Author Archives: bill

Identifying the health and well-being benefits of recreational fishing

Claude found this interesting research paper undertaken by Curtin University’s Centre of Excellence for Science, Seafood and Health.  The key findings were summarised as:

considerable health and well-being benefits can be gained through involvement in recreational fishing. Encouraging young children, youth, adults and families to fish offers a cost effective and healthful outdoor recreational activity that can be enjoyed throughout life. Benefits were evident for individuals and groups. Recreational fishing was also noted to provide significant benefits to children and youth with behavioural and mental health issues. Finally, educational strategies that focus on how to minimise the environmental impacts of recreational fishing can ensure today’s and tomorrow’s recreational fishers are aware of sustainable fishing practices.

The original piece is available at the university’s website, specifically here.

Fly Tying 24 May 2017 – The Simple Elk Hair Caddis

Notes from our instructor  (Lyall)

This month, we kicked off at 7:00 pm with a few basic techniques for beginning fly tiers then at 7:30 we began tying a simple Elk Hair Caddis.  No matter what style of fly fishing I am doing in Canberra or it’s surrounds, I always have an Elk Hair Caddis in my fly box.

Materials list:

Hook: size 10 , 2 x long, light weight hook (doesn’t have to be dry fly but must not be heavy)

Thread: tan 8/0 or 6/0

Body: polyester yarn (hard to find in fly shops). Substitute Sullivan’s Nylon Knitting Ribbon available at Lincraft sewing shops.  I paid $5 for ninety metres so have enough to tie 1,800 Caddis so everyone is welcome to a metre!!!

Hackle: palmered brown and/or black hackle (preferably cock hackle which will retain its structure rather than hen which will pulse while stripping)

Wing: elk body hair, natural brown colour

keyword dryfly

Latest ACT Recreational Fishing Rules Brochure

The latest brochure is up on the Government website, available by clicking here. Mention is made of the issue of white spot disease of prawns so clearly it has been recently updated.

I’d not seen this before but one sentence puts paid to that urban myth of having to kill carp and redfin “You can keep them or return them to the water where they were caught.”

Squirmy Wormy – Fly Tying 26 Apr 2017

Notes from our lead, Jaime, below:

We are going to tie the SQUIRMY WORMY. It’s a heavy fly (weird to call it “fly” cause it doesn’t have a single feather or hairy material). It’s one of the flies mentioned in the video we watched during our April meeting, about European Nymphing and is becoming more and more in this style of fly fishing.

One of my rainbows in Tumut’s outing was caught with one of these flies in fast water.

I think this fly was created and inspired on the San Juan worm but it’s heavier than that and has a special action given by the material. We are going to tie the original (version 1: squirmy wormy, properly) and a lighter version (version 2).

keyword wetfly

Eucumbene River Vehicle Access at Denison – Correction

The latest news appeared on the DPI’s Facebook page. This has declared the foreshadowed vehicular access closure is now implemented.

(Note the closure is for the entire year and mechanisms are in place to enforce this. An earlier post on this blog was incorrect and the matter has been clarified with the DPI.)

Access via vehicle for those with legitimate mobility constraints are being catered for throughout the full stream season but with special permit and rules during the high demand period of April through to closing. Go to https://goo.gl/OgjF5b for details on how to access these arrangements.

The rest of us can walk down the hill or use a bike from the Denison camping ground.

(Well done Nathan for picking this up and posting on our Facebook)

Apr 2017 Burley Line (Newsletter Issue 120)

The arrival of Eli has been a moment of excitement, not just for JQ and Darlene, but perhaps for many in the club.  The traditional gift of flowers was sent to mark the occasion.  We all wish them well with this next exciting phase of their family life.  By the way, the card on Eli’s cot is showing an incorrect length, apparently his ‘blue book’ has 47.5cm recorded!

This issue of The Burley Line has reports from local fishing in a number of contexts plus some discussion on what might have a big impact on trout fishing in the mountains: “Snowy Hydro 2.0” as Malcolm is calling it.  One guest correspondent has provided a report on “Twigwater” in the Snowies, but perhaps more topical in the newsletter item on that report is a link to some videos including a familiar face – check it out.

Click link below to get to newsletter

0120