develop a new recirculating hatchery for the production of wild rather than domestic strain fish and the relocation of its head office to New Norfolk. At the Salmon Ponds the historic collection of angling artefacts has now been enhanced. The total collection has been reviewed with all items now on display in the Salmon Ponds Museum. The displays will be further improved during 2006/07 with audio and visual items held joining the collection once media methods are determined. Acknowledgment for this work rests with the Friends of the Salmon Ponds Museum Preservation Group, with input from the Tasmanian Angling Museum and Hall of Fame Board.
It was encouraging that the number of anglers participating in the fishery continued to increase this season with over 28 100 anglers buying a licence, an increase of 4.5% over the previous year. Underpinning this increase has been a 5% increase in Tasmanian licence sales and an 11% increase in total juvenile sales. Given that the focus in the coming year will remain on enhancing fisheries performance, improving access, signage and infrastructure I feel that this trend is set to continue. During the season there was also a changing of the guard with the Freshwater Angling Council of Tasmania (FACT) being superseded by Anglers Alliance Tasmania (AAT) as the peak body representing freshwater anglers. FACT had ably represented anglers for many years and contributed greatly to the development of the trout fishery and I commend them on their efforts. The new body, which was only formed in December 2005, has already overseen the initiation of a recreational
I am confident that the measures being taken by the Inland Fisheries Service, the clubs and Associations and industry to further develop the fishery will ensure that the Tasmanian fishery continues to improve in 2006/07. David Llewellyn Minister for Primary Industries & Water
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From the Director
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members of the Australian Fishing Tackle Association supported the promotion. The lucky winner was Fred Oliver of Bracknell.
he 2005/06 season was very successful for the Inland Fisheries Service with the continued development of the popular waters strategy, a solid multi-species stocking program, the completion of key infrastructure projects and further growth in the participation in the trout fishery.
The emphasis on improving fish stocks in key waters continued in 2005/06 with the stocking of significant numbers of browns, rainbows and Atlantic salmon. The results from the past few years stocking is now starting to be evident with several waters moving up the rankings in terms of angling participation. The most notable improver has been Craigbourne Dam which now sits as the fifth most popular water in the State (in 2001/02 Craigbourne didn’t make the top 20) along with the Bradys chain, Brushy Lagoon and Lake Barrington, which have also moved up the rankings considerably. The improvement in the performance of these and other fisheries has helped to sustain the growth in angler numbers and importantly disperse the angling effort from the popular mainstays such as Little Pine Lagoon, Penstock Lagoon, Western Lakes and Arthurs Lake.
Overall the total number of licences sold for the 2005/06 season was 28 118 up 4.9% on the pervious season. A feature of this increase was the sale of the highest number of full season licences (Adults, Pensioners, Seniors and Juveniles) since 1991. There were 22 096 licences sold to Tasmanian anglers and 6 020 licences sold to anglers from the mainland and overseas. The regional breakdown of sales within Tasmania showed the strongest growth occurred in the south of the State with a total of 7 630 anglers representing an increase of 7.4% over 2004/05. There were changes to the licence structure this year with the old 3 day and 14 day licences changed to 7 days and 28 days respectively. The price of the new licences was based around the fees for 3 and 7 days, which effectively delivered a 100 percent improvement in value for each of these options. This change seems to have been received favourably with a 15% increase in total short-term licence sales.
Production of wild stock at the Salmon Ponds was improved this year with the adoption of better aquaculture techniques and the appointment of a hatchery consultant who previously worked at the Saltas Wayatinah hatchery. Essentially fish were able to be ongrown to fingerlings of approximately 20g for stocking rather than 0.3g which was the norm in previous years. It is planned to develop a recirculating hatchery to significantly improve fish production further in 2006/07.
This year the Inland Fisheries Service trialed a major promotion aimed at increasing full season licence sales and encouraging the purchase of these licences in the first three months of the season. The promotion was based around a boat and tackle prize valued at $10 000 randomly drawn from full season licence holders that purchased their licence before the end of October. Eastern Shore Marine, Stacer, Dunbier, Yamaha and
A series of infrastructure projects were completed in 2005/06 aimed at improving fisheries access, management and performance. The upgrade of the Woods Lake Road to two-wheel drive
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standard and improvement to the boat ramp, was a major achievement that should dramatically improve access to Woods Lake in the coming season and further disperse angling pressure. This project was completed with the support of Hydro Tasmania, MAST and Gunns Ltd. Also in the Central Highlands the Liawenee fish trap was renovated in order to improve the ease of handling migrating brown and rainbow trout from Great Lake. This will improve OH&S for IFS staff and support adult transfers and wild ova collection for ongrowing at Salmon Ponds. The Fisheries Lane access into Brumbys Creek was also upgraded this year with the assistance of the Northern Midlands Council and DPIW. Fisheries management plans continued to be developed this year with the Penstock Lagoon Fisheries Management Plan, Statewide Recreational Fisheries Management Plan and the Whitebait Management Plan nearing completion. It is expected all three plans will be completed before the end of 2006. The Inland Fisheries Service is committed to investing more resources in 2006/07 towards the ongoing improvement of the fishery through development of management plans, enhanced stocking programs, and better facilities, signage and access for anglers. For up to date information on stocking and other Inland Fisheries news please visit our website www.ifs.tas.gov.au. John Diggle Director of Inland Fisheries
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Hydro Tasmania Water Management Report Didymo; A Serious Risk To Tasmanian Waterways Impacts Environmental Didymo poses a significant threat to the aquatic ecology of infested areas. The algae can form large mats that smother benthic substrates. There is an associated negative effect on aquatic insect that rely on stream beds for habitat. Studies by New Zealand's National Institute of Water and Atmosphere (NIW A) have shown that percentages of mayflies, stoneflies and caddis flies were significantly lower in trial river reaches infested with Didymo. There is also evidence that persistent Didymo blooms have resulted in degraded recreational fisheries. Fisheries monitoring data from New Zealand's Waiau River shows significant decline in rainbow and brown trout abundance coincident with the discovery of the algae.
Background Didymo (Didymosphenia geminate) is a fresh water alga, or diatom, native to the northern hemisphere, which is commonly referred to as "rock snot�. Established infestations form thick mats with flowing streamers, which resemble wet toilet paper, however the strength of the mat is more like cotton wool. The algae can spread quickly, completely carpeting river beds for up to 10-20 kilometres of stream reach. In one reported case mats have dominated a river reach for over 100 kilometres (USEP A). Where is it found? Native Didymo is native to Europe, Asia and North America, where its preferred habitat is cool, low nutrient flowing waters typically found in pristine streams and rivers. In the mid 1980' s Didymo appeared to change its growth strategy and form dense mats in the streams and rivers on Vancouver Island. This "variant" subsequently migrated to many rivers in North America and Europe.
Management Prevention The best strategy for managing Didymo is to prevent its introduction in the first place. Didymo is a declared A list pest under the Plant Quarantine Act 1997, and so it is illegal to deliberately or accidentally import it into Tasmania. People travelling from New Zealand to Tasmania who have been in or around waterways need to ensure that they follow strict hygiene procedures. Fishing gear, flies, waders, boats, kayaks or watersports gear used in or around New Zealand waterways must be disinfected prior to moving between waterways and prior to entry into Tasmania. Methods recommended by the Department of Primary Industry and Water are as follows;
Introduced Didymo was discovered in the Mararoa River in South Island of New Zealand in September 2004. This was the first reported discovery of algae outside of the northern hemisphere. It is likely that it was introduced via the contaminated fishing gear of visiting overseas anglers. The algae has since spread to multiple rivers of the South Island, probably by people moving between waterways. At the time of writing, Didymo had not been reported from the North Island of New Zealand.
x
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Before leaving a river remove all obvious clumps of algae from your gear, then search gear thoroughly
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x
and remove inconspicuous material. Algal material should be disinfected (see below) and disposed of in the rubbish. Gear should be thoroughly cleaned by soaking and scrubbing all gear for a minimum of 1 minute in hot water (60°C) with a 2% solution of household bleach, or a 5% solution of salt, nappy cleaner, antiseptic hand cleaner or dishwashing detergent. Used cleaning water should not be emptied into waterways. If cleaning is not practical, dry all gear completely and wait 48 hours prior to contact with another waterway. –
Control Currently, there is no known control measures capable of eradicating Didymo from waterways Collaboration Hyrdro Tasmania recognised the risk that Didymo poses to the ecology of Tasmanian waterways. Hydro Tasmania is planning to send representatives to New Zealand to attend a Didymo conference scheduled for late 2006. Information gained from this trip will be shared with the Inland Fisheries Service and DPIW with the aim of developing a co-ordinated Didymo risk management strategy for Tasmania. By David Ikedife, Hydro Tasmania
Photo curtesy of Barry Biggs, NIW A.
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MAST Report
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n 2005/06 Marine and Safety Tasmania (MAST) is pleased to announce that there were again no fatalities on inland waters. Patrols on inland waterways by MAST, Marine Police and IFS officers has seen a very high compliance rate with respect to the carriage of the correct safety gear, however a small number of infringement notices have been written for not wearing PFD’s whilst under power. The past three years has seen a major upgrade of boat ramps on Great Lake and Arthurs Lake that is now nearly complete with MAST in conjunction with Hydro Tasmania extending the ramp at the Dam Wall on Arthurs Lake. The only outstanding issue is the project at Cameron’s Opening north of Cowpaddock Bay on Arthurs Lake. This work has been held over until the Lake level drops below -3.5 metres. The low water levels in Great Lake and in Arthurs Lake evident in 2005 were not repeated this year. However, recently Hydro Tasmania has advised that the lake levels may soon fall unless there is substantial rainfall. MAST, IFS and Hydro Tasmania are reactivating the project to build an access road and gravel boat ramp at Boundary Bay which may be used if there is insufficient water in the lake to use the new concrete ramps.
MAST has continued with education nights around the State and in addition has held safety and flare demonstrations at a wide range of centres which have been very successful and well attended by both fresh and saltwater anglers. Demonstrations have been held at Burnie, Launceston and Hobart together with regional areas such as Queenstown, George Town, Weymouth, Bridport, Port Cygnet and other popular regional boating areas. In all 45 demonstrations were held around the State.
MAST has constructed a new ramp at Woods Lake in conjunction with IFS and has completed a major upgrade of the ramp at Thureau Hills at Lake Burbury in conjunction with Hydro Tasmania.
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MAST also has continued its school education program with Staff visiting a number of schools state wide over the last 12 months. In May MAST once again had stands at AGFEST and Liawenee. These 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 stands were 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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Anglers Alliance Tasmania (AAT) Report
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he year 2006 has seen productive and exciting changes for Tasmania’s angling community with license sales again substantially rising to some 28,000 through the greatly improved management practices of the IFS.
this will continue over the next two years. The Alliance actually only came into existence in January 2006 and it is understandable that given some past failures in angler representation there are still those who doubt AAT’s bona fides.
A milestone was reached in late 2005 when a public meeting of interested anglers voted unanimously to endorse the research and writing of a Statewide Recreational Fisheries Management Plan (RFDP) and form a new organization representing all licensed anglers. A series of meetings then resulted in the formation of Anglers Alliance which has equal representation from the STLAA, NWFA, TFFA, NTFA TGALT, and the Australian Fishing Tackle Association together with three unattached independent licensed anglers.
Anglers should be aware that the Alliance Committee business if being conducted very professionally, with a spirit of cooperation and wish to move forward and that AAT is recognized by all Sate and Local Government instrumentalities. Formation of a State wide body takes a good deal of “behind the scenes” negotiation and administration so demonstrative results are not always immediately apparent. Much of the time has been taken up by forming ongoing and new relationships with those responsible for the management of our waters and their surrounding lands and this has been highly successful as agreements have been made in concert with the RFDP.
