In preparation for those who might be loch style fishing (especially at our Jindy trip), Shaun has put this pointer up on our Facebook page. A talk by Tom Jarman.
Author Archives: bill
Recreational Fishing Alliance of NSW – Jan 2021 Newsletter

Through our affiliation with the NSW Council of Freshwater Anglers, we are engaged with the RFANSW. Their first newsletter of 2021 (here) has its usual mix of salt and freshwater. Some interesting items:
- Recreational fishers call for proper research and data to manage Batemans Marine Park
- UTAS Science of Fishing online course
- Does the NSW Recreational Fishing Trust Need an INDEPENDENT Audit?
NSW Council of Freshwater Anglers Jan 21 Newsletter

The first of the new year has been released here
Topical items are:
- Fish screens – benefits for fish, fishers, irrigators, communities
- A number of items on natives especially Murray Cod, in particular the relocation of rescued cod
- More on feral horses and Federal Government action
- NSW fishing licence will be valid on Lake Hume in a 12 month trial this year
January 2021 Burley Line (Newsletter Issue 163)

We typically don’t have a January edition, (especially since I’ve never been able to convince an ex-Vice President to do a special Christmas Edition J). Nevertheless, I thought it particularly important this year. A chance to report on an enjoyable end of year barbeque catching up after a year of limited gatherings and a successful coast trip (well for everyone except me L). The ever reliable Jason M has produced reports on his aspect of the Coast trip, but he extended on to head on to Brogo where we missed out last month, plus provided some additional reporting on the Lake G outing which was run when the CAA Brogo event was cancelled. A prolific contributor to Burley Line and always appreciated.
Moreover, looking forwards, we have an unprecedented (if ever a word was overused recently that one would have to take the cake) two events in January – Claude’s carp caper and our ever popular Jindabyne trip – occurring before we even meet for the first time in 2021. Make sure you put them into the diary, and contact me if you have an interest in Jindy. We already have 12 members showing interest … and note there are only 14 beds. More information soon via email.
As I write this, President Claude is in Melbourne having his nasal passages probed by Dan Andrew’s medical staff and me having to cancel my planned trip to Terrigal later this week due to the Northern Beaches outbreak. How soon the COVID situation can resurge after success – and threaten the chances of a few of us planning a trip to NZ in April. As we have all agreed, 2020 has been an insane year, we can only hope things will feel more normal next year.
From me and my team of helpers, all the best for the festive season and hope to see you all in the new year.
More on brumbies
Did you see this one?
https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/7042609/federal-push-for-alpine-wild-horse-cull/?cs=9676
” Alpine river guide Richard Swain showed Ms Ley through the landscape he grew up on
…
“Destruction is across the entire ecosystem,” Mr Swain, a Wiradjuri man, told AAP.
…
The horses also trampled sediment into creeks, which affected fish breeding, Mr Swain said.”
I wonder how real is this funding and will it be actually actioned given the KNP is a NSW state asset.
NSWCFA Newsletter – Dec 2020

Arrived after publication of our Dec newsletter. Some interesting stuff here folks:
- Murray Cod season opened today
- Roundup – friend or foe? – a report here that seeks to understand the chemical
- Fish passage a priority issue for the NSWCFA – a lot of detail on the issue, including a description of the NSW Government initiative looking at the matter … think reducing barriers to fish migration
- Got walking shoes and a camera? You can help Reclaim Kosci this summer. – assistance sought in identifying brumby locations
- Platypuses continuing to die because of COVID-19? – NSWCFA, as part of the Platypus Alliance, have been pushing the NSW Government to put in place the regulatory mechanisms to ban Opera House traps – known to kill platypus. The most recent correspondence with the various ministers has blamed COVID restrictions on the lack of action.
- Latest NSWCFA Executive and General Meetings
December 2020 Burley Line (Newsletter Issue 162)

