Claude in the lead. He tells me Compleat Angler has the majority of the materials in stock.
This fly originates from Ireland and was then further developed by Ballarat fly anglers, Vern Barby and, to a lesser extent, Craig Coltman. Although originally intended as a damsel fly imitation, the fly works very well when none are present. The slim profile makes it very effective when fish are being selective yet it still has “pulling power”, attracting fish from a long way off. The fly works well on a floating line when fished from the shore on its own but really comes into its own in a team of flies on sinking lines. I prefer to fish this fly slowly but it is equally effective pulled hard and ‘hung’. I have caught fish with this fly on all three spots on the leader but favour the point for the weighted version and the top dropper for the unweighted fly. Used on a DI 7 it is effective but as good as it is, I prefer it in a scenario when fishing in five feet of water or less. In Tasmania, there is not a lake it won’t work on. In bright weather or when fish are slightly spooky, one piece of flash can be cut out of either side of the tail to increase your catch rate. Christopher Bassano.
Hook :- Wet fly, size 8 or 10. Kamasan B175 or similar
Bead: of your choice, usually red or gold.
Tail :- Olive marabou and two strands of flash.
Rib :- Copper wire.
Body :- Peacock herl
Body hackle :- Olive saddle feather, palmered
Front hackle :- Partridge breast feather or similar.
I had mixed feelings about it. The article is carefully crafted but are we still portraying trout in an undue bad light here? A quick exchange with Secretary Central Acclimatisation Society relaxed me. (CAS are Affiliated to NSWCFA same as we are) .
Brown trout are somewhat piscivorous and it was only sensible to reduce the numbers in an impoundment where they were of no benefit to recreational fishing, thereby maximising the survival chances of the Macquarie Perch fry, and putting the trout where they will be a benefit to rec fishing.
We’ll probably repeat that yearly for the next few years. It’s all about population dynamics. In the 4 years or so until they reach sexual maturity the Perch need the scales tilted their way. After that it might be interesting to see whether the two species coexist but I think that experiment might better wait until there are more recovering populations of the Perch.”
When I asked if the electrofishing was also used to remove redfin, Don responded.
There are no redfin in the Dam, which is why it was chosen for the Macquarie Perch, and hopefully will remain that way. The redfin are so inimical to the Perch that there’s no point reintroducing the Macquaries where redfin are present or are likely to turn up. Further, the redfin are such hardy prolific breeders that there probably would not be much point trying to reduce their numbers using the approach we took with the trout, a reflection of the degree of threat each represents. DPI see removal of some of the browns as an exercise in abundant caution.
A couple of interesting reflections arising from the exercise: Anglers are not permitted to enter the area for health reasons, the Dam being for potable water supply, yet the indications were that quite a significant number of wild pigs lived in the area, which is bounded by a nature reserve. Given all the diseases that wild pigs host, it’s rather contradictory of the concern re anglers.
I had the opportunity observe the use of a calibrated electric shock to stun a fair number of trout of various sizes, fingerlings to 5lb stonkers, which were netted and held captive; all recovered within a few minutes, as did a few Macquarie Perch fry that were incidentally caught and released. Having seen this, I have no concerns about the use of electro fishing for research purposes on fish, including trout.
By the way, Ray Tang Wallerawang CAS organised the development, stocking and eventual opening of the Millpond, an old quarry at Portland with the aid of the Portland Trust.
Don provided some extra photos.
Ray Tang with a nice Brown about to join the others in the Millponda healthy Macquarie Perch Fry – electro-fished and subsequently released back in the Rivulet to re-join the other 5,999 fry in the dam and the Rivule released some weeks previously (Col Gordon)A Brown being released by Matt (a work experience student) into the Millpond
Trout season is closed and there’ll be no more events till next year … get your ideas/volunteer to run an event in the 21-22 program to our hardworking Secretary – so far I’ve heard: no doubts Oct for Lyle Knowles, Dec coast trip, Feb Jindabyne, Apr Brindabellas. Step forward to volunteer ideas and willingness to organise. I wonder if someone might champion CAA involvement in the NSW Council of Freshwater Anglers Interclub in May.