AAT is now firmly established with assistance in funding from Government and recognition from all State and Local Government instrumentalities and angling clubs. AAT is now on www.anglersalliance.org.au and anglers can use this to find the contact details of all AAT committee members and Executive Officer together with the Alliances adopted constitution and minutes from general Committee meetings. Your queries, comments and suggestions are always welcome through any of your representative Committee members.
The year 2007 will bring more physical evidence of the efforts of AAT but 2006 has not been a year where progress has been slow and results to date include: x
Throughout the year AAT has had significant input into the RFDP which has now been through Public consultation and is being considered for implementation by all interested parties. Many anglers would have recently noticed some obvious changes to signage and information which is the start of the access phase of the RFDP
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x x x
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Agreement and adoption of a constitution and Alliance incorporation. AAT’s first AGM with the election of its second Chairman Michael Stevens and a new Committee which required minimal change. Assistance in funding from Government arranged. Major input into the RFDP Success in funding applications with the Australian Government’s
x
x x
Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry resulting in the Web Cam installation at Arthurs Lake and the pilot access programme at Brumby’s Creek. Formation of significant partnerships with the IFS, Hydro Tasmania, Forestry, Parks and Wildlife, State Rivers and Water Supply and Tourism Tasmania. Government acceptance of AAT as the peak body representing all licensed anglers. Successful negotiations with the Department of Infrastructure and Energy and local Government resulting in the upgrading of Lake’s directional signage and new signs and information for Woods Lake access.
x x x x x
x x
Finally whilst AAT represents all licensed anglers our efforts will always be “Tasmania and Tasmanian’s first” and we ask that all anglers bear this in mind.
Many new projects are on the drawing board for 2007 including: x
Policy for the sale and subdivision of lands surrounding Tasmania’s Lakes and Rivers Policy for angler ethics. Plans to assist in building club memberships. Improved communication strategies. Negotiation of protocols with relevant Government Agencies and Local Government. Identification of projects and funding opportunities. Presentation and negotiation of angler views with authorities.
All anglers have ownership of AAT and your input is both valued and important to the ongoing success of your representative body.
Design of a junior angling education plan
Brochures & Maps – Proof of Concept - Tear-off Map from RFDP
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IFAC Report - Reflections Season 2005/2006
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the Inland Fisheries Service stocking policies, not only of the popular waters such as Craigbourne and Meadowbank but all waters throughout the State. There are more fish being caught now than for many years and that is a good effort by the Inland Fisheries Service in a climate that sees enormous growth in salt water recreational angling and as far as fly fishers are concerned the relatively poor mayfly and beetle hatches of last season.
he major achievement of the Inland Fisheries Advisory Council for the year has been to advise the Minister on matters pertaining to the future structure of the Inland Fisheries Service. In making recommendations to the Minister, Council has particularly concentrated on the strategic goals of the Inland Fisheries Service Corporate Plan. This focus culminated in a facilitated SWOT analysis and review of the Inland Fisheries Service at the February meeting of the Inland Fisheries Advisory Council.
In November of this year the Inland Fisheries Service will have transferred their headquarters from Lampton Avenue, Derwent Park, to New Norfolk, a site that will provide installation of a new hatchery to complement the Salmon Ponds hatcheries. Fry and fingerlings will be produced at New Norfolk and later on-grown at Salmon Ponds during the cooler months.
The Council believes the Inland Fisheries Service should be more entrepreneurial and accountable and in so doing will realise its full potential, not only from a fisheries management and performance perspective but also from an economic growth and social perspective. The Inland Fisheries Advisory Council does not support the Inland Fisheries Service being incorporated into a larger Department. The view of Council is that the Inland Fisheries Service needs to be managed at arm’s length from Government: its business is non-core to Government and runs at a high cost.
The move is an excellent example of the Inland Fisheries Service continuing sound business management that has turned the sale of idle, costly assets such as Corra Linn into improved fry and fingerling production by means of a new hatchery that only a few years ago would have been but a pipe dream.
Shortly Council will be reviewing the Inland Fisheries Service draft Recreational Fisheries Development Plan and is currently reviewing the phase one of the Tasmania Sport Fishing Tourism Development and Marketing Plan.
Anglers can take comfort from the Inland Fisheries Service performance over the past twelve months. The growth in licence sales has increased revenue; there have been sales of nonperforming assets and increased commercial return with improved fisheries management and performance: most of this as a result of the implementation of the Inland Fisheries Service Corporate Plan.
In this respect the Inland Fisheries Advisory Council represents an independent review body on issues and proposals presented to the Inland Fisheries Service.
I would also assure all anglers that the Inland Fisheries Advisory Council will very carefully review any proposal or
The upward trend in licence sales continues and reflects on the success of
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plan that would influence the day to day running of the Inland Fisheries Service and recommendations to the Minister will be those solely for the benefit of the Inland Fisheries Service and all anglers. I hope anglers have an enjoyable season and that we can all introduce a young boy or girl to the enjoyment of fishing. Jason J Garrett Chairman Inland Fisheries Advisory Council.
This sign must scare the life out of tourists! Those damn mega-fauna (giant kangaroos!) are out having wild parties from dawn to dusk and even if you are doing 55km/h they will hop out in front of your car, pick it up and kick the s—t out of it!
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STLAA Reports STLAA Executive OFFICE BEARERS 2005-2006 POSTAL ADDRESS: GPO Box 159 Hobart 7001 PATRON: Mr Bob Ward PRESIDENT: Mr Terry Byard VICE PRESIDENT: Tony Blackwell SECRETARY: Mr Louis Molnar HONORARY TREASURER: Mr Neil Pinkard HONORARY HISTORIAN: Mr Ray Aitchison AAT DELEGATES: Mr Terry Byard & Mr Louis Molnar EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE: Messers Terry Byard, Louis Molnar, Neil Pinkard, Norm Cribbin and Don Emery CLUB DELEGATES: Australian Polish John Stefankowski, Peter Downham Bothwell Anglers Shane Jones, Mark Whittaker Bridgewater Anglers Trevor Sutton, Robert Bradshaw Clarence Licensed Anglers Norm Cribbin, Neil Pinkard Huon Anglers Rob Chandler, David Roberts Kingborough Anglers Association Mal Reardon, N Atkinson Lake Pedder Anglers Bill Cornelius, Don Emery Maydena Anglers Club John Barratt New Norfolk Licensed Anglers Duncan Hughes, Justin Causby Tarraleah/Bronte Anglers Jenny Beard, Anthony Jones LIFE MEMBERS: E.T. Smith A. Maclaine Mrs J. Walker C. Smith R. Cairns K. Morley
1970 1979 1981 1983 1983 1983
D. Lynch R. Ryder C. Bourke L. Ward B. Creed P. Lowe
1983 1983 1985 1987 1992 1992
R. Aitchison K. Jones D. Cranfield R. Bradshaw T.Byard
1995 1999 1999 2002 2004
ANGLING CERTIFICATE AWARDS: R. Bradshaw P. Woods L. Datlen K. Hanson W. Knight N. Cribbin B. Sherriff D. Triffitt T. Sutton
2000 2000 2000 2000 2000 2001 2001 2001 2001
W. Seabrook N. Pinkard F. Johnson J. Bluett B. Jordan E. Aitchison K. Walker B. Johnston M. Sherriff
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2002 2002 2002 2003 2004 2004 2004 2004 2004
R. Walker D. Cranfield D. Driver P. Richards K. Russell M.Russell M. Pinkard R. Aitchison
2004 2004 2005 2005 2005 2005 2006 2006
STLAA Presidents Report
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wonderful achievement for the clubs involved and I congratulate the four STLAA clubs that either now own or are in the process of acquiring a club shack.
t is with much pleasure that I present my report to association members for the 2005/06 angling year. The STLAA has had another busy and successful year with overall membership strong and steady. As I sit and reflect on the angling comings and goings over the last year, numerous items readily come to mind -
STLAA Farm Dam Project The STLAA through a number of member clubs is coordinating a junior development program which will see a number of farm dams set up for the exclusive use of juniors within the Association. Once arrangements are finalised and the waters are stocked, host clubs will conduct Junior development activities such as practical fishing tuition with the kids having the opportunity to catch a fish. The hope is that we can develop within our juniors, connections with freshwater angling that might stay with them throughout their lives.
New Peak Angling Body: We have seen the formation of a new peak body called Anglers Alliance Tasmania which for the first time has substantial ongoing funding and has a paid Executive Officer. With all freshwater angling sectors represented on the Alliance, the new peak body is well positioned to make a strong contribution to overall fisheries management into the future.
Tasmanian Flycasting Championships Recently, the STLAA conducted a highly successful flycasting competition at the Salmon Ponds. The event was sponsored by the Salmon Ponds and attracted strong competition from southern and northern based clubs. First and second places went to clubs from the north with Kingborough club running third. Given the positive feedback from the participants, it is likely that the Association will consider hosting the event again next year.
Increase in Angling Licenses There has been a very healthy recovery in the number of angling licenses sold over the last couple of seasons and there is no doubt that this position is linked to the IFS's new stocking strategies and popular waters program. Anglers are clearly telegraphing a view that they want a mix of fisheries to choose from, ie high production waters located close to major population areas through to the more difficult wild and wilderness type fisheries and it is good to see the IFS responding to this position.
Lake Sorell and Crescent and River Clyde Water Management Plans Approved Finally, after what seemed like forever, the Water Management Plans for the Lakes and the Clyde were signed off on by the RPDC and approved by the Minister. These plans provide strong environmental protection for the lakes and the river and it is very gratifying that this Association was able to contribute in a significant way towards this outcome.
Clubs Take Up Shack Site Purchases It was great to see that a number of STLAA clubs took up the option to acquire their shack sites under the Government's shack sites program. This obviously represented major decisions and commitment for the clubs involved however the long term benefit to their members will no doubt been seen through generations to come. This is a
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that the STLAA not only continues to be interested and involved in a wide cross section of issues and matters that are associated with our great fishery, but also, that it remains at the forefront of feedback and contribution. I believe that this is a very healthy position for us to be in and that it is only possible because of the great support of Executive members, Delegates and our member clubs. For this I say thankyou for making my role as President that much easier to perform.
Back To Pedder Competition I was fortunate to officiate at the prize giving ceremony of the Pedder Club's big weekend in January and I must say that the achievements of the club with this competition never cease to amaze me. It is a tremendous credit to the club that they can annually stage an event of this size and manage it so successfully. Successful STLAA AGM and Family BBQ Day The Association's social events for the year were again highly successful and well attended. I thank the members for their support and the Executive will continue to ensure that our social program is in line with member expectations.
We have some great sponsors and supporters who enable much to happen within our program of events and activities. Particularly, I would like to thank Hydro Tasmania, Stormy Australia, J Boag and Son and tackle suppliers Bridges Bros. and Spot On Fishing Connection for their continued support of our Association. I also say thanks to Patron Bob Ward and Historian Ray Aitchison for your continued commitment to the cause.
Woods Lake Access Upgraded At long last anglers all anglers will have the opportunity to fish Woods Lake following the upgrading of the road from the northern end to two wheel drive standard. This is a real coup for angling and I expect that this water will be very well patronised in the coming season. There is some debate as to whether bag limits for this lake need to be adjusted in view of the influx of anglers that will occur and I am sure that the STLAA will contribute its views on this position in due course.
Lastly, I would like to say thankyou to Club Delegates for their participation and support and Executive Committee members Neil, Norm, Don and Louis for all of the extra hours. I wish all members and their family’s great outings in the year ahead.