In this issue:
- An article by new member Tristan on building a fly rod – quite inspiring and the rod does work (see cover photo).
- Images and videos of Googong – a bit more water there now than when we went during the casting weekends. Thanks Greg S and Lyall.
- Jaime works as an entomologist (just an excuse to learn the wheres and whens of trout food!) and he chanced on an interesting find.
- Promo from me for the Jan 2021 Jindabyne trip.
- A sad tale from someone who will remain nameless.
- Brogo was cancelled, but that didn’t mean we couldn’t go fishing.
- Mike offered some supplementary advice in respect to JQ’s Flat Wing Deceiver pattern.
- Did everyone know that Lake Eucumbene has been performing well?
- One item for sale.
- Lots of news from our lobby groups.
Fly Tying – 25 Nov 2020 – Flat Wing Deceiver – Materials and Notes
A short update. Mike noted in the comments that Micky Finn had spoken about this fly for local natives during a session at Compleat Angler. JQ has done some research and pointed me to https://flystream.com/fly-fishing-for-canberra-natives-cod-perch/
JQ said “Mentioned deceiver but not flat wing..The flat wing just presents more of a lateral line of the fly.”
I’ll try to hunt out some images of Micky’s. Meanwhile here are three that JQ provided. After the event I hope I’ll be able to add some photos of those tied on the night.



From JQ:
Hope you’ve all had a chance to read up or YouTube the fly to see what you’re in for. A definite staple fly to have if fishing in the tropics for pelagics, and I am confident in the right colour and size, natives, king fish and Aussie salmon down your way will be all over this!
Attached is our ingredients with the exception of jungle cock and I’ve just substituted it with some stick on eyes, but if you jungle cock it then use it.
And colours of saddle hackle and buck tail.. Go nuts! The photo below of materials is just what I had on my tying bench.
Hook size too – entirely up to you. Guys here are tying 4/0 plus. And a quality hook should reduce the chances of getting straightened. Native flies you might go as low as size 1.
The blue length is heat shrink, not for shrinking onto anything but it will be used for pushing the buck tail back on its self rather than trying to do it by hand. A reasonable size straw will do good too,- I just didn’t have any. It’s got to be large enough to go over the eye of the hook that’s all..

More info with links to YouTube are here.
keyword wetfly streamerfly
NSW Council of Freshwater Anglers – Nov 2020 Newsletter
This arrived just too late for the Nov Burley Line and is available here. A few items of interest:
- Changes to Crown reserve management in Snowy Monaro – Council, in collaboration with SLR Consulting, are seeking feedback from users and stakeholders of the Crown Reserves to better understand their use and future management objectives. The community can provide feedback online through Your Say Snowy Monaro, in writing to Council, or by attending a drop-in session (bookings required).
- Second chance for petition to urge action against out-of-control horse numbers – an e-petition has been started. While the NSWCFA Newsletter indicates that visitors to KNP can sign, my attempt failed – seems you have to be a resident of NSW to have a say …. I’m chasing with the originators of this release (Reclaim Kosci).
- Environment NSW update on feral horse removal from KNP – “The program is focused on controlling horses in three fire-impacted management areas. These areas cover 9% of the park. All horses are being removed from the Nungar plain area. Horse populations in the Cooleman and Kiandra areas are being reduced towards a sustainable level.” More explanation in the newsletter
- Latest NSWCFA Executive Meeting – The NSW CFA Executive Committee met by Zoom on 28 October. Notes are in the newsletter – the Exec has been pretty busy and getting some results.
Recreational Fishing Alliance of NSW Newsletter – Nov 2020
The issue is available here.
It arrived just a little too late for Nov Burley Line. As you would expect, mainly maritime stuff, but I saw one item
- Expired Marine Flare collection program 2020/21 – seems this has restarted. RFA offers a listing (click here for details). Unfortunately, this only provides dates for up near Sydney. People around here who have a need should contact the Roads and Maritime folk – try phoning 13 12 36.