June Chill report and some photos here.
I should have reported on a short trip to Vanity’s that Peter and I undertook, but since the only fish were some mini-fish below the crossing there was little to report, except to say it was fun to hook the tackers and give them a free ride into the upper section of the river rather than fighting their way up the fish ladder.
Nathan Miles, the head researcher for our trout research program, gave a Zoom talk on Wed 2 June arranged by NSWCFA. This was the second such talk and was well attended. One hopes that future talks will be as interesting. NSWCFA is hoping to upload a video of the talk, meantime, I’d suggest much of the slide material came from the DPI Fisheries Research website. Nathan put that up on the chat. While I wasn’t able to capture it, but I’m pretty sure it is this one ….
NSWCFA subsequently had a Zoom meeting with DPI’s Jim Harnwell and Mr Bryan vanderWalt on the troubled Anglers Access website. Both Jim and Bryan are committed to energising this project and putting it onto a formal standing. NSWCFA is creating a small group to represent angler’s expectations of the site. The current version (I’ve seen at least three so far) is available on the page referred to above. If you have any comments, please pass them through Jason M (CAA delegate to NSWCFA) or me.
The date for the Kid’s fishing workshop at Jindabyne had been published, but is no now showing as ‘to be advised’… withdrawn after discussions with the hatchery manager. I’ve been advised that it is likely that next January there will be fishing workshops at Gaden.
Lots of stuff has gone up on the News Blog this month… don’t forget you can subscribe to get an automatic email notification, rather than have to wait for the monthly newsletter. Also there’s been some action on our Facebook page … remember you don’t need to be a Facebook subscriber to look.
In other matters here, some very interesting fly patterns from Mike. Also a report from our new gipsy Stefan and the old gipsy Ian.
Some Notes: JQ suggested “goose biots in red or yellow as eyes for an Alexandra” …. Jungle Cock Eyes are difficult to acquire. I also suggested that the long strands of feather right next to the eyes on peacock tails might substitute for peacock swords which are also hard to get.
Claude will lead via Zoom. His instructions are below. (Were sent by email but replicated here for archive in our Fly Tying blog).
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The Alexandra wet fly originated in Scotland in the 1860s. The artificial fly is also known as the Lady of the Lake, the fly was named by English angler Major William Greer Turle to honor Alexandra, Princess of Wales. The fly is distinguished by the heavy peacock herl wing and silver body which makes the fly resemble a small baitfish or fry. The Alexandra proved to be a very effective fly for trout in lakes and streams in England and Scotland in the late 19th and early 20th century. Many fly fishing purists derided the fly and its use was once banned on many English waters.
Origin
The fly originated as the Lady of the Lake in the 1860s by an unknown angler, primarily for trout in lakes. The fly gained popularity because it was extremely effective fished slowly on sinking lines. Anglers began using the fly in rivers for sea trout and Atlantic salmon with success. It was so effective, that it was allegedly banned from some waters. In the late 19th century, Major William Greer Turle (March 1839 – January 1909), a prominent English angler, renamed the fly Alexandra to honor Alexandra of Denmark, the daughter-in-law of Queen Victoria and then known as the Princess of Wales (1863 to 1901). Turle was a chalkstream angler with water on the River Test near Newton Stacey. He learned fly tying from George Selwyn Marryat and was a close associate of Frederic M. Halford.
Imitates
The Alexandra is an attractor pattern most likely taken as a small baitfish or fry.
Controversy
The “Alexandra”, although a successful fly, was not always welcome on the chalk streams of Southern England.