The above are just some of the items that have come to mind as I complete this report. What I find most heartening is
Terry Byard - President
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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 0 3 6236 9969 Outdoor Clearance Centre – 15/352 Main Rd, Glenorchy. Ph 03 6272 1122 ALLGOODS Devonport – 6 Formby Road, Devonport. Ph 03 6424 7099
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President: John Lewis Secretary: Mrs Christine Doyle Treasurer: Ken Dub Postal Address: 486 Lachlan Rd Lachlan 7140 Contact: Ph 6272 9820 Meetings: 2nd Wednesday Monthly
Club Reports Australian Polish Anglers Club
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Once again our club catered for the STLAA AGM & Annual Dinner which was held at the Polish Club at New Town. According to feed back from members at the dinner they all enjoyed themselves and had full stomachs when they left. So I would like to thank all that were involved in the very successful night. Well done!
ell here we are at the end of the 05/06 fishing season, and I’m having a go at my first president’s report, Even with membership down on previous years our club had a very successful season. We held eight competition weekends; two were on the River Derwent, and one each at Lake Binney, Echo, Arthurs, Open waters and the Dee (needed the hip flask for that one). With some well conditioned fish being taken from them all.
Just a few funny things that happened over the season:
One that comes to mind is Lake Binney with fifty five Brookies being taken, twelve Rainbows and fifty two Brownies and a couple of Atlantic salmon.
Tony Blackwell (yes the mechanic) launched his boat on the Derwent on opening weekend turned the key to start the motor yes you guessed it, FLAT BATTERY. Luckily Ken Tubb turned up to give him a jump start.
I had a mate and his wife down from Adelaide for that weekend they couldn’t believe that you could catch so many trout in a weekend, don’t know what I’ve started there but they reckon they are coming back next season for another go.
Blackey again mistook his bottle of cooking oil for a bottle of coke, he had a good old swig of it; He reckons he can still taste it now. I’m going to let the readers try and work out how you did that one Tony. (He won the losers spoon for that effort)
We held our Christmas BBQ at Tolosa Street Park, I think all members, family and friends had a good time and luckily the weather held up for us.
John Lewis tied a lure on the line threw it out but the lure kept going, not so bad you say but when you do it twice in a row. MMMM Peter Downham had his fish in a sack bag, dunked it over the side didn’t realise there was a hole in the bottom so you know where the fish ended up.
Australia Day long weekend we held a saltwater trip down to Sloping Main, it was a very enjoyable weekend with plenty of flathead being caught both from the beach and by boat. Over that weekend (mainly early hours of the morning) a few of our younger generation solved a lot of problems of the world so I guess we can all sleep a lot easier now knowing that.
Peter again Thought he would be a weight lifter and lift a log above his head before putting it on the fire, it was a bit top heavy though and landed flat on his back. To his credit though he didn’t let it go until he hit the deck. Frank & Alice opening day on the Derwent they were motoring up the river
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when they realised that they had left their tackle box behind so they had to go back and get it. They are still blaming each other for it.
Richard & Beata left their fish behind after they weighed them in, they rang for them about ½ hour after they left, they must have had something else on their mind.
Bob Ilic side swiped Frank’s car leaving the weigh in and blamed his dog for it. Good one Bob! Here are the stats for the 2005-06 Season Location Number of Fish Caught Derwent river 48 Derwent river 78 Lake Binney 119 Lake Echo 127 Arthurs Lake 98 Echo/Dee 108 Open Waters 52 Dee Lagoon 12 642 Total for season 303.058 Total Weight (kg)
Average Weight 450 528 412 410 594 485 478 450
Number of Fishermen 10 8 21 10 10 8 9 6
The committee and members would like to thank all our sponsors for their generous discounts and prize donations.
We had a committee change this season; I took over from Tony Blackwell as president of the club. Work commitments being the reason why Tony Left the top job after many years of hard work, but thankfully stayed on as vice president. After he has been in the job for so long it will be a big pair of shoes to fill. He’s been a wealth of knowledge for the club and he has been pointing me in the right direction, So on behalf of myself and the club, Tony, a job well done and thanks heaps mate.
Ross Heddle personally donated a complete lead line set up, complete with lures and flies. We used that for our major prize draw. Rod & Range looking after all our members with great discounts. Steve Bax from Spot On The Fishing Connection for donating a PENN spinning reel which we used as a prize for the heaviest fish for the season. Repco Moonah for an electric boat winch.Ingham Chickens for sponsoring a competition. So once again thanks to all. I hope everybody has a successful coming season, so as Rex Hunt would say tight lines and yibida yibida that’s all folks.
Ken Tubb took over the role of treasurer from myself and has been doing a great job. Well done Ken. Christine Doyle still holds the secretary’s position and still doing a great job, thanks heaps Christine. Last of all I would like to thank our hard working committee members, without them our club wouldn’t be in the position it is in now. So I would like to say thankyou and a job well done.
John Lewis President
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Some pictures from Australia Day long weekend at Sloping Main
looking out to Sloping Island
Alice Banasik & Sue Lewis
Funny looking trout
L to R Katie Blackwell Ashlee & Stacey Lewis Sarah Blackwell
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Steven Downham at Tungatinah
L-R Lana Reynolds &Stacey Lewis Weighing fish in at Tungatinah
A well conditioned brown caught at Tungatinah
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President: Mr Harold Chivers Secretary: Mr Bob Wilton Treasurer: Mrs Pam Jones P.O. Box 44 Bothwell 7030 Ph 03 6259 8373
Bothwell Angling Club
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thanks to Mrs Pam Jones who has looked after our finances as Treasurer; and also to Mr Shayne Jones and Mr Mark Whittaker, our club delegates who attend STLAA meetings and bring back info to our club. We also thank our weigh-in stewards for their ongoing support, and the many sponsors who have donated prizes for our competitions and our annual Dinner. A special thanks goes to Mrs Leanne Datlen and her team for their ongoing work with sponsors and the time put into trophy presentations at our Dinner, which Leanne has done for many years. To see the looks on the faces of the junior anglers receiving trophies is truly priceless! To all the landowners who give our members permission to cross their land to access fantastic waterways, thankyou also.
ith the end of season 2005/2006 here its time to hang up your gear, do your maintenance and reflect on what we hope was another enjoyable and hopefully successful season. The Bothwell Club had some good fish weighed in at our monthly competitions, with many anglers doing well in our local waters. Trolling is still a preferred method amongst our members as well as Mudeye’s, with some of our members also having great success with the use of Squidgee’s. Our annual Fun Fish Day was held in January at Arthurs Lake. The day was well attended with some good fish caught, followed by a BBQ and presentation of prizes to the lucky anglers. Thankyou to all who helped on the day and to the sponsors who donated prizes.
Thankyou to all our members, because without you we wouldn’t have a club. It was great to see some new faces at our club meetings – your input is essential to us. It is vital that our committee regularly receives fresh ideas and we welcome these any time.
We would like to welcome Mrs Janelle Quigley to our committee, who has kindly taken over the position of Secretary from Mr Bob Wilton. Bob deserves a special mention for continuing on as Secretary after his resignation at the AGM, due to a very busy work schedule. Thankyou Bob and family for all the hard work you have put in over the past few years – it is very much appreciated. Mr Craig Quigley has stepped in as President following the resignation of Mr Harold Chivers. We would like to take this opportunity to thank Harold for all of his hard work during the past few years – again this is very much appreciated. We wish Craig every success in this position. Our
Our membership for the 2005/06 season stands at 47 adults and 24 juniors. There were approximately 150 fish weighed in to our stewards over the season with many of our anglers experiencing some good catches in Arthurs, Great and Woods lakes. It would be safe to say our members experienced an enjoyable season this year and we can only hope that the 2006/07 season provides us with as much enjoyment.
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President: David Goss Secretary: Gary Chaffey Treasurer: Royce Jessup STLAA Delegates – Trevor Sutton Rob Bradshaw Meetings: Last Tuesday of each month except January & June
Bridgewater Anglers Association
Ongoing improvements at the Lake Sorell Club shack have continued. Unit 3 has been extended by taking over the overflow bunk room. The unit is now known as the "Long Room" and with the Improved gas stove etc. is an ideal venue for social functions. The Honour boards for life members, secretaries, presidents, patrons and also the 'Stirrers Paddle' will be relocated to the Long Room. We hope to provide access ramps for disabled and another water tank to supplement the new inside toilet as funds permit.
The Inland Fisheries Service are to be commended on several initiatives. The stocking of waters close to population areas such as Craigbourne Dam, with Rainbow trout, Brown trout, Atlantic salmon, Brook trout (char) and ever present redfin perch has proved popular for families and no doubt helped with licence sales. The access to fishing waters will continue to be sought by our club via the S.T.L.A.A., Anglers Alliance Tasmania, M.A.S.T., Hydro, IFS, Councils and land owners such as the new Woods Lake Road, ramp and parking facilities. The success of the carp eradication programme at Lake Sorell & Crescent is gaining world wide recognition.
During last Season Field weekends were conducted at Derwent River, Tooms Lake. Arthurs Lakes, Bronte area and the Western Lakes. The new 1 day format at Huon River and Craigbourne Dam proved popular. The Bunnings Warehouse fund raising barbeque again supported by the 'regulars' and the shack working bee on the 27/28th May attended by 18 members. The social side of competition weekends was enhanced by a barbeque lunch at the Chaffey Camp at Tooms Lake and the increasingly popular "back to Sorell weekend" at Club shack. Bronte Chalet Saturday night dinner at the closing weekend competition was again good fun. Although attendance was down at the 2005 Christmas Barbeque at the Tolosa Street Reserve it is still worthwhile and will be held again on December 3rd 2006 at Hut 5.
I urge all members and anglers to seek permission to cross private land, close gates, leave no rubbish and not take firewood or light fires. The Hydro plan to restrict camping on their million hectares bordering the highland lakes, in particular Arthurs Lake from 2010. We can help by responsible gathering of firewood, use of fire pots to stop the practice of leaving circles of stones filled with rubbish spoiling good camping areas and resultant erosion damage. Use portable chemical toilets as sewage around our fishing waters is becoming a major problem. With increased tourist traffic and visiting anglers it is imperative that more portable toilet dump sites are provided. This will not be an easy job considering the number of stake holders who need to be involved and coordinated. The improved road past Great Lake Road is resulting in more traffic from mobile homes etc. and is crying out for a portable toilet dump at the junction of the Marlborough Secondary Road and Lake Highway. Perhaps the existing unused sewage
General meetings were held on the last Tuesday of each month except January and June at the Glenorchy Library or Glenorchy R.S.L. (when I forgot to pick up the library key!).A total of 190 trout with a cleaned weight of 122 kg was recorded by our weigh master Noel Bester, resulting in approximately 30 trophies and awards. Please support the Trophy donors when possible.
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plant at Bernachi can be utilised to help the disposal in the Western Lakes area.
application form and next years activity programme were enclosed with your AGM invitation. Thank you to the outgoing Committee especially the Treasurer Royce Jessup and Secretary Gary Chaffey. Thank you to the Brighton Bowls Club for again providing the venue and catering for our Annual General Meeting and dinner.
Club membership has declined from over 80 members in the 1980s to around 50 members since the decline of Lake Sorell. Hopefully the existing shack facilities, social and fishing program and the wealth of knowledge in our club that is willingly shared and the Club joining fee being waived again this year will assist in attracting new members. Please endeavour to sign up new members. An
David Goss, President.
W igstons
SPORTS
W ayne & Sue Perkins
6 3 H ig h S tre e t N e w N o rfo lk T as 7 1 4 0 Ph /F a x (0 3 ) 6 2 6 1 2 7 3 3 M o b ile 0 4 0 7 8 3 6 3 2 9
F ISH IN G
G O LF A LL S P O R TS
H U N TIN G
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President: Norm Cribbin Secretary: Neil Pinkard Treasurer: Ron Stow Postal Address: PO Box 281 Rosny Park 7018 Contact: 0408 144 587 Email: norm.cribbin@hydro.com.au
Clarence Licensed Anglers Club
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AAT), STLAA Treasurer and STLAA Delegate to the Executive all coming from within the Clubs membership. These roles impact on the individuals angling time personally but without their efforts our fishery would be worse off. In addition many Members have taken time out to complete surveys and respond to various fisheries and related issues that have occurred during the past season.
eason 2005-2006 has once again been a very active season for the Clarence Anglers Club. Opening weekend commenced with our traditional Club day at Pawleena Dam and was then followed up during the season with 14 organised outings. One of special note that the Club attended was the inaugural “Trout Expo” at Cressy. Our own “One Fly/Lure Competition” at Craigbourne Dam, “Family Day” at the Snowy Range Fishery and traditional field trips to our favourite waters, balanced out the Club’s programme for season 2005-2006.
