Well it has been a challenging period.  The smoke around Canberra reminded us of the disaster that has been around us in NSW (and now on our doorstep).  My family has been personally impacted with members living at the coast being threatened with destruction of their houses or worse.  We’ve hosted 7 evacuees in our house – having them here has been quite entertaining but with the concern about those staying back uppermost in our minds.  The Fires Near Me app was in constant use – currently showing that our old haunt at Brogo perhaps having a near escape.

In amongst this, Charlie ran into an old friend of the club – Randy.  He had moved down from Canberra to Malua Bay some years ago (2013?).  Tragically, Randy lost his house and many of his possessions in the New Year’s Eve firestorm.  I have conveyed to Randy the sympathy of CAA. Our thoughts go out to him and Lindsay.

Many members will remember Randy for his knife sharpening stall operating at Moruya Markets.  Randy was the contact who got CAA access to the CSIRO Ski Club lodge at East Jindabyne for which we continue to be grateful.

I hadn’t thought we’d publish a February edition, but the ever reliable Jason M has filled my in-box with material about the previous trip to Brogo and ‘postcards’ from his fishing/kayaking/camping expedition in Tasmania – I’ve saved a couple for our next edition.  Thanks also to Claude for some images of his latest flytying creations – his ‘secret flies’ for our forthcoming NZ trip remain under wraps.  I’ve also popped in some information about the sculpture that long time member Charlie assisted with.

One final snippet that I just learnt of yesterday.  President of MAS and local angling guru Steve Samuels has been reappointed to the Recreational Fishing NSW Advisory Council – giving a voice to recreational anglers directly to the Minister.  Congratulations Steve.

This turned out to be a surprisingly large edition.

This month we have both a story from the President (thanks mate) but also one about him – Lost and Found.

Many thanks to Lyall for his comprehensive report on the World Championship – reads like a thriller except with pictures.  Thanks also for Stefan’s very thoughtful piece on the recent Brogo trip – more and more this proves to be very worthwhile event, but watercraft seem to be the go.

This will be the last edition that Jason Q is involved with.  Can I publicly acknowledge all the assistance he has given me, not least is picking up entire editions when I thoughtlessly make myself absent.  He has been a great asset to Burley Line and will be sorely missed.  If anyone would like to step into that void, discuss with him what it involves and drop an email to the burley-line address

Meantime, don’t be surprised if I ply you with a beverage in advance of asking you to volunteer to help.

Congratulations to those who stepped up to help out at the sausage sizzle at the Compleat Anglers First Birthday celebrations.  Unfortunately I was interstate and fully committed.

Finally, the story of ‘Stumpy’, our cover photo this month.  I was lucky enough to be invited for a few sessions fishing with local angling legend Steve Samuels.  His skills extend past fly fishing to soft plastics.  There we were on Mallacoota’s bottom lake, Steve calls the fish a good size looking at its head shaking, but when netted, it was revealed to be undersized!  Clearly some pelagic likes flathead tails as much as me. I should have noted in the edition, Stumpy went back into the water to fight another day.