Some anglers, especially the selfish ones, are in the habit of using a huge bunch of peacock herl for wings over a silver body, called the “Alexandra.” What a profanation to bestow on this monstrosity the name of one of the most charming and amiable princesses of this century! It certainly is not the imitation of any indigenous insect known to entomologists; possibly the bright silver body moving through the river gives some idea of the gleam of a minnow. Long ere this its use should have been prohibited in every stream frequented by the bond fide fly-fisherman, as it is a dreadful scourge to any water, scratching and frightening an immense pro portion of the trout which are tempted to follow it. It certainly would have been prohibited, too, but for the fact that experience shows that in any stream in which it has been much fished the trout soon become quite alive to its danger, and not only will not move an inch towards it, but when worked close to their noses will not so much as turn at it, but at times, on the contrary, even fly in terror from the dread apparition. — Frederic M. Halford, Dry Fly Fishing (1889)
Whether up-stream or down-stream fishing be the correct thing; whether gossamer casts are profitable in the long run; whether one, two or three flies should be used; whether the Alexandra fly is orthodox–these are amongst the topics the assembled fishermen discuss as they sit around on the spot to which the frugal luncheon has been brought, under shelter of the golden-blossomed gorse, their rods spiked hard by, and the flies streaming out before the breeze. If there are more than two present there is not likely to be unanimity upon any of these points. It is well for the tackle makers that new notions–heresies in the eyes of anglers of the last generation–are so freely promulgated. I know some successful fishermen who habitually fish down-stream, and who use medium gut for their casts. In very rapid water, free from weeds (the Derbyshire rivers, and Welsh streams, for example,) a third fly may be added to the stretcher and dropper, but, on the whole, little good comes of more than two flies on the cast. In trout water where the fish do not rise well at the usual flies the Alexandra is as much in place as a spun minnow, but it spoils the fish for the artificial fly pure and simple. — William Senior, Angling In Great Britain (1883)
Materials:
Hook: Streamer no. 10 (or whatever you choose or can handle)
Thread: black UNI 8/0
Tail: Red Marabou or red goose shoulders (or something red)
Claude has created a document showing step by step images from the McPhail video and images from Claude’s material. It may provide an alternative ‘how-to’.
This message has been received from Monaro Acclimatisation Society. The gate has been installed due to anti-social behaviour occurring at Paddy’s Corner.
As agreed at a MAS general meeting last year a new gate has been placed at the entrance to Paddys Corner Reserve on the Thredbo River just below the Gaden Hatchery. Due to the number of people camping at the Reserve during the snow season it was agreed to install the gate and restrict vehicle access to the reserve during the snow season to deter the camping, fires and defecation in the Reserve. Members need to be aware that the Reserve gate will be open for the entire trout season and only closed when the Thredbo River closes to fishing. The reserve is open to foot access at all times. The Crackenback Trust is the MAS Trust for Reserves.
Due to the damage done over the past snow seasons we will need to seek options to have the access road and reserve roads repaired.
Got some news from Steve Samuels, Pres Monaro Acclimatisation Society.
Dear Supporters, I just thought I would take this opportunity to share with you a photo of the completed bank stabilisation works at Providence Portal. From my perspective the contractors have done an excellent job and the clay ridden water of the past should be gone forever. I hope you have had a good season.
The Tumut trip report that missed the schedule for May Burley Line has arrived – wow! Some excellent photos – don’t you love the bokeh (selective focus on the fish and not the angler :-). Seemed quite a success despite the high flows and will be a must-do event next year.
Was very exciting to have JQ down here from Cairns and available within his busy schedule to get out for one day chasing our speckled friends up in the Brindies. This was a recce for a planned club trip next year being championed by our man in London (soon to be back home) Greg W.
I’ve put some thoughts to the committee on trips that I’d like to conduct next season. Put your hand up folks – the program is in development and all the trips ought not have to fall upon the ‘usual suspects’.
Similarly, the stories here are a bit thin – aren’t you fishing? We’d all love to hear what you’ve been up to with the close of stream season almost upon us.
Some variations on the Wooly Bugger. Both with and without the traditional palmered hackle.
These images come from our leader, Claude. He remarked “If I ever tie a dodgy fly, I normally use them as a starting fly in a particularly snaggy spot where loosing it wont break my heart 😊. As JQ said, you can trim the tail if you keep having tail strikes.”