Membership has increased slightly through out the season. The Clubs efforts in recruiting new members through active participation at events such as the Free Fish Day and the Liawenee Open Days has resulted in non Club anglers seeing the benefits of joining a Club. The Club welcomes the new Members and hope that they enjoy the benefits of being part of an organised angling club.
Many members have commented favourably on the enhanced stocking program undertaken by the IFS during season 2005-2006. This has seen a general resurgence in inland angling and it is good to hear that Angling License sales (ie participation rate) are once again climbing. However with this comes increased angling pressure on our waters and it is now time for a much more responsive approach to managing some waters. Woods Lake is a water that comes to mind. This water has for many years been difficult to access due to the condition of Woods Lake Road. Now thanks to the co-operative efforts of IFS, Hydro Tasmania, Gunns Ltd and MAST the road to Woods Lake has been upgraded to two wheel drive standard. As a result this water should see increased angler activity this coming season. Woods Lake however still retains the 12 fish bag limit and if anglers do not limit their catch rather than catch their limit we could see this fishery overfished. IFS should have the flexibility to reduce the bag limit of waters as conditions dictate rather than have to weight to have it pass through legislation.
On the fisheries management side of things the Club has been very active once again with the positions of FACT Secretary/Treasurer (until hand over to
Getting back on Club matters, thanks must go to the dedicated members that form the Committee of the Club. Without their help and support it would
It has been pleasing to see that despite the serious increase in fuel costs that attendance at field trips has increased. Having an increased number of trips based on waters that are closer to Hobart such as the Huon River, Tooms Lake and Craigbourne Dam has no doubt contributed to the rise in attendance. Craigbourne Dam has been very popular with members, particularly since the IFS has arranged stocking of this water with huge Atlantic Salmon and Rainbow Trout.
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David Driver and Tim Holloway who assisted during the weekend. Supplementing the Liawenee stall were two major raffles. The first of which was a Huon Pine Fly Box, 100 flies and Flytying station complete with Rotary Vice and tools. This was drawn at the Club Annual Dinner back in July, and was won by club member Alex Smith. The second is a complete fishing kit consisting of 2 rods & reels, tackle boxes, lures, spinners, plastics, hooks, knives plus much more which will be drawn at the Clubs Christmas Nibbles in December. Thank you to all those members and sponsors that contributed to the making the raffles a success, the shack at Arthurs Lake is closer to becoming a reality.
not be possible to organise the number of events that are available to the Members of the Clarence Anglers throughout the season. Special thanks also go out to members and non-members that have worked tirelessly behind the scenes to assist the Club in many ways. Whilst it is not possible to reward all those that give up their valuable time, two awards do exist to show the Clubs appreciation, namely the “Club Member of the Year” award and the “Services to Angling Certificate” awarded by the STLAA via Club nomination. This year’s “Club Member of the Year” was awarded to Alex Smith with Margaret Pinkard receiving the “Services to Angling Certificate”. Congratulations and thank you on behalf of the Committee and Members of the Club.
In closing I would like to thank the following suppliers for their support of the Clarence Anglers throughout Season 2005-2006:
As in past years the Club hosted a stall at the IFS Liawenee Open Weekend as part of the Clubs major fund raising activities. This year the weather was kind and the Open Days were well attended by Anglers and the General Public alike. Thanks must go to Neil & Margaret Pinkard and Ron Stow for supplying the organising and logistical support to make the event possible for the Club. Thankyou also to Andrew & Lynn Simmons, Rick Franklin, Paul Millhouse, Alex Smith, Charlie Harris,
x x x x x x x
Spot On – The Fishing Connection Easternshore Fishing & Tackle Rod & Range Sports Glenorchy Mastercast McPherson Auto & Marine Trimmers Pro-Angler Trout Territory
Norm Cribbin – President
Season Statistics from the Log Book Average Cleaned Species Count Weight Atlantic 8 4,220 g Brown 93 596 g Brook 22 197 g Rainbow 115 672 g Tench 2 Approx 1,000 gOverall 240 728
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Released 0 12 16 45 0 73
% Released 13 73 39 30
Season Awards Trophy Heaviest Fish for Season - Senior Heaviest Fish Field Trip (AC Walker Memorial Trophy) Heaviest Fish for Season - Junior Club Member Award "ACE" Award
Consistent Angler Award Heaviest Atlantic Salmon for Season One Lure Perpetual Trophy
Location
Angler
Fish
Craigbourne Dam Lake Burbury
Sam Kjorsvik
Rainbow Fly
Cleaned Weight 4,545 g
Rick Franklin
Brown
Lure
1,395 g
Craigbourne Dam
Dylan Brown
Rainbow Lure
5,000 g
198.6 Points Atlantic
Lure
9,000 g
Atlantic
Lure
2,800 g
Fish
Method
Cleaned Weight
Atlantic
Lure
2,411 g
Alex Smith Wendy & Bruce Andrew Norm Cribbin Craigbourne Dam Craigbourne Dam
Field Trip Awards Organiser Location Greg Brown
Pawleena Dam
Tim Holloway
Huon River
Committee
Tooms Lake
Committee
Tungatinah
Committee
Pawleena Dam – IFS Free Fish Day Arthurs Lake Lake Burbury One Fly - Bronte Arthurs Lake Craigbourne
Norm Cribbin David Driver Norm Cribbin Committee Alex Smith
Method
Harold Schiebel David Driver
Angler No fish caught Stephen Granger Paul Millhouse Neil Pinkard
Brown
Fly
1,095 g
Brown
Fly
Sam Kjorsvik
Rainbow Fly
760 g released 100 g released
Norm Cribbin Rick Franklin Norm Cribbin Norm Cribbin Ron Stow
Brown Brown Brown Brown Atlantic
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Fly Lure Fly Fly Lure
1,000 g 1,395 g 945 g 990 g 3,160 g
President: Leigh Martin Secretary: Patricia Woolley Postal Address: 29 Tunbridge Rd Glen Huon Contact: Ph 0428 660 130 Meetings: Monthly
Huon Licensed Anglers Association
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think Tooms Lake will be back on the menu for this year.
t is with great pleasure I write about the fishing season that has just passed. This has been my first year as president of the Huon Anglers fishing club and I have enjoyed it immensely. It has been fantastic to have the chance to put something back into the club and freshwater fishing in general.
Our next major club trip was to Lake Burbury in November for the annual competition. Its one that many of our members look forward to, myself included. Some nice fish were weighed in again with club members taking out a few prizes. One thing that wont be forgotten by members and probably most present at Lake Burbury was the amazing thunderstorm and lightning show on the Friday night. The West Coast weather absolutely turned it on. Amazing viewing for those tucked up in boats on a quiet corner on the lake. For those in tents a little more frightening than amazing, but certainly no less forgettable.
I planned this year to do more fishing than last year….I’m not sure if that eventuated, it always feels like I didn’t do enough, funny that. All up this year our members weighed in 1060 fish weighing approx. 692kg. That’s a lot of trout when you look at it as a whole. Especially when the majority of these fish came from a couple of members. They give the term “hardcore fisherman” new meaning I can tell you. Some impressive fish came in again this year.
The next major trip was to Lake Pedder and the final for the year. Lots of fish were weighed in with most members fairing very well. Some fish were jam packed with yabbies and certainly living the highlife. Pedder really is a big lake and when the fog rolls in you can certainly feel isolated….not to mention cold.
The year started well for some, not so well for others, one of our members threw himself in the river on his first cast at our fishing spot “The Big Log”. I can understand doing this after a full day of catching no fish but on your first cast isn’t giving yourself much of chance!! Another of our members spent a lot of time looking for his earmuffs and helmet at our wood run for our shack earlier in the year, he was positive they were left on the track somewhere…. Luckily when he got home they were where he left them…..at home.
Some nice fish were again caught this year from the Huon area. Biggest being one of 6.250kg (uncleaned) by Luke Woolley. Member Larry Paul also caught a nice fish of 4.400kg. Largest fish by a female was Jenny Woolley with a nice fish of 2.868kg and by a junior Jordyn Mayne 1.019kg.
The start of the season saw plenty of fish weighed in for August and September and our first club trip was in September with most venturing to Authurs lake. The weather was a bit ordinary however and not a lot of time was spent fishing with only a handful of fish weighed in. I
This year we also elected to change the dates for our annual trophies and dinner back to the traditional trout season times. Fish are now eligible to be weighed in August to the following April, this is
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also now brought back in line with the STLAA. Members also had a good day out at the newly resurrected casting competition at the Salmon Ponds this year. It is hoped that it will continue and we are actually planning our own casting competition near the end of the year to brush up on a few skills.
social committee member Andrew Duncomb has also been appointed life member. Andrew has also put in countless hours for the club and its probably hard to remember a working bee or function that Andrew didn’t help with. Lastly I would like to thank our committee for their fantastic work throughout the year and our sponsors for there support again this year. Griggs butchers of Huonville.
We have also for the first time in many years appointed 2 new life members of the Huon Anglers club. Our former secretary of 20 years Christine Woolley who has served the club very well and put in countless hours. Another valued
Leigh Martin - President.
Bothwell Grange Bed & Breakfast
Licensed Dining Room 15 Alexander Street - Bothwell – Tasmania 7030 Phone 03 6259 5556 Fax 03 6259 5534
Your Hosts - John & Moya Falk
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President: Scott Marston Secretary: Wayne Seabrook Postal Address: GPO Box 242 Kingston 7050 Contact: Ph 62 672 556 Meetings: Last Thursday of month.
Kingborough Anglers Association
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wonderful cause and I encourage all anglers to contribute if they can.
une is always a time of great anticipation for the membership of our Association. What will the next twelve months hold for us all? Will we get to go fishing more than the last? (Well lets all hope so!). When we go will that damn wind blow as hard as it did last year? Will the water levels be more like they used to be? These questions of course will all be answered over the next twelve months by the intrepid members of this great club as they do battle with our spotted foe.
Due too many years of dedicated service and fund raising Frank Hussey this year was bestowed with our highest honour, that of life membership. It was a huge thrill to present Frank with his Life Membership and it is a particular memory of my Presidency that I will take with great pride. As our Association is the ‘custodian’ of Bronte Lagoon I feel that I must make a plea on behalf of our members with regard to the health of the Lagoon. There is little doubt to those who know this water well, that the quality of the shore based fishing has been diminishing each year for a number of years now.
As President, now is a time for reflection on the past twelve months which has really been the defining period in our proud and great clubs history. We have seen the purchase of the land under which ‘Kingborough Lodge’ sits on the shores of Bronte Lagoon. This purchase has been the culmination of many hours of dedicated work by our Association’s committee over many years. It has also been the direct result of the membership of our Association making decisions not just for themselves, but for those who will follow us as members. These actions have been commendable and are a credit to each member who has put the Association in front of themselves with their vote. I am just so proud of our group, and anyone who wishes to become involved in angling, freshwater environmental issues or being an active member of the Kingborough Community I encourage you to join our ranks.
As a short history lesson it should be remembered that the IFS, Hydro and Anglers worked together to institute a minimum operating level for the Lagoon and as such this is all of our problem. To be frank however, this management prescription has not worked and should be reviewed urgently – hindsight is a wonderful thing. The Wooded Shore and the Long Shore are no longer the wonderful stretches of flooded ground that they once were. They are a silted up muddy mess that no longer encourage fish close to shore. There seems to be little doubt that the fact that these shores are constantly under water during the season is one of the key factors in their decline. If a more natural cycle could be instigated where the gates to Brady’s Lake were set at a level and left thus leaving Mother Nature to have more effect on the water levels it may well allow the soggy, silt laden shores to recover.
As President of arguably the most outstanding angling club in Australia, I have marvelled at the calibre and resilience of our membership. We have again donated to the Fisheries Habitat Fund via our annual dinner auction, which was once again superbly put together by Frank Hussey. This is a
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above the rest in our 2005 / 2006 competition days. Over the season James embarrassed most members by weighing in a quantity of fish that was on the borderline of being measured in tonnes rather than kilograms!
Silt is the next point that needs to be addressed. The water that comes from Laughing Jack Lagoon during summer is getting increasingly ‘coffee like’ with the silt contained in it very obviously drifting and settling on the Wooded and Long Shores. The middle of Bronte lagoon during summer has a defined clear water / dirty water line – surely this cannot be allowed to continue. A minimum operating level needs to be instigated at Laughing Jack Lagoon in order to reduce the silt load coming into Bronte Lagoon itself. This silt has already virtually ruined the shore based fishing on the Western Side of the lagoon and it will take years of a modified water management regime to resolve this, but we must start soon before any further damage is done.
Congratulations also go out to Wayne Seabrook and Mal Reardon who won our two prestigious clubman awards this year. These honours are bestowed on only the hardest working and valuable Association members and in the case of these two guys it was an absolute privilege to formally reward them for their hard work and diligence. I would like to publicly thank the Association’s hard working Committee as well as all those members who undertake official duties, attend our working bee or simply just turn up for our monthly meeting. My two year term as President has now passed. It is with some sadness that I now will pass the baton onto a new leader. Whoever our new leader is to be, I am sure that they will have the support of our membership and as such they shall no doubt do well.
Bronte Lagoon is one of the icon fisheries of Tasmania and we firmly believe it deserves some special water management policy action from both the Hydro and the IFS. We strongly encourage any action that will result in the problems as detailed above being constructively and practically worked on which will be of great benefit to both fisherman and the ecology of Bronte Lagoon.
Best of luck to each of you for the 06/07 season. Scott Marston - President
During our angling year James McIlhenny was head and shoulders
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KINGBOROUGH ANGLERS ASSOCIATION would like to thank the following sponsors for their contributions towards their Annual Dinner held at The Beach Restaurant, Blackmans Bay. Spot On Fishing Connection Bridges Bros Beaurepaire Tyres Kingston Ken Orr Trophy Traders Fly Life Magazine Laurie Matcham Margate Tavern Tas Fire Service Drysdales Kingston Lark Distillery Motors Used Cars Freshwater Fishing Magazine Paul Burrow Currawong Lakes Penny Royal Wrest Point Ogilvie Jennings Retravision Kingston Pro Angler Loomis Rods Pure Tasmania Tarraleah Columbia Clothing The KAA Meets at The Welcome Inn Kingston last Thursday of each month at 7:30pm.
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President: Lester Curtis Secretary: Mrs T Curtis Treasurer – Don Camm Postal Address: 63 Giblin Street Lenah Valley 7008 Contact: 6278 1454 Meetings: 2nd Wednesday of month
Lake Pedder Anglers Club
I
am happy to report that at the present time the club is in the best financial position it has ever been. As everyone knows we were able to support Canteen this year and as a result have increased club numbers, as well as sponsors
possibly another deserving charity to invite to our annual event. Hydro Tasmania have again committed to sponsorship, this makes the comp very attractive to one and all. Next year we are hoping to encourage a lot more younger competitors as well as more families, the club has and always will be a family club for all to enjoy.
The committee and associates have worked extremely hard to make “Back to Pedder 2006” the great success it was. I wish to say a very special thank you to Carol Pearce for her tireless work organizing activities and sponsorship for our canteen friends.
I am hoping that some old and new faces will put their hands up to join the next committee, the more help that we can get the bigger and better the club will be.
I am hoping that “Back to Pedder 2007” will be another great event with lots of prizes and activities for all. We once again will be looking at Canteen and
Lester Curtis – Lake Pedder Anglers Club President
Images from the Back to Pedder Competition 2006
Presentation of prizes at Lake Pedder Chalet
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Renovations to the Teds Beach Shelter
Anglers on Lake Pedder - Gourlay Family (Major Prize winners)
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Teds Beach was a small mobile village for the weekend
A well set up campsite at Teds Beach
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President: John Barratt Treasurer – Carolyne Mapley Postal Address: C/O Post Office Maydena 7140 Contact: 6288 2234 Meetings: 2nd Tuesday of month
Maydena Anglers Club
Well another year has finally come to a close and our ever faithful active members have had a great year. The Kemmler family out did themselves this year with almost one fish per month weighed in between father and two sons. The largest fish caught this season was weighed in by our relatively new member Mr Don Emery.
I would like to thank him for his help and dedication in wanting to keep this Club open even when it was at its smallest. We have high hopes for a bigger and better Club this season with new members both young and old having recently joined. Maydena will never be as it was in its heyday but we hope our organisation will last for many years to come. I hope you all enjoy this coming season.
This coming season sees a whole lot of new members to our Club and a farewell to John Barratt as our President. John has decided to step down this year to spend more time with Betty fishing our beautiful lakes.
Cheers Carolyne Mapley - Treasurer
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Great Lake Hotel
x x x
x
x
x
Situated on the shores of the Great Lake in the heart of Tasmania’s premier trout fishing territory. Ideally situated to take advantage of the famous Western Lakes polaroiding fishery. Fish Tasmania’s world famous mayfly waters just 10 minutes away or pursue tailing trout in shallow water at your doorstep Warm country style hotel offers a range of affordable accommodation including ensuite and family rooms, fisherman’s cabins, powered caravan sites and camping facilities. Enjoy lake views and large open log fires while enjoying hearty lunches and dinners 7 days a week including a select menu available all day everyday. Central to the North and South of the state. Ask us about your conference, meeting and function needs.
Discover an oasis in the middle of paradise. Present this advertisement and receive a ½ price meal. (Limit - 1 meal per person per day)
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New Norfolk Licensed Anglers Association
A
President: Ray Aitchison Secretary: Elaine Aitchison Treasurer: Ray Aitchison Post: 14 Warner Ave. New Norfolk 7140 Contact: Elaine Aitchison – Phone 6261 4083 Meetings: 3rd Wednesday of each month at the New Norfolk Library
A few club members also went to the shelter at Millbrook rise to add some bracing to the shelter & clean up a bit of the overgrown scrub. A thankyou goes to these members as well as to Ken & Mavis Russell & Wayne Perkins for doing the weigh in at the Eddie Wigston Memorial Competition.
nother fishing season has come & gone & I hope everyone had a reasonably successful time on the water applying their methods of out witting the wily trout. During the Derwent Valley Autumn Festival our club held a plug casting competition for juniors with about 35 kids trying their luck from assorted age groups 8 to 15 years. Some of these kids had never cast a rod before, but with a bit of guidance from our club members who volunteered their time to this event, most of the kids caught on to the technique of casting a rod pretty well. Every kid who participated in the competition received a fishing lure with the top kid from the five different age groups receiving ten Derwent dollars, as well as going into the final for the major prize of a fishing rod & reel combo. Overall a good day had by everyone & if a couple of these kids take up fishing in the future it will benefit the future of trout fishing in Tassie.
Meetings this year have once again been well attended by our committee members & our Christmas barbeque also well attended with about 45 past & present members coming along. During the course of the season the club has held 9 competitions with 133 entries, weighing in 391 fish at a total weight of 257 .93kg, at a pretty good average weight of 660grams. To finish up, I would like to thank the committee for making my first year as president as an enjoyable experience, and together I hope we will continue to move the club in the right direction for the future.
Our club once again held a couple of fund raising barbeques at Hobart hardware store in which I must thank the members who donated their time for this as its really appreciated by the club as this helps keep membership costs down.
Tim Lowe - President
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President: John Jago Secretary: Bob Horton Treasurer: Peter Cornish Postal Address: C/O P.O. Bronte Park Tas 7140 Contact: Phone 6289 3333 Meetings: Bi-Monthly
Tarraleah-Bronte Anglers Club
T
Chalet. Phil Potter and Terry Byard were our guest speakers, thanks to both for their input - well done. I would also like to express thanks to our trophy donors Deidre Flint, Lindsay Waters, Barbara Jordon, Jean Hays and out raffle donors Brian Summers, Arthur Cunningham, Jenny Beard, Bronte Store and the Spot-On Fishing Connection.
he 2005-06 season has been a very trying experience with 1ow water 1eve1s and changing weather especially the wind, but there has been some very good conditioned fish caught throughout the Bronte-Brady's chain. Lake Echo has also yielded some very good fish late in the season. The Inland Fisheries Service (IFS) are doing a very good job restocking the Lakes with Brook Trout, Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout and Atlantic Salmon species, which is excellent. for the future.
We have had a coup1e of BBQ's at "Jago's Chateau" Brady's Lake which were well attended. We hope to have more this coming season; some more helpers would be appreciated however.
On the club scene I like to thank our new Secretary and Treasurer for the work they have done, especia11y when they are new at this type of thing - good work. I would also like to thank Jenny Beard and Tony Jones for their attendance at the STLAA meetings and representing the Tarraleah-Bronte Club.
I would also like to see more anglers weigh in their fish to make it more competitive. Before I finish, there is still too much rubbish being left around our lake sides, please clean up before you leave. Aim to leave the site cleaner than when you arrive, look after it for the future generations.
On 5th November 2005 we held our Trophy Luncheon at the Bronte Park
John Jago – Tarraleah-Bronte Anglers Club President.
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Features & Special Reports Cascade Dam by Stephen Granger
T
he best way to get to the Cascade Dam is from the town of Derby.
but the mine closed and it was another 5 years before it began operating again.
Derby is an interesting little town which located 103km north east of Launceston on the banks of the Ringarooma River. It is about half way between Launceston and the east coast and has an excellent Tin Mine Centre Museum.
Today the torn and chiselled hillsides and the scoured river banks have had their deep scars muted by the green of vegetation since mining and dredging came to an end in 1956. To access the Cascade Dam you need to turn up the hill at the town hall into Cascade Street and stay on the main road. Care should be taken as the road is narrow. You come to a fork in the road with signage to the dam. It is another 4km from here but if you only have a car –walk! You need good clearance as the track is mostly rocky, some parts are washed out and it is also quite narrow. At times the track is draped by tree ferns. The track is lot worse now than when my dad took me there in the 1960’s. We used to visit Derby as my Aunt and Uncle owned the General Store.
Tin was discovered here by George Renison Bell in 1874. The area had originally been surveyed by James Scott in 1855 but it wasn’t till the discovery of tin that people began to move into the rugged valley. The economic future of Derby was assured when the “Brothers Mine” (named after the Krushka brothers who found the particular tin lode) was opened in 1876. A dam was built on the Cascade River and the mine continued to extract tin until 1948. The town was originally called Brother’s Home after the mine and the Krushka brothers, The name was changed to Derby in 1897 probably to honour the Prime Minister of England, the Earl of Derby. In the 1880s and 1890s the town was prospering and the district had a population of 3000. The mine was renamed Briseis after the 1876 Melbourne Cup winner and was producing up to 120 tons of tin a month. The mine was sold to an English company in 1899. It continued to operate successfully until April 4th, 1929 when after heavy rains the Cascade Dam collapsed releasing nearly 3500 cubic metres of water and sending a 10 metre wall of water down the river through the town. Much of the town and mining infrastructure was washed away, while a 15 tonne boulder was shifted over 3km. Surprisingly only 14 people were killed
The track travels through lush forest. When I first spotted the dam I could not believe how barren it looked. It was drawn down a long way exposing a lot of its clay bed and tall trees pointed their bare dead tops to the sky.The original dam was 12 metres high then raised about 10 metres in 1927-28. The present
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rock-fill dam is 27 m high and was built in 1936.
The suspension slipway
bridge
across
the
The Cascade Dam contains brown trout. They are not very big which is why the locals do not bother much with the fishery. There is a rocky boat ramp but I would think you are best to tackle this water with an inflatable boat, float tube or canoe or just fish of the shore.
The dam is subject to large draw downs in summer and autumn. The dam is an interesting place as you access the top of the dam wall via a suspension bridge over what is the slipway, and from the lofty perch of the dam wall you get a great view down the steep valley of the Cascade River. It was at this point in April 1929 that a torrent of water, boulders and smashed trees descended onto the town.
The valley below the dam.
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The $3,000 2lb Trout – What a perfect day! by Scott Marston
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what could go wrong. Well just then my mobile phone goes off and it is my brother Mat (its 2:30pm). Mat is currently living on the banks of the Meander River at Westwood about 5 KM’s up from the Meander River / South Esk River junction. Mat informs me that he had just taken a quick walk down the front of his place where the Meander had just broken its banks! He said that there were fish all over the place! He said that with the sun out he was polaroiding fish in the shallows, and had already belted a couple before he could find it in himself to return back to his place to call me. He said that I had to come on out, as “it is the best fun that you will ever have with your clothes on!”
ell as most you would know I really am a bit of a nut when it comes to trout fishing, but I even shake my head a little when I come to think about this fishing tale – but you are either hard-core or a big girl I reckon, and as you will read in the following fortune will favour the brave! It was a Saturday late last month and my Minister of Internal Affairs and my three little Advisers had ventured to Launceston to attend my Father’s retirement celebrations. During the afternoon, in-between the obligatory rushing around from relative to relative, having the kids kissed and swooned over and my good Wife (Dianna) and I ignored, Dianna decided that she wanted to have a look in a furniture store for that dining room suit that she has been searching for.
Well what a predicament, here I was stuck outside a furniture shop, baby asleep in the back - I needed a partner in crime so I rang my mate Grant. Now Mat and Grant had only just got back from Arthurs Lake that morning, so Grant being the recent proud father of beautiful twins was also in a compromised position. I explained to him the situation out at Mat’s and he answered me in ‘code’ so that his good Wife could not hear what plans he was hatching with his mad Mate! The plan was then hatched. I would take my family and head up to Grant’s (as we had planned to do before this emergency struck in any case), and then Grant and I would head off to Mat’s leaving the girls to talk babies etc, and then Dianna would head to her Mothers place to get ready to go out to Dad’s retirement dinner, I would arrive back in time for us to leaver together at 6 o’clockish for our 6:30 dinner date.
Now this is a story in itself as I had done a deal with her over the dining room suit. This years tax refunds could go on the dining room suit, on the proviso that next years refunds go toward that boat that I have been asking for! So I guess Dianna has decided that a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush and has agreed to my suggestion. Anyway back to the story at hand. As luck would have it, as we parked the car my youngest adviser (Scarlett) had fallen asleep. Being the good hearted Husband that I am (with a pathological dislike for shopping – ram raids are what I like unless it is fishing gear of course!), I said to Dianna that I would stay in the car while the baby slept and she could look at the dining room suits with our two older kids. This was magic! The baby was asleep, the footy was on the radio, and I had gotten out of dining room suit kicking,
Just as I got off the phone there was a knock at the car window, it was Dianna.
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eight chairs - really – a bargain at half the price”, “come-on Didee we can’t expect the kids to be good much longer in this shop – in any case Grant and Belinda are expecting us”.
“Come on inside sweet-heart, I think that I have found something that I like”. Thinking quickly I said “oh I really can’t Didee, Scarlett is still asleep in the back, maybe another time”. Dianna then said “no she isn’t – she has just woken up”. I swung with fear in my eyes and sure enough there she was, rubbing her eyes. So inside we go. I am thinking that with every moment that I spend in this bloody shop is another moment when those fish are going to be either disappearing or smacked by my Brother! So I go straight into supportive Husband mode “oh yes that is nice Dianna”, “maybe we could get those prices and sleep on it Dianna”, “this is a big decision darling, maybe you should think about it and discuss it with Belinda (Grant’s wife)”, “I agree that $3,000 is a bargain for such a grand looking piece of furniture – with
So off to Grants we finally headed – 30 minutes lost on the River I thought, and a $3,000 dining room suit gained, along with a bucket load of brownie points! Retail therapy for girls has a one brownie point per dollar tag I find. So filled with the knowledge that I had just scored 3,000 brownie points I filled Dianna in on my plans with Grant on the way to his place. Grant had done his own deal with Belinda, which included doing the twins midnight feeds that night and sacrificing his next two weekends sleep-ins.
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rings his place and agrees to buy take-aways for tea, and I ring Dianna’s mums place to inform her that she can have fresh trout for tea! I get home, triumphantly place the trout on the sink and run for the shower dodging the dark glare of ‘she who must be obeyed’. A very quick rinse later and I was out, into my good clothes and into the taxi that was waiting outside – we arrived at the restaurant at 6:35pm. My brother has two Boags draught stubbies sitting in front of him at the table and says with a laugh “where you been Mate? Thought that you got lost!”
So after 5 minutes of hellos etc, Grant and I scurried into his car like a couple of giggling school kids and sped out to Mat’s. Mat had his spare gear rigged up for me at his place and we headed straight to the river. The fish were still there, tailing and bow-waving about – it was lucky that I had Mat’s waders on or I may have embarrassed myself! The fish were tough but I did manage to fool a really nice fish of around 2LB. This gave us all renewed confidence. With one eye on our watches we continued fishing. As the sun started to go down the more fish came out to play, but Mat and I had to be at the restaurant at 6:30pm and we both had to shower and get ready, and I had to do this back at my mother in-laws. Every time that we said oh-well we really should go, out come another bloody tail and line would be stripped screaming from a reel and we would be back into it! It was 6:05pm (your chest getting tight with all of this stress?) and we were still on the river. I was 15 minutes from my mother-in-laws place, which was 10 minutes from the restaurant by taxi. One last cast and we all run like men possessed back up the hill. From there it was into the car and back to the mother in-laws place. Grant
What a day! That night Mat and I talked a bit of fishing and had approximately 250 beers in celebration of our Dad’s retirement and of a great couple of hours fishing. I know that you are all thinking “you lucky bastard” – well I am sorry chaps it gets better. Just as I was drifting off to sleep that night with tails and bowwaves in my dreams Dianna says to me “I have decided against that dining room suit Scott” If you can beat that day chaps, all I can say is that you must have had your clothes off at some stage during it!!!!!!!
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More on the Mostly Media Mob by Mike Tatlow
Y
overcome. And I had barely used any of them. But in the Highlands at this time of year it was wets or nothing, sport.
ou may have read a little chapter of mine in Neil Robson's new book on fly fishing. Well here’s the latest story involving some of the usual suspects.
At 1 p.m., after a couple of hours on the water, we went ashore on Brazendale Island to cook and savour a huge wok of scallops, prawns and pasta, and red wine and ale, having landed only one small brown trout. We devoured it sushi-style, finely sliced with wasabe and soy sauce. Alas, the trout did not come from the good ship Tatlow & Anon and they dared to brag about one piddling trout! Challenges were issued, Tatlow's boat versus Wooley's, about who would be the bigger plunderer of denizens, as the sun waned behind welcome gathering clouds.
Long time friend and colleague and fishing mate, Charles Wooley of “60 Minutes”, and I went to Launceston on Friday (26/8/05) for the gala launch of Neil Robson's book on his long life of fly fishing, “Tails of a Tasmanian Angler”. Charlie wrote the foreword and I wrote a little chapter for it, titled “The Mostly Media Mob”. It's about the last decade of yearly fishing excursions to the Highland by a group of journalists and friends from NSW and Tasmania and the trout we have amused. Neil, incidentally, can be blamed for teaching Wooley and me to fly fish 30 years ago.
Much of the surface of the lake was like glass that afternoon. Warm and cloudy. Water at about 6°C. We drifted, barely needing drogues, casting wet flies and each keeping an eye also on the opposition boat.
Bleary after a long night of exchanging fishing lies and imbibing with Neil and the North's fly-fishing fraternity, Charlie and I left Launceston about 7am on the Saturday and joined Neil's son Paul, a school headmaster but a voracious and competitive fisher, with his tinny at the southern end of Arthurs Lake in warm and windless sunshine. Also there, and to take me on the water in his craft, was a fellow of some celebrity status who remains anonymous.
One hour later, nil trout for either craft. Mid afternoon, I anxiously changed from unproductive stick caddis and a black nymph to a Sunset Fly, modelled on the Red & Yellow Peril. I thank the orange, yellow and black matuka-style Sunset for my only prior bag of fish with wet flies, one evening years ago at Bronte Lagoon. A brown of maybe three wondrous kilos, who obviously thought it was much later in the day, pounced on my Sunset on the second cast. The fish escaped, however, from right beside the landing net, to cries of ribald derision across the water from the enemy boat.
Charlie and I approached the event with trepidation. We both reckon we're dry fly, sight specialists (snobs?) of reasonable skill and guile who mostly from the shore. Our experience of flogging the water with wets, and from boats, was sparse and had seldom been productive. I have 150 wet flies ranging from garish red worms, to green moplike creations, to minute water boatmen, bought during my early years of fly fishing in that fly-buying frenzy I'm sure most of us have experienced and
After a fruitless, sulking half hour and after deciding that Charlie might claim
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some credit if I scored on a Woolley Bugger, I switched to a grey bulky Rabbit Fur fly with a black head. Anon did likewise. And the action began. Four fair-sized fish came on board in the next 15 minutes. Two were quite dark, golden cocks in fine condition, their bellies about the colour of mature tench, which fought superbly and weighed 2 and 2.5 kilos. They looked like ancient residents of a murky pond. Their bellies were stuffed with stick caddis and snails.
Point. The light was still fairly good at the beach, so Tatlow & Anon. went into a final and hope-laden slow drift among the drowned old eucalypts 50 metres from our cars, virtually at a shack's front door.
The other two, of about a kilo each, astonishingly to me, had bright silver bodies and vivid red and brown markings. They looked like sea runners. All four were caught in the same bay in two to three metres of water. Each brace, the bigs and the smalls, looked absolutely alien from the other. I had fished Arthurs several times before, and scores of other Tasmanian streams and lakes in highlands and low, but have never encountered such perplexing diversity.
"And we've got nine!" we countered.
Three more fish had been taken on board when the Wooley/Robson boat roared up 10 minutes later. "We've won!" they trumpeted. "We got another one. That's a bag of seven."
Indecipherable muttering wafted from the enemy. Anon and I had bragging rights for the trip back. Charles and I stayed at the Cressy pub overnight and then had a great Sunday morning at the town's inaugural Tasmanian Trout Expo, where Neil Robson busily sold and signed his book, enjoying the diverse exhibition of things piscatorial in the school assembly hall. As well as a couple of cheap volumes by David Scholes, I bought, for only $2, a marvellous booklet of 30 pages titled simply “Trout Cook Book, Celebrating Trout Fishing in Tasmania� published by the Tasmanian Trout Expo planning group. It contains 43 mouth-watering recipes for pickling, baking, souping, grilling, frying, steaming, boiling etc of the noble trout.
In answer to now-reverent cries of, "Watter y'getten 'em on, Tats?" from the enemy, I stupidly told them. I should have lied. They, too, switched to grey rabbit fur with red, yellow and bright green bodies. Hooked trout were soon ominous and regular sights splashing and dancing around the enemy. Wooley and I are not normally combatants in the numbers game. We are grateful to take a few fish each to eat and release any rare surplus. But, spurred on by Paul, a real competitor used to winning, the contest gathered momentum. At 5pm the tallies were a tense six fish per boat.
Heaps of fishing, camping and general outdoors goodies were on show, as well as food stalls and kids' entertainments, on the school footy ground. And a kilometre away at Brumbys, where the IFS had released a tagged brown trout and a heap of huge salmon and mature rainbows a few weeks earlier, more exhibits lined the waterway. Some 50 anglers were spinning, grubbing and casting flies, trying to tempt a tagged medium-sized rainbow worth $5,000 to
The determined enemy was still flogging the water relentlessly when the Tatlow boat left for our launching place a couple of kilometres away, at the pebbly beach near several shacks, just east of Snake
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absolutely free of that bane of fly fishermen, willow trees. I think I've caught about as many of them as fish.
its catcher. They made good use of the IFS weighing station. When we left at mid afternoon, having arranged for a consignment of young rainbow for the dam at Charles' shack at Cygnet - the tagged fish was still free. Two of the mighty salmon had been bagged, however, of 14 kilos, do I recall? Much bigger, even, than the 20 and one half pounder I bagged an age ago at Pedder.
Blooded wet-fly men now, the cows and cockatoos watched us catch and release a small (500 gram) brown trout each on nymphs. And there are a lot more fish where they came from. We plan to return to the lovely little Pisa, and also tackle the Lake River, to stalk the banks, hunting rising fish, armed with dry flies, come summer.
On the way home to Hobart by the back road to Ross, we spent a splendid hour or so on the marvellous Pisa, on the Morrison-owned property of the same name, just past the Lake River, which I hear is fishing well this season. Apart from a few ponds, the Pisa creek is only a couple of metres wide, gurgling through fertile farmland, under the mountains of the Central Plateau. Thanks to an eradication campaign by the Morrisons and friends, it is
After Sunday night at home, I can recommend that Cook Book's Banana Stuffed Trout. Next time it will be the Avocado Baked, or maybe Jenny's Trout Mousse ‌.. mmmmm! ;-) Regards, Mike Tatlow
Bothwell Bakery & Cafe On your way to the lakes why not call in and see us
Great Coffee - Delicious Cakes - Tasty Homemade Pies Under New Management Gavin & Chantelle Ryland
Phone:
03 6259 5551
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Clarence Weir by Stephen Granger
C
larence Weir is one of those places I love to fish as it is a beautiful bush setting and has some terrific spinning water.
The Clarence Weir has a silty bottom with some weed and the water is slightly tea-coloured. The weir appears to have a good number of brown trout but most do not go more than a pound. Brook trout are also taken on occasion.
I recently visited this water after an absence of 28 years and was again rewarded with its tranquil environment and fishing.
Fly-fishing and bait fishing I have not done either at this water but I have noted an abundance of beetles and grasshoppers and can only surmise that the real thing or an imitation would be the go.
Access You access the weir as if you are going to Laughing Jack Lagoon which means if you are travelling from Hobart that you turn off near Tarraleah onto the Fourteen Mile Road and then onto the 10km. Clarence Pipeline Road which leads to Laughing Jack Lagoon. The pipeline is interesting in that part of it is of wood construction. After about 5 klm the pipe line ends and you are at the weir.
Spinning I have not used soft plastics at this location preferring to go with cobras, wobblers & bladed lures. I use my standard river spinning outfit which is a 6’ Diawa Eliminator 2 piece rod with a light action matched with a Diawa Regal ZBL 4 ball bearing outfit with 4lb braid and a 3 metre mono leader. When using cobra lures it is best to use the 7 gram version as they can be retrieved quicker and do not go as deep. Ideal colours in the Tassie Devil range are the Tiny Freddo, Frog, Brown Bomber and Christmas tree patterns. A small Johnson No.6 in a cobra or Devon minnow style takes fish and a Tillins cobra in a frog pattern also does well. Wonder wobblers in frog or redfin patterns are proven fish takers as are celtas and Jensen insect spinners with the copper blade.
Description Water from the Clarence River and from Laughing Jack Lagoon via Powers Creek is collected at the weir and fed into the afore mentioned Clarence Pipe line. The concrete dam is 7 metres high and was built in 1953, so it is as old as me! Every time I have visited the weir it has always been reasonably full. Clarence Weir is surrounded by open woodland with trees to the south and a good grassy flood plain on the opposite side.
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the fish frequent the emergent trees and shrubs and quite often take off the surface thereby giving their position away.
Method When I have fished Clarence Weir I have not needed to wade. There is good water near the concrete wall but you can make your way to other good positions relatively easily. I have the most fun amongst the trees on the southern side. Expect to be broken off as I was on 4 occasions last visit and expect to lose lures or get better at your casting than I am! You only need to do short casts as
I hope you enjoy this water as much as I do!
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Derwent River 2005-2006 by Justin Causby
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chasing bait or fished along the edge of channels and weed beds in the river course.
t’s April again and I find myself looking back on a very successful season in the Derwent River. Trout were present in good numbers in the lower system right through the opening months up until Christmas. I even caught a few resident fish on soft plastics while targeting Bream in the tidal reaches in January and February. I would say the river fished even better than the season past which was perhaps the most rewarding of recent years. The number of trout caught was not quite as high as the previous season but the quality and size of the fish certainly improved.
The size of the fish was definitely an increase on last year’s fish. I caught many more fish over the kilo than last year as well as seeing plenty of larger fish. These bigger fish were normally in the lower reaches from the Bowen Bridge down stream. Although I did hook and loose, after a brief but entertaining fight a hefty brown just above the Bridgewater Bridge. This fish was estimated to be around the 3kg mark. It was after this fish I increased the 2kg mono leader on my 2 kg braid. I had another large fish probably 4kg follow the lure back to the boat while spinning the rocky shores above Old Beach. Also of note was the increase in genuine sea-run trout. We caught a lot of these fish in areas we would never have fished before with the water in places only a metre or so deep. These fish fought very hard with one I caught about 1.2 kg jumping out of the water 8 times during the fight. Eating qualities of these fish were also superb especially fresh on the BBQ. We continued to fish the Derwent between Old beach and the Lime Kilns area right up to Christmas. The sea-run and estuary fish started to thin out by October but plenty of resident fish were still available.
The Derwent River is always popular on opening weekend as the weather is usually more hospitable than that in the highlands. We were greeted by a rather chilly breeze but otherwise it was more than acceptable for the first Saturday of August. There was some fresh water in the system which usually slows the fishing up a little. You would not have known this looking at up to 30 boats on the stretch of water above the Bridgewater Bridge. Most boats were picking up fish but there was nothing of note. Because of the congestion it was decided to try a few different spots as we only had a few small fish of around 300500grams that were returned to the water. With my fishing mate Tim Lowe we thought we would try spinning from the drifting boat in a few areas we had not fished before and headed down stream below the Bridgewater Bridge. This turned out to be a wise choice. We only landed 10 fish for the weekend but 7 of those were over the kilo mark with my best at 1.7kg. The early season fish tend to contain plenty of crabs in their stomaches but we noted plenty of baitfish had been on the menu for our trout. This trend continued and over the coming weeks we targeted fish either
As the trout fishing starts to slow I turned to the Bream for some great sport. The Bream tend to appear around the Bridgewater area in November, a little later than the action of Prince of Wales Bay. The ABT Bream Tournament was a great success for the organisers but I was not able to attend. I did not like my chances as I had only taken one Bream in the lower reaches by that time of the year. I seem to have much more luck in
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Bream of which I returned to the water hopefully to catch again next season.
the upper part of the estuary from late November. The week after New Year I put my boat on the water four times after work in some lovely evening weather. Those four nights, fishing with a partner each time, we landed 52 Bream all on soft plastics with all returned to the water, too bony for my liking. The following week I caught 4. The Bream were a bit like that at times, some evenings we could only get them to take small hard bodied lures and other times they would hit the soft plastics without hesitation. They are certainly a great sportfish and a lot of fun to catch on 2kg braid. Of all the Bream we caught the smallest was 34cm and the largest 48cm. This sort of size would be regard as exceptional in the mainland competitions. It really shows the quality of the fishing we have here. We landed several nice trout while fishing for the
All in all it was a very good season in the Derwent River with some exceptional fishing at times. The quality of the water would seem to continually improve and along with that the quality of the fishing. Good numbers of baitfish were in the river early and stayed for the entire season. Some untimely rain falls put a dampener on the whitebait run but it may work out for next season. With plenty of resident and sea-run trout available and a magnificent bream fishery right on our door step I certainly will not be anywhere else on the first Saturday in August. Justin Causby
41cm Bream from the Derwent River prior to release
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Mount Paris Dam by Stephen Granger
I
t’s a 5:30 am start from my Rokeby home on an overcast Tuesday morning in April and I am wondering how I will go today. I have got away early so as to combine business with some fishing and exploring.
like the real thing” I muse to myself and in the same ”thought speak” remember why most residents of Derby, Branxholm and Winnaleah know about this river – that’s another story! Another kilometre past the bridge and you turn off the main road onto about 200 – 300 metres of track and you are at the dam. Be warned the track is ok for vehicles with clearance but the family car should only go to the start of the wall.
Four hours later sees me packing up the Trangia after a great breakfast of bacon, sausages & eggs and heading out of Branxholm toward Derby. Branxholm is a sleepy little town that has a mining past which is now replaced by forestry and agriculture industries. Hop growing is also a major industry. Branxholm was the birthplace of Len Bonser and Eddie Smith. Len Bonser was my High School Headmaster and Eddie Smith is a founding member of this club, a life member of the STLA and the first Headmaster of Clarence High School.
The Mt. Paris Dam was initially built to supply water to the Mt. Paris Mining Co’s operations. The mine field was originally known as the “Nugget Mine” as much of the tin was won in the form of nuggets. The Mt. Paris Dam was designed in 1935 by consulting engineers, Haskins & Davey of Sydney for Mount Paris Tin Mines Pty. Ltd. and was built in 1938 as the Morning Star Dam. It was connected to the Mount Paris Mine by a water race some 11km in length.
Around a kilometre or so out of Branxholm I turn off onto the Mt. Paris Dam road (C425). The road is gravel and well maintained as you are now in the Cascade Plantation which is owned by Forestry Tasmania and it is always being logged. Even though the road is excellent you should always be on the look out for log trucks and forestry machinery.
The dam construction was supervised by mining engineer, John Proud. He was a member of the well-known family of jewellers who were also major shareholders in the Mount Paris Tin Mine. It is an amazing structure, truly awesome, built by pick and shovel in the middle of no where. The dam is described as a reinforced concrete slab and buttress dam, having a length of 250 metres and a maximum height of 16metres. The dam creates water storage of about 1300 mega litres, covering an area of almost 21 hectares (52 acres).
Be aware of logging operations! After ten kilometres of steady uphill travel you come to a small bridge over the Cascade River. “I wonder if it tastes
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ownership of the dam was transferred to the River and Waters Supply Commission. The dam was stocked with brown trout fry in the 1940’s and 50’s.A couple of locally retired blokes who I met whilst having my breakfast in Branxholm told me it used to fish pretty good with worms and devon spinners. There is no water in the dam now! The dam was drained in the 1960’s as a precaution against the dam bursting. It partially filled up again when the outlet was blocked by flood debris in the early 1980’s and was again fished a bit. I parked the Ford Escape below the dam wall and walked down to where the Cascade River flowed through it and down the gorge. I scrambled across the river, my leather soled walking boots struggled to get grip on the wet rock which had been made dangerously smooth by thousands of years of water to get to the dam base.
This is a massive structure! During 1939, the Tasmanian assets of the Mt. Paris Company were sold to Briseis Consolidated NL of Derby, who continued to maintain the dam until operations ceased in 1947. The dam was then purchased by the Government, and managed by the Ringarooma-Cascade Water Board under the provisions of the Ringarooma and Cascade Water System Agreement Act, 1947. Briseis Tin NL, the new owners of the Briseis operations, continued to maintain the dam under an agreement with the board. This agreement ceased with the closure of the mine in December, 1961. When the Ringarooma-Cascade Water Board was disbanded in 1985, the
The original outlet pipe was still there as were some of the original timbers. There were three things that I noticed straightaway –
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1. How high the dam wall was. 2. How thick the dam wall was. 3. How old the concrete looked.
The Cascade River was no more than a metre wide and only 30 cm deep at the most as it frothed and bubbled its way along. I bush bashed my way up the river for about 75 metres but saw no sign of any fish.
I walked through the dam and out onto what would have once been a valley with a small river. It was wet and spongy underfoot with many reedy tussocks and young trees. It felt quite eerie looking back and up at the 16metre high dam wall and knowing where you were standing would have been under all that water.
The Mt. Paris Dam is definitely worth a look. I am full of admiration for the men who built this dam. After viewing the dam you return to the forestry road (C425), turn right and travel 500 metres and you will come to Minnie Jessops Picnic Ground. Here, you will find a sheltered area with a picnic table.
This was all under water. – Mt Paris Dam viewed from upstream.
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Lune River by Stephen Granger
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had first thought about doing this trip after reading several stories on Tasmanian sea run trout in Freshwater Fishing magazine. The stories appeared in FWF nos. 68 & 72.
maybe two above the bridge is subject to tidal influence. A boat or canoe is essential to fish this river as the thick vegetation and scrub on the river banks make access difficult. A rudimentary launching ramp with limited parking is located immediately past the bridge on the southern side. The ramp is only suitable for 4WD’s due to its rough surface and steep grade.
Bill Classon’s articles gave a précis of fishing on our southern rivers with good details about trolling and spinning strategies. Bill’s recommended lures were the original floating Rapala Minnows in 18, 13 and 9 cm. sizes in the brown trout, rainbow trout or spotted dog patterns. These sizes were not available in Hobart so I had my uncle in England purchase some for me. I purchased small tins of black, red and white paint from K&D Mitre 10 and my dad painted the golden minnows in the spotted dog pattern. These lures are expensive, however, I reasoned it was no good fishing for big sea runners in these southern rivers unless I was totally committed and prepared to follow advice.
An early start out of Hobart got me to the ramp around 8:30 am. Low tide had been at 7:00 am and high tide would be around 1.30 pm. The major goal for me for this trip was to reconnoitre the river and get a feel for the fishing potential. To assist in this regard I had deliberately arrived near low tide time to get a good look at the launch ramp and river hazards. After watching a few fish rise, I set up my rod holder, Fish finder and fishing rod and pushed off. The river depth around the bridge was only a metre as I fired up the motor and headed downstream. It was raining but there was no wind.
Around one and a half hours travel by car south of Hobart and just past the turn off to Hastings Caves you come to a substantial concrete bridge. Most Tasmanian bridge crossings on major roads have signage advising you the name of the river but this one doesn’t. This tea coloured river with its overgrown river banks and tussocks is the Lune River. At least a kilometre
I tied on a 13 cm. Rapala Minnow in a spotted dog pattern and had only gone 150 m. when the rod bucked in my hand. It wasn’t long before I had a little bream not much bigger than the lure in the net. I kept on trolling down the river which
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had scrub on one side and tussocky mud flats on the other. I opted to troll down the tussock side which eventually gave way to a deeper rocky shore and a large lagoon. By now I had managed a couple more small bream, quite a few cocky salmon and a flathead. I opted for a coffee & muesli bar and took in the view. The reflections were beautiful. It was now raining incessantly but a glimpse of the train on the Ida Bay Railway & a magnificent rainbow in the sky made it a pleasant interlude.
working my way up as far as I could go. I put out an anchor. The river was only 6 metres or so wide and held a few logs. I started spinning in the clearer downstream part of the pool gradually working my way upstream. The 13 cm spotted dog was easy see in the water and I adopted a crank and stop pattern so the lure would dive then float up to the surface and there would be less chance of snagging on submerged trees.
I cast upstream under an overhanging tree and had a hit on the second turn of the handle. I immediately applied sideways strain and drew an audible gasp as I saw three pounds of brown trout feel the hooks. I felt two bumps and the line went slack. He had taken me straight to the bottom and broken me off. It was all over so quick and I was not good enough!
I trolled back up the river close to the bank on the opposite side to that I had come down. There was quite a bit of weed and plenty of cocky salmon about. A number of dwellings were located near the river and all had jetties in various states of repair. It was also obvious that there was a substantial wharf of sorts at one time on the Lune River. I would guess the old wharf dates from the time when this small community had an active coal mine and timber industry. Trolling back up to above the bridge was uneventful. I stopped at a few ditches and a creek entrance which showed lots of fish and structure on the sounder but only managed weed. Next time I will bring some soft plastics.
To say I was dejected is an understatement. I had dreamt, prepared and thought about this day for a fair and just lost a good fish. I had spent about a minute lamenting my lost fish when I noticed my lure floating down the river. I quickly pulled the anchor, fired up the motor and netted the lure. Please remember these are $20 lures. My rescue of the lure was to no avail. The brownie had smashed the bib on the lure.
Above the bridge the river has some good pools but starts to narrow. I trolled and had a spin in the pools gradually
I had a spin in two more pools and decided to troll back down to the ramp as the rain was getting harder and I felt
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cold. I observed quite a few fish jumping and splashing around near the river bank. It was fairly obvious they had cornered some bait fish probably whitebait. I cut the motor and wound in my line before casting over the front of the boat and landed the lure close to the feeding area. The 13 cm spotted dog Rapala was eaten straight away by two cocky salmon – they each had a treble hook! I netted them and decided to keep them as they had done a fair amount of damage to
each other in trying to escape the hooks. An examination of their stomach contents revealed a good number of whitebait. My first day on the Lune River was great. I was disappointed not to catch any trout but it was an interesting day on a river that needs further exploration. I will be back!
26 The Avenue - New Norfolk Ph 03 62612244 Fax 03 62612255
x Trophies and Awards x Plaques x Medals & Ribbons x Plastic signage x Printed plaques x Plastic signage x Name Badges x Computer engraving (Free engraving on our trophies) x Sublimation printing available. x Personalised printed coffee mugs, Mouse pads, Stubby holders, Name badges, Luggage tags, Polo tops and TShirts, Jigsaw puzzles. x Have your photos or club logo printed onto any of the above products with no minimum order.
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Salmon Ponds Museum of Trout Fishing by Neil Morrow & Hildi Reinhart
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Some of the more notable achievements and improvements that will be obvious to returning visitors are:
he Friends of the Salmon Ponds Museum Preservation Group were fortunate to receive a Community Grant earlier this year for the preservation and revitalization of the museum, with the tremendous support of Inland Fisheries Service the project has become a reality.
The recreation of the original fishing shack on the banks of the Plenty River. The original shack (c.1947) had been used for storage for a number of years. The project has seen the shack transformed to its original condition and has been fitted out with memorabilia and items that reflect the equipment and furnishings of the period including a pair of long johns! William Burrows originally built the shack with the help of his good friend Hector Jones the structure was made of packing crates used to import car chassis into the state the interior wall are made of tar paper for insulation. William was an Assistant Commissioner.
The Project Team, supporters and helpers: Hildi Reinhart, Kevin Dransfield, Tony Wright, IFS Staff, Bob Ward, Trevor Sutton, Anglers Hall of Fame Board, Robert Rockerfeller and many other members of the angling fraternity. The revitalisation of the museum has seen the addition of new displays, improvements to the buildings and infrastructure, and improvements to existing displays. At the heart of the project was a desire to ensure that all the items that had been donated to the museum were on public display.
In the Museum itself the floors have been restored, new lighting fitted and displays upgraded.
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Interpretation of the existing and new displays has been improved and a background audio soundtrack has been introduced.
Items from Corra Linn Hatchery including the original liver cutter used to prepare food for the trout hatchlings are also on display. One room has been transformed into a ‘Tackle Repair Shop’. The inspiration for this room dates back to the earliest history of the Ponds. Sir James Youl and William Ramsbottom were instrumental in the successful transportation of trout ova from England in 1864. Williams’s father, Robert, had a tackle repair shop in Clitheroe, Lancashire. The room contains displays made up from donations to the museum that were previously kept in storage and include baskets of reels, flyfishing and flytying equipment and rods of all types.
Future projects include the installation of audio in the Keepers Room that narrates stories of the Stannards and Jones families and their 130 + years of association with the Ponds, a plasma screen with footage of the famed Shannon Rise and a room that will reflect the life and times of the commissioners and staff of the Inland Fisheries Service and its predecessors.
Another new addition is the Easterly Organ that was donated by the Uniting Church at Plenty and was made in America in 1882 and shipped to Tasmania in 1884. Bob Joyce at Penguin has restored the organ. It is believed that Hectors wife Flora played an organ on Sundays that was in the front when family could not make the two mile walk to church due to bad weather.
Contact: Hildi Reinhart - Ph. 6261 2273 Oakcottage@optusnet.com.au
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Season 2005-2006 Photo Gallery
Felicity & Steven Jones – Woods Lake Sam & Bob Wilton – Arthurs Lake
Mal Nielsen – Huon River
Luke Chivers – Arthurs Lake
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Dylan Pearce – Arthurs Lake
Steven Isles & budding angler Grandson
Laura, Kylie & Jesse Whittaker – Arthurs Lake
Jake Datlen – Bothwell Anglers
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Steven Jones – Clyde River
Mark & Laura Whittaker – Arthurs Lake
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Jake Datlen – Woods lake Steven Jones – Arthurs Lake
Aaron Oates – Lake Pedder Seraya Hamley – Arthurs Lake
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Mark & Jesse Whittaker – Arthurs Lake
James Cane – Wayatinah Lagoon
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Chris Pearce & Family – Arthurs Lake
Mal Nielsen – Huon River
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Andrew Simmons – Arthurs Lake Stephen Granger – Huon River
Neil Pinkard – Craigbourne Dam
Tim Holloway – Huon River
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Norm Cribbin – Brumbys Creek Alex Smith – Arthurs Lake
David Driver – Craigbourne Dam
Paul Millhouse – Arthurs Lake
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James Wynwood – Huon River
Daniel Baldwin – Pawleena Dam
Ron Stow – Craigbourne Dam
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Historic Angling Images Photos supplied by Salmon Ponds Museum
Tourist Accommodation Houses Great Lake – Arrival of a Fishing Party
Bygone Angling Era
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Opening Valves at Lake Leake
A well organised campsite
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Deresley Hobbs at Liawenee
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David Scholes
David Scholes
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David Scholes
Early Electro Fishing Machine in Boat
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The First Paying Guest House at Swan Bay – Great Lake
Fishermen at Lake Leake - 1883
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At The Great Lake – Easter 1908
Huon River Trout – Stomach Inspection
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1. Lake Leake Accommodation House; 2. Lake Leake from Snowy River; 3. Party Inspecting the Weir; 4. The Premier Regulates the Overflow - 1941
Lake Margaret Hatchery Rearing Ponds Opening
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Lake Sorell via Bothwell C.1956
Liawenee 1958 – Scale Sampling
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Liawenee 1958 Stripping Trout
On route to Penstock Lagoon – C.1933
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Max Christensen – Mahseer - Malaya
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Plenty River Trap C.1898
Salmon Ponds – Frozen Over
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Roy Fagan (Fisheries Minister) C. 1950
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The Shannon Rise
Stepps Post Office
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Stripping Rainbow Trout Liawenee Canal C.1958
Plenty River Trap – Salmon Ponds
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Don’t let safety be the one that got away.
As well as being valuable sources of sustainable energy, our lakes also provide excellent fishing, along with other recreational water activities. While we want to share them with you, we would like to remind you that safety on the water
www.hydro.com.au
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should be your first priority, just as creating clean, renewable energy is ours.